*** It's a slow ride into new feelings sometimes...but a fun one. Some development. ***

Mary lay on the bed with a cool cloth over her eyes. Marshall had needed a shower after the fight and after having to steady her three times on the way to the room, he had insisted she lay down and stay down while he was in the bathroom. She received a lecture on the dangers of a concussion and rolled her eyes through most of it…of course, rolling her eyes hurt and caused her to wince which only supported his points. She changed into jeans and a t-shirt and he made her promise that she would not get up while he was showering. In reality, she was only happy to oblige as her head still throbbed even after ibuprofen and ice packs. That damn ear hurt again and she realized she should just call her pharmacy in Albuquerque and get them to call her prescription into the Walgreens here. Intent upon that thought, she sat up and looked in the nightstand drawer for the phone book and saw that her phone was over on the dresser across from the bed. She could still hear the shower running and decided Marshall would never know she had gotten up.

Getting up to grab the phone was no problem, it was the turn back to the bed that messed her up. The floor tilted and she landed against Marshall's bed, pulling his bag off onto the floor and dropping her phone too. "Damn it all to hell!" she whispered vehemently, scrambling to get up off the floor and get back onto the bed as she heard the shower turn off. Barely managing to return herself to the position she started in by the time the bathroom door opened, she let out a breath and smiled to herself.

Marshall was drying his hair and noted Mary was still on the bed with the cloth over her eyes. He smiled in satisfaction until he saw his bag on the floor and her cell phone just lying there next to it. His eyes narrowed as he looked at his deceptively relaxed partner, "Did you have visitors?" he asked.

"What? No, why do you think that?"

"Well, I guess my bag and your cell phone just jumped right onto the floor all by themselves then." He was watching her to see what her reaction would be.

"Are they on the floor?" Mary was trying not to smile as she realized what a ridiculous situation this was. She heard him walk over between the two beds and then felt the mattress sink on her left side as he sat on the edge of the bed.

He drawled, "Usually, when someone promises to do something, that means they'll actually do it."

"Well…I'm a little unusual." was all she could think of. Grimacing slightly at the pathetic nature of her reply.

Marshall rubbed the bridge of his nose with his fingers and sighed. "Did you want your phone for a reason?"

Mary was happy he was going to let her off the hook. "Yeah, I was going to call my pharmacy back home to have them call my antibiotic into the pharmacy here."

"Why?"

Feeling even more foolish, Mary reluctantly replied in a mumble, "BecauseIforgotitathome." She felt him just looking at her and was irritated. She held out her left hand for the phone, "Just give it."

Instead of her phone being put into her hand, she felt Marshall's fingers gently rub the bruise on her upper arm. She jumped slightly and said, "Marshall, you really need to stop fussing about that bruise."

He continued to trace it lightly as he said, "I don't like it." Moving his hand to then trace her hairline over her left ear, added, "I'm not going to like this one either." Mary was trying not to let the increase in her breathing show as Marshall's touch was causing her body to heat up in a very non partner-y way. It was the caress coupled with the concern in his voice that ramped up her hormones. She felt confused and tried to diffuse the situation.

"Well, unless you have a magical cure for bruises or can kiss them and make them better, you're just going to have to not like them. I can't make them disappear."

She felt him shift his weight and then her left elbow was supported by his hand while her brain registered his lips touch the bruise in a light, but lingering, kiss. All the air escaped from her lungs and there was no longer confusion over what her hormones were up to. Her arm tingled and she couldn't move.

"Why did you do that?" she whispered.

He had no idea what he was doing but couldn't stop himself. Her skin was so soft and he could hear her breathing speed up when he stroked her arm. There was a heaviness in his belly and an ache in his groin, and when Mary offered the kiss-and-make-it-better option, need prevailed. He loved how she smelled, and he breathed in deeply as he kissed the bruise on her arm. The play of her muscles just under the skin when her arm tensed at his touch only served to arouse him more and he knew his voice was husky when he answered her question.

"I'm kissing it to make it better. Did it work?" Marshall's voice was pitched lower than she had heard it before and it gave her shivers.

Between the adrenaline rush, the heat and a rattled brain, Mary's decision making skills were in the cellar. And when she removed the cloth from her eyes and looked at her partner, the desire in his gaze pushed her right over to reckless.

"It's hard to tell. Maybe you should do it again." Their eyes were locked and he slowly and deliberately placed his left arm across her to rest on the bed and supported himself while he leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her left temple. She closed her eyes as his breath fanned her cheek and he traced two more kisses down to the tender skin right in front of her ear.

"Oh…" was all she could whisper in response. "Jeeeeeesuuuuuus." Her mind reeled with the sensations his kisses were causing. She was instantly aroused to aching and her breathing was shallow. No man had offered this before, this slow and tantalizing tasting of her, and she was spellbound.

She smelled so good and each time his lips touched her, his insides clenched in desire. He heard her breathing change and when she whispered a simple word with need and wonder, he had to close his eyes in restraint.

Marshall's whisper was soft and throaty and the warmth of his breath caressed her ear, "I see one more, would you like me to try again?"

"Yes."

He ducked his head and she felt him exhale a breath where her collarbone met her neck. He lightly licked the spot then pressed his lips to it and she softly moaned in delight and frustration. Mary hadn't moved the whole time as she was entranced by the pure sensations of the event. Now, however, she grasped his head with both hands and raised his face so she could see him. His eyes were darkened with need and she saw her partner as a desirable man. "Wait…wait…wait" her brain hammered at her and she reigned in her raging want to ask him a question.

"Marshall…are you trying to seduce me?"

His sly grin undid her even more and he replied, "I think we can both agree I've moved beyond trying at this point."

Mary couldn't pull her eyes away from his and her lips curled in a smile of her own at his smart ass response. "I assure you, you should feel quite successful."

Her words rang a bell of rationality and he knew this should not continue. She tasted like heaven and he wanted so much more, but this woman gazing at him with eyes he could fall into and lips that beckoned him was not quite herself, and he would not forgive himself for taking advantage of that…as much as his body was screaming at him in encouragement.

Marshall closed his eyes and took a deep breath before looking at her again with a clearer gaze, "How about we chalk this little adventure up to adrenaline overload?"

She felt herself calm and knew he was right. "And mild heat stroke?" Smiling with him even though disappointment fluttered through her.

His smile got bigger as he continued, "And a poor, abused banana?"

She dissolved into giggles at that and released him. He sat up and gently brushed the hair away from her face as he laughed with her.

"I thought poor Tucker was going to aspirate on his own drool. I almost felt a little bad about that." Mary continued to chuckle as she remembered the expression on the young deputy's face.

Marshall nodded in agreement and added, "Alongi knew exactly what you were up to and was trying not to laugh the whole time. I think he thoroughly enjoyed the distraction."

"Shit…who thought that dessert was a good idea?" wondered Mary. She was feeling more normal again and relieved she and her partner had come to their senses. The ramifications of that path, both emotional and professional, were not something she wanted to think about. She felt Marshall looking at her and saw his contemplative gaze. "You okay?" she asked.

"Are we good?" he wondered.

She smiled, "Never better. Now give me my phone so I can get back to disobeying the rules."

He snorted and stood, taking her phone with him. "I'll call Eleanor and have her set it up. You, young lady, are going to just rest for a while…as am I. Let's see how we feel in a couple hours and maybe go get some delicious Kansas BBQ later?"

Mary crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him, "You know I don't rest well."

Marshall brought her a freshly wet and cool cloth and drawled, "Give it a try…for me." She rolled her eyes and covered them with the washcloth and was asleep ten minutes later. Marshall passed Mary's request onto Eleanor and leaned back into his bed, following Mary into slumber a short time later.

*******

Tony Alongi's house was a rambling ranch style on ten acres with a small pond nestled in a little tree filled meadow out back. He and his wife, Betsy, had three Border collies and ten year old twin boys which put the energy level at their house on obnoxious. The kitchen was crowded with people, but all were gradually moving out onto the backyard patio as the weather cooled with the setting sun. The Alongis had hosted a monthly Friday night BBQ as long as anyone could remember, weather be damned and no RSVP needed. The winter parties were held inside by the fireplace or in the basement playing pool while the activities during the warmer months involved fishing in the pond and lounging on the patio. It was one of the perks of living in a small town, Betsy explained to Mary.

The Marshals woke fairly refreshed earlier and their growling stomachs decided their fate. Mary's vertigo had lessened greatly, and unless she made any sudden changes in direction, felt steady on her feet. She took some more ibuprofen and hoped it didn't eat a hole through her stomach. Marshall's hand was throbbing but functional, and he determined it was only bruised, not broken. Mary still suggested he get it x-rayed and he shot her a look that had her holding her hands in front of her in surrender.

"See how you are?" she said.

They knew some of the folks at the BBQ from the sheriff's office and were slightly surprised to learn that everyone knew who they were and why they were here.

"It's a small town, Marshall, word travels fast when newcomers arrive. Especially newcomers with badges." Tony explained when Marshall expressed mild alarm, "Gossip is the second most popular activity around here after drinking. I'm glad you two came tonight because it'll put a few of the more ridiculous rumors to rest."

"What kind of rumors?" queried the tall man interestedly.

Tony chuckled as he listed them, "That you're CIA and looking for terrorist cells, that you're FBI and trying to cover up an alien abduction, then there's the witness protection angle and you're hiding some people involved in this, and finally that you're scouts for the secret service and looking to recruit from the local force."

Marshall barely avoided choking on his beer and covered well, "I see what you mean…if only my life was that exciting. Instead, I get to 'observe' and beat up bullies. That was fun." He and Tony clinked their glasses together in a toast.

The deputy gave him a sly look and said, "One of those was true, and I can guess which one, so let's say this conversation never happened."

Marshall tilted his head in thanks as he changed the topic of conversation with the addition of two new men to the group.

On the other side of the yard, Mary sat with Betsy and one other woman while retelling the stories of her fights with Swafford. The two local women were delighted with the deputy's fate as he had been a thorn in both his poor wife's and other's sides for too long.

Betsy shook her head as Mary recounted the fight at the office and announced, "That's it. I'm taking Carla and the kids away from that house and getting her on a new path. She's been waiting for a good opportunity to make a break for it and this is perfect. He'll be in the hospital for a while and they can be long gone by the time he gets home."

"How long has he been beating her?" asked Mary with a dark look. Men who abused their loved ones held a special place of disgust in her mind.

"Since they started dating in high school." said the third woman, "Everyone knew it was going on, but Carla would never press charges or let anyone help. Typical abusive relationship I suppose. Her resolve was wearing very thin lately, though. I think he started hitting the oldest boy…he's six."

The three of them wished Swafford to all levels of hell for a few minutes more before the third woman changed the topic.

"Why did you decide to become a Marshal?" she asked Mary.

"It was either go into law enforcement or go to jail. To make a long story short, the clothes are nicer and I get to carry the gun and handcuffs instead of having them used on me." Mary smiled to soften the response and the women laughed.

"I hear your partner is a force to be reckoned with," began Betsy, "Tony said he just about ripped John's head off before they got him under control."

Mary reflexively looked over to locate Marshall and he turned his head to catch her eye at the same time, raising his bottle in salute before going back to his conversation. Their unspoken communication synching up once again.

"He's saved my life more than once…and I his. It's a strong partnership and it amazingly survives the worst of us." she was thinking about their fight earlier in the week. "He's a total geek and completely annoying most of the time, but he's brilliant and quick and steady on the trigger so I keep him around."

Betsy's friend leaned in to softly say, "He's cute too…any benefits?" she had a look of anticipation on her face.

Mary almost spit out her beer (Marshall wouldn't let her have a beer but she switched out her soda as soon as he wasn't looking) as the thoughts of the earlier episode in the hotel room sprang to mind. Betsy handed her a napkin and she caught her breath before answering, "As much fun as I'm sure it would be to bang the shit out of him, I've managed to restrain myself thus far."

"Who are you banging the shit out of now, Mare? We talked about how that would look to the neighbors." Marshall had come up behind her without her knowledge and jumped into the conversation to stir the pot. He had an idea the women were hounding her about their relationship just as he had taken a ribbing from the men.

Mary jumped and turned to glare at him while the two other women's eyes got wide and they suppressed laughter.

"Jesus, numbnuts, don't you knock?" she was a bit flustered and covered with her usual crassness.

"You know I can read, right?" Marshall said with a raised eyebrow.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Mary felt like she had completely missed his train of thought.

Marshall took her beer and replaced it with yet another can of soda and a look that dared her to protest.

"No alcohol with a concussion. Now be good because I don't want to deal with you puking all over later." He held the beer out of her reach as she made a grab for it.

"Damn it, Marshall, there's such a thing as hovering and you're doing it. I can handle myself…go away."

"You'll change your tune when you're staggering around town trying to remember your own name later. Don't think I'll come and get you then." He was teasing her.

"Yes you will, idiot, because I'd make your life miserable if you didn't." Mary shot back in amusement.

He narrowed his eyes and pondered, "And that would be different than my life now how…?"

"Asshole." crossing her arms over her chest, she glared at him.

Marshall smiled smugly, raised his bottle to the two other women and said, "Ladies," as he walked back to the BBQ pit.

Betsy's friend laughed harder and got up to excuse herself to the restroom. Mary was pouting and Betsy said, "He cares for you deeply, you know."

Mary looked at her suspiciously, "Well, we've been partners for about four years now. You have to develop a friendship or it's not going to work out and somebody will end up dead."

Betsy studied the blonde woman sitting across from her and offered a suggestion, "You may want to look a little more closely sometime. I think you'll be surprised by what you see."

The conversation was ended at that point as Tony and another friend joined them. Mary was left wondering about Betsy's statement and wasn't sure she really wanted to think about it.

The BBQ was delicious and Mary found that she had enjoyed the evening even though social gatherings weren't her thing. She caught herself looking for her partner more often than she wanted to and wasn't surprised when he again thwarted her attempt to surreptitiously snag another beer. Betsy's words still swirled around in her head and she beat them down with a mental stick.

There was no doubt she and Marshall cared deeply for one another, especially after the heart wrenching scene the other night and his statements to her this morning in the room. It was starting to get a bit confusing though, and it made her angry and restless. Her reactions lately to his touch and the desire she had seen in his eyes today didn't fit into their comfortable relationship and she supposed she was going to have to make some sort of decision as to what to do with that. Mary didn't like change, and especially change in her personal life. Take that change and attach the possibility of destroying a part of her life that she couldn't live without and she would throw up wall after wall of resistance.

"You may want to look a little more closely sometime…" the words echoed in her head as she stared off into the stars. He had never let her down, never let her fall. And when she thought he was going to walk away she crumbled. Mary reluctantly let herself remember how she felt after he was shot in the desert. The agony of potential loss and the desperation she corralled into action to save him any way possible. She wanted to take his pain and had prayed for the first time in a very long time. Skip to the terror of that basement and the single, ever present thought in her mind… "Marshall will find me." How seeing him come down those stairs had banished the numbness from her limbs and ache in her gut and replaced them with a warmth that was hard to describe, but she knew there was a word for it. A word she wasn't going to admit to herself just yet because it scared her. This was why Mary didn't like to think too hard about things. Life was easier and less painful when stones weren't overturned.

She heard him approach, but didn't look at him.

"You've been staring off into the dark for about twenty minutes now. Are you okay?" Marshall asked quietly, sensing her thoughts were melancholy.

"Mmmhmm," she murmured, "Just thinking a few things through." She could smell his aftershave and it comforted her.

A few more minutes passed before he spoke again, "I think it's my turn to ask what's going through that head of yours. You look…sad."

She unconsciously shook her head slightly, "No…not sad." Another pause, then she continued, "Do you ever wonder what it would be like to be an astronaut and just float in space? I imagine it must be wonderous…the silence…the feeling of nothing weighing on you and the whole world just laid out underneath you…waiting. Waiting for you to make a decision, because that decision will determine everything that happens after that. I think that moment in time could seem to last forever."

Marshall stared at her in fascination as he felt tears actually prick the corners of his eyes. She had just painted a picture of such longing that he wanted to gather her into his arms and hold her for a very long time. Somehow, he had a feeling he knew what was preoccupying her mind and was careful to tread very gently.

"But it won't last forever, because the world continues to turn, and the sun will eventually rise and show you what you need to see." His quiet response enveloped her.

She looked at him then and knew what those first few rays of sunlight would reveal. Their gazes locked and they both knew something had changed, but an unspoken plea was exchanged to explore it slowly and carefully.

She smiled tiredly and patted him on the chest, "Take me home, Rico, I'm whipped."

"Your wish is my command." He grinned with a tilt of his head and placed his hand on the small of her back to guide her through goodbyes.

*** so close... :) This wasn't my favorite chapter, hope you liked it anyway!! please send my addiction of choice: REVIEWS! ***