A week had past by since Stan had returned to Albuquerque and stopped by Ryder and Elizabeth to reassure them that Marshall was fine and healing nicely. He knew this had been hard for them and wanted to make sure they were doing okay and that Marshall was periodically checking in with them.
Stan knocked on the door to Marshall's house again to give them the latest updates.
"Stan, come on in." Ryder stated opening the door. He was hoping for some good news. He led him into the living room where Elizabeth sat.
"Any news?" Elizabeth couldn't keep the hope from her voice.
"Not much there still hasn't been any sign of Marta or any activity with her credit cards or anything else. I'm guessing at this time she's somewhere laying low for now. We still would like to keep you here a little longer just to be on the safe side." Stan saw them both acknowledge what he was staying. "I did receive a call from Mary and things are looking good with Marshall and they are expected to fly back next week. I think they both are starting to get antsy sitting around and not doing anything." He smirked at that.
"Yeah Marshall sounded bored when he called last night. I don't know if we thanked you for everything that you have done for both us and Marshall." Ryder started.
"No need to thank us. We consider Marshall family and anything we can do to help is fine by me." Stan shrugged and headed towards the door. "I'll let you know as soon as we get the okay for Marshall to fly home."
"We'd like for you and Eleanor to join us when he does. I want to make him a special dinner and I still owe Mary a rib dinner." Elizabeth stated.
"We'd be happy to join you. You better watch the ribs though Mary can suck them down." Stan warned.
Ryder chuckled. "Marshall said the same thing."
Once Stan left Elizabeth looked to Ryder. "What if they don't find her?"
"Then we continue to live our lives and keep an eye out for anything suspicious. I'm not going to live in fear of that woman and I won't let her destroy ours or Marshall's life. Her name and all aliases will be flagged in case she returns." Ryder knew she could still get back in without being detected but they would do their best to keep her away.
"You have to promise that you'll be careful when we return Ryder. I'm not willing to lose you or Marshall from my life." Elizabeth stated determinedly.
Ryder walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. "I promise we will do everything we can to be safe but I won't hide forever. I know that I'm healing and Marshall is too but sooner or later we will be going back to work and I know that is hard on you but I have plenty of people to watch over me and Mary won't let anything happen to Marshall if she can help it." He kissed her forehead in reassurance.
"How long before they get married do you think?" Elizabeth couldn't help but tease.
"You are not dragging me into that scheme you and Eleanor are plotting. Marshall would never forgive me." Ryder smiled and then whispered in her ear. "I give it a year tops before that happens. Marshall said they wanted to take it slow but I doubt slow by most people standards is anything they'd do besides once Mary makes up her mind I think she'll jump in both feet first at least for Marshall."
Elizabeth smiled; Ryder had always been a romantic at heart just kept it well hidden. She had feeling he was right about Mary and Marshall though. They had loved each other albeit not knowingly on Mary's part for a long time and the two were already inseparable.
"Somehow I think your right but I highly doubt it will be a traditional type of wedding." Elizabeth just couldn't see Mary into that. Ryder laughed in agreement.
Mary was restless as she wanted to get out and pursue Marta and find the woman before she could cause anymore pain for Marshall's family and if she was honest she wasn't used to doing nothing for this long.
Marshall watched her pace back and forth and sighed knowingly. "Why don't you call Stan and see if you can fly back and I'll meet up with you next week when I can come home?"
"Have you lost your ever loving mind?" Mary asked dismayed.
"You're tense and need to get back to work I thought it might make you happy." Marshall shrugged.
"Well it wouldn't. Bad things happen to you when I leave you alone." Mary didn't want to make him feel guilty for her being there. They had made considerable progress in talking over both of their fears. She actually felt a lot more mature since all of this happened and for the first time in her life expressing her feelings didn't feel awful.
"I'll be okay if you want to Mare." Marshall stated softly feeling guilty for not wanting her to go.
She came over and straddled his lap and almost laughed at his surprise. "You're not getting rid of me that easy cowboy. I just don't like knowing that Marta is out there somewhere and gunning for your family. I know she wants your Dad but I have a feeling she'll use anyone she wants to in order to make that happen."
He looked into her eyes. "I have a feeling she's going to lay low for awhile and I don't think she'd do the dirty work herself which means she needs to find some friends with connection and one of those connections would need to be able to find us." Marshall reassured before leaning his forehead against hers. "We're almost to the point where I can fly back and then things can get back to normal." Mary raised an eyebrow at him. "I didn't mean things for us would; I happen to be enjoying the progress we're making and I'm glad you've learned to open up to me a lot more than before. I loved you for years and it isn't going to change when we get back. You're stuck with me for as long as you want me."
"You better watch it there because I might just make an honest man out of you." Mary teased.
"I still have my honor you haven't ravaged me." He gave her a lopsided grin.
"Is that a challenge Doofus?" She asked and then leaned in and nibbled on his earlobe. "It sounded like one to me and I'm more than willing to show you the path to sin."
Marshall had to swallow hard since he didn't doubt she could and the image that popped into his head was burning its place into his mind. "Don't start the flame when it has to be doused before it can even get going."
"Fine but you're giving me a make out session now for making me wait." She leaned over and took his lips in a fiery kiss that was filled with so much promise.
Marshall was in heaven and hell; he wanted to take her but knew they needed to slow down as he needed to heal before they could and he still wanted to move slower with her. He had a feeling they wouldn't last long once he was properly healed but wanted their first time to be special without being overly romantic or he'd get shot. When she moved away for air he scooted her closer to him and laid claim to her lips until her hands began to wander and he knew they needed to stop. Breaking away for air he shook his finger at her.
"Bad girl; your revving up my engines." He kissed her softly. "I love you."
"You tease." Mary laughed. "Can we at least go out for something to eat I need to cool off and staying in here isn't going to do that?"
"We have to tell the detail but sure I could use some fresh air myself."
Stan was at the airport waiting to pick up Mary and Marshall; they would go to Marshall's house so he could see his parents and then he would need to come into the office briefly in order to sign the paperwork from the night of the shootout. He was early by a good half and hour but was anxious for their safe return.
Mary watched as Marshall slept on the plane; he'd been excited and anxious last night and hadn't slept well. The last week in Denver had been a really good one and she realized how much she had grown in such a short time and how lucky she was to have Marshall. She had been thinking about that a lot when he was sleeping and she'd stay awake just to see the peaceful look on his face.
Her mind wandered back through the years of working together and the first time they met. She had called him cowboy then too because of his getup. She had thought he was a know it all and couldn't defend a fly; he'd thought she was a trigger happy, adrenaline junkie, hard nose stuck up witch. She laughed when he'd said witch and he stated some people had been raised to be mindful of their manners. They hated each other in the beginning; well at least strongly disliked. The first time she'd seen him save a witness her opinion of him changed drastically. She wasn't kidding when she called him a badass lawman he was but kept it from most people to work it to his advantage. They grew to become partners, then friends, and finally best friends. She knew there was more coming to that list and she was looking forward to it.
She couldn't believe how he had snuck into her heart without her knowing. Yet he'd taught her more about life, love, and caring than anyone had ever been able to in her entire life. He taught her that not every man left, that is was okay to cry and let things get to her; her showed her a sense of loyalty that at times she didn't deserve. Marshall showed her that there was nothing wrong with whom she was and she didn't need to change herself to find happiness. Love wasn't based on what someone wanted you to be; it being who you are and accepted for that. It was what had been wrong with her and Raph from the beginning; he wanted something she wasn't and didn't want to be yet she tried to change. Marshall asked her if she was happy and she couldn't answer because he was the only one who had ever made her happy and it never registered why. Through all the talking they had done in the last two weeks she had gotten a whole new perspective and as she looked at Marshall she knew there would never be anyone as perfect for her as he was. She hadn't lied when she told him she wanted to give him children; this world needed more people like him in it and if she could help that happen than she'd know she accomplished the most important thing to her. She was so lost in thought that she almost missed him looking at her.
"What's wrong?" Marshall asked concerned.
"Nothing; for the first time in my life nothing is wrong and I'm happy. Thank you." Mary whispered softly to him.
"Are you getting serious on me?" Marshall asked teasingly.
"Don't worry I can still kick your butt, but yeah I think I am. You've been everything to me and I was too blind to see. You waited for me even after everything I put you through. I'm finally beginning to understand what happiness and contentment are and owe that to you." She answered honestly. "I know that I still have issues to deal with but you've always had my back and that means more to me than you'll probably ever know." She gently cupped his face.
Marshall was humbled by everything she just said. "There was always compassion and happiness waiting for you and I'll always be here for you." He smiled and grasped her hand and held it and they felt the plane begin to descent.
Mary saw the smile that lit Marshall's face. "You think your mom remembered the ribs?"
Marshall doubled over in laughter. "More than likely she has a very good memory. You should be more concerned about what she and Eleanor are up to."
"I'm not worried I can take them. Your parents are fine you know; Stan wouldn't let anything happen to them." Mary reassured.
"I know but I haven't seen them since everything happened and I was pretty out of it the last time I talked to them. It's stupid but I just need to see that they're okay." Marshall shrugged and they felt the wheels touch down on the ground and waited for the plane to roll to a stop.
Stan was waiting outside on the tarmac as Mary and Marshall descended the stairs. He took a good look at them and was happy to see Marshall looking a lot healthier. "Welcome home inspectors."
"Stan, good to see you." Marshall smiled.
"You look a lot better than the last time I saw you." Stan admitted taking the bag from Marshall. "Your parents and Eleanor are waiting our arrival to your house."
"Did Mom cook?" Mary asked excitedly. When Stan and Marshall shook their heads at her she shrugged. "What? She's a really good cook." She defended herself before they all got into the SUV.
Ryder was trying to decide what to do with his wife; she was currently driving him crazy with her pacing between the kitchen to make sure the ribs were done and Marshall's favorite foods plus various pie flavors he liked were all ready and then coming into the living room to see if he was here yet. While understanding her need to see their son it was wearing on his nerves.
"One room or the other; enough of this fretting. Marshall is fine and will be here in a few minutes but your constant pacing is going to drive me mad." Ryder finally spoke up.
Elizabeth glared at her husband but turned and headed back into the kitchen; it would help pass the time better. "Do you believe him?"
Eleanor chuckled. "He's just as anxious as you but now I know where Marshall gets the pacing thing from." Elizabeth arched and eyebrow in question. "Marshall paces when he worries; so does Ryder and so do you. Apparently it's a family trait. Stan said he was fine and mamma bear is watching her cub so you have nothing to worry about."
Elizabeth smiled. "She is pretty protective of him. I wonder how long they'll drag out their dating."
"With Mary probably for awhile." Eleanor knew Mary had a hard time trusting with her heart.
"Somehow I thing Ryder is right on this one; she finally realized how much she cared and I have the feeling once she sets her mind on my son; he's not going to have a chance to get away." Elizabeth knew in her heart the two were meant to be and think by now they had finally figured it out. "Beside I want grandchildren."
Eleanor shivered at that thought. "Let's hope that if it happens they turn out like Marshall. This world can't handle two Mary's." She teased lightly.
"They're here." Ryder called out from the living room as Elizabeth came rushing out. "Give him a chance to come in and be careful how tightly you hug him; don't forget his injuries."
"And I'm the overprotective one." Elizabeth hushed Ryder and headed outside with her husband in tow.
Stan and Mary were the first out of the SUV and Marshall finally stepped out.
"Mom, Dad" He greeted as the two moved forward to hug him. His mom was gripping lightly and he whispered softly. "I won't break Mom; it's okay to hug me." Marshall held her tightly and let her release the tears she'd had pent up for awhile.
Elizabeth struggled for a few minutes and then finally managed to compose herself as she pulled back slightly and kissed his cheek. "I missed you."
"I missed you too." He hugged her again and planted a kiss on her cheek before his dad enveloped him in a hug.
Elizabeth moved over to Mary. "Thank you for taking care of him for us and keeping him safe." She hugged her and was surprised when Mary hugged back.
Marshall pulled back a little from his dad and did a precursory check. "How are you doing?"
"I'm fine son just a little tired of being cooped up all day and not being able to work. The more important question is how are you doing and don't just relay word for word want Stan and Eleanor told us.
Marshall sent a quick glance at Mary. "Couldn't be better."
Ryder didn't miss the look or the smile that was now on his son's face. "Good to hear." He smiled knowingly.
Eleanor came up and hugged both Mary and Marshall before they all headed inside for dinner and to catch up on everything before Stan had to take them briefly to the office.
Marta sat on the exclusive property planning on how long it would be before she could get her plastic surgery done, recruit the right people to get the job done, and find Ryder Mann and kill him once and for all. No one would stand in the way of her justice.
She wasn't foolish enough to believe she could get in the country looking the way she always did. Her appearance had to be altered, the information of those involved with her son's arrest would be needed to be bribed from someone and then and only then she would get what she'd long for. It may take awhile but she'd get her revenge.