Okay guys, so I'm back from my break. YAYYYY! I really missed writing for you guys! I got a lot done while I was gone, not just on the story, but I had to finish up school shopping since school starts in about 5 days, the guy who stood me up is now dating one of the school whores, so that made me laugh, 'cause he's gonna get AIDs, and I got my emotional shit together. So right now, I'm pretty damn happy! :) I hope you enjoy this chapter.

MARSHALL'S P.O.V

It's been three weeks since Gumbutt has shown his face. He's lucky. Fionna still isn't exactly the same, but she's making progress. To be honest, I thought it would be months until she was at this state. Fionna isn't as fragile, she's as quiet as ever unless you start talking to her, and she still can't sleep alone. Cake's getting sick of me, but she knows this is what Fi needs, so she doesn't bother telling me that I'm spending too much time with Fionna.

I maneuvered Fionna's head off of my shoulder, on to the arm of the couch. I walked to the kitchen and brought out the strawberries. I heard the front door creak open. I peeked out to see Cake, arriving home extremely late, trying to be stealthy. I shook my head.

Alright kitty cat, I'll show you sneaky.

I flew up and laid my back against the ceiling, gently sliding my way above her.

"Where is that boy?" Cake asked, ultimately confused.

She stood in front of the couch. I lowered myself behind her.

"Hmmmm I wonder." I whisper in her ear.

Cake jumped around and shrieked. I couldn't help, but laugh my ass off.

"Goddammit! Marshall Lee!" She yelled.

"Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Cake. Staying out so late." I chuckled.

Fionna slowly sat up. She turned her sleepy eyes at us with a quizzical glare.

"Sorry Fifi." I said, tussling her wild blonde hair.

"Whatever." She grumbled sitting up.

She positioned her back against the arm of the couch. I sucked the red out of the plump strawberries, still in my hand.

"So what brings you home so late, Cake?" I teased.

"If you must know I was with my Lord Monochromicorn." Cake spat.

Fionna examined us with a blank stare, suggesting she was off somewhere in her mind.

"Oh really?" I asked.

I wiggled my eyebrows a bit.

"Glob, you're a pervert, Marshall Lee." Cake growled walking pass me.

"I didn't suggest anything."

"Shut up!" Cake yelled heading upstairs.

I looked over at Fionna with a smirk. She had a blank expression, like she wasn't there.

"Fi?"

No answer. I grabbed her hand and leaned towards her.

"Fionna?"

Still no response. It was like she was in her own little world.

FIONNA'S P.O.V

Why Gumball? Why? Did it really have to come down to that? We were friends...Why? How could you do that to me!? I can't believe that actually happened. It feels like a bad dream! It was reality though.

"Fionna." I heard Marshall call in the distance.

"He won't be able to protect you. He'll leave you, Fionna." The dark voice stated from inside my head.

"No, he won't." I argued calmly.

"He might have saved you from Gumball, but he can't save you from the future."

"He won't leave." I said.

"You show no emotion?"

I shook my head.

"Fionna, he will leave you. It's time you accept your fate."

"I can't." I whispered.

"You will have to. Whether it's "I can't" or "I can", it's your fate."

"Fionna." Marshall repeated.

"Marshall will protect me. He would never leave me."

"I've tried to talk to you, Fionna. You can't seem to grasp the idea." The voice said slightly frustrated.

"Why are you being so civilized this time?" I asked.

"I don't mean to be so unsettling. I'm only hear to deliver bad news. I'm sorry, but, I'm only trying to do my job and help you accept it."

I suddenly snapped back into reality. Marshall had his hands on my shoulders, he was shaking me.

"Marshall, stop it." I said taking his hands off of me.

"Fi, you're okay?" Marshall said confused.

"I-I'm fine. I just zoned out."

"You were talking."

"Huh?"

"Yeah, you were saying some interesting things. Are you sure you're fine?" Marshall asked.

I looked down and thought of that short conversation. The things that I said. I hesitated then let out a long sigh.

"Marshall, I need to let you know what's been going on." I mumbled looking down at the couch cushion.

Marshall took a hold of my hands into his. He was squeezing them with concern.

~.~.~.~.~.~

"Fionna, I promise I won't leave you. I would never leave you to die." Marshall said.

He pulled me into his lap, embracing me.

"Never ever. I promise." He said into my ear.

I felt my heart do backflips as buttterflies invaded my stomach.

"Marshall, I know." I whispered.

PRINCE GUMBALL'S P.O.V

"Do you remember the plan, Ignatius?"

"O-of course." Ignatius replied hesitantly.

"And you're sure?" I asked.

Can this flaming imbecile actually do this?

"Yeah." He replied.

I gave a nod. He jumped off the balcony, landing on his fire lion, he took off immediately towards the treehouse.

He better get the job done. If he wants to stay out of a prison cell, then this is all he has to do.

FLAME PRINCE'S P.O.V

Fionna...I have to kill her. I can live with fang boy dying, but Fi, Fionna is different. I can't lose her again. I can't be placed back in that cell either, I'll go bat shit crazy in there. I'm sorry, Fi. I have to do this.

I sighed loudly. The treehouse came into view. I felt for the stake, given to me by Gumball, just in case he was there. I growled at the thought of him, being there with my sweet, innocent, little, bunny rabbit.

"I'm so sorry, Fionna. This has to be done." I sighed.

My fire lion started to slow as I drifted into my memories. Memories of our relationship.

~.~.~.~.~

"Ignatius, it stinks that you can't come to Marshall's gig tonight!" Fionna pouted.

She was shimmering blue from the fireproof potion Joose Goose gave her.

"I know, bunny, but my mom needs me at the Elemental Council Meeting. I have to learn how this stuff works." I explained to her.

I can only remember how soft her hands were.

"I know." She sighed.

"Maybe next time." I said.

She looked up at me and smiled.

"Okay, but you know, Marshall's gonna miss you." She replied shaking her head.

"Well, aren't you gonna miss me?" I asked playfully.

"Hmmm it depends." She teased.

"How so?"

"You know, Marshall and you act a little bit more than friends."

"'Cause we're "besties", Fi."

She giggled.

"I don't think that's it." She teased.

"Hey! Woah woah woah! No! Marshall is quite attractive, but I only have eyes for you, cutie."

I watched as she looked down at the ground, I could see the red tint in her cheeks through the blue.

~.~.~.~.~

We spent that day just hanging out, talking, and well, we were so close. Until I screwed up.

~.~.~.~.~

I was so sure nobody saw Melanie, a fellow fire elemental, and me.

"Ignatius, you're such a sweetheart." Melanie said pulling her lips away from mine.

"Thank you, cutestuff." I replied.

I kissed her nose gently. She snickered and crashed her lips against mine. Our lips moved in a certain rhythm, it was a sacred rhythm that only we knew of. We were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Please, don't get up." She murmured against my lips.

"We have to open the door. It could be my mother." I replied.

She slid off my lap. I got up and opened the door. I was greeted by Marshall Lee. He held a black umbrella over him and a heavy glare.

"Hey Marsh-"

"Don't. Say. Anything." He growled.

"What?" I asked confused.

"You think I didn't see you and your "friend." I knew there was something going on between you two." Marshall yelled.

"Marshall, calm down."

He grabbed me by my throat and slammed me against the wall.

"Get off of him!" Melanie yelled.

"Marshall!" Fionna yelled behind him.

"Fi." I muttered.

Fionna ran in and grabbed Marshall by the shoulder. Marshall reluctantly released me. I watched as Fionna looked at Melanie.

"Oh um hey." Fi said awkwardly.

Marshall wrapped his arm around Fionna, grabbed his umbrella, and led her outside. I put my face in the palms of my hands.

"Goddammit." I cursed under my breath.

A few minutes later, I saw the vampire holding Fionna as they walked. I watched her shoulders shake as they walked away. Marshall paused them, he held up a finger, suggesting to have a moment. I braced myself for his appearance back inside Melanie's home. He strolled in glaring at me.

"You're really a despicable thing. Cheating on your girlfriend? The one who let her world revolve around you? That's low. I don't want you anywhere near her or me, again." Marshall hissed.

"You can't stop me from seeing Fionna." I replied.

"Watch me!" He declared.

And with that he strolled out of Melanie's home like nothing had happened. Melanie was still in shock on the couch. I sighed and laid my head against the wall.

~.~.~.~.~

"I'm so sorry, Fionna." I whispered.

I realized my fire lion had stopped completely and tapped my foot into his side.

"Let's go, buddy." I said quietly.

He took off once again. The treehouse wasn't far now. I looked at the light illuminating through it's windows.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. It was pretty easy for me to write considering the emotional toll I limited myself to put into the chapter. So I think adding some of the leftover emotions helped the story out. Reviews are helpful, so review and help a girl out. Love you guys! :3