**Ok! After drawing a complete blank on what to do next, I have finally realised what I'm gonna do now. Enjoy! ^^**

Juli sat on the tree stump for a while, sniffling and trying to figure out what to do. "I'm an idiot. I'm a total idiot. I really screwed this one up, huh, Mami?" She whispered skyward, gazing at the grey clouds gathering above her. It occurred to her she needed to find shelter. There was no way in hell she was going back to Marshall after that, and she didn't think she could make it to the treefort with her leg in it's current state. That left the Candy Kingdom.

She stood with a groan, hoisting up her tote bag and limping away. Hopefully, the good prince wouldn't ask too many questions.

XXX

It was nearing dark by the time Juli reached the palace gates. She hobbled up towards them, but a Banana Guard stepped into her path. "The prince has specifically told us nobody is meant to bother him unless it's an emergency." He said.

"This is an emergency, ok? I'm a friend of his, I'm injured and I need help!" She yelled.

"Juli?" Gumball's head appeared at a window. "Can you bring her up?" He called to the guard.

"Yes, Your Highness!" He replied, then turned to Juli. "Well, come on. We haven't got all night."

Juli nodded. "Yeah, I know. Let's go."

XXX

Juli staggered into Gumball's kitchen and fell into a chair. "Hi." She smiled weakly.

Gumball stared at her, looking vaguely horrified. "Juli... what happened to you?!" He bobbed down to look at her leg. He looked up at her. "This must hurt a lot... is that why you're crying?"

"I'm not crying!" She said quickly, turning her head away and scrubbing at her eyes with her sleeve.

"Juli... what happened? Where's Marshall?" He asked.

"He's at his house." She replied quietly. "I... we had a fight."

Gumball's eyes flared with anger. "He did this to you?!"

"What? No! I tripped over a rock, that's all!" She explained hurriedly.

"Oh. I'd be really mad if he hurt you, you know." Gumball said, examining her leg.

"He didn't hurt me. Well... not physically, at least." She replied hesitantly.

Gumball stopped and sat back on his heels. "Juli, what did he do?" He sighed.

"He... read my diary." She mumbled. "And he read something I wrote about him a while ago, ok?"

Gumball sighed. "He's kind of nosy, but he usually means well... even if he goes about it the completely wrong way. And I'll choose not to ask why you're only wearing a towel."

Juli suddenly tensed up. "Oh, no! Mi diario!" She gasped.

Gumball blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"I left my diary on his bed! I need to go get it!" She jumped to her feet, then winced and sat down.

"You aren't going anywhere." Gumball said firmly as he stood up. "You're injured. Look, Marshall knows you don't want him to read it. He knows how upset you got, and he won't take advantage of your absence and keep reading."

"Are you sure?" Juli said wearily.

"Fairly certain, yes. Now, will you promise to just stay here for a few days, just until your leg's better?" He asked imploringly.

She sighed. "Fine. But just a few days. Then I'm going to get my diary. Then I'll..." She trailed off.

"Juli, you're always welcome here. If you want to stay here, it would be my pleasure." He offered.

Juli smiled. "Thanks, Gumball. That sounds like a good plan."

He grinned and clapped his hands together. "So, you hungry?"

She chuckled. "I think I should get dressed first. Do you have any clothes that would fit me?"

He eyed her. "Give me ten minutes and a sewing machine."