Can't Keep a Good Mann Down
The adrenaline having long since worn off Mary sat in the somewhat uncomfortable chair by Marshall's bedside. The steady beep of the heart monitor and the muffled sounds of the chest tube pump were the only sounds in the room as she kept her quiet vigil watching her partner and best friend sleeping and waiting for him to wake up.
Dawn was starting to paint the skies a delicate pink and lavender when Marshall finally opened his eyes to see Mary looking down at him.
"Hey," she aid softly picking up his hand and running her fingers over the back of it being careful not to disturb the IV line. "'Bout time you woke up."
His throat felt too dry to let him speak and he coughed slightly in an attempt to clear it.
She reached for a glass of water and straw and helped him to sit up slightly and take a few sips. "Easy, easy."
"Thanks," Marshall replied. settling back against the pillows.
"I bet they gave you some really good drugs to keep you in dreamland this long," Mary commented.
"Oh, yeah really good ones he replied. "So what happened to Horst? Did you catch him?"
"Right after you left in the ambulance, Stan and I tracked him and his cohorts down . He landed his sorry ass in jail so fast that he didn't know what was happening," Mary answered grim satisfaction in her voice.
"I'm sure he'll enjoy his longer stay at the prison this time," Marshall said dryly.
"Well I'm certain that conspiracy in the shooting of a US marshal will add some years to his sentence," Mary said sarcastically. Her voice turned serious "You know that tubing and water bottle thing probably helped keep you alive long enough to get here.."
"I'm glad it worked then," Marshall answered
"Well, you know they say that you can't keep a good Mann down," Mary commented.
Marshall started laughing at the play on words and then abruptly stopped as he placed a hand to his chest, a pained expression flitting across his face. "Oww. That hurt."
"Sorry," Mary said contritely."
"I think them really good drugs have worn off," the young man replied, still keeping his hand against his chest.
Just then the door opened to admit the nurse bringing relief in the hypodermic syringe in her hand. "I see you're finally awake, Mr. Mann," she said as she injected the contents into the IV. "This should have you feeling better in a jiffy."
The pain meds rapidly took effect and Marshall let his hand fall to his side on the bed a dreamy expression on his face. "Love them drugs," he murmured.
"Oh yeah, I can just see you getting stoned," Mary joked.
The nurse busily straightened the blanket telling Marshall "Dr. Tallis is probably going to want you up and about walking just as soon as he takes out the chest tube out."
"Well as they say you can't keep a good Mann down," Mary joked.
The nurse bit back a smile at the apparent pun and sternly said, "I want you out of her when I return in five minutes. He needs his rest and so do you." She turned her attention. back to her patient. "You know she's been here practically all night."
"G'way," Marshall mumbled.
Since she was too tired to argue and since her partner was obviously going to be off in Lala Land for some time, Mary raised her hands in mock surrender. Then quickly leaning down she gave him a kiss on the cheek and said, "Get some rest, Doofus, and I'll be back to see you later." After one last glance she headed fro the door.
The nurse followed her out and said, "Don't you worry, Honey, I'll take really good care of him for you."
Somehow Mary knew she would and simply said "Thank you." before heading off to call either Jinx or Brandi to come get her and take her home.