Here is my first fanfic for the first episode. As the title and opening scene conveys, this is my interpretation of a missing scene between Mary and Marshall after Mary had her little panic attack or "breakdown."
Episode 2.1:
Breakdown
(Part 1)
What right in hell did Eleanor have to move her things? Her things?! What gave the newbie the jurisdiction to burst in and immediately start making changes in the office that fit her wants? Mary and Marshall were the ones that worked there so why did Eleanor believe for even a moment that she had the right to move everything?
The whole thing just made Mary seethe with absolute rage. And Stan. Oh, she didn't even want to get started with Stan, protecting his own image by bossing Mary around. Hey, if he wanted to be a controlling boss then he should have started years ago, not that it would have made much of a difference to Mary. But really, the nerve of that guy, the same guy who often looked away whenever she crossed the line. Just because there was an administrator in the building didn't mean he had to get all "professional", telling Mary to "log off". The nerve.
At least Mary could still count on one person. There, standing next to her as she waited for the elevator to take her away from the brewing hell in the office, was Marshall. Her partner looked almost as pissed as she did. Almost. Not many people could match Mary's talent of looking pissed, but she could tell he was pretty frustrated about how things had gone as well. He was most likely going to get in trouble for siding with Mary and storming out of the office with her but that's just what partners did, back each other up.
Finally, the elevator doors opened with a metal grinding noise and Mary stormed inside with Marshall right behind her. There was one other occupant in the elevator, a sweet-looking woman with long hair tied neatly in a bun on her head and glasses perched precariously on her nose like a librarian. To match with her look, the woman also held a folder of papers close to her chest, seemingly to guard it. Damn workaholic book-worm.
As Mary stomped haughtily into a corner of the elevator, the woman watched her with a disapproving, yet somewhat unnerved, expression, her sharp eyes glaring at Mary from over her glasses.
"What?!" Mary snapped as the doors creaked closed and the elevator began to descend. "If you've got something to say, Grandma, by all means, keep your trap shut!"
Appalled, the woman looked away and moved as far away from the disgruntled Mary as possible.
"Haven't I told you to work on your people skills?" Marshall whispered to Mary as he stared apologetically at the woman's back.
"You shut up too," Mary hissed back violently. Marshall stepped back, wounded. Mary's expression flickered hesitantly but the same hard look remained glued on her face as she glared at her partner.
"I already have Stan on my ass, I don't need a whiney momma's boy like you too," she continued, the insults flying freely from her mouth.
Marshall's gaze shifted to the woman and then back to Mary, hinting that she calm down so as to not get a restraining order against her. Mary didn't care.
"I mean can you believe that guy?!" she shouted, building on her anger. "I try to do my job and he gives me a kick in the ass! All because Miss OCD is in the room. I swear Marshall, I'll screw her up so bad not even she will be able to put herself back in order." Mary's eyes flashed viciously as an image of a mangled Eleanor blessfully crossed her mind. She smiled sadistically at the thought.
"Maybe once I kick her ass out and dig her a grave to China, things will return to nor-"
Mary froze mid-sentence as her heart stopped. Something was wrong. Her chest was tightening and a lump was forming in her throat. She seemed to forget how to breathe as she began to gasp loudly. She brushed her hand across her head, wiping away sweat. She tore her hand through her hair, trying to understand the sudden change.
"I want… I want things… normal… before-" But she couldn't finish. She was breathing too hard; her heart was pounding too hard. Something was wrong.
Marshall sensed this as well as he examined his partner worriedly, his hands reaching towards her to steady her trembling form. "Mar?" he asked quizzically, "what's wrong?" Even the woman was peeking over her shoulder to see what was making the blonde marshal hyperventilate.
Mary could only shake her head as she grasped her chest, breathing laboriously. "Oh God," she muttered. She reflexively grabbed Marshall's wrist and his eyes widened in surprise. Mary looked at up him with fear-stricken eyes glistening with anxiety as to what she was reacting to. "Get me outta here."
As if on cue or by some unnatural grace of God, the elevator stopped on the ground floor and the doors creaked open. Mary was out like a shot. She burst past the woman, making her stumble and drop her folder. Papers flew on the ground, trampled mercilessly by Mary's feet.
"Sorry," Marshall called back to the woman as he trotted after Mary. Mary walked quickly to the front door and slammed her fists against it, opening it as she hurried outside with Marshall close behind.
She inhaled deeply, hoping that the fresh air and open space could calm her. It didn't. Mary walked on with Marshall offering encouraging words behind her.
"It's not Stan," she protested, her voice once filled with uncontrolled rage reverted to that of a scared child. "Something's happening." She felt the heat rise to her cheeks as tears sprang to her eyes, blinding her temporarily. Obviously quizzical but not yet willing to probe for information, Marshall followed closely behind her as she entered heedlessly into the street.
She paid no attention to the cars that came dangerously close to hitting her as she walked through the crowded streets. Horns screamed at her but the pounding of her own heart was louder. She ducked her head, hitched up her shoulders to escape the horrid screech of the cars, and moved forward.
And Marshall? He was still behind her, braving the disgruntled traffic and angry drivers. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him waving frantically at a car that was aimed directly at her. The car hit the brakes and skidded to a stop, inches away from Mary's form. Furious, the driver began honking his horn with everyone else. Marshall could only offer an apologetic shrug as he continued after Mary.
"Just walk," he told her after she ignored his first question of assistance, "as far as you need."
And that's just what she did. She kept walking, paying no attention to where she was going. She didn't even care. All she noticed; all she felt was the pain in her chest and the ache of her lungs as she continued to gasp for the air that seemed to evade her. There was a loud whistle blowing somewhere in front of her but she didn't hear it. She kept moving forward. But Marshall heard it and he saw the large train coming down the tracks that Mary was headed for. She still didn't see it.
"Mary, stop!" Marshall yelled as he threw his arms around her waist and pulled her back. The train came roaring down the tracks a second later, its shrill whistle piercing the air. Marshall dragged Mary away from the moving train as she thrashed in his embrace.
"Let go!" she cried out in exasperation. Surprised at her resistance against him he released her quickly. "Don't touch me!" she shouted as she pushed him away, her eyes wide and wild. Before he could react, she took off again, moving parallel to the train. Marshall stood still for a moment but shrugged her demand aside and followed her.
Following the tracks led Mary to a ragged and run-down train station. Long buildings ran through the dirt as the train's whistled echoed behind it. The windows were broken and layered with dust. The building themselves were old with peeling paint and groaning beams of wood. The station had long ago been abandoned when the new, technologically advanced station was built. But the station hadn't been removed. No one used it anymore but only two people could bee seen walking through it.
Mary moved at a fast pace through the broken buildings. Marshall still followed but further away this time in respect to Mary's previous demand. It hurt him to know she didn't want him near her but he understood the reason. He had grabbed her, likely in the same way the rapist had done.
But he didn't want to get too far behind in case Mary needed immediate assistance. But when he ran to catch up with her, Mary also broke out into a weak run, holding her stomach to stop the unsettling feeling of her breakfast from reappearing. The sun beat down on her and she turned towards the shade of an overhang to protect her.
As soon as she entered the safety of the shade her lungs protested against further movement. Mary stopped in a huff and doubled over as her chest burned and her stomach twisted. Her mind swirled with memories of her time locked in the basement. Her throat was dry and her legs tired. She gasped painfully as tears slipped down her cheeks to wet the dirt at her feet.
Marshall was already at her side, coaxing her to try and explain what was happening. His hands hovered over her but didn't dare touch her. Mary was up and moving before he could anyway. She began pacing around him like a caged cat. She continuously tore her fingers through her hair as she did her best to explain what she was feeling.
Then she was off again before Marshall could finish his advice. But she had heard him and she knew he was right. This was normal for any person who had experienced what she had. Although flowing like a river sounding somewhat idiotic, she allowed the overwhelming emotions to slip out of her. Tears coursed down her face but at least that meant that she was making progress.
The sun was slowly setting: an orange fireball dipping below the horizon. Its dying rays of light streaked across the darkening sky, coloring the clouds in brilliant shades of gold and pink. Still Mary walked on. The breeze picked up, blowing swiftly through the streets and turning cold as the sun sank from the sky. The blackness of night loomed just outside the protective rays of light, waiting for the sun to disappear so that the dark could claim the streets.
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Spoiler Alert! (Part 1)
Since I'm a total obsessed fan with In Plain Sight, I frequently visit the usanetwork website to watch scenes from the next episode, play games, and just learn more about the show and the people that make it.
Anyway, I saw an interview with Mr. Fredrick Weller – aka Marshall Mann – to see what Marshall would be doing in Season Two. Mr. Weller replied, and I quote, "In season two, we will see more of Marshall's quiet pinning for Mary… more of a brother-sister relationship." Basically, they're still just friends but they'll be a little more to it. Mary s going through a lot and Marshall is her best friend. So… you do the math.
Spoiler Alert! (Part 2) coming soon with the Part 2 of this story. Reviews always appreciate but not required. Just knowing that you're reading this is fine enough for me. ^_^