"Double D!" Ed and Eddy's anxious cries floated across the river and May and and Lee stared in astonishment and horror.

"Why isn't he swimming up to the surface?" Lee demanded. "The creek ain't that deep is it?"

Marie watched in horror as Edd's frantic movements begin to slow. Everyone was screaming his name and Ed and Eddy were drifting further and further away but she wasted no more time. Getting a running start she leapt into the water and dove after him. She felt her heart freeze when she saw his movements still and his eyes slowly start to close. After what seemed like an eternity she finally reached him, wrapped her arms around his slender torso, and tugged upwards.

"Mmph!?" Marie fought a surge of panic when she felt Double D's body snag. Now she was starting to lose precious oxygen and time to save both of them.

Oh hell no. Marie thought angrily. There's no freakin' way I'm lettin' me and my man die in a stupid creek.

Using all of her brute strength Marie gave a final tug and felt Edd break free of whatever was holding him. Marie all but flew out of the water, bursting out of the creek with a gasp. She fought against the current and swam to shore with Edd in tow.

She felt her strength give out once they were safely out of the water and stopped to catch her breath. By that time Ed and Eddy had made to shore and everyone crowded around them.

"Yo Marie," Lee said quietly. "Your man ain't looking too good over here."

"Wake up Double D," Ed said tearfully. "Wake up ol' buddy, ol' chum of mine."

Edd was paler than normal and his lips were nearly blue. Marie pushed the others aside and laid her head on Double D's soggy chest. No heart beat, no gentle rise and fall of the chest, nothing. She felt her own heart begin to jack hammer but she wasted no time in plugging his nose shut and covering his mouth with hers.

Oo. Wow his lips are soft. Marie thought briefly, but she pushed any thought of romance aside and pushed breath into his body instead. Once. Twice. Three times and each time she breathed into him she did compressions onto his chest .

Suddenly Double D sat up gasping, choking, and spitting up water. Marie sighed in relief and felt tears well up in her eyes.

"Double D!" Ed cried happily and threw his arms around him in a bear hug.

"Geez you dope you had me all worried." Eddy said pretending not to wipe tears out of his eyes.

"Then why didn't one of you dive after him then?" Lee accused angrily.

"We tried but Lunkhead couldn't get the raft turned around!" Eddy retorted getting angry. "Besides none of this would had happened if you guys hadn't-"

"Stop it both of you!" May cried out tearfully. "Double D is okay. Isn't that what matters?"

Lee and Eddy gave each other one final glare before looking away again. Marie rolled her eyes but also felt deeply tired. Ed slung Double D over his massive shoulder, picked Eddy up despite his protests, and walked away.

"Come on Marie," Lee said in her usually gravelly voice.

She slipped her arm under her shoulders and hoisted her to her feet. Together, Marie and her sisters trudged home to their trailer park.

XXXX

Marie was more than a little glad that it was Sunday. No worrying about getting up for school, no boring classes. Just sleep, sleep again, maybe some t.v., and then to top it all off, more sleep. Too bad there was a snowball's chance in Nevada of that happening in her trailer. The not so distant sound of yelling and crashing furniture pulled her slowly from her deep slumber. She laid there motionless for a few moments, the fragments of her dream still clinging to her. It was about the creek, surprise, surprise, expect that it had turned into a raging river and instead of her saving Edd, his goofy friends were able to fish him out and they flew into the sky leaving Marie to fall off the edge of a waterfall.

The dream didn't so much scare or worry her as much as it irritated her. Stupid dreams. Stupid subconscious.

"Whatever." She mumbled finally getting up. "I need some breakfast."

She quickly pulled on some clothes, dabbed some eye shadow, and headed down stairs. Amidst several over turned chairs, tables, and couch stuffing, Lee and May were in the living room fighting over the remote. Marie made a mental note to steal it from them later but for now her stomach craved food. So she headed into the kitchen and made herself some eggs. Just as she was just about to smother them in ketchup though, the heard the door bell ring and then May and Lee giggling maliciously. She was about to ignore to when she heard an all too sweet and familiar voice mingling with theirs.

"L-l- ladies please." It said nervously. "I-I came here with a very specific purpose in mind and I hope to fufill it."

Marie ran into the living room in excitement, but then stopped herself and leaned coolly against the doorway. "So muffin. You here for your daily kisses?"

"Ma-ma- Marie!" Edd turned towards her at the sound of her voice and she saw something that surprised her.

Instead of the shear terror she usually came to see in his eyes whenever she was around she saw... elation? Edd gently distangled himself from her sisters arms and hurriedly came over to her. Marie blinked in surprised and really took notice of him for the first time. Double D was wearing and oversized suit jacket, a ridiculous bow tie, and was holding something behind his back.

"Did you get all dressed up for me, over mitt?" Marie smirked leaned closer to him. "How cute."

"Y-yes, well," Edd swallowed nervously and blushed. "I-I just wanted to give you these as thank you for saving my life yesterday."

He thrust his arms out, holding out a bouquet of flowers. Marie felt her own cheeks grow hot, but quickly tried to push her embarrassment aside. She glanced behind him and saw Lee and May sniggering and giggling to each other. Marie fought a surge of anger and found herself on the losing end.

"And just what the heck are you two looking at!?" She yelled.

Lee laughed and crossed her arms. "Looks like you got yourself a puppy."

"Yeah." May giggled like a maniac. "I wish my big Ed bought me flowers."

"Oh, dear." Edd said nervously. "Perhaps we could speak somewhere in private? There's something I would like to discuss with you."

Lee and May started laughing and making kissy faces and Marie felt her blood to boil. She roughly grabbed Edd by the wrist and pulled him outside. She took a couple calming breaths to get her stupid sisters' teasing out of her mind and tried to put on her best seductress face.

"So lover," She cooed getting close to him. "What's with the flowers?"

"R-right," Double D cleared his throat and adjusted his bow tie. "Well as I said earlier the flowers are a thank you for saving my life yesterday and...well...um..."

"Yeah? Go a head, spit it out."

Edd bit his lip and rocked back and forth on his heels. "Well, I just to wanted to give you...something."

"Oh yeah?" Marie folded her arms and began to get impatient. "Well, give it to me. I don't have all day."

"Yes, um, very well then," Edd rubbed his arm nervously and Marie smirked. This was more like it. Edd trembling in absolute and adorable fear at the mere sight of her. And happened next though completely threw Marie off guard. Wearing a small, nervous smile Edd got down on one knee in front of her and grabbed both of hands.

Holy crap! Marie shrieked inside her head. Is about to propose! I mean I know we kinda got married already, but I'm way to young for the real deal.

"D-Double D! What the heck do you think you're doing!" She shrieked. "I ain't marrying you! At least not yet!"

"M-married!?" Edd blushed scarlet and shook his head. "G-good Lord no! Hm, maybe this position is a bit misleading though."

Edd stood up and led Marie to sit on a pile of old cinder blocks. Marie was starting to feel nervous which made her more irritable. She was used to guys being afraid of her and manipulating those who weren't. Especially Double Dweeb. But now here he was looking her in the eyes with a gentle smile and holding her hand affectionately.

Oh that's right. Marie felt a smile growing on her face. This is the sweet Ed. Maybe the sweetest guy in Peach Creek. Too bad he isn't quivering in fear, he's much cuter that way. Oh crap what is he saying!?

"Did you hear me Marie?" Edd whispered.

"What, sorry my bad." Marie shook her head and tried to focus. "What were you saying, boyfriend?"

"That's just it, Marie." Edd nodded eagerly. "That's what I just said. I want to be your boyfriend."

"You what!?" Marie's jaw dropped. "What did you just say?"

Edd blushed and looked away, but he was smiling. "I want to be your boyfriend Marie. You risked your life to save mine and it made me realized what an amazing girl you are and how much I want to be with you. As your um... boyfriend."

Marie felt her heart soar, but then reality hit her like a slap in the face.

"This is a joke right?" Marie felt her temper rising. "One of your moron friends put you up to this as a dare or something, right?"

"I assure you this is no joke." Edd said seriously. "I plan on devoting my life and my love to you Marie. So what do you say?"

Marie opened and closed her mouth in surprise. This was way too good to be true. She and her sisters had been chasing the Eds for what seemed like forever and now the cutest and the smartest of them wants her? This was suspicious beyond belief...but it was way too good to pass up. She must have taken too long to answer though because next to her Edd's face fell and his grip on her hand loosened.

"Oh." he said looking away sadly. "I, um, take that as a no. Well then, ahem, I guess I won't bother you anymore. Forgive me for being too forward. I had been under the impression that you liked me."

Edd started to stand up trying to hide his tears but Marie quickly grabbed his arm.

"Where the hell do you think you're going!" She cried out gleefully. "You're my boyfriend now and I think I'm in the mood for a little kissy face time."

Edd turned bright red and started sweating. "I-I-I-I v-v-very well. I-I'll be h-happy to oblige."

He closed his eyes and sat completely still. Marie was surprised at his quick and ready obedience but hesitated. This didn't quite give her the satisfaction she was expecting, but then again she hadn't even eaten breakfast yet and hunger usually messed with her mood. Marie plunked him none too gently on the forehead, startling him right onto the ground.

"Tell you what," Marie smirked. "Imma let you off the hook this time, but tomorrow at school I expect a good morning kiss."

"V-very well Marie." Edd smiled happily. "I'll see you tomorrow then."

Marie watch him walk away and couldn't have felt happier. Saving Edd's life was going to be the best decision she ever made.