Soon
Rating: K+ (because it mentions shooting)
Spoilers: Rubble with a Cause
Summary: A one-shot that needed to be written about that conversation in the collapsed parking garage, and the look on Mary's face at the end. Also, this story was getting in the way of a longer one I'm working on, so I had to just get it written.
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em. Never have, never will. But since the latest episodes have been so aggravating, I have to remedy things. Don't sue. There's no point since I have nothing. My car is barely worth the tires it rests on.
Immediately after the events of Rubble with a Cause
Marshall
He listened to her over the radio. He knew she was playing for time, but he also knew she was serious. He did have her back, 24/7. And she his. He wasn't fooled by the Twinkie comment. He knew she'd never sell him out for a Twinkie. But he what he didn't know was how deep that partnership ran. Did she know that he loved her? That he'd protect her not only from external enemies, but from her own personal demons?
They'd shared a look, just a moment, after she'd come down from that building, filthy and exhausted. The look was one of relief, and gratefulness. It was the kind of look they shared pretty regularly. As he took control of Locke, he listened again as Locke told her he knew she believed what she said. And Marshall saw it in her face – fear. She wasn't the trusting type. To trust someone the way she trusted Marshall was scary. To admit to trusting him was even scarier.
He didn't see her again until Monday after the weekend. He called that night, to make sure she was ok, but there was no answer, no return call. Monday things were back to normal. Nothing was said about the weekend events beyond discussing the condition of the witness. But Marshall didn't forget what had happened, what had been said. He knew she heard Locke, but she'd put that fear in a corner of her mind where scary things went, rather than dealing with it. He knew, eventually, they'd deal with it. But not right away.
###
Mary
Two months later
Mary Shannon sat with Lewis Fowler AKA Lewis Ford AKA Lewis TBD, prior to boarding their flight for Seattle. One of the benefits of flying a protected witness places was you didn't have to travel commercial air. Mary hated commercial airlines, with a passion. All that security, even with the badge it was still a pain in the ass. But today, government provided and funded private aircraft. God Bless Lewis Fowler and his willingness to testify. Because of him, this trip to Seattle would be less painful than the average trip.
"How are you feeling these days, Lewis? Mostly recovered? Do the girls dig your new scar?"
"Oh you know, nothing like having a large metal rod stuck in you for hours on end to make a guy grateful for a new lease on life. Literally, since I also get a new name and a new identity," Lewis snarked. "And yeah, girls dig scars. Although this one…might need a new story. Ideas?"
"Hmm, well, you could say you had to be freed from a car crash with the jaws of life. Something like you read about in Readers' Digest."
"Readers Digest, Mary? You gotta get out more."
"Don't I know it. But look who's talking. You're not exactly the life of the party."
"Only because some people still want me dead, even if Harrison is locked up."
"Yeah yeah, excuses excuses. Admit it, you're a hermit."
"Ok ok! I'm a hermit. Point taken."
They walked onto the plane, and took their seats. The plane taxied out towards the runway and lifted off.
"Seriously though, have I told you I'm grateful for what you did on top of that building two months ago? 'Cause I am."
"Lewis, I was just doing my job."
"That may be, but I am still allowed to thank you. You saved my life. Although, you may have pissed Harrison off enough that if he ever gets out, he'll come after you. "
"I specialize in pissing people off. It's a skill set I have. Just ask my partner."
"He's a lucky guy, being partnered with you."
"Well I think I'm a catch, but he may feel differently. In fact, he once told me that he spends much of his time protecting me from the world, and the world from me. Not sure that's a good thing."
"I think that's one of the primary functions in partners. Protecting each other. The hardest part of testifying is knowing that I have to stop protecting Harrison. I know in my head it's the right thing to do, because I can't condone going outside the terms of the mission. But at the same time, he was my partner, my friend, and I'm turning my back on him. Would he do the same thing in my shoes? I don't know. "
"Lewis, you're doing the right thing. Hell, I'm pretty sure Marshall would throw me to the wolves if I did what Harrison did."
"And you? Would you throw him to the wolves?"
Mary reflected on that for a minute. "To be honest Lewis, I don't know. It would be wildly out of character for Marshall to break with the rules and goals of the mission. The only reason I can see him doing it is to save my life, his life, or someone else's life. That's who he is. He's a fundamentally honorable, standup guy. He…"
"Mary, I may have only been half-conscious up there on that pile of cement, but I heard what you said, and I know you meant it."
"We've been through a lot, Marshall and I. He absolutely does have my back. Always." Mary swallowed hard, as she remembered that day, feelings welling up inside of her, unbidden. "Remember how I said I shot someone? That night, Marshall found me. He found me, and he protected me. Not from the person I shot – I'd done that already, obviously. He protected me from the world that night, and from myself over the next few days. I don't know what I'd have done without him."
"From experience I can tell you that a good partner is hard to come by. Don't let him get away."
Mary smiled at this. "Shut up, Lewis." She reached into her bag. "I'm reading now. Entertain yourself until we get to Seattle."
Lewis just laughed, and leaned back, eyes closed. "I'm planning on sleeping anyways. Dead guys like me need lots of sleep."
###
Mary tried to concentrate on her book, unsuccessfully. The downside to traveling for work without Marshall was a lack of entertainment. The downside to traveling for work at all was a lack of entertainment. No movies, no iPods, etc. Reading. And thinking.
She was still processing the conversation with Lewis. She hadn't thought a lot about that day in the intervening months. She had been telling the truth when she talked about partners. There was no way in hell she'd ever throw Marshall to the wolves. But then again, it was so unlikely he would ever need throwing. It was far more likely to be the other way around. She was the one who made mistakes, got emotional, and was unpredictable. And yet, if she thought about it, he'd always had her back when things started to go south.
Life was funny that way, she realized. Some people bail on you the first sign of trouble. Other people assiduously avoid trouble. Jinx was one of the former. She'd pull out the bottle of wine if she even smelled trouble. But since she caused trouble as often as not, she couldn't really be classified as "avoiding trouble." And Brandi, well, Brandi probably was a bailer too.
Raph didn't bail, but he sure managed to be conspicuously absent whenever trouble was brewing. After that Spanky Carson nightmare, he claimed he wished he'd been there to protect her. But Mary had her doubts. Raph had no idea what protecting her involved. He would want to be all macho and punch the guy. But that wasn't what she needed. She needed someone who knew her to protect her. Because what Mary needed was to be protected from herself, from her own failings and fears.
Tears threatened at her eyes. Not a good time to cry. Looking over to see if Lewis was asleep, and noting that he was, she reached for her cell phone. One of the benefits of private planes was the cell phone rules were non-existent, except during take off and landing. Hesitating only slightly, she dialed Marshall as she walked towards the back of the plane, careful not to disturb Lewis.
"Marshall."
"Hey, it's me."
"Hey, everything ok? Aren't you supposed to be en route to Seattle?"
"Yeah, I am. It's fine. I just…"
"Yes?"
"I wondered if we could have dinner when I get home tonight. I know it will be late, but I really think I need to talk to you."
"Is something wrong?"
"No, no. I just…can we talk about it tonight?"
"Sure. Meet you at the airport."
"Ok, great. See you then."
Mary hung up the phone, feeling simultaneously relieved and anxious. She knew what she wanted, she just wasn't sure how it was going to work. But she was pretty sure that, as long as she had Marshall, everything would work out.
###
Marshall smiled as he hung up the phone. A call like that on this day only meant one thing – she was ready to talk about them. As partners, as friends, as something more. He knew the day would come. He just didn't expect it to be so soon.
Reviews are always welcome.
