Here's the chapter everyone has eagerly been waiting for. How do I know you've been waiting? Could be that I'm a stalker. Ha-ha, funny stuff. But seriously, I'm not. You gotta believe me. I only know what I know because of my "Stats" page. 21 people are watching this – that I know of. Oh, and the reviews are a big hint too.

Since, you've been waiting to read this chapter, I'll just forewarn you that I have a lot of dedications to make. So, if you want to skip ahead all the bold to read the actual story, I understand. But, when you're done, you can look back up here to see who's helped my writing. Thanks.

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(Three seconds to decide whether to keep reading this of the story… 3… 2… 1…)

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Hello and welcome to those who have decided to keep reading on to the dedications. It's a long list. Check to see if your name is here. It will be underlined.

First off, I'll admit that I've made a few writing errors. It's summer and my mind's still on partial lockdown. Anyway, I'd like to thank W E Wofford and angirl319 for correcting me on those. You guys are like my personal publishers. Thanks.

Hello again Scoobygang101. Glad you've joined me for another story. I'm always happy to hear from you.

Karen, thanks for sticking with me through my stories and the answer to your alert question has been answered by the ever helpful: Poet2002 on the "Review" page. By the way, love your "Who Protects the Protector" fic 

Poet2002. Thanks for your support.

A big thanks to System D Rail for all the love!

I hope this chapter is as interesting as you hoped for, bk-1205. Thanks for the review.

Thanks for the self-esteem boost graciously given by Seceretroses. It's words like yours that pull me through.

May your hopes be fulfilled LogicalGoth. Thanks for your support.

I agree with Tayter.Bug7. Marshall is cute!

Thanks for the comment, ProudRHrShipper. I do my best. Much appreciated.

Scarletta-snape. If you like the part with the mention of cookies, you're gonna love what's coming next.



And I give more thanks to those who have kept reading and sticking with me. If your name isn't up here, it's not because I dislike you. I appreciate all your kind words. I just have a limited hold on your attention span. Sorry and keep reading.

Their Confrontation

"One… two…" Mary counted as she walked past the first two doors on the second floor.

"Three," she said and turned to the right. Right where Dr. Stone had said stood the lounge door. On a shiny plate were the words "lounge" to help anyone who had a knack for getting lost.

Mary entered the small room and immediately zoned in on the round table that stood in the middle of the room laden with sympathy treats: cookies, chocolate, peppermints, and some other sweet candies. There was also a bowl full of chips and an unopened container of salsa. A water cooler stood alone in the corner. Four chairs were folded on the other side of the room.

Mary examined the room until she found that it suited her well enough to stay in for a while. She unfolded a chair and sat down near the table – at arm's length from the cookies and candy.

With a sigh, she reached over and grabbed a candy bar. She opened it without seeing what kind it was and bit into it. Smooth milk chocolate melted on her tongue.

"Mmm," she purred to herself. It had been a long time since she had allowed herself to eat chocolate. She missed the sweet flavor that had the power to cheer even her up.

Suddenly, the door opened and an all too familiar tale man with wavy brown hair entered. Mary froze, mid-chew, to stare at her partner. Even he seemed a little surprised to see her there.

"Marshall," Mary greeted.

"Long time, no see," Marshall joked with a nod. He entered the room, closing the door behind him.

Mary lowered her eyes from his face and concentrated solely on the candy bar she was eating. Her eyes may have been distracted but her mind sure wasn't. Her conversation about Marshall with Dr. Stone coincidently popped up into her thoughts. The chocolate lost its flavor.

"Hellooo sugar cookie," Marshall said cheerfully.

Mary nearly choked on the chocolate. She hurriedly swallowed and glared at Marshall with burning cheeks. "Excuse me?!" she exclaimed.

"What?" Marshall asked with pure innocence. His hand was hovering over the plate of cookies. "You don't like sugar cookies?" He picked up a cookie and examined it sadly.



"Oh," Mary sighed gratefully – and with a hint of disappointment. "No, that's not what I-… Nevermind." She sighed and shoved another mouthful of chocolate into her mouth to prevent herself form saying anything stupid.

Marshall shrugged and bite gleefully into the cookie. Still chewing, he retrieved a chair and sat down beside Mary.

Oddly self-conscious, Mary kept her eyes glued to her candy bar and her mouth chewing busily. For a while, the only noise in the room came from the two chewing mouths.

Soon, she had finished her candy bar and clutched the wrapper tightly in her hand. Marshall's content sigh signified the completion of his sugar cookie. Now it was silent in the room.

Mary stole a quick glance at Marshall.

What was she going to do? Should she say something? After confessing that she maybe, kinda, sorta, liked Marshall and that she did want to talk to him about her problems, she wasn't sure what to do now that they were together, alone, in a room where they had privacy.

Should she try to get her actions to speak or would that just freak Marshall out? Should she leave now? No, she couldn't do that. If she upped and left, Marshall would think he had done something wrong. But she couldn't just sit and say nothing.

Feeling that he was being watched, Marshall turned his head and his eyes met Mary's. She flinched and hurriedly turned away. Her hair fell like a curtain against her cheek, blocking her face from Marshall's view. He looked away as well.

What should he do? Should he take Dr. Crey's advice and tell Mary that he liked her? After confessing that he did like Mary – a lot – it felt a little weird to silently sit so close to her and still see her as "just a partner." To make matter worse, they were all alone in a closed room: completely private.

If he told her his feelings, would he scare her? She already seemed a little edgy. Maybe he should leave and let her relax. But if he did that then Mary would probably wonder what she had done wrong or if something was wrong with Marshall. No, he couldn't put that burden on Mary, not when she was already dealing with so much.

As one, both Mary and Marshall let out a heavy sigh. Startled by the other's same reaction, they looked at each other only to look away again.

Marshall nervously drummed his fingers on his knee while Mary crumpled the plastic candy bar wrapper in her hand. The lack of words was beginning to make the marshals fidget uncomfortably. To Mary, it felt like she was back in therapy. She couldn't stand it anymore.

Apparently, neither could Marshall.



"Listen," they said at the same time.

Marshall clamped his mouth shut as Mary's face flushed.

"Sorry, you go first," Marshall offered politely.

"N-no. You go ahead," Mary stuttered.

An awkward pause issued once again between the two as they waited for the other to speak first. Marshall just stared at Mary expectantly while Mary felt the heat slowly rise to her cheeks. His oceanic eyes did not release hers and she found that she couldn't look away.

Slowly, Marshall started to lean towards her, his eyes never leaving hers.

To her surprise, Mary found that her body was being drawn to Marshall like a magnet. She couldn't think of a good excuse to pull away. Maybe she would just let her actions speak for her. Dr. Stone would be proud.

"Mary," Marshall breathed, his warm breath caressed her lips. Mary shook her head, not wanting words to ruin what they were about to do.

But – seeing as God hated her – it was not to be.

"Mr. Mann, time to come back no-"

Dr. Crey stopped before he could finish, his eyes staring wide-eyed at the partners whose faces were only a hair's length away from each other's.

Mary pulled back abruptly with a sharp gasp. Marshall snapped to attention and jerked back against his chair, nearly tipping over. Mary bowed her head to hide her eyes and her flaming cheeks. Marshall could only stare in bewilderment at the intruder.

"S-sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt," Dr. Crey stammered as he unsuccessfully tried to avert his eyes.

"Miss Shannon, let's go," Dr. Stone said as she emerged from behind Dr. Crey.

"Oh," she said as she took in the scene before her.

Mary jumped to her feet and exited the lounge as fast as possible. Dr. Stone exchanged looks with Dr. Crey and then trotted after Mary after giving Marshall an approving wink.

Marshall slowly rose to his feet, a small smile spreading across his face. He walked past the still flustered Dr. Crey and headed back towards the elevator.

"Twenty-eight," was all he said.



I received some inspiration from an episode of "Just Shoot Me" for this chapter. I love that show. David Spades is an awesome Dennis Finch. Marshall has some competition in the cuteness factor with that little guy. Be sure to give me a holler if you also love that show!

Stay tuned. There's one more chapter after this. I wasn't going to end just like that. Sorry about breaking up the romantic moment. I'm just evil that way. Call it what you will, but I consider it humor.

Author's note: When Marshall said "twenty-eight," he was still counting the number of times he exits a room in a day. Just in case you forgot about that in the previous chapter.