There have been times when Charlie has seen Marcus angry, agitated, disappointed, dejected, scared but today, he is furious. Marcus is anything, but a bad-tempered man. He is always the one that calmly deals with every problem he faces – then whether it is when his adoptive mother tried to ruin his life, or when Charlie and Kathie were put in danger by his own cousin's evil scheme. He has been upset during those times. Charlie has seen him angry as well, but today – Marcus is not just angry – he is enraged.

The way Marcus pounces his fist onto the punching bag – never stopping – not even to catch his breath, not even to see if his knuckles are bruising because of the absence of the gloves, not even when his arm is hurting – he just keep pouncing on the punching bag – again and again, and again.

Charlie watches him from a dark corner. Marcus doesn't know she is here. She heaved a sigh and leaned against the pillar – resting her shoulder on it while folding his arms on her chest, "Thank you for letting me know, William. I truly appreciate it." She spoke softly. Her eyes never leave her husband while William standing behind her glancing down at her before looking back at his boss – drenched his sweats, a scowl on his face, groaning with each punch – while each punch is more powerful than the last one. He wondered if this man ever gets tired.

William could see how Marcus was on the edge since this morning. He is not a man who scolds his employees or be in an obvious bad mood during work, but today was different. William saw the new Marcus. A Marcus who would snap at him for the slightest mistake. A Marcus who has had a scowl on his face since this morning. A Marcus who is very tense. A Marcus would keep on clenching his jaws tighter – as if he wants to hurt somebody. And he wanted to release some tension, he decided to hit the gym near to his office. He didn't even care about the staff meeting that had to be canceled just because he needed to blow off some steam.

William would not have known about his boss assaulting the poor punching bag if he hasn't come after him to take Marcus's sign on a memo. When he came and saw the way Marcus was being, he decided to call Charlie and inform her about her husband – even when William had vowed to try to limit his interaction with Charlie as much as possible – he couldn't just let Marcus hurt himself like this. Marcus is a good man, William believes, he doesn't deserve to suffer from whatever is bothering him alone.

William sighed, "I had to. He just won't stop. I was afraid he is going to hurt himself," He replied to Charlie as softly as possible. He was standing a little closer to her and could smell the sweet scent of coconut and pineapples coming from her – perhaps her shampoo or maybe the body shampoo – or body mist – William inwardly hissed and shook his head, he is doing it again. He took a step back and stretch the nape of his neck, "Umm, I should leave now. I don't want Hulk Marcus to pounce on me when he knows that I called you here," He chuckled – making an awkward joke.

Charlie couldn't help but chuckle as well. She slowly shook her head and turned around to face William, who seem a little flushed, "Thank you, William – really – I appreciate your help." She told him softly – offering him a sweet smile – making William skip a heartbeat. William wanted to beg her to not smile at him like this, but he couldn't so he politely nodded his head and returned her a soft smile before he turned around and walked away. He needs to get to the office, complete the remaining work and then maybe try to drink away his foolish crush on his boss's wife.

Charlie watches William walk away until he disappeared behind the doors. She also noticed how the loud noises of Marcus punching the punching bag had stopped. She knows that he has seen her and stopped, so she slowly turned around to him to find panting Marcus's eyes on her. She calmly shrugged, "What? Why did you stop? You don't have to stop for me. Go ahead, don't mind me. Resume assaulting that punching bag – and after this when you realize that this will help you with nothing – maybe then we can sit down and talk," She used sarcasm.

Marcus was still puffing and blowing. He averted his gaze away from his wife and pushed away from the punching bag that swings from one side to another before he aimed for the towel to wipe off the sweat from his face and hair. "I was being an ass to my employee for no reason. I wanted to cool down a bit," He explained to Charlie – his voice echoed through the empty hall. He might have been stupid enough to pay the gym and book the entire area to himself for a couple of hours. He just wanted to be alone.

Charlie took a deep breath and slowly walk near to him, "And, did it help?" She asked him – eyeing the way he wipes the sweat off his body and discards the towel before he leans in and picks his wedding band from beside his wallet and puts it on. Charlie was relieved to see that he at least thought about removing that ring or else the way he was punching into the bag, she is sure he would have injured his finger with that ring on. He had also taken off his shirt, but remained in his work pants – he didn't bring sweatpants along with him, so he had to keep it on.

Marcus took in a deep breath and looked at his wife, "It must have helped my employees. They were walking on eggshells around me all morning." He explained.

Charlie tugged her lips and let out a snigger as she stopped hardly a foot away from him, "You are such an amazing boss," She spoke. Marcus wasn't sure if she was being sarcastic or not, but he didn't dare to ask – usually when Charlie is this calm, it is not a good thing. "I wish you were this good to yourself as well," She mumbled as she stepped closer and took his bruised hands in hers. His knuckles were red. They hurt later. Right now they just feel raw.

Charlie feathery brushed her thumb over his injury – making Marcus hiss. Charlie immediately looks into his eyes, "What happened, Macho man? Does it hurt?" She asked sarcastically.

Marcus couldn't help but let out an inward chuckle. He wasn't going to answer her that – he knows that she is pulling his leg. It is funny how a wave of relief ran over him when he saw Charlie standing in the corner. At that moment, he knew he didn't have to blow off steam but wrecking a punching bag. He know William called her. Marcus saw him leaving – maybe he will thank him later for it and also, apologize for being rude to him multiple times today.

Marcus smiled at her, "Where are kids?" He couldn't help but ask.

Charlie smiled, "Maria and Silas came back, so I left them with Maria since I had an emergency to attend to. My husband was turning into a hulk and I had to stop him," She joked. Marcus chuckled and shook his head.

"Are these your words or William's?" Marcus asked amusingly.

Charlie smirked, "Will it cause William trouble if I say these are his words?" She joked. Marcus simply shook his head. Charlie chuckled and continued, "Yes, these were his words. His exact words were and I quote "Mrs. Harrison, your husband is about to turn into a hulk, can you please come to see him and make sure he doesn't. Also, I think he might hurt himself. I feel bad for the punching bag if it was a human it would be dead by now" – the poor boy was rambling. You made him very nervous, Marcus." She told him with an eye roll. "I am just glad he reached out for me, or else – these would have bled." She mumbled as she brushed the corners of his bruised knuckles.

Marcus smiled, "You are like an antidote to me," He commented and wrapped his arm around Charlie, who wrinkled her nose and took his arm off her.

Marcus raised his eyebrow while Charlie laughed, "You need a shower," She pointed out. A mischievous grin curled on Marcus's lips as he grabbed Charlie by arm and pulled her flushed again his sweaty body. Charlie squealed and tried to free herself, "Marcus, no! Oh God, you are so sweaty! Marcus, let go!" She laughed while trying to remove Marcus, but the man didn't budge as he laughed.

Silas was able to successfully book an appointment for Maria with Dr. Quinn for next month. They will have to fly to Chicago for it. Maria hasn't told about her decision to resume her treatment with anyone – not even her family and Charlie. She wants to try it out first before she let everyone else know. Silas has already planned to take a week-long trip to Chicago. The two will be able to spend time with Leo and Elizabeth as well as see the doctor as well.

A loud squeal following babbling captured her attention. Maria looked at Ezra who was trying to reach out for Bear, who was playing with her baby. Ezra's giggles and babbles swell her heart. Ezra looked at Maria, putting his chubby fist in his mouth. Maria heaved a sigh and caressed his soft cheek, "I will not give up this time – for you, I will not. I promise." She whispered.

"Look, Aunt Maria, I made this!" Maria looked at Kathie, whom she was babysitting for the day. Kathie proudly held a plain sheet with doodles all around it with different colors. Kathie looked extremely proud of what she made and surely it was extraordinary for her age. Maria gasped and clapped her hands for Kathie, "This looks so good! Well done, Kathie!" Maria praised a giggling Kathie, while Ella sat in her bounce – close to falling asleep.

Maria was looking after her nieces, while Charlie was away. Charlie had come to see Maria since they arrived back yesterday. The plan was for the two to spend some time together, but Charlie received a call from Marcus's assistant asking her to come to see Marcus. Maria already knows about Marcus's anger towards Elna, who refused to testify against her brother but wants to help Sean without including the police. Charlie was just telling Maria about how bothered Marcus has been for the past couple of days.

Maria couldn't help but feel guilty. It is like she is messing up with everyone's life. Marcus and Charlie just got married – they deserve to enjoy their married life, instead, Marcus is busy planning with Silas the ways to stop Sean from harming her. She heaved a sigh and leaned against the pillows while the kids and her dog played around her. She wonders if there is any way she can help. Maria did try to ask Silas to involve her in – to let her talk to Sean, but Silas said no. He didn't even want her to be around Sean. He asked to not get involved no matter what. He promised he will tackle it all, but that doesn't help Maria with the guilt. She sits in the house, while everyone around her ruins their peace to help and protect her.

Maria chewed on her lower lip, maybe Elna is right – maybe Sean can be talked to. Maybe he will understand once Maria has a civil conversation with him. Nobody has to fight. Nobody has to ruin their lives. Maybe – just maybe a simple conversation can solve everything. But Maria knows that Silas would never let her do it. But then what if she doesn't let him know? Would that be too risky and stupid or it could work? Maria soon fell into her usual overthinking spin.

Marcus finally showered while Charlie waited for him outside. He walked out in the changing room of the gym – with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. Charlie isn't even ashamed of gawking at him as he fished out for his now slightly wrinkled shirt carelessly laying on the bench. He picked it up and slipped his hands into it. He didn't even bother to button up his shirt – showing his damp skin. Charlie still didn't take her eyes off him. He bent down to pick up his pant from the floor. He dust it off and turned around to see Charlie checking him out. Marcus let out a chuckle and shook his head.

"You are staring," He pointed it out to her.

A smirk appeared on Charlie's lips before her eyes met his, "You bet your perfect ass, I am." She replied to which Marcus chuckled and slipped on his pant from under the towel. She pouted and wrinkled her nose, "I was hoping you would take that towel off first," She commented and sighed.

Marcus grinned and shook his head in return before he took the towel off once his pants were up and button it up. "We are in a gym," He reminded her as he walked closer to her – buttoning his shirt up.

"And, we have kids at home." She reminded him in return. Marcus laughed.

"Dozens of sweaty men come here every day," He looked around the empty locker room before he looked back at Charlie sitting on one of the benches, "God knows what those men must have done on the bench you are sitting on," He grinned when he saw Charlie's mouth twisted in disgust and her small nose wrinkled. She quickly get up on her feet and faked a gagged.

"Urgh! Okay, fine – let's get out of here." She shuddered. Marcus laughed and wrapped his arms around her and kissed her softly.

Charlie slowly closed her eyes and opened them when Marcus slowly pulled away but didn't let her go. He sighed and rested his forehead against hers, "Thank you," He whispered.

Charlie chuckled, "Why? For stopping you from turning into a hulk?" She joked.

Marcus smiled and poked her nose with his, "No, for existing." He replied.