AN: I do not own PPG or any of the characters. Yeah. Um this is my very first fanfic… ever so R&R if you want. Cool

Also all information used to describe the way they were in the original series, like ages and specific crimes and stuff, is obtained from the PPG wiki which I also do not own.

End AN

Chapter 9: First Step

The work went quickly with the help of Butch and Buttercup. The building was destroyed and picked back up before Buttercup even had to leave for the night. When she did return home, she was met by the smile of her sister.

"How was your date with Butch?" Bubbles beamed.

"It was… interesting." Buttercup smiled. Bubbles squealed and pulled Buttercup onto her bed, bouncing up and down.

"Details!" She begged. At that moment, Blossom walked in. "Oh, you're back, Buttercup." She said.

"She's telling us about her daaate!" Bubbles teased. Blossom wrinkled her nose and frowned. "I'll be in the living room, then." She pouted.

"What's her problem?" Buttercup asked, confused.

"I'm sure it's just cause she's the only one not dating someone now. Poor girl." Bubbles sighed. "But that won't be for long because we're going to set her up with Brick!" She squealed again.

"That's so unpredictable." Buttercup said sarcastically. She rolled her eyes. "But, how about we not talk about dates then, at least until she has a boyfriend. To be nice you know?" She pleaded, hoping to get out of having to make up some lame, romantic outing for her and Butch.

"I guess you're right." Bubbles whined. "But at least you'll be spending all day together tomorrow right?" She pleaded.

"Well, tomorrow is Saturday so I don't see why not." Buttercup smiled. Bubbles was pleased with that coment and allowed Buttercup to head to bed. She went downstairs to talk to Blossom. Buttercup worked hard to get to sleep early. She had a long day tomorrow.

Work went quickly with the two supers helping the building. After a week, the base structure was completed. Ace decided that the cheap labor was a good enough reason to expand his business. He decided to add in a second floor where all the criminals could eat and open up the first floor to the general public. Butch and Buttercup agreed to continue working. Butch, because he enjoyed the chance to use his hands, and Buttercup, because she enjoyed spending time with Ace. Each day, Buttercup got closer and closer to Ace, who helped as much as he could with the construction. She felt that they connected easily, although she couldn't explain why. Perhaps it was Ace's easy way of talking that made her so comfortable. Perhaps it was the maturity he so often exhibited. Perhaps it was the fact that they had known each other for years. Maybe, most likely, it was all those things. Either way, they were becoming quite friendly.

One day, she was talking to Ace while Butch set some second floor wall supports.

"Hey, Buttercup, could you possibly deign yourself to come hold this while I pour the concrete?" Butch sarcastically begged.

"You heard him, kid. Head up there." Ace smirked. "I don't pay you to talk to me all day."

"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me kid?" Buttercup teased.

"Buttercup, it's slipping." Butch warned. But she couldn't hear him from down on the ground.

"I call you a kid, cause you're a kid." He laughed.

"Buttercup." Butch cried out, louder, but still unheard.

"Till you can throw back a beer with me and the boys, you will be a kid."

Buttercup grimaced, "I don't think I'll ever be able to throw back a beer. The Professor had me try one once…"

"Buttercup!" Butch cried. But it was too late. The steel bar he had been holding slipped from his hands and fell right towards Buttercup. Ace looked up, back at Buttercup, and ran, straight into her, throwing her to the ground. He held her down and braced himself. Buttercup looked up at Ace and watched the bar slowly approach his spine in a moment that lasted forever. As it got close, she too closed her eyes and waited to hear the crack of bone. A sound that never came. Instead, she heard a whoosh of air. She reopened her eyes and saw Butch flying away with the steel bar.

"Butch, got it." She sighed. "You know," She panted. "That bar would have injured me. It was going to kill you, and your fragile, human bones." She smiled, relieved.

"You're right." He panted, as well. "It was dumb of me, but I couldn't help it. I still think of you as a kid." Buttercup cut him off, by pressing her lips against his.

"I keep telling you not to call me a kid." She laughed.

Ace stumbled back. Buttercup got up and flew out to assist Butch, who had been watching and now wore a huge smirk, with the wall supports. Ace got to his feet and walked back to his apartment.

"Hey, Snake, can you keep an eye on the repairs for a while?" Ace asked, flustered.

"Sure, bossssss." Snake replied, heading out.

Ace reached into the fridge and grabbed a couple of beers, then sat down to drink them.

"Not sure what just happened." He muttered to himself.