Disclaimer : I own nothing, but the idea of this story.
AN: I really can't thank Dispatchvampire enough for all the work she does on the beta. Thanks so so much.
Here comes the time for a little trip for our Marshals.
Chapter 7 – That's why Friends are For.
Keep smiling, keep shining, knowing you can always count on me, that's what friends are for.
"Marshall, Mary, in my office," shouted Stan from his desk. Marshall has been back on the job for 2 weeks now, and had barely finished the load of paperwork Mary left him. "You are due to transfer a witness in Paris in 2 days."
Mary rolled her eyes "Great, another fantastic trip to Texas. Think we can grab ribs at your parents'?" she asked, turning to Marshall.
"Not Paris, Texas, Mary. Paris, France," Stan interrupted, a smile on the corners of his mouth. He knew what was to come.
"Paris? In France? What the fucking hell?" yelled the blonde woman.
"Actually, a bit of Texas used to belong to France a few centuries ago when the French owned some places down here before they sold it along with Louisiana in the 19th Century," said Marshall.
Mary rolled her eyes before answering, "Shut up nimbwit! Who cares about the history of Texas? Why do we have to go to Paris?"
"You mean other than bringing there a witness?" asked Stan.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't remember Paris being a US State, at least not since I last checked," replied the blond woman.
"Diplomatic issue. A French girl witnessed something she shouldn't have seen. The usual plot. Bad place, bad timing. She agreed to testify, and she needs extra protection before being sent back to Paris. That's all." Stan answered.
"Can't we just put her in a plane at JFK?"
"Actually, Mary, you'll pick her in Denver … and bring her to Paris."
"What ? No way I'm heading to fucking Denver!"
"Mare … shut up. Stan? When are we due in Denver?"
It still amazed Stan McQueen after so much time that Marhsall Mann could be the only person in the whole world who could tell Mary Shannon to shut up, without being killed within the next second. And it still amazed Mary Shannon that Marshall Mann could do it, and she wouldn't protest. He always has been the only one to be able to tell her to calm down, or stop pushing the other around. And she let him do it. It must be a part of his job somehow.
Marshall and Stan, followed by a frowning Mary headed to the conference room to settle all the details.
"Wait a minute," Mary said suddenly. "Denver, ok, fine, but who's got the witness? Please don't tell me it's not the fibbies." Marshall and Stan exchanged a long look at each other, before turning to Mary. No need to answer, she had already understood. "Fuck. Fuck... can't stand FBI guys". She shook her head, looking slightly irritated. "This is going to be complicated".
Marshall could only nod in agreement. The entire trip was going to be complicated. But he was heading to Paris, with Mary. He would manage to survive.
The witness was a Caroline Lecapelier, a student in an exchange program in International Business. She was on a week-end trip with some friends outside Denver when she saw a man get shot. She could identify the killer, who turned out to be one of Tico Bostino's henchmen. Her life then threatened, she was being taken care of by the Marshal Service. She was due to testify on Thursday, and was then to be brought back to France immediately, where she would live under protection. The security was so tight that the teams bringing the young girl from France and the one bringing her back had to be different. And Marshall and Mary had been requested, specifically.
Marshall was plotting out several routes to take the witness back to France. The problem was, they had to board a plane somehow, which was much more traceable than traveling by road. They would have to create false trails, have different planes and companies picked, and to remain on constant alert. Mary knew her partner was way better at drawing plans, often weird and tricky, as she was.
She started studying the file of the French girl. Pretty, that she could say from the picture. Smart, as she was able to take a course in English and have good marks. Great, she thought, two brainiacs to travel with. And to travel to Paris! She wasn't even speaking French, unless you count "bonjour, comment ça va?" because she was pretty sure she wouldn't understand any answer. But everybody speaks English, don't they ?
Marshall cut her thoughts. "So basically, we have three different routes. The only problem is we need to take a plane to go to Paris. So I'll need 3 return tickets from Atlanta, Chicago and New York, with decoy teams at each airport. Mary and I will choose which route we take at the moment we leave Denver. Of course, decoy teams will leave also from Denver to any place they wish to go."
Mary was leaning on the conference table, looking at the three different routes spread on the cards. She added " You have a Plan B and an escape route ?"
He smirked. "I'm so disappointed that you have to ask. Plan B is via San Francisco, escape route via Canada. Stan, we'll need to brief the Canadian authorities, just in case."
Stan was always truly amazed at the plans conceived by this team. Marshall was the smartest, but Mary could also be tricky when she had to, but usually preferred letting Marshall do the planning.
She smiled "You know which one we will take, don't you?" She already knew where they will be heading.
"Same as yours, Sunshine," answered the tall man in front of her, blinking his right eye.
"You care to share, or is it top secret? It could save money to know where you're heading to in the first place," Stan mused.
"But it would take out all of the fun!" was Mary's answer, "So, when do we pick the French chick, Stan ?"
Stan stood up, preparing his effect. " Well, Inspectors, you are expected tomorrow morning in Denver. Grab a SUV, and chop chop !"
Marshall was standing up, grabbing his keys when Mary reached his desk. "Hey Doofus, do you mind picking me up?"
He stared at her, surprised. "Sure. I always pick you up. I'll be at your place in two hours."
Mary looked at him, stunned. "Two hours? You don't need to clean the whole house before leaving. And I guess you know where your passport is, right?"
Marshall blushed slightly, and answered as the elevator arrived. "I was hoping to have a bit of time to go and see Abby. But I can be there in an hour."
Mary felt ashamed, she had already forgotten about her. "No problem numbnuts, get me in two hours. Guess I will have to drive, so we're not too late to beautiful Denver." He smirked at her. She was about to board the elevator after him when she heard her name.
"Mary! Mary!" she smiled at her partner before turning "and I have time to entertain you about what new thing came up in Delia's mind."
He laughed before he heard what the young Marshal told Mary. "I have an Agent Mike Faber for you, Mary. He wants to talk to you." Mary turned, and made her way back to the office.
Marshall heard that Faber had called Mary. Let it go, he told himself. There's no hope for you with her. You are lucky to have found Abby. Let her screw up her love life, you have no part in it. Sure he had no right in Mary's love life. But Faber!
Oops … the return of our favorite FBI Agent ? Stay tuned for next episode ..
In the meantime, please review :) Always welcomed !
