Ok... I'm right here with you on this. Proton is a mess now, his life is in shambles, the girl of his dreams has disappeared and he is wallowing in self pity. What seems needed now is an event that causes him to stop pitying himself, clean himself up and be proactive about finding his true love, the girl of his dreams. The question seems to be, what is that event? The life changing event that causes him to question his actions, review his current state and rehabilitate himself. He is a total mess and completely unattractive at the time being. A rocky training session comes to mind... Seems to me there needs to be a phase of self improvement which could be quite humerous? A trip to h2o (the proton drug rehab center?), a zen meditation retreat in the mountains of the elemental chart?

Furthermore he needs to become a detective, look for clues of her disappearance. He might need to get his hands dirty and break a few neutrons?

Looking forward to the next installment!