A/N: Just an idea I was playing around with, let's see if i get any interest in it. This season hasn't quiet thrilled me but nothing like all the beautiful fanfiction online to supplement that :) As always I dont own the characters only playing with them for a bit.
INVISIBLE WALLS
"Marshall?" Stan called to Marshall, as soon as Mary stepped out of the room. "Is she alright?"
"Care to elaborate...this is Mary we are talking about?" Marshall quirked an eyebrow at him.
"I dunno...she has been quiet." Stan paused, gathering his thoughts. "Distant with everyone, even you. You can't tell me you haven't noticed."
"Of course I noticed, but I am giving her space. She gave up her child for adoption Stan...I assumed this was her process." Marshall voice was one of indignation and guilt all rolled into one. "It's only been a few months, let's give her time."
Stan nodded. "Alright." He saw Mary coming back. "Carry on." He turned and went back to his office.
Mary just walked back in and did not even question the exchange, which in and of itself raise red flags for Marshall. He was worried, but he honestly didn't know how to broach the topic with her.
Mary walked into her house, immediately heading to her bedroom and changed into her swimsuit. This was her outlet as of late. Besides helping take off majority of the baby weight, it helped her focus and forget. She walked out into her yard, savoring the feel of the sun on her skin. She walked up to the edge of the pool and dove in, immediately starting her laps. Fifty laps later, she climbed out and sank into the lounge chair to get some sun. She saw the message light on her cell phone and checked her messages. One from Brandy worried that she hadn t seen or heard from her, another of similar nature from her mother and finally a urgent message from Stan. She immediately dialed.
"Stan its Mary, what's up?" Mary was tired. She really just wanted to relax.
"Mary, sorry I need you back in." Stan winced waiting for the tirade, but only heard a sigh.
"Ok." She went to hang up, but heard Stan yell.
"Mary, Marshall is already on his way over to pick you up."
She sighed, laying her head back frustrated. "Crap..."
"Mare..." Marshall's voice called to her letting himself in, only seeing her blond hair as she relaxed.
"Marshall, I just talked to Stan. Sorry, just give me a few to get cleaned up." She stood up, grabbing her towel. Meanwhile, Marshall stood there mouth agape at the sight of his half naked partner. His thoughts instantly, to how she more then lost the baby weight. His eyes glazed over and his breathing ragged as he watched her vanish into the house. "Make yourself at home."
Marshall took a few minutes to get himself together before he went inside, sitting on the couch trying to banish the image from his head. His phone rang and he saw it was Stan. "Stan, I'm at Mary's she is getting...ready. We will be there in a bit."
Twenty minutes later, Mary came out her hair still wet from the shower but dressed and ready to roll. "Sorry, let's go."
Marshall paused, that was her second apology in an hour. Something is definitely off with her. It's been four months, she was becoming more and more distant. As they sat in his truck and Marshall pulled away, he couldn't let the silence continue. "Mare, are you alright?"
"Fine. Why?" Her voice was neutral, her eyes never looking toward him.
"You have been distant. Just worried is all..." Marshall kept glancing over, pleading with her to look at him but she never did.
"No, I'm good." She turned, her attention now out her passenger window and they rode in silence the rest of the way to the office.
"Marshall, Mary, sorry to bring you both back in...but we have a problem. A case your father was working on has escalated. Our systems were breached and your information was accessed." Stan could see the concern wash over Marshall. Mary was just intently listening. "Your father and mom have already gotten a protective detail. Marshall, you are to go nowhere without Mary." Mary tensed and it did not go unnoticed by Stan or Marshall. "You will not be going home. I need you both at the safehouse."
"Understood." Mary just replied and went to her desk, leaving a very stunned Marshall with Stan. She carefully checked her gear, ensured her gun was loaded and placed extra clips in her go bag. She grabbed the laptop they took on runs and was ready to go. She looked up at the two men watching her. "His truck is probably recognizable. We should take the transport truck."
"Stan, does this mean I am on lockdown or just can't go home?" Marshall was curious mainly, mostly he was worried for his family. Although he was also thinking of this as an opportunity to figure out what is up with Mary.
"Honestly, I don't know at the moment." Stan was just as frustrated as Marshall.
"I will be back in a second. You should call Abby and let her know what's going on." With that Mary left heading to the ladies room.
Stan shot Marshall a look. "She doesn't know?" Marshall shook his head. "You don't think the fact that you two split two months ago, might be of interest or that she won't be pissed that she wasn't aware?" Stan's tone was heavily tinged with disapproval.
"She had enough on her plate." Marshall ignored Stan, really not wanting to get into this now. "Saved by the bell..." He mumbled as Mary made her way back into them.
"All set?" Mary face betrayed nothing, as she addressed them.
"Yeah Sunshine, I am all yours." He grinned, trying to banter as they had long ago but she didn't take the bait.
"Stan, I have my phone on me and the laptop. Let me know when you get an update." She kept her tone neutral and finally headed for the doors with Marshall following close behind.
Mary drove them to the store, picking up supplies and finally to the safehouse, taking a non direct route to ensure nobody was following them. The entire trip was done in silence, neither breaking the silent stalemate they seemed to fall into. They pulled into the garage of the safehouse, immediately closing the doors behind them. This was one of the little known locations they used for high risk witnesses. Marshall and her divvied up the bags and carried them inside.
He couldn't take it anymore. "Mary, what the hell is wrong?"
She turned, surprised by his sudden outburst. "Nothing is wrong." She emptied the bags and started putting away the groceries.
"Mare, don't give me that crap. You have been distant." His eyes were pleading with her to open up. "Is it because of the baby?"
Mary dropped what was in her hand and froze. "No." She turned to look at him, her eyes empty, refusing to think on it.
"I...I didn t mean to upset you." Marshall stepped closer to her, wanting to comfort her. His mind flashing to the delivery room, when he saw her with that baby.
"I'm not upset. Discussion over." She finished putting the groceries away and pulled out her phone. "Stan. All secure. Anything?"
"No, not yet. Hopefully, I will have something in the morning." Stan sounded frustrated.
"Great. Thanks Stan." Mary hung up, not bothering with anything else. "Apparently, no more intel." Mary walked the perimeter of the house, ensuring all the doors were secure. "We are secure. I'm going to bed."
Marshall didn't get a chance to reply and she was gone. He had no idea how to help her. He was frustrated and he hated that he felt he was loosing her.
Mary went to her room, closing the door and fell onto the bed. A sob caught in her throat, her chest ached and she softly cried herself to sleep.
