Mary woke to sunlight streaming in the sides of her window and Raph glaring at her by the bedroom door. "Care to explain?" Raph spoke loudly as he indicated the two of them on the bed.
"Keep your voice down. If you wake him up, I'm so going to kick your ass." Mary warned.
Brandi came bouncing up to see what the commotion was. "Brandi drive Raph to the train station and get the Probe. When you get back, get the black bag out of the back that looks like mine." Mary was grateful Stan had moved the bag to her car when he arrived at the hospital yesterday.
"What happened?" Brandi asked.
"His mother was shot yesterday. Could you please just do as I ask?"
Raph had the decency to look ashamed for his reaction. "Is she alright?"
"She's in a coma." Mary answered.
"It reminded him of you." Brandi stated more than asked and Mary was impressed how quickly she figured out the problem. "Let's go Chico." Brandi said tugging his arm.
Jinx came in after they left and Mary was getting frustrated. "Is there anything that I can do?" Mary shook her head no, surprised when Jinx left closing the door behind her.
Another hour passed and Marshall finally began to stir. Confusion fluttered his mind when he didn't recognize his surroundings right away. Jerking upward he stopped underneath a restraining hand. "Mare?"
She smiled. He was kind of cute when he woke up confused. "Relax Doofus, you're at my house." She felt the tension release from his body briefly before coming right back.
"Crap. I need to get to the hospital. Dad's going to be furious with me." Mary rolled her eyes. Obviously the lecture didn't sink in.
"Stan stayed and summarized the last several months for him. I told them I'd make sure you returned. I've got your away bag here, go shower and change before we leave. While you're at it get that head of yours to accept the fact that no one is angry at you. " Mary was exasperated with him about that detail.
"Thanks for everything." He whispered getting up.
"Not a problem. It's not like I don't owe you a few hundred more favors for all the help you've given my family." She shrugged. "Let me know when you're done and I'll take a quick shower before we leave." He nodded and grabbed his things.
Mary changed her mind about waiting and headed to Squish's room to use her shower. She emerged before Marshall and went into the kitchen for coffee. "Save a cup for Marshall." She scolded as Brandi went to grab another cup.
"What happened?" Jinx asked.
"Someone drove by and open fired. His mom was inside and was hit with two bullets." Mary figured it was safe to tell them that part. The rest was none of their business.
"Why'd you kick us out last night?" Brandi asked and Raph waited to hear the answer.
"I needed to get him to talk to me and he wouldn't do it with an audience. Squish was right, seeing her in the bed reminded him of my shooting."
Jinx could tell by her daughter's voice it was more than just her shooting. "The shooting or more?"
"That's for Marshall to tell when and if he wants to share. You don't bring it up at all. Is that perfectly clear to the three of you?" Her voice was stern and she waited for the agreements.
Marshall emerged and Mary handed him a cup of coffee. "Eat something and we can go."
"I'm not hungry." Seeing the look she was giving him. "I'll grab something at the hospital. I need to get back."
Mary noted the tinge of desperation in his voice. "Fine, but you better eat."
Raph fumed at the way she coddled and mothered Marshall. Looking at Mary he asked "When are you coming back?"
"Depends on if we get a break in the case or not. Even then I'll probably head to the hospital and relieve Marshall and his dad so they can grab something to eat and maybe get some sleep." Mary shrugged.
"It'd be nice for you to spend some time with us." Raph mentioned.
"Don't even start. He's always there for me; I'll be there for him. It's how we roll" Mary shook her head and left as Marshall began to back out of the driveway. She followed Marshall to the hospital.
Stan was coming down the hall carrying two coffees when they entered the hospital. "Inspectors, how are you doing?"
"Fine." Marshall answered quickly.
"Can you take this to your dad?" Stan asked handing Marshall one of the cups. Marshall nodded and headed off to the room. "How's he really?"
"Better. His brains in on overload and he still blames himself but I think he's better." Mary shrugged.
"Okay. I'm going to need you to work with Bobby. They located the car from the shooting. See what he found out. Marshall's witnesses are okay I double checked. Eleanor is pulling together a list of anyone who threatened Marshall and anyone he's helped put away that might've been released. Stop back at the office when you're done." Stan ordered.
"Let me tell Marshall I'm leaving. I also want to make sure his dad knows he needs to eat." Mary wanted to make sure he didn't skip eating.
Stan had to bite back the chuckle that almost escaped him. Mary was in protective mode and heaven help anyone that got in her way. "Alright, I'm heading back to the office."
Marshall took a deep breath before entering. His dad looked up when he stepped into the room. "I'm sorry about yesterday. I should've stayed here with you and mom."
"It's alright. Stan explained. I wish you'd have said something to me." Ryder waited and watched as Marshall sat in the other chair and handed him his coffee. "Can you stay with her while I get something to eat?" Marshall nodded and he squeezed his shoulder as he walked by.
Mary ran into Ryder in the hallway. "Everything okay?"
"Yes. Marshall's with his mom and I'm going to grab something to eat." He smiled at her. "Thank you for taking care of him last night."
"My pleasure. I've got to go into work but I wanted to make sure he was okay before I left. Can you make sure he eats something later? I couldn't get him to eat breakfast. He was feeling bad for not staying yesterday and wanted to get back right away." Mary waited.
"I'll make sure he eats. I know how hard Marshall is on himself and I'm glad you're able to be there for him." Ryder explained.
"Marshall told me about Emily. I'm sorry." She noticed his surprise.
"Marshall must really trust you." He saw the puzzlement. "He's never talked about his sister to anyone before."
Mary shrugged. "I can be a little persistent. I'll be back later." She smiled as he left towards the cafeteria. Opening the door she walked in to see Marshall holding Elizabeth's hand. "Hey Doofus. I have to go but if you need anything call me." He nodded at her.
Mary drove to the police station. Seeing Bobby at his desk she plastered a big smile on her face. "How's my favorite homicide detective?"
"So Stan told you we found the car involved in the shooting." He stated flatly.
"I'm wounded. Is that the only reason you'd think I'd stop by?"
"No. The other reason would be if something was happening with one of your witnesses. You only visit when you need something Mary." She stayed silent. "How's Marshall?"
"Okay. What information do you have?"
"The lab is going over it for fingerprints. Right now we still don't have any clues. Anything on your end?" Bobby asked.
"Nothing out of the ordinary, we're checking to see if Marshall had any threats here or his previous location."
"So Marshall isn't the only partner that you've tormented. Bet he wished he stayed at his last place." Bobby smirked.
"Ha ha." She muttered as she turned to leave. "You'll let me know if the prints turn up any leads." He nodded and she left for the Sunshine Building.
Raph had been frustrated when Mary left. She'd shown more concern for Marshall than anyone else including him. He called Wayne to meet at the bar.
Wayne took one look at Raph and knew something was up with his fiancée. Maybe he could get more information on her partner. Joey was asking for Marshall's location.
"What's up now?" Before Raph could answer his cell went off.
Mary had stopped by her house when she was driving back to the office. They had left Marshall's away bag and figured he might need something from it. When she got home she couldn't find it. "Raph, do you know where Marshall's bag went?"
Raph couldn't believe she called about Marshall. Taking a deep breath he answered. "We put it in your closet so it was out of the way. Are you coming home tonight?"
"No, I'm heading to the hospital when I'm done at work."
Raph wasn't happy with the "are you stupid" tone to her voice. "What hospital? I could bring some real food to all of you."
Mary thought about it. It would be good for the Marshall and Ryder to have some real food. "Presbyterian Hospital."
"Let me know what you want and I'll have it to Presbyterian by six thirty." He missed the smile that passed on Wayne's face.
Once he was off the phone, Wayne asked. "The hospital? Is she hurt again?" When Raph explained it was her partner's mother, he dismissed himself briefly and made the call to Joey.
Ryder returned and sat next to Marshall. His son was rubbing his thumb gently over Elizabeth's hand. "I like your partner."
"Mom was looking forward to meeting her. I don't know who was more excited Mom or Mary. Of course, Mary was looking for new ways to tease me." He smirked a little.
"Your mother will give her plenty ammunition when she's awake. Don't you worry about it." He ruffled Marshall's hair as he'd done as a child.
"I suppose you'll help her." Marshall ignored the gesture.
"Would I do that to you?" Ryder was happy Marshall was behaving more normal. The worry was still there but at least he wasn't so tense.
"In a heartbeat. I don't know how anyone mistakes you for a tough lawman." Marshall mocked. The teasing made it easier.
"I'm a badass lawman and don't forget it or I'll remind you."
"Now you sound like Mary." Marshall smiled at the thought.
"Speaking of which I'd promise her you'd eat something. I have a feeling she'd attempt to kick my butt if I didn't." Ryder watched Marshall roll his eyes.
"Oh she'd succeed." Under different circumstances that confrontation might be interesting if not highly amusing to watch.
"Badass lawman, don't forget. Go eat." He encouraged.
"Fine." Marshall stood up. "I'll be back shortly. Need anything?"
"I'm good. Take your time." Ryder watched him leave and then lovingly spoke to his wife. "You did a great job raising him. I just wish I knew how to take away the guilt he's carrying."