[A/N: This is just a couple of one shots from Let's Get It Ahn. The three stories are unrelated. I nearly cried during Marshall's toast, and when he found out she was engaged. I felt so bad for him. But Mary couldn't meet his eyes during either of those scenes, so I know we'll have a little M/M soon. Not to mention the fact that Raphael and Brandi were looking a bit to cozy once again. Well finger's crossed that this whole engagement thing goes away quickly. Enjoy.]
Mary stepped away from the impromptu engagement party that her coworkers had thrown together for her, pulling out her phone so that it seemed like she was checking her messages. In reality, she needed an opportunity to compose herself after Marshall's toast. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting, but him saying 'I love you,' had been nowhere on the list. She needed a minute to catch her breath, because those three words had made her heart swell.
"You love him, don't you?" Eleanor's voice caused Mary to jump. She hadn't been expecting anyone to come looking for her just yet.
"Who, Raph?" The fact that Mary even had to specify convinced Eleanor that she was right.
Eleanor shook her head, "No, Marshall." She watched Mary's eyes go from caught to defensive. She quickly continued, "I saw your face when he gave his toast, when he said he loved you. Your eyes lit up."
Mary was up against the wall, not sure which way to turn. She could deny Eleanor's accusations, the truth in her own heart, or she could admit freely that she loved her partner. Neither seemed like a great plan. Instead, she decided to sidestep the question, "So?"
Eleanor allowed a smile to cross her face. "So, you love him."
Mary caved, unable to deny what she had kept to herself for so long, "I know." A look of apprehension came over her face; she was unsure how Eleanor would handle this information.
But Eleanor surprised her, "Why then, are you wearing another man's engagement ring?"
All of a sudden it was just too much. Mary had been struggling with this engagement since the day of that stupid dinner. And her nerves were shot over how Marshall was reacting to her news. Add to that the stress of her latest witness drama, and she just couldn't put up a front anymore tonight. "Because Raphael is safe."
Confusion clouded Eleanor's face, "Safe?"
Mary let the words come, not pausing to check her them, "Yes, safe. When he leaves me, I'll survive."
Eleanor was still lost. "What are you talking about?"
But Mary's eyes had left Eleanor's and traveled across the room to land on Marshall. She was barely even aware that she was still speaking aloud. "I'm not like you, Eleanor. I know I play the strong and brave inspector on TV, but that's not really me. You lost your husband, and somehow you're still breathing. But I almost lost Marshall once and I knew then, that without him, I wouldn't be able to go on. So when Raph eventually leaves me, I know that I'll be able to survive. And Marshall will be there, because I was smart enough to keep my mouth closed." Mary took a deep breath, her eyes still locked on Marshall.