The next morning had soon arrived. It was time to go to the Sunshine building for the first time without Marshall being her partner. She had done the tidying up and all Kenny had to do was put the dishes away she thought.
This was the longest journey of her life. She felt she had been in the purple probe all her life, she was sure Marshall was in the office before her, he always was in the office before her, and she was sure today he would be in extra early. Mary didn't know how she felt about today, she was so proud of Marshall, don't her wrong, but she didn't know how she felt about not being his partner anymore. She finally arrived at the Sunshine building, finding Marshall's car, as expected already parked there. She was nervous now. Very nervous. She stepped out of her car and found her way across to the door, stepping into the the elevator. Holy shit, this was happening. She stepped out the elevator and could see that Marshall's old desk was already occupied. Really, already? To much relief Marshall had occupied the desk with Delia's stuff. Now it was time to walk through those double doors, alone for the first time in 7 years. Delia was sat at her new desk and she greeted Mary with a large smile, "good morning Inspector", Delia handed Mary a cake and a coffee was made fresh on her desk. "Morning", Mary was relieved that it was Delia who was going to be sat on the desk opposite, her face was a friendly face. She could bare it. She sat at her desk ready to face the day, she couldn't bare to look at Marshall, not yet. She couldn't wait to see his reaction to her present.
She was gunna miss the little things about hers and Marshall's routine. Bringing coffee for him, his happiness on a morning could always lighten her day, the words "good morning Mare" could instantly make her happy, even if she didn't show it. She didn't want to look over at Marshall's office, she didn't want to make it clear that she was missing him already. Shit. She was missing him. So much. By this point she realised she hadn't really spoken to Delia yet, she decided it was show time. "Delia that cake was really quite something else!", Mary gave this genuine compliment in a subtle tone as she genuinely meant. Delia continued to talk on about how she made it and was asking Mary for some advice.
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Meanwhile in Marshall's office, he was also feeling the nerves. He had came in earlier than everyone else just to put his own touches to the office, and to get settled in. Before he had went into the office he had sat at his old desk and looked at Mary's, then sat at Mary's and looked at his, he was sat in Mary's chair for a few minutes remembering all of the songs they sang and arguments coming across the two desks. He also remembered the glances they had exchanged when they were going to the complete opposite of what Stan had ordered them to do. He was going to love having his own little space and that he could sort of escape from everything and the others would still not know. Marshall was not looking forward to all the stresses of becoming an Chief however, making all the primary decisions and having to occasionally make life changing decisions, he admired Stan for that. He had noticed as soon as Mary had walked in. He too, was weary of making the first move, it was hard for the both of them, as they were not going to be partners anymore. He was pleased Delia had agreed to be her new partner, Delia was ecstatic when she was asked! He knew Mary did not like new people and she already knew Delia, which made Marshall's job a little easier now. He had noticed his mug as soon as he had walked into his office, this brought a smile to his face as he knew Mary was not a one for presents. This made him so happy. He had not noticed the other present until Mary had walked through the door. He noticed the photo frame when he moved his mug ready to make a coffee in it. Marshall held the photo frame close to him and stared at the picture of Norah, how he loved that child. How he loved her mother. 'Marshall stop!' he thought. Norah was such a little angel in his eyes and he had cherished every moment with her, even the time he was sat on her lap after Mary's father had came back, even if only was short few minutes. He was so happy by this gesture Mary had done. Mary hadn't really let anyone look at pictures of Norah on her desk, but he had a peek every so often. He looked up and dried his eyes to find Mary and Delia deep in conversation. It was time for him to make his entrance.
Marshall needed to be strong at this moment. This was his first morning as Chief, he needed to be professional. He opened his door and his body stood at the frame, he was stood up smart and dressed in a suit and tie, with dress trousers. "Good morning, Inspectors!" He needed to say this clear and loud, with a polite tone. Both Mary and Delia stood up and looked at Marshall and gave him a round of applause. "Please, please", Marshall laughed and thanked the women. "Delia a word?" smiling at Delia throughout the whole sentence, he couldn't look at Mary properly yet, he turned and smiled at her as Delia followed him into the office, "of course Chief Mann!". Mary could not see anything as all of his blinds were shut.
"Delia please, sit down!". He waved his hand to the chair and they both sat on opposite sides of the desk. "Chief before you say anything I just want to congratulate you! You are totally the right person for the job sir! If you need anything just give me a shout!" She said this with which a big smile on her face. "Thank you very much Delia. I also want to thank you for becoming Mary's partner." "Marshall it was my pleasure, I'll learn a lot from Inspector Shannon" she said this with such grate fullness. "That you will, and please let me know if you need anything," Marshall was ready to close the conversation. "Did you like the cake? There's a stash of them in your third draw, thought that would have been a nice surprise for you!". Delia was always doing things to make people better. She had made four of a Marshall's favourites cakes and four other flavours. He looked into his draw and found them there. "Delia! You shouldn't have!" Marshall stood up and gave Delia a quick hug. He loved Delia's cakes. "That photo of Norah is just precious isn't it!", Delia had noticed it as soon as she had walked in, unlike Marshall. "Yeah, she is precious, it was kind of Mary to do that, could you shout her in on your way out for me please Delia?", signalling for Delia to leave his office now. "No problem Chief, and congrats again!" Delia couldn't congratulate him enough she left his office and told Mary, Marshall wanted to speak to her.
Now Marshall was really nervous. Soon enough he found Mary knocking at the door. He gulped, "Mary please come in and sit. Close the door." He sat in his chair and waited for Mary to sit in hers. There was a minute silence before Mary finally got the courage to speak up, "Congratulations Marshall, I don't say this a lot, in fact, I've never said this to you, but I'm proud of you Marshall, you are sure the right man for the job." She said this sentence without looking to him towards the end when she smiled at him, to find a tear come streaming out his eye, she leaned over the desk and wiped it from his eye. Marshall didn't react, or tell her to stop, he had wanted all too much for Mary to touch him just one last time. Mary cleared her throat. "I'm sorry Marshall is it something I said." Mary hadn't meant to make Marshall cry at all, she wanted to make Marshall happy. "No not at all Mare, not at all, it's been a rough couple days. You know?" Mary knew all to well what he was talking about, she just nodded. "I actually wanted to thank you for my gifts," touching the picture of Norah as he said this, he gave Mary a huge smile and she felt her heart melt at this point. "She is so beautiful Mare." He felt another tear come for his eyes. "Jews I honestly don't know what's up with me". Mary could only smile at him, "oh she got her first tooth this morning Marshall, she looks very cute", Mary's proud side of Norah was now showing, "I texted Stan this morning a photo of it, he loved it." Why hadn't Mary text Marshall first? It was nice to be told in person, yes. He felt disheartened about this. He had missed most of her 'first moments', which he hated, but he was sure not to miss anymore. "Will that be all Chief?". Mary needed to leave. She couldn't stay here much longer. "Mare, please, it's Marshall to you, thank you again for the photo and the mug, I love them." They both awkwardly stood up and Marshall went to the door first, Mary looked up at him but found herself in his arms. Again. She loved it when Marshall hugged her. He loved it when Mary hugged him. They both looked up and let each other go, Marshall opened the door for Mary and let her out, slowly closing the office door behind him.
This chapter was hard to write as I was out and about whilst I was writing it. Please keep the reviews coming! I am unsure what to do with this story yet so I apologise for the shaky-ness of it! I'll be back soon hopefully!