A/N: Ok so just not to enrage my viewers and readers, I'm posting the next chappie up right now! And…TADA! Here it is! The last chapter of the story! I hope you guys liked it! Please rate and review! And much love to ALL of you who read and reviewed and to any lurkers out there who just read. . Oh and check out my one-shot C/M fic I wrote. It's called Clandestine Love. And I also will be starting a new story ((I've been working on it for the past few weeks and I've written A LOT!)) It is another C/M fic and will mostly be centered around there "relationship." Just a heads up, this new one is going to be pretty dramatic and quite sad at times. But you'll see what I'm talking about!

Chapter 8: My Knight in Shining Armor

Recap: He just couldn't stand what that piece of trash was doing to Corrine. He turned around and headed inside. The school seemed almost eerie as Marshall walked in. He looked around before heading towards the gym. But he stopped as he passed by an empty and darkened classroom. Out of the corner of his eye he thought he saw movement in there. The door was cracked opened revealing the dim figures of Corrine and James.

Inside were Corrine and James kissing. It seemed Corrine was trying to push him off but he was at least a head taller than her and it was no use. Tears flowed down Corrine's face: tears of anger. James roughly shoved her against the wall making a quiet thud. Corrine fell to floor knowing there wasn't much use in fighting back. She stood up wiping the renegade tears from her eyes knowing there was no hope because he knew Black Hole High's secret. He began to advance on her and she backed away, frightened.

Anger flared within Marshall and without thinking he barged into the classroom. James was caught off guard as Marshall's fist collided with the side of James' face. James was knocked backwards a few steps but quickly was alert and lunged at Marshall. Marshall dodged him but James was quick. He threw a punch at Marshall and it hit him square in the jaw. Seething with anger Marshall faced James, blood slowly trickling from the corner of his lip.

"Don't you ever touch Corrine again," he said hoarsely. James gave a smirk as he readied for another hit.

"Seems Corrine here forgot our little promise."

"No, James!" Corrine scrambled to get in front of Marshall. She trembled slightly but looked him square in the eye. James gave a hollow laugh, no more warmth present in it.

"Don't be stupid, Corrine. I thought you of all people were smarter than that."

Marshall glared furiously at James. He tried to move Corrine out of the way but Corrine wouldn't budge.

"Fine, Baxter. If you won't move, I'll simply have to make you," said James as he backhanded her out of the way.

"Corrine!" Marshall yelled in shock. Out of pure anger Marshall blindly threw a punch at James. He easily dodged it as James lunged at Marshall and landed a full blow across his face. Corrine looked on in horror, the throbbing on the side of her face slowly subsiding.

Marshall took a few staggering steps backwards as he grabbed onto a table to right himself. Marshall lunged at James and both pummeled each other as the door flew open. Professor Z and Principal Durst split the two up and saw Corrine, eyes wide with fear.

"What is the meaning of this?" yelled Principal Durst.

James looked at Corrine and Marshall was breathing heavily as he glared at James.

"Maybe you should ask Wheeler or Baxter here," James spat. Z and Durst looked from Corrine to Marshall waiting for an explanation.

"I would also like to know what prompted you two young men to such a brawl," spoke Durst.

Finally, Corrine spoke up.

"Principal Durst, I can explain. But please, can we discuss this in your office?"

Corrine was on the verge of tears and Principal Durst noted it.

"Very well, then. Mr. Moore, Mr. Wheeler, you come along too."

Professor Z brought James and Marshall up behind Durst and Corrine. They walked up to Principal Durst's office and walked in. Corrine was made to sit down while James and Marshall stood off to the side with Z in between them.

"Miss Baxter, please explain what has just happened," spoke Principal Durst. Corrine took in a deep breath before beginning.

"James…had been treating me roughly and was…was trying to…"

Corrine couldn't say it but Durst understood and her countenance changed from shocked to grave.

"But Marshall came in and stopped him and they got into a fight."

That much was obvious. Both Marshall and James' faces were bruised and some blood was evident. Durst gave Corrine a sympathetic glance before turning to James.

"Mr. Moore, is this true? There are very heavy punishments for such harassment."

James simply rolled his eyes.

"I was not going to rape her. I wasn't going to do anything!"

At this Marshall lunged at James but was held back by Professor Z.

"Mr. Wheeler!" exclaimed Principal Durst.

"You filthy liar! I saw you! You've been doing this to Corrine, treating her like trash for nearly a month!"

Principal Durst showed disbelief.

"Miss Baxter, is this true?" Corrine nodded, not looking up.

"Is there any proof?" asked Principal Durst quietly. Corrine rolled her sleeve up showing the bruise.

"There are others but…" indicating that she wouldn't show them with Z, Marshall, and James in the room.

"Oh Miss Baxter!" said Principal Durst as she stood up, " we will deal with this right away! Mr. Wheeler, please escort Miss Baxter up to her room. Professor Zachary and I will deal with Mr. Moore."

Marshall nodded as he and Corrine headed out the door. They walked in silence up the stairs. Corrine would glance up at Marshall, noting the blood and bruises on his face.

They soon arrived at Corrine's room and Marshall followed her inside. As he followed her inside, he shook his head.

"Corrine…you let James carry on to the point where he had you in such a vulnerable position. He, he almost…" Marshall shook his head and raked his fingers through his hair. Corrine clasped and unclasped her hands.

"I know…I was just…so…scared. What if you hadn't been there? …I feel like such an idiot," she said in a croaky whisper. Marshall stepped forward and embraced her lovingly. She wept on his shoulder as he held her protectively.

"Don't be scared. I'm here now and I always will be."

Corrine buried her face in the crook of his neck. She lifted her eyes to meet his.

She softly whispered, "I love you, Marshall Wheeler." Those were the exact words he had been waiting so long to hear.

Marshall placed a kiss softly on her lips. They parted after a few moments and he gazed deeply into her eyes.

"I love you more than anything, Corrine," he whispered. She gave a genuine smile as she leaned up to kiss Marshall. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he drew her closer to him. After a few more moments, they parted. Corrine felt warm and safe in Marshall's arms and Marshall didn't want to let go. But they slowly parted. Corrine gently placed her fingers on the large blackish bruise forming on his face. Marshall flinched slightly but gave a small grin.

"Thank you," said Corrine with all sincerity. Marshall grinned.

"No problem."

Corrine leaned up and kissed Marshall before heading towards her bed.

"Good night, Marshall."

Marshall opened the door and gave Corrine a smile.

"Good night, Corrine," he said before heading out the door.

Marshall stood outside the door of Corrine and Josie's room. He peered in through the crack in the door and saw Josie and Corrine exchanging good-byes. Josie, Lucas, and Vaughn had been informed that morning what had happened last night. Lucas and Vaughn were ready to pull out baseball bats and beat James to death but of course they weren't allowed to.

Josie and Corrine stepped out of their room. Marshall slung her bag over his shoulder as he laced hands with Corrine. Josie gave a smile at the two as they headed downstairs. Corrine's parents would be picking her up and taking her home for a few days to 'get back into the spring of things.'

The three arrived downstairs and walked out the front doors. There they spotted Lucas and Vaughn and also Corrine's parents. Her mother ran and embraced her daughter.

"Oh, Corrine, honey! Are you ok?"

Corrine blinked back a few tears as she hugged her back and hugged her father as well.

"Yeah, I'm fine now. I'm sorry I let all this happen."

Corrine's mother just patted her shoulder.

"Now, Corrine. It wasn't your fault. But thank goodness you're ok." Her mother turned towards Marshall.

"Thank you so much, Marshall."

Marshall just smiled and said, "No problem."

Corrine walked back towards her friends. She gave a shy smile.

"I guess I'll see you guys in a few days."

She gave Josie another farewell hug and one to Vaughn and Lucas, too.

"And try not to turn our room into a complete mess," said Corrine to Josie. Josie laughed.

"I'll try."

"You know, Vaughn and I can go lambaste the crap out of Moore for you. We just need a couple of bats and…"

Corrine just laughed and shook her head at Lucas.

"Now that would just end up with you and Vaughn in trouble. We can't have that."

The gang laughed at Lucas' slightly sadistic comment. Vaughn just laughed and shook his head.

"You should try being more inconspicuous about it, Lucas. But I guess we'll see you later, Corrine."

"Take care, Corrine," said Lucas. The three stepped back knowing that Marshall and Corrine probably wanted some privacy. Marshall and Corrine walked off from the group. After reaching the wooded area near the property Marshall stopped and looked at Corrine.

"I'll miss you," he said with a slightly bashful smile. Corrine smiled.

"I'll miss you, too, Marshall."

Corrine kissed him softly on the lips but it was full of emotion. They parted and walked back to her parents. Her dad got into the driver's side and her mom in the passenger's. Marshall opened the door and put her bag in. He quickly embraced her in a hug before ushering her in and closing the door behind her. They slowly drove off as Corrine waved until they were lost to sight.

Marshall rejoined the group as they watched her go, waving at Corrine. Josie looked up at Marshall.

"You really love her, don't you?" she asked. Marshall smiled thoughtfully.

"Yeah. Yeah I do."

A/N: Happy ending! Yay 'I Always Will Be' is finally complete! I hope you guys all enjoyed it! And thanks to EVERYONE who reviewed! It meant a lot to get some feedback! And thanks for all the positive encouragment as well! Now I am starting on a new fanfic 'Losing You' that I will post pretty soon. So keep checking for that one! Once again thanks to all my readers! You all rock!