Here's my little one shot that was obviously inspired by the song 'Almost Perfect' by Ingram Hill. The song fit too perfectly to Mark and Maureen's situation, it begged to be written.

Diclaimer: I don't own RENT, nor 'Almost Perfect'. I'm just borrowing them for my own fun, and hopefully the entertainment of my readers. I did, however, get permission to use the lyrics for 'Almost Perfect'. Thanks again, Justin!

Enjoy! And please review!


Maybe her eyes are just a little bit red
Almost all the time
Maybe her hair, it smells like cigarettes
When I climb into bed with her at night

I looked up from my camera when I heard the door open, a smile appearing on my face when I saw my girlfriend, Maureen, enter the loft.

"Hey Maureen." I got up and gave her a kiss.

"Hey, Pookie." I immediately stiffened. I hated when she called me that, and she knew it.

She walked over to our room, greeting our other roommates, Roger and Collins on the way.

"Marky, I'm going out tonight! Not sure when I'll be back. Sharon and Kathy are celebrating their six month anniversary. Six months, can you believe it?" she yelled from behind the closed door. When the door opened it revealed Maureen in a sexy tanktop and tight black jeans. "See you in the morning. Good night." she gave me a quick kiss. "Bye guys." she waved goodbye, and left.

She don't want to try
But this just feels so right
She's almost perfect
She's so close to being everything
She's almost perfect
But she's not. She's not...

Roger and Collins both gave me the same look. It said 'Poor Mark'

Like I didn't know what Maureen was really doing out.

Again.

For the fourth time this week.

And it's only Thursday.

I rolled my eyes and picked up my camera gear, taking it into my room, ignoring the looks of pity Roger and Collins were still sending my way.

Maybe she knows she drives me crazy
Just bats her eyes, like she's my baby
Maybe she's quick to let her tongue fly at me
She's not the most proper lady

Truth was, I knew.

I'd have to be really blind if I didn't.

She hardly ever stayed home for the night. We never hung out, just the two of us anymore. Hell, if I'm being completely honest, we haven't had sex in nearly four months. We've been together for three years, and I realize the sex drive sometimes goes down, but this was ridiculous.

No.

I was positive she was cheating on me.

I'm the one to blame, I know I caused this crash
So now I wonder in this mess
In this lake of sour mashed
Through my head a notion that

Later that night I fell into bed, alone.

I was sick of it. I was sick of pretending I had no idea what was going on. Sick of pretending I had this perfect relationship with Maureen. Sick of her coming home, smelling of cigarettes and cologne that wasn't mine.

Hell, I didn't even wear cologne.

But mostly, I was sick of sleeping alone.

Maybe she's not quite honest with me
Almost all the time
Maybe I know there's someone else in her life
When I climb into bed with her at night

I woke when Maureen opened the door, but didn't move. I was mad at her, and didn't really want to talk to her, pretend I didn't know what was really going on.

I heard her undressing and felt her climb into bed. She snaked her arm around my waist and cuddled up behind me, kissing the back of my neck.

I felt all the feelings of anger melt away as she rubbed my chest lazily.

I realized then, no matter how mad I would get, or what she would do, I loved her.

That's why I stayed.

She's almost perfect
She's so close to being everything
She's almost perfect
But she's not. She's not mine...