Joanne clinched her jaw, her hands in fists at her side as she stormed away from the billiard room. Damn Maureen Johnson. Damn her all to hell. Who did she think she was, taking what was supposed to be the most special day of their life together and turning it to shit? Yes she was a diva, but couldn't she have silenced that side of herself for even a few hours? No, she had to show her true colors in front of everyone and ruin everything. Well that was fine. She meant what she said. She was through. Done. As far as she was concerned Maureen no longer existed.

She stopped just short of the corner leading to the staircase. The upstairs of the country club was in a round design, meaning she could still get downstairs without having to follow Maureen. Lord only knew she had trailed behind that girl far too many times in the past. And she certainly didn't feel like talking to anyone, even her parents. But she couldn't hide forever. Someone would inevitably come looking for her. She wanted to get out before that happened. So she steeled herself and rounded the corner.

Much to her surprise most of the crowd that had followed her and Maureen upstairs was nowhere to be seen. Of course they were probably too mortified to stick around after what they had witnessed. Which was just fine by her. She was leaving too. Just as soon as she made it down the stairs and out the door.

"Jo?"

She froze when she heard the voice. "Angel, I love you. I really do, but I don't want to talk right now."

"You don't have to." She gestured with her hands. "I just wanted to make sure you were all right." She wrinkled her nose. "Well, you know what I mean. Do you need anything?"

"Just to get out of here."

"Then come on. I'll clear the way."

Angel took her hand, leading her down the stairs. It was kind of nice to let someone else be in charge for a change. Usually it was an uphill battle with Maureen to see who could dominate who.

Maureen. She really needed to stop thinking about her.

"Maureen, the least you could do is answer your mother!"

"Why should I? It's not like either one of you has ever heard anything I've said."

"That's not true and you know it!"

"Oh really? How about Mom trying to shove Mark down my throat just now. What was that?"

"Why you ungrateful little…"

"Don't give in to her, darling. She's acting like a child again." Maureen's mother came out of the banquet room as Angel and Joanne reached the bottom of the stairs. She glared at them. "She's all yours now." The comment was directed at Angel. "We're through with her too." She grabbed her husband's arm, dragging him toward the door, throwing a, "For good," over her shoulder as they left.

"Yeah, well why don't you just go fuc…."

"Maureen!" Mark, came up behind her, cutting her off.

"Don't start with me, Mark. I'm…" Maureen noticed Joanne for the first time. "I'm out of here."

"Maureen, wait." Mimi appeared beside Mark, Roger and Collins close behind.

"For what, Meems?" Maureen frowned. "Is someone gonna spout some words of wisdom to me? Oh no, wait… This is me we're talking about. You're all gonna watch me walk away and then talk about me behind my back."

"Hey, you're the one who screwed up today." Roger frowned at her. "Don't take it out on us."

"Don't pretend you care, Roger. It doesn't become you." Maureen started to leave but stopped. "Is this OK or am I pushing some kind of break up rule?" She grinned when she didn't get a response. "Good. Then I'm gone."

"Maureen, don't do this." Mark tried to reason with her. "You know how you get when you're drunk."

"I'm not drunk!"

"Oh sugar, you're drunk." Angel nodded.

Joanne frowned. They were right, Maureen was drunk. She of all people should have spotted that sooner. Her diva ways went into overdrive when she'd had a few. Maybe that's why she said the things she did. Maybe…

She shook her head, telling herself to stop making excuses for her. Maureen wasn't her problem anymore.

"Fine. Maybe I am, what's it to any or you?"

"Maureen." Mark reached for her.

"Don't." She growled at him.

"Why don't you let me walk you home?" Collins tried his luck.

"Home?" Maureen laughed. "In case you didn't catch what happened a few minutes ago, I don't have a home anymore. This…" She gestured at the clothes she was wearing. "This is it for me."

Joanne rolled her eyes. "Maureen you know you can…"

"No." Maureen pointed at her. "You said all you had to say upstairs. We're through, remember?"

"Oh yeah, I remember."

"Good."

She started to walk away and stumbled. Mark reached out again to try to steady her and she jerked away from him, throwing herself right into the sign announcing her commitment to Joanne. Before anyone would react she fell backward, her head connecting with the marble top of the table behind the sign. She landed in a heap on the floor.

"Geez Maureen, you should change your name to Grace."

Mimi smacked Roger. "Stop it."

They all looked at Maureen, expecting her to curse as she climbed to her feet. But she didn't. She just laid there.

"Mo?" Angel frowned.

"I'll help her." Collins pushed past Roger and Mimi, going to his friend's side. "Come on, girl. I'll…" His voice trailed off as he looked down at her. "Maureen?" He gripped her shoulder, rolling her from her side to her back. "Oh man, she's out cold."

"Are you sure?" Roger narrowed his eyes. "Maybe she's just pretending so we won't give her a hard time about being a spaz."

Mimi glared at him. "Don't make me hit you again."

"No, I'm serious." Collins frowned. "I think she's hurt."

It took every ounce of self control Joanne had not to show how concerned she was, but pulled it off.

"Shit!"

She jumped when Collins yelled. The look on his face was one she would never forget.

"She's not breathing."