A/N: Reviews and Alerts have been fantastic. Thank you :)
INVISIBLE WALLS
Marshall had stopped crying and just continued to sit there. Leaned forward, head in his hands, eerily still. His breathing controlled, but his mind chaos as it continued to replay Abby's harsh rant through his head.
"Marshall?" Stan had let him sit for a bit to calm down, before deciding it had been long enough. "Marshall." Forcing his voice louder, more forceful than before.
Marshall raised his head from his hands, his eyes meeting Stan's. "This IS my fault." Stan went to interrupt him, but Marshall vehemently shook his head. "No. I brought that woman into my life, our lives and this is the consequence."
Stan knew only Mary at this point could change his mind, but he would try none the less. "Even if that were true, which I don't believe it is...that doesn't mean it can't be fixed." Stan paused, deciding to push him a bit. "Think of it a different way...Mary backed away to ensure you were happy." Marshall's eyebrows knit together. "She loves you enough to let you go." A small flicker of hope passed over Marshall's face, quickly replaced with pain. "You loved her for a long time and you made a decision to move on from that...be happy. She just wasn't ready when you were."
Marshall was taken back by the insightfulness of his boss. "I...I don't think I ever stopped loving her." He felt his chest constrict, as he admitted it out loud. "I was happy to have some...part of her...in my life...friend if it could not be more." Marshall paused, deep in thought. "It's not like I hid it...that day...at the courthouse. The day Mary ended up going into labor early, when I threw myself over Mary and not Abby...that is when Abby and I started to unravel." He looked at Stan who was intently listening, as he knew Marshall needed to get this off his mind. "Abby called me on it...the fact that I protected Mary and not her. She said...she understood and I think she did. It was then. She knew I was in love with Mary, not her." Marshall let out an angry laugh. "Then what did I do? Instead of admitting it, I continued our farce of a relationship and gave her time to push Mary out of my life."
"Marshall. Mary is still in your life. She is still with us." Stan's eyes digging into Marshalls to ensure he was listening. "You can tell her when she wakes up." Stan paused, giving Marshall a small smile. "Directly and bluntly tell her, because you and I know subtle does not work on Mary."
A nurse walked in, not allowing Marshall to reply, offering to lead them to Mary's room. Marshall and Stan followed, both grew more nervous with each step. Stan's eyes widened at the sight of her and an audible gasp escaped Marshall. She was covered with wires and tubes, going in and out of her body. Machines and monitors displaying data all related to Mary's well being. Her hair splayed out around her head, her skin paler then they had ever seen. Stan braced himself against the door frame, the full scope of the damage hitting him, as he looked at the woman who was as close to a daughter as he had.
Marshall was on autopilot, his feet carrying him to her bedside. He reached up, gently brushing her hair away from her face and finally placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I'm here Mare." He pulled a chair closer to her bed and sat down, then gently lifting her hand, entwining her fingers with him. "A wise man told me that we can fix this...the rift that seems to have grown between you and me." He paused, giving Stan a grateful look. Stan nodded and decided to stand outside to give him some privacy. "I can honestly say, I don't know where to start or if you will remember anything I say here." He gave a sad smile and half heartedly joked. "If not, well this will be my dry run...let me start by telling you I broke up with Abby months ago." Marshall noticed her heart monitor pick up, which he hoped meant she heard him. "I didn't tell you, because I thought the distance you took was because of the baby." His voice cracked. "I know now that was not the case. You should have told me that my psycho girlfriend unloaded on you." He paused, his eyes trailing over every inch of her face. "There is no choice for me. I will always choose you." He wished she could see his eyes and him hers to know how serious he was. "You are the most important person in my life. I love you Mare." He smiled, his eyes tearing up. "I mean that in the over the moon, die for you, romantic way and the partner friend way just so we are clear." He was running his thumb in lazy circles on her hand. "I will tell you all this again, when you wake up and every day after...until I know it sinks through that stubborn head of yours." He paused. "Come back to me Mare..."