Disclaimer: I do not own Ed, Edd n Eddy or any of the characters. Ed, Edd n Eddy is the property of Danny Antonucci and Cartoon Network.

Edd's first REAL Date

Chapter 5: Is this love?

Edd and Marie soon arrived to their destination.

The creek.

The final destination of their experiment/date.

"Here we are..."Edd said upon arriving.

The creek.

A place were Edd could smell the peach blossoms in the night air. Such a scent has always been calming to him since he first moved to Peach Creek when he was very young and met the two boys who, for most of his childhood, had been the only kids willing to be friends with him, at least until the incident at Mondo A Go-Go, where they managed to make amends with the other kids and Eddy stopped his con artist ways.

Anyway, he has a lot of memories of this creek, both good and bad.

And right now, he is here with Marie Kanker and he has yet to know if this will fall under the category of "good" or "bad".

Still, he tries to hope for the best.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?..."Double D said.

"Yes, it is..."Marie said.

She meant it.

It was a clear night and the moon was full. Adding the the natural beauty of the creek made this all the more romantic.

"Who knew Brainy Edd can be such a Casanova?..."Marie thought, pleasantly surprised to say the least.

She never pictured him having any real interest in anything other than his ant farm or chemistry but she is happy to see that he proved her wrong.

That is one of the many things that she loves about him.

Edd is such a sweet, precious bundle of adorable nervousness. He's so smart, helpful, sweet and geeky in the cute way.

Can you really blame her for falling for him?

She is really happy that he brought her to the creek, which looks so beautiful right now. She has had many wonderful memories here, though they were mainly good for her.

Especially ONE moment that still made her blush to this day when she thought about it. Anyway, as they kept walking, she couldn't help but stared at the hat wearing boy until he noticed her staring.

Edd looked away from Marie for a second and blushed.

He can't exactly help it, and not entirely for the reasons she may think.

The neighborhood creek has been the setting to many moments in their lives.

This is the place where he and his friends did their cruise ship scam, which got thwarted by Marie and her sisters, who dressed up as pirates and chased them across the creek, and who took things further by kissing them for the first time.

Which also ended up being his first kiss to boot.

His first kiss.

He could never forget that moment...no matter how hard he tried.

FLASHBACK

The Kanker sisters had just ruined their cruise ship scam, wrecked their boat, fished them out of the water and had just made Jimmy and Johnny walk the plank.

"Keep walking..."Lee ordered as she and her sisters began chanting "Walk' over and over again until the boys finally fell into the creek.

The three sisters all cheered as they watched the boys get swept by the current, once they were gone, they smiled in a mischievous sort of way.

"Time to claim our booty, girls..." Lee said and she and her sisters soon turned to the Eds, who were trapped and cowering at the end of the "ship".

The Kanker's all laughed as they ran to them as the Ed's shook in fear.

Especially the most timid and feeble of them all.

'Not good...not good..." Edd said in dread as they descended on them.

May and Lee had grabbed onto a struggling Ed and Eddy, leaving Edd at the mercy of Marie, who was laughing fiendishly as she descended on him.

"Time to collect my booty…" Marie said as Edd shook his head in a vain attempt to dissuade her.

"No please! I've never done this before! You wouldn't dare!..." Edd said in dread as the kissing began.

MUAH!~

End of Flashback

That was how it went.

His first kiss.

And event that once traumatized him for many reasons.

Because it was done without his permission, because he was scared of Marie and found her to be very rough, aggressive and intimidating. And also, and what was the biggest issues for him was that he was a very timid boy who was shy about that level of intimacy, and he was also a germaphobic child and the thought of Marie's lips (due to her poor hygiene) appalled him to no end.

It didn't help that the event that day would end up being the first of MANY situations like that as he grew up.

However, now that he is older, wiser and thankfully a little more relaxed compared to his younger years, was it really that bad?

Was Marie really that bad back then or was his fear of germs and deep shyness around girls made him think it was?

He glanced at her again and noticed how she looks in the moonlight.

How her hair was much nicer and MUCH cleaner now, how her smile was much less terrifying and how her perfume wasn't strong enough to suffocate his senses.

Edd's heart beat faster a he realized what he was doing and looked away, blushing deeply

"What has come over me? This is Marie Kanker for heavens sake..."Double D thought, truly confused.

This is the girl who has tormented him with her unwanted advances and teasing for years.

This is the girl who stole his first kiss, forced him to undergo the unsanitary activity of footsies, stripped him and married him against his will in front of everyone, humiliated him on the first day of eighth grade by forcing him to profess his "undying love" for her and that is only a few of the many, many disturbing, humiliating things that he has suffered at the hands of the trickiest Kanker there is.

Not only that, she's rude, crude, violent, unhygienic and has no sense of boundaries or personal space...and yet...tonight, she was none of those things.

She did make an effort to be polite, in her own way, and even he had to admit that she cleans up very nicely.

"Why she wasn't like this before is beyond me..." Edd sighed, resisting the urge to rub his temples.

He knows that she has feelings for him and has been wanting to date him since they first met but...but...but..

"It's not like I can forget what happened instantly…" He thought as he sighed, feeling mentally exhausted.

Tonight, he had ventured through uncharted territory and so far, he survived.

He asked Marie out, had dinner with her, watched a movie with her, survived holding her hand, making pleasant conversation and is now taking a walk with her in the moonlight by the creek.

He did all that and survived.

Not only that but...he found himself...not having a terrible time.

Actually, if he had to be completely honest, he actually did enjoy his time with her to a degree.

Actually, it wasn't a degree.

Despite his nerves and the snafu's of time, he actually found himself enjoying getting to know Marie when she wasn't trying to humiliate him or make out with him against his will.

It was a surprise to him, that he was actually enjoying spending time with her.

And I mean REALLY enjoying it.

More than he ever thought he would.

Much, MUCH more...

Not counting her aesthetic appeal, he ended up finding her sense of humor to be nice (when it wasn't being crude or mean), he also found that she is quite intelligent too and has her own unique perspective on various topics, including art.

And to be perfectly honest, it actually felt...kind of nice, when she held his hand tonight, not in a rough way that cut off his circulation, but in a gentle sort of way that...felt warm.

He actually did like all of that about her and that scared him.

"Am...am I really considering this?..."Double D thought.

He has always been a romantic. He might be a man of science and has not had any true experience with the opposite gender, but he has occasionally read about such things in his books and before Marie came along, he always did want a girlfriend.

Someone gentle, sweet and loving whom he could talk to and to spend his time with. Someone who he could talk about his interests with and who actually made the effort to listen and someone...whom he hoped he could fall in love with and experience that mysterious emotion.

So far, Marie was actually pretty close to that right now, or at the very least, she was tonight.

I mean, sure, there had been some slip ups and hiccups along the way, but she legitimately TRIED to respect his boundaries tonight and without having to deal with her amorous assaulting him, he got to know her and found her, while still a little rough around the edges, he found himself almost charmed by her wit, she made an effort to listen to him and respect his feelings tonight and...well, as far as looks go, he found her to be very appealing tonight.

Still, how can he be sure that tonight wasn't just some fluke?

How could he know if what he feels is actually real and not just a minor infatuation that will only last a few hours at best?

"This is so confusing. I mean, the data I had gathered since childhood is conclusive about all of Marie's negative traits and yet tonight, the new data that I have collected shows her as...as...oh, I am not sure but it is nothing negative about it. This is so confusing..."The Brainy Ed boy thought, so confused.

Just how can he be sure that he could legitimately come to like this girl on his own?

An idea soon came to his mind, about how he can be completely sure if he truly could learn to like Marie as a potential love interest and not just a passing fancy.

He had the idea...and it made him blush.

Very, very much

It involved him doing something with her. It was something he was used to, but not by choice.

A kiss...

Yes, a kiss!

Since he met her, whenever they kissed, it was Marie who kissed him, by force, he might add.

Never did he intentionally do it nor that he desired to.

Until, maybe, tonight.

Edd is really confused now.

He never once experienced what it could be like to kiss...her. As in willingly and completely INITIATING a kiss with her to see whether or not if he likes it or not.

If this were how things were years ago, he'd actually hit himself in the head for such an outlandish idea and then consult one of his psychology books, but things were looking different now.

One kiss may or may not be the answer to the question he has been asking himself all night: Could he learn to like Marie Kanker?

Edd decided to throw caution to the wind and just went for it.

If he didn't do it now, he may never regain the nerve and he will regret it for the rest of his life.

So, he decided to try it.

"M-Marie...I...I wish to ask something of you...you do not need to if you do not wish to...but...I believe it would be helpful for the experiment...for me to clarify my feelings and...and-

"Double D, calm down, you're as red as lobster..."Marie said, actually worried right now.

She isn't kidding.

His face is so red and he is shaking and sweating so bad, she legitimately thought he was about to pass out or something. Marie wondered what was wrong. Up until now, they had been getting along so well.

"Edd, what is wrong? What is it that you want?..."The blue haired Kanker asked.

Edd, as red as he can be, was shaking like a leaf and sweating like crazy.

"Just...just do it...just ask and accept whatever answer she gives..."Edd yelled internally as he tried to gather all of his courage.

It is now or never.

"M-Marie? May we... kiss?..."

There, he said it, he actually asked for a KISS of all things from Marie and he somehow didn't faint...yet, anyway.

There was an unbearable silence and Edd saw the shocked look on Marie's face. She just stood there, not saying anything and Edd was beginning to fear the worst.

"Oh my, she is going to slap me, isn't she?..."Edd thought, worried.

He wouldn't blame her. He wasn't acting very gentleman like but he had to try.

Marie was silent for a while until she shook her head, just to be clear she heard him right.

"D-Did you just...ask ME to KISS you?!..."Marie said, still in shock.

Edd's blushing got worse now.

"I am so sorry, Marie. I-..."

She held her hand up.

"Wait, back up a bit. You, Double D, just as ME for a kiss?..."Marie repeated.

Edd nodded.

"And...are you saying that you want to kiss me...as in, YOU will be kissing me back?..."Marie said, almost in disbelief.

Edd blushed deeper but meekly nodded.

"I...I truly do believe that...it would help..."He said, not daring to look her in the eye now.

"Help?..."She questioned.

Edd sighed as he knew that this will be a very awkward conversation.

"Marie, I...I am very confused right now in this part of the experiment. I...I am feeling things right now that...I still don't completely understand..."Edd confessed.

"Feeling things?..."Marie whispered as he continued.

"I know that this is much to ask but...I truly think that it could help me understand things better..."He said.

Marie was silent for the entire explanation and Edd sighed, feeling mortified.

"Look, I understand that this might seem rather out of character and-..."

"Okay..."Marie said.

Edd's eyes widen.

"W-What?..."He stammered now.

"I said okay..."She said simply.

"Y-You mean it?!..."Edd said in disbelief and Marie nodded

He saw her smiling and blushing before she rolled her eyes.

"I did said okay, didn't I?..."Marie said, still smiling and blushing.

Edd had to make sure.

"Are...are you sure? I mean...'Edd started but Marie cut him off.

"Edd, haven't I been clear about the fact that I have been in love with you since I was 12 years old?..."Marie said with her arms crossed.

"Very clear..."He couldn't help but say.

"Then, you know that I am down for this...'Marie said casually.

One the inside, she is beaming with excitement.

"He actually wants to kiss me..."Marie thought, barely keeping it together as it is.

She thought for a moment he was doing reverse psychology once more, but he seemed genuine.

Plus, she has been wanting to kiss him all night.

So, she is MORE than okay if HE asks for it. It actually made her want him even more now, if that was even possible.

Marie felt her heart beat excitedly as a little voice in the back of her head was telling her just to kiss him already. However, her rarely listen to rational side told her not to scare him off and to wait and let Edd make the first move

And she will...at least, at first

Edd gulped, realizing that now is the time.

"Uh...very well, shall we...begin..."Edd said and Marie giggled.

"I'll be ready in a bit, Muffin..."Marie said as she pulled out her lipstick and added a fresh coat.

Edd gulped again, feeling his face hot with blushing and he is shaking and sweating.

He is about to KISS Marie Kanker...on his own accord and HE is initiation it.

"Stay calm Eddward. This is just...part of the experiment..."Edd thought to himself.

Yes, part of an experiment to see if he could truly, possible, even slightly learn to ever possibly like, or even love this woman, who once haunted his nightmares as a boy.

Marie Kanker, once the bane of the existence(and may still be that) and now, quite possibly, may end up becoming something new to him.

Something that may be good.

But he has to kiss her to be sure.

"Oh, dear. Control yourself, Eddward! Don't let your nerves get to you..."He mentally chastised himself as he tried to prepare himself.

Soon Marie was done applying her lipstick and she turned to Edd with an amorous, albeit giddy look on her face that seemed sincere.

"Ready, Oven Mitt?..."Marie said, with her lips now red and ready to get down to business.

Edd blushed and nodded.

"V-Very well. Um...L-Let us...begin...'Edd said, stuttering before gulping again.

Marie giggled before she closed her eyes and puckered her lips.

Unlike most times, she did not make the first move. She stood there..waiting.

Waiting for him to...to...to..

Edd felt his heart racing a mile a minute, his entire body petrified and he was sweating all over as the blue haired Kanker kept her lips puckered, waiting for him.

"Oh my, Oh dear. Am I actually about to...to..THIS IS MARIE KANKER, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!..."The part of his mind that still feared her screamed at him.

However, another side of him, which is slowly growing in power, was arguing with it.

"True, but at the same time, she kissed you and you said it yourself, you gave her permission..."The other side of him said..."An experiment cannot be complete without all the variables..."The voice echoed in his mind and Edd gulped once more, deeply.

He knew that it was true and that he had to do this, not just for himself but also for Marie to. He can't back out now, after he went and made such a request or he will end up either enraging her or breaking her heart.

And also, another new side of him...was curious to see what it would be like, for once, to kiss a girl by his own accord.

Even if that girl is Marie Kanker, or maybe, BECAUSE that girl is Marie Kanker.

Edd, using the last ounce of his courage, closed the gap and his lips soon met Marie's.

Both stood there lip that, their lips touching, their eyes closed and neither moving.

They just stood there, their lips touching as neither knew how much time has passed or what is happening with the rest of the world.

All they can notice, think or feel right now, is the other's lips.

After an unknown amount of time, it had to come to an end.

MUAH!~

Edd slowly pulled away from her, his face completely red and his lips and entire body was trembling.

He couldn't believe it but he actually did it.

He kissed her.

He kissed her WILLINGLY and the universe did NOT implode.

Unbelievable!

Absolutely astounding!

"Oh, oh my..."Was all that came out of his freshly kissed mouth and all he could feel right now were...sensations were the closest word he had to describe it.

He saw the look on Marie's face, a look he has never seen before, at the very least, not at THIS level.

Her entire faced is deeply flushed, her shoulders slouched a bit, she had the biggest smile on her face and the dreamiest look in her hazel eyes.

"Oh, Edd..."Marie sighed romantically and for the first time, he noticed how nice her voice sounds like this.

"Marie..."He said in a soft voice as his blue eyes looked into her hazel eyes, Edd was stunned.

Then, as if struck by Cupid's arrow, Double D felt something come over him as he continued to look into her eyes.

For the first time in his entire life, he looked into Marie's eyes and he felt no fear, no apprehension, no disgust or resentment.

When he looked into her eyes, he saw something that used to terrify him but now..it...allured him.

He now knew what it is.

Love!

He saw love in her eyes.

Something that used to scare him but now, he can't stop thinking about it as it became as clear as the night sky.

She loved him, she always did and he knew now that it wasn't some grade school infatuation or a way to torture and humiliate him but the true, honest, real deal.

She really does love him.

But...does he love her?

He was not sure, as he knew the answer to that question would require more data. Anyway, before he could say or do anything, Marie's enamored expression soon shifted to something...more intense.

"Oh...oh...OH, EDD!..."Marie said as she shouted in ecstasy.

The blue haired Kanker grabbed him and pulled him towards her.

"W-Whoa..."He exclaimed.

"Come to mama, Big Boy!..." She said and before he could react, the blue haired Kanker pushed him into a nearby tree and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"M-Mari-

He was silenced when Marie's lips finally met his for another kiss. She pushed him deeper into the tree, deepening the kiss in the process, while Edd just stood there, with his eyes open as the blue haired Kanker continued to kiss him and for once, he is not running away.

"Mmmmm..."Marie let out as she wrapped her arms around his neck and remained close to the boy.

After a full 15 seconds, this was heard...

"MUAH!~..."

Once she pulled away, Double D was silent and Marie...she is pretty lovesick right now, with a deep blush and a love struck look on her the past, he used to be terrified whenever he saw this face but...but now...

He is...fascinated, for lack of better word.

This was the first thought after such a big kiss.

"She truly is...amorous...isn't she..."Edd thought, feeling something strange happening to him now.

It is astounding!

For once in his life, Edd didn't have a answer to what was going on inside of his brain but all he could see is Marie, all he could feel was his trembling lips and his beating heart and all he wanted was...was...

Marie, confused by his silence and lack of movement, wondered what was wrong.

"Edd? Edd? Double D?..."Marie asked as he still stood there like a statue and she wondered if she went too far.

Then to her surprise, she felt him cupping her face and she saw a strange look in his eyes.

Something she has never seen before, least of all from him. Then he grabbed her and dipped her and Marie found herself looking into his blue, intense looking eyes.

"E-Edd..."Marie stammered out now and Edd smirked even more as he spoke.

"You look radiant beneath the pale moonlight..."He said in a low whisper.

Marie was stunned silent as Edd still had a smirk on his face before he leaned forward and kissed her again, surprising the young Kanker girl, who was stunned, before melting into the kiss...

They remained like that for a while and Double D lost all concept of time as he continued to kiss Marie Kanker WILLINGLY.

Yet again.

Unlike the first one, where he just stood there with his lips puckered out, Edd had his arms wrapped around Marie, pulling her closer, as if, imitating her previous actions.

Marie's eyes were widen now at how needy his kissing got so soon, before they fluttered closed as she melted into it again

This kiss lasted a full total of 20 seconds before-

MUAH!~

Edd pulled away, Marie just stood there, her cheeks red with blushing and she had a dreamy look on her face, and for the first time ever, Edd had the same look on his face.

"Wow..."She said.

"Wow, indeed..."He agreed.

There weren't many other words that he could say to describe what just happen or what they felt.

Still, the smiles on their faces spoke enough.

"So..."Double D spoke up, still a blush and dazed look on his face.

Marie giggled as she blushed again, still not letting go of him.

"So..."She said, still giggling.

"Well...uh..."Double D started and still had that grin on his face and she kept giggling as she began playing with his tie, with her little finger and for once, Double D didn't care if it got wrinkled or not.

"So...Edd...how did ya like going out with me?...'Marie asked with a flirty look on her face.

"To be honest...I truly did enjoy our evening together..."Double D said and Marie grinned widely.

"Does this mean that you are ready to make it official with me, Oven Mitt? Because all of this can be yours..."Marie said as she gestured to her entire being.

To her surprise, his smiling face was replaced with a serious one.

"Huh?..."

"Actually Marie...I do believe that we need to talk..."Double D said seriously.

Marie raised an eyebrow.

"About what?..."She asked.

In her head, she was wondering how and where she messed up here

Marie didn't want to admit it but she felt afraid that he was going to say that he didn't want to see her again and that he wanted to pretend that tonight never happened.

Marie didn't want that at all.

She wanted him!

Still, maybe she is getting a head of herself.

Talk first, and then worry.

"I don't get it, what's up? I acted like a lady all night..."Marie said.

"Indeed, you did behave yourself, you tried to respect me and I appreciate it..."Edd said.

"So, what's the problem?..."Marie asked.

"The problem is Marie, this is probably the only true good encounter we have ever had together but you want to go straight to being amorous any given chance..."Double D said.

"What's wrong with that?..."Marie asked.

"There's more to relationships than mere amorous interactions and minor acts of physical intimacy..."Edd said and Marie blinked in confusion.

"What does that mean?! I'm not fluent in science-y speak..." She thought, not liking where this is going..."What...are you saying?..."Marie asked, getting worried.

Was he having second thoughts about this whole thing? About her?

Did he think this was a mistake?

That she was a mistake?!

"I am saying...this requires further...investigating..."Double D said, with a blush.

"Huh?..."Marie said.

Edd is still blushing, but continued, awkwardly delivering his suggestion to the blue haired beauty.

"I admit that I did enjoy our date tonight and...for once...I didn't dislike that you kissed me, but I do not wish to rush into anything, so...I...would like to make another proposition, if you don't mind?..."Edd said.

"Quit beating around the bush and just tell me..."Marie said impatiently and Edd sighed.

He knew that he wasn't the best at talking to girls and that Marie is impatient. He is better off just being blunt here.

"I suggest that...we continue doing this for a period of time...just to see that...this is not a fluke..."Double D said.

Marie raised a brow, until she registered what he said and grinned.

"Pumpkin, is that your way of saying you want to go on another date with me?..."Marie asked excitedly.

"Well...in laymen's terms, yes...but...for scientific purposes, to...make sure that what I feel right now is...not circumstantial..."Double D said, wondering if this is wise.

Marie responded by pulling him in for another kiss, which surprised him more than anything. Once she pulled away, she hugged him tightly.

"YES!..."Marie said in excitement before turning to him, giggling and blushing like a school girl, which she technically was but who cares?

Double D wanted a second date with her!

He didn't hate her!

Awesome!

She was so happy, she didn't notice that she was crushing his lungs right now, with how hard she is hugging him.

Marie , I need to breathe... please..."A blue face Edd barely managed to let out and Marie heard this and giggled.

She let him go, which allowed Edd to get some much needed oxygen but Marie wasn't paying so much attention to that.

She is FAR more interest in the fact that her precious Double D just ask her out again.

Marie tried her best flirty look on her face as she spoke to her possibly soon to be official boyfriend.

"So, Stud-Muffin...how long do you think this...investigation will take before you realize that you can't resist me?..."Marie asked in a flirty sort of way.

Edd blushed and cleared his throat before answering her.

"Well, since it is Summer...I...I do believe that it would be best to constant exposure so...with your permeation, perhaps we can go do a trial period of one week and...if by weeks end, I still feel this way then...I will be open to discuss the possibility of...becoming an official couple with you...but only AFTER we rationally talk about it..."Double D said.

Marie heard all this and the grin on her face did not go away.

If he was saying what she thought he was saying and if she played her cards right, then by next week she'd have a REAL boyfriend, all to herself ,

"I'm in...by weeks end, you'll be wanting me to be your girlfriend..."Marie said, confidently.

Despite it all, Edd sent a small, almost amused smile at that.

"Perhaps, perhaps not, but we must make some terms and rules about this.."Double D said.

"Rules? Such as?..."Marie asked.

"I have quite a few..."Edd said as he pulled out a list of already written down rules, which he had made on the chance that he DID end up deciding to give this girl a chance.

"Rule 1: We shall meet with each other at least once a day and go on "date", and it has to be an activity that we both agree on and are comfortable with..."Edd said.

Marie smiled.

"Okay..."She said, liking the idea of doing on a literal week's worth of dates with her favorite Ed.

"Rule 2: If by chance either of cannot make it, we must call and inform the other and reschedule..."He said.

"Duh..."Marie said.

Despite being a rebel, she liked these rules so far.

"Rule 3: Let's keep romantic maneuvers to what our peers refer to as "First Base"..."Edd said, this time with another blush forming on his face.

Marie heard this and she could understand, given how timid he is, he he wasn't comfortable with more than just kissing

"Alright, I guess I can do that. Anything else, Lover Boy?..."Marie asked.

"Yes...uh...if you desire to kiss me...I have two conditions.."Double D said.

"What are they?..."Marie asked.

"If...you wish to kiss me...please, just ask me first and accept it if I say that I am not ready...please Marie...I...I am still getting use to the female species..."Double D pleaded.

Marie pouted, but stopped to think.

On the one hand, she has to control her hormones again like she did tonight but on the other hand, she is being offered a week of dates from the love of her life and a chance to really make him fall for her.

She'd be crazy to pass up this deal.

"Okay...and the other thing?..'Marie asked.

"Yes..uh...Please don't be offended but...I would appreciate it if...you did what you did tonight and pay more attention to your dental hygiene before kissing me..."Double D said, since in the past, Marie didn't care much about brushing her teeth as a kid.

He knew that personally.

Marie blushed and pouted, before sighing.

She should have expected this.

"Always a neat freak, huh?...Fine, I can do that much..."Marie said, before sending him a flirty look.

"So...can we kiss on it?..."She said flirtatiously, making her desire clear.

She was actually asking him beforehand to kiss her and Edd knew it. Since he has already been kissed by her three times already and didn't feel fear or disgust, Double D decided to go for it.

"Very well, but...be gentle..."He said.

Marie smiled as she leaned forward and their lips met, sharing yet another mutual kiss between them.

"I love you, Edd..."Marie thought during the kiss,

"She is...certainly worth investigating..."Edd thought during this time as the kiss continued.

MUAH!~

Once they pulled a way, Edd had a rather dazed look on his face, and he was grinning.

"I think...I think that this is going to turn out just fine..."He thought.

Edd had glanced to his watch and blanched when he saw what time it is.

"Oh, dear..Look how late it is..."Double D said in worry.

He just missed his curfew.

His perfect record(not including the times Eddy had some wacky thing) was broken.

His parents were going to be so disappointed.

Before he could panic about it more, Marie, still in a lovey dovey daze from the kiss, just sent him a flirtatious look.

"So, Oven-Mitt? Mind walking me home?..."Marie asked as she fluttered her eyes lashes at him.

Despite it all, Edd sighed and smile.

"Of course..."Edd said as he offered his arm to her and decided to escort her home.

Sure, he was upset with himself for missing curfew but he would be even more upset with himself as he did something as ungentlemanly like as not walking his date home.

Plus, he is sure that his parents will understand if he explained what happened.

Or at least, he hoped that they would understand.

Anyway, the two teens soon left the creek, arm in arm once more.

And Edd was still feeling those things that he now, could only feel around Marie.

Oh boy.

Later

At the Park 'N Flush Trailer Park

Edd and Marie soon arrived to the trailer park, and they were now in front of Marie's trailer home.

Their first round of experimentation/date (depending on who you asked) was over but another would begin soon

Marie and Edd stood underneath the flood light in front of her door. They had been holding hands the entire time they had walked to her door and haven't let go yet.

Neither wanted to.

"Thanks for walking me home, Pumpkin..."Marie said, sending him a sweet smile.

"It was my pleasure, Marie..."Edd said, before noticing that he is still holding her hand.

"Gah! Sorry!..." The nervous boy with sweaty hand apologized as he let go.

"Don't be. I liked it..." The girl giggled and smiled at Edd

A smile which filled his stomach with butterflies.

"She truly is...something..."He thought as Marie kept talking.

"I had a great time tonight, Edd..."Marie said.

"As did I, Marie..."Edd said, meaning it.

He decided to do something, not for any experiment, but because he WANTED to.

He grabbed Marie's hand and sent her a look.

"May I?..."He asked and Marie giggled.

"By all means...'Marie said and practically swooned when the brainy Ed boy kissed her hand, it was like something out of those old movies her mom likes watching.

"Oh, I just love this guy..."Marie thought, practically dizzy with love right now.

She is not the only one, even if she is the only one who admits to it/

"This was a quite an interesting experiment..." Edd thought, unable to stop grinning as he pulled away and then looked at her.

She is still smiling, blushing and giggling like a school girl and Edd had to admit that she was actually pretty cute when she got like this.

"It was an awesome first date..."She said dreamily.

"I agree..." Edd said

The two kept smiling at each other for a few seconds, before Marie giggling again, her hands behind her and she leaned forward.

"Hey, Edd...'Marie said flirtatiously.

"Yes, Marie..."Edd said.

"Remember that little rule about our new "relationship", about me having to ask you if I want to kiss you..."Marie said with a sly look on her face.

Edd blushed again.

"Y-Yes..."Edd said, blushing but not as scared as he was earlier, though he wondered why she was bringing it up now

Marie kept that sly (and cute) look on her face.

"Well, I was thinking. Most people, at the end of a date, have a good night kiss..."Marie said, with a hinting tone.

"Oh, that's why..." Edd thought,having forgotten all about that particular custom.

"So...can we?..."Marie said, being as clear as possible.

'Should I? She IS following the rules we agreed upon..."Edd thought about it.

At the very least, she did respect his wish about asking first. And they were on a date. And it is sort of customary to do that sort of thing, but only if both parties wish to.

Well, Marie clearly wants to.

And him?

Did he want to?

He already kissed her a few times tonight, and by choice.

Does he want to do it again?

He looked and saw the way she looked with the light of the trailer hitting her. Despite the rather unsettling background, he looked into her eyes again and felt that strange spark from earlier.

He found himself smiling and nodding.

"Yes, Marie. I believe that we can kiss.."He said, actually looking forward to it now.

Marie didn't need anything else but confirmation.

She pulled him to her and quickly wrapped his arms around him as their lips met and Edd soon found himself pinned again the outer wall of the trailer as Marie once again kissed him passionately.

Edd quickly melted into this kiss and began kissing her back, trying to keep up with her enthusiastic movements.

Deep inside him, he felt those feelings from earlier stir up again. Those AMAZING feelings.

He felt them.

He felt this euphoria

If Edd wasn't careful, he'd grow addicted to it

This had stopped becoming an experiment and more of a want that the young boy didn't know he needed. Within seconds, moaning could be heard, along with a giggle. It was completely obvious Marie was enjoying the moment.

From the pleasure of the kiss, minutes seemed like seconds. Eventually, they forgot about breathing and had to separate in order to survive.

MUAH!~

Once they were separated, they both were panting, they had dreamy looks on their blushing faces and felt tingly all over.

Just like before.

Edd didn't know what else to say. Then again, what could be said after experiencing that?

"Good night, Edd..."Marie said as she winked at him.

"Good night, Marie..."Edd said as he watched her enter her home.

Once he was sure that she was safely inside, Edd slowly touched his lips in almost surprise, before he let out a content sigh.

"Tonight was a good experiment..."He continued.

It yield VERY interesting results. However, he couldn't yet reach a conclusion.

Not yet, anyway.

He still has much to learn. In spite, of matter how spectacular the feeling of Marie's lips on his own, he knew that he still has much to uncover.

Though, he still had a big, stupid grin on his face as he walked over to his fathers car to get it home, in spite of the Trailer Park being just several yards from the Cul-De-Sac.

Hey, someone has to be the responsible one here.

A little later

As the Ed boy blissfully out of his father's car and had a lovesick look on his face, he soon heard some familiar voices that snapped him out of his blissful, albeit, scientific thoughts.

"STUPID, LOUSY, ROTTEN KANKERS!..."Was yelled.

Edd turned around and saw that it was Ed and Eddy and the two of them were covered head to toe in lipstick, no doubt, courtesy of Marie's sisters.

A familiar sight to be sure. One that he was happy to have avoided...somewhat.

They must have just managed to escape May and Lee, as they haven't noticed him yet and Edd, well, he found himself letting out a small chuckle, getting their attention.

"I see that May and Lee have been up to their old tricks..."Edd said and Eddy yelled

"This is your fault. If you didn't go out with that Kanker and make us keep an eye on you-..."

"I NEVER told either of you to keep an eye on me. That was your choice. I am not responsible for what Marie's sisters did..."Edd said.

"Oh, excuse us for actually trying to have your back..."Eddy said sarcastically.

Ed stuck his head against the ground, wiping lipstick against the lawn, while Eddy was still steamed. Ed did notice something that Eddy didn't yet.

"Why doesn't Double D have lipstick all over him too?..."Ed questioned.

"Wait, what? How'd you not end up in a make out torture like we were?!..."He shouted.

"Who said that we didn't kiss?..."Edd thought but did not say.

After all, a gentleman does not kiss and tell.

"I do believe...that is not any of your business..."Edd said, blushing a bit.

Eddy grumbled while he grabbed a nearby hose, spraying himself in the face to get the lipstick off. Once done, Ed decided to ask the all important question.

"So...how was your date?..."Ed asked.

"It was...nice..."Edd admitted.

"Nice?! With a KANKER?!..."Eddy said in a disbelieving tone.

"Yes, it was nice. Marie was much better company than I anticipated..." Edd replied with a pleasant smile.

"She brainwashed you, didn't she?...'Eddy accused and Edd rolled his eyes at that.

"Come now, Eddy. Marie is not that bad and I will have you know, my experiment with her is still not over..."Edd said.

"Not over?..."Eddy said in shock..."What do you mean that it's not over?!..."

Edd, despite himself, smirked.

While a gentleman did not kiss and tell, a scientist did explain the progress of his experiment.

"Why yes, Eddy. An experiment can not be proven conclusive with one cycle. They must multiple days of the same activity in order to gain any—..."

"You're going on ANOTHER DATE WITH HER!?..." Eddy butted in, somewhat managing to decode the science babble and get what he was trying to say.

Edd nodded, still with that smile on his face.

"Why yes, I realize now that one date isn't enough. So, we have decided to spend a week together in order to fully understand the nature of our relationship and if it can truly become something significant over time..."Edd explained.

"ARE YOU NUTS?!..."Eddy shouted.

Edd frowned

"I can assure you old friend I am in full possession of my mental faculties..." He said, crossing his arms

Ed, the big lug that he is, grabbed his friend as he studied him. After a few seconds, Edd was safely put back down.

"No brain eating slugs from Mars here..."He proclaimed, to his friends' confusion.

They knew he was being protective, in his own Ed-like manner. Eddy, however, is also protective in his own way, sometimes when he shouldn't be.

"Double D, listen..." Eddy said with an arm around the middle Ed... "I'm saying this because we're friends. We stick together. So when I'm telling you that NO GOOD CAN COME FROM A KANKER, I MEAN IT!..."He yelled at the top of his lungs and Edd narrowed his eyes at that.

Yes, he and Eddy were friends almost like brothers in all ways but genetics and he knew that Eddy was trying to look out for him, but Edd knew what he was doing and did not wished to be questioned about it.

It is his choice and they have to respect it.

"Then I suppose you will not enjoy the news I have..."

"Bout what?..." Ed asked curiously

"Yeah Sock-head! About what?..." Eddy demanded.

He smiled.

"Marie and I shall be going on another date tomorrow, so I ask that you both do not spy on me like you did tonight. I can take care of myself in this situation..."Edd said, being serious.

Eddy just froze up while Ed was his usual dimwitted self, just nodded with that vacant grin on his face.

"Okie dokey, Smokey!..." Ed said saluting, not having a problem with this.

"Thank you, Ed..." He said before looking to Eddy

"Well, Eddy?..." Edd asked and it took him about a few seconds to answer.

"You can't be serious about that..." Eddy said in disbelief

"I have made my decision Eddy..."Edd said, meaning it and Eddy growled before he threw his arms up in frustration

"Fine Sock-head! You want to throw yourself in with the lions, then be my guest! Just don't expect lumpy and I to get you out!..."The shortest Ed yelled.

As Eddy angrily marched back home, muttering something Edd rather not repeat and Ed decided to go home as well, Edd continued to walk home, still having a smile on his face.

He knew that Eddy and Ed both have their justified reasons for being wary, but he knew what he was doing. He knew that he didn't have enough data to make a hypothesis and that the experiment has to continue until they reach some kind of conclusion that answered their questions.

He knew that he is flirting with danger but he has to take this chance.

You can't be a scientist without being willing to take some risks every once in a while and Marie Kanker was by far, the greatest risk of his entire scientific career.

He, as a man of science and a teenage boy, couldn't help but feel...optimistic, to say the least.

He knows that his experiment with Marie is not over.

It is only just beginning.

The End

And done.

Not too shabby if I do say so myself.

I would like to dedicate and give a shout out to my many wonderful reviews that have stuck by me since I started this fic.

Let's give some love for: AceOfSpades1980 ,Boris Yeltsin, Charly888, emptywell, derekctomlinson, Invader Johnny, Mr. Legoman and Starlord Master.

Thank you all for the support, you guys are part of the reason I love doing what I do :)

I would also like to thank my dear friends NeoMark,BeConfuzzled Writer and 61394 for assisting me. You guys rock! :)

A/N: Be on the lookout for the sequel "Edd x Marie 4ever" :)

For old times sake here are my REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewers:

Invader Johnny: Yes, and it did :)

Emptywell: Thank you :)

Derecktomlinson: Thank you :)

Starlord Master: Thank you for the FOUR consecutive reviews in a row :)

AceOfSpades1980: Thank you :)

Charly888: Muchas gracias :)

:) Till next time beautiful people, remember to read and review :)