Part 4- Of Scars and Memories

Jacob had been the first to start talking to him when Finn's mother had let them in. He just sat next to him, on the same bed, while the other two girls watched from afar on equally uncomfortable but cushioned chairs. He spoke about their relationship, just reminding him things, memories, old things, just to see if he somehow recognized them, or spoke up. Marceline had arrived later on after hearing Jake over the phone. She was currently sitting at the foot of Finn's bed, her gaze locked on the floor, arms hugging her knees and legs, guitar lying on Finn's feet. She had almost gotten a heart attack after entering that room. It had been the second time that day in which she ran what it felt like a marathon.

Marcelle had locked her eyes on Finn's and couldn't believe it. She had walked toward the bed, slowly, still staring at his eyes, as if they could close any second.

And she smiled, a genuine, wicked, Marceline smile. "Hey, Oooland," she had whispered. "I've been waiting two years for this moment… and now I don't know what to say… I guess I've already sang everything I ever wanted to say. Well, that's stupid. By the way, next time you do something stupid, make sure you don't get in a coma, it's not fun for anyone."

Jacob was currently talking about Finn's dog, Jake. About how that was the first thing they talked about when he met him. How Jacob's nickname came to be because of his dog. How Finn called Jacob 'dog', 'dawg' and 'Jake' just because of that. How he blended his dog and Jacob because they were his best friends.

Finn's dark eyes were expressionless. They weren't here. It was as if he was trying to picture Jake's words. But he never said a thing.

"So, did you call, um, Scarlett?" Bubblegum asked, playing with a piece of paper.

Jake looked at her direction, stopping the story he was recalling to Finn, a weird, playful smile on his lips. "Well, Scarlett freaked out when she heard. Panicked. She's on her way… But you know the girl lives a little far from here and her father is a demanding man, that's why she comes like every two weeks… Calls all the time to see how Finn is… where was I again? Oh! Yeah, why do you ask?"

Bubblegum rolled her eyes, she knew Jake's obsession with the petty love triangle he made in his head, the one including Finn, Scarlett and her. "Just asking."

The paper Bubblegum had been playing with, bending and tearing and flipping with expertise, now resembled a flower. She stood up and placed it next to the vase Marceline had filled with new flowers earlier that same day. She took a new piece of paper and started doing the same steps she did with the other origami.

Marceline studied Bonnibel from the edge of Finn's bed. "Quite genius," she said, taking Bubblegum by surprise.

Her smart reply was: "Huh?"

"The paper flowers."

Bonnibel still could not believe Marceline was addressing her so easily. "What about the paper flowers?"

Marcelle rolled her eyes. "They're paper, so they won't die like all the other flowers. It's nice to have something that won't. So it's genius."

"Oh," was all she could answer.

The silence that followed was comforting. The murmurs of Jake's continued story and the sound of paper folding made a peaceful environment now that it felt finally whole with Finn awake.

Time flew as they took turns giving memories. Finn didn't open his mouth once but was always listening with a soft expression.

When she entered, nobody noticed the girl's arrival. The red-head was completely flustered, pink-cheeked and looked like she had trouble breathing. Her eyes were puffy, her nose was red, her face was stained with dried tears. She wore an orange sundress with yellow lines in random places, a single genuine red sapphire hanged from the chain around her neck. She always wore that necklace.

"Hello," she said.

At last, everyone looked at her direction, right under the doorframe.

Bonnibel was the first to speak. "Nice of you to join us, Scarlett."

"Yo, Burns!"

She gave Jake a tiny smile and spoke, softly as always, "What's up, Jake?"

He returned the smile. "Oh, you know, solvin' crimes and makin' up rhymes."

Scarlett wasn't really paying attention to anyone. Her focus was lost on the white sheets that held the golden-haired boy. The boy she has adored for so long.

The silence was heavy for no particular reason.

Marceline didn't really know the girl that much, but she instantly felt uncomfortable with her expression. She could practically smell her begging for a moment alone with him. Or a couple.

"Hey, Jake," she said. "How about we get something to eat?"

Everyone knew that was code word for: let's leave, but at Marceline's reference of food, every stomach in the room seemed to come alive. They were all soon aware of how famished they really were.

"That sounds great, I'm starving."

"Delightful."

Rain just nodded eagerly.

One by one, they headed toward the exit. Scarlett sneaked a thankful smile to Marceline.

The door clicked shut.

At first she didn't know what to do. She kept playing with the hem of her dress and biting her lip, which was very uncharacteristic of her.

Finn glanced at her a couple of times, something stirred inside him. He had this terrible sensation that he should know something. Memories tried to push into his mind, but they only resulted in another headache.

She sighed. "Hi, Finn." Her voice threatened to quiver.

Silence.

Scarlett cleared her throat, trying to push down the knot she wasn't aware that had formed down her throat, looking away. She took a deep breath and wiped her head to his direction, her face fierce. "Okay, Finn, let's be direct about this."

She took a few determined steps towards him. "I didn't come here to cry. I've done enough of that. I came here because I've been longing for your eyes on mine ever since they closed. I came here to say that you were right-" Tears started forming in her eyes, much to her dissatisfaction, but her expression didn't change. "I should've just told you from the start that I was being dramatic and-and a coward!"

She took a deep breath.

"And I'm sorry," she cried. "I'm so sorry, so sorry, Finn. I'm sorry for being addicted to your skin, the way it heats me up so easily. I'm sorry for being so angry all the time and not making this easy for you..."

She searched for his eyes.

"Finn, look at me, please... Please recognize me. Finn, I refuse to acknowledge that lost look on your face. You better remember me. You better speak up, you better... Finn, you better remember me… or else… or else I don't know what I'll do," she croaked.

Scarlett took a few more steps to his bed, until she was close enough. And she hugged him. Finn didn't respond under her touch at first, until his arms slowly found their way around her. She held him fiercely, never getting enough of his scent.

Her love for Finn was a dangerous one.

She sniffed against his shoulder. "Look at what you're doing to us, Finn... Oh, I missed you like crazy… Just this. Your hugs, your funny remarks, your hyper-ness, your songs, your random outbursts… You were crazy… but you were my crazy." Her lips turned to a sad, small smile. "There's nothing like a tragedy to make me admit my feelings. I wish I'd gotten you sooner."

She broke the hug to look at him, their faces just inches away.

"You do recognize me, Finn. Somewhere in that beautiful head of yours, underneath that gorgeous golden hair... you have to find me. That crazy, red-haired, fiery tempered girl you fell for... The one with the anger issues, remember? You helped me. You saw something in me nobody else ever did. You believed in me when no one else did. Not even my father... Who never actually understood me... But you did, you always did, you brought me out of my cage even when I was always pushing you away… And look where that got you. I can't believe I was so stupid..."

She was exhausted with grief. She had cried enough at home. Still, she could not contain her tears. "You jerk," she sniffed, slapping softly at his chest. She lied down next to him and remembered all those times she had wanted to just fall unconscious next to him and wake up whenever he did.

A peaceful silence followed, the sound of his steady breathing calmed her.

"Remember... the songs you made for me?" she said, almost to herself. "I know them by heart, you know..." She smiled a little.

"Oh, Flame Princess,

I think you're rad.

I really wanna kiss you

right in front of your dad."

She started giggling to herself, remembering how Finn referred to her as his 'Flame princess' because of the heat that radiated through both their skins. The flame she ignited in him every time she was close, and when they kissed he felt like he was burning up.

"Cause I think you're great.

I wanna be your mate

or maybe go on a date.

Cause it feels like there's a fire inside my body

like there's a fire inside my heart.

It's like this fire is gonna consume me

if I keep waiting for this thing to start.

Oh I feel all warmed up inside.

I feel all warmed up inside.

I feel all warmed up inside."

I sighed. "I felt it too, you know, the warmth... I still feel it now." Another tear graced her face. "Even though you might not feel it anymore, or you might not remember it."

She took a deep breath and said. "I think one of my favorite songs you ever did was the one that went:

Scars, you think all you leave are scars?

Well, you left one in my heart..."

She started playing with his locks of hair. "Remember that?"

Finn had always been one for nicknames. And another of the nicknames he gave her was Scar. It was simple, just short for Scarlett. But for her, it always meant more than that. She felt that was all she really left on people.

Because she had hurt people before and she didn't want to hurt him. A little late for that, of course.

Scarlett's hand lingered in that golden halo of his, she didn't even think it through as she leaned in and gave him the softest, most innocent of kisses. She was so hungry for his touch, just a single stroke of his hand, but wasn't surprised when he didn't. She placed her hands on both sides of his face and looked into his eyes. They were looking into hers.

"Finn, you can't fool me. I know you're in there. I don't believe in miracles but you are a living one. So I'm pushing my luck when I say that you will respond to me if you like it or not. I refuse to take it slow just like everyone will. Finn, you are strong, and I know you can do this. Dig deep Finn, come back, please.

Her tears felt endless. Scarlett wished her chest didn't feel this hollow. It was a sickening emptiness.

Finn's face felt warm, his eyes were wide, and she swore she saw a light of recognition flicker in his eyes.

Finn's head swam. Pictures, memories, images, instants, moments, they all swirled in his mind. So many things were happening at once, the headache was unbearable now, but through all this madness he experienced in that silence, his lips parted a formed a single word:

"Scar."

Scarlett blinked. Her hands found her mouth as a sign of disbelief as a sigh escaped her lips. "Yes, Finn," she whispered with a smile. "It's me, Scarlett, your Scar, your princess."


A/N: Yes, I'm alive.

There's no excuse for how long I've left you people hanging, thanks for those who still believed I could go on. Thank you so much for sticking to the story. I just want you to know that I have a life just like all of you and though I wish to be writing every single day, I can't seem to find the time. I have a very busy life. I'm so sorry for the disgustingly long wait, but I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Thanks for all the amazing support, you guys are just- wow, okay? I love you people.

Did you see the 'Bad Little Boy' episode?! AHHHH! I SO WANT TO RAPE MARSHALL LEE-what? I didn't say anything….

… But I ship myself with Marshall Lee… It's my OTP…

Again, thank you for your EVERYTHING, okay? There are no limits to my love for you guys, you make my heart swell.