You Never Listen

Chapter One

"I'm right; you're wrong. That is why I sing this song. I'm right, you fool. I win, you drool."

Marshall's singing grated on Mary's nerves. She hated hearing the song, except when she was the one doing the singing. This time the hate was for multiple reasons. For one, she'd lost, which was bad enough. More importantly, she hurt. A lot. The reason for that was what had started this whole mess.

- - Two Days Ago - -

Cody Parkins was one of those witnesses Mary knew would eventually cause trouble. She'd known it the instant he'd shown up at the Albuquerque office a little over a week ago. It wasn't that he was dangerous or likely to continue previous criminal activity. Cody wasn't a criminal. Not really. He just liked talking to and helping out the wrong people. The guy was too dumb to realize kindness and common sense needed to work together.

His attempt at kindness had turned sour when the mob boss he'd been "helping" was arrested. Cody had agreed to testify, which, of course, had pissed off the mob. While it had only been a minor mob boss, he'd been important enough to get Cody a trip into WitSec. If only WitSec was a cure for stupidity. Cody was a ticking time bomb. Sooner or later he'd find another "wrong " person to talk to and wind up in a load of trouble he couldn't afford. The mob boss had been hint enough, and Mary had called it on day one. She was constantly checking on Cody, just waiting for the inevitable to come.

"How much would I have to give you to be the one to check on Cody?" Mary pleaded from her spot at her desk.

"He's not that bad you know," her partner, Marshall, replied.

Mary perked up immediately, sensing an opportunity. She could use this to her advantage. Perhaps she actually would be able to get out of going.

"Perfect, then you won't mind checking in on him."

Marshall glanced over and gave her an all to self-satisfied smile. Mary's hopes were dashed on the rocks almost immediately. She knew that look well enough, and she hated seeing it every time. The answer was clear even if Marshall hadn't spoken a single word.

"Come on. Why not?" she demanded, whining just a little bit.

"One because he's your witness, and two because I have a threat assessment on one of mine not including a new witness that should arrive in an hour or so."

Mary groaned and dropped her head down on her desk. With that much going on there was no way she could convince Marshall to switch with her. Damn it. Grabbing her keys, Mary headed for the elevator. She couldn't help shooting Marshall a glare as she passed though. He just smiled warmly at her in response.

"Have fun."

"I hope your new witness sucks."

0~0~0~0

It wasn't that Mary disliked Cody Parkins. She just spent so much time checking in on him that she didn't have time for much else. If she thought Cody actually had a chance to wise up and walk the straight and narrow, it wouldn't be so bad. Unfortunately, Cody talking to the wrong people was on the same level as Brandi screwing up or doing something stupid. Not a question of if but when. Inevitable. Just a matter of time. Mary could go on. In other words, it was a big headache waiting to happen. If, of course, the waiting didn't give her a headache first.

Mary parked outside Cody's apartment and headed up. She wasn't worried about him being out since they'd planned this meeting. So far he hadn't managed to find a full time job either, so he was around during the day most of the time. Mary didn't consider that such a good thing since it offered plenty of time for him to get into trouble. A job was the second reason for her visit. Since the sooner he was employed during the day the better, Mary had scoured the city for appropriate employment. Cody just had to pick one and they were good to go.

When she reached Cody's floor, Mary banged hard on his door and waited for an answer. A moment later it was swinging open to reveal a smiling Cody.

"Mary! It's good to see you! Come in."

He ushered her inside and closed the door. Cody was a generally average guy though more tall and lean than well built. While quick to anger if provoked, he couldn't do much damage to anyone. Physical fighting wasn't his thing. He tended to work in the background and offer support, though that didn't mean he didn't have a major stubborn streak and a need to assert and promote his own opinions. Thankfully Mary had managed to put him in his place pretty quickly upon arrival and hadn't had any major blow ups since.

"You seem to be settling in just fine," Mary said as she glanced around.

"Albuquerque is a nice place, and I'm grateful for the apartment."

At least he wasn't being the usual pain in the ass that witnesses could be about moving. Most threw a fit about relocation. Cody had taken everything in stride. With anyone else, that might have made Mary nervous, but she had no reason to be with Cody. He didn't have any connections or illegal businesses he was trying to restart in a new place.

"Good. Then all you have to do is pick a job and you'll be a full-fledged citizen of Albuquerque," Mary told him as she handed over her list of possibilities.

"Oh yeah? Like what?"

"You didn't give me anything specific, so there's a variety. Grocery clerks, janitor, you mentioned you'd worked construction before so there's that and a yard guy. I'm sure you'll find something even if it's just temporary."

Cody continued to nod as he looked over the list.

"This should work. Thanks, Mary."

"Good. So I can expect you to have a job by the end of the week? And inform me of where it is?"

Mary raised an eyebrow, hoping she would receive a good answer. Not like she would take no for an answer anyway. If she had to argue with him, she would. It was just easier if she didn't need to.

"Yes, yes," he answered distractedly.

"Hey!" She waited until he looked up at her. "A real answer, idiot."

"Yes, I'll have a job by the end of the week, and I'll let you know where it is."

"Good, you better."

Mary moved to stand up but paused before she reached the door. Knowing what Cody was like, she was going to hit him with the same warning. If it was the tenth time, she didn't care. She'd say it a hundred times if it had the chance of sinking through his thick skull. Not likely, but for now she would keep trying.

"Any new friends?"

She left out the "that you shouldn't be making" since he would deny that even if she asked.

"Just one."

There was a slight hesitation in his answer that made Mary narrow her eyes. She wanted to start pulling her hair out already.

Author's Note: Here's my first step into the world of In Plain Sight fanfiction. Seriously, this show majorly got its claws into me right before the series ended. For those of you who read my other things, please stop by my profile page to check out a poll up about Nightmare Man.