A/N: I do not own In Plain Sight I am just borrowing them for my own enjoyment.
Embracing the Messy
Marshall drove until well past midnight, before stopping at a small motel outside of Memphis. Mary was awake the entire drive from Amarillo, albeit silent. Marshall tried to fill the silence, on occasion with random facts of sites they passed or about the area. Mary would just smile slightly appreciating the effort but remained silent. Marshall was worried, wondering what was going on in her head or worse, if she was in pain.
Once inside the motel room, Marshall let Mary have the bathroom first. She just nodded and lost herself in the hot flowing water. Marshall ran to the twenty-four hour market next store, picking up some more bottled water and snacks. When he got back, Mary was still in the bathroom.
"Mare...you alright?" He stood outside the door listening for her, ready to rush in.
"Yeah, just trying to re-bandage myself." He could head her frustration.
"Do you need help?"
"No...almost have it. Out in a few..." Ten minutes later, she came out in one of Marshall's dress shirts.
Marshall stared at her. 'God, she has no idea how unbelievable she looks and how hot that she is in my shirt.'
Mary caught him looking at her. 'He has never looked at me like that...' "Sorry, this was the easiest for me to put on."
"No...it's fine really." His eyes were still drinking her in, committing the site to memory. "I'm going to shower, if you are done?"
"Yeah, it's all yours." Mary walked over and sat on the bed.
"I got you some more water and snacks." He was still staring at her and he knew he was blushing. "Yeah...be out shortly." He practically ran into the bathroom.
Once the door closed, Mary smiled. 'He really is adorable, when he is embarrassed.' She took her medication and settled herself into bed. She fell asleep instantly.
Marshall stayed in the shower, trying to calm down the wildly inappropriate thoughts he was having about his partner. Thirty minutes later and a very cold shower, he stepped out to find Mary sound asleep in the bed. He smiled, turning out the light, gently pulling back the covers, slipping into bed beside her. He lay awake, till the gentle sound of Mary's breathing and the comfort of her being close, lulled him to sleep.
Mary woke up to Marshall lying next to her. He was sound asleep, the lines of worry she had seen accumulate the last few days, gone. 'He loves me. He protects me. Takes care of me. How did I not see it years ago? Why hell has he stuck around putting up with me?' Marshall stirred slightly and Mary knew he would be waking up soon. She carefully, albeit painfully got up to get dressed. She had her back to the bed, unbuttoned the dress shirt and let it drop to the floor. She dug into the bag Marshall packed and found another tank top. Today, she decided to try and wear a bra. She was putting it on, when she heard Marshall stop breathing. 'He's awake.' She smiled, knowing he was watching her.
'Oh god...naked Mary.' Marshall was staring wide eyed. 'I need to look away...' He took in her bare form, she was there...back to him in only panties. He inwardly groaned as he watched her put the bra on and knew he needed to do something to stop his bodies reaction to the site of her. He closed his eyes and tried to think of something unpleasant. 'Um Stan...Faber...Stan with Faber.' He shuddered. 'That did it...sorry Stan.' He rolled over hugging the pillow to give himself more time.
"Pervis, you awake?" Mary smirked.
"Hello to you too, Sunshine." He mumbled into the pillow.
"Enjoy the show?" Mary smiled innocently at him.
"What show?" It would have been believable, if his voice didn't crack.
"You know what show." Mary laughed. "Sorry, my fault. I honestly thought you would be asleep longer. Didn't mean to frighten you awake."
"Frighten...hardly. No objection to waking up to a beautiful half naked woman." Marshall was still on his stomach, his eyes locked with Mary.
"Good to know." Mary smiled, but honestly couldn't take her eyes away from her partners darkened wanting eyes. "Hungry?" Marshall quirked an eyebrow at her. "For food pervis...geez one track mind?" Marshall blush a bit and laughed.
"Yeah, food would be good. Want to pick something up on the road or eat somewhere?"
"Your call, cowboy."
"Let's wing it. Let me go get dressed." He pulled himself up and Mary looked away to give him some privacy. She heard the bathroom door close and smiled. 'This really was going to be an interesting trip.'
INPLAINSIGHT INPLAINSIGHT INPLAINSIGHT
The drive today was much different, then yesterday. They talked and bantered as usual. Marshall paced the trip, stopping for breakfast and lunch. Mary was finally relaxing and he didn't want to ruin it. On their lunch stop, he checked in with Stan on one of the disposable cells. Sara testified and the prosecution was wrapping up their side of the case. Stan had everything under control on that side and was happy to hear the partners were alright.
"You're still not curious as to where we are headed?" Marshall asked as it was nagging him.
"Nope." Mary just kept her eyes looking out the windows, watching the scenery and checking surrounding cares to ensure they weren't followed.
"Really?" It was really throwing Marshall that she didn't care. She hated surprises. Mary turned to him.
"Are you upset that I'm not itching to find out?"
"What? No it's just you don t like surprises. You always want to know all the details."
"True, but I trust you." Mary paused, trying to think of what else to say to assure Marshall. "You know what I like and don't like...better then anyone." Marshall smiled. "If you wanted to tell me, you would have, but I think you actually want to surprise me."
"Thank you."
"Huh? I didn't do anything." Mary was genuinely confused.
"Yes you did, just accept." Marshall took his hand off the steering wheel to grab hers, giving it a light squeeze, before returning it back to the wheel.
"Oook." Mary was surprised by the gesture, mostly thrown by the tingled jolt, his hand grabbing hers gave her.
"Let's start looking for a place to stop for the night." It was already eight and they had been on the road for ten hours.
"There...next exit." Mary grinned and Marshall laughed. "What?"
"You only want that exit, because there is a rib place." Marshall winked at her. "Whatever the lady wants..." He pulled off the exit and drove straight to the rib place to order take out. Then they headed to a Red Roof Inn across the street to chow down. They watched some tv and fell asleep with Mary leaned into Marshall's shoulder.
INPLAINSIGHT INPLAINSIGHT INPLAINSIGHT
The third day, after only a few hours of driving they arrived at their destination Outer Banks North Carolina. Marshall went into a realty office, leaving Mary in the car. It took a bit, but found a six week rental. Due to the lateness of the season, there wasn't a ton of selection. Marshall came out with a huge grin, happy with the choice.
"What?"
"Found us the perfect place. Now hug your 'husband', realtor is watching." Mary smiled and leaned over, excitedly hugging him to go along with Marshall's cover, but also hissed in a bit of pain from twisting in her seat. They waved to the realtor and pulled away.
"You alright?"
"You tired of asking me that yet. "Mary snapped. "Sorry, twisting is not my friend."
"Sorry, had to explain why we are last minute and a cash payment. The cover is...we were here with friends and decided to finish our sabbatical here, because you loved it so much. We are newlyweds."
"Good cover. We need rings to go with that dear." Mary laughed. "We also need clothes and groceries."
"Agreed." Marshall drove up the main Croatian Highway and saw a Belks. "There."
An hour after entering, they came out with bags of clothes and both with two silver wedding bands on their fingers. The stopped at the Food Lion, picking up essentials and enough food for a week at least .finally heading toward the rental.
"Um Marshall...the road ends. Are the directions right?" Mary was annoyed thinking they were lost, Marshall grinned and put the Bronco in four wheel drive. Mary grinned.
"Seriously! This is awesome." Mary laughed.
"Yup, we are in Corolla. It is all four wheel drive up here. Perfect for seclusion and we will have no problem seeing anything out of place out here." Twenty minutes later, they pulled up to a dune with a small but gorgeous house atop it. "Honey, we're home."
"Whoa..." Mary climbed out of the truck and stared up at the house. "This is impressive."
"I aim to please." Marshall smirked.
"Yeah...yeah...you did good." Mary laughed and headed back to the truck to grab their supplies.
"Whoa, what are you doing?"
"Obviously, grabbing our stuff to bring in the house."
"You shouldn't be lifting anything heavy. Go on up and I will get everything."
"Marshall, I am capable of carrying a few bags."
"No." Marshall blocked her path. "You will carry too much and hurt yourself." She gave him a hard glare. "Fine here." He handed her two very light bags with some clothes in it. "Now shoo."
"Seriously?" Marshall returned a glare that told her hell yes. "Fine." She huffed and went up the stairs to the house. 'God dammit, I hate it when he is right.' Her upper abdomen burned from the effort. She sat down on one of the deck chairs, waiting for Marshall. He reached the deck a few minutes later, with two arms full of bags. As soon as he saw her, he raised an eyebrow at her. "You were right happy?" Mary grumbled.
"Mare..." he put the bags down and knelt down in front of her. "I never say anything to purposely annoy you. I just don't want you in any more pain then you already have."
"I know. Sorry, I know I am being difficult." Mary actually felt bad and Marshall was surprised by her outright apology.
"That's what partners are for." He grinned, standing up. "Now you check this place out, while I get our stuff." He handed her the key and ran back down the stairs to the truck.
Mary unlocked the door, stepping inside and smiled. The house was beautiful everything was open. The walls all a textured white, a pale beige sandcolored burber carpet the living room was to the right with a large plush couch sitting in front of a very large flat screen television. To the left was a small sitting area, looking out over the ocean and the kitchen. Straight ahead she followed the lone hallway to a very large master suite.
"Holy shit..." Mary just stood in awe of the large canopy bed with sheer curtains on all sides. The bed was exquisite. She walked in further, noting the sliding doors to the deck, a rather large walk in closet and finally the bathroom. "Wow...ok I am in love." A large shower with stone walls on three sides with clear glass doors, across from it a large Jacuzzi tub, dual sinks and finally a separate room with a toilet and bidet. Mary walked back and saw Marshall walking back into the house.
"That is the last of it." Marshall put the last of the bags down on the kitchen counter.
"Soooo cowboy...did you know this place only had one bed?" Mary gave him a mischievous look. "An exquisitely gorgeous one at that." Marshall looked like a deer in the headlights of a truck. "It's all good, we have shared a bed before, but damn that is a the coolest master suite. I might never want to leave." Mary turned and started to put away the groceries, grinning. She knew Marshall's eyes would bug when he saw that bed.
"Really, you never want to go home. I gotta see this." Marshall grabbed all the clothes bags and went to the bedroom. When Marshall walked in his eyes immediately went to the bed and he dropped the bags. 'Wow'...oh god and I have to sleep with Mary there. I'm screwed.'
"You going to help me put away the food or are you going to stand there staring at our bed." He swallowed hard.
"She is enjoying this too much." He mumbled to himself before calling back to her. "Yes dear!" He walked into the kitchen and joined her in organizing their kitchen.
"What you want to do?"
"How about we put away the clothes, check out the beach and then I will make us dinner." He smiled at her.
"You spoil me." Mary smiled and headed to the bedroom with Marshall following. Mary pulled the sheers back on the bed and laid out all the clothes they bought. She grabbed the swimsuit and sarong, heading straight to the bathroom to change. Marshall was so engrossed, putting everything away he didn t notice she left. Mary walked back out ten minutes later in the suit with the sarong around her waist. She loved the suit. It was perfect for her, a black one piece with a plunging bodice with a decorative piece holding the front together so the ladies didn't fly out...Mary's favorite part. "Hey cowboy, can you put some lotion on my back for me?" Marshall turned to see her standing there, lotion in hand. As he looked over the suit his eyes stopped on the tiny handcuff piece holding the front of her suit together and grinned.
"Love the cuffs."
"I know right...very me." Mary grinned, walking over to him. She handed him the lotion, turning around. Marshall squeezed some lotion on his hands, took a steadying breath, massaging the lotion onto her back and shoulders. Her eyes closed when his hands touched her and had to admit his hands felt good.
"All set." He handed her the lotion.
"Thanks, get changed and I will return the favor." Mary walked out of the bedroom and headed out onto the deck. Marshall quickly changed into the black swim trunks he bought and headed out to find her. She was leaning on the railing looking out at the water.
"Can I have the lotion Mare?" Mary turned, taking in the sight of her half naked partner. Internally smiling
"Turn around and I will start you." Marshall complied and as soon as she touched his back, he tensed. "Relax Marshall..." She kneaded his shoulders and worked her way down his back. His muscles slowly loosened up. "That's better." She squeezed more lotion on her hands and ran them along his back and finally down each of his arms. "Need me to get the rest?" She whispered in his ear.
"No...uh I got it." Mary handed him the lotion with a smile, grabbed her towel and headed down to the beachfront. She walked down until the water lapped at her feet, waiting for Marshall to appear.
"I take it you like my choice of venue for vacation?" Marshall whispered in her ear behind her, causing her to shiver and smile. "You look relaxed."
"I am...and yes it was a good choice. Never been here before, actually never heard of it either." She laughed. "I know I don't say it ever, but thanks for making this easier for me." Mary walked further out into the waves, Marshall smiled following her.
He noticed the tide was coming in and the waves were starting to crash heavier on the shore. Mary wobbled as one of the waves hit her. Marshall caught her wrapping his arms around her, pressing her against his chest. "Got ya." Mary stared up at him, the waves forgotten.
"Marshall..." her voice husky, with a hint of question till she wrapped her arms around his neck, fully intent on pulling him into a kiss...except a wave smashed into them, knocking them both to the ground, eliciting a cry from Mary.
"Shit...Mare you alright?" Marshall quickly got up, sweeping her up in his arms and carrying her away from the surf.
"Yeah." She was out of breath and was feeling that burning pain again in her abdomen. Marshall didn't believe her and he carried her back to the house, setting her down on a deck chair.
"We should check your stitches."
"No...I'm good, just knocked the wind out of me." She felt guilty for worrying him yet again. "I'm going to get changed and I will check it ok?" He nodded and watched her walk back to the bedroom. She was showered, re-bandaged and dressed by the time the aroma of Marshall s cooking wafted into the bedroom. "Smells good cowboy."
"Should be ready in half hour or so." He smiled at her, happy to see that she was alright. "I am going to go clean up."
While he was getting ready, Mary set the table and lit a few candles. 'I really wish, this could have just been our trip and not us hiding from hit men. So close to kissing him...damn wave.'