Before I begin with my usual "hey, how are you!?" welcome, I would like to take a moment and say a few words... On July 13, 2013, a young actor by the name Cory Monteith passed away in Vancouver, Canada. He is better known as Finn Hudson from the hit TV show Glee. I know that you guys may have already heard about it but... I just think it's terrible that an actor so young can die so soon. Rest in Peace, Cory. You will be missed by many of us. And, for a little sap for those of us who are very sad such as myself, don't stop believing. He took a midnight train going anywhere... he's with Grilled Cheesus now (Glee reference).

On a happier note: I have returned for yet another chapter. I'm squeezing this one in before I fly off to my trip to China for a couple of weeks. Just to tell you guys you're so awesome and I love you all because you read, fav, and review.

Again: I AM NOT TAKING REAL-LIFE SONGS! Only songs YOU have WRITTEN! Have I made myself clear? Good. I'm also still taking line requests. However don't expect me to get back to you until I return from my trip.

By the way: this chapter may be a little sentimental and not as "dirty" because I'm dedicating it to someone.

And I do NOT want to see any "Glee sucks" on my reviews... keep it to yourself.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Adventure Time sort. It belongs to Pendleton Ward and his phenomenal brain.

Dedicated to: Cory Monteith. May 11, 1982- July 13, 2013.


Fionna hopped off Marshall's bike, a box of leftover pizza in her hand. She waved him goodbye as she bounded off towards her dorm. He smiled and kicked his bike into gear, speeding down the streets to his own dorm he shared with Gumball. How he lived with him, Marshall had no idea. The raven-haired boy parked his motorcycle in the garage and shut it behind him as he entered the front room of the dorm. He walked up the stairs and heard soft snores coming from Gumball's room so it was just Marshall awake and lurking.

He opened his bedroom door and flopped onto his bed, flipping through a magazine as he went. Finding nothing interesting, he tossed it into a waste bin and stared at the ceiling for a few minutes. This entire day was interesting and a little fun. Making Fionna do all of those ridiculous things and watching her actually doing them. For the first time in a long time, Marshall was enjoying the company of people. For so long, he had to hang with Ashley and her friends that he was becoming a creature of the night. He would avoid the daylight as much as possible and hide from people.

But ever since Fionna arrived, he had a reason to break through and do his own thing. She stood up for him against Ashley and barked in her face, telling her to back down. No one had ever stood up for him. He assumed that they assumed he could take care of himself. Fionna, however, saw a different kind of Marshall Lee entirely. And for some reason, Marshall liked having her around to poke fun at him and argue with him and goof off with. She was... she was just a wonderful person to be around. Tonight was so amazing just hanging with her and laughing. After they left the movies, they headed to the local pizza place and didn't get back until the store closed. All they did was talk about nonsense, people watch, and simply had fun.

And to top it all off, Fionna actually made him feel. Something about her made him want to smile and to be a better person. Just being near her made him feel things he didn't think were in his emotional range. After everything that happened with him... it felt good to feel other things.

His eyes dropped a little and he suddenly felt very tired. Stifling a yawn, Marshall sat up and shuffled around his room, changing into his sleep wear: nothing but boxers. After he haphazardly threw his clothes into the hamper, he slumped back into bed and fell asleep at once.

He woke up to the smell of coffee wafting from downstairs. Marshall stumbled out of bed and pulled on his day clothes. His red flannel and some jeans he pulled out of the hamper. He walked into the bathroom and observed himself. He brushed his teeth for about a minute and then moved onto his hair. He gave it one look, ran a hand through it, and left the bathroom. It was a nice Sunday morning. The weak autumn sun was streaming through the windows and he had a plan to do nothing but relax.

When he arrived in the kitchen, he found Gumball leaning on the counter, reading the school newspaper that shipped out local and world news. He was sipping a cup of coffee and raised it in Marshall's direction as a hello.

"Hey," Marshall mumbled, rubbing his eyes. "How'd the soufflé turn out?"

"It fell," Gumball said. "I'm trying again later this evening if you wish to help."

"No thanks, man," Marshall said, pouring himself some coffee. "I'm not into that sissy baking crap."

"It isn't sissy," Gumball said shortly. "And I have you know, some girls find it very attractive when a man can cook."

"First of all: I didn't know you leaned that way," Marshall said, earning a roll of the eyes from Gumball. "Second: I wouldn't go as far as to call you a man."

"What's your deal?"

"My deal? Bubba, Fionna was totally asking you out yesterday and you fucking rejected her on more than one occasion," Marshall hissed.

A look of dawning comprehension fell on the pink-haired boy's face. He was suddenly guilt ridden as he spoke quietly.

"So that's what everything was about last night," he said.

"Mhm," Marshall conformed, sipping his coffee. "And you shot her down like some sorry duck in the hunt. Great job, Gumwad. Real manly."

"I didn't know, okay!?" Gumball shouted defensively. "I was so distracted last night with everything happening."

"Whistling and baking can wait for a one-of-a-kind gal like Fionna," Marshall said simply.

"Why didn't you go with her?" Gumball demanded.

"I did," Marshall snapped. "And, you know what? I had a blast. She had a blast. The movie ended up sucking but we went to grab pizza instead. We were having fun! And what were you doing? Whistling while your soufflé collapsed. Like your love life is going to if you don't man up!" He gulped down the rest of his coffee and smacked it onto the table before storming out of the house.

Gumball was left alone in the kitchen, the angry rev of an engine shaking his eardrums as Marshall zoomed away on his bike. With a sigh, Gumball put down his mug and went to the landline, dialing Fionna's number to apologize to her and his ignorance. If anything, perhaps he could ask her to the ball coming up in the next few weeks to make up for it. Gumball didn't want to hurt Fionna. He rather enjoyed her company and thought she was a wonderful person. He had a slight attachment to her and liked being around her. Perhaps if he explored the attachment, he might find something a little deeper than just friendship.

After a couple of rings, someone picked up the phone and Mocro's voice spoke into the phone.

"Yeah?" he said.

"Oh, Mocro?" Gumball said, his eyebrows raising. "What are you doing at Fionna's dorm?"

"Hanging with Cake," he said slowly. "She lives here too. Remember?"

"Yes, that's right. Well, may I speak to Fionna?"

"You just missed her, hunny!" came Cake's voice. "Marshall drove around and they went out to play a little one-on-one basketball. Why? What's up?"

Gumball narrowed his eyes. "Marshall Lee took her?"

"Well, he said he had so much fun last night that he wanted to hang out a little more with her," Cake said.

He must have known Gumball was going to call. With a short breath, he bid Cake goodbye and hung up the phone.


Meanwhile, Fionna and Marshall were in the gym, passing the ball back and forth, warming up for their game.

"I think it's better when you and I play against each other," Fionna said.

"Why is that?" Marshall asked, tossing the ball in her direction.

She caught it with ease. "Because we won't argue whether or not you're a ball-hog... even though you are. It won't be my problem."

He grinned. "Good thinking," he said as she passed the ball to him. He dribbled it. "Ready, Mertens?"

"Bring it, Abadeer," she said, a gleam in her blue eyes.

As their game progressed, Marshall was losing 2-6. Fionna was doing an excellent job keeping him at bay and taking him by surprise. Her bursts of energy really made the game fun to play. During Fionna's turn with the ball, the gym doors opened and Simone walked in. The two halted their game as they watched their professor search for something in the bleachers. They exchanged looks of surprise before Marshall addressed her.

"Something wrong, Simone?" he said loudly, his voice echoing off of the walls. Simone turned to face them and adjusted her glasses.

"Oh, nothing," she said, striding over to them. "I just seemed to have lost something that had fallen out of my pocket and the last place I remember wearing these pants was in here." She waved a hand about the gym. "But, no matter. How about you? How are you?"

"Fine," Fionna said perkily. "And you?"

"I've been well. Fionna, your report was such fun to read," Simone complimented. "Marshall, I know you can do better."

"Do you?" Marshall said coldly. His mouth was upturned into a small scowl. Fionna was surprised at him. What was his problem?

"I do," Simone said. "I've heard some excellent words from your previous professors saying that-."

"That's not what I meant," Marshall said. "But I doesn't really matter anymore."

Simone blinked and sighed. "I see. Well, anytime you wish to talk, my door is always open. See you first thing tomorrow." She walked away, took one last look in the bleachers and then left the building.

Fionna glared at Marshall and tossed the ball right at his head. He ducked and he felt the ball skim over his hair.

"What the hell is your deal!?" Fionna barked at him, pushing him over instead. "You were so rude to her! She's the sweetest professor on this campus and you treated her like absolute shit!"

"I just have a complicated past with her," Marshall muttered roughly.

There was a deafening silence the reverberated off the walls. Fionna stared at him and her eyes widened.

"Oh, no... you didn't... you know?" she said.

"What? No!" Marshall yelled, jumping to his feet and shaking his head rapidly. "Never in my life! That's gross!" He actually dry-heaved, his eyes closing. "Aw, I think I gonna be sick."

"Then what are you talking about?" she said, feeling relieved.

Marshall's eyes opened and he slowly stood straight. Was he really ready to tell Fionna about his tragic past? No... no, he decided. He only knew her for a few weeks. Sure they were friends but he wanted it to remain a secret for a while. Or... she might run off. One part wanted to tell her but... it was so awful.

"Let's just say I've had a shitty life ever since I turned seven," he said. "Can we leave it at that for a while?"

Fionna nodded slowly. "Sure, dude. I understand."

He laughed bitterly. "No you don't. You have a loving family. I don't... never did."

"My life wasn't easy either, Marshall!" Fionna hissed, stalking away to get the basketball. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Then what do you understand?"

"Ever wonder why Cake and I don't look alike?"

Marshall froze. He couldn't lie. Of course he wondered if they were sisters then why- oh. He sighed and crossed his arms, looking at the back of her blond head.

"You're adopted," he finalized. "Aren't you?"

"Yeah," she said softly. "But whatever!" Fionna suddenly turned on her heel and shot the ball in the basket. "8-2! Catch up, dude! You suck at this game."


The following morning, the gang was hanging out in the top row of Simone's class, waiting for her to arrive. Gumball pulled Fionna aside gently and spoke to her, guilt in his pink eyes.

"Fionna, I wanted to apologize to you about Saturday," he said. "I didn't realize you wanted to go out with me."

"It's okay, Benson," Fionna said. "Really, I'm fine." She sent him an honest smile.

"Well... I wanted to know if you had any plans after school," he said. "Maybe we can catch a movie or some dinner."

"You really want to? You don't need to feel obligated, Gumball."

"No, I want to make up for my blunder. Please... It would make me feel better."

"Alright, dude. But you're paying."

He smiled. "Of course."

Below the two of them sat Blaise. He overheard their conversation and he became very upset. He thought Fionna liked him! But no. She was going after two other guys. First that Marshall Lee boy that took her to the movies. Blaise really wanted to go with her but BMO asked him and he couldn't say no. He wasn't mean like that and he didn't want to hurt her feelings. Now Gumball was asking Fionna out on dates. This was getting on Blaise's nerves. If anything, Fionna liked him first! A fire ignited in his stomach and he gripped his pencil tightly, making it snap.

Marshall also eavesdropped on Gumball and Fionna's conversation and a monstrous beast roared in the back of his mind. He swore he almost saw Gumball smirk with an air of arrogance. That bastard! He didn't even like Fionna like that. He was just toying with her, Marshall concluded. Wanted to make up for his mistake and then dump her right then and there. That wasn't fair to Fionna at all! Who did Gumball think he was? Still, he had to think about Fionna's happiness. If she was happy, then Marshall should be happy for her. It was what she wanted after all...

Whatever Gumball was planning, it bugged the hell out of Blaise but Marshall Lee learned to accept it. Besides, he had Ashley! Why was it his business if Fionna went out on a date with Gumball? It wasn't... right? His fear was that Fionna was going to end up getting hurt and he wouldn't have it. If Gumball really was going to go out with Fionna, he should at least know what the plan was. After all, Marshall was her saving grace on Saturday when Gumball was oblivious to her advancements. He decided he would ask Gumball about it later.

So when they were walking to their second hour, Gumball was pulled to the side by Marshall.

"What?" Gumball demanded, brushing off his sweater vest. "And don't pull on this! It's very expensive."

"Whatever, Richie Rich," Marshall said. "What are you doing?"

"What are you talking about?" Gumball said.

"Fionna! Why are you asking her out?"

"I felt bad about Saturday. You're right, Marshall. I was-."

"Wait... what?"

"I felt bad-."

"No, no." Marshall placed his hands on Gumball's shoulders and looked him dead in the eye. "After that."

"You're right."

Marshall closed his eyes and grinned. "I'm what?"

Gumball rolled his eyes. "Right."

"I don't think I've ever heard you say that to me," Marshall said. "How do those words feel comin' outta your mouth."

"Like castor oil. Can I finish?" Gumball said, putting his hands on his hips.

"Can I get that statement in writing? Signed by you so I can prove to the world you admitted to me that I was right," Marshall said.

"Oh, knock it off!" Gumball snapped. "Anyway, I was a real moron."

"That too. Write that one down too."

"You're impossible!" He smacked Marshall's hands off of his shoulders and straightened his vest. "I felt bad so I'm making it up to her."

"Alright. Fine. But if you so much as hurt a hair on her head or even so much as crack her heart, I will hunt you down and mount your head above our television."

"Why do you care? You have a girlfriend."

"I may not like Fionna like that. But at least I give a shit."

He walked off, heading to his class. Gumball watched his retreating figure before he strode away towards his cooking class.


Fionna was sitting in her dorm after Marshall Lee dropped her off from gymnastics class. Cake was looking through their movies as she decided what to watch that night.

"So, Fi... Spirited Away or Bridesmaids?" Cake asked, looking over her shoulder at her sister, who was lounging on the couch.

"You narrowed it down to those two?" Fionna said. "Those are completely different movies!"

"I know but... it's so hard to choose," Cake said, chewing on her lip. "One is so beautiful but the other is so funny."

"What are you feeling like tonight?" Fionna suggested.

"I need a comedy... Bridesmaids it is," Cake decided, putting the Japanese film back into the shelf. "When is Gumball coming to get you?"

Fionna checked her bunny watch. "He should be here about-."

A knock on the door interrupted Fionna mid-sentence.

"Now," Fionna finished, standing up. "Punctual, huh?"

"He's got a knack for it," Cake said, winking at Fionna. "Have fun, girl. See ya'll when you get home."

Fionna waved goodbye as she opened the door. Gumball was standing there with a smile on his face.

"Right on time," Fionna said, sounding pleased.

"Seven o'clock sharp!" he said. "I can't have my friend waiting, now can I?"

Friend... right. Fionna had to remind herself that this was just a hang out thing. Still, she was happy to have some more alone time with Gumball. She walked out of the house with Gumball and he opened her car door fo her. He was certainly courteous. He ran to the other side of the car and got inside.

"Seatbelt on?" he said.

"Mhm," Fionna confirmed.

"Let's go, then," he said and drove off to their destination.


A little short but I was running out of ideas. The next chapter (when I return) will continue Fionna's date with Gumball and will then shift into the preparing for the ball.

I don't want to see any: Cory was stupid or Glee sucks on my review list. I won't hesitate to tell you off. It's rude and very obnoxious. Many people are grieving and need time to heal. Myself included. I didn't, of course, know him personally but I did admire him dearly.

Do send in your episode requests, line entires, and your songs. Remember, I DO NOT take real songs. Only ones YOU have written.

I'll be sure to update when I get back.

See you then!