'What are you doing, Blossom?'

She stared blankly at the wooden ceiling, trying to calm down the whirlwind of thoughts in her head.

They had spent the last two days in this comfy cottage in Iceland. The cottage they were staying in this time wasn't as modern as the Italian villa, but it definitely felt more like a home. She had her own room this time, like Brick had promised.

Blossom got up and rubbed at her eyes; it had been a few hours since she attempted to sleep for the first time, to no avail. She got closer to the cacking fireplace, rubbed her hands together and sat on the bear hide in front of it. The fur was dangerously close to the flames, some parts of it were charred.

'Bubbles would hate this fur so much. She wouldn't be wrong to.'

She thought of the girls and how harassed they must be now because of her: FBI, press, the professor...Blossom's brow furrowed remembering the encounter she had had with Butch the other day. His threat regarding Buttercup hadn't passed unnoticed. She hoped Brick would hold to his end of the bargain and keep his brother in line.

The thought of Brick clawed at her heart, she didn't know whether there was a point in feeling bad about sleeping with him or not anymore.

'I'm his partner for the month, what did you expect he'd want? it's what you bargained for.'

She changed position, drawing the bear hide further from the fire.

'I just have to do what needs to be done when the time is right. For everyone's sake. I hope the professor finishes Antidote X in time.' she thought as the dancing flames reflected in her eyes.

She decided against thinking about it more and made her way to the kitchen for a glass of water. She took a peek into the hallway: deadly silent, everyone was probably already asleep.

She was surprised to find Brick sitting at the kitchen counter, book in hand.

He merely acknowledged her with a look as she got a glass and filled it to the brim.

'Can't sleep?' he asked softly, closing his book.

'No. You?'

'This is normal for me, I rarely sleep this early.'

'Doesn't it mess with your productivity?' she lightly teased, taking a sip of water.

'I can indulge myself this luxury, since I'm not tied to everyone's 9-5 schedule.' he replied, leaning back in his chair.

'What about you?' he motioned his head at her. 'You were always awake when I came to visit you.'

'I couldn't sleep.' she answered, looking at the half-empty glass.

'Figures. I must have really messed up your life.'

Blossom looked at him incredulously:

'Oh, you think?' she snorted at him, resting the glass on the countertop.

Brick simply gave her a strange smile, his eyes studying her with a pierceing gaze.

A few moments passed as he finally asked:

'What were you planning to do before I came back?'

Blossom was taken aback by the question, and tentatively inquired:

'What is it to you? I thought you despised ordinary living.'

'Of course, but I'm curious about you.' he replied, pining her with his gaze, words rolling off his tongue.

She could feel herself growing hotter under his stare, but managed to keep eye contact with him as she replied:

'Biochemistry major, Neuroscience minor. I hoped I could work with the professor after getting my degree.'

'Did you like it?'

'I had just started out, but it was pretty interesting. Why would I do it otherwise?'

she furrowed her brow at him.

'Well, there are many lines of reasoning that people use when choosing to do things. Most of them involving societal expectations, very few people actually LIKE what they're working.' he ranted, getting himself a peach from the countertop.

'Do you like what YOU're doing?' Blossom demanded, her voice taking on a steely tone.

'Of course. Why would I bother with anything else? I don't care for the world and it doesn't care for me.' he said calmly, biting into its fuzzy skin. 'Did you actually like chemistry, or did you just want to be daddy's good little girl?'

A flash of anger appeared on Blossom's face:

'You apparently know me better than I do, so maybe I should just let you finish this conversation by yourself.'

She turned around to leave, but felt his hand grabbing hers.

'You really hate me.'

'What gave it away?' she slapped his hand off, losing her temper.

'Tell me.' he said, grabbing her hand again. 'I want you to let it all out.'

'Do you seriously think me lashing out at you is going to bring those people back?'

'No, but it might help you feel better.'

'Then you don't know anything about me.'

She disentangled from his grip again and went back to her room. Luckily, this time he didn't follow her.

'Brick's away.' Boomer responded, noticing the redhead's curious glances.

It was around nood, and he was sitting on the porch with a fluffy kitten on his lap. Blossom could tell it was a stray, its fur was a mess, and as it fidgeted around it muddied up Boomer's trousers.

'Where'd you find her? You'd better get her cleaned up if is she's coming in the house.'

'Ye, I know. Wanna help me?' Boomer beamed at her, enthusiastically petting his new companion.

'Um, sure. Wait for me to get some soap and water.'

As they lathered up the tiny animal, it let out small uncomfortable screeches.

'Hehe, he hates it. 'Boomer chuckled, pouring some water on its back.

'It's a he?'

'Yeah, I'll call him Garfield.'

Under all that mud the kitten's fur was, indeed, orange.

'Too bad I can't keep him.'

'Why not?'

'Brick doesn't see the point since we're on the road all the time.'

'Do you do everything Brick tells you to do?' she took a furtive glance at him while lathering the kitten.

'Of course. We owe him our life.' he replied casually, cleaning Garfield's paws one by one.

'Your life?'

'Err, yeah. Seems like he didn't tell you about it yet.'

'Tell me about what?' Blossom's voice had gained a shrill undertone.

'Hn, I guess cat's out of the bag now.' he replied, chuckling nervously.

'Where should I start...Did you bring a towel?'

Blossom passed him a huge white fluffy towel and he wrapped the kitty in it. Boomer looked at her expectantly almost waiting for an answer, she merely nodded at him encouragingly.

'Well, Butch killed Mojo.' 'Accidentally.' he added, seeing the shock in her yes.

'How?' Blossom asked, still processing the sheer implications of that statement.

'How should I say it...Mojo had called us to test a new drug of his that would make us stronger. We all took it, but... it didn't sit well with Butch. He went crazy, completely apeshit and killed Mojo. It happened so fast I...'

He stopped and looked away to shake off the bad memory.

'We got scared and hid the body. We hoped nobody found out, everyone thought he skipped town, Brick tried to frame it like that. Someone didn't believe it, tho.' he said gravely.

'Who?' Blossom was entranced.

'Him. And for some reason they were closer than we'd ever suspected.'

Blossom's entire perception about the last 10 years brutally shifted. Mojo's departure had seemed suspicious at the time, but eventually they'd accepted the idea and continued with their lives. But what about Him?

'He trapped us in Hell to teach us a lesson. I'm sorry, but...I really don't want to talk about this part.'

Although curious, Blossom knew a thing or two about His methods. Whatever it had been, it had deeply taken its toll on Boomer's psyche.

'But Brick got us out. So that's why we always do whatever he tells us.'

'How did he get you out?'

'Ask him yourself. He never told us. We tried to ask but he wouldn't tell.

'Did he...kill Him?'

'I don't think you can, can you? Isn't he the Devil? I don't know what he did, but we left and never went back.'

Blossom was shell-shocked as she watched Boomer dry off the kitten. This certainly explained why the villain activity had been so sparce in the last 10 years. If both Mojo, Him and the Rowdyruffs were off the market, that didn't leave many other contenders.

'What happened afterwards?'

Boomer's expression lightened:

'We started exploring, of course. It's been...5 years I think.'

'They spent that much time with HIM..?' 5 years stuck in his lair..?'The kitten meowed and happily licked Boomer's cheek. The blonde let out a joyful cry as he nuzzled against his neck.

'So, you see, I can't keep Garfield. Not until Brick lets me.'

Blossom nodded.

'What could Brick possibly have done to escape? What was so vile that he had to keep his brothers out of it?''It's between us, ok? Don't ever mention it to Butch. He hasn't been the same since Mojo.'

'Why did you tell me all this?' Blossom straightforwardly asked, looking into his blue orbs.

'You're one of us now, aren't you? Brick's girl.'

'Yes, I suppose I am.' Blossom replied, averting her gaze.

'Look how clean he is.' Boomer squealed, pointing at Garfield. 'I hope I can find him a good home around here, he's too cute.'

Blossom could feel her stomach growling.

'Want us to go get something to eat, Boomer?'

'Or we could cook something together!'

'Errr, might not be the best idea.' Blossom shifted uncomfortably.

'Why? I make great pancakes!'

'Fine, as long as you're the one cooking.' she gave him a sheepish smile as they made their way into the kitchen.