Stan sat with Marshall as Mary, Carolyn and Seth headed to the cafeteria for something to eat.

Marshall was staring at the door they walked out of and fidgeting with his blankets.

"What's wrong?" Stan asked, knowing full well something was bothering his surrogate son.

"I think Mary's angry with me, but just covering it up to make me feel better," Marshall replied.

"Marshall, Mary is trying to be a better person. Think about what she said. She's angry, but not at you…" Stan started before Marshall interrupted.

"She has every right to be angry with me, Stan. You all do," Marshall said.

"Guilt is absent when the act is justified. You once said that to a witness, who felt guilty for surviving when her friend didn't. It also applies for what you went through. It's not the only thing bothering you though. Talk to me, Marshall," Stan replied.

"Mary knows how I feel about her," Marshall whispered softly.

"Yes, she does. Mary also knows how she feels about you. Time is a precious gift, Marshall, don't waste it. The two of you need to sit down and talk everything through. Mary's done a lot of growing since you left. You'd be very proud of some of her changes. She's learned to open up a little more to others. Mostly me, but for her that's a giant step. She also learned what it's like to lose someone that means more to her than she realized without getting a chance to say goodbye. Trust me Marshall, everything will be fine. Not that you won't have some rough patches, you always do. She won't run away from you," Stan said knowingly.

"Are you sure about that?" Marshall asked.

"Yes. Stop worrying so much about everything and everyone else. Let's just concentrate on you getting better," Stan said.

"How do you like that? For once the boss is right," Mary replied, leaning against the door.

"Where's Dad?" Marshall asked, hoping she didn't overhear his conversation with Stan.

"He's with your Mom, they stopped at the gift store," Mary replied, knowing whatever Stan and Marshall had been talking about had her partner concerned.

/\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

The next morning Mary entered the hospital room to see Marshall dressed and anxiously waiting to be released. Hospitals held too many bad memories for the both of them so getting out was always a priority.

"Ready to leave?" Mary asked, amused.

"They're bringing the discharge papers and then we're free to leave," Marshall replied, before realizing that he didn't have anywhere to go.

Mary noticed the frown on Marshall's face. "What's wrong? Do I need to get the doctor?"

"She blew up my house. Where am I going to go?" Marshall asked, sounding lost.

Mary's eyes widened in surprise, with everything that happened yesterday they forget to tell her partner that he was staying at her place.

"My place. You're parents are already there in one of the spare rooms. You'll be staying with me while you recover," Mary replied.

"Mare, I don't want to intrude. You haven't had the house to yourself for very long," Marshall said.

"You're never an intrusion. You're actually one of the few people I don't mind sharing my house with," Mary replied, as the nurse came in with the paperwork.

"Are you sure?" Marshall asked.

"Positive, I can keep an eye on you and you'll be able to stay out of trouble. Everything is already set up for you," Mary replied.

"I won't stay long. I'll get out of your hair as soon as I can find a new house," Marshall said.

"You aren't going to be in my way. You don't even have to rush to find somewhere else to live. I won't even let you look for a house until you're fully healed," Mary cautioned, while thinking if all goes as plan he won't be leaving her house. "Let's get you home."

Marshall nodded his agreement and stood up as the nurse brought in the wheelchair.

"Hop in, partner," Mary smiled in delight.

"I'm fine. I can walk," Marshall said to the nurse.

"Hospital policy," the nurse replied.

"Stop smirking, Mare," Marshall said not even looking, knowing full well that she was.

"Who me?" Mary asked, feigning surprise.

/\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Mary pulled up in her driveway and couldn't help but smile at Marshall sleeping against the window. Not wanting to wake him just yet she turned off the car and opened the trunk to get his away bag. Stan walked out to make sure everything was alright when he didn't see Marshall get out of the car.

"Mary?"

Mary heard the concern in Stan's voice and put a finger to her lips silencing Stan while pointing to Marshall sleeping.

"How early was he up trying to get out of the hospital?" Stan asked.

"Not sure. Marshall was dressed and ready when I arrived." Mary shrugged and passed Stan the bag before opening the passenger door and unbuckling the seatbelt.

"Marshall," she said, gently shaking his shoulder. "Marshall."

Marshall finally stirred after the second calling of his name.

"Mare?"

"We've arrived at Casa del Shannon," Mary smiled.

Marshall couldn't believe he fell asleep on the drive over.

"Sorry, I guess I wasn't much company."

"Your body needs its rest. The doctor warned you that you'd be tired. In order for you to heal properly you need to follow the instructions they gave you before we left," Mary said.

Marshall rolled his eyes. "You've been wanting to say that to me for a long time, haven't you?"

"Every single time that you've ever told me that. Kind of nice when the shoe is on the other foot," Mary teased lightly. She had missed their banter. "I should warn you though, we've got company."

"Who?"

"Besides the obvious group of your parents and Stan. Brandi, Peter, Bobby and Eleanor have all decided to join us. Your brothers and Jack couldn't make it, but wish you a speedy recovery. They expect phone calls later from you," Mary informed.

"So two lectures and one I'm glad you're alive, buddy," Marshall said softly.

"Marshall, stop it. Your brothers are happy that you're alive, also. Don't make me have to beat some common sense into you. I might enjoy the release of tension," Mary replied before they entered the house.

"Welcome home, Marshall!" Brandi squealed excitedly. She was thrilled to see her sister's partner alive. Her reasoning may be two-fold; part of it was because she was happy to see him and the other was because she had her sister back. The one she actually knew how to relate to.

"Thanks, Brandi," Marshall said, accepting her hug. The rest of the group moved in to shake hands and hug their friend.

"Alright, enough manhandling my partner. Marshall, go sit or lie down on the couch unless you prefer to go to bed," Mary ordered.

Stan and Seth both smiled as Marshall rolled his eyes and moved to the couch.

"Mary's going to be worse than your mother," Seth said, sitting next to Marshall.

"How long are you and Mom staying?" Marshall asked, wondering briefly how badly he was going to be smothered.

"Don't worry, if they become too much, I'll help you escape for a little while. We'll be here for a week," Seth replied.

Marshall was surprised by his father's reply and knew he didn't cover it quickly enough.

"You and I will have a discussion later. There are things we need to work on, but for now let's just enjoy the fact that you're home," Seth said, trying to reassure Marshall the only way he knew how.

Everyone stayed for a couple of hours. Once Marshall started yawning the group slowly began to leave until it was just Mary, his parents, Stan and Eleanor.

"Before you get too tired there is something that I need to give you. Then it's medication and bed time for you, Doofus," Mary said, eagerly bringing out her laundry basket.

"Thanks, you brought me laundry," Marshall said sarcastically.

"You know I'm not a giver. Look at what's in the basket and be grateful they are all washed and ready to wear," Mary said, glaring at Marshall.

Marshall looked into the basket and couldn't help but smile. She had done a pretty decent job of refurbishing his old pajama bottoms.

"I put a lot of effort into this so you better pull each one out and look at them," Mary said, refusing to admit how much fun it was.

Eleanor's curiosity was peaked. "You're going to have to show us. Mary's smiling, which means she secretly enjoyed it."

Mary threw a glare at Eleanor. She still swore the woman was a spook.

The first pair he pulled out were covered in pretzels and said 'twisted', next was a Captain Morgan's Born to Rum, a couple of Star Wars pairs, Frosted Flakes, Mr. Potato Head, handcuffs, one covered with hot dogs that said 'plump and juicy', a pair that said 'got gas' and had gas pumps on them, a Woody Woodpecker pair, and lastly a pair with monkeys on them that said 'Go Ahead and Pet My Monkey.'

Eleanor and Mary were laughing at the way Marshall's neck turned red in embarrassment at the monkey and the hot dog pair.

"Thanks, Mare," Marshall said, trying not to look at his parents.

"Well grab a pair and let's get you to your room," Mary said, smiling in delight, before following him as he headed down the hall. "There are three more pairs, but we'll discuss them after your parents leave. Just for the record, you're staying in my room."

"Mare, I can just take the other bedroom," Marshall replied, not wanting to put her out.

"I don't care that you're parents are here and I don't care if they like the fact that you and I are going to be sharing a room. I have no intention of letting you out of my sight. They'll learn to live with it," Mary knew his parents didn't care. They knew she was working on setting up the other room with more items to replace what Marshall lost.

"How much do I owe you for the clothes, iPod and pajamas?" Marshall asked.

"Nothing. We bought them for you Marshall. No strings attached," Mary said honestly.

"Here I was thinking you wanted to pet my monkey," Marshall said, before laughing at the shocked look on Mary's face.

Mary was so stunned he said that she just watched him head into her bathroom to change. A few seconds later she smirked and whispered softly, "welcome back, partner."

/\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Marshall woke up to an eerily silent house and a ceiling he didn't recognize. Briefly he felt himself panic at the thought that he had been dreaming that he was back in Albuquerque. He quickly searched the room and saw the picture Mary had of them at an office picnic. It was one of his favorite photos. Mary was smiling a real, genuine smile. She looked happy in the photo and they had been having fun making comments about the other marshals that were there. Getting up, he headed out towards the living room to see Stan watching TV with the volume low.

Stan heard the footsteps behind him and looked to see a slightly disheveled Marshall.

"Sleep well?" Stan asked.

"Yeah. Where is everyone?"

"Mary had to deal with a witness, Eleanor is at the F.B.I. office finishing her transfer back to Albuquerque paperwork and your parents went to get groceries after looking in Mary's fridge. I think it might have traumatized your mother when she opened the fridge door," Stan replied.

Marshall smirked, but his mind was debating on asking Stan a few questions. He couldn't decide if he wanted to know the answers or not.

"Ask, Marshall. I promise to answer as honestly as possible," Stan said, knowing Marshall was over thinking something.

"How was Mary, really?"

"She's a lot better now than she was before. She took your death extremely hard and it opened her eyes to a lot of things she'd missed over the years. I honestly don't know if she would've stayed in WITSEC without you there. I'm not sure either of us wanted to be here without you," Stan replied honestly, knowing Marshall needed the truth. Sugarcoating wouldn't help put this behind all of them.

Marshall looked at Stan. "You would've left?"

"I honestly thought about retiring. I couldn't lose another child to the job. You were right about me being a surrogate father. You and Mary are the children I never had. Losing you was hard enough. I didn't think I could sit and watch Mary fade away until she made a bad decision that got her killed. She was lost without you. You keep her grounded. She finally realized just how much of a role you have in her life. She's already returning back to her old self now that you're home. You will be watched like a hawk though. Mary isn't going to let you out of her sights again any time soon. We're all going to be a little overprotective. It's just the way it is," Stan said firmly.

"I think I can handle that," Marshall replied.

"Good. Do you want the Discovery Channel or the History Channel?" Stan asked, settling into the sofa.

Mary was the first to come back to the house. Marshall was sound asleep on the couch and Stan was watching the History channel intently.

"Must you indulge him on that? You know it only leads to me suffering more." Mary teased Stan.

"It makes him happy, besides it's actually interesting if you'd bother to pay attention," Stan said.

Mary sat in the chair nearest the sofa and began gently running her fingers through Marshall's hair. The black was fading out of it.

"Is Marshall okay?" Mary asked, concerned by the amount of time he'd been sleeping.

"Worn out. Probably more emotionally than anything else. We both know full well the guilt had to be eating him alive and that your partner would've kept pushing himself to get the job done so he could come home and make amends. The odds of him sleeping well on this assignment are slim to none. We both know that and who knows if it started before then. You heard what the doctor said and repeated it to Marshall," Stan replied.

"I know, it's just not him. Marshall is usually at least doing something. I just want him back to who he was before this happened. I want my Marshall completely back," Mary said.

"You still need to talk to him." Stan reminded her, knowing she probably missed her calling her partner hers.

"I know, and when everyone is gone, we'll have that talk. Ours is more complicated then the rest."

"Don't hurt him, Mary, he's been through enough. If he isn't what you want then let him down gently. He'll survive it, but he'll need time to heal," Stan replied.

"I'm not going to run from him or us, Stan. I never realized I loved him. How could I have been so blind?" Mary couldn't believe she admitted that to Stan. Though since Marshall's death, Stan became the person she could talk to.

"He's been your best friend for so long that you got used to Marshall standing by your side. It never occurred to you to look for what he was offering. Plus, deep down you always knew, but were too scared to admit it. You needed time to sort through the rest of your troubles before you could accept Marshall into your heart completely. You went with simple and uncomplicated because you could function that way. Marshall is the one thing in this world that you have always needed and wanted, but you kept pushing it out of your mind. You were scared he'd leave you. He's not your father, Mary. Marshall won't abandon you, because if he was that kind of man, he would've left a long time ago," Stan replied.

"He's pretty hard to get rid of. No matter how hard I tried, he stayed," Mary said, smiling at the thought of all Marshall had done for her.

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Later that night Mary was watching Carolyn make supper. Mary quickly glanced out into the living room and noticed Seth enter and sit next to Marshall. A part of her wanted to go out and play buffer.

"Seth won't hurt Marshall, Mary. They need to talk, if they're ever going to get to know each other. I know it's hard to sit back, but you need to for their sake. We're leaving in the morning, they need to have this conversation," Carolyn said, trying to ease Mary's worries.

Mary took a deep breath and nodded, turning her attention back to watching Carolyn prepare supper. She was going to miss Marshall's Mom.

/\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Seth looked at his son, before taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. He was nervous about messing this opportunity up.

"Marshall, I know that you and I have had a lot of differences over the years. I haven't been the greatest father to you. I've been judgmental and rather unsupportive in the choices that you've made for yourself. You have proven me wrong time and time again. I'm not sure how you would feel about taking a chance on us to get the chance to know each other. It would mean the world to me if we could try. I may not be able to relate to you as well as your brothers, but I would at least like to know who you are. I don't want to ever lose you again without having tried to become closer to you. There are a lot of things I've never said out loud, but I need you to know that I love you and I'm very proud of the man that you've become."

"I know that you wanted a different life for me. I like being a U.S. Marshal and I enjoy what I do. I think maybe we've spent too much time looking at the things we don't have in common. I'd like a chance to get to know you better, but I'm not sure that you're going to be thrilled with what you see in me," Marshall replied honestly.

"I see my son. A man who has done more than I ever imagined capable in a career I always deemed unfit for him. You have always had a natural curiosity to learn new things and that makes you more open minded. I don't understand it, but it works for you. We can find a middle ground if we try and I guarantee you I won't be disappointed. I'm going to go see how supper is coming along. Is there anything you need from the kitchen?" Seth asked, knowing that for now that was as much of a speech the two could handle. It would be a slow process for them with many obstacles to overcome. Most of them would be their own opinions of what was best, but with a little work they could do this.

Marshall stared at his Dad's retreating form. A part of him hopeful for what he had missed out on as a child, another part still worried despite reassurances that they could make this work. He hoped his Dad was right. It would be nice if they could actually talk to each other instead of around things.

/\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Mary and Marshall drove Seth and Carolyn to the airport the next morning. They helped them with their bags and waited while they checked in.

Carolyn hugged both of them goodbye. "Take care of my boy," she whispered into Mary's ear.

"Always." Mary promised.

Seth pulled Marshall into a hug. It was odd for both of them, but they were trying.

"Take care of yourself, and call us if you need anything. I'll talk to you on Sunday," Seth said.

"Take care of yourself and Mom. I promise I'll call," Marshall said, pulling back. They watched as his parents walked out of sight.

"So, ready to go home?" Mary asked.

"Yeah," Marshall said, hesitantly. This was the talk he dreaded the most.

Mary noticed Marshall was silent the entire ride back. He was worried about what she was going to say. She hated that he was this uneasy about their upcoming conversation.

"Sit on the couch." Mary commanded as they entered the house.

Mary took a deep breath and then sat on the coffee table in front of him. They needed to be close so he couldn't turn away from her. She knew if he was uncomfortable with the topic he would look away. She needed to see his eyes. They were the windows to his soul and where the truth could always be found.

"We have so much to discuss that I have no clue where to start. So I'll start with the letter. I'm thinking we'll work up to the complicated stuff. There was no need to apologize for dying on me. I know that you wouldn't leave this earth without a fight. You were right about both Raph and Faber. I think Faber irritated me more when you were gone. The jerk tried to hit on me instead of solving your case. Though now that we know he was involved, that would explain it more. I don't know that I could ever completely let you go, Marshall. I thought about leaving WITSEC. Without you, Stan and I were lost. We had one goal and that was to find your killer, but after that, I don't know that we could've stayed in the office with your empty desk haunting us. You might have been right about high school you, but we'll leave it at that. We can't afford to swell that brain of yours. I don't think I could've found happiness without you here. The only time happy is or has ever been a part of me is when you're with me. I tried to deny what your Mom told me and what the letter said. I didn't want to believe it. I didn't want to know that I'd been hurting you for so many years."

"Mare, you don't have to say anything. I'm okay with just being your friend. I don't want to lose that too." Marshall began, but Mary covered his mouth with her hand.

"I'm not done yet. You have to wait your turn," she chastised him. "Marshall, I didn't want to believe it because it meant that I truly was oblivious to you and your feelings. We have been partners for seven years. I know you, but I didn't know that or maybe I did and was too scared to admit it to myself. You're the one person in this world that isn't allowed to leave me. I was struggling to function without the person that balances me. I went to the cemetery when I needed to feel closer to you. I finally realized that I loved you, but you were gone. That was my biggest regret, never telling you how much you mean to me. I know how I feel and how you feel, but I also know we have to take this slowly or I could really make a mess of it. I want to give us a try. I want complicated and messy, but only if that equation leads me to you."

Marshall felt the tear trickle down his cheek.

"I can learn to do messy, but you will need to get used to the fact that I like to clean messy up to make things neat. You know how I feel about stuff lying over the place," Marshall teased.

"You've always picked up after me. I can live with that, wacky pajamas, science fiction, comic books and Star Trek. I'm not going to any conventions, no matter how hard you beg, plead, or whatever else you might try. I can't live without you here in this world. You need to promise me one thing and one thing only. I'm sure this request is nothing you haven't heard before. We all probably sound like a broken record at this point. You need to tell me if you ever get put on a secret assignment or if something feels wrong that you'll come to me. I don't care what you're threatened with; we'll handle the fall out together. I need to hear you say that," Mary said.

"I almost called you in New Orleans. I kept palming my burn phone wanting to dial and hear your voice. I wanted to know that we'd be okay if I returned. The shooting happened as I thought about it. I promise that I'll try to never put you through something like this again, but you and I both know that had the roles been reversed, you would've done the same thing. We protect each other Mare, we always have," Marshall replied honestly.

"I know that I would've done the same thing, but we can't do this to each other. I now know how much it hurts. From now on we do everything together." Mary insisted on this one thing.

"Define everything," Marshall said.

Mary tried to fight the smirk, but couldn't. "Mind out of the gutter, perv."

"You're no fun," Marshall smiled.

"Sure I am, look at the pajama bottoms I gave you, and the other pairs I have yet to show you."

"What are they?" Marshall asked, remembering her statement earlier.

"Feeling Lucky, Warning: Contents May Be Hot and Satisfaction Guaranteed. I expect you to live up to the pajama bottoms, but not until your fully healed. If we're getting lucky then I want full usage of your body." Mary smiled at the look on his face. She knew he was calculating how long before he would find out.

"Tease," he said once he reached his conclusion.

"I don't make promises I don't intend to keep." Mary moved in to capture his lips. As the kiss deepened she felt a spark light up inside of her. This is what she had been missing all this time. Coming up for air she leaned her forehead against his.

"I love you, Mare."

"I love you, my Marshall." Mary said before claiming his lips.

/\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Marshall had been back on the job for a year. His relationship with Mary was moving forward nicely. Marshall was going to find an apartment, but Mary insisted he stay with her. It would save them both a lot of time and effort. He agreed, but only with the rule that he stay in the guest room, much to Mary's dismay. On their six month anniversary, they determined he was to move into her bedroom. Mary was ecstatic and pulled out his satisfaction guaranteed bottoms. Marshall laughed but made sure he lived up to the pajamas.

/\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Six more months passed and Mary, Marshall and Stan went to go get a witness who was playing with explosives with an old friend, who suddenly turned up in New Mexico. Stan and Mary entered the front of the house while Marshall headed around to the back door. Their witnesses' friend made a hasty dash for the back door and Mary yelled out to Marshall. The man flew down the stairs and Marshall pursued him behind a garage.

Stan and Mary were dressing down the witness when they heard an explosion come from out back. Mary thought her heart had stopped and from the pale look on Stan's face she could tell he was thinking the same thing. Stan and Mary shoved the witness at another marshal and ran out the back door. Memories of a year ago began flooding their minds.

"Marshall!" Mary yelled, when she didn't see him right away.

"Damn it!" Marshall said irritably, coming into their view and messing with his jeans.

Stan and Mary both let out a sigh of relief as they saw Marshall; covered in dirt and wood pieces. He looked up and noticed the two staring at him oddly.

"What?" Marshall asked, confused.

"Stay away from things that blow up." Mary hissed, when she realized her hands were shaking.

Marshall felt his eyes widen as it dawned on him what they must have thought.

"I'm fine, but we need to go to the mall," Marshall said to Mary.

"Why?" She asked irritably. He knew she hated the mall.

"I need a new pair of jeans. I ripped my brand new ones tackling this idiot while he blew up the tree stump," Marshall stated.

Mary felt the tension leave her body as she knew he truly was okay. "And?"

"My movie was just released on Blue Ray," Marshall said, hopefully.

"Fine, Doofus." She really didn't mind as long as he was okay. "Any other casualties besides the jeans?"

"Nope," Marshall said.

They took care of the scene and processed the paperwork. Marshall took Mary to the mall and bought his jeans. While she stopped in the bathroom, he ran to the jewelry store to pick up his other purchase.

Marshall waited for Mary outside the restroom.

"Are we done?" Mary asked, wanting to get out of the mall.

"Yes, we can escape the torturous mall," Marshall said, lifting up the bag with the DVD he bought. The real reason for the trip hidden in the bag with his jeans.

They headed home, and when Mary walked into the kitchen she noticed the table set and food waiting for them.

"Alright what's going on?" Mary asked.

"Supper, it's been a year since we started living together."

"A year and a half," Mary replied, thinking she'd bested him.

"No, a year since I moved from the guest room to our room," Marshall reminded.

Mary smiled at that thought and leaned up and kissed Marshall. They sat down and enjoyed their steak dinner and wine before Marshall led her into the living room. He put an arm around her as they watched his movie.

When the movie ended Marshall handed Mary the package from the jewelry store. Mary looked at him oddly before opening it.

"Marshall?" She knew what it was, but was surprised about the casual approach.

"I know you don't like fancy dinners or rings baked into cupcakes. You're more comfortable in an easy going manner. You love steak dinners almost as much as you like BBQ ribs. The ring is simple and will not get in the way on any bust or brawl you may need to get into. It's my pledge of love and fidelity to you for the rest of our lives. It's the second to last step we started a year ago today. The last step will be the wedding. I love you, Mary Elizabeth Shannon and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"

Mary was mortified to find herself getting teary over this. Marshall had proposed the one way that would make her comfortable and at ease. She wasn't scared and didn't want to run from him. The ring was perfect and so was the proposal.

"I love you, Marshall Seth Mann and want to spend the rest of my life with you. The ring is beautiful and everything I could ever want. I will definitely marry you," Mary smiled as Marshall slid the ring on her finger and leaned in for a kiss. She couldn't help but think to his pajama bottoms; she had definitely gotten lucky and was completely satisfied.