Sorry, filler chapter. I promise we'll be back on track next chapter.

Finn finished putting away his axe, sword, and extra rope in the prison. After locking the door behind him, he made his way to the castle. The guards greeted him and called out. "The royal Executioner is on his way!"

The people scurried and the guards stood stoically. Servants closed the curtains and scurried away hurriedly. It took some time for Bonnibel and Marceline to arrive with Peppermint Butler. But when she did, she stormed in before the guards could open the doors for her.

"Away!" She nearly screamed. The hurried out, she was obviously furious, and they did not want to be there. Finn had to sigh to himself. This wasn't going to be a pleasant conversation.

Once they were alone Finn began to speak. "I suppose this is about…"

He was interrupted by her hand striking his cheek. But he did not seem confused nor angry. It was true that striking the Executioner was unlawful as it was like striking the hand of Justice itself. Blasphemy. But There was no hint nor sight of regret. She did not care. She knew him more as Finn the Human then the Executioner of Justice, and as the Uplifter, she believed herself above such a law.

Marceline came to Finn's side to check his face. Peppermint Butler's hands came to his mouth in shock. He was well aware what the tenants said about this. The hood and shroud actually defeated the punishment's purpose. As such it didn't result in much except for a brief, blunt, stingless assault. "What the hell! Bonnie!"

"That final execution was distasteful. Awful! Cruel! How dare you let such a thing happen!" She began.

"I know, I heard a child's cry, I didn't mean…" She struck him again.

"Bonnie!"

"Enough Marceline!" Bonnibel said, pointing at her. "This is Our business. Not yours! You have no place or say in this, get out!"

"I'm not leaving because you're having a temper tantrum!" Marceline argued back.

"Peppermint, get her out of here. Leave us alone!"

"Yes, your majesty," he replied. "Miss Marceline, please, come with me."

Marceline was only slightly convinced to leave when Peppermint Butler asked so politely. But Finn managed to talk her the rest of the way. "Go on, Marcy. Let her have this. Go."

Marceline reluctantly followed Peppermint Butler as he pulled her out of the room. As soon as the door closed, Bonnibel stood there. glaring menacingly, hatefully at him. She had never given him this look before. Finn wanted to feel bad about it but… he was just so desensitized to it all. He was beginning to question if he was as human as his race was told to be.

Bonnibel attacked him with a flurry of helpless fists into his chest. They did very little to the man who had taken blades before. "Princess," he addressed her as he started to restrain her arms. "Princess…!" She granted at him hatefully and whimpered as she was becoming increasingly helpless against him. "Bonnie!"

She stopped and finally rested against his chest for comfort. As if what she did never happened. Finn completed the hug and rocked her as she sobbed and tightened the embrace. The sob was so loud that Finn was becoming nervous someone would listen. He began to shush her and whisper comforting things. Finally, he let down his cowl and hood and kissed her head.

"It's alright Bonnie, it's okay. I'm sorry what happened. I wish it didn't, and I am completely to blame. Had I been more diligent with the trap door mechanism that wouldn't have happened."

"He looked at me," She managed to whimper. "He looked me in the eyes, Finn!" Finn became quiet. "They were so scared. He was accusing me, cursing me, begging for help, and I saw it all go away in mere seconds. He was hurting when he died!"

"I know."

"He was so young…"

"I know…"

Bonnibel sobbed some more. "Finn… why? Why did that happen to him?"

Finn took a deep breath. "These things are more common than they seem. When I heard the baby cry I didn't pull hard enough on the mechanism. The Candy Kingdom's Gallows are…old. If I don't…"

She grew flustered as he spoke the science of the matter to her. "I don't care how! I just want to know why it was him…"

For that, Finn didn't have anything to say. "It was terrible luck, Bonnie. The baby cried at a the right time, and it made me hesitate. Were the tenants more forgiving for such an accident I would have cut him down sooner. But then my duty would be considered neglected."

"Damn the tenants," Bonnibel said under her breath.

"Shh," Finn hushed her, "Don't blaspheme anymore than you already have, Bonnie. You need to go to the church and confess these things, so they aren't counted against you."

"I am already consorting with you. It doesn't matter anymore. If you are to burn I will burn with you."

"Don't be foolish," Finn scolded, "I don't do all this for you so you can burn with me. Don't let my work go to waste."

Bonnibel looked down at their feet and wiped her tears away. Finn helped her clean up then she replied. "I will confess."

Finn smiled. "You are wise as you are beautiful. I will address what issues you've brought to me today, and ensure they do not happen again."

Bonnibel nodded in approval. "Good. See that you do. Such a death must not be displayed in front of the people. I do not need a kingdom afflicted by nightmares."

"As you wish, my lady. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?" He asked her.

Bonnibel sighed. "I… I wish there was. I don't want you to leave yet. I wish that… we could speak longer with each other. Besides business. Let's just… talk. Alone."

Finn fluffed his trench coat behind him and folded his hands as well. "Very well, what would you like to talk about?"

She led him to the side to a bench. Where they sat together. "Anything but your duties or this previous execution. I want to take my mind off it all."

"Well, if you don't mind my saying," he began, "what helped my when I fists botched an execution was spend quality time with you. So, I think your off to the best start. The pain will be with you for some time, I'm afraid. But the shock of its wares away in a few days."

"Do these botches happen often?" She asked as a groan.

Finn smiled. "No, but explaining would require speaking of my duties. Instead, why don't we talk about… this?" Finn showed him her hand. The run at the back of it had made her sit up.

"Is that… a fire rune? You have a blessed glove?" She asked somewhat excitedly. "Finn, how did you get this?"

"I inherited it. It's one of the few more interesting pieces of equipment my trade has to offer," smirked Finn, "I have a few others like it. Different elements of course. But tonight, I wore just the fire rune. In case my torch went out while I was tying the nooses."

Bonnibel giggled. "What a wise use for such an immaculate item."

"Indeed," Finn agreed for humor's sake. Both laughed together.

"Marceline was so nonchalant about everything. She treated it like theater…"

"Speaking of Marceline," Finn said driving her away from it again. "She visited me this morning. I had to remind her we were still in a public place when she became affectionate."

Bonnibel rolled her eyes. "She's so carefree. Some days I envy her. But I certainly wish she'd take matters as seriously as I do."

"She cares in her own way." Finn shrugged. He crssed his arms and leaned back against the wall of the antechamber. "Even about you. She's worried about your right now. You did strike me and send her away."

Bonnibel paused and looked down at her slippers. "I will… apologize, of course. It was at in the heat of the moment."

"That, I'm sure," chuckled Finn leaning forward and folding his hands, "The Bonnibel I'm speaking to right now wouldn't strike me so casually."

"Yes, but I certainly would believe you deserved it for being so carless…" They laughed. Then Bonnibel's smile faded into slight concern. "Are you… alright?"

"It takes much more than that to hurt me, Bonnie," Finn assured her. He wrapped an arm around her and kissed her forehead. "And it will take even more for me to hold any spite towards you."

Bonnibel's head rested into his chest, a content hum escaping her lips. "I'm fortunate I have someone so loyal yet so dangerous by my side."

"You are my uplifter," Finn chuckled.

Bonnibel kissed him. "And you are my Executioner."

They waited there in a long embrace. Finally, Finn stood up, donning his hood and shroud, her hands in his. "Well? Shall we return to out duties then?"

Bonnibel inhaled deeply and let out a long sigh. "I don't want to yet. If you go, I'll just keep thinking about that boy…"

Finn kissed her cheek. "Go on an outing to take your mind of things. Marceline is good company and even better a listener. She can keep a secret. Make the most of the company you have now, My Princess. It will help clear your mind."

Bonnibel nodded. "I think I will then." She stood to her feet as well and recomposed. She cleaned herself up and then cleared her throat to speak in a professional manner. "This concludes out meeting, Executioner. You are dismissed. Go forth and deliver Justice wherever you go."

Finn bowed. "Yes, my lady."

Finn turned and left out of the castle doors. "The Executioner is departing!"

Bonnibel stayed there, seeing him off. Marceline floated to her side, Peppermint Butler walking to her other. But she paid them little mind for now.

"So?" Marceline asked.

Bonnibel cleared her throat and looked Marceline up and down. "Well… I think I need fresh air. Marceline, care to join me?"

"As long as it comes with a healthy amount of staying in the shade and a full does of explanation, sure," Marceline shrugged.

"Very well," Bonnibel nodded, "Pep, fetch Marcelin her sun hat."

"Yes princess," Peppermint Butler smiled. He was happy to see the princess doing something for her health.

X

Finn returned to the treehouse. It was barely lit. As soon as he entered the doors the weight of sleeplessness had caught up with him. He was tired and a nap would do him some good. Climbing the ladder, he noticed that their home was dark. It was a bit concerning, but nothing he thought was worth being alarmed over.

"Jake?" Finn called. He climbed the rest of the way and light his hand to see. "Jake?"

Finally, he found the poor dog. Slouched on the sofa with a bucket of ice cream. Vanilla ice cream. Which meant he was depressed. Otherwise, he'd be eating Neapolitan.

"Err," Finn scratched his head. He wasn't sure how to ask or approach this. The dim screen of BMO was about the only other thing lighting Jake's awful face. It turned to face him.

"He's been like this for three hours."

Finn didn't need to know why. "Yeah, after what happened today, I wouldn't be surprised." Finn slowly came to Jake's side. "Uh… Jake? You okay, brother?" Jake sniffed and took another large spoon of ice cream before sighing. Finn carful wrapped an arm around him. that was the best thing he could do. Just so long as he didn't attempt to take the ice cream away, he might get through to the poor dog. "Look, what happened today was my fault. I'm sorry if Lady didn't take too well to today's Executions…"

"I stormed out on her…" Jake grumbled.

"…What?" Finn asked. He did not expect that.

"I just… left her dude… I couldn't watch the kid get executed and I tried to take her with me but… She kept insisting we needed to stay and… support you. As soon as it all went wrong I… I left. She went after me and tried to apologize and… I just left her, bro. She probably hates my right now… So… I thought I'd give old Vanilla a day out of retirement." He took a bite and hummed a content hum as the fragrantly pleasing flavor filled his mouth yet again. "Mmm… that's nice. Makes me feel much better…"

"Well, I don't think she hates you, Jake. The relationship doesn't have to be about her all the time," Finn said, patting his back. "She needed to consider how you feel too. Right now, she's probably realizing that and… hates herself."

"No, she's better than that, man," Jake argued, "She knows how flawless she is and…" He started to break down. "She knows she can… do better than a shapeshifting dog… who eats… ice cream!"

Jake began to sob and eat more ice cream. Finn backed up so he wouldn't get another set of vestments ruined by the sticky substance. Another sigh left him. BMO was stoically watching. But it jumped off the table, crawled onto the sofa and sat next to Jake to pat his arm. "There there. BMO is here."

"Jake, how you think and how she thinks are entirely different things. Don't project yourself onto her. Get to know her more and you'll realize she doesn't think any less of you for being… squeamish."

"Dude, I'm your handler! I should be able to… handle this," Jake said throwing his arms in front of him. This stuff shouldn't bother me. I should be able to talk to people and offer them rites. Be there for you and watch them pass from one life to the next. I'm supposed to be a cleric, man!" Jake flumped back. "Not…" He grabbed his belly, "Flabby," he wiggled his stretchy wobbly long arms, "Wobbly," then he began to deflate, "depressed…me."

Finn twiddled his thumbs and started to bite his lip as he thought. "You know what? Your right. So, let's get you up, get you cleaned, and how about we go talk to her."

"What?!" Jake yelled. "Dude! You're the Executioner! You can't go on private property! Besides, I can't talk to her now! Not like… this."

Finn stood up and crossed his arms. "When the church selected you. You weren't the best cleric. You weren't even the smartest. You were just… you. And I loved you for that. You were my brother, Jake. Stop trying to be a cleric and start acting like my brother. That's what she fell in love with. And that's what the church loved about you. Now put the ice cream back in the freezer, its melting and making a mess."

Jake looked at the tub of vanilla and furrowed his brows. "Your right." He stood up. "Alright! I'm going to put this ice cream in the freezer! I'm going to clean up my act! And I'm going to march up to her door and show her I'm the dog she loves!"

"Good, now clean the couch; you're staining it," Finn ordered as he started to climb up to their room.

Jake looked at the sofa with a bunch of white splotches on it. BMO noticed its hand in a small puddle. It lifted it up, examined the white then put it back down as it started at Jake. Jake hummed as he stared at the couch. "How do we know that's not from you and Marceline?"

Finn suddenly lost his footing on the ladder but recovered quickly and a cleared his throat. "That not…!" He sighed, "Jake… that's clearly ice cream!"

Jake chuckled. "Just kidding brother. I know it's ice cream." Jake continued to chuckle to himself as he started tidying up. After this, he'd clean up and get ready to meet lady.

X

Finn and Jake arrived near Lady's property upon Beatrice. Finn stooped short of her home and got off then leaned on the picket fence of her property. "Why didn't we just stretch over? And why am I here? Did you make the point I wasn't allowed on private property?"

"Well, yeah, but… I gave her the rites and… technically you're not on her private property. Past that fence is her private property."

Finn eyed his elbow that was just over the fence and pulled it back. "Right… I'll wait here then."

"No-o-o," Jake whined, and grabbed Finn's heel. "I need you with me, dude. For emotional brotherly support!"

Finn sighed and threw his hands up. "Jake, I'm going to be right here! What do you expect me to do, hop on Beatrice and ride away?" Beatrice bobbed her head and whined. "Oh no, you don't," Finn grabbed her reigns, "If I have to stay; you have to stay." Beatrice sputtered and started to graze since there was nothing else for her to do.

"Okay, but you have to promise," Jake glared.

Finn sighed. "I promise. Now quit stalling. Get over there."

"Right! Yeah! Okay!" Jake stood up and sleeked back his fur then marched up to Lady's door.

Finn sighed, placing his hand on his face, and shook his head. "So much for the ominous title of the Executioner. This morning I strangled a child to death. Now I'm my handler's wing man." Beatrice whinnied. "It's not… funny."

Jake finally reached the door, turned to get assurance from Finn, who urged him to continue, then adjusted himself to get ready to knock. His hand met the door twice. They waited. No one answered or moved. Jake looked back, becoming discouraged, but Finn motioned for him to try it again. So, Jake knocked three more times. There was still no answers. Jake sighed and walked back to the picket fence.

"I don't know anymore, dude. Maybe she's not home right now."

Finn looked around and found a tree close bye. "Stay."

Jake threw his arms up. "Dude, I know I'm a dog, but you don't have to give me commands."

"Just wait there," Finn ordered as he jumped up in the tree and climbed just high enough to use a telescope he had secured to his belt. He looked in threw some of the open windows and tried to track some sort of motion. He swore he saw something in one of them.

"Wait what?" Jake exclaimed as he saw Finn spying from the tree. "Dude! That's her personal biz! You can't just go peeping on Lady like that!"

Finn sighed. "It's fine, Jake, she doesn't wear anything. I just need to see…" Finally, Finn managed to determine some form of movement inside the house. "There. It seems to me like she's home. Go on, knock again."

Jake huffed. "Dude, maybe she wants to be left alone."

"Maybe, but she'll make an exception for you. You dragged me out here, now we're not leaving until you've completed what you set out to do. Hurry up, I'm tired."

Jake grumbled but fixed himself and returned to the door. Finn stared at the movement in the window while Jake continued his crusade. He was there only a few seconds when another eye stared looking through the other end. Finn lowered his spyglass and Marceline was there, grinning at him.

"Hi there."

Finn gave her a nod. "Marcy."

"Executioner, what are you doing up there?" Finn looked down. Bonnibel was with her, it seemed.

Finn looked at his spyglass, at the house in front of them, then at her. Marceline was still floated in front of him with a big expectant grin. Bonnibel still waited for an answer. "This isn't what it looks like."

"Well… what is it?" Bonnibel asked.

"Jake is… trying to meet Lady. I think she's upset about this morning. Something happened between them and I'm checking to see if she's home. Not the modest way, I suppose, but it's the best I can do under the tenants."

Bonnibel hummed. "Uh huh… Well, Marcy, I suppose we won't be meeting with Lady today."

"Meh, I wasn't in the mood for tea or whatever anyway. And since you're here…"

Finn put his spy glass away and reclined against a branch. He bent over to check Jake's progress. "I thought you were helping PB take her mind off things."

"Well yeah," she replied with a shrug, "But, now you're here and she has an excuse to hang out with the both of us."

Finn scratched the bridge of his nose. "If you want to stay here, fine. But after that, I'm getting a nap."

"A nap, huh?" Marceline grinned sensually and bit a finger.

"Marcy! Don't you even think about it!" Bonnibel pointed at her scoldingly.

Meanwhile, Jake had nocked two more times than gathered courage to let himself in. "Lady? It's me, Jake. Uh… Can we talk?"

Suddenly he heard his name called. "Jeikeu?" The rainbow unicorn head stuck out and Lady Rainicorn gasped and rushed forward to meet him. "jeikeu! naneun dangsin-i yeogiiss-eo jeongmal haengboghabnida!"

The warm welcome was a very good sign for Jake. He completed the hug and rested his head on her mane. "Yeah, I'm happy to be here too. And I'm sorry about this morning. I've seen a lot of executions, but none have gone wrong like that before. Finn says sorry too."

"Ihaehabnida," Lady assured Jake, "Sagwahaji masipsio." Lady wrapped her body around him and kissed his head.

Jake blushed. "Heh heh. I guess you'd be great at my job."

Lady giggled. "Dangsin johji anhseupnida."

Finn smiled from the distance as the door to Lady's home closed. He probably didn't need to stay, best to just return home and let them take as much time as they want. He jumped down and sighed. He could feel his bed calling his name. "Jake and Lady seem to be doing well. I'm returning home. You two should look for something else to do. Lady will be occupied for a little while."

Marcy grabbed an arm, "Okay, and about that nap…"

"Marceline!" Bonnibel grabbed Finn's other arm and yanked him away.

Finn sighed and dropped his head. He didn't have the energy for this. "Girls, please?"

"Oh, come on, Bonnie, don't be selfish. There's plenty of him to go around…" Marceline pulled him back with a mischievous grin.

Finn sighed exasperatedly. Neither girl noticed. But despite their antics, Finn caught a glimpse of Jake and Lady closing the door. Jake waved at Finn more as a thank you than a goodbye. Finn smiled under his shroud then took a deep breath. "Alright, that's enough you two." Finn caught both their shoulders stopping them mid argument. "I can't entertain guests right now. So, Marceline, if you don't mind, can you look for something else to do?"

"Your no fun," Marceline crossed her arms and glared.

"No, the Executioner is weary after his morning duties. To leave him be would be courteous, Marceline. We can find other things to occupy our time, I'm sure."

Marceline rolled her eyes. "Fine. I guess we could go to my place or something. There's probably something to do there."

Finn nodded. He looked as though to ensure no one was looking then hugged her and kissed her head through his shroud, getting a jealous blush from Bonnibel. "Thank you, Marcy. I will see you both again."

Bonnibel huffed, crossed her arms, and turned away. "Indeed."

Marceline gave her a smug grin, but it would be short lived. Before Finn left he let down his shroud and pecked Bonnibel's lips. She attempted to make it longer, but she restrained herself and composed. It was her turn to be smug. "Goodbye, Bonnie."

Marceline pouted to herself while Bonnibel whimsically waved at him. "Rest well, Executioner."

As Finn walked away Bonnibel turned back to face Marceline with her mood improved. "Well? Shall we go to your abode or return to mine?"

"Why did you get a kiss?" Marceline deadpanned then grumbled, "I wanted a kiss."

"Oh Marcy," Bonnibel rolled her eyes, "Honestly, you may attention to the most trivial things. Come now, why don't we have tea at the palace?"

Marceline hummed. "You know what? If I want a kiss, I'll just take one."

"Wha-? Marceline!" Bonnibel watched as Marceline laughed and jumped up then flew towards Finn nearly ripping off his Shroud and locking lips with him then flying off. "Marceline!" Bonnibel ran after her, "You come back here this instant! That was very improper!"

Finn fixed his shroud as Bonnibel ran after the vampire. He rubbed his forehead with his gloved hand. "These two…" If he didn't love them so much, he'd have kept his distance from them. But both girls had become so important to him he instead found this quite amusing. He watched them shrink in the distance, Bonnibel running out of breath and Marceline taunting her as she flew around out of reach. Finn couldn't help but reminisce how happy he was he had them. Life would probably have been harder without them.