A/N: Although I am clearly more addicted to this show than my husband, he is pretty hooked and never ever misses an episode. He would never look up Alias info on the internet himself (after all he is a serious guy with a Ph.D.) but he always wants to know what I found (I am less serious with just a Masters). He came up with the idea for this story and even helped me write it. So HA!! He is addicted despite what he says. Na na na na na.

Set a few days after Passage part II.

Marshall's Day Off

Marshall was sitting in his office staring at the blank computer screen thinking for the 1,000th time that day, 'I can't believe I lost the signal. This was my special brew. Marshall's magic invisible liquid tracking device. And I lost it. How could I lose it?'

Sloane looked up as McCollough stepped into his office. Sloane knew why he was here. It was Marshall. Ever since he lost the signal on the $100 million in bonds, he had been almost catatonic.

"I've been observing Marshall on my monitor. He has been motionless for over 2 hours at his desk. I think he may be headed for a nervous breakdown if he doesn't take a break. The man needs a mental rest before he loses it completely," McCollough said in a conspiratorial tone.

Sloane grimaced and leaned back in his chair. "What do you propose we do?"

"Send him home. At least for one full day," McCollough replied.

"That will cost us valuable time. Marshall is the best tech guy we've ever had, I don't want to waste a whole day when he can be here working to fix his mistake. We need to know who has that money," Sloane said as his fists clenched in frustration at the memory of losing the signal of his wife's abductor.

"I understand, sir, but if Marshall doesn't take some time away from that computer and this office soon, he will be useless to us for a lot longer than one day."

"Fine," Sloane spat, annoyed at the wasted time and the failed device.

"One more thing," McCollough said as gently as possible. He was scared to upset his superior. "I am saying this so that he can get over this error as soon as possible: Don't make Marshall feel bad about his mistake. A lesser tech could never have even come up with such a device. The fact that it malfunctioned or that they detected and disarmed the tracker is not his fault. He feels bad enough already and we don't want to drive him over the edge. Otherwise he'll be of no use to us."

Sloane grumbled and agreed, signaling with his hand that McCollough was dismissed and should leave. He buzzed his intercom and said, "Get Marshall in my office. Now."

Marshall still hadn't moved. He had hardly blinked. Or even breathed in the last few hours. A voice came over his intercom, "Mr. Flinkman, report to Mr. Sloane's office immediately." Marshall snapped out of his trance and felt a sick feeling in his stomach. 'What now? I can't handle this! He's going to fire me for sure,' he thought.

He stood up and shuffled his way to Sloane's office thinking of ways to appeal to Sloane to save his job. 'Don't run your mouth, Marsh. He hates that. Remember. Just keep quiet,' he coached himself.

When he entered the office, Sloane motioned for him to sit. Marshall sunk into the chair dreading what he was about to hear.

"Marshall. You've always done good work here. I know the signal was lost on the bonds but...I don't blame you for that. They must have anticipated that we would try to track the money. I would have done the same."

Marshall was stunned. He thought Sloane would blast him, especially since word around the office was that the money was somehow connected to Sloane's wife who was supposed to be dead. "Sir, I uh, I'm so sorry that my magic - I mean - the uh tracking liquid didn't lead us to the bad guys. I let you down and I let our country down and I uh... I understand if this mistake will cost me my job. Which would really be a shame because I love working here and -"

"Marshall. I want you to take the day off tomorrow. Recharge your batteries. Then come back fresh the next day."

"Oh, uh, thank you Mr. Sloane, but uh, that's okay. I'm really fine. I'll be here bright and early tomorrow."

"No Marshall, take the day off."

"Thanks. That's really generous of you and I appreciate the offer but-"

"No. Don't come in," Sloane told him firmly.

"But-"

"No."

"What about-?" Marshall pleaded forgetting his own advice to stay quiet.

"No."

"Wait, can't I just-?"

"No," Sloane said losing patience.

"But sir -"

"No." Sloane held up a finger and pointed to the door. "GO."

"Okay sir, I understand Mr. Slo-"

"Go NOW Marshall."

Marshall nodded and quietly backed out.