A/N I couldn't let Mary have a bad day now could I?

Have Yourself A Happy Little Birthday

It was getting late by the time Mary returned to the office after getting Tanya squared away at the motel and reminding her that she'd be by to pick her up in the morning. Upon finding Marshall still at his desk, a nearly depleted pile of paperwork and the empty can of ginger ale by his side, she stated, "I thought you'd have left by now," sounding somewhat surprised.

He shook his head and replied, "No can do. I picked you up this morning remember?"

"Oh yeah," she answered, sticking Tanya's file in a locked desk drawer and pausing to reach fro the simple white envelope lying right in the middle and held in place by her paperweight . Opening it up she with drew a somewhat humorous birthday card and quickly read it over smiling at the scribbled comment and the gift card for her favorite barbeque joint included. "Marshall, thank you."

"And you thought nobody remembered your birthday," he replied getting to his feet and tossing the empty can in the trash. "You ready to go?"

"I am," she said, sticking the card in her pocket.

"So, have you got any big plans to celebrate with your family?' Marshall casually asked as they made their way out to his car in the nearly deserted parking lot.

"Nope. By some twist of fate both Jinx and Brandi have taken off fort a few days so I am enjoying the peace and solitude. You want to come in for a drink when we get to the house? I think jinx has some ginger ale still stashed in the fridge." Mary invited..

"Well, maybe just for a few minutes. It has been a long day," Marshall decided.

"I think Tanya may be one of the easier witnesses to place," Mary commented as they sped along the quiet streets. "Her parents and younger sister were killed by a drunk driver when she was six and since then it's been a succession of foster homes. IF everything goes as scheduled, she should be enrolled in college in time for the next semester."

"Hey before we make it to your place I need to make a quick stop first," Marshall said making a quick turn to head in a different direction. He soon pulled into the parking lot of a 24/7 discount store. "Wait right here since I'm only gonna be a few minutes."

All right," she replied,

True to his word Marshall was back within five minutes with a bakery box in hand. "Just a little something to go with the drink," he explained handing it to her and preparing to get behind the wheel.

Looking at the bakery box, Mary asked, "You went and bought me a cake"

"There were out of cakes so I'm afraid you'll have to settle for pie. I did get candles though," Marshall replied, sounding pleased as he patted his shirt pocket.

"Who ever heard of birthday pie?" she asked. "No don't answer since I'm sure you'll have something to say."

"Very funny," he replied.

Despite the fact that her family members had deserted the premises, Mary still half expected that when she opened the door to see the lights go and hear the cry of "Surprise!" But the room remained dark until she flipped on the switch. Looking over at Marshall she said, "Why don't just take the pie into the kitchen?"

He gently pointed her toward the living room couch. "Now you just take a seat and let me do the rest," he suggested.

"Fine. But I wanna get a drink first," she replied, heading for the fridge and pulled out a bottle of her favorite beer which fortunately neither of her housemates particularly liked. "You want a beer or the ginger ale?"

"Ginger ale," he decided. "Now get out of here and let me get to work."

"Okay, okay," Mary replied backing out of the kitchen. "But what ever you're planning better be good."

"Oh, it is," Marshall assured her.

Mary was sitting on the couch sipping her beer when she saw Marshall appeared. He was carrying two plates with what appeared to be lemon meringue pie one of which ad a bright pink candle stuck in it and he was singing Happy Birthday.

Quickly finishing his song with a flourish he handed her the plate with the candle and pulled out a polka dot lighter and flicked it open to light the candle. "Now make a wish and blow out the candle," he instructed.

"I know what to do," she replied. Closing he r eyes she thought quickly. I wish that my life wasn't so damned complicated. Then taking a deep breath she easily blew out the candle.

"Gonna share that wish?" Marshall replied returning from the kitchen with a glass of ginger ale and ice.

"You know if you do then it doesn't come true," Mary reminded him.

"Yep. I know. Just thought I'd ask," he replied, setting the glass on the table and dropping down onto the couch stretching out his long legs in front of him.

"You and I both know is that the reason you only bought pie is because you like it so much better than cake," she teased.

"I like some kinds of cake," Marshall replied.

"Name one," she challenged.

"Well, there is homemade applesauce spice cake. My Grandmother used to make it for my birthday and so far I've never found one that equals hers," he answered taking a bite of the pie.

"At least you didn't try and stick a candle in a bagel," she said.

"You miss your family today?' Marshall asked after a few minutes.

"I kinda do. They could've at least called or left a card or something. Even Raph seems to have for gotten all about it," Mary admitted.

"Did you ever tell him when it was?" Marshall asked.

"No. I just slipped my mind although Brandi could have since they seem to spend so much time together," Mary answered sounding a little wistful

"You know that family doesn't always have to mean the people you're related to," Marshall was saying

.She looked thoughtful for a moment and asked, "Can family include a walking talking encyclopedia of mostly useless trivia?"

"Sure, if you want it to," Marshall replied.

"I think I do."

"So where do I fit in?" he asked.

"Let's see, for now I think I'll make you the bratty younger brother," Mary said with a smirk.

"It wounds me that you would play the age card," Marshall replied, falling back against the back of the couch.

She picked up a pillow and threw it at him. "Listen up, Junior, I've probably been kicking outlaw butt longer than you have and doing it twice as hard since no one takes me serious because I'm a girl," she retorted.

He threw up in hands saying, "God forbid I ever not take you serious, Mary. I've seen what you're capable of."

"Well you're the only partner I've ever had who can outshoot me," Mary conceded.

Marshall chuckled and said, "Well, you never should have made that bet with me. I've been handlin' firearms ever since I could aim and shoot straight."

Mary stifled a yawn and said, "I'll take the plates to the kitchen and then I think I'll get ready for bed. You can head off now."

"I think I'll finish the ginger ale first," he replied.

"Hey, Marshall," she said.

"What?"

"I wanted to thank you for helping me celebrate my birthday," she said softly.

"It was my pleasure. Nobody should have to spend their birthday alone," he answered watching her carry the dishes to the kitchen.

After rinsing off the plates and forks she set them in the drainer before heading to her bedroom to change into cut of plaid sleep pants and an over sized T shirt.

Returning to the living room she heard the sound of soft snoring and a slight smile played about her lips as she saw that he r partner had drifted off to sleep. Making sure the half empty glass was setting far back on the coffee table, she bent down to pull off his boots and then maneuvered his long legs onto the couch. Reaching for a crocheted afghan, she lightly covered him with it and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek saying, "Good night, Doofus." Still smiling she headed for her own bedroom, placing the card on the night stand before crawling into bed and switching off the light.

Maybe this birthday wasn't so bad after all Mary decided as she drifted off into sleep.