Hey, thank you to everyone who has reviewed! Please keep them coming! They make my day!

Enjoy!

To the End of the Earth

Going it Alone:

"Do you think they've found them?" Eleanor questioned Stan, once he put the phone down.

"I don't think the whole Shannon family would decide to take a vacation to Maine with Seth and Coleen Mann just for fun." Stan sighed.

Over the last four years, Stan had kept track of Jinx and Brandi Shannon. Partly because he knew they never accepted the story about Mary and Marshall wanting to start a new life together, so they were looking for them but also as a favor to Mary. He knew they had a tendency to get into all kinds of trouble but Mary had always been around to help out in the past.

That morning he had got a tip off saying that they along with Peter Alpert and Raphael Ramirez had took a trip to Maine. It didn't take long to find that The Manns had flown out to join them to.

"So, what now?" Eleanor asked.

"I don't know." Stan replied. "We don't know for certain that they've been found but I'm willing to bet, if they have been, they wouldn't be hanging around for too long."

She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. She knew over the last four years, he had constantly worried about Mary and Marshall and had missed them. "They'll know what to do…They'll be okay."

He gave her a small smile and patted her hand. "I know."

Still he couldn't help but feel useless, just liked he did four years ago when it all started. Those two had become like family to him and he would have done anything to protect them. Since they left, it had haunted him not knowing where they were or if they were okay.

Four Years earlier

"So basically your telling me that you have no clue what the hell is going on?!" Mary exclaimed, pacing around the office in front of Marcus.

After refusing to go the hospital to be checked out, Marshall had fixed her up as best he could with the first aid box they had at the office. When Agent Lewis arrived and Mary told him exactly what went on at the house, he immediately go into the phone. Now it seemed the investigation was uncovering a whole lot more than they were all expecting.

"Mary, sit down and listen…" Stan advised, shooting a look at Marshall who uncharacteristically quiet.

"Listen to what?" She spun around to glare at him. "He's doesn't know anything!"

"I know that there is a witness dead…I know that now you're the only one that can identify the people responsible…I know that quite possibly the majority of officers working this case could be in on it…"

"Why should be believe you're not." Marshall finally spoke, his voice low but steady.

They all turned to look at him; Stan raised an eyebrow but stayed silent and Mary was surprised by the comment. She had been thinking it but she was always suspicious of everyone. Marcus was a good friend of Marshall; if he thought that then maybe he had a point.

"You shouldn't….At this moment in time I am suspecting everyone and I could not blame you for doing the same." Marcus shrugged. "I can only give you my word that I'm just as much in the dark as you are right now but honestly if I was you…"

"What?" Mary questioned when he trailed off.

"It's not going to take long for word to get out you were at the house…Matthews and whoever he is working with and for aren't stupid…He knows you'll be able to identify him and possibly blow their whole operation…"

"So, you're saying Mary is in danger…" Stan said although they had all pretty much come to that conclusion already.

"The problem is, we tried our hardest to hide Jake and they still found him…."

"Wait, wow, back up a second…This is starting to sound like your suggesting I go into hiding."

"Mary…" Stan sighed.

"No, Stan, come on…"

"Until we know what we're dealing with it might be a good idea…"

"Marshall…" She turned to her partner for support.

"Mare, if it was anyone else you know what you would be saying…"

"If this was a witness or a member of the public, sure…But I'm a US Marshal!"

"For a few days it might be a good idea to disappear." Stan reasoned.

"Just a few days?"

"Maybe a week or so…" He added.

"Months might be more accurate." Marcus stated.

"This can't be happening…"

"Listen, I'm going to head back to my office…Let you guys discuss this." He stood up and gathered some paperwork.

"You're not interested in what I do?"

"It's probably best for everyone if I don't know…" He sighed. "If you do decide to leave then I would suggest you tell a minimum amount of people…and I could take a guess at saying the only people you trust are in this office right now, but I'm not one of them…"

"Marcus…" Marshall stood up and turned to his friend.

"I understand." He held up a hand. "I advise you do take cover, at least until we figure this mess out."

"Thanks, Agent Lewis." Stan followed him to the door. "I'll speak with you later."

"Marshall…" Mary looked at him, helplessly. "I can't leave."

"Mare, I think you have to." He moved over to her. "We'll figure it out."

She dropped down into her chair and covered her face with her hands. "This can't be happening…"

"We need to move quickly." Stan rejoined them. "Mary, we need to get you somewhere safe as soon as possible."

"I can't just leave…"

"Look, this office is secure…No one can get up here unless we let them…So, stay here while we get things going." Stan told her. "Everything is going to be fine, Mary."

"There's some cherry pie left in the fridge…Why don't you go grab a slice while Stan and I get to work." Marshall suggested.

"Jesus, it must be bad if you're giving up your half of the pie…" She muttered and headed for the kitchen area but mainly to get some time on her own.

"Hey, I said a slice!" He called after her. "I expect you to save me some!"

"Where do you want to start?" Stan asked Marshall as soon as Mary was out of ear shot.

"We get her a car, money and somewhere to stay…all of which can't be traced…"

"You think its risky going through the Marshal Service?"

"They found Jake." Marshall shrugged. "I don't want to take that chance."

"You're right…" Stan ran a hand over his head. "Okay, I think I can get hold of some cash and I'll talk to a few people I know…There's a few place she can hide out at."

"I sort out a car…"

"Okay, so meet back here in a couple of hours and then the three of us will head out?"

"Sounds like a plan."

"You want to break it to her?" Stan nodded in the direction Mary had gone.

Marshall smirked. "Coward."

"Damn right." Stan replied as he walked towards the exit.

Marshall found Mary sat at the small table, the pie untouched in front of her.

"So…" He sat down opposite her. "Stan taking care of a few things, then we'll leave."

She slowly looked to him. "This is real, isn't it…I mean, Stan said a few days but it's not going to be a few days is it?"

"Mare…"

"I have to leave now." She whispered. "I have to leave or they're going to come after me and everyone around me."

"We can deal with this together…"

"No, Marshall…You know I'm right." She pulled her and when he tried to take it. "The only way I'm going to survive and stop other people getting hurt is if I leave…Alone…Tonight…Now."

Marshall stayed silent, not wanting to admit it but he knew she was right.

"I have to go…" She pushed herself to her feet.

"You need a car…" He stood up and blocked her from walking away.

"What?"

"You need a car…I can get you one…And you can ditch it in a few days just in case but you need something to get out of New Mexico in."

"You can sort me a car out?"

"Yeah…" He nodded.

"I need to get some clothes from home…"

He knew it was dangerous but also knew she would not take no for an answer.

"Get the car and meet me at my place in 30 minutes?"

"Okay."

"Marshall?" She reached out and placed a hand on his arm. "You know, you're my best friend…that you mean…"

"Mare…" He cut her off, his voice shaky and his eyes suspiciously shiny.

"But you know, right?"

"I do."

"We better get going before Stan gets back…"

Stan had been surprised when he returned to an empty office. He had worried when he saw a note from Mary, telling him she was going it alone because it was the only way to make sure her location reminded secret and the people cared about stayed safe…

But truth be told, he hadn't been entirely surprised when he saw Marshall's marshal badge right besides Mary's.

TBC

So, a bit more information about Stan's role in the whole thing. Also, Marcus…What do you think? Good guy or bad?

I know there have been some site problems and people haven't been able to open new chapter or review! I'm hoping it's fix now though, so please review!