It was nearly a week later when Ed came home to find Rubix sleeping in his bed, Kristen sitting at the dining room table.

"Hey." Ed said quietly. "How's he been?" He asked, gently placing his keys on the table and kicking his shoes off.

"Energetic," Kristen said with a tired smile, getting up to go greet him. "He finally tired himself out, though." She walked over to Edward and kissed him. "How did the GED go?" she asked.

"Good." He said kissing her back. "I also have good news." He said though he didn't look as if he were too happy about it. "I got a full time job. It's a horrid job but …. At least I have something until I find something better. And the hours won't be as nuts as when I worked at the GCPD. I was just down to talk to Marian, she's willing to watch Rubix during the day while I'm at work."

"That's good at least," Kristen said, smoothing back Edward's hair. It was a relief to know he'd at least found something. "And it's just for now. So what is this dreaded job?"

"Outbound sales at a call centre. Apparently the guy who did my interview liked my lack of job experience because he wouldn't have to break me of old habits." He said sounding a little annoyed. "Have you had supper yet?" He asked.

Kristen shook her head. "No, I haven't," she admitted. She'd been too preoccupied keeping up with Rubix. "You?"

"No. I was thinking of ordering Chinese. What do you think?" He asked.

"Sounds like a plan," she agreed. As tired as Edward seemed when he came in, she didn't think either of them was up to anything more than that.

When the food finally came Rubix was already slowly starting to stir and Edward woke him up to tell him supper was ready. He picked him up and carried him over to the table. "We should keep him up for a few hours other wise he'll be up at four am.

Kristen nodded with a slight wince. "That sounds like something you learned from experience," she said sympathetically, as she set out a plate for Rubix, dishing out a little of everything for him to try.

Edward nodded. "Oh, more nights than I care to count." He said dishing out his own food and watching with a small smile as Kristen fell easily into the 'mom' role.

"What are you smiling at?" Kristen asked, looking over at him, slightly confused. She sat down and started filling her own plate as well.

"Nothing … You're just … Really good with him." He said as Rubix moved up onto his knees as he picked up his plastic children's fork to eat his food.

"Well," Kristen said, happily. "He's not that difficult to get along with … Are you, Rubix?"

Rubix said nothing as he ate his food, knowing better than to talk with his mouth full.

"So I start my new job tomorrow." He said sounding unamused.

"I know it's not as mentally stimulating as your old job," Kristen said sympathetically. "But I'm glad you at least found something for now. What are your hours like?" she asked. "I guess they're at least a little more regular?"

"8-4 Monday to Friday and 9-3 first two Saturday's of every month. Second two Saturday's are optional, but both give at least three and a half hours over time. I could also work evening over time if I wanted. Down side is if I miss a single shift I lose my commission for that week."

"That … is a lot," Kristen admitted, wincing slightly. "At least they won't be calling you in at two in the morning, though."

"And I won't be there for 36 hours straight. Longest they could keep me for is thirteen hours, and even then it would be voluntary. I can't see myself staying a double shift unless it was the end of the week and I'm trying to hit the next commission level." He said glancing over at Rubix who ignored them, probably because he didn't understand what they were talking about.

"Hey Rubix. Do you want to go to Marian's tomorrow?" He asked.

"No." Rubix said. "I stay here pay wif you." He said as if that were a statement of fact and as simple as that.

"But Daddy's gotta work tomorrow Rubix … So I'm going to take you to go play with Marian tomorrow." He said as Rubix played with the food on his plate.

"Kay." He said trying to scoop some noodles onto his fork which kept falling off.

"It'll be fun," Kristen reassured Rubix. "Marian and Ben will be glad to see you."

Edward cut up Rubix's noodles with his own knife so that he could get them onto his fork better. "Do you work tomorrow?" Edward asked. "My work isn't far from the GCPD, so if you want a ride I can take you."

"That would be great," Kristen said. As unenthusiastic as he seemed about this new job, she was determined to place as much focus on the positive side as possible. And she missed riding to work together.