AN: My huges thanks to The_Dog_In_The_Manger for the beta :)
And a big thought for Thailand :) Hope everything's fine there .
So, want to know more about Elizabeth McCausland? Take a look, then :)
Standard disclaimers apply
Black Friday 9: Meet Elizabeth McCausland.
"Public lewdness? You're kidding, right?" Marshall stopped dead in his tracks. This dinner was going to be just like hell.
First, when he came out of the bathroom, he was granted the view of Mary wearing THE dress, the one she usually wore in his fantasies. She had always been part of his reverie, but after seeing her half naked, in her perfect beauty at Julian's, he had had a very difficult time banishing this image from his dreams. It was as if the image was engraved in his mind for eternity and more: Mary untying the belt of her dress slowly, staring straight into Julian's eyes, opening it wide, offering all the men around an eyeful. Marshall had tried very hard not to look, but this was way too much for his self control.
Luckily, Mary was still on the phone with Stan when he came out, so Marshall was able to collect himself before she saw him. But this dress, swaying around her curves… he was almost glad to be sleeping on the couch tonight. He regrouped enough to understand that Ducky gave them the go ahead for the rest of the operation, and to remember they were heading to the luau tonight with Mrs. McCausland.
And now, just minutes before meeting his mother's friend, Mary just told him why Elizabeth had been arrested.
"Yeah, I know the feeling. Couldn't believe it either when Stan told me. Apparently, she and the quarterback of the college football team made out in a gazebo in front of the town hall. They were spotted in action, half-naked by the police." Mary's smile widened, seeing Marshall hiding his head in his hands, wanting to bleach the images in his mind. "You sure it's the same woman who taught you in Sunday School? Seems she had quite a life, this Betty Sue... I wonder what she looks like with pompoms and a mini skirt. You think she can still make "Victory?"
"Oh, my god, I can't tell Mom that. And you can't tell her you know, Mare. No hint, no clue, nothing. Don't even think of pulling a 'Charlie' here okay?" Mary could tell Marshall was serious about it. It was enough that last year, Charlie had to leave Witsec after disclosing confidential information to a witness who ran away from Albuquerque, to be found dead a few weeks later in Mobile, AL. Charlie was then transferred to an obscure USMS office in Idaho or Kansas, Mary couldn't remember where.
"Cross my heart, hope to die. I won't tell, won't hint. I'll behave. I swear."
Marshall started laughing, "and therefore obey a direct order? I'm impressed, sweetie-pie." The elevator dinged, signaling they had arrived in the lobby."Ready for the show, Mare?" he said, reaching out for her hand.
Mary grabbed it, and with her sweetest smile, came closer to her partner, whispering "Let's give the cheerleader an eyeful…" and took Marshall's lips with hers.
It was the same kind of kiss they had shared on the Promenade, nothing more than a peck, but to Mary it felt much more. It felt just like drinking fresh water after a day spent in the desert, like the first warm rays of sun on her skin after a string of cloudy days, like air in her hair, caressing and sweet. It felt like lov life.
Marshall was caught off-guard by Mary's move. His mind was still on the details of Mrs. McCausland's arrest, as he was having a hard time imagining the woman he knew making out in a public place. Hell, he even had problem picturing her young! He was just beginning to realize he was being kissed by Mary (in the navy blue dress) when the cold air replaced her lips on his. He couldn't believe that she had initiated a public display of affection. Even though he knew it was for their cover. Or was it really?
"Oh, you're here, look at you, lovebirds ! I'm so glad you came. Let's go, let's go!" Elizabeth grabbed Marshall's free arm and dragged them outside, near the beach where the luau was being held. Mrs. McCausland gestured to the members of her group, signaling she wouldn't be eating with them. After seeing a seventy-something man waving at her, she turned to the marshals, saying, "Will you excuse me for a minute or two? I have to talk to Louis, there?"
Mary and Marshall nodded.
"Our table is right there, please sit, I'll be right back," she said, pointing to a table in the front row.
-o-o-
"They will move her tomorrow, Ailani. Taro's men will be at the airport. We'll take care of her."
"You'd better, Kojiro." Kekuhi Kone hung up the phone. At last, the situation was now under control.
-o-o-
"So Marshall, will you both come to Mesquite for Christmas? Thomas will be there with Lisa, and he'll be more than happy to see you! You know he's working abroad? We haven't spent Christmas together for ages!"
The three of them were eating on the wooden tables, beautifully decorated with Hawaiian flowers, in the warm breeze.
"I don't know if we'll be able to, Mrs. McCausland, I usually have a lot of work during Christmas period, you know..."
"Oh, what is it with you all Manns; you're always busy at Christmas... You all should have chosen another career than being law enforcement officers!"
At Elizabeth's words, Mary stiffened. What if there were bad guys around trying to listen to the conversations? According to Stan, the Kanakula gang had connections almost everywhere on the islands… so why not at the Sheraton Ala Moana Surfrider? Hidden behind her shades,"Thank God, it's sundown," she thought. She scrutinized the crowd, looking for any odd behavior in the hotel staff, or people around them.
Marshall felt Mary tensing at Elizabeth's words, and as he was looking at the people around, he stepped aside. "You know, that's mostly helping the police out. Nothing all that interesting. But since I don't kids, I'm always one who's on duty during Christmas. So I make no promises here. And how is Alice? It's been too long."
Satisfied with her assessment of the dining tourists and working staff, Mary took off her aviators, and turned to Marshall. "Alice? Who is she?"
Elizabeth's laugh filled the air, carrying her answer.
"Alice is my daughter. She's a bit older than Marshall. Oh, Cowboy, she'll be there for the High School reunion in January, you know? I'm in charge of the preparations with Dotty and Ellen. It would be so good if you could come then! The Prom King and Queen together."
Mary choked on her kalua pig, and had to drink a full glass of water before being able to speak.
"Prom King? You were a Prom King? How is it I don't know that, pumpkin?"
She could only imagine what she would tell Marshall now, knowing this piece of information.
"Yes, he was!" Mrs. McCausland smiled. "Look, I have a picture of them somewhere in here," she put her large purse on the table and was looking inside until she pulled out an old wallet. Carefully taking out an old color snapshot, she handed it to Mary, who was sitting in front of her. "See for yourself. Don't they look beautiful? "
Mary immediately grabbed the old picture, and was greeted by a sight of a young Marshall, recognizable by his dark hair, lanky frame and baby blue eyes. He was thinner than he was today, and a bit camera-shy. Dressed in a black suit and tie, he looked handsome. On his arm, Alice McCausland was all smiles in her beige dress, with a beautiful pastel pink flower on the corset, her right arm tucked under Marshall's. It didn't take long before Marshall took the picture out of Mary's hands.
"Ah, yes, I remember. She was lovely. She's married now, right? An attorney?" Marshall's voice was a bit dreamy, surely recalling memories of another time.
Mrs. McCausland took a handkerchief out of her opened purse, and let out a sob.
"She was. They separated a few months back. She's on her own now, poor thing. She told me the other night how happy she was when you were together, Marshall."
Mary choked again, this time on her Blue Hawaiian, at the thought of Marshall dating Elizabeth's daughter. And on Prom Night. And everybody knew what happened on Prom nights. Oh God.
Mary started to talk, but music drowned out her voice. They were taken by the show, once the dancers started coming on stage.
Half an hour later, when the dancers were gone, they ordered another round of drinks. The warm breeze was replaced with cool wind, and Mary shivered under the thin fabric of her dress. Elizabeth put her vest on her shoulders and Mary immediately felt something covering hers. Ever the gentleman, Marshall had noticed she was cold, and had put his navy blue vest on her shoulders.
"It's still December, sweetheart, even in Hawaii," he said kindly.
Elizabeth smiled fondly at the sight of the two marshals, remembering the times when Marshall was younger. Something jarred her memory, and she started to laugh silently.
"Oh, Marshall, you remind me of that November day, you know. You and Alice? "
Mary turned to her partner, to see him turning a lovely shade of red. "Marshall embarrassed? What the hell could have happened?"
Elizabeth noticed Mary's inquisitive look, and started to smirk.
"Oh, come on, Marshall, that's water under the bridge!"
The older woman turned to Mary.
"We knew Alice was dating Marshall. That was no secret. And we didn't know what happened on Prom Night, we could only suppose, right? It's not like you talked about it. So, Marshall comes back from college for Thanksgiving, you know, to spend time with his family. But he didn't spend much time with Lynn and Seth, or with Ted and Colin, did you, Cowboy?"
Mary turned to look at her partner, whose cheeks were red. He started speaking, tryingto to redeem himself.
"We were young, Mrs. McCausland, we thought we knew what love was. And, well, we wanted to spend time together. We did pretty well, except that once !"
"Mrs. McCausland, what happened? What happened with Doofus and your daughter?"
-o-o-
Marshall turned on his back. Even though the couch was comfortable, he couldn't find a proper position to sleep in.
Or rather, he couldn't clear his mind enough to find sleep – too much had happened today – and for once, it wasn't work related. Something was changing in his relationship with Mary, something he had been waiting for what seemed like ages, and almost gave up on. And now, in the middle of a high-risk operation, the only thing he could focus on was the curves of his partner in that dress. He could remember Treena's bachelorette party, when Mary had been dressed by Brandi, which was a total lack of taste. Too much make up, a dress too tight, but now, in this outfit, without any make-up, she had appeared in all her beauty. All his fantasies in the flesh: curves, soft skin, the golden locks of her hair. And they had kissed. Twice the same day, and he was still alive.
Marshall couldn't find a logical explanation for Mary's kiss in the elevator. They were alone, there was no need to play couple for their safety or their cover, and yet, she had kissed him. Officially to impress Betty Sue, but he couldn't help thinking there was more to it then met the eye.
Maybe there was more than just hope, after all. Maybe they would have their chance.
"But not now," he told himself, grunting while turning to find a comfortable position, "not until we have Lucy secured."
Not when they could be called on at any time to pick her up because of a threat.
"I need to sleep,' he thought, turning again, to find a position.
"Have you finished grunting? Someone's trying to sleep!" Mary's voice came from the other side of the room, where she was laying in bed.
"I wouldn't be grunting if I could have enough space. I'm sorry I woke you up, Princess, but I definitely cannot fit on this kind of couch."
"I never told you to sleep on the couch, Doofus."
"I quote you when we entered this room, Mare 'you'd better find a place to sleep, cause last time I had the couch...' although, if I remember correctly, last time was with Bart Peacock, and I had the couch because you were a little pregnant at the time."
"Shut up, silly. There is enough space here for the both of us. Hurry! "
She heard the shuffling of the Afghan, under which Marshall had tried to sleep, and the soft sound of his feet on the carpet, followed a bit after by the dip of the mattress when he climbed into bed.
"Better now? I can sleep?"
"I certainly think so, Mare. Good night."
He turned on his left side, as close to the edge of the bed as possible, carefully avoiding coming closer to Mary. He knew he was a cuddler, and she wasn't. There had been many times when they had shared a bed on the road, when he woke up nested behind her, his arm around her waist, and their legs entwined. Each time, he had been lucky enough to wake up before Mary did, and to escape to the bathroom before she noticed their position.
"I can't believe Betty Sue found you and her girl naked in bed. How could you be so stupid?"
Marshall smiled at the memory.
"Well, it had been a long time since we saw each other. I was in UNM, she was in Dallas. So we had to … celebrate. The hard part was to come home though. I still remember my dad waiting for me in the couch. When Mr. McCausland dropped me off, Dad dragged me to the barn, and we had a talk. The man–to-man one. About being careful with girls … Thankfully, I never told him we were planning on running off to Vegas to get married."
"You what? Elope with Alice? No way!"
"Hey, I was seventeen. You know how teens are at that age. We thought we were in love. We made it to Dallas, and then came back. She was too scared of her parents. So we went back and that night, on Black Friday, you know, it was our last night. We kind of… drifted apart from each other after that. Guess she didn't like her mother seeing her like that... "
"What, you were seventeen on Prom night? And I do hope you didn't tell Seth about Vegas..."
Marshall laughed in the bed, turning on his back.
"I might have avoided mentioning that part, now that we talk about it. Anyway, I went back to UNM, and was quite busy afterward with my studies... Now you know the whole story, Mare. Nothing all that exciting."
He felt the mattress shift as Mary turned on the bed, facing him now, resting on her elbow.
"You are kidding me, right? Nothing exciting ? God, I thought you were the perfect kid at home, but the bullied one at school, and now you come with this story of Prom King and girlfriend, and running off to Vegas. You were a bad boy, Marshall Mann."
"And yet, you don't even know the half of it. Night-night, Mare."
Smiling slightly, he turned on his left, and waited for the explosion.
"What? The half? Come on, you've either told me too much or not enough! Spill it, pumpkin!" soon followed by Mary's pillow thrown at his back.
Taking the pillow, Marshall threw it back, hitting her right in the chest, and started laughing at the look of surprise on her face. They were soon engaged in a pillow fight, not caring anymore about sleeping. Until Mary's Blackberry rang, flashing Stan's name.
Laughing, Mary picked her phone up and started speaking, carefully avoiding a cushion from the sofa.
"Stan the Man, what's up? It's what, 3:30 in the morning in our sunny town"
"Mary, it's about tomorrow morning. And according to Ducky there is a sixty percent chance that there was a leak at HPD. So you may want to reconsider your plan."
"Ouch! Stop that, Doofus ! I'm talking!" Another cushion had hit her back. "I put you on speaker, Stan, explain to Elvis here what happened."
Stan's voice was confused "Elvis? Whatever. Marshall, there is an increasing risk that you will be expected at the airport. Hawaii is an island, so, there's no other way to leave. Be very careful, and maybe you'll want to rethink that plan B of yours."
"Copy that. And, technically, Stan, Hawaii is an archipelago, made up of eight main islands" said Marshall, heading towards his laptop. "We'll call back in a few."
Mary hung up her phone, and turned to her partner, who was already in full thinking mode, but in woody woodpecker pjs. She thought switching on the lights.
Marshall smiled at her, saying, "Well, Sunshine, we have about two hours to find the perfect B and C plans and have a chance to sleep. Ready?"
AN : The rating of next chapter will climb to M. So here is the question : shall I raise the level of the story or publish the M scenes as another story named "Black Friday – Extended Scenes" ? Your call.
Thanks for reading :) if you liked, please hit the review button !
