INVISIBLE WALLS
Marshall said nothing, he sat there facing her, but she knew from his face he wasn't really seeing her. "Marshall? Dammit are you listening to me?" She yelled at him.
His eyes focused on her. "Yes."
"Yes." She huffed. "Yes what?" She stood hastily, hissing through her teeth. He stood immediately worried. "So it's ok for you to worry about me. Protect me, but not me protect you?" Mary was frustrated by his lack of retort.
"I didn't say that." He guided her back to her chair.
She huffed. "You didn't say otherwise either." She paused, looking at him, she could tell he was planning and decided to go for the throat. "You go alone. You work without our help. I swear you will get yourself hurt, killed or make this mess worse. Not to mention getting me killed going after you." His eyes bore into hers. "I'm serious, you go half cocked and I am right behind you."
"Alright..." He sighed, he knew she would and he wouldn't be able to stop her. If she was killed he would never forgive himself. "What did you have in mind?"
She smiled, putting her hand on his. "Stan? Come on back."
Stan sat back down. "Done bickering?"
"I believe we need her to think your dad gone, is a good thing for you." Marshall flinched, not liking where Mary was going already. "Hear me out. It can't just be McGinty she is in bed with, plus we don't know who else is helping her. If she thinks you are happy..."
"She might let her guard down and recruit me." Marshall finished her thought.
"Exactly..." She smiled. "I don't like it, but with as insolated as she is...I don't see other options." Mary looked at Stan who seemed deep in thought. "Stan?"
"You're right, but it is risky. You would need a plausible story on why you hated your dad." Stan looked at Marshall, hating to put this on him.
"Easy." Both men turned to look at Mary. "A fifth generation Marshal, who never wanted the legacy..."
Marshall's eyes widened. "Simple...that could work."
Mary knew he was conflicted to a point about it, because in reality his Dad put pressure on him to be a Marshal.
"Might need to add to that, it's too...clean she might suspect something." Stan was openly worried.
"Um Stan, if we tell you something, can we keep it here...not official?" Mary looked at him pleading and he nodded. Marshall raised an eyebrow at her. "We admitted to each other, we want more than partners." Stan's eyes widened. "If we made it public we would be split as partners right?"
"Well uh yes, but I could try and find a way around it for you two. I mean who the hell would I find to put up with either of you?" He laughed.
Mary smiled, Marshall was still looking at her in shock that she told Stan. "I hate to say this, but we can use it. Marshall gets back to work, followed by me. We need Allison to see him happy in the office."
"Mare...I see where you are going with this." Stan looked between them as Marshall continued. "She wants Allison to think I am happy, free, then to catch me and Mare in a compromising position...hoping it gets her to approach me." Mary smiled at him.
Stan was mulling it over. "That could work...no that would work."
Marshall sighed. "Not loving using our relationship as bait."
"It's for a good cause." Mary smirked at him. "Bigger issue is...can you be happy and not give away how much you want to beat her ass."
Stan and Mary both looked at him. "Yeah, not right away but yes."
"Risky, but best plan we got. Stay clear of cells unless you want to be heard." Stan gave them both a stern look. "Plus all communication regarding this cannot be in the office unless we want it known."
"Agreed." Marshall replied and Mary gave a nod.
"Alright, I'm heading out." Stan stood.
"I'll be in office Monday, that gives me a few days to get my head together for this." He was mentally exhausted and off, he knew he needed time.
"Night Stan, and thank you." Mary gave him a grateful smile. Marshall walked stan out and Mary made her way to the bedroom to lay down.
Marshall locked up, amazed how quickly the day flew. He stood in the doorway to the bedroom looking at her laying there. "Are you sure about this?"
Mary knew he wanted to talk more without Stan. "Yes." She turned her head, looking at him. "It's the best chance we have and this way we are together on this."
He walked over and laid down next to her. "Not the way I wanted to start...us."
Mary smiled. "Us...started seven years ago."
His chest swelled at her words. He leaned over and kissed her softly. "You are an amazing woman, you know that?"
She smiled at him. "Duh..." He laughed, a genuine Marshall laugh. She was thrilled to hear it. "There's my cowboy." Ignoring the discomfort, she reached up pulling him down, capturing his lips again. Hands roaming, breathing turned ragged. If it wasn't for her hiss of pain from trying to roll toward him, they wouldn't of stopped. "Sorry."
"Hey, nothing to be sorry about...I should have known better." He looked at her concerned.
"Hello? No objections here." She huffed.
He laughed. "I know, but you aren't up to it cowgirl. We have time."
"Dammit..." Mary grumbled. "I need to check with the doc to see when I can get the all clear."
Marshall's eyes twinkled. "Good to know you're anxious to get me naked."
She laughed. "I love you."
His heart melted, hearing her tell him that. He didn't think he would ever get used to it. "Oh Mare...I love you too."
