They were floating in the goo, which still burned, but not as fiercely as two days ago. There was a tap on the specialized glass that contained the Fusion Matter. The two boys sat up, hissing as air hit their burns.

"Yes?" Edd asked; he'd gotten his breath back first.

"Please come here," the Professor said.

"Why?"

"Because now I'm damn sure."

Dexter blinked at him; the Professor, cursing? "And what are you damn sure about?"

"Just come into the living area of my lab."

They gingerly made their way to where the Professor had gone. When they got there, they froze. Their families, and in Edd's case friends, were standing there staring at each other. The Professor was serving them coffee. Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup were sitting off in the corner. Eddy was the first to notice them. His eyes widened and he said a word that made everybody in the room, save Ed and Double D, jump horribly. Ed laughed.

"Say it again, Eddy!"

"Edward!" Margaret, Edd's mother, gasped. "That is not the kind of word you are to say once, let alone repeat."

"Sorry," Ed muttered.

"Yeah, whatever, it sums it up. Look at their skin!" Eddy said, pointing.

Edd and Dexter were decidedly uncomfortable at being stared at. The Professor broke the tension.

"Coffee?" he asked, standing in front of the two boys.

"Thank you," Dexter said with a grateful smile.

"Very much," Edd added with a smile of his own.

"You're very welcome. Now you two look unsteady. Go sit down."

"First I believe I would like to greet my mother and father," Edd replied.

"Yes…ditto, as Double D would say."

"Yeah, he only says that 'cause of me," Eddy muttered.

Edd went over to embrace his parents as Dexter was tackled by Dee Dee.

"Oh, Dexter I'm so glad to see you! Mom and Dad said we should let the Professor take care of you until you were well enough! I was there! I was there when you detonated that Defuser! Why did you do that, Dex? Why?! It could have killed you!"

Dexter blinked and adjusted his glasses. "Hush, sister, hush. It did not kill me. See? I am right here!"

"But it could have Dexter! We lost you once! I can't stand the thought of losing you again!"

Dexter stroked his sister's hair and sighed. "You do not understand, sister. It would be better if we were dead."

"Dexter Silverstein!" Benjamin, Dexter's dad, said harshly. "Don't you dare say that!"

"But it is the truth, Father," Dexter said matter-of-factly.

"Oh, no. You're not using that tone with me on this matter!"

"What tone?"

"The 'you must listen to me because it is logical' tone!"

"Dexter, you don't really think you'd be better off dead, do you?" Deborah, his mom, asked incredulously.

Dexter looked away, confirming without words. His parents were in shock. Their confident, brilliant son wished he was dead. Deborah burst into tears hurrying over to embrace him, Benjamin following. It was too much for the redheaded genius. He began to cry, and not because his burns were being touched; those were almost gone anyway.

Edd watched the display in his own parent's arms. It was nice to see that they were still loved. Ed, who had been poking him every ten seconds or so, suddenly whined.

"I want my hug, Double D!"

Edd laughed and pulled away from his parents. "Very well, Ed. But only if Eddy joins us." The last part was said with a mean grin and a glance toward said friend.

"Oh, no you don't!" Eddy shouted and began to run. Ed laughed and happily chased him. Marie and his parents were laughing, but Marie stopped as Edd swept her up in a kiss.

"Gee, Double D," she said when he'd released her. "You act like you missed me!"

Dexter was watching them, glancing occasionally at Buttercup. Edd smiled and kissed her again then stuck his tongue out at Dexter.

"Jealous much?"

"You are hilarious."

"But it's true, isn't it?"

"…I hate you."

Edd laughed and Eddy's voice rang out from a couple rooms away.

"No Ed! Get away from that Fusion Matter!"

"But Double D can touch it. I want to touch it, too!"

"No!" Edd and Dexter yelped, shoving away from the embraces they were in to run into the lab.

They were too late, and Ed cried out in pain. Edd grabbed his burnt hand and lightly stroked it.

"Ed, you should know better," he muttered as he pulled Fusion Matter from the tub to surround his hand. Ed shrank away. "Come now. Trust me. It'll only sting, and it'll make the burn go away."

"Promise, Double D?" Ed asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, that doesn't sound right," Eddy growled.

"It worked on me," Dee Dee said with a smile at Dexter.

Ed looked the girl over then held out his hand. Edd wrapped his hand around Ed's and the Fusion Matter covered it completely. Ed whimpered at the sting, but waited, trusting his friend. The green goo lit up and the comic book lover gasped as a tingling sensation filled his hand. After twenty seconds, he could stand it no longer and jerked away. He looked at his hand, expecting the burns to be so much worse, but there were gasps of shock as they stared at the injury-free appendage.

"See? That wasn't so bad, was it?"

"Good gracious," the Professor breathed. "You never told me you could heal people!"

"We can fix machines like that, too," Dexter said with a nod. He paused. "Professor, where is Computress?"

"She said she needed a little time off, so I'm letting her stay at my house."

Dexter, thinking of her snuggling into the Professor's bed for his scent and such, let out a barking laugh just as Edd did, who had imagined the same thing. They covered their mouths and spun away from the others, who looked confused and surprised.

"Is something wrong?" the Professor asked, coming up behind them.

"Oh by the great scientists," Dexter gasped, shaking slightly in his mirth.

Edd was no better off. "He really is clueless, isn't he!"

"I think you two need to ingest some Fusion Matter," Professor Utonium said, scooping some into some bowls that they kept near the bath.

Eating that Fusion Matter was difficult as they nearly kept spitting it out when they almost laughed. By the time the bowls were empty, they had composed themselves.

"Thank you, Professor," Dexter said, his voice cracking slightly in a brief spasm of amusement. He cleared his throat. "That was just what I needed."

"Yes," Edd said with a smile at Dexter. "Just what I needed, too."

"Good. Now, spend time with your family and friends. I have work to do. They can't stay overnight—I have nowhere to put them—so enjoy your time with them now."

And they did. They laughed and were pleased with each other's company. Ed finally got his hug when he snatched up Eddy, who had let his guard down. Edd had missed being squeezed in the almost-painful embrace. He was finally set down like Eddy, and he patted said person's head.

"See, Eddy? That wasn't so bad."

"Go to hell, both of you," Eddy grumbled.

"Edward!" Brian, Edd's father, snapped. "Cursing!"

"Whatever!"

"You curse one more time and I'm going to your father!"

Eddy paled and shrugged, lowering his head and mumbling.

"That certainly got him to shut up," Dexter said, raising his eyebrows at Edd.

"Indeed. Eddy is frightened of his father. For good reason. He spanks Eddy when he does something bad…or, well, worse than normal. My parents have had cause to spank me only once," Edd said as he moved to stand beside Dexter.

"You, getting spanked?" Dexter asked wondrously. "What in the hell did you do?"

"Shame upon shame!" Edd lamented. "It was terrible. So terrible that we cul-de-sac kids do not speak of it. Even our parents do not know exactly what we did. Forgive me, but I cannot tell you. It would break the code of honor."

"Come now, I told you I like Buttercup."

Edd snickered. "Dexter and Buttercup, sittin' in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G! First comes love, then comes marriage then comes a baby in…a…Dexter, can we have kids?"

Dexter stiffened. They glanced at each other then made a beeline for the computer. With a few taps, the redhead easily got into their files; he knew all the Professor's codes as the Professor trusted him immensely. He did a covert search so their watching families wouldn't know exactly what they were searching for. There was absolutely no information on fertility status. They glanced at each other.

"We must ask the Professor to do some tests," Dexter said softly.

"Indeed."

"What does all that sh…er, stuff mean?" Eddy asked, glancing at Brian, who gave him a distasteful look.

"It's just statistics, Eddy. Bios and the like," Edd replied.

"Lame."

"It is actually rather important for us to have our bios," Dexter said, turning to face the short boy. "Which is why I wish Computress was here. She has not scanned us since we set off that Defuser."

"Actually, she did scan you once on her way out," the Professor said, writing on a clipboard. He jotted down a few more notes then looked up.

"Ah, my love, my love, why hast thou forsaken me?" Dexter sighed wistfully.

"Maybe it should be Dexter and Computress sittin' in a tree?" Edd chuckled over their link. "With pretty little Buttercup in between in a three-way kiss. Hm, she is rather sexy, isn't she? Just think of running your hands over those cute little hips and touching her under her clothes! Then there's kissing, which I know you'll enjoy."

"Shut up, Double D!" Dexter sputtered, his cheeks hot as his eyes dashed over to look at the Professor again.

Edd doubled over laughing. "But you know it's true!" he sang happily.

"What is it, wildcat?" Marie asked. "He is looking decidedly flustered."

"Eh, I'll tell you later."

Dexter's face got redder, though it was more than embarrassment. He snagged Double D's shirt.

"You shall no such thing! I told you that in confidence!"

Edd snickered. "I meant after the fact."

"There will be no after the fact! It will never happen!"

"That's what I said about…this topic, yet it did!"

"That was you! I am different!"

"You know what? Go screw yourself!" Edd spat, then added over the link, "That's all you're going to get, and it's not nearly as fun!"

"Wildcat?" Marie asked hesitantly.

"I guess I can't tell you, Marie, because Mr. Silverstein here is a bloody coward!"

"I am no coward, you little snake!"

"Boys, boys!" the Professor gasped, stepping in between them.

Glaring daggers, they shouted at the same time, "Go to hell!" before storming off in opposite directions. Dexter ended up in the bunkroom, sitting sullenly on a perfectly made bed. He tore his glasses off and wiped his eyes fiercely. Double D had no idea what he was talking about. Buttercup, beautiful, nice, sweet Buttercup…okay, maybe not nice or sweet. Those were Blossom's and Bubbles' territories. But spicy? Yeah, she was spicy. What would that spice taste like? Cinnamon maybe? Mm, he liked cinnamon…

"Yo, doofus, whatcha cryin' for?" Buttercup asked as she plopped down beside him.

Dexter jumped, embarrassed, then looked away. "What do you want? To berate me again?"

"Nah. The Professor told us to come check on you and Double D. No biases and all that crap."

"Are you even allowed to say that word?"

"Yeah, but only in extreme situations. Strongest word he lets us use."

"This does not seem like an extreme situation."

"So? Whatcha gonna do about it?" Buttercup challenged.

"I could tell the Professor."

"Betraying somebody your own age? That's low, Dex."

"I could get the soap," Dexter tittered. "Clean your mouth out really well."

"Oh, yeah right."

"How else am I to teach you a lesson?" Dexter asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You're a genius, you figure it out."

Dexter sat there in silence, staring at her face. Her beautiful face. He knew the perfect thing to do, but could he do it? Maybe Edd was right. Maybe he was a coward…

"See, you're not so genius after—" Buttercup laughed.

He lunged and she froze midsentence. She tasted better than cinnamon, he decided, and he kissed her again and again, quickly finding himself addicted. Then, she began kissing him back and it got better. She dared to lick his lips then their tongues tangled together clumsily. They suddenly pulled apart, gasping for air. Both of them were red and shyly glancing at each other.

"Um, I guess that is what I shall do to teach you a lesson…" Dexter finally muttered.

Buttercup laughed. "Damn, Dex! I think I need more of that lesson. Lots and lots more!"

"You…Really?"

"Yeah!"

"So you would not mind dating me?" Dexter asked hopefully.

"If you keep kissing me like that, no!"

Dexter felt a thrill of delight, reaching over to stroke her face. "I think I could get used to that. What say…round two?"

Buttercup leaned forward. "Bring it on."

They leaned together, this time sucking lightly. It felt so good that Dexter never wanted to stop…

Edd was already getting in the Fusion Matter when Dexter got there two hours later. The skinny, hatted boy refused to look at him. Dexter was glad. It would make apologizing easier.

"Hey," Edd finally muttered.

"I am sorry for what I said to you. You do not belong in hell," Dexter sighed, following Edd up the steps. The hatted boy nodded in agreement. They sat down and hissed at the burn. There was silence for a while. Double D finally looked at Dexter. He stared for a few seconds then looked down and laughed softly.

"Looks like my idea worked."

"Idea?"

"Well, you looked properly ravished."

"How would you know?"

"I've had many make-out sessions with Marie. I try to avoid everybody for a while afterwards. I tend to look like you do now."

"How do I look?" the redhead asked, confused.

"Ravished." Edd laughed when Dexter glared at him. "Your lips are swollen and your cheeks are bright red. Your eyes are glossy and you can't stop smiling. That and there is a rather noticeable bulge…somewhere."

Dexter was mortified. "Oh, I am glad the Professor is not here to see me! I feel sorry for Buttercup. She must explain hers to her father."

"Come on, Dex. It's Buttercup. She can definitely think of lies."

Dexter laughed. "True."

Edd shifted. "I guess I was wrong. You're not a coward. I'm sorry I suggested it."

"You still cannot tell Marie. She is not as subtle as you, and I fear she would tell the Professor before I find a way to explain that I am dating his daughter." He paused. "Utonium is so protective of his girls. So very protective. How am I to explain that I am stealing his daughter's innocence?"

Edd stared at him. "How far did you go?"

"What?"

"What base did you get to?"

"Base? Like baseball?"

"Yes." Dexter's expression was confused. "You really don't know about the bases?"

"No. Should I?"

"What the heck were you doing in middle school?"

"I skipped middle school."

"Oh…Okay, here's what the bases are."

Edd explained quickly and efficiently, betraying his scientific nature. Deter looked thoughtful when he was done.

"Sounds straightforward enough."

"And yet genius boy didn't know about it."

"Oh shut it, Double D!" Dexter said playfully. He paused. "What was middle school like?"

"You want the long answer or the short answer?" Edd asked.

"Short first. Then long."

"Hell."

Dexter blinked. "What?"

"Middle school was hell."

"Oh…Why?"

"The cul-de-sac kids were nice after the must-not-be-talked-about event, which led to the incident with Eddy's brother, long story, but the other kids were not. I was the genius, the boy who knew everything. The bullies wanted me to do their homework. If it wasn't for Ed and Eddy, I'm sure I would have been black and blue all over. When I hit freshman year, I could stand it no longer. I aced out of everything. Everything, even gym. That's how badly I wanted to be away from the bullies, the jocks, save Kevin, the preps, save Nazz, and so on. It was awful. I was actually enrolled in college courses when this…this…fiasco happened."

"I do not need schooling, but I need a degree. I tested out of all the required courses I was supposed to. I have an Associates, and was working on my Bachelor's in mechanical engineering when this mess started. I planned on getting a Doctorate. I fear I will never get my degree."

"In this war, you don't need one. You're a genius, Dex. You're brilliant. We love you for it. The world will never be the same after this. Ever."

"You always call me a genius. I always call me a genius. But I have heard you call yourself a genius only once. And that was three minutes ago. You are a genius, Double D. I hope you know that."

"I do," Edd admitted. "But…I don't think it makes me special. Everybody's special, Dexter. Everybody. Look at your sister. At first she had her naivety, which kept her safe. But you saw the way she was kicking Fuse's ass. She still did it in her own way, but she did it. Look at Sector V. None of them are the same. Does that make them wrong?"

"Not at all!" Dexter exclaimed. "Numbuh One is a brilliant leader. Numbuh Two has inventing skills that are really comparable to yours; both of you can use everyday objects to make incredible things. Numbuh Three has a good heart, and she's really good with animals, which is more useful than I could have imagined. Numbuh Four is a fighter, and a fierce one, with no fear on the battlefield. Numbuh Five…um, well, she is Numbuh Five. She kicks ass, as you said about my sister. And she's very cool while doing it!"

Edd laughed. "Exactly my point!"

"Boys!"

They both jumped, looking up in surprise. The Professor stood in the doorway to the room.

"I did not do it!" Dexter gasped.

"Oh, yes, you did."

Dexter was about to have a panic attack when Edd spoke over their link.

"Before you confess to making out with his daughter, you might want to ask him what exactly you did."

Dexter calmed slightly. "Good point." Out loud he said, "So what exactly did I do?"

The Professor approached and narrowed his eyes in that fatherly sort of way. "…What exactly do you think you did? You sounded awfully guilty, Dexter."

"I…Buttercup and I got into an argument. I was just about to slap her, but she beat me to it. Before you get all upset, we have already apologized to each other." The lie slipped out so easily. But, Dexter argued with himself, it would have been better to just tell him the truth. But the lie was there, so he couldn't take it back.

"Let me see your face," the Professor said, reaching out and taking another step closer.

"It is a bit swollen. She hit me pretty hard. But I promise you it is nothing. I am sure she did not break anything. Now…what did we do?"

"You're keeping your voices down, but your laughter is rather loud. I suggest you go to bed. Though," he added with a smile. "I am glad to see you've made up. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Professor," Edd said, stretching then laying down in the Fusion Matter.

"Yes, goodnight," Dexter sighed, easing down himself. Once they got used to the burn, he spoke to Double D.

"You said it was your idea. What did you mean?"

"All three girls came into the inventing room to comfort me. Once I'd calmed down a little, I suggested that Blossom, Bubbles, and I play a silly little game that I knew Buttercup wouldn't be interested in. She wasn't, so I convinced her to go scream some sense into you…Though I think the kissing worked just as well."

"You sly dog," Dexter laughed.

"Thank you. I do try." There was a pause. "Which base did you get to?"

"Um…I got tagged out in between first and second. She really did slap me."

Edd actually choked on Fusion Matter and sat up to cough it out of his lungs. Dexter popped up to check on him, face acutely red.

"What do you mean you got tagged out?!" Edd gasped in a whisper.

"She slapped me."

"No, no, what were you trying to do?"

"I…Well…" Dexter's face was so red that, coupled with the green Fusion Matter sticking to the rims of his glasses, he looked like a Christmas ornament.

"Come on." Edd poked him. "Tell me."

"No. I'm tired. Let's get to bed."

Double D reluctantly conceded. That night, they both fell asleep thinking of their girls. The next morning was awkward. They both now knew what it was like to kiss each other's girlfriend. That…was a problem. Damn you, dream sharing.