Authors Note: Well, I'm happy to say that the lemon from last chapter was very well received! Which, in turn, makes me happy! Because, as we all well know, happy readers means a happy author! XD ANYHOO, let's get this show on the road shall we?

His eye's slowly began to flutter open. He was warm. A little to warm for his liking, but, at this point, he really couldn't complain. After all, the bed he was in was a very cushy bed. MUCH more comfortable than any other bed he slept in. After his vision began to clear. He began to sit up. Only to be stopped by mountains of… wait… what is this?

He took another second to let his eye's adjust to the light. To his surprise, he was in…

"A hospital? Why am I here?" Mario said as he took in his surroundings. He looked at his arms to see an I.V. in each. Also, many patches connected to several wires were stuck all over him. He looked to the right to see a machine that apparently was monitoring his heart rate and blood pressure. He racked his brain as much as he could to find an explanation as to why he was in the hospital. But he just couldn't remember…

"What could've happened to me?" Mario said to himself. His question did not go long unanswered however. For as soon as he finished his sentence, A familiar voice rang loudly throughout the room.

"Muh…..MARIO! You're awake! HUZZAH!" Luigi called as he rushed to Mario's bedside. Soon, his entire bed was surrounded by people. Everyone was in a frenzy, asking how he was feeling, if he wanted or needed anything. But Mario, trying to remain calm just raised his hand, thus bringing a hush over the people.

"What happened to me?" Mario asked quietly.

"You were attacked by Bowser during the race, Bro. He used some kind of cannon. Luckily, according to the witnesses, Travis rammed Bowser off the road as soon as he saw the weapon. Apparently, the weapon malfunctioned, so it didn't explode on ya. But we're definitely certain that Bowser wanted to kill you." Luigi said as he took a deep shaky breath.

"Bowser? Why would he want to kill me? I always knew he hated me, but he's never gone THIS far before!" Mario exclaimed. Mario took a quick look around then posed another question.

"Uhh… Where's Peach?"

The answer he got was a plethora of heads hung low. He knew all to well what that meant. Bowser had kidnapped her again.

"Well then, where's Travis? Is he here, too?" Mario asked again.

"Mario…" Daisy interjected. "No one knows where Travis is. All we know is that Bowser took him. So we can only assume that he's kidnapped, as well."

"Gee whiz… Well, me being in this bed isn't gonna help solve things." Mario stated as he finally was able to sit up. "Luigi?"

"Yes Mario?" Luigi answered.

"Bring me a Fire Flower."

Rosalina awoke to the sound of music. It was a song that really hit home for her, "Cryin' Time" by Ray Charles.

(Ok, if you REALLY wanna set the mood for this part of chapter, you need to listen to this song. The one I was listenin' to when I was writing is on Youtube titled Cryin Time (Live Goodtime Hour) - Glen Campbell & Ray Charles. That's how this scene came to me.)

She arose and stretched, yawned, and felt for Travis. However, she found nothing but sheets and a note. She wiped her eyes as she turned on a lamp so she could read it. It read:

"My Dearest Rosalina,

I know that this is not the most romantic way to say 'Good-Bye', but I felt it was the most prudent. Please believe me when I say that I am grateful to you for breaking the spell that was cast upon me. But Rosy, I feel that, perhaps it is best that this is as far as we should progress in our relationship."

At those words, tears began to form in Rosie's eyes. She couldn't believe that Travis would do this. Well, no matter what he thought was best, nothing would keep her from him. There was a reason, after all, that she had no reservation about giving herself to him.

Rosy stormed from her bedroom (naked) in search of Travis. To her malicious delight, he was just beginning to tie his bow-tie. She watched as his eyes drifted over to her image in the mirror as a look of sheer terror (and desire) came over his face.

"Uhh… R-rosy… What are… I can explain.." Travis stuttered as he tried to find an explanation for the deeds he had done.

"Explain? EXPLAIN! Travis, you son of a bitch! You were about to leave me hanging high and dry! And all you can say is 'I can explain'!" Rosalina said as she grabbed Travis by the lapels of his coat and slammed him against the wall.

Travis mulled the situation over in his mind, cause he knew that Rosalina was no joke when it came to martial arts. Whatever he was gonna say, he had better think over each word carefully… VERY carefully.

"Travis, I don't know what you think I'm all about, but I will have you know, I'm not just some cheap fuck!" Rosalina yelled.

Travis was taken back by Rosie's use of language. He never knew she had such a sharp tongue.

"Now Rosie, there ain't no need for that kinda language! Now, just let me go and I'll explain…"

Rosalina was blinded by her rage, but she let him go and backed away. Travis, trying to atone for how he had hurt her, took off his coat and wrapped it around her so that she would be decently covered.

"Now listen…" Travis began. "I…I don't want to… become attached to you just yet, Rosy."

"Are… Are you saying that… that you don't want me?" Rosy said as she fought back her tears. Travis, however, was not fooled. He saw the hurt in her eyes. He walked up to her and embraced her.

"Rosy… I do want you. But… I… I must fight Bowser. And this time… well, I don't know if everythin' will turn out alright. Mario's in no shape to fight. And in any case, he needs to find Peach, and uh… break the spell. I just… didn't want to hurt you… anymore than I already have…"

"Travis, you act like you don't stand a chance. You're a powerful being, Travis. You're just as strong as Mario. And I know you can defeat Bowser. I'll take you to his castle. Just promise me this, whenever you come out of there, that you will come back to me." Rosy stated as she looked up at him.

Travis placed a soft, passionate kiss upon her lips and replied.

"I will, darlin'."

Mario finally made it to Bowser's Castle. He had to admit, although he wasn't feeling his absolute best, that Fire Flower really helped. He was just about to open the huge door, when all of a sudden, Travis appeared out of nowhere.

"OH MY GOSH! Travis, you scared the crap out of me!" Mario exclaimed as he jumped back.

"Oh, my apologies cousin. Wasn't meanin' to. But, I do believe your timing is impeccable. I… need to speak with you." Travis said in reply.

"Oh? What about?" Mario asked, trying to sound innocent, but he had a feeling that he knew exactly what Travis was goin' to say.

"Well, Mario… It's…sigh… Son, it's about me and Peach… We… well, we used to be… intimate, ya catch my drift? It was quite a few years back. Back before she knew you… before I knew you. And, some of… that intimacy was bottled up, 'cause I left her when we… gave up ourselves to one another… Cause I couldn't live with the guilt… So I went off and became a Man of the Church. But, Bowser… He placed a curse upon both of us…"

"Wait a minute, a curse? Bowser? What kind?" Mario interjected.

"Well, Rosalina told me that the curse plays off our desire for one another. Thus, makin' us want to… fool around, so to speak. Now, Rosy… she freed me from the curse… ahem… several times… But I digress." Travis said as he blushed a little. "The point is, Now it's up to you to break the curse that was placed on Peach, so that, in the end, we'll finally be freed from the curse that Bowser set upon us."

Mario nodded. But then thought it over. Thus posing a question.

"But Travis, how do I break the curse?"

"Uhh…. Well… err…" Travis stuttered as he blushed. "You have to um…c-consumate with her."

"So… Sex, right?" Mario said as he blushed slightly as well.

"… Yes. Um, anyway, I'll take care of Bowser." Travis said as his blush disappeared.

"Can you handle him on your own?" Mario asked.

Travis nodded in reply. "Of course, my friend. Bowser may be big, but he's an idiot, I'm afraid. I'll be makin' short work of him soon." Travis said as he clenched his fists.

"Alright then. Let's-a go." Mario said as the two walked into the castle, closing the huge iron doors behind them.

Alright everyone, I know this was a long wait. But it's hard for me to figure out how I'm gonna end this, it ain't easy, ya know! XD But I'll be workin' on it. Just enjoy this chapter, and the next one will be up sooner or later! So read and review, take care, and God Bless!

The Preacherman.