Fic: Interlude (In Plain Sight, 1/1)
Title: Interlude
Spoilers: “Stan By Me”
Rating: PG
Summary: A missing scene - Marshall drives Mary home.
Disclaimer: I do not own this show or these characters.
Feedback: Would be lovely!
Author's Note: Thanks to the very kind kaffyr for taking the time to look over this. It's a little late for the rewatch, but I think it works reasonably well as a bridge between “Stan By Me” and “A Fine Meth.”
~
He looks over at her again. She has been silent for the entire trip, with a dark, haunted expression on her face that makes his hands grip the steering wheel more tightly, and makes him want to hunt down this Spanky character and commit an act of extreme violence against him. This time, Mary notices him looking at her. She gives him a weak smile, which he does his best to return.
He wants to ask her if she's all right, but he knows she isn't. His relief at seeing her in the basement had been so great - but when he thinks back on the sight of her holding that shovel, with her wrists chained together and terror in her eyes... it's not something he's going to forget any time soon. What his partner went through, of course, is going to stay with her for a long time and affect her much more deeply.
Mary pulls the jacket closer to herself, and Marshall can't help taking another glance at her. “You cold?”
“A little,” she says, and he turns on the heat. “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
Silence falls again. They turn onto Mary's street. She sees the cop cars and various other official vehicles in front of her house, and she takes a deep breath. Exhaustion and trepidation are written across her face.
Marshall takes one hand off the steering wheel to touch her shoulder. “Hey.”
She turns toward him. It nearly kills him to see this vulnerability in his strong, brash partner, but he forces himself to speak in a steady voice. “You don't have to deal with any of these people right now. We'll just go right to your door.”
“Yeah.” Her voice is almost inaudible.
The convoy lets them through, and Marshall pulls up as close to her door as possible. He turns off the motor.
Mary makes no move to get out of the car. Marshall doesn't want to rush her, but he thinks he can see Brandi and Jinx behind the blinds, waiting. “I know these seats are comfy,” he says lightly, “but I think you'd have a better chance of getting some sleep inside your house.”
She stares at him, scoffs, and raises an eyebrow, her expression almost reaching her usual level of mocking incredulity. “Like I'm going to be getting any sleep tonight.” You moron goes unspoken.
He gives a rueful smile. “Okay, you probably have a point there.”
Before he can think of anything else to say, she heaves a sigh and unbuckles her seatbelt. “Thanks for the ride, Marshall.”
“You're welcome.” Marshall meets her eyes once more before she leaves. She smiles again, a little more convincingly this time, and walks toward her front door. Before she reaches it, the door is flung open and Jinx runs out to pull her daughter into her arms.
Marshall watches from his vantage point. You're going to be okay, he thinks, and hopes he'll be able to convince them both.
~