Chapter 5

Marshall was staring blankly at his computer screen the next morning when Mary walked in. He supposed Stan had called her to tell her to come in, since he had never had the chance to impart the message.

Mary looked like she hadn't been sleeping well lately and Marshall marveled that he hadn't noticed how the normal pregnant glow was completely missing from his partner.

He cursed himself for being so caught up with Abigail that he had missed Mary self-destructing right in front of his face.

Mary sat down heavily at her desk without speaking to anyone, staring at her computer like it somehow could explain the mysteries of her life to her.

Marshall got up tentatively and walked over to her desk. He was grateful that Delia had taken the day off for a family engagement. Delia wasn't a part of the WITSEC family yet, and she would never be as important to him as Mary.

"Hey, Mare. Listen, I'm really sorry for not being there for you when you needed me. I'm sorry that I made you feel like Abigail was more important to me than you. You've been my best friend for seven years, Mare. I've known her for like six months. She can't even begin to compare."

Marshall hoped for some sort of passionate response. He wanted Mary to declare how hurt she had been by his actions or scream at him for being such an ass. He wanted her to tear him to shreds like she did all the people she didn't like in the world, which was just about everyone she knew. Anything but the response he got.

Tiredly Mary said, "I accept your apology, Inspector Mann. If you'll excuse me, I have work to do." She turned from him to her computer screen and emotionally checked out.

Marshall stood there for a minute, but eventually sighed and returned to his desk. Mary's response frightened and cheered him at the same time. Her lack of emotion meant that she was bottling her feelings up inside, not even letting herself know how she felt. However, she hadn't run away from the situation and he was still in her life. Marshall had a chance to work his way back into her life.

He leaned back in his chair and cast a wistful look at his partner, looking through adoption profiles on her computer screen. Marshall began to plot ways to fix what he had broken.

His first step was easy. Dump Abigail.

He knew that most people would say that it was ridiculous to break up a romantic relationship just because his partner needed him. But then again, most people didn't know Mary. She was worth it.

Furthermore, Marshall knew that any other woman would just be a substitute for Mary, a second-choice pick. And every man and every woman deserves to be someone's first-choice. It was unfair to keep leading Abigail on this way. Marshall despised clichés, but he knew that he had met his soulmate, and that she was the only one who mattered.

So Marshall planned out his breakup with Abigail. They were meeting at her apartment to watch Ironman II, so he figured he'd just go over there and break it to her.

Pulling up to her building, Marshall felt a moment of regret. He genuinely enjoyed Abigail's companionship. Before her, he spent all his free time filling his mind with random trivia or waiting impatiently to go back to work so he could spend time with Mary. Interesting things happened when Mary was around. Marshall chuckled to himself, picturing the day when Mary had substituted salt for sugar in Stan's coffee and was forced to sprint, laughing hysterically, from the office as Stan threw pens at her. Yeah, he thought, Mary is definitely the one for me.

Marshall walked up to her unit and knocked on the door.

"Hey, there you are!" greeted Abigail enthusiastically. Marshall forced a smile.

"How are you?" he asked, bending to kiss her cheek.

"I'm great! So, I've got vacation time coming up and I was wondering if you would…"

Marshall interrupted her. "Before you go any farther, Abigail, there is something I have to talk to you about."

Abigail's smile faded just a bit making Marshall feel more than a bit guilty, but he pushed on, knowing that he had to say it.

"You're a wonderful person and a beautiful, strong, intelligent woman. But I can't do this."

Abigail sighed and nodded. "I kind of figured this would come sooner than later. You can't make your heart go where it doesn't want to go."

Marshall nodded. "As a very smart lady once said in Sweet Home Alabama, 'The truth is I gave my heart away a long time ago, my whole heart, and I never really got it back.'"

Abigail grinned despite herself. "Does Mary know you watch chick flicks?"

"No," replied Marshall. Eyeing Abigail suspiciously, he said, "And you better not tell her. I have no idea what kind of response Mary would have, but it could certainly include covering my desk with pink glitter, feathers, and writing 'Princess Marshall' on my nameplate."

Abigail and Marshall both chuckled, picturing Mary enacting a great scheme. The thought made Marshall a bit sad, as Mary hadn't come up with any brilliant schemes for a while. Ever since he started dating Abigail, ever since Brandi was getting married, ever since she got pregnant. Marshall vowed to help her scheme again.

"But seriously, Abigail," Marshall continued, "I am very sorry for putting you in this situation. You deserve more than you got. But you deserve to find someone who can give you their heart. I love Mary, and one day we'll end up together."

Abigail smiled affectionately at her ex-boyfriend. "I'm a big girl, Marshall, and I knew what I was getting into. You think that Albuquerque PD doesn't gossip about the two of you? All the guys want to ask Mary out, but they're too scared that you might shoot them for it."

Marshall grinned and extended his hand. "Friends, then."

Abigail grasped his hand firmly. "Definitely friends." She reached up to kiss his cheek. "I'll see you around, Marshall."

"See you, Abigail," Marshall murmured as he let himself out of her apartment.

Driving back to his house with the windows down, Marshall felt alive for the first time in months. He and Mary could mend their friendship. And then they could take on the world together.