Author's Note: Special thanks to JMS529, BrittanyLS, and Jayne Leigh for the reviews!
QUOTE PROMPT #040 – MARY/MARSHALL (FOLLOW-UP TO #039)
"Everyone makes mistakes. That's why they put erasers on pencils."
Marshall looked back at the restaurant before stepping forward. He grabbed Mary's hand to pull her down the street, out of view. "What are you doing here?"
Mary's entire body trembled. "I- I don't know. I shouldn't be here, I know. It isn't fair... to you... to Abigail."
"What isn't fair?" he asked. He bit back a sigh when she remained quiet, her eyes glued to the floor. "You were invited here. Of course, you should be here."
"Not after I tell you this." Her slowly rose to his as her breathing grew shallow. "I love you. I know I don't deserve you. I know I've pushed you away for years, forced us to remain strictly friends. But I love you. I'm in love with you. Before you walk down the aisle tomorrow, I need to know if that makes any difference."
Marshall froze, a million thoughts running through his head. He was angry at Mary; angry at himself. He felt guilty for feeling elated that Mary finally admitted she loved him. He was torn over his next move. Marshall glanced back at the restaurant to see his mother standing at the window watching them. She gave him a small encouraging smile.
He turned his attention back to Mary. "It makes a difference."
Marshall grabbed her face, lowering his lips to hers. From the moment they touched, electricity shot through them both. Hands quickly roamed over bodies as the kiss deepened. Struggling for air, Marshall broke the kiss, leaning his forehead against hers.
"I have to go take care of this," Marshall told her. "It's not going to be pretty."
"Do you want to change your mind?" she asked, timidly.
Marshall shook his head. "Not about you, not ever. I just... I don't want to hurt anyone, but going forward with the wedding would be a big mistake. I love you, Mary. Nothing will ever change that."
Mary ran her hands up his chest. "Go. Take care of this. Come find me when you're done. Whether it's tonight or in a week, I'll be waiting."
"I love you, Mary."
"I love you."
QUOTE PROMPT #041 – MARY/MARK
"I have to do what makes you happy. Not what makes me happy."
"Hello?"
"Hey, Mary. It's Mark," Mark said, calmly.
Mary glanced at the clock to see that it was nearly 1am. She must have fallen asleep on the couch. "Is everything okay with Norah."
Mark hesitated just long enough to start to worry Mary. He cringed when he heard her gasp. "She's fine. She's just had a bad dream."
"Okay?" Mary wasn't sure if it was the sleep or Mark that was making this conversation drag, but she was quickly becoming irritated.
"I can't get her to go back to sleep. I've tried everything, but-"
She sighed. "But she wants Marshall."
Mark took a deep breath. "Yeah. So, do you think you can get him to call me?"
"You know, she'll probably calm down on her own if you give her a little bit of time. Sometimes, singing her a song or reading her a book or letting her sleep with you helps," Mary offered.
"Mary," he took another deep breath, "I appreciate what you're trying to do, but right now, at one in the morning, my daughter wants her stepfather and not me. Nothing else matters. Now, can you please have him call me? I know he's working, but-"
Mary cut him off. "I'll have him call right away." She paused. "I don't say it enough, but you're a good father, Mark."
Mark chuckled, lightly. "Thanks for trying to make me feel better about this."
"If it helps any, Norah insisted that I do her hair in the pigtails the same way that Monica did for two weeks after she spent the weekend away with you," Mary offered.
"Not really, but I appreciate the attempt." Mark frowned when he heard Mary make an unhappy noise. "Mary, I knew the moment that you and Marshall got together that I would be regulated to weekend parent eventually. It's where we are."
Mary rubbed her eyes. "That's not true. Norah adores you. She's just going through a phase right now. Next month, she'll be back to you."
He shrugged, even though she couldn't see him. "Sure. Now, about that call..."
"I'll get right on it. See you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow."
QUOTE PROMPT #042 – MARY/MARSHALL/DELIA
"I have noted, the 'healthy' release of emotion is frequently very unhealthy for those closest to you."
"What's going on?" Mary asked Delia, walking into the Witsec Office. It was early on a Friday morning. Mary tossed her bag on her desk, eying Marshall's office. She could see him in there pacing, the phone to his ear. His face was red from screaming.
"I'm not sure exactly," Delia replied in her typically perky way, "but I think someone from the Denver FBI office screwed up the Tanner case and it nearly cost Danny his life. The FBI tried to blame it on Marshall's plan. He's been on the phone since before I got here."
Mary took a deep breath. "Maybe we should head out of here now and check on witnesses before-"
She stopped suddenly when Marshall slammed down the phone loud enough for the entire office to stop. Mary and Delia looked at each other, eyes wide. They both reached for their bags simultaneously and headed for the door.
"Not so fast!" Marshall roared, stepping out of his office. He flicked his finger. "Delia, you still haven't finished the paperwork that I told you to do last night. You're not going anywhere until it's on my desk, ready for sign-off!"
"Yes, boss!" she said, quickly, rushing back to her desk.
Mary cringed when she thought he was heading towards her next, but Marshall turned his attention to the man standing on the opposite side of the office. "Alan! That budget report was due a week ago! Stop stalling! I want that on my desk by the end of day!"
Alan nodded, wordlessly, before scurrying off. His action seemed to spur the rest of the office into action as they, too, ran off. Mary made a subtle move to the door, catching Marshall's eye.
"And you!" Marshall rounded on her. "I break up with my fiancée and you say nothing? Oh, that's not true! You gave me a perfunctory 'I'm sorry' and moved on! You're suppose to be my best friend. We've known each other for ten years! And you have nothing to say? I broke up with her for you!"
"Me?" Mary said, dumbfounded.
Marshall's eyes nearly bugged out of his head. "Yes, you! I love you! I have always loved you! I can't imagine that I will ever not love you! What do you have to say about that?"
"I love you, too," she replied, quietly. She gasped as Marshall pushed her up against the door and proceeded to kiss her until they were both breathless. Mary buried her face in his chest.
Marshall wrapped his arms around her. He glanced over his shoulder to Delia. "We're going to take the rest of the day. You can finish the paperwork on Monday, Delia. Take Ted with you on your visits and call me with anything urgent."
With the instructions, he led Mary out of the office. All was quiet for about two minutes after the elevator doors closed. Slowly, heads popped back in.
"Congrats, Alan!" Delia smirked. "You won the betting pool!"
