4 years later,

I was getting ready for another one of Gumball's many Balls; ya ok go ahead and laugh, I got that enough from Marshall Lee that I'm used to it. I was turning 16 today and Cake, who could never keep her mouth shut when given catnip, told me he was throwing a birthday party for me. I never liked dresses but Cake somehow was able to convince me to wear one…

"No Cake I'm not going to wear a dress"

"Oh yes you are baby-cakes or I'll take your swords, and adventuring away for a week."

"But…"

"No buts you're going to wear a dress."

"Fine" I wined.

So here I am with a very beautiful dress on, in fact I think I would wear this to waltz in. The dress was midnight blue silk with a star design. It looked like Cake had taken the night sky and woven it into fabric. It shimmered when I walked, making it look like I was walking on air instead of on the ground. It sort of reminds me of Marshall; I thought and then shook my head trying to erase it. I was thinking of him too much these days, probably because he was the only one I could dance with, no one else knew, till tonight. I smiled to myself thinking of how I could finally impress Gumball.

"Baby-cakes you look beautiful, oh your smiling at the dress aren't you I knew you would love it."

"I am not smiling at the dress, I was just thinking about… adventuring." Cake gave me a look that seemed to say 'talk to the paw girl I know what I'm talking about.'

"Anyways we have to leave for Gumball's ball, come on lets go." Cake said ushering me out the door. I grabbed my purse which, unbeknownst to Cake, held a contractible red and black sward Marshall had given me for my 15th birthday. See, what I'm telling you about too much Marshall in my life. When we arrived everyone jumped out and yelled surprise then went back to whatever they were doing before. Prince Gumball was making his way over when FP appeared beside me.

"Fionna happy birthday." Me and FP were on friendly terms but it was still slightly awkward between us, only slightly though.

"Thanks FP" it was silent for a few seconds, see what I mean about being slightly awkward, and thank glob Gumball came over.

"FP how are you?" Without waiting for him to answer he turned to me, "and Fionna! Happy 16th birth-day!" he made a signal with his hand and out came a huge birth-day cake, yes cake not Cake, as in the cat. Gumball got a slice for me and I could see it was chocolate with blue frosting on it. I took a bite and it was delicious, like all of Gummy's food is, and watched as Cake went off with Lord M after a brief happy birth-day directed towards me.

Then I saw Cinnamon Buns party hat float up off of her head and snap back into place making her jump in surprise and freak out. Thankfully no one noticed because she was already crazed in the head, but I did and I knew who was responsible. Gumball and FP were talking, actually they were arguing but they insisted it was a friendly disagreement. So thankfully they didn't notice me jump when I heard a soft hiss in my ear that, of course, had no visible owner.

"Hey bunny, Happy B-day, mind if I jump in the cake?" He chuckled darkly for my ears only.

"Marshall, get out of here! If anyone see's you they would either explode or try to kill you, meaning my sister!" I hissed at him trying not to catch anyone's attention.

"Chill Fi, I'll take my chances with your sister."

"Ok ya but what about everyone exploding, I really don't want people dying at my Birthday party"

"That's their problem dude, not mine."

"Yes it is because it's my problem and my problems are yours."

"Fine I'll just stay invisible then."

"No your leaving." I stated as I made my way towards the edge of the room, then out onto the balcony. Marshall appeared next to me floating on his back. He was in a red plaid t-shirt and ripped blue jeans with red convers and, of course, his ax bass strapped to his back.

"Come on Fi relax nothings gonna happen, this place is lame and has bad music anyways. I say we ditch this dump and I can throw you a real party."

"No Marshall, you can throw me a party later and do whatever you want with me there, maybe tomorrow night or something. Right now I just need you to leave!" So I can get back to Gumball, I added in my head. I wouldn't dare voice this out loud for fear of the verbal teasing that was inevitably going to happen, I mean this is Marshall were talking about here.

"Fine then, we have a deal I'll see you soon Fi, be prepared to have a fun time." He smirked and gave me a dark look, I realized to late what I had said and he was already gone by the time I had opened my mouth to protest.

"Fionna what are you doing out here all alone, do you not like the party I prepared for you." I quickly regained my composer and shoved all thoughts about Marshall to the back of my head. Then I turned to Gumball who was staring at me with a concerned and disappointed look on his face.

"Oh Gumball, no I love it, I just wanted to get a bit of fresh air." I hurriedly replied. He relaxed and looked relived at my reply.

"Well then, if that is the case do you mind if I join you."

"s-sure" I muttered unable to get anything else out.

"What a fine night it is. Wouldn't you agree?" he asked me moving to stand beside me. I took a deep breath before replying.

"Ya it is" I tried to sound strong, but it came out weak and pathetic. Shit Fionna you've faced ogres, trolls, and even a fucking dragon without faltering, even a little. Yet a boy/prince can make you so afraid you want to run as far away as possible. I thought to myself then Gumball spoke making me slightly jump.

"Well, as the birth-day girl and party host, we should go back inside." Now's my chance and if he rejects me, I won't cry, and I'll never ask again.

"Wait Gumball, can I ask you something?"

"Yes Fionna."

"Well umm… I-I like you and I w-was just wondering i-if…"

"Yes" Gumball said impatiently, but I didn't notice.

"Will you go out with me?" I rushed through my words, but he had heard me.

"No Fionna, you are only a friend to me. I had thought I made that clear to you years ago."

"Gum..."

"No you're just a pathetic wannabe that will always be lonely; I'm surprised Cake even tolerates you. You're an annoying little girl who's always loud and obnoxious, who never knows when to act like… well, you or act proper and with manners. Now are you coming inside or not?" As soon as the words left his mouth his eyes got big and he looked like he regretted it. Tears started to form in my eyes and I ran past him not giving him a chance to apologize.

I could hear him calling after me, but instead I quickly found Cake and told her I was going on an adventure and was going to be gone for a while. I had done this often when I wanted to hang out at my cave house for more than two days, and she had always let me go. She looked like she wanted to say something, but I had already turned and was quickly making my way over to the door when Gumball grabbed my arm.

"Fionna…"

"No Gumball leave me alone, haven't you caused enough damage for one night." I snapped at him and tore my arm from his grip and ran out the door. Then to make matters worse these stupid tears started to fall onto my cheeks, I turned towards my hideout, the cave house, and sprinted to the river. Once I was at the river I jumped in and let the current carry me to the pools and all the way to the last one before getting out.

I was sopping wet and cold but I didn't care, I was silently sobbing now and just wanted to get to my house. I quickly made my way to the mountain side and climbed up and into the doorway. Then I made my way to my bedroom witch was past the entry way into the living room, the first door on the right. I heard a noise and remembered that Marshall was still here, great just what I need. I ignored him and through myself face down on my bed slamming the door behind me, only for it to be opened seconds later.

"Well I can see someone's a little grumpy sheesh Fi."

"Go away Marshall Lee, now." I almost never said his full name unless I was pissed, really annoyed or seriously upset.

"Hey Fi," he said gently softly placing his hand on my shoulder, "come on it can't be that bad, why don't you tell me what happened." I could tell he was slightly uncomfortable; he wasn't used to having to comfort me.

"Why? You never take anything seriously and you're never mushy, feely, gooey, anyways." I cried. My tears were now body racking sobs that hurt my chest and made it hard to breathe.

"Because Fi when I tease you, you forget about what happened and focus your attention on me instead. But I can see that won't work so I'm all ears, what happened?" he was able to pick me up and put me in his lap. I grabbed his shirt and clung to him for dear life until I was able to calm down enough to tell him what happened.

I wiped my eyes and looked at him, tears were still running down my face, but that was it. When I saw Marshall's face I was, surprisingly enough, scared out of my mind at what I saw. His eyes were blood red and looked to be glowing, his fangs were out and he was hissing. He looked like he was going to murder someone, but the scariest part was that he was completely serious when he spoke next.

"I'll fucking kill that little prissy pink basterd. Bubba will regret the day he was born after I'm through with him."

"Bubba?" This was a little weird I had never told him Gumballs first name and how'd he know his nick-name was Bubba.

"Yes the know-it-all science geek is gonna pay." Marshall hissed and I flinched, I had never seen Marshall even being close to this pissed, even when his mom had come over one time. I gulped and put my head back down on his shoulder hoping that he didn't rip my head off. He wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly against him, I blushed. When he had pulled me close both my shirt and his had come up a bit, so I could see his abs and feel them against my own stomach.

I tried to move off of him, but he only tightened his grip, making it so I couldn't move at all and pulling our shirts even higher up, revealing more skin. I couldn't breathe as well so I decided to hold still until he had calmed down enough to let me go. It was at least an hour later when he finally moved, though not the way I wanted him to. He floated down on the bed, half lying down and half leaning against the wall. Again I blushed and tried to roll off, but only succeeded in making our shirts lift to right below my chest. Finally after what seemed like an eternity of embarrassment Marshall looked down at me, then the little devil actually thought that it was ok to smirk at me.

"Well Fi if I had known you were going to strip us I would have let you a long time ago."

"Shut-up," Wow me was that really the best you could do. He set me down on the bed and his joking manner was gone in an instant and he hissed.

"Fi I'll be back soon." Marshall's voice was dark and before another second went by he flew out the door, I knew where he was going.

Hey guys as you can tell, for those of you who check your email to get updates, I'm up pretty early. I was trying to get this chapter finished before I left for a week long none electronic camp in California meaning I got up at 1 am an hour before I was supposed to, I leave my house at 4, and typed this up. So if you're complaining about the slight cliff-hanger I'm sorry to say at least you got this right. Ill update as soon as possible bye. Don't worry I don't do authors notes very often.