On the first day Boomer managed to step out of his house.

On the second, he made it to the main street.

On the third, to the station.

On the fourth, he managed to ride the train.

On the fifth he finally accomplished his goal... and visited the graveyard.

Taking one step forward, Boomer entered the cemetery and stopped. Turning around he glanced at the gate he just crossed. He really felt like turning around and running back home... but if the progress was going to be similar to the last few days, he wouldn't make it by the end of the next year. Boomer really wasn't sure if he wanted to torture himself so much.

Taking another small step, the blonde moved forward. Once again taking a step, then another and another, he stopped every few steps, but it was progress. Boomer was fucking glad that it was night already, and nobody was there to see him, it would only draw unwanted attention. He left home early, really... but had stood so long in front of the entrance before going in.

This cemetery was different than the one in Townsville. It was spooky, it was scary, it was bothering and he didn't feel the least bit comfortable here. Stopping finally, after what seemed like two days trip, Boomer looked at the grave in front of him.

"You bitch." Boomer hissed through gritted teeth, already feeling his eyes starting to sting. "You fucking bitch."

Crouching on the ground, the blonde propped his elbows on the grave and tried to calm his already shaking hands. He had come here for the first time after one year... but somehow felt like he had never left in the first place.

"You really did manage to fuck my life up, you know that?" Boomer smiled to himself bitterly. "That's what you wanted, right? Because I wasn't obedient and didn't do as you asked me to, huh?"

The blonde gritted his teeth as tears started to drop from his eyes slowly.

"Fuck." Boomer swore again, wiping his eyes angrily. God, hadn't he cried enough already? "Why did it have to happen? I really fucked up big time, didn't I? If I'd noticed... then maybe..."

His throat tightened painfully and Boomer chocked on his tears. Resting his forehead in the palm of his hand, he let the tears fall, it was the best way to deal with it.

"God, I hate you... I hate you so much..." Boomer said in a small voice, closing his eyes and sniffing a few times. "But I love you so much as well... after all this... so much..."

His body trembled as he cried, his face was all wet but he didn't care. Was it possible to hate and love one person at the same time? Because he sure as hell felt like that...

"You will never leave me alone, will you? God, you made me feel this way about you, then did... that and left me behind not long after. This feeling of guilt... feeling of attachment... it will never go away, right?" Boomer laughed bitterly through the tears, wiping his cheeks again. "Why won't you die? Why won't you really die?"

Lifting his wet eyes, Boomer glanced at the name on the grave. He knew he was acting like a madman right now. Crying, laughing and everything on the grave of the one person he both hated and loved the most in his entire life.

"You were always one hell of a bitch..." The blonde chuckled darkly again. "Right, Ima?"

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Brick had decided to stay with Blossom throughout the whole time Boomer was gone. He knew that if he left, Blossom would do nothing but worry all the time, pace around the room and check her cell phone every five seconds...

...and of course the pure prospect of living – even if for a short time – with Blossom. God, was he pathetic.

Nothing more happened between them of course, besides that small kiss on the hand that Brick knew was a simple gesture of gratitude. Brick refused to look deeper into that, simply because he knew there was nothing there.

"Feeling better, Pinky?" Brick asked, lifting his head from the book he was reading. He was lying on his stomach on the big comfy bed, only looking up after hearing Blossom emerging from the bathroom.

God, why didn't Blossom cover up or something? Brick nearly jumped her at the sight, but years of practice – oh the fucking years of practice – helped him to get a grip. Brick had nothing on himself, grey sweatpants hung dangerously low on his well shaped hips.

But Blossom, her pink tank top just barely covered her stomach, shorts weren't even really shorts, more like panties. Her , red hair cascaded to her shoulders, water still dripping from it.

"Yeah." Blossom said smiling slightly and coming to the bed, lying down on her back. Brick immediately scooted closer, grinning widely. Lifting his hand, he put his fingers into the wet wavy hair and moved them along Blossom's skull.

"You look sexy with your hair this way and all, but I really preferred you with long hair." He said pouting playfully. Truth is his pout was more sincere then he cared to acknowledge. He really did miss Blossom's waist length long hair, he really did miss THAT Blossom.

Blossom moved her eyes just an inch to look at him.

"It made you... you, ya know." Brick added.

"But you do think I'm sexy." Blossom pointed out with a smirk and Brick rolled his eyes. There was nothing special about them acting or talking like this, they did it quite often... still in a friendly way of course.

"Who in their right mind wouldn't?" Seriously, who wouldn't?

"You do have a point there I must say." Blossom said, smirking even more when Brick hit her on the shoulder. Brick observed his friend's face for a few seconds. He almost felt like they were really together for a moment, with all the living together, laughing and teasing... oh how he wished he could lean down those few centimeters and...

Brick snapped from his thoughts when he heard bamming on Blossom's door, seriously. Who the hell.

He grunted as Blossom leaned her weight on him, to lift herself up and answered the door.

"Bout damn time, lazy bitch" a loud voice said, as a girl strolled into the apartment.

"Hello to you too, Buttercup" Blossom dully replied.

Buttercup rolled her eyes and ungracefully dropped on the couch, "Yeah whatever, listen leader girl I am out of my mind bored and … well was I interrupting something or am I joining something" Buttercup finished with a grin as she saw a shirtless Brick enter the living room.

"Don't be stupid" Blossom quickly snapped she then sarcastically quipped, "If your bored Buttercup why not oh I don't know, do something"

"Well Bitchy Blossy, I was gonna but I figured with Boomer gone and all you' de be bored too. So I though why not invite you, since yesterday didn't entirely suck.. I didn't expect to be interrupting a redhead orgy".

"First its not an orgy with two people, and two Brick and I would never-" Blossom hastily lectured only to be interrupted by her loud cellphone.

"Here." Brick said as he tossed Blossom her cellphone and stomped back into her bedroom. He was incredibly frustrated by Buttercups prying and even more frustrated with Blossoms answers, honestly did she even think of how she was wording it.

"What's his problem" Buttercup questioned.

Blossom looked at the ID immediately thinking it was Boomer, but when she didn't recognize the number she frowned lightly, flipping the phone open.

"Hello?"

"Um, hello?" Some confused voice on the other said asked. "It's Bubbles—"

"Oh, Boomer's hooker!" Blossom exclaimed instantly gaining a hearty laugh from Buttercup. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Yeah, it's me..."Bubbles said with a sigh. Anyway, she had more pressing matters than worrying about her standing among Boomer's family. "Boomer gave me your number before leaving, you know? He told me to not hesitate to call you if something happened—"

"What happened?" Blossom asked getting serious. Now that she thought about it, the blondes' voice was somehow distressed. Bubbles paused, long enough for Blossom to press speaker after Buttercups constant urging. It was clear Blossom wasn't really who Bubbles wanted to talk to.

"Well, I have this problem with my apartment..."Bubbles started uncomfortably. She really felt embarrassed about calling someone she didn't really know and asking for help, but... "I kinda got kicked out and I really wouldn't bother you, but I have no one else to call. To make the things worse this mean ole landlord refused to give me my things back saying something about—"

"Bubbles, slow down." Blossom said, trying to get the blonde to calm down. She really didn't get anything beside the part about being kicked out. "Tell me where it is and I'll get you, okay?"

"I'm coming to" Buttercup yelled out.

" Is that Buttercup? Oh no am I on speaker? God I feel so stupid asking you for this..."Bubbles kept on rambling but Blossom somehow managed to get the directions from her. After hanging up she went into her bedroom up and started to get dressed.

" Look Bloss I know slamming the door was uncalled for. I kinda maybe frustrate myself by overthinking things , ya know. Where did you and Buttercup decide to go?" Brick murmured as Blossom rummaged through her drawers.

He figured maybe if he took the initiative to talk first Blossom would see at least that he was being mature. Maybe she would be mature too and realize why he was upset.

Not a chance.

Blossom didn't reply for a minute rummaging through her drawer until she found a bottle of some expensive looking alcohol. She popped open the cap, took an enormous gulp and wiped the excess of her chin.

"It seems that our adorable hooker has some problems with her apartment. Boomer gave her my number, not sure if we should we be happy about all this... or start to worry and dig another grave for Boomer? Kinda freaking me out so I need a shot" Blossom explained to Brick as she started to find her clothes.

"What" Brick spluttered.

"Bubbles she has a-

"I fucking heard you Blossom. I just cant believe that's what your response is" Brick practically yelled.

"What do you mean? You aske me where Buttercup and I were going I was telling you" Blossom quickly bit back.

"Did you even hear the beginning sentence"

"I don't care that you slammed the door Brick, really its fine I-

"That's the problem you don't care about any fucking thing that's not pertaining to Boomer"

"Boomer my brother Brick , my only family, my top priority"

"He's your only priority Blossom"

"No he isn't"

"God, yes he is. You so fixated on Boomer that you don't even think about yourself. You just downed damn near half a bottle in one go"

"So what its just a-

"Just a what Blossom. A swig, a glass, a sip. I've heard that shit too many times this week. All you fucking do is drink,worry about Boomer and smoke it's pathetic"

Blossom paused, "Pathetic"

"Fucking Pa-the-tic! An alcoholic college dropout, don't think Daddy would be very proud of his perfect little girl" Brick angrily quipped. It as uncalled for, he knew. Blossoms dad was probably the lowest punch he could throw.

"Whats wrong with you" Blossom said after a moment.

" You still don't get it, its not what wrong with me Bloss, but whats wrong with you " Brick said before slipping on his shoes and leaving the apartment.

Blossom could only look at his retreating form with a frown.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Probability of something happening was inversely proportional to the need of it happening.

Bubbles knew it was true then.

Boomer was her God.

Bubbles knew it was true now as well.

The blonde whined to herself while sitting on the pavement in front of her block. How could she get kicked out so easily, seriously? Her landlord had some serious mental problems! Just because she was delayed with paying rent a few times... big deal! It wasn't even her fault! Everything she earned in Oliveraa went for her food and school supplies! Seriously, she needed a little understanding here!

Thank God, Boomer was so thoughtful as to give the blonde Blossom's number. Bubbles couldn't believe she didn't want to take it! Who would she turn to right now if not the Boomer's sister? Sure there was Mr. Cooper but he himself lived in a one room apartment and was seeing someone lately. How could she impose herself in a situation like that? It would only make him more worried and probably get him into trouble as well, and Bubbles certainly didn't want that. Then there was Butch, but Bubbles barely trusted him at work she wasn't sure she wanted him to know where she lives..well lived.

Bubbles looked up when the black Chevrolet parked right next to her. Pushing the door open, Buttercup gracefully stepped out while Blossom stomped out.

"Hi Blossom' Bubbles warily greeted.

After hearing Bubbles tone, Blossom immediately straightened her back and smirked back to the petite blonde, "Hello Hooker, sorry I'm not angry at you if that's what your worried about." She said and tried to stop herself from laughing after seeing Bubbles's dull glare.

Bricks attitude aside, Blossom really didn't mind this situation, sure it worried her but it also gave her an ounce of hope. Boomer was getting close to someone, again.

Blossom already had an idea as to what to do with this situation, so it would benefit herself and her little brother the most. A sneaky bitch she was indeed.

"I'm really, really sorry." Bubbles started to apologize again, glancing with tired eyes at the women in front of her.

"For the tenth time, there's really no need to do that," Blossom said and glanced at the building. Maybe it was for the better that Bubbles got kicked out of this shit hole. "So your landlord kicked you out and refused to give you your things saying that you took too long arguing with him and wasted your time. Did I get it right, I'm not quite sure."

"Yeah..."Bubbles said, sighing tiredly.

Blossom nodded, "Alright, Buttercup. You can start us off"

" As usual. Mkay, hooker bitch... which window is your landlord's?" Buttercup asked. The blonde blinked, slightly lost. Not wanting to oppose the women who hurried to her rescue on a white horse—erm, in the black Chevrolet, Bubbles turned around and pointed at one of the windows.

Buttercup nodded again and looked around the pavement. After finding what she was looking for she bent down to lift it. The blonde frowned. What was that thing in her hand—

It was a fucking rock.

Bubbles's eyes widened in shock as she observed Buttercup lift a rock and threw it with a deadly precision into her landlord's window.

"What are you doing?!"Bubbles screamed getting up after hearing the sound of the broken window. Buttercup only shrugged her shoulders, her face displaying no emotions whatsoever, putting her hands into her pockets and not moving from the spot she was standing in.

"I didn't feel like going all the way in there." She said like it was the most casual thing in the world and continued to wait.

Bubbles gaped at her then turned to Blossom.

No reaction.

God, she could already hear the screams coming from inside.

"What?! Come on we have to get out—"Bubbles forgot all about her little speech when she saw her ex-landlord running out of the building with the most furious expression ever. She didn't stop by seeing it; she stopped after noticing the change in Blossom's facial expression.

Just a minute before the red head stood there completely relaxed with the most bored look in her eyes you could possibly imagine. Now her posture was straightened out and almost godly, her eyes narrowed dangerously with an almighty glint in them. She looked destined to destroy.

Buttercup wasn't that different. Her smirk was sharp enough to cut diamonds, piercing lime green eyes tore through your soul in the harshest glare Bubbles had ever seen. The general impression you've got after looking at her was something along the lines of: I just killed half of the city, but I'm still not satisfied, I think you're going to die next – consider yourself lucky.

Bubbles swallowed loudly. God, how lucky she was to stand here, not there, in front of the women she supposedly knew.

"Is it you who—" Her landlord started but wasn't given a chance to finish as Buttercup punched him into Blossom. Blossom didn't even hold his shaking body for a minute, she simply grabbed the man by the front of the shirt and pushed him roughly into the nearby wall.

Bubbles couldn't hear what they were saying, and she most certainly didn't dare to step closer and listen... but from the place she was standing it looked like Blossom did all the talking and the man nodded obediently with one hell of a scared expression. In the beginning he shook his head only to receive a large punch from Buttercup. The blonde couldn't help but smile a bit to herself. It was like having two badass big sisters, one calm and one rash, both intimidating. Both looked like they could kill you in a second.

Finally finishing her little chitchat with the landlord Blossom let go of the man, who hurried inside the building with the palest face Bubbles had ever seen.

"Uh...What about my things?" Bubbles asked uncertainly when Blossom and Buttercup came to stand next to her. The redhead turned her head to look at Bubbles with a smirk decorating her face.

"He will get it for us in a minute. "Bubbles only nodded in bemusement. Indeed no longer than fifteen minutes later the landlord started to carry out Bubbles's packed things. They weren't packed when she was getting kicked out. She shook her head in disbelief. What diplomacy could do, really.

When the man was done and everything was packed in the Blossom's car, the landlord bowed lowly muttering something that sounded vaguely like: 'I apologize for the inconvenience Blossom, sorry Buttercup' and left hurriedly. Nothing could surprise the blonde now, really.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Bubbles sat on the couch with her eyes down sipping slowly on her tea. She never felt so self-conscious in her entire life really! God. How she hated to disturb Blossom, especially seeing how intimidating she can be...

"Come on blondey!" Buttercup snorted from her spot on the couch, grinning happily. "Bloss is a pansy and me, well I don't have a reason to fuck you up!"

"Not the words I would use but Buttercup is right. We won't hurt you." Blossom said, sitting next to her black haired friend and looking at the embarrassed Bubbles. "Just relax we have to find you some place to stay and kinda need to know your taste if we're to do that correctly..."

"No! There's no need, I'll look for something myself, really!"Bubbles said hurriedly, waving her hands in defence.

"No, that's alright." Blossom said in a gentle voice, but the one that bared no resistance. Time to put her genius plan in motion. "I can find you some other apartment to rent, but it will take some time. So, let me ask you this... how do you feel about Boomer?"

"Wha—?!"Bubbles looked shocked at the redhead who glanced at her as the predator does on its unsuspecting victim. Then she moved her eyes to Buttercup, who smirked deeply, as if she already knew what was about to happen. "How do I feel about Boomer? I don't know... I mean he is cool and good-looking, but how do I feel about him you ask? Did I tell you that I think he's cool—"

"Yes you did,Bubbles." Blossom said, smirking wider. "Now, little hooker. Take a deep breath, think for a minute and answer me sincerely."

Bubbles blinked. Okay, from the way Blossom put it lie equaled death. The blonde swallowed and closed her eyes for a minute, trying to get her thoughts in order, which wasn't an easy task.

She didn't know how she felt about Boomer, let alone how was she suppose to voice her opinion, preferably in some coherent sentences because Bloosom appeared like the type to appreciate grammar and... and god she was freaking hungry! Thinking with an empty stomach was never good—

"I'll get you something to eat, I can see you can't think straight because of your stomach." Blossom said getting up in a swift motion and Bubbles gaped at the woman. Did she just fucking read her mind? How did she do that? Could she read her mind and tell her how she felt about Boomer as well?

"Years of experience. No, I can't answer for you,Bubbles." Blossom answered the blondes' thoughts again. Years of experience? But who had she practiced this on— "Boomer." Blossom said once again while going through the fridge.

To say that the blonde felt lost was understandable. Shaking her head and deciding that it was too complicated to dwell on,Bubbles started to eat the lasagne Blossom placed in front of her. When she was done, no longer than three minutes later she looked at Blossom's serious face.

"How do I feel about Boomer, huh?"Bubbles said, her face also going serious. Frowning, the blonde pondered on the matter. "I... I guess I care about him." She really couldn't say it in any other way; it was the only way to put it. Blossom nodded her head while observing the blonde.

"Then tell me one more thing." She said and the blonds' head snapped up immediately, waiting for the next question. "You say you care about him. How much exactly do you care about him? Enough to let him go?"

Bubbles's mouth fell open slightly at this question. The blonde looked into dark, cold pink eyes searching for some kind of clue... but the only thing she could see there was that the red head was indeed serious. Was Blossom really trying to tell her to leave Boomer alone? Then why all this? The blonde smiled sadly. If she really was such a problem, she would disappear.

"If I'm a bother and my presence does nothing but harm him, then yes."Bubbles answered calmly. Then she looked at Blossom with narrowed eyes. "But only if Boomer says so."

Both girls went silent andBubbles wondered if she just might have crossed the line by saying this to Blossom. God, was she going to die now? There was no one to save her this time!

"Okay then." Blossom said after exchanging the knowing glances with Buttercup. Tossing something at Bubbles, she got up and started to collect the dishes.

The blonde looked at the...keys in her hand. Then blinked.

"What? What is this?" She asked confused. "Didn't you want me to disappear?"

"Have I said that?" Blossom asked, arching her eyebrow. She really didn't mean it in that way, the blonde had some serious self-confidence problems. "And those are the keys of course to Boomer's apartment."

"Wha—What?! You want me to move in there?!"Bubbles's eyes went wide. "Boomer's going to have my head if he sees me there!"

"Maybe." Blossom said smirking and leaning her elbows on the back of the couch. "But then again, maybe not. God knows he will need some company after coming back home. Either way I'm willing to take the risk."

"Because it's not your head you're risking."Bubbles said, glaring at the woman. Blossom just chuckled.

"Exactly." She said, thoroughly satisfied with herself. "But as Boomer would probably say in a situation like this: you're head isn't essential to survive."

Bubbles gasped in shock. She never heard Blossom joke like that before! Because she was joking, right? Right?!

"That was even meaner than Boomer... which is pretty damn mean."Bubbles said scowling at the redhead. Buttercup and Blossom both laughed in response.

It was at this moment Bubbles looked at the keys in her hand in wonder. Move in with Boomer? Hell yes, just... everything went so incredibly fast. She really felt lost. Boomer made it clear so many times that he didn't want a relationship...

"Don't think about it as moving in with your boyfriend,Bubbles, because I see that that's how you started to think about it. You two are not together just because of that, I don't want you to jump to any conclusions." Blossom said in a sharp voice. "Anyway, Boomer would probably stab you after hearing you call him that. Instead think of it as moving with your friend, as roommates."

Bubbles looked at Blossom in wonder. Yeah, that seemed like a safer option. The question was if Boomer would see it like that as well.

"Roommates that have a random sex or a blowjob here and there. My kinda living arrangement bitch, can I join." Buttercup said, snickering lightly. "Friends with benefits, what a beautiful thing it is, really."

"Ignore her, she doesn't have the little filter most humans are born with. Pretty sure's she's not human, more like a pack mule with a motor mouth and hard right hook".

"Fucking love you too Red" Buttercup angrily quipped. She then sighed and looked over at Bubbles. "Guess your gonna need help unpacking your shit, huh"

"I will help too, once I finished putting the dishes away." Blossom said as she observed the blonde and black haired girls head out to the parking lot. Was she usingBubbles? Yes, she was. Did she care if it could end badly for the blonde girl? Not really. The only thing she cared about was Boomer and how to help him... even if that help hurt anybody else, even if it hurt her. She'd do it.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Several hours and tons of curses later Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup managed to move all Bubbles's things into Boomer's apartment. There wasn't that much, but the constant bickering between Buttercup and Blossom, made it a lot harder.

Bubbles didn't interfere during their talks, she settled for a silent observation... and noticed a few interesting things.

Bubbles wasn't an oblivious person to her surroundings, as most people thought she was. Sure she did sometimes overlook the most obvious things, but those were usually things that connected directly with herself in some important matter nonetheless. It could be a bother, sure, but this...

...This was so inherently clear. Despite their protest that the two girls barely knew each other. Buttercup and Blossom seemed fairly comfortable. The girls spoke with a tone that can only be created through years of time together. Underlined behind the threats and the bickering was a relationship that screamed love, joy and pure respect for one another. It was a sister like a relationship, an unexplainable bond.

Too bad neither girl noticed it as well.

With the last bag from the car, Bubbles entered Boomer's—um, their apartment and closed the door behind her. Heading to the living room Bubbles stopped suddenly and hid behind the wall after hearing something very interesting.

"Don't be a bitch about it, Blossom" Buttercup said and Bubbles scooted closer to the corner to hear better. "Lemme just put my mouth on it… I will experience its taste and everything will be more pleasurable for both of us!"

Bubbles's eyes widened. Could she be wrong? Were they closer than sister?! And Buttercup that pervert! To talk about it in such a way...

"Buttercup"Bubbles heard Blossom's stunned voice and inched even closer. "How is you drinking my last botle of wine gonna be pleasurable."

"Well, ya know, no one likes to drink alone" Buttercup replied.

It was at this moment Bubbles fell to the floor with a loud thump, which caused both Blossom and Buttercup to look at her in surprise.

"Are you serious!" Bubbles screamed in disbelief. "It was all about a drink?!"

"Yeah, un..." Blossom said, looking atBubbles confused. When did he get there anyway? "What did you think it was about?"

"I think I have a pretty good idea." Buttercup said smirking in amusement and shaking her head lightly. "Eavesdropping isn't a nice habit, little bitch, Besides like I'de ever do that with leadergirl, that just be too weird"

Bubbles only scowled and got up, gathering her things and sending glares at the pair the whole time. When Blossom finally got it, she started to laugh hysterically falling back on the couch.

"Oh God, that's priceless, seriously Buttercup and I" Blossom managed to choke out between the laughs. "You don't look like it, but you are such a pervt little hooker"

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."Bubbles said, still fuming silently. Coming to the couch she sat near the hysterical redhead. Then some thought popped into her mind. "Hey Blossom? I saw your picture in Boomer's bedroom and you looked really cool with that long hair of yours! Why did you cut it?"

Blossom hesitated for a moment, looking briefly to the side. Buttercup cleared her throat and Blossom finally perked up, not before sharing a look of gratitude to the oil clad girl.

"Oh well, some stupid bet I made with Boomer last year. He won so I had to cut my hair, if I did, he was supposed to grow his." Blossom answered casually with a shrug.

Of course, Bubbles noticed the look the redhead exchanged with her friend... meaning there was one more person who knew something she didn't. God, dealing with Boomer felt like having a fucking blindfold over her eyes. It was a really stupid feeling to know that you don't know something essential, yet everyone around you does.

"Oh. Well, it's still cool looking and all, but somehow the long one suited you better."Bubbles said, deciding to drop the matter. It's not like she could do anything anyway.

"Yeah you should've seen her when she wore her big ass bow!" Buttercup said and looked at the front door when she heard a loud thud. "What was—"

"I'm home." Boomer said, sighing tiredly and dropping his bag on the floor.

Bubbles blinked a few times. He couldn't believe it! Boomer was home after only five days, fifteen hours and twenty-six minutes of absence! What? Of course, Bubbles counted!

"Boomer..."Bubbles said standing up awkwardly and not really knowing what to do. Boomer looked at the blonde, then at Blossom and Buttercup. Come to think about it, what were these people doing in his apartment?

Whatever, Boomer thought as his eyes drifted to the blonde who stood there shocked, but her eyes showed nothing but pure happiness. Boomer's face softened. He really did miss her, even to the point of thinking more than once that he actually wanted Bubbles to be there with him.

Stepping forward without another word, Boomer walked to the still stunned Bubbles and dropped his arms around the small girl's waist, hugging her tightly and putting his head on the blondes' neck.

Bubbles eyes went only wider for a second, but getting over the shock quickly, she encircled Boomer's neck with her arms, hugging him back.

Boomer inhaled Bubbles's scent and took in the warmth her body was radiating. Why did he feel like he was finally home for the first time in a year?