Hello, dear readers! This is my first venture into the M rated world - and I debated whether or not to post it that high. But due to some of the subject content (violence, language, etc) I decided to post it here. There are suggestive adult situations but no actual sex scenes. This is also my first plot driven story - I usually just do the fluff pieces with a little plot. This one contains a good amount of both.

Timeline: Post S3. Baby Norah doesn't exist. The personal relationship between Marshall and Abigail doesn't exist.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and the original characters that appear in this universe.


72 hours ago

"Down by the bay, where the watermelons grow – back to my home, I dare not go. For if I do, my mother will say: did you ever see a goose kissing a moose, down by the bay?"

Carmen smiled at the sound of her daughter's laughter and Marshall's chant-like singing that drifted in the window from the backyard. She looked up from loading the dishwasher to see Sadie running across the lawn, wearing a crown of daisies in her hair and waving one of her fairy wands. Marshall was standing in the middle of the backyard, wearing a scarf over his eyes, holding out his long arms, trying to catch Sadie by the sound of her giggles.

"Did you ever see a llama eating his pajamas?" he sang as Sadie ran past, just avoiding his sweeping hands with a giggle. "Did you ever see a fly wearing a tie?"

Carmen couldn't help but laugh herself as she put the last cup in the dishwasher and started the machine. Picking up the small tray of cupcakes and lemonade, she headed back outside to rejoin the birthday celebration.

"Who's ready for birthday cupcakes?"

Marshall turned towards the sound of her voice just as Sadie ran into his outstretched arms. He picked her up and tossed her in the air, and sang over her delighted squeals. "Did you ever have a time when you couldn't think of a rhyme – down by the bay?" He freed one hand to pull the scarf off his eyes. "Well, lookee here! I caught the birthday girl! Whatever shall I do with her?"

"Star! Down!" Sadie demanded, her lip trembling in a pout. "Cake!"

"I don't know, Sadie girl," Marshall drawled. "You tied me up and blindfolded me – does she deserve cake, mom?"

Carmen placed her hands on her hips. "I swear, it's like having two kids whenever you come over. Now kiss and make up so we can have our cupcakes."

Sadie leaned up and placed a wet smack on Marshall's cheek and smiled.

Marshall chuckled. "You're forgiven, Sadie girl. But not all the boys you play with will be as understanding as me, ok?"

Sadie nodded wisely.

An hour later when Sadie was playing in her bath, Carmen thanked Marshall for coming. "I know that you have lots of other witnesses – but it really meant a lot to Sadie, you coming to her fourth birthday party. I don't think it would have been much of a party with just the two of us."

Marshall smiled reassuringly. "It's okay, Carmen. It was my pleasure – and by next year, both of you will have made lots of friends to invite."

Carmen shifted on her feet. "Next year seems so far away when I can't even think beyond next week."

Marshall had been in the act of putting on his jacket but he stopped at her words. "Is everything all right? I thought things went well today. I know Tippy was a little hard on you but he was just trying to rattle you, see if he could poke holes in your testimony, but you held your own. You're going to do just fine."

"Marshall, you'd do anything to protect me and Sadie, right?"

He frowned. "Of course, you are both my witnesses – are you saying you've been compromised in some way?"

She shook her head. "No, Tony hasn't found us – but I'm terrified of what will happen when he sees me at the trial and I don't want Sadie anywhere near New York City ever again."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying that I want you to stay here in Albuquerque with her when I go testify next week."

Marshall sighed. "Carmen, I can't do that-"

"Why not? You just said that we're both your witnesses and Sadie is my life. I would die if something happened to her."

"And without your testimony, your husband won't go to jail."

"I'm not saying I won't testify, I will. I'm just saying that I'll go with Mary instead of you. I need you to stay with Sadie, please. You're the only one I trust with her – and that she trusts. She loves you, you have to know that."

"I do know that –" Marshall sighed again and cleared his throat. "But Mary's on vacation."

"What? Since when? For how long?"

"She left a couple days ago and will be gone for a couple of months – so I don't see how-"

"Then get your boss to take me," Carmen pleaded. "Please, Marshall. I have to know that Sadie is safe and sound here with you. It will give me the strength to face Tony again and do what I have to do. Please promise me that you'll take care of her for me – or I swear I won't testify."

"Carmen-" Marshall warned.

"Mama! I'm done!" Sadie called from the bathroom.

"I'll be right there, baby!" Carmen answered before she turned back to her inspector. "I mean it, Marshall. Protect my daughter like she was your own – or I won't testify."

Marshall looked at the steely resolve in the young woman's eyes before him and slowly shook his head. "There's no need for ultimatums, Carmen. I'll talk to Stan in the morning, all right? You and Sadie are my witnesses – I'm sworn to protect both of you. And if you want me to stay here with Sadie while you go testify, I'll do it."

Carmen threw her arms around Marshall and kissed his cheek. "Thank you!"