A/N: Hello fantastic readers! I hope you all are being patient with my horribly late updating! I really hope that I can get a new computer, because this one is so slow! :( Well, enough whining, let's get on with the show! Enjoy! :)


Boomer had stayed in bed and rested the next day. Everyone would come in and check on him once in awhile, though. Things had calmed down, but now Brick and everyone else was wondering what happened to Boomer these past ten years.

In the early morning, before anyone was awake, Boomer slowly opened his eyes and yawned. He was still in Bubbles' room. He looked over at the digital clock next to him on the nightstand. It read 6:15 in big bold colorful numbers. Boomer sat up slowly and started to get out of bed. He limped his way over to the door, but before leaving, he pulled on his black jacket. He crept out of his room, through the hallway and down the stairs. He wasn't going to leave again, he just wanted to move around, and stretch. He was sitting on the couch, when he heard footsteps. He ducked down and saw the Professor. He was wearing a dark royal blue robe and some white slippers. Boomer eased out of his hiding place, allowing the aged man to see him.

"Boomer, what are doing up this early? Shouldn't you be in bed?" Professor asked him. Boomer just looked down. The professor smiled knowing how he felt. He walked out of the room and came back with a ladder. It wasn't very big, just a few feet. He climbed up the ladder and pulled a handle on the roof. When he pulled it down, a small staircase appeared. Boomer looked at him curiously, as the professor motioned for him to follow. The two climbed up the small set of steps and at the top, they were on the roof. It was a beautiful morning. No one was awake, the sun was just setting over the horizon, and all was peaceful. Boomer and the professor sat next to each other for a few minutes before Boomer broke the silence.

"W-why are you helping me?" Boomer asked while looking at his feet. The professor looked at him and smiled.

"Simple. You're apart of the family. When you disappeared, the boys wouldn't stop looking for you. Eventually, I decided to adopt them. They've been acting a lot better after that night. I think that once the boys figured out how important you are to each other, they really started to think. We're helping you because you're important to Brick and Butch." He replied, staring off into the sky. Boomer looked thoughtful for a moment.

"I'm not used to it… All the attention, I mean. I thought that my only purpose was to destroy those girls, yet you all still choose to help me. It's all just so confusing." Boomer said. The professor frowned and put his arm around Boomer. He flinched at the sudden touch.

"We won't hurt you, Boomer. We have no reason too. Maybe if you show us your true nature, and act more like yourself, you'll all get along better." He said. Boomer shook his head.

"I can't… HIM, he'll punish me if he catches us getting along." Boomer started to show fear and sadness on his face.

"We'll help you. If I know one thing, it's that the girls and your brothers will not let you get hurt. You just have to trust me on this." He smiled kindly to Boomer.

Boomer looked a bit shocked, but then smiled slightly."I guess I'll just have to take my chances."

Brick woke up to the sound of glass breaking. His eyes widened in surprise and jumped out of bed. He threw on a red T-shirt and black shorts and ran out of his room. He looked to see everyone else awake from the noise as well. They all ran own the stairs and stopped at the sound of… Laughing?

They all looked into the kitchen to see the professor laughing like no tomorrow, and what looked like Boomer covered in soap and bubbles. Boomer shook off all the soap, revealing his outfit. He was wearing a sky blue T-shirt, and some black pants, while wearing a yellow apron over it and a yellow bandana. Apparently, he was just washing the dishes. Boomer looked confused for a moment before sneezing up a bubble. Everyone then broke out in laughter at the scene before them. Boomer looked surprised when he saw everyone.

"What is going on in here?" Brick asked while crossing his arms. Boomer put the sponge that he was holding into the sink and walked over to Brick timidly.

"Boomer, what in the world happened in here?" Brick asked the shy boy. Boomer closed his eyes and bent over and bowed to Brick.

"S-sorry! I wasn't paying attention, and squeezed the bottle, a-and I wasn't d-doing my job correctly. I can clean it all up, just d-don't blame the professor! I-it's m-my fault!" Boomer stuttered in fear. Brick raised his hand high above his head, and Boomer flinched and braced himself for a painful hit. Instead, he felt Brick rest his hand on his head. Boomer opened his eyes in shock and looked up. Brick bent down a little to get eye to eye with Boomer.

Brick started laughing while ruffling Boomer's hair."What are you talking about? That was hilarious! I'm glad you and the professor are having fun! Just make sure to clean yourself up afterwards, ok?" Brick said kindly. Boomer just stood there speechless. He stared in awe at his brother.

"A-aren't you mad? I m-made a mess! S-shouldn't you hit me or something?" Boomer asked confusion clear in his voice. Brick frowned at what he said.

"What? I wouldn't hit you. We can clean this up later, it's no problem. It was funny to see you covered in soap like that, haha!" Brick laughed again. He took his hand away and stood up straight.

"So, what were you guys up too before we came down?" Bubbles asked.

"Oh, nothing really. We were just preparing breakfast, that's all. I was having Boomer do the dishes." Professor replied while smiling brightly.

"You had Boomer do all this? He should still be in bed!" Blossom said sternly. Boomer immediately looked at her and ran to her.

"W-wait! It's my fault! I woke up early, and asked the professor if I could help him out! Don't get mad at him, he was only being nice…" Boomer said sadly. Blossom looked at him and sighed.

"Alright, but you need to be more careful. You might reopen your wounds if you move around to much." She said with worry.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine. I've been through worse." Boomer said, and walked back to the kitchen. The professor gave him plates full of food, and set the table.

"Anyways, it's time to eat!" The professor said happily and everyone flew to the table. Before they started eating, Brick looked behind him to see Boomer standing there, wondering what to do. He frowned and waved at Boomer.

"Hey, come on! You can sit with us!" Brick said. Boomer looked hesitant at first and walked over to them and sat down next to Bubbles.

They all started eating, all but Boomer. He was cautiously poking his food. Butch looked at him with his mouth stuffed with food.

"Hey, aren't you going to eat? It's not poisoned or anything." Butch said pointing at the food with his fork. He looked up at Butch and back at his plate."It's not impossible. After all, we are enemies. It's pretty simple to do…" Boomer said, glaring at his plate. Buttercup sighed and walked over to him. She stabbed her fork in his food and took a bite.

"Look, its fine, see?" She said and sat back down in her seat. Boomer poked his food once more, then took a bite. He blushed slightly at the taste.

"I think he likes it." Butch said and snickered.

After breakfast, Boomer took all the plates to the kitchen and started washing them. Brick walked over to him and tried to help, but Boomer just pushed him away.

"Let me help. You should just go and lie down and rest. I'll handle things here." Brick said. Boomer shook his head and continued washing a plate.

"No, I have to do this. It's my job." He said. The other walked in to hear the conversation."How is it your job? We live here, you're the guest." Buttercup said. Boomer looked back to all of them. He rose a non-existent eyebrow.

"What are you talking about? The guest is supposed to do all the work for the host, right? I'm just doing what I was told." He said stubbornly.

"No, Boomer. The host is supposed to do the work for the guest. Whoever told you that was wrong." Blossom said.

"I'm going to do the work, ok? Just leave me alone!" He yelled. Boomer's eyes widened and he covered his mouth.

"I'm so sorry! I- I didn't mean it! Honest!" Boomer said. Brick sighed and walked away while saying," Fine, do what you want. I don't care." Boomer looked down then continued doing the dishes. Everyone went quiet, but soon walked away.

Soon, the day past with nothing new. Boomer stayed up in Bubbles' room for most of the time.

(With HIM)

HIM chuckled darkly.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Boomer. It looks like he's run away to the enemy. Oh, he's going to get a punishment he'll never forget." HIM said to himself, as he stared at the balled up form of Boomer on the bed, silently crying to himself. Mojo suddenly came into the room.

"Do you want me to retrieve, him, sir?" Mojo asked while bowing down. HIM chuckled and shook his head.

"No. I want to see what'll happen. Surely, he'll carry out his mission. Plus, what will his brothers think when they see Boomer's true nature? They'll hate him, I know." HIM said with a dark voice.

"Very well," Mojo replied, and left the room.

"Tick tock, Boomer. Your time is running out.

I'll get you.

I promise."


A/N: Wow, who knew, right? Looks like things are going a little bad for everyone, bit even worse, what is HIM planning? What is Boomer's 'true nature'? Find out next time on Powerpuff Girls: Kill or be killed! R&R! :)