Chapter 56 – Mario's Past and Pauline's Present

"There you are!" hollered Daisy, letting go of the roped ladder from the helicopter. "I knew you'd go to Iron Mountain sooner or later!"

"Perfect timing too," Luigi pointed out. "How did you know…?"

Daisy laughed behind a gloved hand. "A Princess' Intuition! I had the mountain range monitored. After all, this is part of MY Kingdom and how dare some scum claim MY Mountain as his own! Unfortunately we couldn't do a thing about it, but when my guards reported unusual activity I knew it had to be you!"

"You managed to keep an eye on Forgeron without getting caught?"

"Of course! My guards know their geography well and we recorded all the activity possible from abnormal weather patterns, seismic reports, and aircraft. It was surprisingly easy since no one came out of this temple! If I didn't get the whole story from Peach, Toad and Bowser I would've never guessed some creep would be lurking here!"

"I guess he assumed no one would know his location," said Geno. "And the only beings that served him were machines…"

However Daisy was tired of the explanations and theories and turned to Princess Peach.

"Oh Peach… hey, you're back to normal! I… I just want to apologize about before – I was, well, jealous of you. I hope we can be friends from now on and I promise to not compare myself to you again… You're you and I'm me after all."

"Thanks Daisy," Peach said softly. Daisy nodded in reply.

"Good! You all must be exhausted, hungry, and in need of medical treatment. Come now."

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It was spacious inside the yellow-themed aircraft, with comfortable seating and even a private bedroom. Daisy insisted that Peach sleep there and the Mushroom Princess thankfully accepted. Mario decided to watch over her, and sat at the table beside the bed. He sighed and gazed at the napping Princess. There were no extra clothes, and Peach had to settle with the bloodstained outfit.

Mario peered closer. Why did that outfit look so familiar? And Peach never wears shorts or anything of the sort so why…?

IIIIII

"Mar-io!" an angelic voice rang out from the top of the stairs, followed by footsteps. "Are you here?"

"I'm at the front desk, Pauline." Mario replied monotonously, one hand clutching the telephone. He then continued the conversation. "Uh-huh. Tuesday at 2: 30? Yes I got the address down. I'll be there Tuesday. Uh-huh, later."

"Another customer?" Pauline asked casually, then swung her arms around her lover's neck and peered at the paper he scribbled on.

"Whhhat is this?" she taunted playfully, picking it up and waving it in front of his nose. "Aw, it's kindergarten writing! So cute! Want a gold star?"

Mario snatched it back and turned around to face her. "Must you? I have bad writing! I admit it!"

Pauline laughed then paused; her lips in an adorable 'o' shape as she tapped her face with a manicured finger.

"Oh, shoot, there was something I was going to tell you… What was it? Oh yea! Your brother called today while you were out. He's taking the summer off from university and he was wondering if he could have a temporarily job here. Think that'd be ok? We have an extra room he could use..."

"Sure, that'd be fine. I haven't seen Luigi in a while."

Pauline smiled her perfect smile then kissed Mario's cheek tenderly. Her long curly hair brushed against his face as they embraced in a more intimate kiss.

"I'll go make dinner," she said then headed for the stairs. She was wearing…

IIIIII

Mario's eyes grew wide. It couldn't be… It was impossible! He shook his head. It was purely a coincidence! Yes, that was it. Peach just happened to wear a similar outfit Pauline owned.

Yet the possibility wouldn't leave his mind. And the more he stared at the outfit, the more it tugged at his mind and memory.

But Peach has never been to Brooklyn! He told himself. Right? Bah! I'll just ask where she got it. She most likely had to change into a more appropriate outfit for this adventure… Yes, that's it. She'll be able to tell me and prove me wrong!

"Mario?"

The Princess sat up and yawned, wiping the sleep out of her eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"Just checking on you that's all," Mario replied. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better now," she sighed happily. "I'm sorry to cause you so much concern. Thanks for carrying me around – it must have been troublesome."

"Oh no, not at all," Mario insisted. "By the way… Peach, where did you get that outfit?"

Peach gasped, then looked away. An awkward silence followed as Peach wondered how to answer. Should she lie? Or did Mario somehow figure it out? If he asked, did he know? Or was he simply curious?

I can't lie to you Mario, she thought sadly. I could never lie to you… Maybe I can avoid telling Mario that Pauline mentioned him to me and pretend I know nothing about his past with her…

"I…" she began, and wondered how to word it. "Mario, I… I don't know how, but I ended up in Brooklyn. I was lost and this woman helped me… She gave me this outfit because my dress made me stand out."

"Did you get her name?" Mario asked. He tried to sound casual, but Peach could tell he was desperate for an answer, and she didn't know if she could get away with lying to him.

"She said her name was Pauline," she replied flatly, feeling a strange pressure in her chest. Did Mario still think about her? Well, it was obvious that Mario longed for his fiancé. There's no room for me in his heart… "Is she someone you know?"

Now it was Mario's turn to be shocked. He breathed deeply, wondering if Pauline said something to Peach about him… Wait, why was he hesitating in admitting he knew her? It happened a long time ago!

He suddenly became aware of the engagement ring under his glove.

"I… " He said slowly, "Yes I did know her. She was my… my…"

"Fiancé?"

"S-she told you?"

"Yes," she said, avoiding eye contact with him. "She… she still thinks of you often."

What am I saying, she thought, fighting back tears. Don't cry now don't cry now.

"Peach, are you upset?"

"No!" she blurted out defensively. "Certainly not! It's happened a long time ago!"

Yet why do I feel so envious and hurt? Well, Mario was unwillingly separated from Pauline, and they still had a possible future together… And they even got engaged! Will our relationship ever get that far? He even has a child that he's unaware of! Oh…

"I'll admit that I do think about Pauline sometimes… But you're right. It happened a long time ago, and I moved on. Of course people never forget their first love, but I'd never compare Pauline to you."

Am I even making sense?

"You have a son," Peach confessed so quietly that Mario wasn't even sure he heard her right.

"I what?"

"You… have a son. Pauline was going to tell you, but you were transported here before she had a chance to tell you. He is named after you, and he looks just like you…"

The news was a major blow. Mario paled, temporarily losing his ability to speak. He recalled the last day he saw her: the kiss, the "I love you". Pauline also said she had something wonderful to tell him when he returned. He never did.

"I see," Mario said plainly his eyes unfocused.

"Mario."

"Yes?"

Would you be willing to have another relationship like that? She wanted to ask, but the words failed. "N-nothing," she covered quickly.

The plumber stood up and headed for the door.

"Don't worry about what happened years ago," he advised. "Get some sleep."

Mario closed the door and Peach settled back in bed. It was painful to discuss Mario's formal lover, and yet at the same time she felt relieved when he told her that he moved on… Maybe there was still a chance after all…

O0o0o0o0o0o

"How's the Princess, bro?"

"She's fine, Luigi," Mario answered. "Just tired from all the excitement."

"That's good. We were just discussing some things. Geno said the Star Road has been revived – some Star 6th sense or something. Also, we were wondering – how did Forgeron lose his control over you? Have any idea? Did Peach use her healing powers? Or did Forgeron lose focus on you because he was battling us?"

"I…"

I love you…

"I'm not sure either," Mario said. "Although when I came to, she already collapsed before me. She probably used her healing powers."

The plumber sat down, half-listening to the conversations around him. Daisy whispered to Luigi. Although Mario didn't catch what she said, it caused him to blush deeply.

Healing powers or not… Did I hear right? Did she really say that? Also, she did seem depressed about my relationship with Pauline. Sigh… I'm glad you still think about me, Pauline, but I hope you consider moving on too. You and your – our – son… Be happy.

o0o0o0o0o0o0

Kittykatstar says: Almost done...