A/N I hope this answers any questions as to how the witness knew something was not right with Marshall.

Who Protects The Protector?

As soon as she arrived at the medical center Mary headed for the SICU . Upon entering the Unit she quickly passed the people anxiously awaiting the chance to see friends or loved ones and approached the Nurses' Station. Getting the attention of the student nurse on duty she said, "I'm Mary Shannon. I'm here to see Marshall Mann."

The nurse quickly checked through the lists of approved visitors for the patients until she came to Marshall's. "Dr. Featherstone left her approval and a notation not to tire him out when you visit," she told Mary.

"Don't worry, I won't. Thanks," Mary said and turned to head down the corridor to Marshall's room. Peering in the doorway she could tell that he was asleep so she silently entered and took a seat in the chair being very careful not to wake him. As she sat there gazing at her partner she had to admit that he was looking better than he had last night.

Marshall slowly awakened, becoming aware that he was not alone in the room. Carefully turning his head his gaze landed on his visitor and he softly said, "Hey," his voice slightly raspy from the dryness of his throat.

At the sound of his voice Mary was instantly on her feet and moving closer to the bed. "Hey yourself, Doofus. You need anything?" she said in return.

"Thirsty…a little water," the young man said making an effort to clear his throat. "Please."

"Well, since you asked so nicely," Mary joked reaching for the pitcher and the glass with the bendable straw. "Need some help sitting up to drink?"

"Marshall nodded and she eased her free hand under his shoulders holding him up enough so that he could drink without choking. Once he'd had enough he pushed away the glass. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," his partner said replacing the glass and helping him to lie back down. "Better now?"

"Much," Marshall replied, his voice stronger. "How long have you been here?"

"Several hours. Just watching you sleep. It's good to see you just sleeping. You really had me scared for awhile, Doofus," Mary said softly..

"Sorry. Shouldn't you be at work?" he asked.

"It's Sunday afternoon. Stan and I checked out your witnesses and nobody reported anything out of the ordinary," she answered.

"Had to make sure that this has nothing to do with my job and WITSEC?" Marshall asked.

"You know we did. You'd be doing the same thing if it was me in that hospital bed," Mary reminded him. "Oh, Jess McCready said there's been a teenaged boy hanging around Mallory way too much"

Marshall chuckled and replied, "She's lucky it's not a whole herd of teenaged boys. That girl is the spittin' image of Miley Cyrus."

"I didn't know you watched Hannah Montana," his partner asked with raised eyebrows.

"It's been on the TV a time or two when I've been at Jess'," Marshall explained. You know Miley's daddy is a pretty good singer in his own right, I met him once before I joined the Marshall Service. I was makin' a little extra money working security at concerts."

"Marshall, you just keep unfolding like a flower," Mary said with a slight smile.

"Been watching The X-Files? That's what you're deliberately misquoting," he pointed out.

"You try being stuck keeping watch over a witness who can't sleep and insists on watching that show all night," Mary retorted. "Something is bound to stick."

"Been there. Done that. Only in my case it was Baywatch," he said in return.

"And I'll just bet you watched it right along with your witness," Mary teased.

"You're getting no comment from me on that," her partner stated.

"Hey, Marshall, Jess McCready asked why I was doing the checking," Mary said after a moment..

"What did you tell her?" Marshall asked.

"Just that you wouldn't be working for a while. I didn't go into any details. But she knew something wasn't right," his partner answered.

Marshall sighed. "Jess is very perceptive—she has to be. This is her third try at relocation. Somehow the bastard always finds out where she and the kids are. She knows if I was going on vacation I'd gave her a date when I'd be checking in again. And anything else I'd inform her personally of my absence.. There are very few people Jess trusts anymore. Luckily she hasn't lost faith in WITSEC Keeping them safe,"

"Well, anyway, you'll be getting cards from the twins," Mary said.

"I can't wait to see what they come up with. Both girls are quite unique little artists," Marshall answered.

"Are we interrupting anything?" Stan asked sticking his head in the door.

"Nothing really, Marshall saidlooking over at Mary.

"Well, I'd better be going. Looks like you've got company. I'll see you later, Doofus," Mary said, getting to her feet and moving toward the door to admit the woman who was obviously impatient to be inside and her husband. Looking at them both, she knew they just had to be Marshall's parents. The man was just as tall although twenty-thirty pounds heavier and bore a striking resemblance to his son. In the woman she could see the same blue eyes and swept back hair.

Hey, wait a minute," Marshall called out to her. I want you to meet my folks; Marshal James and Kathleen Mann. Mom, Dad, this is my partner Mary Shannon."

"It's an honor to meet you, Mary. Marshall has told us a lot about you," Kathleen said.

"All good I hope," Mary said, pausing to shake the tall elegant woman's hand.

"It is," Kathleen assured her. Moving past Mary she quickly took the vacated chair.

"They shouldn't have called you," Marshall was saying.

"Yes, they should have," Kathleen said firmly taking his hand. "How are you feeling Son?"

"They tell me I'll survive," Marshall replied giving her a slight smile "I've heard it said you can't keep a good Mann down."

"Marshall James Mann, this is no time to joke," Kathleen scolded him lightly. " And why does your partner call you Doofus?"

"It's a long story, Mom," he replied.

Stan looked over at James Mann, "It looks like Marshall is in good hands so I'll be leaving. Still want me to make hotel arrangements?" he asked.

"Someplace close by here," Kathleen spoke up.

"You heard the boss," James told Stan.

"Indeed I did," Stan replied. "I'll also make arrangements for a car too." Leaving Marshall alone with his visitors he headed off to make the necessary arrangements.