The phrase 'dream with the angels' is something my mom says to me, so I wanted to add it in there :]

Just as their lips brushed softly against the others, the door opened and they sprang apart like guilty teenagers being caught by a parent. Mary looked around nervously as Marshall grabbed his beer again and tried to fake a calm demeanor. He didn't quite pull it off, but he did a better job at gathering his wits than she did when she heard Raph's voice.

"Mary, I am home" he announces as he shuts the front door, noticing Marshall in the kitchen with Mary and nodding a hello in his general direction.

"Raph," she said quickly, "I thought you were on the road until Friday"

"I came back early to spend time with you" he responded coming over to kiss her, making both herself and Marshall stiffen. He knew when he was meant to leave, and he took that as his cue.

"Glad you're back Raph" he said tightly, "Mare, I'll see you tomorrow"

Marshall made his way out the way Raph came in, and threw a torn expression at Mary before making his way to the door. Pushing away from Raph, she said she had to ask him something and that she'd be back in a few minutes. Following him outside onto her porch, she almost tripped over Marshall sitting right on her doormat. His hands ran through his hair and settled on the back of his neck as she sat down next to him.

"This isn't meant to happen Mare" he whispered as if he were in pain, "You have him and I have Grace. This is wrong and we know that"

"So are you saying it was a mistake" she asked defensively, crossing her arms over her knees as she sat next to him.

He gave her a pointed stare as he gently took her right hand to cradle it in between his own.

"You know that's not what I mean. I want this, but having Grace and Raph around while we decide this isn't something I can do"

It all clicked in her mind, "You want me to break off my engagement with Raph"

"I want you to want to be with me, not just when he isn't around. Our biggest secret is our job, I don't think I could handle you being another I have to hide from the world"

"Marshall I can't..." his expression flicked with hurt before he gave off a neutral look.

"I get it-"

"No Marshall it's not what you think..."

"Really Mare, I should have seen this coming. It's ok, I'll see you tomorrow"

He stood up when her hand reached out to hold one of his hands.

"Marshall, please just listen"

"I'm done being second best, I want my chance too. Goodnight"

He walked away and she watched him pull out of the driveway before she felt the saltiness of her tears run down her face.

"I just meant I couldn't do it with you here" she whispered, "I never wanted this"

Raph came out to see what kept her, but all she did was push him away and head for the bathroom. She locked herself in and did exactly what she did the last time her and Marshall kissed; cry in the shower until she felt better or the water ran cold. It was the latter both times.

When she came out, she noticed Raph sitting on the bed holding her engagement ring.

"You don't want to do this anymore do you" he stated, leaving no room for interpretation.

"I can't Raph" she said sitting next to him "I love you and always will but..."

"But...I'm not him"

"I wish this could be different"

"I don't. Be happy Mary, don't let your fears get in the way of you two like it did with us"

"Ok" she said tearfully.

"I'll stay at a hotel tonight and be gone during the day tomorrow" he promised, waiting for her nod before continuing.

"Dream with the angels Querida, and let love in" and with that, Raph kissed her forehead and made his way out the door, seeing her for the last time.

The next morning was awkward to say the least, and even Rice and Peterson noticed. They kept glancing from Mary to Marshall and back, but stopped after she threatened their ability to have children. Marshall smiled but said nothing, knowing this limbo was the most painful thing he's experienced, or so he thought. Hearing the elevator, he turned to look at who had arrived, and almost tripped over his feet when he saw both of his parents standing outside the security door. Stan came out as well, but greeted them and brought them in while everyone else continued to stare. Mary knew it had to be his parents by the way they carried themselves, but his mothers vibrant blue eyes were also a dead giveaway. She stepped beside him and squeezed his hand, holding it so he could get his barrings. He smiled awkwardly, but she whispered in his ear that he was wrong about last night. It was as if last night hadn't happened, and he squeezed her hand back affectionately before taking a deep breath to speak to them privately.

Mary continued to watch fascinated knowing that both of his parents were marshal's, until both of his parents turned to look at her, then she ducked her head and pretended to find her desk very interesting. Rice laughed before she threw a rubber band ball at him, hitting him right in the stomach making him bend over in pain. Peterson had the brain to go get coffee before he was next, dragging Rice with him.

Marshall followed his parents to Mary's desk, determined to limit their contact before him and Mary had a chance to fix whatever...this, was.

"Seth and Maggie Mann. You must be Mary..." his dad said, putting his hand out for a handshake. He had a firm grip like she predicted, but what surprised her was when Marshall's mom pulled her into a hug and whispered in her ear.

"We will talk soon, glad to finally meet you" she pulled back and took her husbands hand, finding Mary's expression of horror and panic amusing.

"Ok, enough scaring my coworkers mom" Marshall said, but his eyes were laughing just like his mothers. And people say like father like son...

"So Mary" his father continued, "Will you be joining us for dinner tonight? I know Maggs is dying to finally talk with you after all these years" Mary quirked an eyebrow at Marshall, but he pretended not to notice.

"Uh..."

"Dad, she might be busy"

"No Marshall I'm not. I'd love to" she said genuinely, locking gazes with Marshall as his parents spoke to one another.

"Well, we'll meet you at your house son, at about 7. Nice to meet you, but we have to get our things settled before tonight"

"Oh I understand, see you tonight" she said as they hugged Marshall and made their way to the elevator and out of the building.

"Do you really think that's such a good idea?" he asked as the doors closed, turning to face her.

"I don't recall asking your permission mom" she snarled, knowing that her hopes to squash his fears were shrinking rapidly.

"They're my parents-"

"That invited me to dinner!"

"Yeah, when they believed you were my partner and best friend. Neither of those are solid anymore if I recall"

"Well then you must have hit your head when you got home last night because you forgot that you wouldn't even let me explain!"

"Explain what? 'Sorry Marshall, but Raph's home so I'll call you when he's not'?"

"Numbnuts, shut the fuck up and listen. I was trying to say I couldn't do it with you there because I thought it'd make a bigger scene than I wanted. I never said I wanted to lose my best friend"

Marshall's anger fell while a blush made its way to his face in embarrassment.

"I didn't know-"

"You think Doofus? You were writing me off before I even thought the words, let alone say them"

"I'm sorry"

"Yeah yeah, save it for a girl that needs comforting. Raph and I spoke last night, and he knew before I even got the words out that I didn't love him the way..." she stopped abruptly and changed directions.

"He cares enough to let me be happy Marshall. All I'm asking is that you do the same for me. Remember, no secrets from the world" she said laughing, seeing his face light up in a way she'd never seen before.

"What about Grace"

"Grace can find a new boyfriend unless she wants to wrestle me for you" she said smirking, knowing his mind was in the gutter the second she mentioned wrestling.

"Hey Pervis, either you're single or not. I'm not doing this weird limbo shit again"

She stepped closer to him to put her hands on his chest and gently run her nails down his abs, making him squirm and press her closer to him.

"Ok, I'll go to lunch and let her know. Happy"

"Ecstatic Mighty Mouse" he gave her a shocked expression as she realized her slip, and ran for the bathroom.

"How did you even see those?"

"It's called laundry Marshall, do it or risk ridicule. Looks like you chose the difficult task" she said as she changed directions and ran to the balcony.

"I'll show you difficult!" he yelled as he sped up and tackled her on the gravel, both of them laughing as they rolled to a stop, Marshall pinning Mary's wrists above her head while straddling her.

"Anything to say for yourself Ms. Shannon?" he asked her while bringing his mouth closer to hers...