Risks

Disclaimer: I don't own In Plain Sight....

Mary swallowed back her fears and gritted her teeth as the paramedics rushed around her weak, agonizing body. Her eyes held tears that threatened to fall, but she wouldn't let the pain show. As one of the paramedics put more pressure on her abdomen, she groaned and closed her eyes tight. She began to feel a coldness coming over her, spreading throughout her body like a wildfire and it terrified her. She felt herself shaking against the sudden temperature change and a warm hand on her wrist, undoubtedly checking her pulse. Mary didn't know what was happening to her. Anything she knew about was how she was feeling in that moment. It petrified her to near paralysis that she had no control over the situation and she didn't know how to stop herself from dying or feeling this pain. All she was thinking was the night when she had been tied up in that basement. A loud gunshot and smoke, then blood...but this time it was her blood she saw. She couldn't help but wonder why she wasn't unconscious yet, but she wanted it to come soon.

Meanwhile, in the black SUV, Marshal drove, his heart rate well beyond normal while he attempted to dial Mary's families' number. Finally, he stopped shaking enough to get Brandi's number out. He heard the phone ring twice and then Brandi answered, sounding cheery as usual. Marshal frowned, knowing that she wouldn't be feeling like this for a long time after he told her about Mary.

"Brandi, It's Marshal." His voice cracked with emotion.

"Hey Marshal, what's happening? Are you having fun? Mary was in a horrible mood this morning...and I was kind of the reason for that. I hope she didn't take it out on you." Her voice was sweet with true concern, though that was the least of her worries.

"Um...no. I called to tell you about what happened today. I'm sure you were going to hear about this even if I didn't call...but Mary asked me to call you and if you would tell Jinx and Raph, that would make my job a lot easier." He rambled on, only slightly paying attention to the road in front of him, his speedometer escalating faster and faster. "What I'm trying to say....is that while we were taking a rest stop at a convenient store, Mary was shot." He just came out with it, not knowing how to break something of this magnitude to her. There was a long silence on the other end and Katy Sheryl was trying to get Marshal's attention. The speed had gone well over eighty and was almost to ninety miles per hour. Jerry was holding on for dear life and his eyes were fearful.

Brandi couldn't believe what she was hearing. Maybe she heard Marshal wrong and they would laugh over it together in a little while. Her heart beat fast, hammering in her neck while she tried to find her voice. "Wh-what? I think I heard you wrong. Would you repeat that?" Her voice was small and shaking in apprehension.

"No Brandi. You heard exactly right. Oh!!!" Marshal had glanced down at his speedometer and slammed his foot on the breaks, squealing across the pavement before he spun wildly and crashed into a tree.

"Marshal! Marshal!" Brandi had heard screams and an enormous crash. She continued to call for him, but got no response.

Marshal had dropped his cell phone and banged his hand against the steering wheel. He cursed loudly towards the tree and looked around vehemently to see if his passengers were alright. Katy sat quietly, in shock, and Jerry stared unwaveringly at the huge tree in front of him, his eyes wide. Marshal rubbed his eyes angrily, sighed, and searched the floor board for his phone; all the while, cursing under his breath. When he picked up the phone, he heard Brandi's frantic voice yelling his name.

"Brandi, we just hit a tree. I'm gonna have to call you back." He spoke through gritted teeth and threw the phone down next to him.

Eleanor and Stan skidded to a halt at the convenient store where police cars and ambulances crowded the diminutive parking lot. They both got out hurriedly and slammed their doors; not even bothering to lock the doors. Eleanor's face was extremely worried and Stan's was trying to be all business. Neither of the expressions were working as they entered the store to see Mary's nearly lifeless body on the ground with dark red blood pooled around her. The paramedics looked up and started to ask for id, but Mary protested.

"Their fine, Max, he's my boss." Her voice was small, raspy, and full of pain. The paramedic stepped aside and spoke.

"I'm going to get the stretcher." He lowered his voice so only Stan and Eleanor could hear him, "We need to hurry. We don't have much time." Eleanor's eyes were wide as she walked towards Mary and knelt beside her. She grabbed Mary's hand and swallowed nervously, tears burning at the brink of her eyes.

"Mary." She stopped and closed her eyes, not believing what she was seeing. A small, nearly invisible tear fell slowly down her cheek: Mary was the strongest person she knew. Mary was shaking in pain and cold and she let out a labored breath with a smile.

"Eleanor, I'm fine. Don't worry about this. I'll be back at work in no time." Her voice was quiet and both Stan and Eleanor could hear the pain hiding behind her normal facade. She closed her eyes and groaned, covering it quickly with a dark cackle. "It's a little cold in here though." Her teeth chattered together and she shook even more than before.

"Mary, where is Marshal?" Stan's brows drew together as he noticed the absence of Mary's very loyal partner. Marshal wouldn't leave Mary there alone for anything in the world.

"I told him to take Katy….and Jerry…" She stopped and began a coughing fit. Stan and Eleanor looked at each other with fear in their blurry eyes.

The paramedics jogged into the room and everything happened in fast forward. They lifted her onto the gurney and rolled her outside and into the ambulance. As the ambulance sped away, the lights and sirens blaring, Stan and Eleanor stared after it not knowing what to do or say. With the ambulance, left the strength, wit, courage, and heart of the team. Stan and Eleanor stood with vacant gazes radiating from them and Marshal stood, looking at his totaled SUV with a hopelessness in his heart and eyes....

Thank you guys for reading my story! It means so much! Please give me some feedback! It really helps me! R&R!!!! –soccergirlmich--