I do not own anything In Plain Sight or Green Day related. [well, I do own Green Day cd's... nevermind.] Last chapter, I really hope it doesn't suck.
Mary imagined that if anyone happened to walk into her tattered living room at that moment, they'd walk right back out again, not wanting to intrude on the tear-fest her and Marshall were currently having.
Even as she cried, she stroked his hair in a comforting manner, for once being the shoulder (or lap) to cry on. It was a little refreshing, no matter how utterly and completely fucked up the circumstances were. It was a rare occasion for Marshall to need comforting over anything, and she was more than willing to oblige.
He suddenly lifted his head, tear-filled eyes staring at her and said "I swear, Mary, if I had known sooner, I'd have destroyed him. Slowly. So slowly he'd think it was a career. I just hope they give him the chair. It's the best I can dream for."
Mary didn't have to ask to know that he was talking about Spanky. "Marsh, relax. He's been put away, there's no more you can do. You-"
"I can't relax, Mare. How can I? You're my everything. And I almost lost you. What the hell am I supposed to do if I can't keep you safe one day and I lose you for real? Honestly, I think I'd kill myself."
Mary rolled her eyes, despite the tears still falling from them, and said "Don't exaggerate, it's bad for your complexion."
"Mare, this is no exaggeration. I know it makes me sound all pathetic and codependent, but I honestly don't think I can manage with you not around."
Mary sighed. "I know. Same here. That's another thing I wanted to talk about. Um…"
Mary, who had momentarily gone back to being her normal sarcastic self, reverted back to the quiet detached Mary she had become. She looked down, away from his piercing gaze.
He gently lifted her chin and said "Hey, where did you go? C'mon, Mary. I can't be a part of this conversation if I don't know what it's about."
Mary stared at him, shocked. "You just called me Mary." she said, sounding amazed.
"Yeah… That's your name."
"But you never say it to me. It's always 'Hey you", or 'Mare', but never Mary. Whatever, that's not the point. The point is… oh Christ, this seemed so much easier a minute ago."
Marshall took her hand in his, and said quietly "It never ceases to amaze me the way your mind works. But you gotta let me in, tell me what this is all about."
Mary just stared at their linked hands, conflicted. A part of her, the part that was detached and wounded, wanted to just say never mind, she didn't think she could talk about it yet.
And he would back off. Because that's how Marshall was.
But another part of her, the part that had wanted to hold him and kiss him earlier, forced her to trudge on. "Okay. First thing… I'm gonna have to ask you a question. Cause I don't want to make a fool out of myself."
"Okay, shoot." he said brightly, and she knew that he'd answer any question she had for him to the best of his ability.
"How come you… that is… why do you always take care of me? You don't have to, and I never show you enough gratitude for it, but you always do. Even with the littlest things, you're just… there. I don't deserve it." she said, her tone thoughtful.
"Don't say that. Yes you do. You take care of everyone but yourself, so don't you say you don't deserve someone to take care of you." he said firmly, looking her straight in the eye.
"So… is that why? Because I don't have the time to take care of myself?"
Marshall shook his head. "No, no. It's more complicated than that. Um… are you sure you want to get into this?"
Mary squeezed his hand. "Hey. Fucked up psyche, remember? Nothing you say will phase me, promise. Lay it on me, come on."
Marshall sighed, and ran his free hand through his hair.
"Um, alright. Well you see, Mare… Isortakindamaybeloveyou." He looked away, embarrassed.
She knew that he was hoping that she didn't understand what he said, but she was accustomed to all the oddities of Marshall's voice, and it rang out crystal clear.
"Really? Good. That makes this so much easier, then. Okay, I know that I'm a handful, and that I've never let on about my feelings, but since you've confirmed my suspicions about your feelings for me…"
Marshall looked back at her in question, only to find her lips suddenly meeting his.
The part of the old Mary that still survived danced with joy when, thought at first hesitant, he cupped her face and kissed her back, while the part of her that had wanted to crawl in a hole and die sulked in the corner of the recesses of her mind.
He was the one to pull away. "So, what you're saying is… You love me?" Marshall asked, and she could tell he was trying not to sound too hopeful. She nodded, and he smiled.
"So we can both stop crying now?" he asked, wiping away one last tear that she hadn't noticed fall. She nodded again, unable to speak.
She had opened up and let Marshall in, and now there was no going back. Now she could begin the journey to recovery.
Fin.
Personally, I don't really like the ending, but I can't think of any other way to write it. Oh well, I hope you guys don't detest it. Anyway, lyrics!
"One For The Razorbacks"
Green Day
Juliet's trying to find out what she wants, but she don't know
Experience has got her down
Look this direction, I know it's not perfection, it's just me...
I want to bring you up again now
I'm losing what's left of my dignity
A small price to pay to see that you're happy
Forget all the disappointments you have faced
Open up your worried world and let me in
Juliet's crying cause now she's realizing love can be
Filled with pain and distrust
I know I am crazy, and a bit lazy
But I will try to bring you up again somehow.
