CHAPTER 4

Jake looks back to the viewscreen to see what happens next. When word got out about what happened to Marceline, Princess Bubblegum offered a reward to anyone who might have information to catch the criminal who did it. The assassination attempt on Marceline upset Finn a lot. He sat down with some paper and a pen, trying to think who would want to do this. It wasn't Ice King, since he was almost a father figure to her back when he was Simon. Then again, that crown of his has always made him act irrationally. Could it finally drove him over the edge to the point of killing someone who cares for him? Lemongrab? No, that was way too much of a longshot to be him. Ash? Maybe. He was always a creep towards Marceline, but he hasn't been seen in years, so it will be difficult to track him down. He decided to rest on the matter. It'll be better on both him and Marceline for him to have a clear head on this. The next day, Finn and Marceline talk about what to do.

Finn decided to talk first.

"Marcie, I was wondering if we should move until everything quiets down around here."

"Oh? Where would we go? We have family and friends here, Finn. We can't just abandon them."

"We're not abandoning them. We can always come back for a visit. My main concern is for you and your safety."

"Thank you, sweetheart. But I never back down from a fight, and Glob knows you don't either. I want us to stay here and face this. We'll come out victorious, and stronger than before. With the love we have for each other, no one is going to take that away, not even a coward that wants to shoot people in the back instead of facing them face to face."

"Um, okay, Marcie, if that's what you want. But, if you ever want to change your mind-"

"Don't worry. If I do, you'll be the first to know."

"Okay. I love you, Marcie."

"I love you too, Finn."

They kiss.

Jake turns to Prismo and asks "Why do I suddenly have this feeling of dread that something bad is about to happen?"

"Because you love and care for Finn, and you don't want to see him get hurt, and you care about Marceline as well."

Jake stands silently for a moment and turns back to the viewscreen.

It looked like the viewscreen jumped ahead in time. Finn is sitting in a doctor's office, reading one of Marceline's books entitled Killing the Shadows, impatiently waiting. Then, a young doctor walks out of the back and walks up to Finn.

"Are you Finn?" the doctor asks.

"Yes."

"Hello, Finn. I'm Dr. Menma. I just wanted you to know that Marceline's fine. In fact, more than fine. She's pregnant. Congratulations."

A look of joy beams from Finn's face. He gives Dr. Menma a hug and rushes to the back to be with Marceline.

Finn enters the room Marceline is in and gives her a kiss. This is the best day of his life since their wedding. With no attempt on his wife's life since they got back from the Nightosphere, it looks like everything is returning to normal.

"Oh, Finn! Isn't this wonderful?" Marceline asks.

"Yes, Marcie, it is! I can't wait to tell everyone!"

"Is it okay if I came up with a name for the baby already?"

"Sure. What do you want to use?"

"If it's a boy, I want him named Finn Jr., and if it's a girl, I want her named Bonnibel."

"After Bubblegum?"

"Yes."

"That'll be fine. She's going to be happy when she hears this."

"I don't want her to know until the baby's born. I want to keep it a surprise."

"Okay."

As soon as they leave the doctor's office, another stake narrowly misses Marceline.

Finn covers Marceline with his body as he sees a heavily cloaked figure make a mad dash across the rooftop.

"COME BACK HERE AND FACE ME LIKE A MAN, YOU COWARDLY PIECE OF SHIT!" Finn yells before leading Marceline to safety.

Jake once again turns away from the viewscreen.

"I don't know how much more of this I can take." Jake says.

"You're doing fine, Jake. Just remember, this is just a possibility. This may or may not happen."

"But what if it DOES happen, huh? Have you thought of that? If it does happen, I want Finn and Marceline to be okay! In fact, I KNOW they'll be okay!" Jake says as he turns back to the viewscreen. "C'mon, Finn, old buddy! Prove me right!"