Mary slumped back against the ambulance as she waited for the paramedics to "assess" and "make sure she's okay" after the craptastic day she had. She lightly hit her head against the ambulance, once, twice, yep, brain still in there. She looked around and saw Marshall talking to Stan; the only two men in her life she'd really been able to always depend on. Her gaze travelled to the nearby forensic team, the lead forensic investigator pulling a blue plastic sheet over the victim.
The victim. Sophia Applegate, formerly Sophia Newston, all of ten years old was used by her mother, Marie Applegate, Mary's witness, as a human shield. Whatever had possessed Marie to do that was beyond Mary. Hell, she thought Jinx was a bad mother until she met this woman. Obviously being used as a human shield against a group of drug dealers that your mother had swindled wouldn't keep you safe for long, whether you're ten or thirty; that's how Sophia Applegate had spent her last moments on earth.
Mary, feeling defeated, drained and exhausted locked eyes with Marshall over Stan's shoulder and she immediately picked up the concern and worry in him. She watched as he finished his conversation with Stan, remaining cool, calm and collected. He radiated authority and direction; Mary had always admired this in him, no matter how geeky her dork partner was, he was one bad-ass lawman.
Mary closed her eyes, making the world go away if just for awhile, but cracked one eye open like a dozing cat when she felt his presence next to her.
"Hey Doofus" she smiled weakly.
"Hey yourself... have you had that checked out?" asked Marshall, brushing his finger below the angry gash on her cheek.
"Have I had what checked—holy freakin' Jesus that stings!" Mary hissed when she came into contact with the subject of Marshall's query. "No, I haven't, I also have that damn something on my head making it bleed from when I hit the wall" Mary grumbled.
"Mary, what happened there?" asked Marshall.
Mary sat in thoughtful silence as she allowed the memories she'd plugged out of the vicinity of her head come flooding back in. It was like watching a cheap 1920s movie; there were fragments and some sounds, but it wasn't complete. Mary exhaled and was about to retell her nightmare of an evening, when a paramedic interrupted her.
"Marshal Shannon?" the young woman enquired.
"Yeah?" Mary replied.
"We just need to do a quick assessment and then you're free to go" stated the paramedic.
"I'm all yours" sarcastically said Mary, standing up and making her way over to the ambulance, Marshall not missing the wince from the sudden movement.
Surprisingly, Mary let the paramedics clean, treat and bandage all of her injuries without much complaint. They had suggested that she go to hospital overnight just as a precaution, but she wouldn't take any of their 'suggestions', hell, she'd rather chew her own arm off, she'd spent more than enough time in hospitals.
The young female paramedic who first spoke to them, approached Marshall.
"Marshal Marshall Mann?" asked the paramedic, slightly screwing up her face at the absurdity of his title and first name.
Marshall rolled his eyes as politely as he could and extended his hand, which she shook.
"Jessica Haymond. I just have a few concerns about Marshal Shannon, the gash on her cheek is just superficial and should heal nicely over the next week, her head wound is fairly shallow too, however, she does have bruised ribs at the very least and she was knifed by one of the guys on her left arm and hand. I don't think these have hit any nerves, but they'll be very painful for her over the next couple of weeks. We've suggested that she stay in hospital overnight, but she's made it quite clear she's doing nothing of the sort. Which leads me to ask this question... Who's going to be looking after her for the next 48 hours?"
"That'll be me" Marshall said without hesitation, already knowing that Mary would rather be away from the prying eyes of Jinx and Brandi, while in her current state.
"Great, I just need you to sign these" Jessica said, handing Marshall the required paperwork and a pen, which he signed and returned to her. "And she's all good to go now. If you notice anything that doesn't sit well with you, especially if it's out of character, call 911 immediately" warned Jessica.
"Thanks, I will" Marshall smiled politely then headed off to find Mary.
She was still sitting in the ambulance, legs dangling, grumbling about all the fussing the paramedics were doing over her, she was not a three year old with a skun knee.
"Relax, Mare, it's for your own good" called Marshall, laughing at her annoyance.
"Yeah right" muttered Mary. "Come and give me a hand down from here" extending her arms to Marshall, being careful of her left arm and hand, she put her left arm around the back of his neck, then looped her right arm around his front, coming to rest on his shoulder. Marshall put his left arm around her waist and the other under her knees, and lifted her out, settling her back onto the ground.
"Do you think you can walk?" Marshall murmured in her ear, his breath hot on her neck.
Mary gulped. She'd witnessed three shootings and she'd been attacked barely an hour ago, and now Marshall just talking was doing things to her. Incredible things.
"We'll have to find out now, won't we?" Mary managed to get out, hoping her voice sounded relatively normal at the very least.
Marshall kept his arm around her waist, supporting some of her, but giving her the opportunity to pull away if she wanted. That was, until she gasped in pain and leant completely against Marshall.
"Mare? What is it?" asked Marshall, full of concern.
"It's... my... fudging... ribs... I'm okay, I just moved the wrong way" reassured Mary, trying to get the pain under control. Once satisfied, she continued walking to the car with Marshall's support, and climbed into the passenger seat of the GMC.
Marshall began driving in the opposite direction of her house and she was confused.
"Doofus, my house is the other way" said Mary.
"I know it is. We're going to my place, I know you won't want to be around your mother and sister right now" replied Marshall.
Mary rolled her head over on her shoulder to look at Marshall.
"It's times like these I'm glad you live in my head" smiled Mary.