Mary was at Marshall's house, and both of them were sitting on the couch, each with a bottle of beer in their hand, not paying attention to whatever crappy movie was playing on the television.
"This thing feels like a damn shackle," Mary admitted, holding up her left hand and taking a sip out of the bottle.
"Then why are you wearing it?" Marshall slurred plainly.
In truth, Mary had been wondering the same thing herself.
She supposed she ought to get used to it, plus she had almost slipped up near Raph and forgotten to put it back on.
"Because well-" Mary paused, unable to think of a good excuse.
"What's with the interrogation? I came over here to relax with my best friend, not get badgered about this crap."
"I think we should talk about it though, Mary."
"What's there to talk about?" Mary asked taking another drink while putting her feet up on the coffee table.
"Well things aren't going to be the same," he started before Mary interrupted him.
"Shut up," she said harshly throwing the bottle cap at him.
"No, Mar, I'm serious," Marshall said. "We're not going to have this and pretty soon Raph is going to turn you into this housewife and convince you your job is too dangerous and-"
Mary had heard enough. She put her hands on Marshall's face and said, "You're such a doofus! That's not going to happen!"
Marshall grabbed her hands and lowered them, not letting go as he said, "I'm not going to be able to call you my girl anymore, and I'm afraid the things I love about you are going to fade. Dammit, I love you, Mary."
She ripped her hands out of his and looked at him incredulously before running out to the porch and sitting down. She ran her fingers through her hair nervously, as she heard the door open and close, an indicator that Marshall had followed her.
She stood up and whipped around to face him.
"Y-you can't do this," she stuttered. "I'm en-engaged… If I'm with Raph, then I can stay with you… If we were to get in a relationship then we couldn't be partners, you know they wouldn't allow that and we're the best damn team that anyone's ever seen. It would get in the way of our job… I can love you from afar, and if I'm married that means there's no chance for us and-" Mary prattled on, no longer knowing what she was saying.
"Like we're not already married in the most essential sense of the word?" Marshall laughed cynically.
"I've tried to move on from you, Mary. Tried to 'divorce' you, but in the end, all there is, is you."
He then caught her by surprise by grabbing her close to him and kissing him with every fiber of his being. Mary could feel every cell in her body tingling. As soon as she started to kiss back, Marshall pulled away.
"Now, if you can tell me you honestly felt nothing, then go ahead and marry Raph," Marshall said turning away, about to go back inside.
Mary turned him around and brought her lips crashing to his.