5

Princess Bubblegum had begun the slow process of hauling Lady Rainicorn back to the Candy Kingdom on her shoulders. They had both heard everything Flame Princess had said and Lady was devastated and unable to move. The father of her unborn children, her true love, her companion, was dead. Gone forever. Lady thought she knew why Rainicorns had liked to eat humans. If they were all like Finn, there was no use for them.

The princess was exhausted. She had hardly slept since the ordeal began, she was stressed, and now she was confused. She was unsure of how she felt about Finn… Her hero had turned on his own best friend and kicked him out, but he had tried to find Jake… But Finn had, it seemed, vicariously caused Jake's death. She didn't know whether to be angry with him or sorry for him. She shook her head and trudged on. No time to think now…

*What Lady and the princess hadn't seen was Finn collapsing to the ground. What they hadn't heard were his cries of anguish. But someone else had.

Marceline had seen the entire exchange between Finn and the fire woman from high up in a nearby tree. She had almost rushed to Finn's aid a few times, but had decided he was in no real danger and that it was best for him to handle it, a decision she had soon begun to regret. She had heard about Jake and seen Bonnibel hoist the Rainicorn onto her shoulders and turn away without a second glance. She had seen Finn standing still, but at least he had been on his feet and seemed to have his wits about him. Maybe he'll be okay, she had thought. Then his legs had given way and he had crumpled to the ground face first. His screams, muffled by the earth, had been audible to Marceline's supernatural hearing.

She waited until Finn fell silent, at least half an hour- maybe longer, and swooped down from the tree. She sat on the scorched earth and bundled Finn into her arms, determined not to leave him alone in his fragile state. She could feel his tears soaking her shirt and the heat radiating from his face. But most of all she could feel around him an aura of absolute anguish and loss.

Awkwardly, Marceline stood and lifted into the air, never losing her grip. All of Finn's strength had been sapped and he hung limp in her arms as she glided smoothly back toward the Treehouse. She had debated taking him home with her, but had come up with another, better plan. She would stay with him for awhile, then let him decide what he wanted for himself.

The vampire knew she was all he had right now. She knew the Rainicorn was severely miffed at him and Bonnie would be distant at best. The fire woman had made it perfectly clear how she felt, and Jake… That was obvious. So she would allow Finn to make his choice, knowing that one would probably break her heart. Again. But she had to know. Would he come to her willingly, or would he choose to live a solitary life?

Marceline laid Finn in his bed after gliding in through a carelessly open window. She removed his hat and pack and, after looking at him for a moment, leaned over and planted a soft, lingering kiss on the lips. She could taste salt, and flesh, and something else she could only call "Finn". The sensation overwhelmed her and she drew back. What did I just do? she thought. Could this be what I think it is?

She shook her head violently. Can't over think this. She floated downstairs and located a pencil and paper. She scrawled a hasty note, took it back to Finn's room, and placed it on the table nearby where he'd be sure to find it. She planted one more kiss on the sleeping human's cheek and flew out through the window.

*Dim sunlight was streaming through the windows when Finn awoke. He was exhausted and achy, like he'd spent the last two days in the middle of a fight which he'd been losing miserably.

Finn rolled over and saw a note on the table. Reluctantly he sat up and stretched, taking the paper. He scanned the brief text

Finn, if you need a friend, you know where to find me. –M

Misery filled him as the memory of the previous night came to him. Jake was dead, Flame Princess hated him, and Princess Bubblegum and Lady Rainicorn had left without a word. He was alone… Or was he? Somehow he had gotten back to the Treehouse without knowing it. His eyes fell on the note again.

"Marcy?" he said, hoping she would appear in a corner, or float up the stairs, ready to talk and listen. He found it strange that one of the last people he would ever have turned to with his problems was now the only person in the world he had. He realized she wasn't anywhere in the house and he would have to go to her.

Finn groaned as he stood up and snatched his singed hat off the table, forever a reminder of what had happened… He put it back down and got a new one out of the closet. Better get going, he thought. The walk to Marcy's house was always a long one, and it would take even longer in his deteriorated condition. Another wave of sorrow hit him as he remembered how he used to ride on Jake's back. He could've gotten there in no time.

Slowly, methodically, Finn replaced his pack and descended the ladder. The living room hadn't changed at all. He couldn't bear to look around and see all the reminders of his lost friend. He walked straight out the door and snapped it shut behind him, unsure if he would ever be able to return.

The sly was gray and threatening rain. It reflected Finn's mood as he trudged across the fields towards Marcy's cave. There was nothing to do but think- nothing to take his mind off things, so he tried his best to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other.

It started raining about halfway through Finn's journey, a chilly drizzle that soaked him after a few minutes. He sighed and moved on until he finally saw Marceline's cave in the distance. He broke into a weary trot.

*Marceline hung upside down from the roof of her cave as a bat, staring out at the horizon, waiting. She hoped with each passing moment that she would see Finn appear in the distance. She nearly gave up when the rain started, had in fact just decided to go back inside when she saw a tiny dark figure slowly approaching her cave. She reverted back to her normal form and smiled and she floated into her house.

*Finn was dripping, cold, and miserable when he finally entered the cave. It was no warmer inside, but at least it was dry and his journey over. The clouds made it hard to tell, but Finn thought it must be mid-afternoon based on how long it had taken him to walk to Marcy's house.

He made his weary way to Marceline's door and slumped against it, thudding his fist once. She better be here, he thought bitterly. If this is one of her mind games I swear I'll…

The door opened and he stumbled inside, straight into Marceline. "Aah!" he said, startled by her abrupt appearance.

"What? It's just me," said Marcy, raising an eyebrow.

"You surprised me," Finn panted. "I'm sorry, just a little jumpy right now." He dripped steadily on the carpet.

Marceline looked him up and down and asked, "What happened to you?" though she already knew the answer.

"It started raining. There was nowhere to stop so I just kept going. I wanted to see you."

"Aw, that's sweet, weenie." Marcy patted him on the head like a dog that had done something to please her. In fact, he had seen her do the same thing to her zombie poodle, Schwabbl. "Now, let's dry you off. Come with me." She grabbed Finn under the arms and floated up the ladder to her bedroom.

Finn felt strange standing in the middle of Marceline's room, remembering the last time he had been there. That time, he and Jake had hidden from Marcy for a long time- in her own closet. Finn felt as if a great weight had been placed on his shoulders at the thought of his friend.

"OK, first, you need a shower. You smell like a wet dog," said Marceline. "Oops, sorry.." she said, catching Finn's expression at the mention of "dog." Why am I being like this? So careless… He came here for a friend and I'm just being a jerk. I've got to stop this.

"Look, Finn, I really am sorry. I don't mean to act like a jerk, but after so long it's just a bad habit I guess. I don't mean it. Now go freshen up and I'll find you something dry to wear," she said, and to herself, No idea what, though.

"I've got extra clothes in my pack," said Finn, pulling out an exact copy of his blue shirt and shorts.

"Oh, OK. Well, give me the wet ones and I'll see what I can do with them." Burn them, probably. "You've been dripping all over everything since you got here." Marceline held out her hand expectantly.

"Uh, Marcy… I'd rather… not," said Finn, embarrassed.

"Finn, you know when you hid in my closet that one time?" Marcy asked, purposely not mentioning Jake.

Finn nodded, blushing.

"I know you saw me. In the bathroom. I didn't ever mention it because I didn't want to embarrass you." She had actually been saving it as ammunition for another time, but she felt now wasn't the best moment to mention that. "So hand them over." She snapped her fingers.

Reluctantly, Finn removed his sodden clothes and handed them to Marceline. He stood shivering in his underwear, feeling very vulnerable under the vampire's piercing gaze.

"There, that wasn't so bad, was it?" said Marcy, smirking. "Now go on and I'll make something to eat."

Finn turned without speaking and shuffled off to the shower, feeling Marceline's gaze on his back all the while.

*Although she could survive by sucking up shades of red, Marceline sometimes ate real food for pleasure. She had taught herself how to cook fairly well over the centuries, and so had set to work in her kitchen. She had settled on spaghetti for two reasons: the sauce was red and it had been Jake's favorite. She figured it was best if Finn learned to cope sooner rather than later, and she was going to help him do it.

The delicious aroma of the sauce filled the room and wafted through the house. Finn could smell it as he stepped back into Marcy's bedroom (now thoroughly clean and dry) and dressed. It was only then that Finn realized he hadn't eaten anything since Jake left and he was famished.

He climbed down the ladder and entered the living room, where Schwabbl was curled up on the couch. Finn stopped long enough to pet the dog a few times and receive a sleepy lick on the hand before he entered the kitchen.

"Hey Finn," said Marceline. Her back was to him, but she heard him enter. She had just finished setting the table and so turned to look at him. "Whoa, you look weird without the hat. I kinda like it. Anyway, come on and sit down. Dinner's almost ready."

Finn rubbed his head self-consciously. That hat had been his last one. He wondered what in Ooo Marceline had done with it.

As if she had read his mind. "I did what I could with your hat, but I'm afraid it shrank," Marcy lied. She had promptly taken all of Finn's wet (and none too clean) clothes and ripped them to shreds, casting the remains into the wind. "You look good without it, though." She hovered over and ruffled Finn's hair.

Finn sighed. Everything he knew from his old life seemed to be collapsing around him.

"Come on, it's not the end of the world. Just a hat. Now sit," Marcy said, pointing imperiously at the table.

Finn obeyed and plopped in a chair. Marceline watch his reaction closely as she served the spaghetti. He frowned slightly, but nothing more. Marceline could tell he was trying to conceal his true feelings from her. Even after all I've done… Of course he was unconscious through most of it. And he doesn't know I saw him break down… I'll get him to talk soon.

Marcy sat down opposite Finn, watching him surreptitiously as he ate. He was silent and withdrawn- eyes downcast, head bowed, just going through the motions. Not the Finn she knew at all. There was no joking, no boisterous behavior, just silence with an almost palpable undercurrent of sadness. He spoke only two words. "Thanks Marcy," he said when he had finished.

"You're welcome…" Marceline hesitated. "Listen Finn, I want to talk to you. Will you let me?"

Finn wanted nothing more than to be alone and rest. To be able to think- or not think- as much as he wanted about whatever he wanted. But he also realized the value of Marcy's friendship. "Alright," he said and followed her to the living room.

Marceline gestured at the couch. "Don't worry, I put cushions on it," she said, grinning slightly at the dismay on Finn's face. They sat and She turned to look at Finn, who had fixed his eyes firmly on the floor. She moved closer and put her arm around him.

"Finn, how are you doing? And don't bother lying, I'll know."

"I'm… lousy," Finn admitted.

"I thought as much," said Marcy, "and trust me, I know how you feel. I've felt alone for a very long time… Until you came along. It's not easy, especially when you feel like everything's your fault. But you're not going to be alone, because I'm here and nothing will change that." She gripped Finn's shoulders and turned him to face her. "Look at me," she said. Finn raised his eyes to meet hers, and she saw they were glistening.

"I've not exactly been the best friend to you… OK, I've been awful, I know. I shouldn't have done it. That was just how I dealt with things. But it doesn't mean I don't care. I do now, and I really always did. I just didn't know how to say it. I'm sorry," she said, pulling him close to her.

"How can I live with myself," asked Finn into Marcy's shoulder, "when I know I'm going to regret this for the rest of my life?"

"You learn to deal. That's all you can do. It gets easier. I'll help you. I mean that. In fact, I want you to stay here with me. Will you?" Marceline held him at arm's length.

"I… You mean it?" asked Finn. She nodded and Finn knew she was being sincere.

"Then… OK, I guess. For now," said Finn.

Without warning, Marceline descended upon him and placed another kiss on Finn's lips. This time he was awake for it. His eyes widened as she broke the kiss and smiled at him. "Finn, the human. I think I love you… My friend," said Marceline.

THE END

Author's Note: Love it? Hate it? Let me know. The sequel is in the works, and I promise it will not be as depressing/sappy as this one. Anyway, thanks for reading.