I'm going to start wrapping this up. I have a sequel in mind that I think I'm going to get started on very soon though.

Over the next two weeks Mary and Marshall slipped into a routine. There was no more real talk about their relationship. It was what it was and they both went with the flow of it. Both acknowledged it wouldnt be quite so effortless once they returned to the real world. With the exception of Seth and Charlotte(who had been beside herself with excitement) no one knew of their budding romance.

The duo got up at seven oclock in the mornings inspite of Marys many curses and mutterings about the ass crack of dawn. Marshall had been moved to a regular room and now walked laps in the mornings while Mary showered. The doctors wanted to build his stamina after being unconscious for three weeks. Marshall felt like he was almost at 100% but his doctors felt otherwise. They wanted to keep him another week.

After she had dressed Mary would call the local Police Department. Marshall had talked her into apologizing to the lead detective and he allowed her back into the investigation. If you asked her though she would tell you she only did it to shut him up about interagency politics.

Every other day or so Stan and Eleanor(and sometimes Bobby D) would visit. They would bring paperwork for Mary to catch up on since she was missing so much work. Marys desk was begining to like paper factory exploded. This day though, Mary and Marshall knew something was up the moment Stan opened the door.

The door opened and Stan and Eleanor walked in. Stan didn't look happy. He had on his strict boss face. The one that was present when their witnesses were in danger.

"Mary, one of Marshalls witnesses just called in. She said she saw one of men from her trial." He never left the doorway. He just waited for his inspector to grab her things. Mary would be fielding this call since Marshall wasnt in the condition to do so.

Mary jumped up and grabbed her leather jacket. She stuffed her phone in her pocket and quickly attached her badge and gun to her waist.

"You gonna be okay by yourself, Doofus?" She asked attaching the gun to her waist. She tried to make her question sound sarcastic instead of worried.

"Ha, without you here I might be able to get a little peace and quiet." Mary grinned, glad to have their banter back.

Mary gently slapped his right arm and he smiled. Mary made for the door but Stan stopped her. "Mary you wait for me. With Marshall out of commission I'm your partner."

Mary groaned, "Really Stan, I'm fine I can do this." Mary didn't exactly follow the rules of the job. She got results but it was a very grey area that Stan didn't normally know about.

Stan nodded, "I'm sure you can, but I'm still coming along." Mary grunted something that was close to comfirmation and was out the door.

As Stan walked out Marshall called out, "Good luck, Stan!"

Eleanor sat down in the recliner that was now empty.

"Kerry is sure that its one of the Juarez cartel?" Mary asked as she jumped into the drivers seat. Stan quickly got in the other side.

"She said she is positive." Stan confirmed.

Mary slammed on the gas, "Shit," The Juarez cartel was one of the most dangerous. If they set out to find you, they would find you. Then when they did you were tortured until they were sure you didnt give them up. After that, they killed you. Mary could only imagine what they would do to Kerry who had already testified against them.

With Mary driving, and Stan holding the 'oh shit' handle, it only took two hours instead of four to arrive back in albequerque. When they rolled up Dershowitz was already on scene with a bunch of Kerry's neighbors. She could already tell this wasn't going to go well.

"Dershowitz, what's going on here?" she basically demanded.

"Neighbors called the cops when they heard gunshots. When we arrived on scene the door was kicked in and the apartment was empty. I take it the missing woman is yours?"

"Yea," Mary turned around and stalked off to make a phone call and find the superintendent of the apartment building.

She dialed a number she knew by heart. When she heard it ringing she mumbled under her breath and remembered she still had it. She had used Marshalls phone to call Charlotte while hers charged this morning. So she dialed Eleanor.

"Hello?" She answered.

"Eleanor I need to talk to Marshall."

"What's going on Mare?" he answered. She needed to know where Kerry was transferred from on her last move. She was Marshalls witness, one he got while she was in Mexico. Mary didnt know much about Kerry.

"Where was Kerry trans-" Mary never finished her sentence. Someone came up from behind her and grabbed her.

"No!" Mary, using her training, spun around out of the mans grasp. She landed a punch to his nose and he lashed out. He grabbed her left arm and broke it with surprising ease.

She cried out as her phone fell to the ground. She kicked her foot out and slammed it into the assailants face. While the man backed away holding his nose another man came up knocked Mary out with a stun gun.

Marshall threw his blankets off and pulled the IV's out of his arm. He let the phone in his hand fall to bed. Eleanor had no idea what to do with the injured inspector. She just knew he looked worried and angry.

Marshall ripped the hospital gown off and grabbed a button down shirt from his bag. He slid it on as gently as he could manage while rampaging around the room.

"What's happening?" Eleanor was just watching him storm around the room completely lost as what to do.

"Eleanor, where did Mary and Stan go?" Marshall ordered completely ignoring her question. He grabbed his gun and badge(which had been returned as they had yet to catch the men who shot him) and slid them in his pocket.

"Marshall, you shouldn't be out of bed." Eleanor told him.

"Eleanor, I won't ask again." Marshall growled.

Eleanor swallowed. She had never seen a look on his face like the one she was seeing. It was a mix of fury and pure fear.

"They went to Kerry's apartment. But you shouldn't be driving!" She grabbed the keys and hurried out of the room just before him.

Marshall never stopped to tell the doctors he was leaving. He knew there would be hell to pay later but he didn't care.

TBC