Disclaimer: Mary and Marshall belong to David Maples. If they hadn't been misused by others I wouldn't be writing this.

Provoked Too– Chapter 5 – Battle Stations

In the office, the next day Marshall is still stewing about Mary's date. He needs to confront her about how Lucas knows Davey. If she broke regulations again he can write her up and make sure it goes in her personnel folder. He's no marshmallow. When Marshall became Chief he was surprised to find so few reprimands in Mary's jacket. He could think of ten times she ran counter to regulations.

Mary's out on witness visits most of that day. When she returns Marshall is on his way out. He promised Abigail he'd be home for dinner. He hesitates at the gate because he wants to get this 'discussion' done but he can't break his promise to Abigail, again. There's always tomorrow.

The next day every WITSEC Inspector in the western US seems to be at their desk. After being chewed out by Delia for making a scene at the staff meeting he doesn't want to call Mary to his office. Too many marshals to misinterpret the dressing down he needs to give her. Marshall's beginning to feel like Scarlet O'Hara in Gone With the Wind. "After all tomorrow is another day."

The next day looks promising. Mary's in the office working on her witness reports and funding requests. Delia and Charlie are out. Most of the Phoenix marshals are at an in house training. Marshall smirks thinking of other training sessions as out house training. Yep, he's ready. Today's the day.

He's gone through all his email and double checked the BOLOs that have been issued in the last 24 hours. Mary is sitting with her head back, eyes closed. As good a time as any. He walks over to her desk. "Inspector Shannon. We need to speak. In my office now."

Mary's eyes are reduced to slits at his attempt to flaunt his authority. He waits for some obscene retort that never comes. "Sure Chief. What's this about?" She grabs her cup and pushes herself out of her chair and follows him to his office.

Mary sits in the comfortable visitor chair – the one that still has some padding. Marshall settles himself behind his desk and steeples his fingers like a teacher taking a student to task.

"It's come to my attention that you have breached one of our witness's security by sharing his status with an outside party."

"What? Says who? What witness?" Mary's hackles are up.

"Davey and your 'date' Lucas Provo."

"Oh." She sits back and stares at Marshall unabashed. She can explain that. She cradles her cup and begins. "I can tell you what Lucas knows about Davey. Nothing. Davey saw Lucas' legal aid flyer. Davey has a friend who's a veteran and needs legal help. I didn't know Davey had any friends until I followed him to that bar. Davey told his friend to meet him and Lucas at the Halfway. Here," she proffers her phone with Davey's number displayed. "Call Davey. Ask him. Ask him who his friend is and if his friend is a client of Provo's."

Marshall looks away, disgusted at being so quick to doubt his former partner. He knows her better than that. At least he used to.

"Look Inspector. Since Mr. Provo knows what you do he can easily conclude that Davey is your witness. Why else would you be at that bar?"

Mary folds her arms over her chest. "I drink wherever I want. Bars like that are exactly the kind that my witnesses visit." She leans forward, eyes narrowed, mouth thin. "It's my job to check that place to assure the safety and security of my witnesses." She leans back daring him to contradict her.

Marshall folds. Mary is many things but she's never lied to him. Not about a witness. "I will check with Davey. Witnesses have to know that we put their safety first," he responds primly.

Mary nods. "Davey won't mind. He likes to talk."

Oh god. Marshall had forgotten just how much Davey likes to talk. He'll have to set aside an hour just to get Davey to answer one question. What has to be done has to be done.

Marshall studies his hands takes a deep breath and dives in. "I just want to remind you that even though Lucas Provo knows you are a WITSEC Inspector you can't tell him anything about the job or any of our witnesses."

Marshall startles at the sudden bang. Mary has pounded her cup onto his desk so hard coffee sloshed out. She stands, leaning on his desk, looming over it, glaring at him. "What is this really about Chief? I would never endanger my witnesses or my family by revealing anything. I made that mistake once, years ago and I swore then I'd never ever do it again. Yes Lucas knows what I did when we first met. He assumes I'm still doing it, but for all he knows, I work at the court house. I never told him anything. Just like you never told Detective Chaffee anything. Are we clear?"

Marshall grits his teeth. "Crystal." He can't let it go at that. There's the other issue, their friendship. "So," he accuses. "You don't have time to come to dinner at my house because of Norah but you have time to go out on a date?"

Mary crosses her arms. "Norah isn't exposed to germs while I'm on a date! Norah was with Mark, but that's none of his business. "Since when is my personal life your business? I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself and my daughter. I don't go sticking my nose into your business. I don't ask you about Abigail, the wedding, or your families."

She's on a roll now. "What does her family know about your job, your promotion to Chief? What do you tell them when they ask what you are Chief of? How many divisions, departments of the Marshal Service are there in Albuquerque? Your name doesn't appear on any if them. Do they all know enough not to ask? Surely they're curious about the man their dear sweet daughter is marrying. What have you told them?"

Now Marshall's angry. Not because Mary's wrong. She's right. It's been awkward explaining his position to Abigail's family. Even people in law enforcement don't know much about WITSEC. They're not supposed to. The wedding reception with a mix of those who know, those who want to know and an open bar could spell disaster. The fact that she picked the issue that has been bothering him makes him mad. He doesn't have any answers dammit.

"That's none of your business, Inspector," he growls.

"Then who I date is none of yours, Chief."

She's run out of steam and drops her arms. "Think about what you're doing Chief. Get the facts before you make accusations." She turns and points at him before going out the door. "And call Davey."

He's raises his eyebrows when she doesn't slam the door.

Marshall puts his hands in his hair tugging to calm the storm in his brain. "Good going Chief," he mutters. Who got the dressing down? He rotates his chair to face the wall behind his desk. The wall full of diplomas, certificates and his engagement photo.

He turns back to view the office. Oh god. Who heard that? Who saw us? I wouldn't put it past the regional office to have a ringer reporting to them. Marshall appreciates Mary's effectiveness but he knows that appearances are important to his bosses.

It's time to get back to work. He powers his way through directives, case notes and witness reports and when he looks up, the office is dark and its past time for him to leave. Abigail is going to be angry. He didn't call to tell her he'd be late. If he's lucky she got hung up with the gun runner investigation. For once he hopes that is the case.

A/N: Thank you for following this story. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it.