"We need to talk."

Those four words staggered Professor. Honestly speaking, he never expected them. He should have noticed when he came home from a busy day of work and Sedusa barely said a word to him; she's usually very vocal and doesn't hide it.

He just sat on the side of the bed they shared, more alert than when he first came home. He eyed Sedusa as she stood above him, hands on her hips, and a very serious look on her face.

A million thoughts were going through his mind. Was she having more trouble with the Powerpuff Girls? Did she wish to interrogate him about the kiss they had in the morning? That subject would be pretty awkward to get into detail with – for one, it was completely a mistake.

Professor couldn't lie to himself. Most of his day was spent in anxious confusion. He couldn't stop thinking about how soft the seductress' lips were. Even now, as he looked at her in an enticing nightgown, hair relaxed and golden eyes glowing in the dim light, he could not dissuade himself from the fact that she was probably the most beautiful woman he had ever laid his eyes on. She had only been here a few days, and he was already starting to feel uneasy by her presence.

Sedusa continued to peer into Professor's eyes. She felt slightly glad that he felt nervous. He definitely should, because she was feeling a tad upset at him.

"When you forced me here," she began, eyes narrowing further, "you made it abundantly clear that the reason was because you wanted to understand me as a criminal – yet it's already the fourth day – and you haven't even attempted to breach that subject. Why?"

He noted that she didn't seem angry, but could easily get there with how he answered her. Truthfully, he didn't want to talk about it, because his intended idea withered in smoke when he spoke to the girls about it. It turned from trying to probe her criminal demeanour, to just going with the flow and seeing the results of bringing her to the Utonium residence a second time around. His hunch, as vague as it was, proved quite intriguing.

Due to being promoted to Head Scientist at his workplace, he had very little time to spare for his girls. The last few months were particularly difficult. The girls had to basically learn to take care of themselves. There were times were he had to leave on trips to Scientific gatherings, barely finding a babysitter or just leaving the girls on their own. He considered himself quite divided from being labelled as one of the best scientists of the generation, to being labelled worst father of the year. It wasn't as if he didn't try to be there for the girls, and they understood that, but still, their upbringing and his rising work activities were taking a toll on him and them.

He could barely cope, and wondered on many occasion if his life was spiralling into nothing more than chaos, where he and the girls were interacting less and less and would subsequently develop a monotonous relationship.

Then Sedusa came into the picture.

Noticing that her patience was running thin, Professor decided to clarify. "You're right, that was my original intention. You see, when I brought you here, it was partly out of resentment I had for you, and the fact that everyone in the hospital didn't hesitate to peg us as a couple."

Sedusa continued to look down on him, her eyes boring into his. She had no idea that he actually disliked her to such a degree. But in hindsight, it was only natural to hate someone that used you and hurt your family in the process. She decided not to get upset at his answer, surprised that he was being outright with her. Now that she thought about, their conversations before weren't too personal.

But that was about to change tonight.

"What changed then?" she asked.

Professor rubbed his eyes tiredly, but valiantly focused on the conversation. "I spoke to the girls about it. And they set me straight how understanding you wouldn't necessarily help Townsville in the long-run. Which I could easily agree with. So, since you were here in the first place, I decided to keep you around the seven days I stipulated to see what happened."

Sedusa pursed her lips. "And when were you planning on telling me your change in planning?"

She was glaring, Professor noted. Of course she wasn't pleased on being left in the dark, especially with the father of her enemies.

"I didn't want you getting upset and causing a fuss."

She would give him credit for being so blunt, but that was definitely the wrong thing to say to her. "So let me get this straight; you basically kept me here for nothing, am I right?"

"In the beginning, yes, but not now."

She was prepared to give him an earful, but stopped at his words. "What do you mean by that?"

Professor sighed, feeling fatigue getting the better of him. Perhaps that was the reason he was being forthright?

"I wanted to see how you and the girls would treat each other this time around, with no secrets or ulterior motives. I was surprised when you took them to Parent's Day. And I couldn't help but be happy that they had a good time with you. These last few months have been difficult for us as a family, and I'm grateful that you filled…my role as a parent then. So I decided to let you stay here and see how it goes."

"It sounds like you're keeping me here to act like their mother."

Professor furrowed his brow. "Mother is a strong word. I think babysitter is more suitable."

Sedusa came closer, until her face was inches near his. "I'm nobody's babysitter, Professor, and I don't like being led around. So I'm going to ask you one question. Can I leave this place anytime I want? You have no credible reason to keep me here."

She was right. Her reasoning for being here was flimsy at best. He couldn't threaten her with prison anymore, there was enough solidity into his cause.

He should have seen the conversation heading in that direction. It seemed like the girls were going to have a difficult time again. Sedusa was actually a life saver, now it seemed like that was over.

"Before I answer that, can you tell me something? Where will you go?"

She was definitely caught off guard. "Why do you care?"

"I'm just curious."

"That's not a good enough reason for me to tell you anything."

Professor nodded. "Fine, you want the truth? Here it is. I don't think you have a home to go to. I don't think you have a job other than criminal activity. And I think the moment you get a chance, you'll do something bad."

Sedusa raised an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"

"It's from my own inference. Look me in the eye and tell me that I'm wrong."

She shrugged. "You're not, but so what?"

"Then don't you want a stay in a stable house until you can be stable yourself?"

"You mean until I become a goody-goody, having a respectable job and a nice, honest life."

"You don't have to make it sound so farfetched. It is possible."

"I'm a criminal. I have a criminal record. What makes you think that it's not too late for me?"

"Because you want to change, and that's a good enough start."

"Want to change?" she nervously queried. She was hoping to play it off as an assumption from his side. But one look at his face proved negative.

"Blossom told me," he confirmed.

Sedusa grit her teeth. "That little…"

"Brat?" Professor finished, eyes narrowed.

Sedusa huffed and looked to her side. "I wasn't going to say that."

"A likely story."

"Whatever."

"So how about it? I can take care of you until you can get by on your own."

"I can take care of myself, thank very much."

Professor rolled his eyes. "You know exactly what I mean."

"And what's the catch?"

"You'll take care of the girls when I can't."

"Isn't that what I've been doing already?"

"Yes and thank you. I really appreciate it."

"Hmm. Alright, I'll take your offer." She straightened up, face a lot brighter.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I planned to stay here anyway. Pokey Oaks is having a parent-teacher conference tomorrow and I'm going."

Professor glared at her. "Then why were you interrogating me and giving me the impression that you were going to leave as soon as I said you can?"

She brought her face close to him again, and whispered seductively, "I just wanted to mess with you."

The way she looked at him; the way her bright golden eyes penetrated his very soul, forced a shiver out of the Professor. He had forgotten how good she was at making men putty in her hands. He brushed it off in the end. It turned out that she wanted to stay all along, and he had suspicions that she was doing it for the girls.

"For the sake of my sanity, please don't," he responded after a while.

Sedusa smirked at him, looking positively mischievous. "I'll decide that."

"Something tells me I'm going to regret this."

"Depends~" she sing-songed.

She crawled into the blankets, and made enough space for him.

"Room for one more?" she said invitingly.

Professor had to resist the sudden urge to drink in her form. He stood up. "I'm going to check on the girls."

"Already tucked them in," she announced.

"Really? And you left the door slightly open for Bubbles."

Sedusa sighed sharply. "Look, I'm not fighting them anymore, and honestly, I kind of like this whole guardian thing. So, yes, of course I left the door a bit open. I know how scared she gets of the dark, although I think she should grow up a little."

Professor changed his course and went into the bathroom. When he came out, he was dressed in his pyjamas.

Carefully slid into the bed, and was a bit put off with the smile Sedusa was giving him.

"What?" he asked, perplexed.

"You're clingy," she responded, showing her teeth with a grin.

Surprised and a little disturbed, Professor frowned at her. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing." She shrugged it off, like it was her little secret.

Professor decided to let his enquiries slide, content with not confusing himself any further. But he did have something to say.

"I'm actually off work tomorrow, so I can go to the conference."

"…Without me?"

"Depends on the girls."

"Then I'm definitely coming."

"Sure of yourself, aren't you?"

"You have no idea what we've been through these few days. So, yeah, I'm pretty that they'd want me to come with them."

Professor raised an eyebrow. "You've bonded?"

"Quite a bit, especially today."

"Today?"

"Ask them. They'll explain everything."

"… You certainly seem a lot chipper than the past few days."

"I do? Huh, haven't noticed."

"Well, I have."

"Finally taking an interest in me?"

"Not likely."

"… You're a bad liar. At least when you're asleep, you're honest."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"That definitely sounded like something."

"Forget about it."

"… There's something I want to ask you. I'm pretty sure it's too personal."

"We share the same bad and you kissed me. I think we passed personal a long time ago."

Professor blushed at the memory, but tried to play it cool and keep it as a mistake. "... What were you like before being Sedusa. Is Sedusa your real name?"

"Wow, very blunt. Yeah, my real name is Sedusa, and my passed is none of your business."

"But you said-"

"I didn't know that you were going to ask that question. Look, it's a pretty big deal for me. And frankly, it's a lot of messed up stuff that I'll have to relive. I don't want to do that. My passed is beyond painful."

"I see. I won't pry on it then."

"Yet" she corrected. "Since I'll be here for quite some time, my notion might change."

They kept silent, side-by-side on the bed, staring at each other.

"Why are you being so open?" Professor asked.

"I realised that I've got nothing to lose. You're a gentleman, right? Gentlemen don't blackmail people."

"I would never."

"I know." She smiled.

"Is that all?"

"Do you want another reason?"

"If there is one."

"There is."

"What is it?"

"You don't need to know that."

"Very cryptic."

"Used to be a supervillain. Get with the programme."

"So I still can't trust you, huh?"

"Same applies for me," Sedusa answered.

Professor actually smiled for the first time in a while. "You're right. Goodnight."

"By the way," Sedusa began, "if you want to hold my waist, you can."

"W-what?"

"Just saying. Goodnight." She turned away from him and got comfortable.

Professor wondered in that moment if she was trying to seduce him.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I was surprised people kept asking for this story's continuation. So here you go and thank you for reviewing.