HAPPILY EVER AFTER...OR NOT
A/N: I know I have been off the grid for a bit due to family stuff going on but after watching the series finale, my aggrivated muse came in full force. I have no idea what the writers were thinking with that episode but I thank the world for fan fiction.
Mary stood out on the balcony with Marshall, concerned as to why he so urgently needed to speak with her. Nothing could have prepared her for the words that came next.
"You're my partner. You're my best friend. And I love you...I love Abigail deeply and because I do, I need you to release me," Marshall continued and Mary's chest tightened. "I need to be free enough to have a life with Abigail and I need you to be OK enough for that to happen...because if you call, I'll come every time."
Mary stood staring at him, shell shocked. Her chest tight and she could feel the tears threaten to spill. Mary did what she always did, pulled herself together, locking her emotions in tightly. "Fine." She walked away from him, yanking the door open and walked into the office, grateful she didn't hear him follow. She went straight to Stan and calmly knocked. "Stan?"
"Yeah Mare?" Stan looked up and was surprised by the hurt he saw in his Inspector's eyes.
"It's quiet. You alright if I take rest of day?" Mary kept her voice calm, hoping Stan didn't question her.
Stan couldn't hide his surprise, she never took time off voluntarily. "Of course."
Mary gave him a tight smile, quickly turning to her desk, grabbing a few items and stepped into the elevator, before Marshall came back inside. As soon as the doors closed, she sagged against the wall. "The one person who never left, finally had enough." Mary mumbled, her voice thick with emotion, as the composure she was desperately trying to hold started to break away. "Dammit."
Marshall had stood on the balcony, staring transfixed at the spot where his partner stood. His throat burned as he tried to reign in his emotions. The emotion that crossed over Mary's face haunted him and he chose Abigail over Mary, the realization gave him a overwhelming sense on unease. "What have I done?" He mumbled, struggling to right himself with his actions. Finally, he walked into the office and immediately noticed her absence. He walked over to Stan's office. "Hey Stan, where did Mary disappear to?"
Stan looked up from the boxes he was packing, to study his other inspector. He knew something went down on that balcony, he saw them step out there. "She took a personal day." He could see the pain flash across Marshall's face and knew his instincts were right.
"Okay thanks." Marshall responded distracted and headed back to his desk.
Mary arrived home to Brandy watching Nora. She had to admit her kid sister was good with her.
"You alright?" Brandy shook her from her thoughts. "You're home early and seem upset?"
"Yeah, no I'm fine." Mary smiled at her and ran a hand over Nora's head. "You ok watching her for awhile?"
" Yeah, need all the practice I can get." Brandy smiled, letting out a laugh.
"No practicing on my kid. I like her in one piece." Mary quipped.
"Don't worry, we'll be fine." Brandy smiled and started babbling at Nora.
"Great. Cell is on if you need me." Mary stood up, kissed Nora on the head, grabbing her keys and quickly left.
Once in the car, she had no destination or place she needed to be, really she just wanted to drive and clear her head. Hours, she had been on the road for hours, when she finally pulled over and looked at where she had ended up. "Lola." She whispered, as she saw the abandoned garage where her and Marshall were holed up after he was shot. She let herself cry as she sat there remembering.
'I feel like I'm the keeper of this exotic animal, and I spend my time either protecting you from the world or the world from you. And it's just...it's a lot of responsibility.'
'I'm sorry, but that's your job,' She kissed him on the cheek. 'and you cannot quit.'
'Okay'
She took the time she needed to grieve, pulling herself together and headed back to Albuquerque. It was around 6pm, as she pulled into Stan's driveway.