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 10 – Let's Spend the Night Together

Lucas sits up in the passenger seat of Mary's minivan eyeing the neighborhood. He had never been to Mary's house. "You know you don't have to do this."

Mary shrugs and unbuckles. "Call me sentimental, but when a guy gets shot twice saving my witness I feel obligated, even if he is a liar."

"I didn't lie to you. Before I ran into him at that bar I didn't even know Michael was in town."

As soon as they are through the door Mary is turning on lights and heading to the back of the house. She hollers over her shoulder, "I've got some sweats that should fit you." He's barely limping as he follows her down the hall. Mary sees him checking out the place and smirks. "Bug isn't here. She's with Mark."

Lucas pouts. "Damn. I thought I'd get to spend the night with the two most beautiful girls in Albuquerque."

Mary rolls her eyes. "Quit trying to butter me up, Pinocchio. You'd love waking up to her cries an hour after you've finally gotten to sleep." She points, "Guest room's here. Bathroom's there. Don't use all the hot water. Here are some towels. Go." She pushes him toward the bathroom. "I'll leave the sweats outside the door."

"You're still mad." He hopes she'll get over her snit and accept why he had to keep her in the dark. "Thanks for the uh, clothes and the shower. Hospitals make me smell bad."

"Really, I thought it was the fear sweat." Lucas doesn't protest because she's already pissed. Mary focuses on his head. "Wait a minute." She comes back with a plastic shower cap. "Wear this. It will keep your bandage dry. When you get your pants off I'll wrap your leg."

"Now who wants to get in who's pants?" Lucas teases.

"Lame, Lucas. Lame." Mary twits. It's what the doctor ordered but it feels strange to have a man in her house again.

"Yes I am." He limps into the bathroom before she can punch him.

Mary gets the plastic wrap and leans against the wall next to the bathroom door. She closes her eyes and fatigue overwhelms her. Lucas isn't the only one who smells bad. All she wants is a shower and her bed.

"Mary? Mary!"

"What." When she jerks awake when the bathroom door opens. Lucas is wearing the mandated shower cap and a towel, and only a towel. He sticks his leg out, and Mary eyes the bandage on his calf. She squats and wraps it firmly, avoiding the injury. Then she makes the mistake of looking up. Lucas pulls the towel tight across his groin.

"No peeking!"

"Hey," Mary complains. "This job should have a few perks!"

Lucas puts his hand on her neck as she stands and pulls her close. "Shower first Missy, then you can sample the merchandise."

"You wish," Mary retorts.

Lucas smiles. He certainly does. Finally in the shower Lucas washes the stench and blood off his body. He wishes he could wash his hair. Maybe he can ask Mary? He grabs the sweats and dresses quickly. Mary is nowhere to be seen. He peeks across the hall and sees her splayed out, over the covers. Her hair is damp so she's gotten a shower at least. He pulls the covers over her, making a Mary taco. I know enough to let sleeping dogs lie.

He takes a tour of the house. Must be Norah's room. Jeeze I thought my niece had a lot of stuff! The fireplace in the front room catches his eye. That could be romantic and cozy, but not with an inquisitive toddler. He ends up in the kitchen and grabs a bottle of water then heads back to check on Mary when he hears a phone ringing and tracks it to the laundry room. He digs through the pile on the washer and finds the phone in her pants pocket.

"Mary's phone." If it's important he'll wake her.

"Who is this?" An angry voice demands. Lucas looks at the phone id. "Marshall, it's Lucas. We just got back from the hospital."

"Hospital? Is Mary hurt?" It wouldn't be the first time Inspector Shannon hid an injury.

"No, it was just me and thanks for your concern," Lucas replies acerbically. "Mary's fine, just exhausted. She insisted that I stay with her so here I am." There's an innocent explanation for his presence at Mary's but he'll be damned if he'll tell Marshall. Let him wonder.

"I'm sorry to hear you were injured." His reply is mere courtesy, not actual concern. "Where's Norah?"

"With her father. They're both okay. Is there anything you need me to tell Mary? I can wake her if it's important."

Marshall can't help picturing Mary in bed with Lucas. "No. Nothing that can't wait."

"Good night then."

Lucas sets her phone to vibrate and leaves it on the nightstand. She doesn't waken when he kisses her cheek. "G'night Mary. Sweet dreams," he whispers. Tired but wired, he sits on the couch with a blanket from the guest room, standing guard for his warrior woman.

He's awakened by the slamming of a door and a muted, "Shit." Mary tiptoes into the front room. "Sorry, Lucas. I didn't mean to wake you. You should be in the guest bedroom with the door closed."

"I know." He croaks huskily, then clears his throat. "Bad habit from my battalion days - sitting guard duty the night after a battle."

Mary nods sympathetically. "You want coffee? Or you want to go to the guest room for some actual sleep?"

Lucas checks his watch. "It's the middle of the night. What are you doing up? You look like you're ready for work."

Mary gulps her coffee. "I am. I've got stuff that has to be taken care of ASAP. I should be able to come home as soon as I finish. You gonna stick around?"

Lucas rubs his stubbly chin. "I dunno. How about if I go home and you call me when you're done?"

"Can I drop you off?"

"Nyah. I'll catch a cab. You go and do what you gotta do. But first. . . ." He stands and puts his hand behind Mary's neck, "I need you to forgive me. I never intended to lie to you. You know that, right?"

"I guess."

"And as the man who helped rescue your witness I deserve a reward." Mary squints her eyes and purses her lips. What the hell, he earned it. It starts out chaste but tender and soon threatens to become something else, something way too passionate for this late. Or is it this early, she wonders.

Mary pulls away with difficulty, "I gotta go!"

Lucas gives her one last hug then drops his arms. "Drive safe."

Driving to the Sunshine building Mary wonders if it is Lucas or the caffeine making her heart pound.