Both Boomer and Butch looked expectedly at Brick. The red Ruff gazed silently at Professor for a while then crossed his arms and looked away. Professor's brow furrowed with concern. "Brick?"  The scientist queried after a minute.

When Brick did not answer Boomer sighed and moved closer to Professor, speaking to him in a low voice.  "Professor, you see, Brick had it the hardest. I mean, Mojo took it out on him more than he did Butch and me. Once, long time ago, Brick came down with flu or something. When Mojo saw that Brick was too sick to do what the old monkey wanted, he flew into rage."

Brick flinched and glared at his blond brother, but Boomer went on anyway. "And he was beating the stuff out of him and kicking him across the room. It was awful."

"Oh no," Professor said softly and looked again at the red Ruff. No wonder Brick had appeared reserved and since his 're-birth', always viewing Professor's and Sandy's kindness toward the Boys with total skepticism.  Not to mention he was the most stubborn and difficult Ruff to deal with, so the thought of Brick having Mojo who has very little patience as his father made Professor wince. As he gazed at the reticent Ruff he was filled with deep compassion.

"Come here, Brick," He said gently and Brick, after eyeing him warily, moved close enough that Professor scooped him up and set him on his lap. "I'll have you know that a true father - it doesn't matter whether he's the biological or adoptive parent - would never abuse his own children in any way. And Mojo certainly was not acting like a father he was supposed to be.  Therefore he has no right to injure you and your brothers, especially when you were sick!" Professor paused and glanced at Boomer and Butch. The brothers were watching Brick intently, apparently gauging Brick's reaction, or the lack of.  Professor continued. "As we have already told you, Brick, that you and your brothers are welcome to stay here with us as long as you like." 

Brick looked up. "You're not gonna send us back to Mojo, Professor?" 

Professor was taken aback. "No, of course not! Not unless you want to," He said, and felt a stab of guilt. Once, not too long ago, the Boys had been so unruly and caused so much trouble at home that Sandy was at wits' end, and Professor was so exasperated that he threatened to send the Boys away to live with Mojo Jojo if they would not stop their rambunctious behavior.  He was somewhat surprised when the Boys immediately sat down on the floor and declared with their arms crossed that they are NOT going anywhere - no way, not even back to their former creator! It was the only clue Professor had that hinted that the Boys did not get along well with Mojo Jojo, but since the Boys did not seem to like to talk too much about their past life with Mojo (and they also tried to be less rowdy from that time on) the scientist just let it slide past him. Now after confronting the enraged Mojo Jojo in the living room Professor felt bad for ever suggesting that the Boys go back to an angry chimpanzee!

Brick shook his head. "We are DEFINITELY not going back to that monkey. We would rather stay with you and Mom.  Boomer is right, you and Mom take real good care of us," he paused and blushed a little.  He added quietly and somewhat indifferently, Especially when one of us got sick."