"What!?"
"Shh, not so loud girls," Professor whispered while he checked to make sure Sedusa wasn't listening to their conversation. He was in the kitchen with the girls and he made sure to keep Sedusa at a distance by leaving her in the living room where she could indulge herself in watching TV.
"You gotta be kidding me! She's a crook, a low life, our worst enemy! Why would you bring her into our house, again!?" Buttercup said angrily. She understood why Professor brought Sedusa here the first time, he was fooled, but to bring her back, knowing full well who she was, was borderline stupid.
"Buttercup is right Professor. After what she did to you then you can easily guess that we don't like her," Blossom said more calmly then her sister.
"I know, I know, but I have an Idea, well actually a few ideas," Professor said to the upset girls.
"What are they?" Blossom asked.
"I brought her here to study how a criminal thinks and maybe figure out a way to help stop the crime in Townsville," Professor said.
"That will never work Professor. Criminals and their patterns are different. Studying Sedusa's behaviour will not give a definite understanding on other criminals," Blossom said critically.
Professor realized that she was right. Sedusa was just one criminal and even if he figured out how she acted it didn't mean that it applied to every other criminal in Townsville, he deflated, it seemed like he really was an idiot.
"I'm sure you have another idea that could be helpfull," Blossom said reassuringly, she felt really bad for telling him the hard truth, but he was her father and she loved him to death, she was saying this out of love and nothing else.
"Maybe we could try and see if we could change her ways of crime," Professor said.
"This is so stupid! Did she seduce you again?" Buttercup said glaring at the Professor, she immediately regretted what she said when she saw Professor look down sadly.
"Oh Professor, I'm so sorry!" Buttercup said remorsefully, it seemed that she bought back unwanted memories.
"It's okay, I know you don't trust her and neither do I," Professor said.
"It...could work," Blossom said unconvincingly.
"What do you think Bubbles? You haven't said a word," Professor said to the blonde.
"...I don't want her here," Bubbles said with finality.
Professor sighed, they really didn't like Sedusa.
"Please girls, just bear with me. It's only for a few days," Professor said as he stood up and made his way to the lounge, the girls following shortly after him.
"How long am I going to be here?" Sedusa asked as soon as she saw the Professor come from the kitchen.
"The doctor told me that you need to rest for a week," Professor said in an almost off-handed nature.
"Stuck here for seven days? Just great...What are you bug-eyed brats staring at," Sedusa said glaring at the fuming girls.
"A criminal that's what! I swear you do anything suspicious and it's off to prison for you," Blossom spat.
"Adding to the fact that Townsville has upgraded the prison then I don't think it will be easy for you to escape this time," Professor said nonchalantly.
Sedusa just glared at them all and huffed in her seat on the sofa, her wheelchair was next to the sofa but she didn't feel like using it. These people were truly crazy.
"So what do you want? To get to know me for a week?" Sedusa asked the Professor.
"Yes, and for you to help around the house," Professor said.
"You expect me to work? In my condition?" Sedusa asked incredulously, was this man really that stupid?
"I'm not stupid, I know your injuries aren't that significant to stop you from standing and walking. The wheelchair was only given to you for maximum comfort, nothing more," Professor said seriously.
Sedusa contemplated and then said, "So what you're saying is that you want me to be a maid?"
"No, what I'm saying is that you will help around the house like everyone else," Professor said.
"If I refuse?" Sedusa asked raising an eyebrow.
"Prison," Professor said simply.
Sedusa kept her mouth shut and glared at him.
"Good, I need to get a few things so I'll leave the girls to look after you. Girls, don't hurt her unless you need to," Professor said as he made his way out of the house.
It was just the girls and her now. It was like a stand-off, they were glaring at her and she was glaring back, neither willing to admit defeat... After a while she got bored and decided to watch some TV.
"Don't you have anything better to do then ogle me?" Sedusa asked boredly while she skimmed through channels.
"If you think that we just going to leave you for a second then you have another thing coming," Buttercup said.
"Whatever... How has it been here ever since I broke poor Professor's heart?" Sedusa mocked with a smirk, she knew she was taking it too far with what she said but she didn't care, she was being forced into this predicament and she didn't like to be pushed around.
"Shut up," it was said in a whisper but the venom was very potent, and when Sedusa looked at who said that she was surprised to see Bubbles glaring at her with unrestrained hatred.
"Oh? Why so angry Bubbles? Is it because I played your father so simply and so easily? Is it because he was so putty in my hands that he was willing to do anything for me, even hurt you in the process?" Sedusa said mirthfully.
Bubbles had to be held back by Blossom and Buttercup so she didn't kill the seductress.
"Bubbles calm down!" Blossom shouted.
"You witch! You have no idea how much you broke him! He just wanted someone to love, someone to share us with. A wife to him, a mother to us. He just wanted a complete family and you had to come into the picture! Grrg! Let me go!" Bubbles screamed as she struggled to get out of her sisters' grip, she wanted to beat Sedusa into a bloody pulp and she was was letting her anger get the best of her.
Sedusa was surprised to hear that, she knew he loved her but hearing it from someone else made it seem so...depressing.
"Well that was never going to happen," Sedusa muttered.
"Yeah, we know that now. Buttercup, get Bubbles out of here until she cools down," Blossom ordered.
"Why do I have to do it?" Buttercup asked irritably.
"Just do it!" Blossom huffed.
"Fine," Buttercup grumbled as she took Bubbles to their room.
"So it's just you and me now," Sedusa said indifferently.
"Let's get one thing clear Sedusa, if you even try hurting Professor again then I won't hesitate to break you in half," Blossom said.
"You wouldn't hurt a defenceless woman, would you?" Sedusa asked raising an eyebrow.
"When it comes to my father's happiness and well-being, consider me your worst enemy," Blossom said seriously.
The little girl had spunk, Sedusa would give her that, but she hadn't been through the things she had so she wasn't at all afraid of the threat.
Professor had arrived a few minutes later with a new bed and sheets. They moved the bed into his room, meaning that he had to share a room with Sedusa and although Sedusa was against it she figured in the end she really had no choice. Professor also told her that he would take her shopping but only for clothes that she needed, she couldn't find any fault in that. They actually ate dinner together, around the dinning room table, Professor didn't want her to be treated like a low life, without incident and Professor had to wonder if he missed anything earlier. They finished and it was time to wash the dishes.
"So who will be doing the dishes now?" Professor asked.
"She will," all the girls pointed at Sedusa, shocking the hell out of her.
"That's alright with me," Professor said.
"Professor she doesn't need a wheelchair. She needs to use her legs inorder for her body to adjust to walking, she will become lazy if she doesn't stop using that thing," Blossom said with a glint in her eye as she stared at Sedusa, who was trying to shift to her wheelchair from the dinning table chair she was sitting on.
"That is an excellent idea Blossom. Sedusa you don't need that wheelchair anymore," Professor said indifferently. He wasn't going to treat her like a low life criminal but that didn't mean he was going to treat her like a queen either.
Sedusa just gawked at him, he was actually serious. She knew if she complained then she could be sent to the new impenetrable prison of Townsville. She slowly stood up, biting her lip so she wouldn't hiss in pain, and then took the dishes to the kitchen, it was very difficult to get there with her shaky legs but she just barely managed.
"Do you think we're being too hard on her?" Professor asked nervously.
"Nope, in fact we're being too easy on her," Buttercup said irritably.
Bubbles didn't say anything, she saw the pain Sedusa was going through and she was struggling to figure out how she felt about it. On the one hand Sedusa hurt her father, on the other hand she just survived a beating. She was still upset at Sedusa, especially what she said about Professor but Bubbles always had a kind and forgiving nature towards people and she was struggling to stay angry at the pitiful woman. At least she could take satisfaction in knowing that Sedusa probably still felt upset with being forced to stay with them.
"Okay girls, it's time to go to sleep so get in your pajama's and off to bed," Professor said and went to his room, not even bothering to check on Sedusa, he knew she wouldn't be going anywhere, and if she stole from their house they would still find her.
"Yeah, let's go," Buttercup said and then left with Bubbles but Blossom stayed behind.
Blossom went to the kitchen to check on Sedusa, she was suspicious of the reason why Sedusa was taking so long to do the dishes. Maybe she ran away? When Blossom was close enough she heard a sound, she didn't know what it was at first but when she focused carefully she finally got it, it was a sob. She quickly went into the kitchen and saw Sedusa by the sink, and although she had her back to her Blossom could easily tell that Sedusa was crying with how her body shook and the choking sounds that came from her. She never expected this, ever.
Sedusa tried her best to keep her sobs in check but she just couldn't help it. Her life was over, she was in the home of her worst enemies. Her legs were barely holding her up and she knew if she showed anyone in this house weakness then they would exploit her. She let the tears go freely. She felt so sick, like she was going to throw up.
She was tired, tired of living a life full of lies and enemies, where she could never be happy and would end up getting herself killed. She never knew how good she had it when she was Ima and being back in this place just bought back bitter memories. The plate she was holding in her hand was shaking uncontrollably but she couldn't stop her body as she cried. She was surprised when someone took the plate out of her hand.
"Let me," Blossom said softly as she gently took the plate from Sedusa's hand and proceeded to finish the dishes by herself, she made sure she didn't look at Sedusa the whole time.
Sedusa tried in vain to wipe the evidence of her weakness from her face but even she knew she was already discovered and mentally scolded herself, she didn't need this right now.
Blossom finished the dishes and then looked at Sedusa,"We need to talk."
Sedusa tried to look as spiteful as possible.
"I DON'T have to talk to you," Sedusa snapped.
"Just for a few minutes, let's put away our differences just for a few minutes," Blossom said gently.
Sedusa was too tired so she yielded. They made their way to the sofa and Sedusa took a seat.
"Why were you crying?" Blossom asked.
"Why do you care?" Sedusa asked back.
"I know Professor, he may not know it himself but I know the real reason he brought you here. He thinks there's good in you, he thinks you're redeemable. So if you want to know why a care then the reason is simple, because I care about Professor and if it will make him happy then I'll help him out with this by trying to understand you," Blossom said.
"A few hours ago you were threatening me," Sedusa said pointedly.
"Not a threat, a promise, but it doesn't mean we can't at least understand each other," Blossom said.
"I see...I felt sick," Sedusa blurted out.
"What?" Blossom asked confusedly.
"I felt sick of my life, the crimes, the deceits, enemies coming for my head, I felt sick of it all," Sedusa said but she knew Blossom wouldn't believe her.
"Really?" Blossom asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah... I know you don't believe me," Sedusa said.
"Can you blame me?" Blossom asked with a frown.
"No... If it means anything then you should know that I do truly regret what I did to you, your father, and your sisters, even if I still don't like you," Sedusa said as convincingly as possible.
"... Sorry but I still don't believe you," Blossom said after a pause.
"I figured," Sedusa said with a small smile.
"I have to go now, it's past my curfew," Blossom said as she left the couch.
Sedusa looked down at herself in thought. That was so weird, she actually had a conversation with Blossom that didn't result in a fight, it felt so strange. She hadn't really intended to tell Blossom her problems but she felt a bit better for doing so. She sighed miserably, she really was sick and tired of her life, but she didn't know how she could go about starting a new life for herself. She didn't know anything other than crime, it's what she was used to. She didn't know where to start, if she ever wanted to have a good life. She yelped when she felt someone touch her shoulder.
"Oops, sorry for scaring you. I just wanted to say that if you meant what you said earlier then I think the best thing to do is to prove it," Blossom said.
"Prove it?" Sedusa asked confusedly.
"Prove that you regret what you did to us, prove that you actually want to make amends, stuff like that," Blossom shrugged and then flew to her room.
Sedusa thought of what Blossom said. She had to give Blossom credit, the girl was really smart but confusing at the same time. She didn't know what to make of this though, they were all still enemies and she couldn't think of them in a loving atmosphere, but she didn't want to fight anymore either. She didn't know what to do, where to start, she decided to sleep on the couch and think of ideas in the morning.
AN: Read and Review please.