I do not own the Power Puff Girls or the Rowdy Ruff Boys.

Chapter Thirty-Five: Adjusting

Bubbles grumbled to herself as she sat at the table with Blossom and their friends. It was early June, a month after everything had happened. It was also two weeks away from the boys' birthday. They figured they needed something good after all of the turmoil. All things related to H.I.M had passed and were permanently dealt with. The dagger containing the remainder of the demon was sent to Jack in Japan with Mojo along to insure that the demon was thoroughly destroyed. Still, not everything was great back home. Better for sure, but not exactly great.

A month was all it took for everyone to work everyone's last nerve. The professor's experiments that rocked the house bothered the boys when they woke up much too early—especially on weekends. The boys' dirty socks and underwear bothered the girls when they were left in the bathroom or found under the bed. The girls' extended bathroom time bothered Mojo, who claimed as he had the most hair, he needed the most time. Mojo's hair when it clogged the drains bothered the professor. The only one who managed to avoid anyone's ire was Coal. At least until he started crawling.

About two weeks previous, he'd gone from scooting on his belly to full on crawling. Everyone was proud, though his fuzzy grandfather tried not to show it. He crawled all over the pink room he shared with his mommy and daddy when not in his dreaded playpen. Mommy would put him in when he needed to take a nap or when she or daddy was too busy with their homework to play with him. Daddy knew he didn't like his playpen, so he often let him out to explore. Usually, the door to Blossom's old room was closed, but one day it was open just enough to allow the mini Ruff boy to crawl through. He found himself in the blue room where his blond mommy and daddy were in bed together. They were busy putting their faces together like he saw his Mommy and Daddy do. Distracted as they were, they didn't see him crawling over to the pile of toys on the far corner. The one that caught his eye was a green crocodile that looked fearsome and something he wanted very much to fight and wrestle with. Crawling over with rough play in mind, he yanked as hard as any baby could on the toy that was at the bottom of the pile. Unfortunately, the mini Red Ruff was ambushed. The other toys fell toward him and soon he was covered. More unfortunately, the apparent loss made him angry and he flared up.

Boomer's hands were just beginning to go under Bubbles' shirt when she caught a whiff of something that wasn't "What's that smell?"

"What sme—Is something burning?" Bubble sat up quickly to the sight of her childhood toy collection burning. "My plushies!"

Boomer was pushed to the floor with a loud thud and Bubbles rushed to save her babies. As the Sugar Puff pulled her surviving toys away from the source of the burning, she was greeted by her nephew. His little body was glowing faintly and he looked to be biting—or trying to bite—a toy crocodile. Normally, she would've found him cute, but right now she was mourning the damage to her favorite toys and the loss of mood after weeks of celibacy. She went pale, then turned pink before settling on red.

"Uh…Bubbles?"

Blossom had just returned to her room with lunch for her and Brick when the sonic scream tore through the house. Brick winced as he looked up from his laptop to Blossom standing in the doorway. "What happened—?"

Another wail broke out that had Blossom dropping the lunch in her hands and rushing to her sister's room. It was there that she found Boomer picking up Coal, but barely able to hold him as he was burning hot. Bubbles was inconsolable as she held her burned plushies. "What are you doing to my baby?"

"He's—ow! Fine—hot baby." Boomer said holding the squirming, wailing, and still burning baby. "Bubbles just scared him. Ahh! Hot baby! Ow! Hot Baby!"

Brick floated into the room and grabbed a softly whimpering Coal. He snuggled into his daddy and slowly cooled down with the help of his mommy's cool touch. Brick turned to Boomer with a raised brow. "What happened?"

Boomer turned to Bubbles who was softly crying on the floor. "He burned…my…plushies." Her voice rose an octave with each word. She then started bawling. Her crying set off Coal and their wails rang throughout the house.

"What the hell is it now?" Butch yelled from the living room. "Can't we go five minutes without someone yelling about something in this damn house?"

"Everyone just SHUT UP!" The partially unexpected shout came from the next room over, stunning everyone aside from Coal into silence. Before anyone could say anything, the door slammed making Coal flare against Brick.

Blossom blew a cool breath over Coal and rubbed his back soothingly. "Sorry about your plushies Bubbles. We'll keep a better eye on him now that he's crawling."

Blossom allowed for Brick to float first to her room. As she followed behind him, she slowed as he passed her sister's room. She heard her clicking away on her computer, and was tempted to use her x-ray vision to see what she was up to.

"Blossom," Brick called to her, stopping from being a snooping elder sister.

Stepping into her room, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it. She worried her lip and breathed out an icy breath. Coal whimpered again and nuzzled his face into his father's chest. Blossom walked over to her boys and wiped some of the tears away from her baby's face. "Bubbles didn't mean to scare you, Fireball." Coal's bottom lip wobbled, as he leaned toward his Mommy for comfort. Blossom took him and rocked him softly. Coal's temperature slowly dropped and eventually was soothed to sleep, the excitement and the crying having worn him out. "Out like a light."

The young mother was about to place Coal in the dreaded playpen when Brick pulled them both to the bed. "He doesn't like the pen."

"He just needs to get used to it," Blossom told him as they moved Coal to the bed, where he only let out a small whimper of discomfort at being moved. She then turned to their fallen lunch and sighed. Moving from the bed she went to clean up the mess.

"If he hasn't already, I don't think he will." Brick said as he watched Coal slumber.

He's not the only one that hasn't gotten used to it, he thought as she thought about Buttercup.

The Spice Puff making an appearance during daylight hours was rare. Since her talk with Butch, she'd spent almost every day crying. When she wasn't crying, she was tearing something apart. All of which she did locked in her room. Her sisters, and friends when they came to visit, all tried to get her to come out, but she refused entry to everyone. She only came out late at night when everyone was sleeping. It would be then she'd grab something minimal to eat or to shower. All the while, she managed to avoid Butch. That was a miraculous feat considering how on top of each other everyone else seemed to be in the crowded house. While in her room, she heard him going on with everyone else like nothing was wrong. Like he didn't shatter her heart. Though to be fair, his own heart was equally shattered.

Blossom and Bubbles both thought to try to talk to Butch, but Brick and Boomer vetoed that immediately for three reasons. The first being Butch had every right to be angry. The second was that neither green Ruff or Puff needed additional commentary from anyone else about their rocky relationship. Third and more importantly, it was now at a point where it wasn't anyone's business but their own. Granted it was hard to just keep it their business when everyone saw how much they avoided one another. Still, it was best to not get involved as much as they could.

One particular day, Coal found himself having escaped the pink room again. He was played with his red and orange monster toy when he saw someone pass by the room. Thinking it was his Mommy, he crawled out of the room, unbeknownst to an internet surfing Brick. With the semester over, he'd begun looking for a new apartment for his little family to move into. To say their welcome was overstayed was an understatement.

Coal was out in the hallway looking for his mommy when he noticed a new room. A green room that he could just barely see into as it was almost closed. Now more curious than he'd been before, he surged forward and pushed on the door as strongly as any infant could.

Seeing her door swing open, Buttercup spun ready to spit venom when she heard nothing but giggling. Soft baby giggling from the floor. In her doorway was her nephew, staring up at her with his bright red eyes full of innocence and mirth. It was only because he was a baby that he didn't look at her with pity or sympathy when he saw her puffy red eyes. Not being able to talk also made it easier for him to not ask questions about how she was doing. All Blazing Coal could do was smile and wave his hands excitedly, wanting to be picked up.

Buttercup zipped her duffel bag with a sharp snap and hauled it over her shoulder. She slipped her boots on and started making her way to the door. On her way out, she scooped up the small Ruff and blew a raspberry into his cheek. "Going to miss you. Don't worry, I'll be back for your birthday."

Coal didn't say anything as he was carried by his green Mommy back to his actual Mommy's room. Blossom wasn't there, but Brick was, and he was focusing hard on his apartment search. So engrossed in his work it wasn't until Coal cooed loudly that Brick looked up. Surprise showed on his face as he saw his least favorite Puff holding his son.

"He was in my room," Buttercup told him as she set him down to crawl towards the bed where his Daddy was. Brick leaned over and hauled his son up with hands under his arms. "You'd better babyproof the house is you're going to let him wander around like that."

"Right," Brick said as he looked her over, noticing the duffel on her shoulder. "So what brings you out so early. Don't you usually skulk around at night when no one can see you?"

Buttercup rolled her eyes. She knew she looked a mess. What with the crying, barely eating, and minimal daylight—she wasn't the usually tough girl she was known for. "If you weren't able to fly, you'd be laying lame in that bed all the time."

"Maybe. What's your excuse then other than shame?" Brick quipped, only to get a venomous glare in his direction. "I'm not going to feel sorry for you."

"I don't need anyone's pity. Least of all from you," she snapped as she turned to leave the room. She adjusted her duffle bag and turned to leave.

"Going back to work already?"

"N—." Buttercup's duffle bag caught on the door as she stumbled. She caught herself on the frame and dared Brick to say something with a glare. "No." She then scurried out the door and made her way noisily down the stairs.

Brick let her go, wincing and looking down at his son when he felt too powerful a tug on his scalp. Coal laughed to himself as Brick pulled the strands free from his son's chubby little fingers. "Don't worry about your aunt," he told the young Ruff.

Butch and Boomer were on the couch talking about the upcoming community service they'd have to perform. Having been the first to get his strength back, Boomer was serving his hours now. Every day since he's been out with the construction workers laying foundation and doing the heavy lifting. Butch's arm was almost healed. He wore the cast for two weeks and has been wearing a brace. He was more annoyed that he couldn't work out like he wanted to.

"I wouldn't really mind the work," Boomer was saying. "It's just when those bums make excuses to not work and make me do all the heavy lifting."

Butch chuckled and put his hands behind his head as he leaned against the couch. "Ahh, don't complain. It's the least we can do."

"You're only saying that because you've been…" His words died in his throat as he noticed Buttercup making her way down. His cobalt eyes flickered to his brother, who he knew noticed his wife, yet he said nothing.

"Been sitting on my ass?" Butch shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah, so what?" He asked as he watched Buttercup make her way to the door without stopping.

Boomer looked between the two of them wondering if one or the other would speak. The silence grew heavy and Boomer being Boomer did something only Boomer could do. "Buttercup!" He shouted rather loud and felt his face flood with heat. Two sets of green eyes turned his way. One with exasperation the other with angered annoyance. "Ummm…" He then stood up and sped out of the room, not missing the kick to the side that Butch threw at him in passing.

Once Boomer was gone, Butch and Buttercup were in the same room for the first time in a month. They stared at one another for a moment, before Buttercup turned and reached for the door. "Later."

"Where are you going?" Butch asked with a certain smugness that would've been missed if Buttercup hadn't known him so well.

A lie was right on the tip of her tongue, and she had all of five seconds to decide if she would or wouldn't. "Tibet." With that, she yanked the door open and left the house without a backward glance.

On the couch, Butch snorted as he called her bluff. "Yeah right, Toots." There was no way that Butch was going to let Buttercup goad him into going after her.

Having an idea of why he responded the way he did, Buttercup huffed and yanked the door open. Before she stepped outside, she looked down at her wedding ring. Where she was going it wasn't going to be of much use. Without much of a second thought, she pulled the two piece jewelry off and placed it on the side table by the door. Butch's eyes bore into her back, but she didn't acknowledge him as she walked out the door. After a few steps past the front door, she took to the air and flew at top speed, leaving her signature green streak behind.

The snails Ruff sat staring at the ring long enough for the professor and Mojo to return from their errands. All month, they'd been making plans with Mayor Bellum about reconstruction throughout the city. Mojo rose a brow at him while the professor noticed the ring sitting on the table where he kept his keys. "Where's Buttercup?"

"Who knows for sure?" Butch said as he got from the couch to venture into the kitchen. "She said she was going to Tibet."

From his tone, the professor knew Butch didn't think it true. He did however chose not to worry. If his daughter was going to Tibet as she said, then she was going to see her Master. She wrote him every so often, staying in touch ever since she was young. He wondered if she told him about her recent "marriage" and all that's happened since. She'd also be gone for a while if she felt she needed to recalibrate herself with the concept of peace and stability.

Apparently, Mojo's thoughts went along the same route, though he wasn't considerate enough to keep them to himself. "She's probably going to see that hack monk again."

The professor gave Mojo an unimpressed look as he settled the groceries he and Mojo bought on the counter. Boomer was nursing a soda when they came in, and he gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. "Just because his teachings did you no good, doesn't mean he's a hack. You were just too stubborn."

Mojo snorted as he became unpacking the items. "Considering she has to go back, proves he's a hack."

There was a pop and the sound of liquid splattering on the floor. Everyone looked to Butch and the crushed soda can in his hand. He dropped the can unceremoniously onto the floor and flicked the excess beverage from his hand. "Shame she didn't think of going before this happened."

Bubbles was looking over Mojo's recipe for the chocolate banana peanut butter cake when Butch and Boomer walked in. Both were sweaty and stuck like a hard day's work. Butch was finally cleared to start serving after the brace was removed from his arm. Now all that was left was Brick, who still had a few weeks of recuperation for his leg. Bubbles glared hard at Butch, snapping the pencil in her hand. It didn't go unnoticed by her friends or her sister.

Blossom shot her youngest sister a warning look. Robin followed Bubbles' line of sight and sighed. "Bubbles," she dropped her voice to a low whisper.

Butch still heard and grunted lowly as he grabbed the fixings for a sandwich. Boomer grabbed some plates for them to use, elbowing Butch to grab his attention. When his green eyed brother looked his way, Boomer shook his head. The last thing they needed was more fighting.

"Buttercup always did whatever she wanted," Robin reminded her. "If she went, she had a perfectly good reason."

"I doubt Butch is a good enough reason, considering he left her," Bubbles snapped as she stood up from the table. Blossom grabbed her arm to hold her back.

Butch turned his hardened emerald gaze onto Bubbles, ignoring how Boomer's back went rigid. "Yeah, Sugar Puff, I did, but only because if I stayed I would've been the one to land us here. Unlike her, I know myself well know to know that. It's not my damn fault she's so insecure about the fucking person she is."

"Buttercup isn't insecure about—."

"The hell she isn't!" Butch snapped before Bubbles could refute him. "I know her better, and not just because I was fucking her or because I'm her counterpart. I love her, and fuck if that doesn't show me a side of her she'd never show any of you."

With that, he walked out the backdoor to the patio. He didn't restrain himself, so when he slammed the back door, the glass window shattered. Boomer winced and hoped that the professor didn't complain much when he saw that more of his house was damaged. Proceeding to make himself a sandwich, he sighed heavily.

"What?" Bubbles asked as she looked at her boyfriend.

Boomer took a moment to complete his sandwich before raising his attention to his girlfriend. Since Buttercup left for her sabbatical, he's seen more of the Bubblevicious side of her. She believed she was righteous in her anger towards Butch, but the same could be said for the boys toward Buttercup. Someone else was always to blame and it was tiresome. "I don't want to fight anymore." With that, he finished making his sandwich and left the kitchen to retreat to the living room to watch tv in relative peace.

An awkward silence settled over them before Blossom brushed her hair back. "He's right. We've had enough fighting to last us a while."

"A long while," Robin said while taking Bubbles' hand and giving it a squeeze. "Isn't that why you're doing this party?"

Blossom nodded and turned back to their plans. "Coal's birthday is too far off. We need something now. They need it now."

Bubbles spared a glance out the window at Butch who was reclining on one of the lawn chairs.

"Especially him," Blossom said as she looked out the window. "We can be mad at him all we want, but Buttercup really did a number on him. Don't turn this into another Thanksgiving, Bubbles."

Tabitha braced his chin in her hand and looked between her friends. "I still didn't get the whole story about what happened."

The remaining Power Puffs shared a look before regaling their friends about what happened that particular holiday.

Soon, the boys' birthday came around and Blossom and Bubbles had to find ways to keep them occupied. For Brick that was watching Coal. Or at least they were supposed to be watching him. Butch and Boomer were in the living room playing a new video game given by Mojo and the professor. Brick was waiting for his turn while letting Coal crawl about on the floor. Coal got a kick out of crawling over his daddy. He even tried to crawl over his uncles but was prevented by his daddy. He would quickly escape his daddy's hold and find something else to entertain him.

Coal was constantly finding new places to go and to be. A new game was developed Capture Coal. It usually consisted of him crawling away and someone finding and bringing him back to his parents' room. He was usually found quickly, but today he had ventured out of sight and found himself at the base of the stairs. Seeing a new challenge before him he began to climb. He turned to look down once when he heard his uncles shout, but then he continued on his way. When he got to the top, he sat and found himself able to look down at everyone. He watched everyone for a while as they walked back and forth making conversation with each other. When he heard his mommy and saw her make her way into view, he squealed happily and loudly.

Everyone looked to where the sound of innocent mirth came from. When Blossom looked up, she felt her body grow colder than any ice she could've created. "COAL!"

Without a second thought, she flew up the stairs and pulled her son from the edge of the stairs where he sat. Her oblivious to danger son liked the sudden flurry of movement. He laughed and squealed with a glee that could only come with being a Rowdy Ruff boy. Seeing him laugh like that made Blossom seethe as she turned on the landing to march down the stairs to face the boy's father. Not only did Brick have the gumption to look ashamed, but so did his brothers. While he was mostly Brick's responsibility, all three of them were in his company and should've stopped him.

Blossom walked over to the playpen that had been moved downstairs but left neglected. She set Coal in before turning to the elder Ruff boys. Not even seconds after being placed in his prison, Coal looked around his cell and started to whimper. Brick started to get up when Blossom raised her hand to him. "Nuh-uh. Leave him."

"He doesn't like the playpen," Brick said as he got up and started walking over to his son. Blossom stood in front of him shaking her head. Coal's whimpering started to get louder, and Brick felt his heart clench. "Blossom."

"No, he goes in if you're not going to watch him," Blossom told him while poking a finger into his chest. "He's crawling now and could get hurt."

"He's a Rowdy Ruff Boy," Butch said stupidly. Belatedly he realized he should've kept his mouth shut. Blossom laid a chilling glare on him that reached down to his very core.

"He's also a baby, one that doesn't have all his powers yet," Blossom said speaking over Coal's whimpering that was growing louder.

Brick not able to stand Coal's crying, flew around the Blossom to get to his son. As he reached in to take him out, Coal readily raised his arms for his daddy and snuggled into the warmth he radiated. Coal's whimpering softened, but he clung to his daddy. "Look, I'm sorry, but he's fine. Aren't you, fireball?"

"Yeah, because I stopped him from falling face first down the stairs!" Blossom snapped, before lowering her voice. "Brick, just please keep a better eye on him. If not, he has to be in the playpen."

"He doesn't like the playpen." Brick said as he limped toward the couch. He settled Coal on his lap and had him face Blossom. "Tell Mommy you don't like the playpen, Coal."

As if he could understand what was going on, Coal whimpered softly as he clung to Brick. Blossom tried not to be swayed, but Coal's watery eyes and pout cracked the ice around her. "Fine, but you have to watch him. You guys too."

The green and blue Ruffs nodded not wanting to irritate the young mother any more than she already was.

With the crisis averted, Blossom ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. Other young parents had similar problems with adventurous babes discovering the world around them. What they wouldn't have to worry about ever were the eventual powers that their child would receive. "My God, what are we going to do when he starts flying?"

"Bubble wrap the ceiling fans?" Boomer suggested thinking he was being helpful. At least, until Butch threw a fist back into his stomach making him grunt. "Or tie a weight to his foot."

"Boomer, do us a favor and shut up." Brick said as Blossom laid that chilly look in their direction.

Mercifully, she was distracted by a round of knocks sounding at the door. She opened the door, to reveal their friends. A chorus of happy birthdays rang out as they barreled in with gifts in their hands. After gifts were set down and everyone was settled in, the party began. Food and drinks were passed along with Coal from everyone that wanted to hold him. The professor and Mojo had made an appearance, but they eventually made themselves scarce to allow the teens their fun. Once they were gone, Tabitha pulled out the alcoholic drinks that Josh bought for them. Blossom and Brick stayed sober if only to make sure Coal didn't get into more trouble—well as much trouble as a Rowdy Ruff infant could get into.

Not long after the party started, Coal was worn out from all the excitement. Brick rubbed a hand down the infant's back with a fond smile. "It is about his nap time."

"You stay here with everyone else. I'll go lay him down," Blossom said as she carefully stood up so as to not wake him. "Happy birthday, Peaches." She then leaned over and placed a kiss that promised more later on him.

Brick groaned into the kiss and tugged gently at her lip with his teeth. When she pulled back, he exhaled a steamy breath into her face. "When the party is over…,"

From across the yard, Butch watched as Brick whispered promises to Blossom about their more private celebration. Looking in the other direction, he saw Bubbles chatting it up with Goo and Sam while Boomer stood with her arm wrapped around her waist. Every now and then he would dip his fingers under the hem of her shirt to feel her skin above her skirt. The sip of the hard root beer that Tabitha procured for them was very bitter despite its sweetness. He was glad for the celebration, and the effort that everyone put into it, but he couldn't help but wish Buttercup was there with him.

His next sip was lengthy as he drained the bottle. Unsatisfied, he walked over to the cooler where more alcohol to drown his birthday blues would be. As he was grabbing another drink, a tanned hand reached in beside him. Looking up, he saw that it was Mac and gave him a wane smile.

"You doing all right?" he asked as he used the bottle opener to pop off the cap of his root beer.

Butch simply using his thumb, popped the cap off and brought the bottle to his lips to take a few lengthy gulps. When he brought it down, more than half the bottle was gone. Mac's brow rose in silent surprise. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Butch, come on." Mac nudged gently.

"We needed some time apart," Butch began when he saw that he wasn't going to get out of having this conversation.

Mac nodded. "Yeah, I heard from Goo. You know out of everyone Buttercup talked to Goo about what she should do."

"Even her friend with the most sense couldn't convince her that she didn't need to go to the other side of the world to give me the space I needed." Butch barked out a sarcastic laugh.

Mac gave Butch a pat on the back. Butch gave an appreciative nod and took another drink of his root beer. "She'll come back."

"I know that," Butch sighed. "I just feel like an ass for missing her, especially since I made the decision."

"Of course, you miss her," Mac said. "You didn't stop loving her, did you?"

Butch shook his head and walked to the back of the yard with Mac following behind him. "I don't think I could stop loving her even when it hurts. And it has. It is."

"Do you want to stop loving her?"

That was a question Butch refused to ask himself. Mostly because he was afraid of what the answer would be. Even now, he blocked out thinking about it by focusing on the party around them. If—when Buttercup got back, he'd allow himself to think about the answer. He hated that all this was left up to Buttercup now, but he had to hold fast to his resolve. It was already weak and if it crumbled, he'd just be putting the both of them through this whirlwind all over again.

"Cake time!" Blossom called as she returned to the yard and waved Butch over.

Everyone headed inside as Bubbles placed candles on the cake and lit them with her laser vision. The Rowdy Ruff Boys sat in the breakfast nook looking at their favorite cake, done up Power Puff style. Each boy had a designated candle for them to blow out. Once the birthday song was finished, Brick and Boomer promptly blew out their candles. When Butch didn't lean in to blow his candle out, everyone looked at him.

Feeling their scrutiny, Butch looked up and gave a half formed smirk. "Have to make a wish right? I was just thinking of mine." Then before anyone could ask, Butch leaned forward and blew out his candle.

After that everyone moved to grab plates and a knife to cut the cake. Brick and Boomer turned to their brother with similar questions on their faces. To that Butch just shook his head.

"Can't tell you. Bad luck or it won't come true and all that, right?"

Hello, my lovelies. I know it's been a while, and this chapter is relatively short, but this part of the story is almost at a close. This will soon be followed by a story told from a very special little someone as they. I'm also still writing my original and co writing another fanfic. Needless to say, I've been busy and the creativity beckons me to do their bidding.

Anyway, thank you all for sticking with me and being patient. From those who followed me real time as I wrote my previous stories, you know I'm a more regular writer than I have been. However, adulting is a balancing act and I'm finding where my balance with my different outlets and obligations.

Thank you all for the love and support. Please rate and review.

Until Next Time