Disclaimer: Hey, I'm back from my vacation. Unlike Mary, I enjoyed mine.

Word has come to me that my story would be better with an epilogue, so here I am again to truly finish this thing correctly.

And a big thank-you to the ones that continued to support me even after the original ending (especially Kakashifangrl1012 - you know what you did). Just you wait. I'm cooking up a sequel now!

IN PLAIN SIGHT SEASON FINALE THIS SUNDAY!!

Epilogue

"Would you sit down already? You're making me dizzy."

Mary stopped her relentless pacing to glare sourly at the one who had spoken. The one who met her gaze with a steady stare was none other than her partner, Marshall Mann.

Mary inhaled for a snappy remark but swallowed her words and continued pacing, slower this time.

Marshall sighed from where he sat on his bed, covered in bandages and IV tubes that were claimed to be necessary, according to the nurses anyway.

Mary walked up to the only door in the hospital room where she and Marshall had been moved to and peeked out, looking for the one person that could get them out, Stan.

"Damn it," Mary groaned as she placed her head against the glass window that gave her a limited view of the hallway. "Why's he taking so long?"

"Take it easy," Marshall replied nonchalantly. "The extra rest will do you good."

Mary tore her eyes away from the hall that beckoned to her to look at Marshall. He smiled casually at her as if the stitches in his back and the cast on his hand were non-existent.

Mary sighed heavily in defeat and stalked over to her bed beside Marshall's. She was only able to get a bed in the same room as Marshall after much pestering and constant questioning about her partner's welfare. As soon as Marshall was well enough to function properly on his own, Mary was allowed to share a room with him.

Of course, the nurses muttered that Mary's presence was only harming Marshall further. They never said these words while in the same room as her for fear of being in the same state as Marshall.

Mary looked over at her partner as he rested calmly against the pillows that had been placed behind his back so he could sit up comfortably. Her eyes hovered over his form.

Both Marshall and Mary had suffered oxygen deprivation, dehydration, and smoke damage. Mary had received a few minor burns and cuts and her legs had been badly crushed after the roof had collapsed on her. To her upmost disgust, she had been forced to wear leg braces for nearly three weeks before being allowed to walk on her own.

Marshall, on the other hand, had several third-degree burns, one of them being his hand. He had the same case of cuts and bruises but had to have stitches on his back where a large piece of debri had impaled him deeply. The stitches had been removed by now but he was still healing.

For the most part, both marshals had completely healed with minor scars. Marshall was kept under close watch and was told to keep his bandages on until the day he was allowed to leave.

As soon as Stan asked for their release and the doctor cleared them, Marshall would be free of his bandages and he and Mary would be able to return home and start working again.

Mary couldn't wait for that moment. She was tried of being locked up in a place that smelled of death and alcohol. She was tired of being forced to stay still. She was tried of obeying orders. She was ready to get out.

Marshall, well, he was enjoying being waited on hand-and-foot. He just liked the extra attention.

"You know," Marshall suddenly said, breaking Mary from her reminiscent thoughts, "I liked you better when you were pacing."

Mary gave him another glare which he just shook off with a chuckle. She stood up and walked up to the monitor that was hooked up to her partner. It beeped and flashed lights in the same rhythmic motion it had been doing every since Marshall was allowed to be moved into the same room as Mary.

She sighed again and plopped down next to Marshall.

"I am so ready to get out of here," she complained, shooting a glare all around the room.

"I know," Marshall said softly. "Me too."

Mary met his gaze with a smirk. Truth be told, he was just as restless to get out as she was. He just had more control, a trait that Mary never quite acquired.

Mary leaned over to brush the hair out of Marshall's eyes. It was getting long and – since his hands were tied up with tubes – he couldn't even scratch his nose if he needed to.

"How're you doing?" Mary asked softly, her fingers lingering on Marshall's cheek.

"I'm hanging in," he answered with a defiant smile.

Mary couldn't help but smile back. She pulled her hand away and leaned back with a sigh. She still couldn't believe that she was in this situation with a wounded partner and a destroyed house. She didn't feel like thanking God at this point, but she and her family had come out alive with her partner and friend right there with her.

Now, they were almost ready to return to the world together to face whatever hardships and trouble-making witness that awaited them. They would go back together and survive said complications. She knew she could do it. She had Marshall to watch her back.

"Hey," Marshall said.

Mary looked back at him. He reached out tentative fingers to grasp her hand and – to her surprise – her fingers wrapped around his.

"I'm glad I went with you," he said, squeezing her hand gently.

Mary was taken aback by his words.

"I wanted to say that sooner but I haven't had the time to."

Mary still wasn't sure what he was getting at but she had a feeling creeping in the back of her mind.

"I don't want you to think this is your fault, 'cause it isn't. Things wouldn't have changed. I'm just glad that I was there."

Mary understood.

"But if I'd had listened to you, and we had gone to a movie… then-" Mary's voice faltered and she swallowed. "If I hadn't had dragged you along, then-" Then you wouldn't have gotten hurt. She finished the thought in her head, unwilling to say it out loud.

Marshall shook his head. "If I hadn't had been there, well… then you probably wouldn't be here."

"Come on Marshall," Mary protested with a forced smile. "I can take care of myself."

"I know you can. And it's because of that, that I had to be there with you."

Mary tilted her head quizzically.

"You know how you are," Marshall explained. "If you were on your own, you would have gotten your family out, at the risk of your own life."

"But your life was risked too," Mary muttered, once again looking over Marshall's injuries. They would scar and he would have to live with them his whole life.

"I don't regret my decision and don't you dare regret yours. We're partners, so I'll follow you into a burning house if I have to. That's what we do right? Look out for each other."

Mary smiled. "Cut the sappy crap, doofus," she said with a wavering voice.

She knew she could always count on Marshall through thick and thin. He was just that dependable. It felt as if a great burden had been lifted form Mary's shoulders, knowing that Marshall didn't blame her for his injuries – even if she did – and that he would still stay with her. She'd hate to lose him: as a partner and as a friend.

"Thanks," was all that she could say.

There was a knock at the door and Stan entered. "The doctor's agreed to release you," he said professional. "They'll be in here soon to get you ready to leave."

His eyes studied first Mary's face and then Marshall's. A hint of a smile played on his lips before he left the room, closing the door gently behind him.

And, just as he had said, two nurses came in. They shooed Mary aside and quickly removed the bandages and tubes from Marshall's body. They dressed him in his usual jeans and shirt that Stan had retrieved from Marshall's closet. They were about to help him to his feet, when Marshall shrugged off their helping hands.

"Let me do this by myself at least," he asked with a charming smile.

The nurses exchanged glances but agreed. They left the room, stealing a last fearful glance at Mary.

Marshall placed his feet flat on the floor. "Here we go," he grunted as he pushed off the bed. He tottered and seemed about to tip over when Mary appeared at his side. She quickly placed one hand on his lower back and the other on his chest, steadying him.

"Thanks," Marshall gasped as he regained balance.

Mary nodded and started to pull away but Marshall slung his arm over her shoulder, pinning her to his side.

"I thought you wanted to do this by yourself," Mary protested, looking up at Marshall.

"Yeah, well." He shrugged and smiled down at her. "I guess I could accept your help."

"How gracious of you," Mary said sarcastically. "Ready?"

Then, Marshall's hand was holding her chin up and his face was lowering to meet hers. Before Mary knew what was happening, his lips pressed gently against hers. She stared, wide-eyed, at 

his closed eyes as he moved his head to deepen the kiss. Mary closed her eyes, giving in to his kiss.

He pulled away slowly as their eyes opened, meeting one another's. He straightened with a smile as Mary dropped her eyes, realizing what had just been done.

"I am now," Marshall answered with a soft chuckle.

"Doofus," Mary muttered, bringing a laugh out of Marshall.

Together, they made their way out of the room and down the hall where Stan was waiting. He acknowledged them with a smile and held the car door open for them as exited the hospital building.

"So," Marshall said. "When's your next vacation.

Mary snorted. "Not for a very long time, believe me."

Marshall's clear laugh echoed around the parking lot as they climbed into the car and drove off.

There. I think that was a better ending then the one before. Needless to say, a good ending is a hard thing to pull off. I hope I did a decent job in the least.

Like I said earlier, I am making a sequel so keep a lookout for that.

And I'd like to thank everyone once more for their comments and support. I'm glad you enjoyed this story.