Break the cycle/Break the chains/Cos love is louder/Than all your pain


"Hello Dr. Utonium, thank you for coming in to see us. I'm Detective Wren Jenkins." Detective Jenkins said, sat opposite Blossom and Brick in a small room in Townsville police department. She had a kind, confident face and long black hair in a tight updo. "I'm the officer in charge of your case, the one you made against Jeremy Paxton on the 23rd January, 2022?"

Blossom nodded, fiddling with her hands uncomfortably. "Yes, that is correct."

"So I've read through your file, and basically back in 2022, you withdrew any involvement in the case, we decided to try and prosecute anyway, but the case was dropped due to insufficient evidence, yes?" Jenkins verified, and Blossom nodded again. "I've called you in today because I'd like to reopen your case. Some new evidence has come to light. We've had another victim of Jeremy Paxton come forward, with an extremely similar story to yours. There are a few differences but, the circumstances of the attack are almost identical."

Blossom nodded once more; she was talking about Sasha.

"Also, as I'm sure you're very well aware, the media has picked up on the story due to an anonymous person interviewing with the Townsville Tribunal, so the story in general has been picked up by the public too, which although may be irritating for you, and a huge invasion of your privacy, as it was mostly falsified, it actually helps your case - as it heightens public interest and overall public safety." She explained.

"Okay… So, what happens now?" Blossom murmured, trying to hide her nerves.

"Well, first of all I need to know if you're happy to be involved in reopening your case? The more involvement you have, the more likely we are of a conviction. But of course, with the sensitive nature of these types of cases, I understand if you would like to play no part." Detective Jenkins asked, her expression sincere.

Brick looked over at Blossom with hopeful eyes. She looked down at the table, but slowly nodded her head again. "I'm happy for my case to be reopened. I just - I want to have to see him as little as possible."

Jenkins smiled warmly. "That's perfectly understandable. If things go as I plan them to go, you should only have to see him when he's facing a judge and jury in court. Okay, well leave it all with me for now. It could be a long haul process, these types of cases normally are, there can be a lot of 'your word against his', but I believe certain aspects were overlooked in 2022, and especially since another victim has come forward, I believe there are definite grounds for conviction. But we will do all we can. Can you come in again to sort out statements and any more evidence? We have your original statement, and all evidence collected immediately after it happened that we can use. We need to bring Jeremy Paxton in again for questioning, then we will call you again and get the ball rolling."

"Okay then." Blossom said, exhaling shakily.

"Brilliant. Thank you Dr. Utonium. I'll be in touch shortly." She reached into the purse at her feet, sliding a couple of business cards across the table. "My details, if you need to call me, don't hesitate. Also, you'll need a lawyer. I recommend Molly Carter. She's very good in these types of cases. But obviously the choice is yours."

Blossom picked both cards up, eyeing Molly Carter's number curiously. "Right. Okay then."


As Blossom walked down the corridor next to the ICU, Mr. Snauber's chart under her arm, she smiled warmly at Brick as she passed him. She certainly felt safer at work when she knew he was there.

He obviously hadn't been coming to her work every day. For starters, it was a hospital, not a mall. Plus, he had Rosalie and Blake to look after. But on the days he was off work, and Blake had school and Rosalie had kindergarten for a few hours, Brick would drop Blake off at school, take Rosalie to kindie and go and trawl the hospital for a couple of hours, meeting Blossom on her break if the timing was right. Since finding out Jeremy was around, it was the least he felt he could do and it made him, and Blossom feel better.

He spent a lot of time in the cafeteria. Depending on who was working, he could quite successfully linger around the nurses station for a while, but it wasn't ideal. The cafeteria was the main place he could go without being questioned. The last thing they needed was Brick made to look like he was acting suspiciously.

Though Blossom did secretly hope Jeremy and Brick didn't collide. It would be messy, and probably end up with Brick awaiting his own court date. Not what any of them needed.

But coming along to the hospital during Blossom's day time shifts once or twice a week seemed to pacify Brick, and Blossom couldn't deny she felt safer knowing he was around.

Brick was heading to the cafeteria now. It was just gone 1pm, he had a few hours till Blake got out, and whilst Rosalie didn't have kindergarten that day, the Professor and Kelly had offered to take her to Pete's-a-pizza downtown, so he planned to sit here for a bit and get some work done from his laptop, then meet Blossom on her lunch break.

After buying himself a cup of coffee, he got a seat and pulled his laptop out of his bag. He'd only been answering email enquiries for twenty minutes when someone pulled a chair out opposite him and sat down.

He cranked an eyebrow and gave the visitor a severely unpleasant frown. "Can I help you?"

It was a woman, she was younger than him. With warm brown hair, big, almond shaped brown eyes and a confident smile on her face. "You're Brick Jojo." She said simply.

"And you are?" He questioned uninterestedly.

"You're Blossom's boyfriend." She said again, and Brick looked her up and down briefly.

"I also still don't know who you are. Do you work here, or something?" He asked, and she shook her head.

"Do I look like I work here?" She scoffed, still smiling. She had a cup of coffee and a pastry she'd bought, which she began to pick at. "I'm a friend of Blossom's."

The penny dropped then and Brick's eyes widened slightly. "Sasha Wood?"

"Bingo. Nice to meet you." She said, extending her hand to shake Brick's. He did so, a little taken aback by her boldness.

"So tell me, how's Blossom coped with all this, the past 6 or so years?" Sasha asked, taking a bite of her danish, and looking at him expectantly with her smokily made up eyes.

Brick furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"

"With the rape. How has she coped? I'm a few years behind her so, I'm intrigued." Sasha said bluntly. Brick blinked, and after looking around him quickly, grimaced.

"She's fine, mostly." Brick answered shortly. The word 'rape' stung him whenever it was mentioned in reference to Blossom. Like another dagger, another reminder that he let that happen to her. That he didn't protect her from it.

Sasha couldn't see this in him though. She was blissfully unaware of his inner turmoil; so she carried on.

"But gotten worse since Jeremy's been prowling around the hospital?" She asked. She noticed his grip on the table tighten so much he left finger indents. Her eyes widened slightly.

"Yes. Yes, of course." He answered through grit teeth, calming down slightly. He knew if Blossom were here she'd have chastised him for his temper. "Wouldn't you?"

She scoffed lightly. "Please, he only has to look at me and I'm like human jelloid. Can't move, can't think straight. Blossom's stronger than I am."

"I still think she could do with some therapy." Brick murmured, and Sasha looked up at him suddenly. She had been eyeing the impressive impressions in the table.

"She hasn't had any therapy?" Sasha cried, and Brick shook his head slowly, wondering if Blossom would be mad at him for mentioning this to her. "None at all?" Sasha repeated, and Brick shook his head. "Wow. Shit, I don't think I'd still be here if it weren't for the therapy I had during the first year after it happened."

"I think it'd help her." Brick muttered, and she nodded.

"Hell yeah it would. Especially at the minute. This trial that'll hopefully happen, it's gunna be tough. It's all gunna be tough. Jeez, course she could do with it." Sasha said, leaning back in her chair and shaking her head in disbelief.

"I've tried to get her to realise that but, she won't listen to me. Says she doesn't need the interference. Acts like I'm just telling her what to do." Brick shrugged, leaning back in his chair too.

As if on queue, Blossom approached the table, with her lunch on a tray in her hands. Brick couldn't help but notice the neckline of her blue scrubs were spattered with a small amount of blood. Brick eyed it as she sat down next to him. She looked down at her top too, then back at him.

"Oh, an intern's procedure gone awry - I did have an apron on but, well it got messy. The patient is fine. Hi!" She said cheerfully, leaning forward and giving him a kiss. He kissed her back, still slightly grossed out by the stranger's blood down her front. She looked around at Sasha then, smiling warmly. "I see you've met Sasha, and you've met Brick."

"Yeah. He made quite the impression - on the table." Sasha said with a smirk. Brick rolled his eyes as Blossom smiled at him a little confusedly.

"Did he tell you we went to the police station?" Blossom asked, taking a bite from her sandwich.

"No, but Detective Jenkins did." Sasha said, looking at Blossom closely.

"Oh right. She seems nice, right?" Blossom said conversationally.

"Mmm, she'll do. Hey, so Brick and I got to talking and he tells me you've not had a lick of therapy since you were raped?" Sasha asked, giving her a questioning look.

Brick shook his head slightly in disbelief that she'd landed him in it. This woman had a mouth on her. Blossom looked slightly peeved as she glanced at Brick, then back at Sasha.

"No, I haven't. I, I don't need it." Blossom shrugged, continuing to eat.

"Oh really? Drugged and raped, whilst unconscious - you're fully equipped to deal with that?" Sasha said nonchalantly.

"Sasha…" Blossom whispered, looking down at Brick's hands; he'd gripped the table again. "Brick, temper."

He hissed obscenities under his breath.

"Come on Blossom! There's no shame in it!" Sasha cried, exasperated.

Blossom furrowed her brow. "Did you have any counselling?"

"Yes! Of course I did. Like I said to Red Rage over here, I don't think I'd be here anymore if it wasn't for my psychiatrist! You need some help, just like I need help. There's absolutely no shame in that." Sasha said, her voice softer now.

Blossom looked over to Brick, then down into her hands. Brick watched her quietly, thinking back to his brother's words: 'She won't listen to you. You don't know what she's been through'..

But Sasha did, Sasha knew. He'd never really held much of an opinion on therapy, he'd never needed to, but if there was even the slimmest of chances it could help Blossom, he was up for it. He hoped, hoped really badly, that Sasha's words would hit home, and Blossom would be up for it too.


Jay trundled out of school morosely, his hands dug deep into his jean pockets. When he looked up to see his Dad, with his three sisters, all clambering over him standing by the gate, he halted slightly, considering going back into school instead of actually walking out with his father and crazy siblings.

Eventually, he decided to grin and bear it, he wasn't the only parent there, but it was still mildly embarrassing, as cool as his Rowdyruff father was. It was also the last thing Jay needed right now; to be spotted going home with his Daddy.

"What are you doing here?" He hissed, not stopping as he approached Butch, Olive, Ivy and Emerald. Butch caught up with his stride quickly, managing to balance the girls on him still with ease as they headed for the car.

"Nice to see you too kid. We're going out for a burger. Figured you'd wanna come?" Butch asked as he began to battle the girls into their carseats.

"Fine." Jay huffed, buckling himself in in the front seat.

"Why so miserable man?" Butch asked, pinning Emerald down and fastening the restraints around her. She giggled loudly in response.

Jay responded by folding his arms over his chest.

"Is life in the 9th grade really that hard?" Butch questioned, semi sarcastically. He yelped as Olive bit his hand. "Down girl."

As Butch climbed into the driver's seat of the SUV, Jay shrugged.

"Do they teach a lesson on shrugging to you teenagers?" Butch asked, shrugging exaggeratedly as they pulled out of his spot.

Jay rolled his eyes. "I don't have to tell you my entire life story do I?"

"No, no, of course not, I mean you're 14 years old, basically a fully grown man, and I'm only your Dad." Butch said, mock casually.

"I'm fine, okay, school is shit what sort of reaction do you want from me?! I bet you didn't like school." He accused, and Butch bit his lip. He had hardly gone. He decided not to push it.

When they arrived at the nearest fast food joint, Jay and the girls got a table while Butch queued for food. Once he came back, the triplets wolfed theirs down, and conversation was light; mostly consisting of the two of them telling the toddlers to sit down and eat up.

Once their burgers and fries were demolished, Butch unleashed them into the soft play area to go make hell. They were good at that.

When he came back to sit down with his son, he observed his broody exterior and sighed. What was up with him? He didn't remember being this miserable at his age. And they had it a lot worse off than Jay did. Brick, maybe, but not him and Boomer.

"Dude, I know I was a pretty shitty father for the first 8 years of your life, and I wasn't around as much as I could be, but, that doesn't mean I don't know when something's up. Is it Mitch?" Butch questioned.

Jay gave him a tentative look. He did wish he wouldn't press on about not being there for him. Yeah, it was bad, and he wished things had been different; but his mother was just as much to blame as Butch was. Little things were always going to sting (Butch not being there when he was born, but him being present for the triplets' birth for example), but for the most part, Jay was happy to move on and upwards with it all. He was there now, and had been for 6 years. That was something, to him. The man who wouldn't commit had surely proven himself now.

Mitch wasn't the problem. Yes, he couldn't pretend Mitch's sudden change of heart wasn't upsetting, but it wasn't getting to him as much as maybe it should, because he was happy with his actual family. His Mom, his sisters, and his Butch. Jay didn't want to talk to anyone about the problem. It was embarrassing. His Dad, his huge, tank-like, ex villain, Rowdyruff Dad, positively oozing tough, brawny bruiser-ness. He couldn't tell Butch he was having problems with a bully. He'd surely laugh in his face.

"I'm fine, seriously. Stop acting like a woman." Jay muttered, and Butch scoffed lightly. He was glad he seemed in a slightly better mood suddenly but, he did wonder if it was put on.


The hammering on his front door made Mitch jump out of his skin as he flicked through channels on the TV. Princess, however, was fast asleep on the sofa and didn't even stir. Giving her a roll of his eyes, he jumped up to see what all the fuss was about.

Through the window in the door he could see a tall, well built figure, and he groaned. It was Butch, he could tell that much already.

He pulled his door open, a tiresome look on his face. "What do you want?"

"A word." Butch said simply, arms folding across his chest as he spoke.

"And what word would that be?" Mitch said, leaning against the door frame boredly. Butch had never scared him. Many people would think that unwise, Mitch just didn't find him intimidating at all. Maybe it was because of the years they'd spent as best friends.

"Don't talk shit to me. You know why I'm here. What's your fucking deal?" Butch asked, clearly trying to keep his temper in check.

Mitch screwed his face up at him. "I don't know why you're here. In fact, there's no logical reason why you'd be banging on your girlfriends ex's door."

"Come on man, you're a little bit more than Buttercup's ex." Butch tried to reason with him, but he shook his head.

"No, that's precisely what I am." Mitch said, nodding rapidly. "No more, no less."

"He doesn't wanna show it, but you suddenly deciding to ditch Jay is really bugging him -" Butch began, but Mitch interrupted him.

"I'm not his Dad, Butch. You are. So it's your problem." Mitch said firmly, and Butch's upper lip curled at him in his growing anger.

"But you were in his life for 8 years." Butch argued but Mitch scoffed lightly.

"Yeah, and where the fuck were you?" He said in a low voice.

Butch gritted his teeth, leaning forward and giving him a menacing stare.

"I didn't come here to knock your fucking teeth out, but if you're after me leaving with a souvenir, I'm open to the idea." He warned, in his face now.

"This is exactly why I can't be bothered. With any of you. What's the point in me seeing Jay a couple of times a month anyway? He's only gunna turn into you, and I wouldn't fucking hang with you if I was paid." Mitch told him, and Butch scowled at him.

"The feeling is mutual pal, but this isn't about us. It's about Jay. You spent 8 years with that boy and now you're just done with him?" Butch questioned, and Mitch nodded.

"I'm done with all of you. This scenario, it's not fucking healthy. Tell Jay I'm sorry but, that's just the way it is." He looked slightly saddened as he said this, but Butch could see he meant it.

"Just the way it is?" Butch almost scoffed. "Are you for real? You're gunna do that to him? Just cut him out of your life like that?"

Mitch laughed viciously. "You're fucking hilarious Butch! You were absent from his life for years! I mean where were you when he said his first words, hmm?"

Butch frowned deeply at him.

"When he took his first steps? His first day of school, where were you? And you're standing there acting like I'm a shitty person." Mitch continued and Butch inhaled deeply, his fists in tight balls.

"You know what, as much as I fucking hate you Mitch, I've always thought deep down you were a good guy, because you were there for all those things, knowing he wasn't your responsibility. But, clearly I was wrong." Butch said through gritted teeth, trying his very hardest not to lose it and hit him.

"Yeah well - people are shitty. Everyone is shitty deep down. Ask Buttercup about it, she knows all about being a shitty person." Mitch spat viciously.

"Meaning?" Butch asked, fierce green eyes narrowed.

"Why don't you pay her a visit at work and you'll see what I mean?" Mitch said, his voice almost smug. He then proceeded to slam the door, and Butch never got an explanation from him.


There was no time to dwell on Mitch's words. He'd banged on his door for a while, demanding further explanation, till Mitch and Princess had threatened to call the cops if he didn't leave. Butch had figured none of that would go down well with Buttercup, so eventually he left, what Mitch had said playing over in his head.

Then when Butch had gotten home, Brick and his two kids were sat in his living room with the triplets.

"So do you leave the 14 year old in charge of three 2 year old's often?" Brick asked as Rosie chased Olive, Ivy and Emerald into the sun room as they giggled loudly. Blake had sat on the sofa and began to flick uninterestedly through a fitness magazine that had been on the coffee table.

"They're super powered children. I think they'll survive. Plus, the girls fucking love Jay, they're always good for him. And yeah - he's 14. I was only out like 20 minutes anyway. Did Jay let you in?" Butch asked as he kicked his shoes off.

"He did. He told me I was his ticket out of here before I'd even sat down. He's gone down the skate park. Said he'd be back by 6pm." Brick said as Butch plonked himself onto the sofa beside him.

"Oh, okay. Everything okay?" Butch questioned, wondering why his brother had paid him a visit.

"Yeah. Yeah, it's fine. You?" Brick answered flatly, as Butch nodded.

"Yup. All good."

Both couldn't help but notice how they sounded the exact opposite to what they were saying, but neither asked any further questions. That wasn't how they worked.

"Buttercup at work still?" Brick said, and Butch nodded.

"She gets out at 5.30pm. Blossom at work?"

Brick nodded now.

"It's nice to be kept men." Butch said with a smirk.

"Speak for yourself, I still work. Thank god." Brick muttered. Blake tore his eyes off the magazine for a moment to give his Dad an irritated look.

"Nice one Dad." He murmured.

"Don't mention it. So uhh, I'm planning to propose to Blossom again." Brick muttered quietly, and Butch gave him a mildly surprised look.

"Dude, that's great. Second time lucky, huh?" Butch couldn't resist saying.

"Yeah, I guess so. We're practically married as it is, so... I figured I'd try and do something positive for Bloss, what with all this impending trial and everything…" Brick said, eyeing Blake, not wanting to talk about the case in front of him.

"Yeah, that's awesome man." Butch said, glancing at Blake as well.

"About time." Blake mumbled, not looking away from the page he was reading. "Don't tell Rosie though. She'll never shut up about it, and she'll probably burst with annoying excitement. Or just go and tell Mom."

Butch and Brick smirked at him, and Butch scoffed lightly. "He's so like you, it's funny. Little mini Brick. So, you got a ring?"

Brick rummaged in his inner jacket pocket, and pulled out a small black box. He opened it to show him a rose gold ring with a substantial diamond set in the middle. Butch's eyes bugged out of his head.

"Damn son. I'd marry you. That's fucking huge. How much did that set you back?" Butch exclaimed.

"$3300." Brick said, popping the box shut and pocketing it again.

"Fuck me. 'Scuse my language Blake. But your Dad's brought your Mom one fuck off big ring." Butch explained. Blake only rolled his eyes in reply. It wasn't like he didn't hear his own Dad swearing all the time as it was. "When're you asking her? You know she's gunna say yes, don't you?"

"I know she'll say yes, yeah. I've already attempted it. I planned a night out, just the two of us. But the Professor had a seminar to teach and Kelly was busy too, so the kids ended up coming. It turned into Rosie throwing food everywhere and Blake was far too interested in reading the menu and discussing food origins than eating." Brick said, glancing at his son with a mildly annoyed expression.

"You can't ask Mom to marry you with us there anyway! So it's irrelevant." Blake sniffed.

"He's right man." Butch responded, and now Brick rolled his eyes.

"I'll try again soon. She needs a pick me up, and so do I to be honest. This is all fucking rough." Brick commented with a sigh.


"Hey baby." Butch said as Buttercup whizzed through the front door, a green blur as she disappeared into the kitchen. "Good day?"

"Hey. It was fine. I've gotta pop out again, I won't be gone long okay? I got Chinese take out. It's on the side in the kitchen. Try and leave me some." She said, coming back through to the living room and planting a kiss on Butch's mouth as he opened it to ask where she was going.

"Where are you going?" He asked, confused. "You've only just got in?"

"Nowhere important. I just need to go see Blossom at the hospital. Super quick, I promise - I won't be long." Buttercup said quickly, she'd already got to the front door again now.

"Why?" Butch persisted, and she shook her head dismissively.

"It's nothing, honestly. I'll be like, half hour tops okay? Go eat your Chinese." With that she slammed the door, and Butch looked over at the bag of food on the counter, feeling thoroughly confused. And almost suspicious.

Mitch's words had been playing on his mind for hours. The look on his face, his insinuation, it was almost as if he was accusing Buttercup of… He shook his head. She wouldn't cheat on him. She loved him, they lived together, had four kids together. She wasn't a cheater, she wasn't that sort of person. Hot headed, and feisty, yes, but she had a heart of gold. A cheater? She wasn't a cheater.

...But she had cheated on Mitch. With him. Mitch had known what it was like to be cheated on. To be cheated on by Buttercup, too. Was that what that was earlier? Some kind of warning?

It had been different with him and Buttercup though. They had loved each other, but ripped each other apart. The feelings were always there, they had both just pushed them aside. And then reconnected. It wasn't sordid. It was love.

He shook his head again, jumping over the back of the sofa to dish out the take out food. Buttercup wasn't cheating on him. The very idea of it was ridiculous. He was annoyed at himself for even considering it could be true, let alone actually suspecting her of anything. Mitch was just being a dick. Lord knew he was good at that.


"Son of a bitch!" Jeremy groaned under his breath as he swept out of the main doors to Townsville General Hospital.

Hayley still refused to speak to him. No matter what he said, no matter what he explained. His own sister wouldn't see reason and believe what he was telling her. And the worst thing was, this had happened before, and she'd believed him then. Both times, in fact.

Why did Blossom Utonium, leader of the Powerpuff girls, make his story seem so unbelievable? Yes, she was a former superhero, but so what! She was still capable of lies, just like anyone else.

But Hayley seemingly believed her over him, and it was tearing Jeremy up. He'd still been in to see her about 4 or 5 times a week; he was relentless in his pleas, but Hayley remained judgemental.

A few times she seemed to see he was telling the truth, but then doubt had clouded her vision and she'd given him that look, that fucking look, like he was a piece of dog shit, and it hurt him so much.

If only she knew what a poisonous bitch Blossom Utonium really was, what a rotten tease her, Sasha Wood, and any of the other girls he'd preyed on had been, maybe then she'd see he was the real victim in all of this.

He hadn't even got the chance to vent his frustrations. Blossom and Sasha were managing to never be alone in the hospital. And Sasha had hardly been there; he knew next to nothing about her now too.

Jeremy's malicious thoughts were cut off by a vice like grip on his arm, pulling him towards them as he approached his car.

He was yanked to a halt, and as he blinked, disoriented, he realised who it was who had a hold of him.

Buttercup Utonium stood before him, jade eyes glowing dangerously as she scowled at him.

"Uhhh, can I help you?" He muttered, his usual cocky arrogance gone in seconds.

"As a matter of fact, you can help me. You can help me by leaving my sister alone!" She snarled, throwing his arm away roughly.

"Your sister? Wh-which sister?" He stammered, and she glared at him.

"You know which sister. You stay away from her." She gnarled.

"Blossom? I, I, well I haven't seen her in years. I, I left town you see. We, we lost contact. I, I hope she's well." He babbled, yelping when Buttercup seized him by the scruff of his jacket.

"Don't give me that bullshit. I know you've been following her around the hospital, tormenting her, thinking you have some kind of power over her. It fucking stops now. You may have gotten away with it, but Blossom has a life sentence, she has to deal with this for the rest of her life. I know you're here. So if I know you're here, that means Brick, Butch and Boomer know you're here. Blossom is currently stopping them from coming down and dealing with you, but she doesn't know I'm here, ready and willing to make you not a problem for her anymore, if you get what I mean by that." Buttercup growled, shaking him about for effect.

His bottom lip trembled as he gripped at her hands, trying foolishly to pull them away. He opened his mouth to babble some more, but Buttercup cut him off.

"And if you get a little ballsy? And go snivelling to the cops? Oh, you can go right ahead - and I wish you good luck. Yeah, I'll get in some trouble - but I'll get off lightly. Because I'm not even going to do anything right now. I don't need to. But - if I hear you've so much as laid a fucking finger on her again," She raised her fist, smashing it through the back window of his car, the alarm going off loudly. But it didn't deter her. "Next time, it'll be your fucking head. You understand?"

He nodded shakily. She watched him tremble for a few seconds, smiling, then dumped him on the ground, disappearing in a flash of green.


"So did you sort everything you needed to with Blossom out?" Butch asked, watching his girlfriend carefully as she snuggled up on the sofa. The triplets were in bed, Jay was in his room.

"Yeah. I'm just looking out for her. She's got a rough ride coming if her case is properly reopened and goes to court." Buttercup said, brow creasing with worry.

Butch felt guilty for even doubting Buttercup for a second. She was just being there for her sister. Of course she was.

"Hmm. It really sucks. I feel for them both. I dunno how I'd be if it had happened to you. Probably in jail, to be frank." Butch murmured, frowning.

"I know. I think Brick is practising a lot of restraint." Buttercup replied.

"Don't know how." Butch said, shaking his head.

"He's doing it for Blossom." Buttercup said simply. "And the kids. You know if she wasn't insisting he didn't, he'd probably have ended Jeremy years ago."

"Fucker deserves it." Butch muttered.

"I'm with you on that one. How were the kids today anyway? The triplets seemed happy when they went to bed." Buttercup commented.

"Yeah, they were fine. Would you go talk to Jay though? I've tried but it's like getting blood out of a stone." Butch asked, irritated.

"He's still off?" Buttercup asked, and the green ruff nodded.

"Yeah. I thought it was all over Mitch, so I went to see him. That was helpful." He said sarcastically. "I'm not sure he's all that fussed about that though."

"You went to see Mitch?" Buttercup asked, looking around at her boyfriend now.

"Yeah." Butch said, looking at Buttercup too. There was a moment then, where they each anticipated some kind of sign from each other. Buttercup was waiting for Butch to tell her Mitch told him or at least implied she was being unfaithful, and Butch was waiting for any little sign of guilt from Buttercup, to see if Mitch's insinuation held any weight.

But they just ended up staring at each other for a few seconds, neither wanting to be the one to accuse/ask about it.

Her face, it had kind of confused him.

"Right. Well, I'll go try and talk to him now." Buttercup said, turning to hover up the stairs.

Butch watched her go, turning back to the TV but not really taking it in. Well, now he was a little bit worried.


Butch was in bed by the time Buttercup emerged from Jay's bedroom. She came through and began to get herself ready for bed too.

"So what's up?" Butch asked, putting his cell phone down on the bedside counter.

"Well, he's having some problems with a kid at school. He's been being picked on by some kid for a few weeks now, and he doesn't know how to handle it." Buttercup said, and Butch screwed his face up in anger.

"Some kid is giving him problems? Why didn't he just say? I could have sorted it out for him!" Butch cried as Buttercup pulled her vest off.

"How exactly? You can't go down to his school and beat the shit out of some kid for him. It doesn't work like that." Buttercup said, placing her hands on her hips.

"Well, I could have told him to do that in the least." Butch responded with a scowl. The thought of some little punk being a dick to his son really riled him.

"I know that's precisely how you and I would have dealt with some snot nosed little cretin at school, but that doesn't mean it's the right way to teach our kids to act." Buttercup said, searching for her pyjama top.

"That's bull, it's teaching our kid to stand up for himself." Butch said, folding his arms across his chest.

"Yes, and that I agree with. But teaching our kid to be violent is another thing. It's in his nature to fight back already anyway. He's already had a lunchtime detention and a warning for suspension for sticking a kick me sign on his back and shooting a hockey ball at him. He said he's mostly picking on his best friend Toby, but since he stood up for him he's changed his victim to him, and he's worried if he properly retaliates he'll get suspended." Buttercup told him.

"Why didn't he tell me? I've been asking what's up for ages." Butch murmured, trying not to sound a little hurt. He thought they were pretty solid nowadays.

Buttercup sat down on the bed by him now, stroking his wrist reassuringly. "He wanted to tell you. And he didn't tell me easily, that's why I've been in there so long. He was embarrassed."

"Embarrassed? Why?" Butch asked, screwing his face up in confusion.

"Because, he said you're a big, tough, take-no-shit guy, and you're his Dad. He thought you'd think he was pathetic or something if he admitted he didn't know how to handle it." Buttercup explained to him.

"I don't think he's pathetic. Did you tell him that?" He asked, sitting upright more, as if to get up and go tell Jay himself.

"Of course I did." Buttercup said, pushing him back against the pillow he'd propped up behind him. "I told him we love him, no matter what. And that both of us would rather he felt like he could tell us anything then keeping things to himself cos he's scared of how we'll react. I said whatever it was he could tell us - no matter what."

"Good. Okay, good. Don't worry about it, I'll sort it out tomorrow." Butch said, a determined look on his face.

"Butch you can't go down to his school and kick a kids head in. They're 14 years old." Buttercup warned him. "You're 36. You'll go to jail."

"I know that. I don't plan to kick his head in. I'm going to sort it." Butch said firmly.


So sure enough, the next day after school, Butch was waiting by the school gates. He'd left the girls with the Professor for a little while so there were no distractions for either of them.

Jay hadn't spoken to him much, you could see he was embarrassed now he knew Butch knew, but Butch hadn't acted any differently around him. Why would he? Everyone had problems with people every now and then. Whether you were a grown up or an 9th grader.

It wasn't easy to sail through school with super powers anyway, all of Jay's family were well aware of that.

He spotted Jay walking out of the school, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his hooded jacket. And he wasn't alone. Behind him there were three kids his age. Two were almost as tall as Jay was, but one was a lot shorter, yet he seemed to be the leader of their little gang. And if not the leader, he was certainly the mouth.

Butch could hear him taunting him with the use of his super hearing from way across the black top. His hands curled into tight, protective fists at the stupid kids' words.

"Are you just going to ignore me? You lanky, bug eyed freak!"

He could almost hear Jay grinding his teeth, trying his best to hold his temper. Butch wondered why he was bothering. It didn't bother him if he got suspended for slamming some kid who had it coming. But he supposed it would be better if it didn't happen. This bully just needed to be threatened.

Butch stalked across the playground toward them. When Jay saw him coming, he cursed inwardly, shaking his head at him frantically. But Butch ignored him.

"Jay, everything okay?" Butch asked as the four boys looked all the way up at him.

"It's fine Butch." Jay mumbled while the gang leader looked Butch and Jay up and down, putting two and two together.

"Is this your Dad? You called your Daddy on us?" He cried, and Jay, who was now stood next to Butch, glared at him. "Utonium called his Daddy on us!"

"Knock it off Brett." He barked, nudging Butch on the arm. "Come on, let's get going."

"Is this the little fuck that's been causing you problems?" Butch asked, pulling Jay's arm back as he tried to walk off.

Brett and his two friends exchanged shocked glances at Butch's open profanity in front of school children.

"Butch, come on!" Jay hissed, turning to him again.

"If you don't show him you're not gunna put up with this it isn't gunna stop." Butch told his son, who gave him an aggravated look back.

"If I hit him I'll get kicked out of school!" He yelped.

Brett laughed. "Jay Utonium wouldn't swat a fly! You're beating a dead horse there, old man." Brett taunted, and his two leery sidekicks laughed along with him.

Butch went rigid, momentarily squaring up to the kid, then froze, his brain telling him the time he'd do for assaulting a kid wasn't worth it.

"Whoaaa!" One of the kids yelped, flinching, as did the other two, the ring leader included.

"What the hell man?!" Brett cried incredulously. "Did you see him go to hit me?!"

"If I could hit you I would hit you, you mouthy little shit." Butch threatened.

"Well you can't hit me, cos I'm just a kid!" He yelled, almost triumphant.

So Butch grabbed Jay's hand and whacked Brett full force around the face with it, knocking him to the ground.

"He can. He's just a kid too. Here's a life lesson for you small fry - pick on someone your own size next time." Butch said, turning to leave.

Jay stared at Brett on the floor, eyes like saucers as his two cronies bent down and asked if he was okay. Brett was thankfully conscious, but extremely shell shocked as he nodded blearily.

Jay could barely hide the grin that had spread across his face as he eyed the cowing bully, before turning to catch up with his father.

"That was awesome! You just popped him right in the mouth!" Jay exclaimed excitedly. Butch looked down at him as they took flight, glad to see a smile on his face again.

"No, you popped him in the mouth." Butch pointed out, and Jay laughed.

"Yeah! I guess I did! Thanks Dad, that just made my entire year." Jay cried, beaming.

Butch's smile faded momentarily, as what Jay had just said went round and round in his head. Dad. He had called him Dad. Not Butch. Dad.

He'd always called him Butch. And for a time he'd called Mitch Dad, because he'd known him as Dad for the first 8 years of his life. When he'd learnt the truth he'd slowly begun to call him Mitch instead, and called no one Dad. But he'd just called Butch it.

It felt so good to hear.

"Hey, its err, ya know, don't worry about it." He stammered, staring at his boy in awe as they flew side by side. How lucky was he to have a kid like him? "Come on, we better go rescue your Grandpa from your sisters."

They headed towards Pokey Oaks suburbs in two green streaks.


Blossom exhaled shakily. She was nervous. She was really nervous. God, this was nerve wracking… Why was she doing this again?

She got her answer when she looked beside her and saw Sasha, looking just as anxious as she was as they sat in a waiting room in the police department in downtown Townsville, waiting for Jenkins to come meet them both. She was doing this so no other women were sitting here, feeling small, thanks to Jeremy Paxton. That's why she was doing this.

Her and Sasha were here to give statements about Jeremy. They both knew this would mean talking in depth about what happened, and that was enough alone to make them jittery.

As Blossom glanced at the posters on the wall, all to do with reporting various crimes and the increase or decrease in crime rates, she had an overwhelming feeling of nausea overcome her. This was really happening. She was really doing all this, all this police stuff, and court stuff, everything she'd tried to avoid when it had happened years ago.

The very idea of standing in a courtroom, and being asked questions about this terrified her. If Detective Jenkins was as determined as she appeared, it very well could end up in court. But Jeremy could also end up in jail, and that almost won over the fear she felt.

"Have you sorted a lawyer?" Sasha asked, making Blossom jump.

Blossom shook her head. "Erm, I think so. I think Brick called that Molly Carter that Jenkins recommended, so I'm assuming she's representing me if it does go to court."

"I called her too. I'm meeting her for a brief next week. She seemed nice on the phone. I hope she's a fucking Rottweiler." Sasha remarked, and Blossom smiled, but it was thin.

"From what Brick said she sounded pretty tough. He told me she thinks we should sue the Townsville Tribunal for outing me as well." Blossom told her, and Sasha nodded determinedly. "Waiving my right to anonymity. She said we'd have a strong case."

"I agree with her." She said firmly.

"Hmm." Blossom murmured, looking around. "Do you think Jenkins'll be much longer?"

Sasha shrugged. "Hopefully not. I just want to get this done." She replied, not sounding half as confident as she had done at the hospital not that long ago, when she'd been hounding Blossom to come and do exactly what they were now doing.

"Miss Wood, Dr Utonium, sorry to keep you waiting! Follow me." Detective Wren Jenkins appeared from around a corner then, accompanied by another female detective; a blonde woman with round brown eyes. Blossom sighed as she and Sasha got to their feet. They followed them through the halls of the Sexual Assault Response Team department at the station."Oh! This is my partner, Detective Barnes. She's working on the case with me."

Detective Barnes turned as they all walked, shaking Sasha and Blossom's hands. "Lovely to meet you both."

They stopped at a small interview room with a table with four chairs around it. Sasha and Blossom sat down next to each other stiffly, as did Jenkins and Barnes.

"Are you both comfortable talking with one another for now? We can do this part separately if you would prefer?" Jenkins asked, placing a couple of files down on the table in front of her. "Obviously you will have to make your statements alone but, right now I'll just be explaining the process to you both."

"I'm fine with Blossom being with me." Sasha said, and Blossom nodded her agreement.

"Okay. Well, this evening we will be going through your original evidence and statements together, and making new ones if you have any vital information you may wish to add. Detective Barnes will be taking you, Sasha, to a different interview room to talk, and you and I will remain here, Blossom. Is that okay for you both?" Jenkins asked gently.

They nodded, glancing at each other momentarily as Barnes got to her feet and indicated for Sasha to follow her.

"Don't leave without me." Sasha mumbled and Blossom nodded.

"Of course I won't. Good luck." Blossom replied, feeling silly, 'good luck' didn't seem the appropriate sentiment to wish but she didn't know what else to say.

Sasha chuckled and nodded. "Good luck to you, too." Her and Detective Barnes left the room.

Blossom leaned back in her chair nervously as Jenkins looked up at her with a warm expression. "You two get on well?"

"Yes, we do. I mean, we've met in horrible circumstances but, she's a good girl." Blossom answered, glancing at the door after Sasha.

"It must be nice having someone who knows what you're going through. Even though neither of you should be going through it." Jenkins commented, and Blossom nodded.

"It's a unique friendship."

Wren Jenkins smiled, then looked down at the files before her. "Your statement from when you reported the crime 6 years ago was videoed, if you remember?"

Blossom swallowed, nodding. "Yes, I remember."

"That will be used as evidence in court, as will any further statements you make today." Detective Jenkins said, eyeing a sheet of paper that had been scribbled on in front of her.

Blossom wrung her hands uncomfortably atop of the table. "Do you think this will go to court?"

"I'm confident it will. Very confident." She replied and Blossom swallowed.

"And I'll have to testify?" She questioned, and Detective Jenkins looked up at her, tilting her head almost sympathetically.

"Yes. You will. If you'd like him to go to prison anyway." The detective replied.

"Will I have to talk about what happened? What I remember?" Her voice sounded very small.

"It is a possibility. But we have your videoed statement from 2022, I imagine that would suffice. But, what we can do now is make a fresh statement that can also be used as evidence. That way we can add anything else that may have resurfaced in the years that have passed, any recent altercations or events that may be worth bringing up, okay?" Jenkins said, and Blossom felt every fiber of her body being thrown to the floor as she moved the papers and pulled the sleek silver laptop from underneath them.

Oh god. It just hit her that she'd be watching her original statement. Jenkins eyed her as she opened the laptop up. "Tell me if you're not comfortable with this. We can have a transcript typed up if you would prefer?"

"No, no, it's fine." Blossom said shakily. There was some kind of morbid curiosity with it, she was slightly compelled to watch it. Maybe if she saw how she was directly after, it might make her see how well she was doing now in comparison; how far she had come.

When Detective Jenkins played the video, the image of her 29 year old self appeared; she was sitting in a similar room, on a plastic chair looking more like a small child, Blossom felt her throat tighten and her breathing become more rapid. She didn't look like her. She didn't look how she remembered herself looking during that time of her life, when her and Brick hadn't been together. It was a few months after they'd had their night together, the one Blake had been conceived during, but then Brick had found out about her and Butch; and he'd not been able to move past it. She wasn't with Brick, and she wasn't seeing Butch; it had been the first time in a long time that she was properly alone, and Jeremy had preyed on her.

She looked so frail and shook up, and her voice trembled as she spoke. It was awful, like watching a flashback on a laptop screen. When the video finished, Detective Jenkins slowly closed the lid down and pulled some files out of the folder. She then reached forward to the box of tissues on the table and handed Blossom a couple.

Blossom took one, slowly dabbing at her eyes. She'd hardly realised that a few tears had escaped her eyes and rested on her cheeks. "Oh, thank you." She murmured, her voice sounding thicker then she expected it to sound.

"Do you need a minute before we continue?" Wren Jenkins asked, and Blossom shook her head, trying to compose herself quickly.

"No no, no I'm fine. I just, I didn't think it would be so difficult to watch."

"None of this is easy. But you and Sasha are very brave - you're doing the right thing." Jenkins said encouragingly. She then leant forward and pressed a red button on the recording device on the table. "Case of Blossom Utonium, events of 23rd January 2022, interview on 12th October 2028, starting tape at 5.47pm."


When Blossom walked out to the waiting room for a quick break, Sasha was already sitting out there. She had her knees pulled up to her chest, and her seemingly trademark green parka coat was almost swallowing her up whole; and when Blossom looked at her face, she wondered if that was the general idea.

Sasha also looked like she'd been dragged through a bush backwards emotionally, her face was slightly puffy and vulnerable. She didn't look too different to the woman Blossom had just watched on the video in the interview room. And it totally broke her heart. A lump formed quickly in her throat and a protective, somewhat motherly instinct overcame her as she threw her arms around Sasha tightly.

Sasha leant into her willingly, immediately beginning to sob into Blossom's chest. Blossom allowed a few tears she'd been holding back to land on her own cheeks as she gently rubbed her friends back.

It felt like she held her like that for hours, but it couldn't have been very long at all, because before they knew it, Jenkins and Barnes were standing somewhat awkwardly, waiting to talk to them both.

"This is exhausting." Sasha hiccuped, trying to regain her composure.

"I told you none of this would be easy. You knew none of this would be easy. But we've made it this far." Blossom told her, giving her an encouraging squeeze before they broke apart.

Sasha nodded, wiping at her eyes and getting to her feet, as did Blossom.

"I'll wait for you out here, okay?" Blossom told her, and Sasha nodded.

"Okay."


"Starting tape at 6.21pm. When was the last time you saw Jeremy Paxton?" Detective Jenkins asked; she now wanted to talk about the present, and what had led to Jeremy going to the press about what had happened. She had her suspicions something had happened that brought him to that decision - otherwise it would have been a fairly random move on his part.

"The last time I saw him? Yesterday. At my place of work, Townsville General Hospital." Blossom answered, and Jenkins looked mildly surprised.

"You only saw him yesterday?" She confirmed, and Blossom nodded.

"Yes, he's been coming to the hospital for the past couple of months, to visit his sister. She has kidney disease, and is - well, was a patient of mine." Blossom said, thinking guiltily of Hayley.

"Jeremy Paxton's sister was a patient of yours? What is her name?" The detective asked, typing away quickly.

"She was yes. I recently handed her care over to a colleague though. Her name is Hayley, Hayley Paxton." Blossom couldn't help but feel bad about Hayley, even though she knew she'd done the right thing. Yes, she still saw Jeremy here and there, but at least she'd not actually had to encounter him in a while now.

"How come you handed Hayley Paxton onto another doctor?" Jenkins asked curiously.

"I wanted to care for Hayley, it's my job to look after my patients no matter their background, she's a lovely woman, and what her brother did isn't her fault. But I couldn't face having to see and interact with Jeremy. The more I saw Hayley, the more I saw Jeremy." Blossom explained.

"Has Jeremy made any attempt to talk to you?"

"Yes. He has no qualms with talking to me, no matter how much I try to avoid him." Blossom answered frankly. "In fact, he was irritated that I didn't want to talk to him or see him."

"What has his behaviour been like around you?" Jenkins queried.

"Not pleasant." Blossom answered simply, so the detective asked her to elaborate. "He's angry. He thinks all of this is my fault. He doesn't think he really did anything wrong. He thinks I ruined his life."

"Has he approached you often?"

"Yes. Not always directly. Although, not for a week or so now, maybe longer. I've been successfully avoiding him and making sure no scenario where I'm alone with him arises. He's very sneaky and manipulative. If you questioned the staff who work with me they'd tell you what a nice guy he is. He makes engaging conversation with the nurses and other doctors, and even tries to include me in it - then I look rude when I'm standoffish or ignore him." Blossom said, tracing the wood pattern in the table top with her finger. "It's what has mostly made me feel like I can't complain about him being here. In the eyes of everyone else he's not put a foot wrong."

"I see. All this to cope with whilst looking after patients?" Jenkins asked with a slight smirk.

Blossom nodded slightly. "Somehow, yes."

"What has Jeremy Paxton done to make you feel harassed?" Jenkins enquired.

"He follows me around a lot, and is quite intimidating if he manages to get me alone. He knows his very presence unnerves me. He knows just speaking to me makes me uncomfortable. He has told me he's in charge, thinks he has control over me. He's angry at me for apparently ruining his life. A few months after the attack, my partner Brick Jojo threatened him, and told him to stay away from me and my family and to leave town. And he did, but he came back to see his ill sister. Us driving him out of town and forcing him to start fresh somewhere else was uncalled for in his eyes, and it's my fault. It seems he blames me for a lot of his problems, maybe it's because I was his only victim who immediately went to the police, as far as I know. Jeremy and I dated very briefly years ago, in 2021. Calling it dating is a stretch. It wasn't serious at all - we didn't even kiss. But he was very keen to make it so. I wasn't, and ended things before they even started. He took a little more convincing to see it was not going to amount to anything. He recently told me if I'd have just slept with him when we were dating, he'd have never preyed on me that night all those years ago." Blossom explained.

"You've said he's angry - has he ever acted on his anger?" Jenkins queried.

"How do you mean?" Blossom asked.

"You say he's told you he blames you for the repercussions of attacking you. Has he only demonstrated this verbally? Or has his aggression also been physical?" The detective elaborated.

"No, he has gotten a bit physical... He hasn't physically hurt me though, if that's what you're asking." Blossom answered.

"Has he sexually harassed or assaulted you?" Jenkins said bluntly.

Blossom thought back to the supply closet, and the locker room; and even the unwanted touching in the cafeteria. "Yes. I guess you could call what he's done that."

"Can you explain the incidents in which he has sexually harassed or assaulted you, in as much detail as possible?" Wren Jenkins asked.

Blossom told Detective Jenkins about the three occurrences: when he had cornered her in a supply closet and groped her breast, the thigh grabbing in the cafeteria, and the almost attempted attack in the empty locker room that she had put a stop to. It was strangely therapeutic talking about it, she hadn't told anyone what had happened in such detail, not even Sasha.

"What you have just described to me is three examples of sexual harassment and/or assault. These are further offences we can charge him for if you wish to?" Detective Jenkins said, and Blossom nodded, slightly taken back. She wasn't sure why, what he had done was obviously wrong, she supposed she had just given up on the idea of him actually getting into any trouble for anything he did to her.

"Yes, sure, okay."

"Okay. Is there anything else you feel may need discussing?" Jenkins said, and Blossom remembered everything Hayley had told her.

"Well, the only other thing that I imagine would be worth mentioning is actually something Hayley Paxton told me. Jeremy had been accused of drugging and raping two other young women that aren't Sasha or me."

Detective Jenkins did look interested, very interested. "Did she tell you anymore? Could you go through exactly what she told you with me?"

So Blossom explained about Hayley's two friends that claimed Jeremy had drugged and assaulted them, about Hayley putting two and two together when she read the Townsville Tribunal article and witnessed Jeremy and herself interacting. She told Detective Jenkins about Hayley pestering her to tell her if she had guessed right, and how she had ignored her till she managed to get it out of her. Blossom had no idea what the situation was now; Jeremy was still visiting Hayley, just not as often, and every time Blossom saw Jeremy he looked furious, and this made Blossom believe he knew Hayley knew and he was working on persuading Hayley it wasn't true.

Detective Jenkins absorbed the information quietly. "Do you think Hayley Paxton believes her brother is guilty?"

"Yes. I think she knows. I just don't think she knows how to deal with it or quite what to do with that information." Blossom murmured.

"Is Hayley Paxton up to visitors? We're going to need to talk with her." Jenkins said, making a few notes on her files in front of her.

"Oh, I don't know about that, she's quite seriously ill. I don't want to drag her into it all, she has enough on her plate as it is, I just thought what she told me might help us..." Blossom said, suddenly feeling bad again, imagining the police turning up in Hayley's hospital room.

"It will help us, if she's willing to talk. We need to hear her side of the story, and get the names of the alleged previous victims. Ending tape at 7.04pm." She clicked the stop button. "Don't worry about Jeremy; I'll do my best to get him brought in and kept in for the sexual assault charges you've told me about today. Though don't hold your breath. He was granted bail when we brought him in for his charges against Sasha Wood. But we'll do our best, he's definitely going to face a judge and jury, that's for sure." Detective Jenkins said determinedly.


When Blossom had gotten home that evening, everyone had been asleep. Even Brick was snoring. Although Blossom could see he had attempted to stay awake; he was asleep and sat up, the book he'd been reading was propped up against his face.

She smiled warmly as she carefully removed it from his hands. He didn't even stir. Her smile saddened slightly as she stroked his face; he must have been really tired.

After getting changed into her pyjamas, Blossom left Brick to sleep. He looked so peaceful, she didn't want to wake him. And even though she was exhausted, she didn't think she was capable of falling asleep just yet. Her mind was going a hundred miles a minute.

Quietly, she hovered downstairs into the living room, pulled the soft throw off the back of the sofa and wrapped it around herself. She put the TV on on a low volume and flicked through the channels.

She still couldn't get that image out of her head. The image of herself, sitting in an interview room, so vulnerable and small. Only hours after he'd decided he was done, and had gone to buy them breakfast. She wondered, as she had wondered more than once, what had gone through his mind when he'd returned to his apartment to find her gone. Had he panicked? Or had he been as calm and collected about it as he had always behaved; it wasn't like he'd never done it before was it?

According to Jeremy and Hayley, she was the first of his victims to go to the police, that she knew of anyway. Maybe this factored into why Jeremy was so mad at her about it. Because she'd tried to get him into trouble. And he honestly didn't think he deserved any trouble for it.

She pondered idly what kind of upbringing he must have had for him to think what he had done was okay. How could he think he behaved in an acceptable way, taking away a woman's ability and right to say no for his own twisted gain? It was totally beyond her.

She'd been in such a crappy place back then, before it had happened. Butch had told everyone about their year long fling, for want of a better word, her and Brick had slept together, but rather than maybe getting back together like Blossom had hoped, he could barely look at her after learning that she'd kind of been with Butch for 12 months. He'd been the first person she'd called, that morning in the police station. And he'd been there for her without question.

And then she'd found out she was pregnant with Blake. And it was all too much. Jeremy. Brick. The baby. The slim possibility Butch was the father. It was too much to handle, so she'd jumped at the opportunity to escape Townsville and everyone else for three months on a work project. But in those three months, her stomach had grown, and by the time she'd come home again she was almost 7 months pregnant. And things had been awkward. But she had to face everything some time.

She hadn't wanted Brick to be with her just because of the baby on the way, and what Jeremy had done. She couldn't help but smile when she thought of the way Brick forced them to stop walking around in circles by coming to her old apartment with boxes and literally forcing her to move into the very house they shared with their family now. It was the push they had both needed, as they'd been together since.

The hushed sound of someone floating down the stairs distracted Blossom from her thoughts, and she glanced around just as Blake's head peered around the side of the door.

"Blake? Honey, are you okay?" Blossom said, scooting forward on her seat to peer back at him.

"You're home. It was bedtime, and you weren't home, and I didn't think you were working nights today." He mumbled, his tired red eyes full of concern.

Blossom smiled, her heart melting a little. "Yeah, I just had somewhere I had to be. But, I'm home now, and I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd come down here so I didn't wake your Dad."

"Oh, okay. Are you okay?" He asked, his voice small, eyes slightly anxious.

"I'm fine Blake. Especially now I have some company." She patted the sofa next to her, indicating for him to join her.

His worry disappeared instantly and was replaced with this cheeky grin he owned; the very same one as his father. He bounded into the room and jumped next to Blossom, snuggling up against her and the covers.

Blossom kissed the top of his head as he sat beside her wordlessly.

Him and Brick had gotten her through that dark time of her life, and him, Brick and now Rosalie too would help her once again, whether they knew just how much they would help or not.

After watching the first 20 minutes of an old black and white movie, Blossom nuzzled her head against Blake's soft red hair. "You can't stay up too late though sweetie, you have school in the morning."

But when she looked down at him, he was already fast asleep.


r&r (: