A/N: Sorry it took so long to update. D: Been busy getting ready my nano novel ready(Also looking for reviews for that! Email me if you're interested. :D)

I apologize for the shortness of this chapter, I promise the next few will be quiet lengthy. Thanks again for the reviews you lovely, lovely people. 3

The mansion seemed like a fantasy to Marceline. Never in her life had she seen a house as big as this, nor had her own room. The fact that she could be in peace and sleep in her own bed seemed too good to be true. As she laid stretched out on the red quilted bed, she took in the scent of the mansion; clean, crisp and full of energy.

"Seems you're right at home," A voice called from the door. Quickly turning, she saw Charles leaning against the door frame, studying her intently. She managed to give him a small smile, and then turned to the ground. "Look, Marceline, I know you're hurt. I just want you to know, if you need anyone to talk about it with then my door and mind," He pointed to his head, "Is always open."

"Thanks, Charles. I'm just not too sure I'm ready to talk about it yet,"

"Of course." He made a point to walk away, but stopped, sticking his head into the door, "Your first training session will be tomorrow morning. Rest up, for after Sean, we're wilting down those powers to the core." As he finished, he walked out of her view. Marceline heaved a sigh, resting her head in her hands. She'd have to use her powers tomorrow, and who knows what could go wrong? Without Lisel there, she was bound to be an emotional wreck. Shrugging it off, she stood, determined to find something to munch on before getting ready for bed.

She trenched off towards the kitchen, following the hallways she had seemed to memorize already. Marceline's mind began to loom on the thought of Lisel; on what she was doing at this moment, or if she was thinking about her. When she replayed the thoughts of the last couple days in her head, it made her sick at her stomach. She just left her; after all they had been through together. It seemed so unreal, so hurtful, and she had never expected it from her best friend. Snapping out of her thoughts, she turned to see she was in an unfamiliar hallway, a half-naked Sean staring her down.

"Lost, sweetheart?" His voice, even though stricken with lust, seemed to calm her a little. He seemed to be one of the few that actually cared about the way she felt, even if it was just to get in her pants. I

She turned to him, eyes filled with pain from the last couple days. "I was going to the kitchen," She answered, giving a sigh. There was no need for him to see her cry.

"Uh huh. That's what they always say," Another crude attempt to flirt. But his demeanor changed as he studied her face. "What's wrong?" In a flash he was at her side, looking her over.

"It's nothing, Sean." He still wasn't convinced but instead of interrogating her further, he pulled her into a hug. She felt his warmth surround her. She rested her head on his chest, focusing on his breathing. After several minutes, she decided it was time to let go, "Really, I'm alright. I was just going to go get a snack."

"Right, I don't believe a lick of it." He grinned, not changing their distant. He reached down and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, "Just remember, you can always talk to me. " It was then that she noticed the many freckles that adorned his face. She gave a small smile, tracing their lines with her mind.

"You weren't spared with freckles," Her upbeat attitude had come back, a playful smile on her face.

Sean rolled his eyes, "Oh please, like you're any better." He grabbed her arm gently, connecting the many freckles. Marceline laughed softly, feeling his finger tickle up and down her arm. He leaned in closer, his lips touching her ear. "You know, you're not too great at this flirting thing." And just like that he was gone into his room, leaving Marceline with nothing but the walls for company. She rubbed her arms, feeling suddenly cold. Quietly she made her way back to her room, giving up on the snack.

"Tell me, Marceline, what exactly are you afraid of?" Charles asked her, blue orbs locked on the red head. She bit her lower lips, adjusting the sweat suit that held snuggly to her body. Could she trust him enough to tell him everything? She had only told Lisel, and that hadn't turned out too great for their relationship. He had taken her down below the mansion, into a room that was filled with nothing but a machine and four walls. She merely shook her head, turning back to the machine in front of her. From his instruction, he wanted her to convert the electricity from it into her body then see if she could hold it for a couple minutes. "Alright, you'll tell me when you're ready. If you'd give what I asked you a try please."

Taking a deep breath, she raised her arm, feeling the energy connecting to her body. In an instant, small bolts of lightning had made their way from the machine and into her hand. Her body began to tremble, and a stinging pain shot through her left arm. She attempted to hold it for a couple more second, but relentlessly gave in and threw the electricity across the room.

"That was decent enough. Let's try again,"

She nodded, doing the same, only lasting a few seconds longer. As the bolts left her arm she dropped to her knees, tears now in her eyes. Charles rushed to her side, a hand on her shoulder. "Marceline,"

"It was all my fault."

"No, no it wasn't."

Marceline raised her head, "Yes it was, Charles! If I hadn't lost control they'd all be alive and maybe Lisel wouldn't hate me!" She was now shouting at the sympathetic looking man.

Charles' face hardened as he stood, picking her up as well. "Come, we'll have tea and you can tell me all about it." He watched as she nodded, and relentless followed him. Several moments of silence, and they had reached the study, where a tea kettle and two cups were waiting for them, already read. He sat down in one of the velvet chairs, motioning for her to sit across from him. "Now, tell me what's been bothering you."

Marceline sighed, not looking at him as she talked, "I grew up in a small town in Rhode Island along with Lisel. We were best friends the minute we met each other. You see, we were neighbors, and our parents had known each other from school, so it was only a matter of time before we met. I have an older brother, but I've rarely seen much of him since the incident. It was my 8th birthday, a huge storm was rolling in and as the guests had begun to leave the party, it was only me, Lisel, and Peter in my room. He was teasing me about something, and I just got so mad." She cringed, closing her eyes, "I remember the electricity flowing through me, and then seeing the fire begin to take over the tiny room. I was so scared I turned to Lisel for support, but she had been knocked unconscious by a falling piece of wood. I didn't know what to do. I mean, I was a 9 year old girl left with a difficult decision. Do I save my best friend, or my parents?

"I was running out of time, the fire was growing too fast, and soon enough we'd all die from the smoke, so I picked the easy way out. I grabbed Lisel and dragged her out of the house,"

Charles sat there motionless, "You did the right thing, Marceline. If you hadn't had acted, you both would have died. "He walked over and sat next to her, "It's not your fault, either. You were young and inexperienced at your powers. Now, look at you, you can hold a charge for almost a minute. I'd say that's a huge improvement." He gave her a smile, pulling her into a hug.

Marceline nodded, returning the smile, "Thanks, Charles…I really needed to get that off my chest."

"Anytime, now if you'd be so kind, I think Sean is looking for you. Saying something about seeing your nice rear?" He smirked, watching as her face turned as red as her hair. "Don't let him get too far."

"Wouldn't dream of it."