My early Christmas – or late Hanukkah – gift to you. Yes, Kwanza too.

Thanks for sticking with me for so long. I'm glad you've enjoyed the read. And yes, this is the conclusion.

Thanks to all that have read and to all that have commented. That's a gift in itself.

Get a Flu Too

Chapter 8:

"What kiss?"

Marshall's face fell as his shoulders sagged in disbelief. "What?"

"What kiss?" Mary repeated.

"The kiss… last night…" Marshall's words faded in shock.

He lifted his hands as if to interpret what had happened. But when Mary still showed no signs of recollection, they fell limply to his side. "You don't remember?"

Mary shook her head slowly. "That sounds like something I would remember. You sure you weren't dreaming."

"No! I –" Marshall started but stopped with a heavy sigh of defeat.

"Never mind," he mumbled sadly.

Mary's quizzical gaze lingered on him a moment more before she turned away. She looked back at her reflection in the mirror and, satisfied with what she saw, left the room.

Marshall stood alone, staring sadly down at the floor.

How could Mary have forgotten? She was the one who had initiated the kiss. She had kissed him first. And now the memory was wiped from her mind.

Had the illness affected her? Did the flu make her act out of character? Or was she in character and the flu merely erased the memory?

The reason didn't matter now. Mary didn't remember kissing Marshall. It was a memory forced to be felt by him alone. He wanted to share it but as long as Mary didn't remember, she would reject the fact, claiming that it couldn't possibly have happened.

Marshall sighed submissively and trudged out of the room. He made his way slowly towards the kitchen where the voices of the Shannons resounded.

"Good morning Marshall," Jinx enthused as soon as she saw the marshal.

"Sleep well?" Brandi asked in a tone that made Mary glare in warning.

"Yeah," Marshall asked monotonously.

"What's wrong?" Jinx asked, walking up to him.

"Just a little tired is all," Marshall lied, forcing a smile for Jinx.

She beamed back. "Well, some breakfast will help that."

She skipped to the refrigerator and pulled out a wrapped bowl. She placed the bowl on the table and took off the covering.

Cold soup stared back at them.

"Soup anyone?" Jinx asked sweetly.

"Sorry mom," Mary said suddenly, grabbing an apple from a basket on the counter. "Gotta run. Don't want to be late for work."

Before Jinx could argue, Mary took hold of Marshall's arm and pulled him out of the room and towards the front door.

"See you tonight," she called back over her shoulder as she opened the door and pushed Marshall through.

He complied without resistance.

"Keep moving," Mary hissed under her breath as she led Marshall towards her car. "If they see us standing around in one spot for too long, they'll come out to drag us back in."

Mary left Marshall at the passenger-side door and trotted to the driver's side. She slipped into the seat and Marshall followed suit, plopping down into his seat. Mary quickly started the car and after a few seconds of groaning, the car surged to life.

Mary pulled out of the driveway and onto the road, picking up speed.

The ride was silent: Mary focused on the road before her and Marshall gazing numbly at his folded hands.

How could she have forgotten?

Next thing he knew, Mary was pulling into the building's parking lot. She parked and turned the car off.

Silence consumed the car in a thick blanket.

Finally Mary turned to face Marshall.

"Oh stop sulking," she ordered and took his face in her hands.

Before he could react or even think of a reaction, Mary's lips were pressed against his and his mind went blank.

All too soon, Mary pulled away, a scolding smirk etched on her lips.

"You doofus," she said, "did you really think I forgot?"

Marshall stared at her with eyes wide and mouth agape.

"I couldn't agree with you," Mary explained, "because I knew Squish would be listening in. She just loves to spy on me."

Mary looked up at Marshall, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "I had to play dumb. If I said that I did remember the kiss, I'd never hear the end of it."

Marshall hadn't even blinked.

"I'm sorry I had to that," Mary muttered as she looked away regretfully. "But I just couldn't give Brandi the upper-hand. You understand?"

Mary looked back at Marshall in time to see him lean towards her and kiss her.

"You play dirty," Marshall said when he pulled away.

Mary smiled devilishly. "But you love it."

He smiled at her, glad that the memory of their kiss was shared.

"But no one can know about it," Mary said, pointing her finger at Marshall in warning.

Marshall shrugged in compliance. "Get that in writing and it's a deal."

Merry ChristmaHanaKwanzakkah to all, and to all a good night!!!

Hobey-Ho