So, I hope it's what people like because for the first time I'm writing ahead of what I post. Review on what you want, and I'll try to work it in there. Adios :]

"You, always you Marshall"

Lying in her bed, Mary replayed those words in her head for the millionth time in about 5 days. 5. Days. Marshall had left the office 5 days ago and hadn't come back. She had made it all the way to her car until she started to break down into tears that she felt building ever since she and Marshall had started arguing.

She'd had the same damn dream every night, and every morning she would stare up at her ceiling, hoping that when she walked into work that morning that he would be there, drinking his girly coffee and looking at Google for more of his random trivia crap, but knew better because he had left and didn't know if he wanted to be there with them, with her. Every time that dream left her feeling empty, then let anger be the only thing that consumed her so she could get through the day without breaking down. And, to top it all off, last night Raph decided that they really shouldn't be engaged anymore. And the punches just keep coming...Today though, she found Brandi sitting at the kitchen counter, eating cereal and making stupid puppy eyes at Raph, who shouldn't have been there in the first place. Steeling herself for the fight she knew she had to have, she squared her shoulders and walked straight to the coffee maker. Raph immediately sat up straighter and tried to get Mary's attention, but Brandi's baby syndrome kicked in and felt the need to be the center of attention.

"Chico, please don't beg her for forgiveness. It's not in her vocabulary let alone something she deserves to have control over. You know how she gets when we let her do things her way…" she left off glaring at Mary's back, and she decided that it was better now than later.

"You know what Brandi; I've always taken care of your pathetic, jobless ass so screw you. Oh, wait a minute, I guess Raph already took care of that didn't he?" she asked sickeningly sweet, shooting death glares at both guilty parties. Raph had enough sense to look ashamed, while Brandi sat up straighter and played with her hair before responding;

"He did, but I can't help but wonder what your partner would be like…He's tall, lean, and has one hell of a…"

"Get the fuck out of my house" she said deathly calm, knowing that she could kill her sister in less than sixty seconds. That was when Raph decided that he needed to lend his help to fix things and she really let go of the short leash she had on her anger.

"Mary, please reconsider. She is just…"

"Just what Raphael, bored? So she can screw my partner to what, compare notes? Fuck you both. If both of you aren't gone by the time I get back from work, I'm taking everything you've ever owned and putting it in the driveway so I can light it on fire. Don't you dare try to ask for anything, as of now I have an alcoholic mother and a fugitive father and that's it"

"And why the hell are you still here Raph? After last night I was pretty sure you would have been looking to get away from me. Go ahead Raph, you wanted her, have her. But never talk to me again" and with that she grabbed her gun and badge and left her house, knowing that if they didn't leave, she'd better bring home a hell of a lot of matches.

Walking into the office was just one more thing that set her off. No one was there, stating that Eleanor was out sick and Stan had a meeting all day. Great, just what I need. A day to stew on how many flammable things those two dumbasses own, and just how much I miss Marshall… with that thought, she grabbed one of the mugs off the counter that no one used and heaved it across the room to hear its satisfying crash as it shattered against the wall. Hearing his voice made her entire body tense up, both in anger and excitement of what may happen.

"I thought we talked about your tendency to destroy things," Marshall said dryly as he waltzed over to his desk and sat down, "You know that one was Eleanor's right?" he asked her, and sat down to do some paperwork that had piled up on his desk.

Mary turned around and just stared at him, making him feel uncomfortable and more than a little bit afraid. He had convinced himself over the last few days that he could never leave Mary, but being in love with her while she had little to no faith in him made him realize that he had to move on in order to keep some kind of hold on his sanity. He refused to look at her, but when she leaned over the back of his chair with her hands just outside of his on his desk, there wasn't much he could do otherwise. He sighed and asked her what she needed, to which she replied in a way that made his previous decision to move on look impossible. She softly asked him,

"Marshall, can we ever be ok?" she breathed into his ear, and he felt the tears she was trying to fight back, all the while trying his hardest not to turn around and grab her to show that he was right there with her. He swallowed roughly, and replied in the same fearful tone.

"I don't know Mary. This is your car, I'm just along for the ride" he replied dejectedly. He then felt her move across the room to her desk, and just as she was about to turn away from him, he asked her one question that changed their entire partnership from this point forward;

"Will you ever trust me Mare? Or will I just keep being pathetic…" he asked, but his tone held no accusation or bitterness, only tragic hope that he could find some way of putting his world back on its axis. She looked up at him, reading the raw, honest hope in his eyes, and couldn't think of any more of an honest answer to his question.

"You were never pathetic Doofus" she kidded lightly, "And I think I'm more open to show you, rather than tell you" she finished with a smile, taking in the confused look on Marshall's face.

"Huh?" he said, and she almost laughed at the inarticulate phrase asking why she had said that.

"Raph broke off our engagement and I kicked both him and Squish out of my house since they love being in each other's company…" at that, he raised his eyebrows as if to ask what she meant, "Raph deserves her, and her him. They're both shallow people that didn't care how they treat me or anyone else. Let them have sex all they want, as long as I never see them again" she ended a lot harsher than she intended to let on and he picked up on the subtle shift.

"He slept with Brandi again?" He asked, and wondered why she cared so much this time around.

"Hey, if it weren't for the fact that she intended to make you next on her to-do list" she laughed a little hollow laugh at her unintended pun as Marshall rolled his eyes, "she may still be there, but not Raph. It was just the last straw though. It's like she wants everything that's mine and knows that she can get it" she ended upset.

"She can't though" he whispered, and he answered her puzzled glance, "I'd have to actually want her more than someone else for that to ever be possible. And it just so happens, love trumps lust every time" he said staring straight into her eyes, noticing that her pupils dilated and didn't show much green at all anymore. He met her heated gaze head on, and felt the room vibrate with tension as well as energy.

"How do you know she couldn't have you?" she asked carefully, hoping that he gave her something that showed he cared just as much for her as she does him. He shrugged and leaned back in his chair as he stated what he thought to be the obvious,

"Because, she can't have everything that's yours. Somethings aren't transferable" he said with a smile that blew her away, and made her realize that for the first time, she had something all to herself; it was something that she never had to share.

That thought alone made her consider the fact that Marshall was there for her as long as she'd want him. Hell, he'll be there 'til death do us part. She froze as that thought registered. Oh shit...married to Marshall. What a thought.