Disclaimer : I own nothing, but the idea of this story.

AN: Again, so much thanks to Dispatchvampire ...can't say it enough, I think.

So... Mary and Marshall are back in ABQ after a little Parisian journey. What happens next? Well, let's see what the story tells..

Chapter 11 - Honesty

Honesty, is hardly ever heard, and mostly what I need from you …

Five years Later.

Marshall woke up beside Abigail, the sun rising on the Sandia Mountains. He knew it was Sunday, because the house was not that quiet. He could hear noise coming from the other rooms. Abby moved in her sleep. "Stay in bed, I'll take care of them." And he got out of bed, going out of the master bedroom, to the one on the other side of the corridor. "Nick, Paige, no need to make such a fuss. Let's go and make some breakfast while mom is still sleeping."

They all headed to the kitchen, avoided Sparky, the dog, and prepared pancakes, cereal and ate together at the table. A few minutes after nine, Abigail came into the room, kissed her husband on the forehead, and her children on the cheek. Today was Sunday, they had plans for picnic at the Juan Tabo picnic area.

Marshall soon headed to the bathroom, to shower. He started thinking about his life. He was happily married, to a good wife who had given him two beautiful children. They had moved soon after their wedding in a lovely house in the suburbs of Albuquerque, with a garden for the kids, and even had a dog. Work was going on fine, his partnership with Mary still the best in the West of the Pecos.

Mary.. Nothing had really changed with her, but something had. It seems to him it had been weeks, or months, maybe even years since he heard her laugh. Really and genuinely laugh. She smiled, smirked at their never-ending bantering, still driving Stan and Eleanor mad. But it stuck him and there, this Sunday morning in his shower, that Mary was unhappy. Sad. And he did not see that coming.

The water was falling on his head, as if clearing his mind. He remembered the day of Peter and Brandi's wedding. She was, of course, the bridesmaid and he remembered seeing her concerned, caring about her sister. But alone. Smiling only with her mouth. No sparks in her eyes. And he didn't ask why. As time went by, he recalled they didn't spend much extra time together, unless they were on their way to pick a witness, or having lunch together. He couldn't remember spending time with his friend, his best friend. He missed spending time with his best friend. He wanted to spend time with her.

He felt like an empty shell. He finished cleaning up and put some clothes on. He went to the kitchen, took his badge and keys, then turned to his wife. "Sorry, hon, I have an emergency, I will try to meet you at Juan Tabo as soon as possible." With her working in law enforcement, too, she was used to emergencies and understood. He felt bad for lying to her, but he knew she wouldn't have understood what he was going to do. Abby had always felt jealous about the relationship he and Mary shared.

He made it to Mary's in less than twenty minutes. He saw her through the windows when he parked in the driveway. She was still beautiful, time had been kind her. He knocked on her door. The look of surprise on her face when she opened tore his heart. She wasn't used to having him drop by unexpectedly anymore.

"Marshall, is there a problem?" she asked.

"Just one problem, Mare, I wanted to spend time with you. I miss my best friend. And it's been ages since we shared a day just together." He smiled at her.

She raised her eyebrow. "Aren't you supposed to go picnic at Juan Tabo today? You spent the last week tormenting me with that."

Again, his smile. "I can go picnic with the kids next week. Today, I want to spend some time with you. If you're ok, of course. You have something planned? "

This time, she smirked. "Except cleaning and washing, nothing. You want to come in?"

He answered, "No, meet me in the Botanical Garden in half an hour," and closed the door.

He stopped to pick Danishes, donuts and for some coffee, and waited for her on the parking lot. For once, she was on time. She was smiling when taking her coffee. "Why here, why today, Doofus?"

He looked at her. "Because it's here and today, Mare. I miss the time we spent together. And I intend to spend some more with you." She didn't answer, and started walking.

They spent the morning wandering around the botanical garden, chatting about anything from Brandi's pregnancy, Jinx's still being sober and having a boyfriend, Stan and Eleanor's wedding the previous year, Charlie being obviously too attracted to his partner Delia. Marshall excused himself from his family for lunch, and they ate together at a small booth. They were sitting on the grass, in the quiet afternoon when she dropped the bomb.

"I wasn't made for happiness. You are. You were right to move on. I can't blame you for that. But I can't stay either. You once promised me some ten years ago, not to quit your job as my keeper. I set you free of that oath you made. And I have to move on from you, I have to start to rebuild my heart, and maybe one day, there will be a place for someone else. That's why I put in for a transfer. I've asked Stan to do it, and he agreed. I can't be around you anymore, it breaks my heart every day just to see that ring around your finger. I understand what you went through all these years, and I honestly don't know how you managed to do it. I can't anymore. "

"Mare.. where are you going? I don't want to lose you as a partner, or a friend… you."

"Shh…" she put her fingers in front of his lips to silence him. "I will still be your friend, still rush if you're hurt, still come if Abby and you invite me by, still send presents to Nick and Paige. I've tried for five years to cope with you not wanting to be with me… it's just too painful. I will be in Tampa in a fortnight, in the Witsec office. I've gotten used to sun and warmth."

"When do you leave? Why didn't you tell me?"

She sighed. "I'm gonna go home, now, Marshall. And I will give you my new address when I get settled. I'll see you tomorrow in the office." She stood, and started walking to her car. He saw she was sobbing.

He left the grass they were sitting on and trotted towards her. He pulled her to him. Held her. Tight. Held on to her, as for dear life. They both knew it was the last time they would be so close. She was crying out loud now, her head in his chest.

He put his finger under her chin, lifting her head, so as to see in her eyes. His thumb caressed her cheek. Blue eyes held green. They lost track of the time. So much was being said without a word. Years of unspoken truths, years of caring, bonding, backing. They each took different routes, tearing them apart. She rose on her toes, and put a feather light kiss on his lips. What happened during that few seconds kissing would never be forgotten by both of them till their death. It was the smoothest, kindest and hottest moment of their lives. The moment they saw they were, somewhere in the course of destiny, meant to be together. The moment when their souls melt in one. The moment when they finally found the missing part of themselves they were longing for.

The moment when they said goodbye.

So.. what do you think? End of story for Mary and Marshall ? Will Marshall make a move before Mary leaves ? Please do not hesitate to comment and review :)