Author's Note: Special thanks to JMS529, JJ2008, Jayne Leigh, and BrittanyLS for the reviews! Sorry, I'm a bit behind on these. Real life is kicking my butt. My sister is getting married in eleven days. Yikes!

QUOTE PROMPT #058 – MARY/KENNY

"I'm gonna take care of you, okay? I'm going to take care of you; I've got you, because that's my job, right?"

"What are you going?" Kenny asked, his voice husky with sleep.

"My sister called. She needs me," Mary replied, pulling her shirt over her head.

Kenny flopped back onto the bed. "That's the third time in a row."

Mary paused. "And?"

"Don't you think it's time for her to handle things on her own? I mean, the kid's hers, not yours," Kenny huffed.

"And she's my sister. I'm responsible for her," Mary told him with a frown.

Kenny rolled his eyes. "You know, between the two of us, we already have two kids. I don't need another brat on my hands."

Mary's eyes narrowed. "Coincidentally, I don't need another asshole on mine. Good-bye, Kenny."

"Thanks for coming, Mary," Brandi told her as Mary entered her apartment. The relief was evident on Brandi's face as she handed the crying baby over to Mary. "I'm sorry that I screwed up your time with Kenny, but Caden doesn't seem to calm down for anyone but you."

"Don't worry about it," Mary assured her, though she was focused solely on the tiny infant in her hands. Mary bounced him gently. "This is the only guy in my life right now."

QUOTE PROMPT #059 – MARY/MARSHALL

"Please don't stop. I want to know how it ends"

"Mary, what is this?" Marshall demanded, storming into her house without knocking on the door.

Mary looked up from the counter, where she had been searching on her laptop. She hardened her face. "I believe that's my resignation."

Marshall stood right in front of her. Mary fought herself not to take a step back at the fire in his eyes. "You're leaving? The Marshal Service? Me?" He huffed when she didn't reply. "Why?"

"You know why," she replied simply.

"No, I don't."

Mary closed her eyes. "I don't know how to just be your friend. I don't know how to not depend on you, call on you, lo- uh, look forward to seeing you every day. I'm done. Our chapter's over, Marshall."

Marshall took a watery breath. "Please, don't do this."

"I have to," Mary whispered. "It hurts too much to stay."

"No!" Marshall said, emphatically. He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her close. "Our story isn't over yet." Marshall kissed her, violently, desperately, trying to put all his love and adoration into their kiss.

Mary yanked herself away, violently. "What the hell was that?" She rubbed her mouth. "You're engaged! You are getting married in a month."

Marshall crowded her against the counter, running his hands up and down her arms. "No, I'm not. The story has always been about you and me; will always be about you and me. I just got... distracted for a few chapters."

"You're an idiot."

"Yes," he agreed. "It's up to you, now, where this story goes."

Mary groaned. "How is it possible that I'm in love with someone so corny?"

Marshall froze. "What? You're what?"

"I, uh- crap!" she exclaimed.

"It works out well," Marshall told her, gently, cupping her face. He placed a soft kiss of her lips. "Because I am totally and completely in love with you."

QUOTE PROMPT #060 - MARSHALL

"Maybe instead of just anyone, you should be looking for someone. Someone who challenges you, who calls you on your BS, gets in your face and makes you think."

After all the speeches, all the questions, all the fighting within and outside of himself, it was a simple look from his mother that made Marshall Mann change his future.

They were at the rehearsal for the wedding. The preacher had just announced them as "Mr. and Mrs. Mann." He and Abigail kissed and turned for the crowd reaction. Marshall's eyes instinctively searched for his mother's; the two of them were extremely close. If he had been just a half second longer, he would have missed it: the complete and utter despair in her eyes over what she was witnessing.

Anguish hit Marshall like a brick wall. He blinked and his mother's eyes shown only joy. But he had seen it and he could ignore. His mother thought he was making a huge mistake. Marshall knew his father wasn't thrilled with it, but then again, his father was so much like Mary, it wasn't surprising. His older brother was quiet on the subject, while his younger brother seemed enthralled by Abigail. His wife, however, was anything but.

All around him, Abigail, her bridesmaids, and family flitted about excitedly, but he only felt an icy coldness grip his soul as he realized that this wasn't what he wanted, but what he had talked himself into believing that he wanted. Marshall felt the world closing in on him. He could hear Abigail call his name, but it sounded distant. He made no indication that he heard her, just continued to stare at his mother in her seat without really seeing her.

The mood in the room changed from jovial to distress as Marshall continued to ignore the others around him. He finally snapped out of it when he felt his mother's hand on his cheek. He glanced down at her, blinking wildly as the world came rushing back in. His mother gave him a single nod and an encouraging smile.

Marshall turned towards his fiancee. "Abigail, we need to talk."