There was no mistaking it. There was definitely a car coming back and the people inside had one thing in mind. To kill Cheri and maybe even her. She hoped they would be happy just killing her and let Cheri go. That would not be the case though, and she knew it. She had lied about the location of the witness to save him, but now she was killing someone else. Marshall died because of her too.

"I'm so sorry, Cheri. I let you down."

"Do you believe everything happens for a reason?"

"I don't know. Is there a reason Marshall died? Is there a reason we are here?"

"Yes, I mean…there must be, right?" she asked desperately.

"I don't know," Mary replied.

They heard the door slam and the ground crunching under every step the man took. Mary felt a strange sense of calm as she took a deep breath. She looked at Cheri and started to move towards her. Cheri had tears running down her face though she made no sound.

'Is this what it feels like before you die?'

The footsteps stopped outside the door and both Mary and Cheri held their breath.

'Mary?'

'I can already hear his voice,' she thought.

She looked down to find the source. Had she been shot so fast she didn't see or hear it happen? Not seeing anything she realized she wasn't dieing. Not yet anyway. Mary moved her hand on top of Cheri's. It was a small act but it offered comfort to a shaking Cheri.

That's when she heard it again.

"Mary, can you hear me? Are you here?"

"Marshall," it came out as a whisper.

"Marshall," she said louder.

That was all Marshall needed. He clipped the lock and kicked the door open. Light flooded the storage facility and both Mary and Cheri put their heads down to somewhat covered their eyes.

"Oh, thank God. You're okay!" Marshall said as he ran over to them after shutting the door. He ran a hand over Mary's hair and kissed her on the cheek. He got to work on the ropes around Mary's arms, but stopped when she spoke.

"Cheri first."

"Mary-"

"Her first," she demanded.

He nodded and turned to the young girl. He got to work on first the ones around her legs. Finishing those he started on her arms.

"Marshall," Mary started.

"Shit, I hear it too," he said looking around.

"Marshall, listen to me, you need to take her and get her out of here."

"You can't expect me to leave you here," he said defiantly.

"You don't expect me to think you are that ready to lose your life and Cheri's. Who else will get my sorry ass out of another mess. Now, please go- and hurry."

"Mary-"

"You don't even have to say it. I will see you later."

He helped Cheri stand and then went to Mary and kissed her gently on the lips.

"I love you."

"I love you too. Now, GO!"

He grabbed Cheri's arm and they quickly made their way to the back door. He opened it, pushed her out and told her to hide in the bushes.

She nodded and said, "Save her."

He nodded back he stepped back inside and hid behind a pile of crates that were lined along one side of the building.

The front door opened and two men walked in. Mary recognized them as the same two as before.

"You liar!" the first man said as he slapped her hard across her face. "You lying bitch. Where is the girl?" he yelled at her.

"Who? I don't remember anyone else," she said with a sassy smile.

"You wanna play games? I have a few of my own we can play. Red, why don't you get some materials from town that we will need to clean up the bloody mess we leave?"

He watched Red leave before he grabbed her arms and pulled her up. He pushed her up against the pole as he kissed her neck. Mary fought the fear she felt creeping upon her. She looked straight ahead, not showing anything.

'Where are you Marshall?'

Marshall's blood began to boil as he saw this man kissing her. It took all the control he had to keep from leaping out at them. He couldn't do that yet. Not yet.

"That doesn't bother you? Well how about this?"

He placed his hands at her waist and pushed them under her shirt. He ran them up and down her back. She couldn't help but shiver. This gave him satisfaction and he pulled her shirt over her so it covered her eyes. She could not let this happen to her. She dropped her act and started to struggle against him but nothing worked. She felt the tears weld up in her eyes as she figured out there was nothing she could do but hope Marshall could save her in time.

Marshall was still in rage. He started to creep up against the row of crates until he was only a few feet from the man attacking Mary. She let out a gasp as she felt him unclasp the hook of her bra. He moved his hands from her back to her front and started to slowly work his way up to her chest.

He stopped for a moment as he said, "Are you scared now?"

"She has no need," Marshall said before shooting off his gun into the man's shoulder.

The man fell to the ground crying out in agony. Marshall quickly got to Mary and pulled her shirt down over her body. He saw the same look in that moment that he did when he found her in the basement. If possible it was worse. It broke him all over again.

He gathered her into his arms and whispered sweet nothings into her ear. He started on the ropes around her limbs while still holding her. She tried to gather her emotions, but try as she might, the tears would not subside and she couldn't find inside her the mask she normally wore. She leaned even more into Marshall and as her arms came free she wrapped them around him. He picked her up and began to walk to the back exit of the building.

He yelled for Cheri. She appeared out of the brush and walked over to them. Cheri gave Mary a tight hug and thanked her after asking if she was ok. Mary finally let go of Marshall and they got in the vehicle he had driven. Marshall made a call.

"Marshall," Stan said. "You find her?"

"Yes, both of them, but I shot a guy in the process and the other is probably coming back. I'm sure he heard the shot. Also Cheri's dad is involved. We need to get an arrest warrant out for him."

"Alright, where do you want to meet us?"

"The WITSEC office here. I think that's the best place to start."

"Sound good. Oh, and by the way I finally got a hold of Sarah and David. They were stuck in a hotel without service waiting with a witness for trial. They are on their way too, but I will call them. I'll call 911 first though to take care of what's-his-face. That way you and Mary are not put in even more danger."

"Okay, thanks."

"Bye."

He hung up his phone and looked at Mary.

"I'll be right back."

"Marshall, No," she said as she grabbed his arm.

"We can't let him get away. It'll be alright. He won't be able to see you in the car. I'll be back in a few minutes."

Mary nodded her head once. She leaded her head against the head rest and took a deep breath. She closed her eyes and tried to get the horrible images and feelings out of her mind. Cheri sat in back thinking about what had happened.

"Mary?"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

Mary's eyes darted open and she looked in the rearview mirror to find Cheri looking back at her.

"Why?"

"Why? Because you... well, you helped me."

"Oh...I...you're welcome. Are you doing okay, well, considering the circumstances anyway?"

"Uh, I guess so, yeah. But I'm afraid to sleep."

"Me too, me too."

"Will it go away?" she asked Mary.

"I'm not going to lie to you. You've been through hell, and I think you deserve the truth. Probably not completely, and it will take a long time if they do. They will gradually get better, but even that might take awhile."

There was a silence while Mary looked into the mirror, and saw the few tears Cheri had finally desided to let fall.

Marshall returned and opened the door.

"I told you I would be right back," he smiled.

"You got him?"

"It was easy. He is now cuffed to a pole and is waiting for the cops to come arrest him. He was in a pretty sour mood when I left. I wonder why?" Marshall joked.

He put the vehicle into drive and looked at Mary before hitting the gas. His was hurt all over again when he saw her. He reached over the armrest to grab her hand as they pulled out of the parking lot and onto the dusty, gravel road.

"It's over Mare. You'll be okay now," Marshall comforted.

"No. It'll be over when we can go home. When I can do my real job. That's when it'll be over."

"I'm sorry Mare."

"Don't, don't say that. This is not your fault."

"It's not yours either."

Mary looked up into the rearview mirror to meet the eyes of the young girl who had just spoken.

"I know you think it is, but you didn't ask for that to happen. But we are both safe, so there is no need to dwell on it. Besides, you are a Marshal. You can do anything. I mean come on, you helped me right? That has to count for something."

Mary just looked at her, not sure what to say. A small smile graced her lips in return to the one she received from Cheri. Marshall squeezed her hand. And though it would be a long hard journey she knew that she would make it. After all, she had a young witness to protect and someone who loved her unconditionally. And she loved him back.

I know Mary was soft in this chapter, but after what happened to her (again) would she be any other way? Remember how she was on the show? Thanks to NsCvIuS for betaing my stories. I really appreciate it. Thanks to the reviewers and those who stuck with the stories despite the long time in between some of my updates. There will be one more chapter… the epilogue. It should be out pretty soon, but I have a funeral to attend, so please don't be impatient with me. Thanks again!