Author's Note: I don't own jack o_o

Marshall Lee came into the library later that night. It was empty except for his sister. She looked up, smiling but stopped when she saw his face. "Marshall, what's wrong?"

His expression was the very definition of shocked. He sat heavily in a chair and passed a hand over his face. "You said she reminded you of him. Not that they look like they could be-" She shushed him angrily.

"I know, Marshall, I know. But do you remember that night?" He looked puzzled and Marceline sighed, "When you found those two babies?"

FLASHBACK

"Marshall? Marshall?"

"Shh, I'm right here."

"Do you have them? Are they warm? Are you ok?"

"Yes, yes and I'm fine. Here take this one."

Marshall handed his sister what looked to be a bundle of rags. She shifted her umbrella and pulled the covering away. "Oh dear Glob…"

She looked at Marshall. "Is this… a…"

He nodded grimly. Lightning flashed as he answered. "A human." They regarded each other for a moment more.

"Marshall, I thought that…"

"I did too, but last night I heard crying and screaming and junk. So I went to investigate and a pack of Why-Wolves had killed these two humans. I didn't get there in time to help…" he looked at the little bundle in his arms and sighed. "The mother was still alive. Barely. She saw me and begged me to save her babies. What could I do Marceline?" Marshall began shaking, tears mixing with the rain. "What could I do?"

Marceline sighed and patted his shoulder. "It's ok Marmar. But the big question is what we are going to do with two babies."

"I have an idea. You take the boy"

"It's a boy?"

"Yeah, and I'll take the girl, and if you'll let me finish." He glared and handed a slip of paper to her. "Take the boy to this address. It's a dog's home; they have two boys so it'll be a good place for them."

"And the girl?"

"A cat's home. They have two girls,"

"Why do they have to be separated?" Marceline reached over to look at the girl and compare their faces.

"Can you imagine what people would do if they heard there were two humans still alive? The rainicorns and monochromes alone would go ballistic." She nodded sadly, she hated the thought of doing to them what their parents did.

"All right, Marsh. I'll see you later then…"

"I remember," Marshall muttered softly.

"We can't let them meet. They'd go crazy, knowing that we did that." Marceline paused and watched her brother. He seemed skinnier than normal, but there had been a glow in his eyes since she'd gotten here. "Marshall, can I ask you something?" he nodded wearily, "Do you love her?"

This question caught him off guard. He looked at Marceline; she wasn't smiling, frowning or glaring. Just watching his face.

At that very moment, Fionna walked by. Hearing voices she went to go inside but stopped, not knowing why.

"Marshall, do you love her?"

"Yes."

Fionna gasped, clutching her arms to her chest. She chastised herself and leaned closer.

"I love her with every bit in my cold, dead body, Marceline. Every time I see her face I don't know if I should scream, run, laugh, cry or just sit there. I didn't love her at first. She was my bud. My confident. I could trust her with almost everything. She snuck up on me. Crept into my heart and did…something. I've spent a thousand years here, chasing after girls, never finding that one girl… and…"

"Fionna is that one?"

Marshall muttered his answer.

"Does she know that you do?"

Yes, yes I do! Aaarrgh

"I don't know….I tried to tell her, but we were interrupted."

"Well, good Lord, Marshall. Tell the girl before it's too late." Her voice got louder to Fionna, like she was-

"Fionna?" The girl tipped forward onto Marceline's feet, but the adroit vampire picked her up, closed the door, and whisked away down the hall in one smooth movement.

"Fionna, what are doing? How long were you listening?" Fionna stared at floor, guilt flooding her.

"Not very long, I'm sorry Marceline." The vampire looked relieved.

"Well, if it wasn't for very long, that's ok…" She patted the human's shoulder, that stormy night flashing in her mind. If only she knew she wasn't alone...Well, besides for Samuel.

Smiling, she yawned, stretching her arms back. "I'm bushed. I'm tucking in for the night. Later, Fi."

They parted ways, but just as Fionna turned the corner, Marceline called out to her. "He really does love you, Fionna." The girl smiled softly, her cheeks red.

"Ah!" jerking forward, a disheveled vampire king woke up, tangled in damp sheets. Seeing where he was, Marshall slumped back onto his pillows. That same damn dream. Again. Fionna….

He struggled to remember it, grasping at the remaining scraps.

They were strolling through the garden, much like the other day. But it was brighter and Marshall was able to walk without feeling any pain. Fionna smiled up at him, her skin now a pale shade of grey, with two red dots on her neck.

She reached for his hand, twining his fingers with hers. He grinned at her, she grinned back.

The flowers were practically singing. And what was most surprising is that Marshall didn't mind the extra cheeriness.

Suddenly, Fionna tripped, falling backwards and (accidentally?) pulling him with her. He landed, his face coming to rest level with her chest. He was now burning with shame, but he didn't know why. She wore his ring, didn't she? Yes there, a black orb of obsidian, circled with small diamonds.

Yet, he burned. Fionna looked startled at first, but that expression changed to her smile. Her sweet understanding smile that said "this is ok"

She pulled his face up to her own and-

"Aagh!" he squeezed his eyes. Always ending in the same place. Always…

"Enough of this," he hissed and focused on the door outside her tower room and was there.

He hesitated, much like Fionna had that day in his home. Finally he reached for the doorknob and entered quietly.

Fionna had apparently been unable to sleep as well. She sat on the side of her bed, staring at the window. Hearing a breath of air, she turned, startled. She searched the darkness, looking for a bright smile or glittering black eyes. Her voice was a mere squeak as she called out softly: "Marshall?"

The Vampire King's gut wrenched. Her voice was so full of fear, hope, desperation, longing and a hundred other indescribable feelings, he almost cried. As it was, he melted from the shadows to stand behind her. "I'm here, Fionna."

She turned, hands to her mouth. "Marshall!" She leapt at him, this time he was ready and caught her. They tumbled together onto the bed, laughing quietly. Fionna quieted first, stroking his face. "I'm glad I went to your house, Marshall…"

He grinned, more sweetly than he had for a while. "Me too…" He scooted closer, their breath mingling. Fionna's pupils dilated and her breath now came rapidly. Marshall circled her thigh and brought it up over his, the other cradling the back of her neck. He pulled her even closer, Fionna was really freaking out now. She began to say something but Marshall stopped her mouth with a tender kiss.

"Let's continue where we left off earlier." Just as he was about to engage in some serious kissing, he stopped, searching her eyes. "If that's ok?"

And she smiled. That sweet, understanding smile that said "This is ok."

At some point during their embrace, Marshall's hands slipped under her night gown and began tracing patterns on her ribcage. This caused a new series of moans from Fionna, which really set Marshall off.

"Fionna…"He gasped her name, nuzzling her neck, placing kisses along her neck, her shoulders, shirt line…

He was about to tug her shirt off when she sat up.

"Marshall, wait." The vampire obliged, even though his pants had become uncomfortably tight. Fionna couldn't meet his eyes. Great Glob this is awkward

"Marshall, you can…see in the dark right?" A slow nod. Sighing, she continued. "I feel like… I don't know…That you won't ….really c-care about me wh-when you see me without a shirt or anything…."She squeezed her eyes shut at his silence, scooting off of his lap.

"Fionna…" he reached out to her, heart breaking at her sadness. She flinched away, clutching her stomach. Sobs replaced the frantic gasps that filled the air moments before.

Marshall finally gripped Fionna's arms and pulled her to him. She tried scooting away, but his embrace held her there. She settled for keeping her eyes closed and her head down. "Fionna, listen to me." Marshall placed soft kisses on her forehead and cheeks. "Sweetheart, what's wrong? You can tell me anything…"

Fionna looked up, her eyes bright with tears. "It's just…you're so fit and junks and you've pr-probably dated li-like a bajillion others girls who we-were all skinnier than me cause I'm like a freaking hippo here and you're probably disgusted my disgusting fat, because I sure am. And I don't want to get s-so happy just to have you le-leave me—"

"NO."

The vampire shook with anger as he pulled her mouth roughly to his. With each kiss he punished himself, tears streaming down his face. Fionna melted in his hands, small whimpers escaping her. These were kindling to the flame inside him. Marshall screamed internally. How could she think that? How? She's the most beautiful, sweetest, amazing girl and she thinks that she's a hippo? How?

Their kisses slowed, each lingering with a sweet tenderness. Fionna still sobbed, but a smile played around her lips. Marshall held her cheeks in his hands. "Fionna, don't you dare bad-mouth my girlfriend. Ever. I love her. I love her so much that'd I'd step into the noon-day light, eating garlic toast and dancing on a wooden fence. I'd brave a hundred and ten Why-Wolves, h I'd brave my mother! Fionna," he kissed her again, "I love you, so much. No matter what you look like. I didn't fall in love with your face, which to me is more beautiful than the moon; I fell in love with your soul. You could look like LSP, or that wizard you gave your hair to." He pulled her close, murmuring against her ear. "Fionna, I love you for you."