3

Author's Note: I included asterisks to mark the beginnings of different sections/perspective changes. Apparently this site erases all of my formatting, so that seemed like a good way to indicate it.

*Princess Bubblegum worked furiously, grabbing bottles and measuring precise amounts, consulting her extensive notes, mixing and stirring as fast as she dared. One mistake and she could end up poisoning Finn or putting him into an irreversible sleep. I hope he's okay, she thought.

What she saw next was both shocking and reassuring. She happened to glance up at a monitor in an upper corner of her lab. She had a camera in her bedroom, which sent a live feed to the monitor so she could make sure no one was snooping around in there unauthorized while she worked. The room was dark, the windows closed tight against the sun, but she could see well enough to know that two figures were lying huddled together in her bed. One was Finn the human, whom she had taken there after he had suffered some sort of mental breakdown and the other, as the princess could tell by the large mass of black hair, was Marceline the Vampire Queen, one arm draped around Finn. Both appeared fast asleep. Bubblegum smiled and returned to work…

*Marceline's eyes popped open. She was staring at a mop of tousled golden hair, just inches from her face. It took her a moment to register what she was seeing, where she was, and why her face felt as if it had been brined. She determined that she had fallen asleep with her arm around the flaxen haired human, Finn- in Bonnibel's bed. The thought triggered memories that made her eyes burn and she knew she had wept in her sleep. Oh Glob, she thought, What's happening to me? The carefree, wild, sometimes unintentionally cruel Marceline was beginning to be replaced by one who was finally feeling the effects of 600 years of suppressed emotional pain. Her façade was crumbling, and she was determined to let it. She would deal with herself later, however, for now her only concern was Finn. She moved even closer to him, and began to sing softly in his ear…

…Something was interrupting the torrent of memories. A sweet sound of solace, almost seeming to resolve into words at times. Finn's mind paused and allowed the sound to take precedence. It began to clarify and became a clear and beautiful melody. A small part of Finn's mind recognized the voice. He followed its sound up from the depths and out of the dark towards wakefulness…

Finn woke to the sound of Marceline's voice in his ear. She was singing, just barely above a whisper, while one hand stroked his hair. He was in no hurry for it to end, so he lay still and hoped she wouldn't notice.

She did, of course. Being possessed of supernatural senses allowed her to notice several things that ordinary people might not. Small changes in breathing and muscle tension were very apparent to her, and she could tell by a few subtle shifts that Finn was awake. She pretended not to notice and continued singing, making up the words as she went.

They stayed like that until the door cracked slightly. Marceline instinctively released Finn and sprung into the air, finding a shadowy corner to hide in.

"It's just me," said Bonnibel's voice, "I brought something to help Finn. Is he awake?"

"He was for a few minutes, but I think he's asleep again," said Marceline's voice from the corner.

The princess went over to Finn, carrying a large beaker filled with a bright yellow, bubbling concoction. "Finn," she said, "I need you to wake up and drink this." She waved the beaker in front of Finn's face so he could smell its contents.

Finn stirred slightly. "Marcy?" he mumbled.

"No. Princess Bubblegum. Marceline's still here though. I'm glad to see you awake. I have something to make you feel better."

Finn raised himself into a sitting position and found himself staring into the smiling face of the princess. He felt a whoosh of air, and Marceline appeared, floating cross-legged beside him. His two best friends were with him, and had managed to set aside their history for his benefit. The thought made him feel slightly better. He took the beaker from Bubblegum's hand and gulped the yellow serum down without question.

Warmth radiated from his core and through his limbs until it filled him completely. All his cares and worries seemed more manageable, and he was instilled with confidence again. He smiled broadly.

"How do you feel, Finn?" asked Bubblegum.

"Great!" He leapt out of bed and grabbed the princess around the waist. "Thanks princess! And thank you too, Marceline! Marceline?" Finn turned to look, but the vampire had gone. "Huh. Guess she went home. What was that stuff you gave me anyway?"

"Rejuvenation serum. I brewed it strong this time," said PB.

"Oh, okay cool! Now c'mon, we have rescuing to do!" Finn bounded forth, sword in hand, tripped on a rug and lost his grip. The glowing red blade sailed across the room, passing inches from Bubblegum's head, and lodged itself in the wall up to the hilt. "Oops. Sorry princess."

The princess giggled, even though Finn had nearly killed her. "Oh, Finn," she said, shaking her head…

*Marceline sat against a rock in her cave, thinking. Of course, it was Bonnibel who got all the attention, who got all the credit. Finn hadn't even thanked her, but he'd gone gooey-eyed over the princess and gone straight to her. She felt frustrated. All Bonnie did was brew up some stupid potion. I poured my heart and soul into that song. For him! She grunted in frustration and pounded her fist on the rock.

Maybe I'm being too hard on them, she thought. He didn't- doesn't know anything about my past. There's no way he can really appreciate what I did… And none of this was her fault… Why do I have to be so awful? She sighed.

Marceline sincerely hoped that Finn knew she was his friend and that he could come to her whenever he needed to. She hoped more than anything… Marceline Abadeer, heir to the Nightosphere, daughter of pure evil, Vampire Queen, found herself in tears again. Because she had started to care again. She'd started to care about a blonde, teenage, human dweeb more than anyone or anything else, her own father included. What is wrong with me? she thought, burying her face in her hands.

Author's Note: Once again, sorry for the short update. But this seemed like a good place to end for now. Is it depressing and/or sappy enough for you yet?