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 9 - Aftermath

Mary went straight to the hospital after dumping Davey. All she knew was that Lucas was coherent when she left him with Michael. She asks at the desk and is given his room number, thanking God that he isn't in ICU. There was so much blood.

She opens the door slowly. Lucas is sitting up, staring at a dinner tray of cardboard meat and off color peas. "Hey." She doesn't want to startle him. "Did you eat all the pudding?"

"Sure did." Lucas admits. "It's the only thing they serve in this repair shop that tastes good."

Mary is relieved. She sees some gauze and bandages on his head. The blanket covers his legs so she can't see the damages there. "What did the doc say?"

Lucas grins at her. "That I shouldn't be wasting his time for something that needs a band aid. It's just a graze, Mary. I'll be fine. Honest."

She's leans on the edge of his bed, anxious to see for herself. "No, really Lucas. What did the doctor say?"

"Got a new part in my hair." He turns to show her the shaved area on the side of his head. Mary shivers.

"God Lucas, another 1/16" and we wouldn't be having this conversation. Why didn't you wear a helmet?"

Lucas shrugs. "Damn thing gets in the way. It's not that bad. Just a couple stitches in my calf. No muscle damage. C'mere."

Mary pulls the uncomfortable plastic chair close and sits. Lucas pushes the tray table away and stretches out his hand. She takes it. It's the first time she's held anyone's hand since grade school.

"You were something else, Deadeye." He's gazing at her. "Seeing you under fire. Seeing you take out the badguys. Whoowee! You sure can smoke 'em." He's rubbing his thumb over her trigger finger. "I'm more fascinated than ever now."

"I've been known to itch my finger," she replies, downplaying her part in saving Lucas' life. "You know I didn't wait for you. After you got shot."

"I know. I wasn't your job. Davey was. I understand. But you got the guys who were shooting at me. That counts." Mary ducks her head, feeling guilty despite his understanding.

"You know when you grabbed me at the café you took your life in your hands. If I hadn't had to get Davey you wouldn't have made it to the party in one piece."

Lucas shrugs, unapologetic. "Had to be done. No way was I letting you go alone."

"Letting?" she growls.

"Mary, get real. You knew you were walking into a fight with an the enemy that had unlimited firepower, and you were going to get Davey out with what? Your Glock?"

Mary pouts. "My two Glocks. I have a holdout."

"That wouldn't have saved you – or Davey. I couldn't let that happen. Norah needs you," he adds softly. "You need to see that little girl grow up. You don't want to miss that."

She's used to focusing only on her witness, thinking only of her next move. She's used to think about her partner and how best to protect him. This time she barely thought of Norah. How could I forget my baby? Mary sniffs, eyes watery. She lets go of his hand and wipes her eyes. "Your right." She kisses him gently on the cheek. "Thanks." She turns away embarrassed by the tears she can't stop.

"I've seen grown men bawl after a battle. I know how strong you are, how capable you are. But, for Norah you have to keep from falling on a bullet."

Mary looks at him and hiccups, trying to pretend it's a laugh. She hesitantly touches the hair around his bandages and slides her hand down to caress his cheek. "How's Michael? He wasn't hit was he?"

"Nyah. His vest got it but he barely has bruise. He went to get us some real food."

Mary regards this man whose life has become intertwined with hers. "Lucas, who is he? I can tell he's seen combat, but there's more than that, isn't there?"

Lucas shakes his head then winces. "Sorry Mary. Not my tale to tell."

The door opens and Michael asks, "Then whose tale is it?" He's holding two white bags and carrying a tray with two milkshakes. Mary's stomach growls but Michael laughs and clutches the bags to his chest. "Oh no you don't."

Mary grouses. "What happened to esprit de corpus, combat in arms and all that shit?"

Lucas sniffs appreciatively. "C'mon Mikey. Stop fooling around. Show us what you got. We can share."

"I dunno. Depends on what he brought." Mary's attempt to appear picky is undone by the growl from her stomach. As it turns out 5 burgers and 4 orders of fries are enough for the three of them.

Finally sated Lucas eyes the now empty bags. "Were you planning on company?"

"Nyah. I know you and hospital food." Michael starts on his second burger leaning against the wall.

Mary looks from one man to the other suspiciously. "You two worked together before?"

"Yeah," Lucas says around a mouthful of burger. "We served together."

She puts down her burger and sets her hands on her hips. "So it wasn't an accident that you were both at that bar." She's wondering just how badly she messed up by letting Lucas meet Davey. "You lied to me."

"No, no," Michael swallows and protests. "Yes, Lucas and I go way back, but I had no idea Davey wanted me to meet him. That was a TOTAL accident," he assures her. "Honest Mary, I wouldn't endanger a civilian. I swore Lucas to secrecy. He understood. It would have blown the op."

"So," she says watching Lucas. "Are you really former military and currently something else?" she demands.

Lucas smiles. He loves seeing her riled. "Wanna see my discharge papers?"

"Only if they're real. What about you, Mikey?" she narrows her eyes. "How ex is your military status."

Michael's mouth is full. He chews and wipes his face with a napkin. "I'm out of the military, really. Used to be Special Forces. Now I'm ATF."

"Oh my god, I can' t believe I didn't make you as ATF."

Michael holds up the last bit of burger, smiles and shrugs. "What can I say. I'm damn good. I had a hard time believing you're a marshal." Mary frowns. "You're just too damn hot to be law enforcement!"

"Good save Mikey boy. Are you sure you didn't set Davey up? If you did," she threatens.

Michael holds up his hands in surrender, red with ketchup. Mary sees Lucas turn pale and close his eyes.

"Lucas? What's wrong?" She takes his hand and moves closer, her anger gone. Lucas takes a deep breath and opens his eyes. "Flashback. I'm okay now."

Michael turns his palms toward him and remembers when his hands were covered in his friend's blood. An image that haunts his nights. Returning to the here and now is the best way to help his friend. That and getting his hands clean. "To answer your question Mary, I didn't set him up. I met him at a GA meeting and we got to talking. We'd go out for beers after a meeting sometimes. He was worried when he saw those guys following me. I couldn't tell him that I wanted them to follow me."

After a moment, Mary agrees. "Guess not." She tosses her burger wrapper in the trash.

A man in scrubs enters carrying a clipboard. "Mr. Provo?"

"That's me." Lucas raises his hand.

"I see you know our reputation for fine dining," he says indicating the take out remains. "I hope you don't see it again. The pain meds and antibiotics can cause nausea and vomiting."

The doctor checks the bandage on Lucas' head. "This needs to stay dry and bandaged. Use fresh dressings as often as needed. Same for the one on your calf." He looks at Mary and Michael. "Who will be staying with you tonight?"

"He's coming with me," Mary assures the doctor.

"Keep an eye on him, check his color and breathing every two hours at first then every four hours." He finishes signing the papers and hands them to Lucas. "See the nurse on your way out. She'll have printed instructions and prescriptions for you."

"Thanks Doc." When the doctor leaves, Lucas whispers to Mary. "Nice save. I don't need a baby sitter."

"Where do you think you're going?" Mary scowls at him. She's angry that he didn't tell her about Mikey but she's looking forward to giving him orders. Just to make sure he recovers so she can kick his ass.

Lucas grabs his ripped pants and doesn't wait for Mary to turn her back. "My place. Where else would I go?"

"No." She stands with her arms crossed, oblivious to his tighty whities. "Uh uh. You're going to my house where I can keep an eye on you like the doc said. I'm used to being up every two hours with a teething toddler. You can't be any worse."

Lucas winks. "Oh I can be much worse." Then he adds, seriously, "Really Mary, I'll be fine."

"Yes you will because you are staying with me." As he fastens his pants she turns her back and heads to the corridor. "Uh Mary, aren't you forgetting something?"

Mary looks around and doesn't notice anything missing. "How are we getting to your place? We left your car at the café, remember?"

Mary gives him a smug smile. "It pays to have friends in low places. C'mon." He follows her through the double doors. Once outside Mary clicks the car alarm fob and gets a chirp and flash of lights. "This way. Mikey? You need a ride?"

"Nyah. Take good care of my buddy." Michael salutes and walks out to his car.