Apologies for not updating for so long. I've been distracted by SO many things. This is unfortunately the second-to-last chapter. But fortunately I am already planning out the sequel! Anyways, special thanks to everyone who's been reviewing! I lost track of al you guys! I own nothing!

The trip back was a lot quicker for Fionna and Marshall, but it still felt like forever. The silence between the trio was thick enough to cut with a butter knife.

Max led the way, with the adventuress and the vampire trailing behind.

There seemed to have been a shift, not only in their friendship with Max, but in their own friendship as well. Fionna caught Marshall looking at her multiple times, but every time he looked away.

As they entered a clearing, Marshall pulled her back into the shelter of the trees.

"Marshall…" Fionna said, glancing at Max's retreating back.

"We'll catch up. Just let me talk," Marshall said.

Fionna nodded, waiting for him to go on.

"You want to know the real reason I don't like Gumball?"

"I thought-"

"I lied," Marshall said, "The real reason I don't like Gumball is because of you."

"Me?"

"Yes, you. Fionna, I… I'm not sure how to… say this exactly but… I was… jealous… of Gumball because you liked him so much and I just couldn't stand the fact that he could get you but he didn't want you. And I hated the fact that I couldn't, and I do want you."

Fionna was silent, so Marshall went on.

"You know how you said that no one liked you like that and I avoided the question if I knew anyone who liked you?"

Fionna nodded.

"I avoided that question because… I do know someone like that, but I couldn't bring myself to tell you the truth."

"Why not?" She asked quietly.

"I'm not the kind of guy who likes to wear his heart on his sleeve," Marshall glanced away.

"Then what is this?"

"This is an exception. So…" he looked back at her, "Do you think royalty isn't a potential date option? Because I know a certain vampire king you might be head over heels for you."

"Might be?"

"Okay, you got me," Marshall gave her a soft smile and intertwined his fingers with hers, "I am, totally and completely head over heels for you."

Fionna smiled back at him, "I think a date could be arranged then."

He leaned towards her for the second time during this whole convoluted adventure, and Fionna was perfectly willing to lean forward too…

But it didn't happen that way.

"Seriously you guys, you can have a romantic rendezvous later! You said yourself that Gumball's time is running out!"

Marshall and Fionna sprang apart at Max's voice.

Max was impatiently tapping his foot.

"Well? Come on!"

Marshall and Fionna consented, but when Max turned his back to continue leading the way, she slipped her hand into Marshall's.

*TiMe LaPsE*

The trio finally emerged on the outskirts of the Aaa Academy campus. Fionna seriously almost sank to her knees and kissed the ground, she was so relieved to be back. Even if it was a boarding school, it was a safe haven from guys who wanted to kill you.

Max marched purposefully to their dorm house while Marshall and Fionna trailed behind.

Unfortunately, Max got sidetracked at the door when something, or rather, someone, tackle-hugged him the second he opened it.

"Where the hell have you been?!" Suzanne demanded as she picked herself up off of him.

"I was lending a helping hand to the quest party," he said, gesturing behind him at Marshall and Fionna.

"Why didn't you tell us where you were going? We were worried sick about you!"

"S-sorry…" Max looked away, a blush painting his face violet-red.

"Did you get it?" Suzanne asked.

Max held up the vial of green liquid.

"Go on up then. Gumball needs it, bad."

Max was already on his way up the stairs when Fionna and Marshall reached the front door. Suzanne welcomed them back.

"How is Gumball?" Fionna and Marshall asked in unison.

"Not good, but I hope he'll get better once Max gives him the antidote," Suzanne said.

Marshall and Fionna were at the bottom of the stairs when Tris flung herself down. To everyone's surprise, even her own, she threw her arms around Marshall first.

"Thank you," she whispered to him, "You helped save his life."

Marshall gave a little chuckle, "All I did was get shot and pass out. Max was the one who honestly did all the work. He even helped us get out of there."

Fionna and Marshall glanced at each other guiltily, realizing just how awful and unappreciative of him they'd been.

Tris released Marshall and hugged Fionna and they all headed up the stairs to Gumball's and Marshall's room.

Max had already given Gumball the antidote and he was slowly stirring. He finally opened his eyes and looked around, confused.

"What happened?"

Everyone looked at each other, not entirely sure how to answer the question.

"Lots of crazy stuff," Max said.

This was obviously not an adequate explanation, but Gumball knew them all well enough to know that that meant "it's a long story".

"We'll explain fully later," Tris cut in, "You should rest."

"I've been resting," Gumball said, "What day is it?"

"That doesn't matter," Tris said, "You've been sick, you need to relax."

"But-"

"No buts. Even if you don't sleep, you need to regain your strength."

Gumball gave in to Tris's will.

"I think I need to sleep too. It's been quite exhausting these past few days," Max said.

"Ditto," Marshall said, floating up to the top bunk.

"Definitely," Fionna retreated to her room.

For the first time in many days, everything felt normal.

Well, as normal as it can get in Aaa Academy anyways.

Okay, that's it for tonight. And be grateful I even did this because I'm sick. Please review, and I'll post the next chapter soon. Then I can start planning and writing the sequel.