Prologue:

Blossom Utonium groaned, her head in her hands. The day had been particularly stressful, and her clients rude. Her boss, Terry, was on her ass about not meeting the quota of clients the company expected for the day, but Blossom was an accountant damn it! She wasn't supposed to be handling the customer service part of the job, just the numbers.

Blossom quickly adjusted her position as she heard the sound of approaching footsteps. She knew those footsteps. With a sigh Blossom rearranged her facial features into what she hoped was a demure smile.

"Blossom," Terry said as he reached her desk.

"Yes, Terry?" Blossom inquired. Blossom could tell by the look on Terry's face that he was not pleased.

"Blossom, what happened with client number 51? You had a rating of "unsatisfactory," Terry said, unimpressed.

Oh yes, client 51. The client who had asked her out in the middle of a consultation. "That client was just not agreeable with me Terry," Blossom explained.

"Well, you know our company policy. Any rating of "unsatisfactory" reflects negatively against your paycheck," Terry reminded.

Blossom grit her teeth, trying desperately to maintain her demure expression. "It wouldn't happen again, Terry," Blossom managed.

Terry stared at her before nodding slowly. "See that it doesn't, or we'll have to talk about your future with the company."

Blossom watched as Terry walked away, her head once again dropping into her hands. Why was she at this job again? Oh yes, it was to be as far away from Townsville and her past as possible. But what had that move gotten her? A terrible job, a horrible ex-boyfriend, and nothing to show for all of her accomplishments. Blossom Utonium was washed-up.

Blossom's self-deprecating thoughts were interrupted by the shrill ring of her cell phone. After glancing at her phone, Blossom determined it was a number she did not recognize.

Blossom stared at her phone, trying to decide if she should answer. Most of the time these unknown numbers ended up being spam calls, but she had recently gotten a new phone and number after her breakup, so she supposed it could be someone she knew.

Blossom sighed before answering the phone. "Hello?" she asked.

"Blossom, it's Princess. Bubbles told me you're stuck in a job you hate and that you just got out of a bad relationship. Do you have time to talk?" Princess sounded business-like and demanding on the phone, not dissimilar to how she sounded the last time they had talked.

"Oh, Bubbles told you all that, did she?" Blossom asked, her eyes narrowing. She loved her younger sister, but she was a chatterbox. Blossom would be having stern words with her later.

"Of course she did, we're best friends." Princess deadpanned. "But that's not what I wanted to discuss. I have a proposition for you."

Blossom raised an eyebrow. "A proposition?"

"Yes a proposition," Princess replied, her annoyance at having to repeat herself evident. "Do you remember our senior year of high school and how I wanted to start my own company?"

Blossom did remember. Princess had been living with the Utoniums for over a year at that point, cut off financially and physically from her father. "Are you talking about Crown Industries?" Blossom questioned.

"Yes, back then I thought it was a pipe dream, but I've actually done it! I've created the company and have received some excellent contracts from some government agencies. I need someone with know-how to look over the contracts and make sure I'm not getting screwed." Princess said.

Blossom blinked, astonished. She knew Princess was motivated and wanted to create something for herself after her fall out with her father, but Blossom was surprised that Princess had managed to create a successful company only four years out of college.

"Hello, earth to Blossy?" Princess's voice cut through Blossom's musings.

Irritated, but interested, Blossom decided to ignore Princess's quip. "Are you offering me a job" Blossom asked, trying not to show just how desperate she was to leave her current one.

"Not just any job, Blossy. I'm asking you to be the CFO of Crown Industries. I need someone I can trust and depend on. This is my baby, and failure is NOT an option," Princess huffed, smugness seeping through the phone.

Blossom couldn't hold back the gasp that had escaped. CFO?! That was so many steps above where she was now in her current company. Was she even qualified for the role? What if she messed up. What if-

"Blossom!" Princess's sharp voice once again cut through Blossom's thoughts. "Stop overthinking and give me an answer. Are you in?"

Blossom quickly analyzed her situation. She was currently employed at a company she disliked, she hated her job, and she had no attachment to her current city. "I'm in."

"Good," Princess said. "I'll see you in Townsville next Monday."

"Wait, Townsville?!" Blossom exclaimed.

"Yes Townsville. It's my home and where my friends are," Princess replied incredulously.

Blossom bristled. She and Princess had a love-hate relationship and could very easily get under each other's skin. However, Princess was definitely preferable to Terry.

"Look, I know you left for whatever personal reasons, but I know your sisters and Dad miss you," Princess said, this time sounding sincere.

Blossom's irritation quickly melted away. She knew how Bubbles and Buttercup felt about her moving away, her dad too even though he would never try to stop her. Princess was right, it was time to stop running. "Fine, I'll see you next Monday," Blossom said, sighing. A week should give her enough time to quit her current job and mentally prepare herself to return to Townsville.

"Excellent," Princess said, her business voice back. "We'll discuss compensation and benefits in person. You should tell your sisters and Dad," Princess said.

"I will," Blossom replied, already trying to think of how to break the news to her family.

"Do it soon," Princess cautioned before the line went dead.

Blossom blinked rapidly, her mind moving a mile a minute. This was it, she was going back. She was going home. Back to her sisters, her dad, her friends, and back to him.

Blossom frowned but quickly shook herself from a place her thoughts did not want to go.

Squaring her shoulders and throwing her long red hair over her shoulders, Blossom stood up. Gone was the demure smile and dead eyes; in their place her eyes glowed Pink, a smirk that hadn't been seen for nearly a decade back on her face. Oh yes, Blossom was going home.

"Terry!" Blossom barked, startling her co-workers.

Blossom saw Terry's annoyed head poke out of his office. Upon seeing the look on Blossom's face, Terry visibly paled. Not so tough now, huh?

"Terry, I quit!" Blossom exclaimed, only barely enjoying her ex-boss's shocked features before blasting out through the open office window.