Usual disclaimer still applies. I don't own In Plain Sight or the characters therein. These tale is meant to fill the void between seasons and I promise to leave them pretty much where I found them... maybe a little worse for wear...

This work is not meant to contest ownership, and as always, no money is made from the writing of this tale.

So sit right back and enjoy (and if you do (or don't) please let me know.

Marshall knew that having vented in spectacular fashion, Mary was feeling better, but he could feel the discomfort radiating from Isn't. For the uninitiated experiencing this side of Inspector Shannon could be a bit overwhelming and he knew it was up to him to try and smooth things over: something he knew would be better done without Mary sitting right there.

"I think I saw a sign for a sub shop," he said as he turned off the main thoroughfare and parked. "Mary, if you wouldn't mind picking up?"

"What? Are your legs broken?"

"No… but since Isn't can't go inside… one of us should stay with her… and I think… a break might be good for you."

"We could leave her in the car… crack the window… she'll be fine."

Marshall closed his eyes. "We can't do that… and you know it."

"Marshall… really she's not a witness. She's only pretending to be a witness. We can leave her here… pick up food."

This was not going to be easy.

"Mare… we have another two days where we need to get along and I would prefer all three of us get there more or less in tact… something you are greatly lacking at this point."

Mary rolled her eyes. "God, Marshall… it's not like I'd actually hurt her…"

"I know that… but I really don't want to have to break out the duct tape… for either of you."

"Fine. What do you want?"

"Italian… mayo… honey wheat if they have it."

Mary turned and glared expectantly at Isn't.

"Sounds good."

Mary held her hand out until Marshall gave her enough money to cover lunch and then gave Isn't a warning glare before exiting the car.

When he turned to explain, he was surprised to find Isn't watching Mary's retreating form, a slight frown on her face as if she was trying to reason something out.

"So… just between you, me and the light post," she began. "Your partner really doesn't get the whole... relieving stress through humor thing does she?"

"Mary..." he began, dragging the name out as he thought about his answer. "Is more of a direct approach sort of person. She's happiest when people say what they mean and leave it at that. Brevity... lightening the mood... usually denotes someone not taking the situation seriously enough and that's usually where things tend to... as you say... go a little sideways."

"And the rather... expressive... rant?"

"The rant is her way of relieving stress."

"Guess we're on the same level of play then, 'cause I can't see how that relieves stress... other than well…you know… not keeping things bottled up."

"It relieves her stress," he said emphasizing the word 'her.' "And that in turn makes things better for those around her... once she's cleared the air."

"You mean once she's induced a coronary on the unsuspecting recipient..."

"Somehow... I can't see you having a heart attack over this."

"No, just brain-locking on humor thereby creating a death spiral between my coping mechanism and your partner's."

"That… could be a problem"

"Yeah," Isn't answered knowingly. "Tell me about it."

They waited in silence until Isn't noticed the dollars store down the street. She smiled.

"I think I have an idea. Can I have a pen and some paper?"

=IPS =

"You really think this is going to work?" Mary asked as she scanned 'Isn't's' shopping list.

'Isn't' shrugged. "We have to try something, and this is the easiest and cheapest method I know. The dollar store should carry everything we need, plus I can do most of it here in the back seat… I'll just need a place to rinse later on."

Mary shook her head, "blue."

Isn't smiled, pleased that Mary knew exactly what she was planning to do with the kool aide.

"Yeah... blue. You hide people by making them blend in. I make them out to be a 12 foot gorilla so people ignore them."

"But... blue?"

"With purple highlights…"

Marshall gave them both a dubious look as he took 'Isn't's' shopping list from Mary.

1 Shitte Tonne Blue Raspberry Kool Aide Mix unsweetened.
2 packs Grape Kool Aide Mix unsweetened.
Vaseline
Plastic Wrap
Aluminum Foil
Conditioner
One set hair clips/elastics
Black eyeliner
Plastic gloves
Safety Pins
T-shirt
Cold Cream
Scissors
Towel

He tilted his head, studying the list and frowning "Would that be a metric shitte tonne or imperial?"

"After a certain point... it really doesn't matter," Isn't answered.

"You do know that using Kool Aide as a hair coloring works better if you bleach the hair first…"

"I'm going for temporary here… not waiting three years for it to grow back to a manageable length and color…"

Marshall paused, thinking about it and then launched into a little known bit of trivia. "Interestingly, Kool Aide originally started as a liquid concentrate called 'Fruit Smack.'"

"Then the drug dealers sued them for copyright infringement ..." Isn't added, her expression innocent and knowing.

Marshall started to object then looked at Isn't. "And… that would be your coping mechanism kicking in wouldn't it?"

Isn't gave him a cheerful smile. "Your partner's coping mechanism and mine may not be compatible, but mine can definitely run circles around yours."

Mary for her part seemed to take perverse pleasure in Isn't's 'humor' annoying Marshall.

It had been two hours since Mary had bought Isn't the supplies she needed and the smell of Raspberry Blue Kool Aide was starting to drive her crazy. She had forgotten just how much everything smelled like Kool Aide afterwards.

Isn't had separated her hair into halves working with one side at a time. Once she had coated the left side she had braided it then pinned it up in a bun before working on the other side. Once she had her hair up in two buns she had wrapped saran wrap around it, holding it to her head and making her look more like a science fiction convention reject than a federal witness, or a Secret Service Agent for that matter.

Once her hair was… marinating in Kool Aide, their 'witness' had begun working on her t-shirt, cutting it in strategic places she would then suspend safety pins between the cuts, using them to both hold the cut together and decorate the shirt.

Now, two hours later they stood in the ladies room at a gas station as Isn't finished her disguise. She had removed the brown contact lenses she'd been wearing changing her eye color from brown to green.

She had rinsed the Kool Aide mixture out of her hair, and while it was still damp Mary could see the bluish hue starting to develop.

Isn't drew a deep breath as she held the scissors and prepared to cut a section of hair she had combed forward.

Mary watched as she brought the scissors up made to cut her hair then paused. After the third attempt Mary shook her head.

"That's it. Give them here!" Mary demanded.

Isn't eyed her worriedly and finally gave her the scissors.

"Close your eyes."

Isn't complied and Mary gave a slight smirk as she cut the woman's hair, giving her long, wispy bangs that would hang over her eyes.

"Geez, how can someone who willingly puts herself in the line of fire be such a baby when it comes to her hair?"

Isn't gave her a sheepish look as she pulled her bangs forward to inspect them. She was spared having to answer by Marshall knocking on the door.

"Are you ladies finished in there?"

Mary looked at Isn't then pulled out the final part of her dollar store purchase: a pair of cheap black sunglasses. "I thought this might completely the outfit."

Isn't put them on, took one last look in the mirror and took a deep breath. Mary could almost see the change as Isn't adopted a posture that went better with the neo-punk look.

Mary held the door open as Isn't shoved her hands in pockets and sauntered out of the bathroom. Neo-Punk-Isn't gave Marshall a scathing look before walking back to the GMC looking for the world like she really didn't care about any of it.

Mary simply shook her head.

"Our little girl is blossoming into a juvenile delinquent," she quipped.

"Just so you know," Marshall began. "If she starts boosting cars and driving like a maniac, I'm blaming you."