When Professor woke up in the morning, the first thing he realized was that his nose was buried in something soft and that smelled of lavender roses. How did he know the distinct fragrance? For the simple matter of the fact that his girls used similar products, but much more suited for their age.

He unconsciously took a sniff, finding it intoxicating. He honestly was too tired to care about his current position. Then he heard a groan that sounded distinctly feminine. It was enough for his mind to catch up with him. His eyes widened significantly and he finally understood the source of the wonderful scent.

He never would have thought that he could give in to the temptation that was Sedusa so easily. He had done well the past few days with her under his roof. It had been easy, simply use his loathing for her as a deterrent for any unnecessary thoughts. Simply keep who she was in mind and the rest would follow. It should have been straightforward, only Sedusa wasn't a simple one-dimensional villain. She had feelings and many layers of behaviour that did not fit the label he put on her.

Still, he was absolutely shocked at the compromising position he woke up in. Sedusa had her back to him; he had his exposed arm encircled on her midsection, locked into place by Sedusa's own hand. She was connected to him, her back pressed at his chest…and his body obviously liked it.

"Morning," Sedusa yawn. She hadn't turned to him yet but did feel him tense behind her. In fact, it was his movement that woke her up, to begin with.

Professor's heart sped up the moment he heard her voice. This was not what he was expecting when he woke up today. He couldn't help but be nervous. Even when she was Ima, Sedusa would never allow him to touch her when they shared a bed before. For this to be happening now when they weren't anything more than strangers, through him for a loop…and not a good one.

He immediately released the hold he had on her and made some distance between them. Trying to will a stop to his anxiousness, Professor eyed Sedusa in something akin to fearful. The seductress had a temper and he certainly warranted her wrath. The bed was big enough for three people to squeeze into. They should not have been that close.

Sedusa yawned again. She sat up and stretched her arms lazily. Turning to the Professor, she raised a delicate brow at him.

"…What, no good morning back?"

"Good morning," he said, trying hard not to sound jumpy. It was a valiant effort.

Still eyeing him curiously, Sedusa couldn't help but notice his demeanour. "What's wrong?"

"I didn't mean to touch you," He said, visibly reproachful.

As if already expecting the answer, Sedusa pursed her lips. "You mean just now? Didn't I say you could?"

She did, when they had what had to be the most open conversations he could ever recall having with a woman, she gave him permission to touch her, like she was sure he would… Which actually got him wondering how many times he did it without realizing it.

"I thought you were messing with me."

Now that made her frown. "Really, Professor? Are you that dense?"

He didn't understand if she was indicating a relationship he did not want to be a part of. "I'm pretty sure you understand where I'm coming from."

The frown left her face, but she still looked unpleased. "We're not going out or anything. We both know that, but do you honestly think I wouldn't have given you the go-ahead if I wasn't serious? It's just spooning."

Just spooning? Maybe he was being too critical of her? She was a seductress. Maybe she was used to men treating her this way?

As if reading his mind, she gave him a big, toothy grin. "You're the only one who's ever touched me like this… Well, the only one I would allow anyway."

She was teasing him again but he still noted the hint of certainty in her voice. Honestly, it was irritating him a tad bit. That knowing smirk of hers made it difficult to call her bluff.

"I'll try to keep my hands to myself."

"Mhm." She was clearly unconvinced.

Sedusa showered first, dressed as Ima (after he excused himself from "their" room) and made her way downstairs.

Professor took his turn and went into the bathroom. It was then when he took notice of cosmetics that were certainly not tailored to a man. Certainly, it registered in his mind that he had agreed and allowed Sedusa to stay at the Utonium home indefinitely. Her actual length of stay was pretty much up in the air at this point.

He was still at odds with himself. So far, Sedusa had taken up the mantle of looking after the girls pretty easily. He didn't trust her completely though. Everything could still be an act…and she was a very good actress.

What would be her angle though? There was literally nothing of value in the house. She could be gearing up to rob banks? That was highly unlikely. She would have done that a long time ago. She hadn't even attempted any sort of criminal activity. In fact, from what little he's observed, she seemed quite keen getting closer to the girls…it was certainly a reciprocated endeavour.

Once he was ready, he made his way downstairs, honing in on a conversation.

"…Yeah, Ms Keane looked old and the Professor went mad."

Interest piqued at Blossom's odd dialogue, Professor raised a brow.

He saw the girls seated on stools near the kitchen, with Sedusa studiously making what he inferred was breakfast across from them.

"Why did you run so fast, anyway?" Sedusa asked, seemingly invested in the conversation.

"It was summer vacation," Bubbles supplied, her usual cheerful personality firmly noticeable by everyone. "We were going out of Townsville and we couldn't wait to get home."

"Really?" Sedusa shook her head. Professor noted her amusement. "I thought you three were a handful before…but the fact that you can travel through time is some skill."

"Never happening again," Buttercup said, frowning. "Townsville went to heck fast, Him as the ringleader."

"Him? Of all the people I thought would take over Townsville…what happened to the monkey?"

"Mojo? Well, no idea actually. We weren't there too long to see the total damage," Bubbles shrugged.

"Ah, I see… Would have made for a neat trick back then…"

"Yeah, I'm sure you would have loved to use time travel to rob banks without a fuss," Buttercup jabbed.

Sedusa shrugged, taking in in stride. "Would have made battling you much less painful, that's for sure."

"Too bad you gave all that up," Blossom added sarcastically.

Sedusa surprised Professor when she gave Blossom a warm smile. "I'm still feisty, kiddo. But, meh, it was probably for the best anyway. Besides, mooching off you guys has its perks."

"Get a job," Buttercup grumbled.

"Working on it, trust me. Now, eat up before we get late…Took you long enough, Professor."

It was then that all focus was on the Professor, and said man did not think it was possible to be this nervous. He had been enjoying watching them from afar. It was surprising how…normal they looked. Their conversations were definitely more stimulating than the average kid and adult, but it seemed like something so natural, especially considering everything they've all been through.

"…Professor!"

Knocked out of his stupor, Professor focused on an annoyed Sedusa.

"I've been calling your name over and over. What's the matter?" she asked.

"Oh…sorry. I'm fine." He made his way to the counter and joined his girls on a seat. He couldn't remember a time when someone actually cooked for him. But seeing that one plate filled with food, waiting for him, made him quite content inside.

Sedusa had only been in the house for a few days, and she was already doing so much. It was a complete one-eighty from who she was…or was it? He hardly knew anything about her. The front she put up as a villain could be just that. Who was the real Sedusa behind all those masks? Professor, for some reason, felt like he was finding out more day-by-day.


"The girls are doing quite fine." For Ms Keane, it wasn't necessarily a surprise when she saw Ima come to the parent-teacher conference. Professor, however, certainly made it more pleasurable. He hardly showed up to any of these things. It had been taxing, to say the least. She understood that the man was far busier than he ever had been before. But he had a responsibility as a parent to invest as much time as he could in his girls, especially when they were still developing and learning.

It was such a strange thing to her seeing Professor together with another woman. Sure, she knew Ima and the Professor were going out and staying in the same house… but to bear witness to it was a different story. It was quite…interesting.

Ima was the epitome of ladylike. Her hands were folded neatly on her knees and legs crossed together in a business-like fashion. Professor…well, it was a social call anyway so his mostly slouched posture didn't really warrant scrutiny.

She wondered how Professor was able to nab the woman next to him. She cared about Professor quite a bit given their history…even so, Ima, seemingly perfect in every way, seemed quite an odd fit for him.

"That's good to hear," Ima pipped up after a pause. "Knowing that there are no issues with them is reassuring."

"There aren't issue with them…right?" Professor quizzed when he noted what Ima said.

Ms Keane shook her head. "No, in fact, the only problem I would have guessed was their moods in the last few months."

Professor's heart ached when he understood her meaning. "That's understandable. I haven't exactly been father material."

With that, Ms Keane was inclined to agree. "Well, no one said being a parent was easy, especially a single one. It's good to know that you have a better half now," she finished with a smile directed at Ima.

Ima returned it. "He sure has quite the taste in women."

Feeling uncomfortable, Professor coughed. "Anyway, how are their grades?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary." Ms Keane took one a curious look. "The reason I wanted to see you wasn't necessarily about the girls at school in particular. I was wondering how everything in your household is going?"

"What do you mean?"

She looked at Ima. "How are the girls taking you? Are they still reluctant?"

"They still are but are slowly adjusting to me."

Ms Keane beamed at her. "There you go. What did I say about giving them time?"

"You were right, Ms Keane. I just have to be patient."

Professor felt like he was intruding on some sort of girl talk.

"You know, they're very trusting, especially to people they might not know so well. Just take it a day at a time and you'd be surprised," Ms Keane said.

"I'm already surprised," Ima said with a grin. "They're quite unique little ones."

"That's for sure," Ms Keane agreed with a nod. "Saving Townsville is their business, but at the end of the day, they're still little girls growing up. Having a mother figure to show them the ropes is vital."

Professor felt offended by that statement. He had been doing a pretty good job as a single parent for a long time. Sure, recently he had been lacking heavily in that department. Still, he felt that Ms Keane was being dismissive of him. He was about to call her on it when he felt Ima gently rub his arm.

He turned to her, and notice the knowing look she was sending him. He didn't realise until then that he had been frowning in displeasure. It must have made it obvious to both ladies what his mood was about.

"It's okay, dear. She wasn't insinuating anything about you. You're a great father."

The warmness in Ima's tone and demeanour really through Professor off. It was very hard to tell whether it was an act or if she was actually sincere. If it was prior, Professor would have been swooned quite easily by her visage. So, with that in mind, he had to convince himself that it was the latter…well, he had to try, at least.

"Thank you," he said to her, trying is outmost best to pretend what she said didn't affect him in a big way.

"Yes, she's right. You've done the best you can as their father. What I'm trying to say is that it would do the girls a world of good to have a woman in their life that can understand them best-"

"Especially when they hit puberty," Ima added.

He actually hadn't thought that far. But how bad could puberty get… Oh, right.

"I concede that you both have a point." He responded. They absolutely did. He could only go so far when it came to being a father. Perhaps it would have been easier for him if he had sons…but he wouldn't trade in his girls for the world. No matter what, they were his everything.

Ms Keane was happy that Professor understood her views. She was rooting for them all, honestly. Even if it was odd, Ima seemed to be breath of fresh air to the Utoniums.

Professor stared on quietly as the women continued their banter. He also noted, quite bluntly, that Ima's hand had not left his arm…and would occasionally caress it.

He hated how good her touch felt.


The drive home could have been described as somewhat awkward. It was the first time that all of them were together in an enclosed area. Sure, the car he drove had plenty of room to spare, but it felt incredibly small at the moment.

He also noted how frequently he was silently observing Sedusa's interaction with the girls. It was the oddest thing to him. Not even a week ago, the seductress was nothing more than a criminal doing what she did best. Now, it was as if he was getting a glimpse of her true personality. I mean, how could anyone keep up an act for that long, especially to the people who knew her without her disguises?

"Dozing off again, eh, Professor?" Sedusa teased.

That's right, she's taking on teasing him a lot now. He pretty much gave up trying to rebuke her. It wasn't working.

"I'm just concentrating on the road," he responded.

Sedusa gave him another one of her knowing looks. She seemed to know him well. And he had to wonder if it had anything to do with their past when they dated and he didn't know that she was stringing him along.

Sedusa turned to the girls. "Any plans for today?"

Blossom smiled. "Not really, other than doing homework and watching TV."

Sedusa rolled her eyes. "I almost forgot you're still kids."

"What about you?" Bubbles asked.

"Me? Well… I can't really do much. So, I guess I'll read up some nauseating romance novel."

Sedusa turned to Professor and batted her eyes at him. "You do have those, right?"

Professor promptly ignored her behaviour and simply said: "Yes, in my study."

"You read?" Buttercup blanched, not expecting Sedusa to hold that type of intelligence.

"Yep."

"Wanna join us for a picnic at Townsville Park tomorrow?" Bubbles asked her.

Surprised, Sedusa eyed the blonde. "You mean you guys go to the park on the weekends?"

"Yes, as much as possible. The girls have a lot of energy, so whenever I can, I take them there. It so happens that I'll be available to do it this weekend. Do you want to come with us?" Professor directed.

Sedusa turned her attention to him. It was the first time he noted how uncertain she was about the situation.

"I don't know… Seems a little sudden."

"No one's forcing you," Blossom reasoned. "You don't have to come if you don't want to."

Sedusa bit her lip in thought. This was…strange, to say the least. She wasn't quite used to getting this close to someone after her traumatic past. However, the Utoniums were offering and so far, she hasn't been dissatisfied with participating. It was fun… a lot of fun to hang around the girls. There were all sorts of things they talked about and she found herself opening up bit by bit to them. She was quite surprised by how little they judged her.

Things were probably moving a little too fast for her. Getting attached, especially to the Utonium family of all people was definitely not on her list of things to do. It seemed fate was content in putting her in this position.

And the Professor… she had meant what she said when they were talking to Ms Keane. To be as successful as he was and juggle the girls must have been rough… She was sure she didn't have feelings for him. It was impossible…so why did she feel like she was lying to herself in some way?

By God, she found the man handsome…in that nerdy sort of way.

"Sure," she blurted out, her eyes widening when she realised what she just said.

Professor was surprised himself, not even hiding the fact.

"Well... this is going to be an interesting weekend," he said, almost warily.

The girls noticed the apprehension of the adults and couldn't help sharing a glance with each other.

All three had the same conclusion: Something was up.


Hope you enjoyed. I know, I know, took me long enough. Oh, please don't worry about other fics. I'm getting around them, especially For the Love of Family.