Harmony of the Worlds

by lightning bird

A/N: A bit of fluff set firmly in my Fusion Fall A/U. It ties in directly with events cited in Invisible Sun and A Time for Heroes. Mr. Green's friendship with Ms. Keane is shanghaied directly from the imaginations of DesertHaze and SSpeedy. These characters belong to Cartoon Network, not me. I'm just borrowing them and I promise to put them back where I found them when I'm done playing.

Kepler's First Law: The orbit of every planet is an ellipse with the Sun at a focus.

He was grateful that this part of Townsville, at least, believed in clearing the snow off the sidewalks. If only his own neighborhood could follow their example. His feet were already freezing cold and his horns and ears ached, making Kilroy Green wonder what it was about this city that made him stay as opposed to going somewhere warmer.

The house was easy enough to spot – a sleek retro throwback to the 1960's set amidst more traditional styles of houses, all squares and straight lines save for the three round windows across the front of the second story. The bright red door was surprisingly cheering as Kilroy regarded his destination. A few minutes still remained before his eleven o'clock interview. Not wanting to show up early and seem overly eager (when in fact he was quite desperate) Kilroy lingered, slowing his steps and checking his watch a few times as he tried to ignore the bitterly cold wind.

He was shivering, but he wasn't quite sure if it was from the cold or nerves. He was as used to interviewing as he was to the rejection that inevitably followed, but for the first time in a long time, he well and truly wanted this position. He had never been afforded the opportunity to put his college degrees to work. So many people looked at him and could not get past the surface, judging him for what he was and not what he knew. Demons were not commonplace outside of Citiesville, and few people were comfortable around green skin and horns. Still, Jenny Keane had called him last night in a state of great excitement to tell him that she knew the man that had advertised for teachers versed in particle physics. He had called her checking Kilroy's professional references and they had talked for almost half an hour.

"Who is he?"

"Professor Patrick Utonium, the geneticist. The father of the Powerpuff Girls," Jenny had said, delighted.

Green knew the name – any scientist worth his salt knew the name Utonium - and he had met the girls once. As he moved up the shoveled walkway he could not imagine what use Utonium would have for a particle physics tutor, but Jenny had said something about the Professor acquiring a ward in January and needing someone to teach him.

She had left him with a sense of hope, a feeling he had not enjoyed in a very long time. If this didn't pan out, though, he stood to lose a great deal, starting with his apartment and ending with whatever shreds of self-worth remained after so many years of disappointment and struggle.

The door opened a few seconds after he rang the bell. The man that stood before him was tall and slim with dark hair and gray eyes and the sort of welcoming smile that Kilroy had only seen out of Jenny Keane. He offered his hand immediately.

"You must be Mr. Green. I'm Patrick Utonium. Please, come in."

He stepped over the threshold into another world. This was a home, warm and snug and secure, not just a house. Pictures on the walls showed three girls and he immediately recognized the triplets he had met. He delighted to see the difference five years had made in the Utonium girls. They were beautiful.

"I taught your daughters once in kindergarten," Kilroy observed when he realized he was staring.

The Professor smiled, something he seemed to do a lot. "Yes, I know. After Ms. Keane told me who you were I remembered that they gave you quite a glowing report. I didn't dare tell them that you were coming over today or they all would have found some excuse to stay home from school to see you again."

It had been a long time since he'd been so complimented and Kilroy nodded in appreciation.

"Let me get your coat. I just made some coffee. Would you like some while we talk? I know it's freezing out there today."

He blinked, surprised at the invitation, astonished by his reception so far as he handed over the weighty wool coat. "Coffee would be wonderful," he said, still taking in his surroundings.

Another framed picture caught his eye. This was of a fair young boy with bright red hair and eyes as blue as a summer sky. He was handsome in a keen, sharp-faced way. The picture had caught him looking up from his work with just the hint of a smirk on his face. It was a very telling portrait because even in a photograph, every line and aspect of this child seemed to speak of formidable intelligence.

Utonium said nothing when he saw Kilroy's interest, but lead the way into the kitchen. Seated at the table, sipping coffee and nibbling an oatmeal cookie, the demon was launched into one of the most unusual job interviews he'd ever been on.

Physics never even came up in the first hour. Instead they ended up talking about teaching and regaling one another with stories of their undergrad years, where it was evident they had both been uptight nerds. They were laughing and working their way through the coffee when Kilroy abruptly remembered that this was a job interview. He hesitated, surprised at himself and realizing how much the Professor had managed to draw him out. It had been an age or more since he had so enjoyed a morning.

"Is something wrong?" Utonium asked.

He smiled faintly. "I've . . . I've never had an interview quite like this."

"Well, to be perfectly honest, I've never had to hire such specialized tutors before. My ward is particularly intelligent as well as being in quite an unusual situation insofar as his creative talent is being utilized. For anyone that's going to be around him, character is as important as knowledge and teaching skills. I've got your transcripts and I've read all your published works, so I know the degree of knowledge. The fact that you've got your Masters in particle physics and astrophysics is a big plus. I've got a lot of respect for Ms. Keane and her assessment of your teaching ability, and believe me, that ability will be tested to the fullest."

"And that leaves us with character."

"Precisely. Well, that and a background check by the DoD."

Green gaped for a moment before he found his voice again. "The Department of Defense?"

"Long story, but yes."

He realized Utonium was giving him a chance to come clean with any marks against him that a background check would uncover, thus saving them both time and grief. Looking into those gray eyes, Kilroy smiled.

"I've lived a remarkably bland life overall."

He poured more coffee, a clear indication that the interview wasn't over yet. "I'm glad to hear it. So what hobbies do you have?"

It was almost one in the afternoon when the meeting ended. Even if nothing came of it, Kilroy was infinitely glad he had let Jenny persuade him into sending his resume to the ad she had found on the internet. He had missed being able to talk so freely about science. People that could appreciate such conversation were few and far between.

With a thoughtful look, Utonium escorted him to the door. Kilroy fully expected to be told he'd hear from the Professor and braced himself for the awkwardness of such a moment and the return to the biting cold of winter and reality, when Utonium abruptly asked,

"Would you be able to come back Saturday?"

"Of course," he replied before he even fully realized the implications. When was the last time he'd been asked to come back for a second interview? He couldn't remember.

"I deliberately haven't told you much about the boy that's going to be my ward. I think it would be best for each of you draw your own conclusions. He'll be here this weekend and I'd like you to meet him so we can see how well you'd get along."

He was surprised. Rarely were students and teachers given such an option. In the past Kilroy had been handed a student and was expected to teach them regardless of their interest or intelligence. It said a great deal - both about the boy and Utonium.

"I would very much like to meet him."

"Good. Ten o'clock work for you?"

He smiled, hope stirring in his chest. "I'll be here, Professor, and thank you."

"You haven't met him. Don't thank me yet."

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

It was snowing the second time he stepped up to that cheery red door. He could not help but smile to himself as he rang the doorbell. He had called Jenny and told her every detail about the interview with Professor Utonium three days ago, and her optimism had definitely spilled over and lifted his own spirits. She had not known anything more about Utonium's ward or why the Department of Defense would want to do a background check on him just so he could privately tutor this boy, but she did say that the odds were good that the Powerpuff Girls would be home.

The door opened and he smiled at the sight of blonde hair and blue eyes. "Bubbles," he said, grinning. "It's good to see you again!"

For a moment she was speechless, her eyes wide and her mouth a perfect 'o.' Then she let out an ear-piercing shriek of delight and she launched herself at him, seizing him around the middle in a tight hug.

"Mr. Green! Mr. Green! Mr. Green!"

Her shout brought more of the household running, and a moment later he was being triple-teamed as Blossom and Buttercup joined their sister. Never had he expected so ecstatic a greeting and Kilroy Green joined in their enthusiasm. A chuckle broke through the noisy reunion, and Kilroy looked up to see Professor Utonium watching from the doorway.

"Oh, and by the way, girls, your old substitute teacher is stopping by today," he said as if in a footnote.

The girls were all talking at once, asking after him, telling him about themselves, filling the air with sound as they all but carried him into the house.

"Welcome back," said Utonium. "Hot chocolate?"

The prospect of a snack got the triplets fired up anew. They would have gladly filled Kilroy's entire day save that their father interceded.

"Once you girls finish you'll have to excuse us," insisted Utonium as he poured out the steaming chocolate. "Mr. Green and I need to talk."

They didn't whine, but their disappointment was evident and they all sipped their drinks to make them last. Finally they were done, and the Professor promised Mr. Green would not leave without seeing them again.

"Is your ward here?" Green asked, wondering at the boy's absence.

"Yes," was Utonium's guarded reply as he gathered up the empty mugs. "Would you like to meet him now?"

"Yes, please."

"Come with me."

Filled with curiosity and trepidation, Green rose and followed Utonium to the hall. The door to the basement of the house had a keypad lock, and Utonium punched a series of numbers before hauling the door open.

Sound. Marvelous, beautiful sound. Piano music was playing in a room so perfectly soundproofed that not even his sensitive ears had picked up on it.

"Turandot?" asked Kilroy, looking to his host for confirmation as he tried to remember the name of the aria. "Nessum Dorma?"

"Yeah." Utonium smiled. "He's on a Puccini kick lately."

"That's him playing?" breathed Kilroy, awestruck.

The dark-haired scientist nodded, his eyes shining with the obvious love he felt for his ward as he lifted a finger to his lips for quiet. "I gave him a keyboard for an early Christmas present," whispered Utonium. "He started this piece last week. He doesn't like having people listen to him practice, which is good because the girls are definitely not on a Puccini kick."

They stood at the head of the stairs for a few moments, letting the music wash over them. Utonium smiled when the melody faltered. A small growl of annoyance reached Kilroy's ears and immediately the piece was picked up again. At the exact same spot the boy's fingering failed again and another growl, harsher this time, rose from the basement.

"His hands are too small yet for the fingering he's trying to play, but you can't tell him that," murmured the Professor as the music started again.

Kilroy tensed as the piano wound toward that trouble spot and -

"Blast!" shouted a young voice, followed by a small roar of anger.

"Dexter!" called Utonium at that exact moment.

"WHAT?"

The frustrated bellow only made the Professor shake his head as he lead the way down the steps. Green followed, ducking to fit through the doorway. He was intrigued and a little confused. The boy's speech seemed . . . off. Granted he'd only heard two words out of him, but Dexter's inflection was odd. Could he have a speech impediment of sorts?

"There's someone here to meet you."

Another grumble, a sure sign of someone trying to control their temper.

The steps lead into a basement laboratory that was spotlessly clean and filled with scientific equipment that transported Kilroy back to Princeton for a few precious moments. He did not have much time to look around because Utonium was extending his hand toward the young boy whose picture had given Green pause earlier this week.

Dexter hesitated for just a heartbeat as he took in Green's startling appearance. He recovered swiftly from the unexpected sight of green skin and horns and an eye patch. Small and bright were Green's first impressions and he found this boy equally startling. Heavy boots. Tinted glasses. A white lab coat that reached from his throat to his knees. Even as he stepped away from the keyboard set up in the corner of the lab, Dexter pulled long purple gloves onto his hands until almost every bit of him was covered. He moved with poise and determination as he came to stand beside Utonium, his hands clasped behind his back. He gazed at Kilroy with undisguised interest. There was a fierce, guarded intensity about him and his steady gaze that told Kilroy this was not an individual to be trifled with or underestimated.

If he had spent a day less than twenty years subbing for elementary schools, Green knew he would have been intimidated. He had no doubt that many an unsuspecting teacher had met their fate beneath that severe mien.

Utonium was smiling, unruffled by his ward's reaction. "Mr. Green, this is Dexter. Dexter, Mr. Green."

The boy looked questioningly up at the Professor, eyes narrowing at the onset of a frown. Plainly he knew nothing of Green.

"Max won't be here until two o'clock," his guardian replied to the unasked question. "Mr. Green has applied to teach you particle physics and possibly astrophysics."

Since Dexter made no attempt to shake hands, neither did Green. By themselves Dexter's gloves told a tale of a person that did not invite physical contact. Green had no intention of doing anything that would make this child uncomfortable.

"I'll leave you two to get acquainted," said the Professor cheerfully, stepping away.

Green blinked. He was leaving?

"Professor?" he and Dexter asked at exactly the same moment. They each caught themselves and exchanged a look. Dexter glowered. Kilroy smiled in return.

"I'll be in the kitchen if you need me," Utonium called, blithely abandoning them to their fate as he headed up the stairs.

He marshaled his defenses. Turning to face the supremely annoyed boy before him, Kilroy Green heard the lab door close. Suddenly he knew exactly how it felt to be thrown to the lions.