I probably should have tried to write an update for some of my others stories that I haven't updated in a while but I was a little disappointed after my last update I only got a couple of reviews and ended up with 99. So I want to get to the 100. Anyway, I hope people are still reading. Please keep reviewing.

Enjoy!

Different Road, Same Journey

"So, what's going on?"

Marshall looked across at his brother. "What do you mean, what's going on?"

"Well, I figured the reason you invited me out for a beer was because there was something you wanted to talk about…"

"It was Kelly who suggested it." Marshall told Jack, handing over some notes to the bartender then followed his brother to an empty booth, sliding in opposite him. "It's the first night we've both been free and she thought it might be nice for us to have a night off together."

Between work, the girls and his relationship with Mary, he didn't get a lot of time to socialize with his brother. He was finally starting to get somewhere with his career and a promotion that came with more regularly fixed hours was likely to happen soon. His relationship with Mary was going strong and ever since the PJ and DVD day, she had been spending more time with Alexis and Ava too.

Ava accepted Mary's presence easily, instantly wanting to play with her and for her to always spend time with them whatever they did. While Alexis was getting used to her being around, she was little shyer then her younger sister.

"You didn't want to spend the night with Mary?" Jack questioned. "Kelly and I wouldn't have mind having them over night so the two of you could spend time together."

Marshall rolled his eyes at his brother. "I wanted to have a drink with you….It seems like ages since we've just grabbed a beer together."

"Well, I guess it has… The last time was just after you moved out here…Kelly was worried that you were working too hard and not having enough fun." Jack reminisced. "I remember you spent the whole time just wanting to go home and go to sleep."

"I had been working hard and I had been looking forward to an early night but you guys kinda hijacked my plans." Marshall defended jokingly. "Anyway, now things have calmed down we should do this more often…And Tom and Lizzy can stay at my place sometime so you and Kelly can have a night off."

"We might take you up on that offer." Jack replied. "So, things still going okay with Mary?"

"Yeah, it's good…really good." He couldn't help but grin.

"Oh god," Jack rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile at his younger brother.

"What?"

"You're really hooked, aren't you?" Jack teased. "Fallen hooked, line and sinker for this girl."

Marshall shrugged a little. "We're still taking things slow…"

"It's nice to see you happy." Jack assured him. "God, if anyone deserves it then it's you…"

"I'll be honest with you, after Ellie I was determined that I was never going to be with anyone again…My girls were all I needed." Marshall told him. "But then I meet this feisty, strong, sarcastic woman and everything chances."

"She definitely different to Ellie, I'll give you that." Jack added. "How are the girls getting on with her?"

"Ava loves Mary…wants to know where she is, what she's doing and why she's not with us when she's not around...I think sometimes Mary is overwhelmed by the attention Ava gives her." Marshall smiled a little. "And Alexis is doing better…She's happy for Mary to spend time with us and does talk to her but not as forward as Ava…"

"Does Alexis talk about Ellie at all?" Jack questioned, remembering his niece's cries for her mother when they had first met Mary.

"Nope, not anymore." Marshall shook his head. "I think she's got sick of hearing the same answers whenever she did ask questions…I hate that I can't tell her anymore about where her Mom is or why she doesn't want to be in their lives."

"And you haven't heard from Ellie?"

"No but I've spoken to a buddy from Albuquerque PD and he told me that she has been arrested for drink driving a few week back."

Jack eyebrows rose in surprise. He hated what his ex-sister-in-law had done to his brother and nieces but before their separation, Jack had actually liked Ellie. She was a school teacher and she and Marshall both seemed to like the same geeky stuff. She was also from a wealthy family whose image was important to them. Getting a DUI didn't seem like the Ellie he had known.

"She also lost her job at the elementary school." Marshall added. "I really don't know what has happened to her and it kinda makes me sad that she has changed so much but I'm also glad my kids aren't in the same state as her to see it all."

"Well, thankfully you've moved on and are happy now." Jack replied. "And Mary seems great…Hopefully now things have started to settle down, we can all spend some time together to get to know her a bit more."

"That sounds great…" Marshall agreed. "Not sure how Mary will feel about it but I'll talk to her…"

"She doesn't like us?" Jack asked, in mock offence causing Marshall to smile a little.

"No, nothing like…" He shook his head. "She's just… Well, a lot of people will tell you she's outspoken and confident but not always, not when she's out of her comfort zone and I have a feeling having a family get together isn't exactly on her list of thing she does regularly."

"We'll make it low key," Jack stated, standing up. "I'll get us some more beers."

"Thanks." Marshall pulled out his cell phone and saw he had two text messages. The first one was from Kelly, assuring him that the girls went to bed okay and are sleeping peacefully. The second was from Mary, telling him that Brandi was dragging her to see some chick flick at the movie theater. He grinned, knowing that won't the last text message he received from her that night and couldn't wait to see what kind of reaction his girlfriend had to some girly film.

XxXxX

"Daddy, daddy…" Ava ran into the kitchen, her socked feet causing her to slide and Marshall's quick reactions managed to save her from falling to the floor.

"Wow, princess…where's the fire?" He swung her up into his arms.

"Huh?" His daughter replied, looking puzzled.

"It means, why are you running so fast?"

"Where's Mary?"

"She's probably at her apartment."

"Why?"

"Well, because she lives there."

"You said she was coming here." Ava pouted and Marshall couldn't help but laugh.

"She is princess but not just yet." He assured her.

"But when?"

"Around 7 o'clock." Marshall told her. "So, in another hour or so."

"How will I know when that is?"

"Here," Marshall slipped off his wrist watch and held it out her. "You see the little hand and the big hand?"

Ava nodded, a little, taking hold of it.

"Well, when this big hand is on the number 12 at the top and the little hand is on the 7….that will be 7 o'clock." Marshall told, not sure how much she really understood. She struggled with numbers and also had difficulty remembering thing but Marshall figured trying to teach her wouldn't do any harm.

"And then Mary will be here?" Ava looked up at him.

"I hope so." Marshall replied. "Because that's when I ordered the pizza for and I don't know if I could stop you and your sister eating it all!"

Ava laughed and squirmed in his arms when he tickled her. "Dada, stop…"

"Okay…" He kissed her forehead before setting her down on her feet. "Why don't you go and finish watching your cartoons."

"Then it'll be 7 o'clock?"

"Yes, it'll be 7 o'clock soon" He assured her.

"Okay." She hurried out the kitchen again causing Marshall to shake his head a little and laugh; it was like she didn't know there was a speed below running.

Marshall turned his attention back to tidying and cleaning the kitchen. After his night out with Jack, he had spoken to Mary about getting together with his brother and sister-in-law. She had agreed to it but Marshall knew she wasn't completely comfortable with it so opted for a pizza night at his house, hoping she'd be able to relax.

"Dad, do you know Ava has your watch?" Alexis entered the room, setting an empty glass on the breakfast bar before climbing up onto the stool.

"Yeah, she's watching the time."

"She doesn't even know how to tell time." Alexis rolled her eyes.

"She's learning." Marshall shrugged, pulling open the fridge and grabbed a bottle of juice. "You want some more?"

"Yes, please…"

"You okay?" Marshall glanced up at her as he poured her juice.

"Uh-huh."

"You sure?" He set the bottle down and took a seat next to her. "You okay with Mary coming over tonight?"

"Mary comes over all the time."

"I know but I'm just wanted to check that it's still okay with you…"

"Dad, relax."

"Relax?" Marshall repeated, surprised to hear is daughter sounding so grown up.

"Yeah, I like Mary." She shrugged. "She's pretty cool, I guess…"

"Okay, one I think you've been hanging out with your teenage cousins too much…" He teased lightly. "And two, I'm glad you like Mary."

"Well, you and Ava are always so happy when she's around so I guess that's a good thing."

"You, Ally-Jo are growing up too quickly." He said softly, pushed some stray hair behind her ear.

"Dad…" She whined, hitting his hand away. "Don't call me that…I'm not a baby."

Marshall sighed. "Can't you just stay a baby for a little bit longer?"

"No, Dad." Alexis rolled her eyes and jumped off the stool, patting his shoulder. "Because someone needs to be old enough to look after you…"

Marshall didn't know what to say to that and just watched her leave the kitchen. His little girl really was growing up way too fast for his liking.

He was still sat there five minutes later when Jack and Kelly arrived. Jack eyed his brother curiously as he headed for the fridge to help himself to a drink.

"What's up with you?" Jack questioned.

"Just some things Alexis said." Marshall shook his head. "Just reminded me how quickly she's growing up."

"Here, have a beer." His brother handed him the bottle he had got out for himself. "I know your pain…Lizzie has a boyfriend…"

"Boyfriend?" Marshall repeated as Jack opened the fridge again. "Is she old enough for a boyfriend?"

"Well, apparently she's 15 now or so I'm told."

"15? When did that happen?"

"No idea." Jack shook his head, taking a mouthful of his beer. "But I'm telling you, keep an eye on your girls…don't let them out of this house alone or one day they'll come back with some punk with hair longer than theirs and with a piece of metal shoved through his ear."

"I've got two girls….I'm so screwed, aren't I?" Marshall said with a slight panic look on his face.

"So screwed."

"What are you two doing in here?" Kelly asked, entering the kitchen, looking at Marshall before turning to her husband. "Why does he look like he about to face a firing squad?"

"I've been telling him about Fenton…" Jack grumbled. "What kind of name is Fenton anyway?"

"Jack, don't start that again." Kelly groaned. "Lizzie likes him…"

"Why? He has a ponytail and a hoop in his ear." Jack threw his hands in the air.

"Ignore him." Kelly told Marshall. "Let's forget about that and enjoy the night. I'm looking forward to spending some time getting to know Mary a bit more."

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it too…She should be here around 7."

"Ava told me." Kelly laughed. "She seems excited."

"She loves spending with Mary." Marshall smiled.

"I'm glad it's all seems to be working out." She said softly. "Now, do you need any helping getting anything ready?"

"Nah, I've ordered pizza." Marshall told her. "I wanted to keep it simple."

"Sounds good."

"Daddy?!" Ava come running back into the room, holding up his watch. "Is it 7 o'clock yet?"

Marshall let out a small laugh and picked her up again. "No, Princess but it won't be long now…Come on, let's go watch cartoons together."

When Mary arrived 40 minutes later, Ava had completely forgotten about the cartoon and insisted that she sat by Mary while they ate dinner. Marshall knew that Mary was baffled by the attention and he was too a little. Ava had always been friendly but he hadn't seen her so clingy to someone other than him. He was relieved that his daughter like his girlfriend so much but just hoped it wasn't too overwhelming for Mary.

"Sorry about Ava." Marshall started as Mary helped him carry the empty plates into the kitchen. "She can be a little demanding sometimes."

Mary smiled a little and shrugged. "It's okay but I don't know why she wants to do so much with me, I'm not exactly good with kids."

"You're good with my kids." Marshall claimed.

"Yeah right," she let out a sarcastic laugh.

"You are." He moved closed to her. "Ava is fascinated with you...She really enjoys spending time with you."

"I still don't know why."

"Probably because you make her laugh and you talk to her like she's an adult." He put his hands on the counter either side of her so she was trapped. "She enjoys sending time with you…"

"For a kid she's pretty cool." Mary admitted. "And god, Alexis is so much like you it's scary."

"And is that a good thing?" He asked teasingly.

"It's good for her… its suits her well."

"And me?" He stepped even closer to her.

"Well, you're just a big geek."

"Oh, I'm just a geek?" He started to lean in.

"A big geek." Mary corrected with their lips millimeters apart.

Before their lips could touch, the doorbell rang.

"Dad! Someone is at the door!" Alexis shouted from the living room.

Marshall groaned and leaned his forehead against Mary's. "Maybe we could sneak out the back door before anyone notices…"

"You shouldn't be trying it on when the rest of your family is the next room."

"Hey, I didn't see you complaining a second ago."

"Just go and answer the door." She gave him a light shove away.

Before they got any further, the front door was being opened and he could hear Jack speaking to someone. He frowned a little, not expecting anyone since Mary and his family was already there.

When he reached the living room to join the others he was surprise to see who his brother was leading into the room.

"Stan!" Alexis exclaimed, jumping up from her spot on the floor and ran at him. "Eleanor!"

"Hey, doll!" The chief swung her up in his arms. "I've really missed you!"

"I've missed you too!" She replied as he lowered her back to her feet.

As Alexis moved past him to say hello Eleanor, Stan crouch down so he was at Ava's height.

"Well, look at you, Button." He used the nickname he had been using since that first day he met her in the NICU and could only describe her as 'cute as a button.' "I think you've grown another foot since being out here…I almost didn't recognize you."

"Nu-huh." She shook her head and pointed downwards. "I only have two feet!"

"He means you've gotten taller." Alexis explained. "A foot is 12 inches."

"Oh." Ava replied and then grinned. "Daddy said I've only grown an inch since he last measured me."

At the mention of her father, Stan glanced up at him and slowly stood up straight again. "Marshall, it's good to see you."

Mary watched the whole exchanged curiously. Both Marshall and the girls had spoken about Stan and she knew he was Marshall's old chief back in New Mexico. By Marshall's own admission, the older man was more than a boss. He was his mentor, a friend, a part of his family. She vaguely remembered his boyfriend mentioning something about him being godfather to the girls but what she couldn't understand was the look on Marshall's face.

He wasn't reacting like an old friend had come for a surprise visit but like someone who had just been told his dog has been run over.

"Stan, hi." Judging by the looks Kelly had been shooting Marshall, she had noticed his strange reaction too. "I'm Kelly, we meet a few times…"

"Of course." Stan smiled politely. "It's nice to see you again."

"Marshall?" Mary said quietly while the girls were busy catching up with Eleanor and while Kelly was making small talk with Stan. "Are you okay?"

"Something isn't right." He whispered.

"What?"

"Something isn't right." He repeated. "Something is wrong, that' why they're here."

"Stan, do you know Mary?" Ava grabbed his hand and pulled him towards them.

"No, I don't think we've met." Stan held out his hand.

"Stan was Daddy's boss." Ava needlessly supplied.

"I remember you tell me." Mary took his hand. "Mary Shannon."

"She's Daddy's girlfriend." Ava added again.

Stan chuckled. "I can hardly believe how much you're talking, Button…You could barely say a word last time I saw you."

"You've picked up the talking part really well, haven't you kid." Mary commented lightly and Ava just looked up at her and grinned.

"Dad, did you know they were coming?" Alexis asked excitedly.

"No, it's a surprise to me." Marshall replied, still eyeing Stan with caution. "Listen, girls it's late…it's time to get ready for bed."

"But they just got here!" Alexis complained.

"Your Dad is right," Eleanor ran a hand through the older girl's hair. "But we'll see you tomorrow."

"I don't wanna go to bed." Ava crossed her arms and pouted.

"How about once you guys are in your PJs, I'll come and read you a story?" Stan suggested, crouching down to her height again.

"Really?" Ava looked from him to Marshall. "Can he, Daddy?"

"We'll see once you're ready for bed." He put his arm around her shoulder and gently guided towards the door. "Go on, upstairs."

"Dad?" Alexis asked, a little timidly, picking up on something being wrong.

"Just go." He said softly.

Alexis stared at him for a few more seconds but knew he wasn't going to say anymore so instead, she took hold of Ava's hand and lead her towards the stairs.

"Marshall, we're sorry for dropping in unannounced…" Stan started.

"What happened?" Marshall cut him off turning around to face him again. "Why are you here?"

"Maybe we should wait until the girls are asleep." Eleanor shot Stan a look.

"Yes, that's probably for the best." He shoved his hands in his pocket and rocked on his heels slightly.

"I don't want to wait." Marshall shook his head. "What's going on?"

"Marshall, just calm down." Kelly advised. "You're getting all worked up…"

Mary hadn't seen Marshall like this before. He was normally the cool and collected one but for some reason, the appearance of his old friends had freaked him out.

"Stan, you do not just drop in unannounced!" Marshall stated. "You and Eleanor would not drop everything to come out here and leave the office unattended."

"We should have called…" He conceded.

"What has she done?" Marshall interrupted again.

"She?" Mary asked when the room fell silent at his question.

She looked around and saw Stan and Eleanor in a middle of a silent conversation, trying to decide their next move. While Jack was pacing the small space in front of the couch, obviously having some idea what was going on and was already getting angry. Then there was Kelly who was shooting looks towards the stairs, keeping watch for the girls.

"Ellie." Marshall was the one who answered. "She's done something or said something…that's why they are here."

"Marshall…" Stan sighed.

"Is she looking for us?" He asked, speaking louder and faster with each word. "Because if she thinks she can just walk back into their lives…"

"Marshall…" Stan raised his own voice to be heard but then lowered it again when Marshall fell silent. "Maybe we should sit down…"

"Jack and I will check on the girls." Kelly suggested. As much as she wanted to know what was happening, she had a feeling it was going to be bad and didn't want her nieces to walk into the middle of it.

"I'm not going anywhere." Jack replied, coming to stand protectively by his brother.

"Come on, you know Ava prefers your stories to mine." She grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the room.

Mary wasn't sure whether she should follow them or leave the room herself. She had no idea what was going on and Marshall was staring at Stan, waiting for answers, probably forgetting she was still there.

"Sit down, Marshall." Eleanor advised softly, moving to stand by Stan.

"I don't want to sit down." He replied stubbornly.

"Marshall." Mary decided she should at least try and be supportive. She trusted him to tell her if she was crossing a line into something that didn't involve her. "Come on, sit down with me."

He finally looked away from Stan when she took his hand and squeezed it as she sat on the couch. He blinked a couple of times at her before lowering himself down next to him.

"She's not having my girls, Stan." He whispered. "I'll move to the other side of the world before I let that happen…."

"Marshall." Stan held up a hand to stop him. "There was an accident…"

"What?" He frowned confused.

"I'm sorry, there is no easy to say this …Ellie died… She's gone, Marshall."

TBC

Got to love a cliffhanger, right? Please review!