AN: Omg you guys, I know it's been forever since I've updated this one. Finally; the next chapter!

Fionna and Marshall helped themselves to a fruit salad of cherries, strawberries, and apples in the kitchen. They remained silent while eating, both in their own thoughts. Marshall thought over what happened with Prince Gumball. Fionna thought about the pending talk with Flame Prince.

Prince Gumball walked into the kitchen with a picnic basket looped in one arm, and the other arm holding a dress. Smiling a devilish smile he looked at Fionna.

"You didn't think I forgot about your dare, did you?" He said with a smirk.

Marshall fell backwards into the air clutching his sides as he laughed. Fionna groaned in distaste.

"I thought you forgot about that.." She said in a childlike tone.

"Bathroom is the next door to the left." Gumball responded handing her the dress.

Reluctantly she took the dress and trudged her way to change. Once in the bathroom she held the dress out to look at it.

"Thank daisies it's not pink." She remarked. "Wow, this is actually a nice dress." She said relieved that it wasn't puffy or frilly.

The dress came just above her knees and is a soft baby blue color with a white bow that sat on her hip to the right side. The tank top straps to the dress were about one inch thick hanging off her shoulders. The fabric fit her body well, clinging to it just the right amount. The dress was surprisingly comfortable giving the capability to move easily. It was simple, yet brought out her natural assets. Placing her clothes into her back pack she walked back into the kitchen.

Marshall stopped mid-sentence as soon as his eyes laid on her. His jaw slackened making his jaw drop. Seeing his response Prince Gumball looked behind himself to see what Marshall was staring at. The candied prince smiled appreciative at the sight before him. Even though the dress wasn't revealing it was still hard not to stare. She had this natural realness about herself. The girl next door.. the type that unknowingly radiated beauty. Which of course added to the attractiveness of her presence.

Fionna blushed at the way they both looked at her. She grabbed her arm with her right hand, causing the arm to press against the mid of her belly. It exaggerated her innocence, and made both of the males want to take that innocence away.

"Fi, you look amazing." Marshall remarked starry eyed.

"Indeed. You are lovely." Gumball agreed with princely charm.

Fionna blushed brighter brushing back a loose strand of hair. "Thanks." She shuffled her back pack into a more comfortable positing. "You guys ready to go now?"

Before the prince and vampire king could answer she had already turned and started walking out of the door. Marshall and Gumball followed after her allowing her to lead the way. Prince Gumball looked over to the vampire king and shook his head with a smirk. You didn't have to be right next to the undead king to see that he was clearly checking out Fionna's body.

"Taking time to admire the scenery?" the candied prince teased loud enough for just Marshall to hear.

The vampire king made no effort to stop gazing at his 'scenery' to answer. "Yes, and I know you are, too. Don't even try to hide it." He said smoothly.

Gumball sighed. Alright, he'd admit it. He was enjoying the view as well. BUT he just didn't want to be disrespectful to the young adventuress.

"Yes, well, a little respect about how the admiration is given." Gumball stated as he quickened his pace to walk by Fionna's side.

Not being able to resist, Marshall smacked Gumball's butt as he walked forward with a devious smirk. Gumball yelped surprised and he looked back at the vampire teen with a chastising face. Marshall only stuck his tongue out and shrugged in response as he floated faster to catch up with the two.

While walking they played a few hilarious games of name that tune and I spy. The walk to the Fire Kingdom was faster than they had expected. As they closed in on the distance Fionna's stomach began to feel like butterflies were waging war. It distracted her from Prince Gumball and Marshall talking.

"Yo, Fi! You still with us?" The Vampire King questioned poking her cheek.

"Huh? Oh yea… I was just thinking." Fionna's face blushed as she waved her vampire friend's hand away.

"Yea, about that; you still feeling up to meeting this douch flame?" Marshall asked crossing his arms over his chest.

Gumball pushed the teenaged vampire aside giving him a cross look. "I think what Marshall meant was are you feeling okay? You don't have to talk with him today if you aren't ready."

Fionna gave the candied prince and vampire king a small smile. They really were always there for her when she needed it.

"Nah, it's okay. I have to do this. Plus, I already told him I'd be here." Fionna answered pushing her bangs to the side.

"Fionna! I am so happy you came by!" Flame Prince called to Fionna from the palace gate waving.

Walking over to Fionna he moved to hug her but she moved away from him. Flame Prince frowned at her response, but quickly placed a small smile on his face. The blonde adventuress didn't want to seem rude or mean, but she was not ready for that kind of contact with the fire prince just yet. She put a small smile on her face as she made a small wave.

"Hey FP. I told ya I would stop by." Fionna replied cordially.

Flame Prince gave the adventuress a once look over smiling. "Wow, you look beautiful today. Did you dress up for me?" FP asked smiling, half teasing and half serious making Fionna's face blush.

"Oh-" the adventuress started to answer but was interrupted.

"She did not dress up for you. Last night she lost a bet to me and had to wear a dress today." Gumball answered looking irritable at the flame prince crossing his arms over his chest; voice dripping with princely air.

A smirk and a blush appeared on Fionna's face. She couldn't stop it because it was such a change to see the candied prince get so defensive of her. Marshall even looked a little surprised at Gumball's outburst. Flame Prince made a scowl face at the two other men present.

"Oh yes. You two are here as well. Greetings pink prince and demon." FP spat out eyeing the two.

Before Marshall or Gumball could say anything in response Fionna intervened.

"Hey FP, why don't we talk over there." The adventuress pointed to a sandy spot with rocks that they could use for seats. "PG, Marsh, can you guys wait over there for me for a while? Then we can have our picnic!" She moved her hand in the direction of the woods where one large tree stood out amongst the rest.

PG and Marshall sighed. They didn't want to leave their young female companion alone with the fiery prince, but they agreed none the less.

"Alright, but holler if you need anything." Marshall said floating in the direction, umbrella protecting him from the sun.

"He took the words right out of my mouth." Gumball said following behind.

Fionna sighed as the tension lessened from the air. She looked over to Flame Prince noticing that he held his elbow out to her.

"Shall we?" FP asked with a smile.

"We shall." Fionna answered walking in the direction without taking his offered elbow.

Flame Prince followed slightly dishearten. How was he supposed to win her back or build a relationship with her when she kept her distance like this? All he wanted was to be close to her again. He felt his chest tighten as they came to a stop and sat down on rocks opposite of one another. For a few minutes they both sat in silence thinking about what they should say to start the conversation.

Prince Gumball and Marshall stood underneath the shaded shelter of the tree. Laying his umbrella down the vampire king floated up and sat on a thick tree branch. He made sure he would have plenty of shade but able to see Fionna clearly. Gumball walked over to the tree trunk and leaned his back against it, crossing his arms over chest once again. Neither of the two trusted nor liked the hot headed prince. Gumball was beginning to regret inviting Flame Prince back into the kingdom.

"You regret it, don't you?" Marshall asked breaking the silence.

Gumball snapped his head up to the vampire king surprised. "Beg your pardon?" He questioned making sure he understood the question.

"I know you, Gummy. It's not like I wouldn't have been able to figure it out." His voice took on a 'duh' tone.

The pink prince sighed caving in to admittance. "Yes, I do. I allowed my emotions to partially cloud my judgment." Gumball admitted sorrowfully. "I suppose we all lack sense when it comes to love and can do foolish things."

Marshall floated down just above the pink prince and placed both hands on his shoulders. Usually he would have gloated about the prince's foolishness, but this was not the time.

"Look Bubba, we have all said and done some stupid stuff. There's nothing we can do about it now. All we can do now is work this junk out." The vampire king said lightly squeezing the prince's shoulders.

The pink prince put his hands on top of Marshall's and smiled. "You're right. You know, you can actually be really nice instead of a butt face when you want to." He answered with a playful grin.

The two laughed at the remark. It felt so good to joke around with one another after so long. Marshall missed this side of the candy prince. Prince Gumball's face slightly flushed at the comment he had made. It had been a while since he had said anything like that to someone. It felt good to have someone to joke with like that again.

"I'm sorry FP, but I am having trouble figuring out what to say to you. I mean… what is there left to say?"

Flame Prince looked over to her flustered. What did she mean by that? There was much to say, but how was he to start it. He wanted to talk about the incident that happened, but he didn't know how to say it.

"Fionna, I want to talk to you about that day before I left… But it's hard." He admitted honestly; his voice shy but full of resolve.

Fionna flinched in response before she could stop it. Talk about that? Now? She didn't want to, but at the same time she needed the closure. What would be said about it? Did the fiery prince have some kind of excuse for his behavior that he hadn't spoken of yet?

The brief silence was broken by loud wicked laughter. The temperature in the air dropped a few degrees as a cold chill drifted through the air.

"Ah, my beloved candy prince! How about you have a lovely picnic with me!?" Ice Queen asked flying towards the woods where he stood.

Fionna jumped up and ran to where the prince and Marshall stood ready to fight.

"Gumball's not going anywhere with you, ya old ice hag!" The young adventuress shouted pulling her pink crystal sword from her back pack. "Why don't you go back to your-" Fionna was unable to finish as Ice Queen shot a blast of ice her way.