Authors Note: I, The Preacherman, just wanted to say thanks to my reviewers so far. And I also wanted to say something that I felt needed to be said. Peach knew Travis before she knew Mario. That's all that needs to be said, as it truly doesn't matter how long. I just wanted to let you, the reader, know that.

I also wanted to say that this may be the chapter that changes the rating a bit. But again, I'm not sure… Give me some feedback if you think I should up the rating.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Mario Bros. or anything affiliated with them. I do own Travis and the plot.

Toadsworth knocked on the big oak doors of Peach's private chambers. From the other side of the door, a sweet sounding voice came.

"What is it, Toadsworth?" Peach asked as she opened the door.

"My dear princess, you have visitors." Toadsworth said as he bowed.

"Oh Mario!" Peach said as she ran to embrace him. Mario hugged her back gently. "How have you been Mario? And Luigi?" Peach asked as she backed away a bit.

We've been just fine, Peach." Mario replied as Luigi nodded in agreement.

"And…just how've you been, Princess?" Travis said as he removed his hat and stepped forward.

Peach stuttered as she looked at who was in front of her. "T-Travis?" A big smile came across her face as she ran to embrace him as well. "How have you been!" She asked excitedly as she nearly squeezed he life out of him.

Travis felt his spine cracking as well as his cheeks flushing as he hugged her back. She smelled of peaches, just like the old days. Fond memories of them came to mind as well. After what seemed like an eternity, they released their embrace and began talking. Peach invited the three to come to lunch and they all began to walk down to the dining room where the meal was already being set out. It was mushroom penne in a tomato and basil sauce, a very well liked delicacy. They all sat down and bowed their heads as Travis lead them in a prayer. After the prayer, they began to eat.

"So Peach, what have you been up to these past years?" Travis said as he wiped his mouth with his napkin after taking a bite.

"Well Travis, I've been caring for my kingdom mostly. But every now and again, I throw a little party, or have a day of tournaments, or maybe even a set of races! There's always something going on." Peach replied as she took a sip of tea.

"That's right! In fact, we had a Tennis match just last week!" Mario said while devouring his last bite and leaning back in his chair.

"Oh, you mean the one that I won?" Luigi said with a laugh.

Mario turned slightly red. Everyone knew he was extremely competitive. But in the end, he just shrugged it off. He yawned and stretched.

"I'm tired now. I need me a nap!" Mario said as he closed his eyes and began to nod off.

Peach merely laughed. "Luigi, can you believe your brother?" She said as she turned to Luigi. But she received no answer, for even Luigi had fallen asleep. She looked at Travis, who merely shrugged and laughed silently. Peach motioned that they enter the other room and Travis quickly complied as the quietly exited into a living area and sat upon a couch next to each other. Travis was the first to break the silence.

"Mario must make you really happy, huh Peach?" He said as he looked at her with a gentle expression.

Peach smiled and nodded. "He does. But…"

Travis looked confused. "But what?"

Peach looked deeply into his eyes. He loved it when she did that. But he also wished she wouldn't. There was one thing that Peach could do that no other person had ever done. She could read him. Just like an open book. He felt so… vulnerable. But at the same time, he was comforted by her presence. For she was someone who he could confide in. Just like he was someone she could confide in.

Suddenly, Peach pressed her lips against his. Travis was surprised, and slightly panicked, but for some reason, he couldn't push her away. He merely began to rub her back as he let his tongue re-familiarize itself with hers. Their kiss became more and more passionate as she moaned softly and ran her fingers through his hair, knocking his hat off in the process. And Travis, in the heat of the moment, grabbed her breast, which, as one would readily assume, startled them both, causing them to stop.

"I… take it that some things never change…huh?" Travis said as he took a heavy and shaky breath.

Peach blushed and turned away. "Travis…do you remember…"

"That night on Shooting Star Summit?" Travis said, accidentally cutting her off.

Peach nodded in response.

Travis blushed even more as memories of a sultry night came flooding back to him. "…Y-yes…"

"Travis…I dream of that night all the time…and…it still…well, you know…gets to me." she said as she looked back at him and laid her hand on top of his.

"Peach…we…we can't let this get outta hand… the fling that we had… Mario can never find out." Travis said as he gently took her hand in his.

"I know that Travis. I don't want to hurt Mario either. But I do still have feelings for you." She said as she looked into his dark brown eyes.

"Well, I still have feelin's for you, too, darlin'. But… You love Mario. I'm just an old flame. And you know what they say about old flames, they never quite die. Especially when they were your first love." Travis said as he lovingly rubbed her hands.

Peach got up from the couch and walked to the other side of the room. She brought her hand up to her heart and closed her eyes as she spoke again. "Do you… think there is a chance that… you know… one more time…before it's over completely?"

Travis got up and walked over to Peach and gently put his hands on her shoulders. He shook his head as he replied.

"Peach…as much as I want to, you know we can't do that… If we did, nothin' would stop us from wantin' to do it again."

A tear rolled down Peach's cheek as she closed her eyes. She thought of all the fun that she and Travis had experienced together. She thought about the adventures they had gone through, both good and bad. She also thought about the love that they had found. They were each others first. She began to blush as she remembered exactly what had gone on that night:

Peach and Travis lay close to one another on an old blanket as they watched stars shoot though the night sky. They had the most wonderful time today. They had gone to the beach, went out to eat, gone dancing at Club 64, and now here they were, on Shooting Star Summit. They were holding each other close, sharing the occasional kiss. But things had changed between them today. There was a little accident on the beach. An accident in which Peach's top had come undone. Of course, Travis did his best not to look. But Peach knew he had caught a glance due to the blush on his face. That blush still riddled his skin. It had been there all day. It just felt so awkward to leave things unsaid. So, reluctantly, Peach broke the silence that surrounded them.

"Travis?"

"Yes Darlin'?" Travis said as his eyes met hers.

"Did you… see anything you liked today?" Peach said as she smiled slyly. Normally, she wouldn't be this bold. But she felt the need to mess with Travis's mind.

"What do ya mean, Sweetheart?" He asked with a questioning glance.

"I had a little… mishap at the beach today. You didn't… catch sight of anything?" She said as she made circles on the blanket with her index finger.

Travis's eyes got wide at that last question. He knew what she was talking about now.

"Why…uh… N-no, Darlin'…. I d-didn't see nothin'."

Of course he was lying. He saw something, alright. Or rather, 'some things'. And he loved every second of it. He was usually a respectable man. But he was a man, none-the-less. He couldn't help the fact that he was physically attracted to the woman lying beside him. And he definitely couldn't help the fact that she had developed into a perfect figure. She obviously took very good care of her body.

Peach, to his dismay, was not fooled. She was much to smart to fall for his excuse. She could read him like a book. He started to panic as she moved closer to him. She whispered into his ear with a seductive voice.

"Travis… I know better. I… I don't mind if you saw them… In fact, if you want to, you know, see them again…" she reached over and grabbed his hand and slowly led it to her breast… "I'll gladly let you." she finished as she blushed.

Travis was melting on the inside. He had told many people over the years that he had a will of iron. But they would laugh if they saw him now.

"Ahhhahhhhh…" Travis tried to speak, but no words would come. He was practically drooling as Peach lead his hand over her soft curves over and over again. He couldn't help himself. In the heat of the moment, he rolled over on top of her and planted a rough kiss on her lips.

He was twenty-two years old. And after twenty two years of passion building up inside of him, he honestly couldn't stop it from being released.

Peach moaned under the force of Travis's kiss as she ran her hands across his back. She was loving every second of this. She could feel his hands running up and down her body gently. Her tongue entwined with his as she undid his bowtie and through his hat to the side. As things progressed, she felt his hand slide up her dress…

"Peach?" Travis said as he slowly turned her around.

"…Hmm, what now?" She said as she blushed a little, not realizing that he had been talking.

"You do understand, right darlin'?" Travis said as he kissed her cheek.

Peach frowned, but still nodded her head.

"Peach, I'll always love you… you know that. But we can never be what we were. You have Mario. And I… I'm a Man of God now." He said as he pointed to the Crucifix that hung around his neck.

Peach had forgotten that. After their loving, Travis changed. Not in a bad way, but he had changed none the less. He had become more in tune with his faith…well, more so than usual. And after a few years, he had decided to become a priest.

"You were quite shaken afterwards… weren't you?" Peach said as she looked back up at him.

"Yes, Sweetheart. You sent my head for a spin. But, if given the chance to go back, I wouldn't change the fact that it was you." Travis said as he smiled at her.

Peach smiled at him. "You always were devout, Travis. I love that about you."

"And I'll never change. We'll always be the best of friends. Never forget that." Travis said as he smiled back.

They both pulled away from each other as they heard the door handle turn and the door open.

It was Mario.

And there you have it! What will happen next, I wonder? Well, tune in next time, my friends, and you shall see.

Take care, and God Bless.

The Preacherman.