A/N– Even though I only received one review, I decided to write another chapter. I figure that people are reading even if they aren't reviewing. So um...review if you feel inclined. On with the story.

When Maureen decided to walk all the way to the loft carrying her suitcases, she didn't realize how much harder it would be with the added weight. Letting out sigh of relief almost as heavy as her suitcases, she saw the old building. After much struggling she made it to the loft. She set her bags down and rested her head on the heavy door in front of her. At just that moment, Roger decided it was time to leave. As he pulled the door open she lost her balance and almost took a tumble down the stairs.

"Maureen- what the hell..." Roger questioned. She attempted a smile, but her mouth just wouldn't cooperate. She ended up looking like a highly confused frog. "You okay?" He asked without actual concern. Typical Roger. She was about to try to explain herself when she heard Mark's voice coming from deep inside the loft.

"Hey, Rog I thought you left a while...Maureen what are you doing here? Are you okay?" He sounded like he actually cared. He came closer to the door before he spoke again. "Suitcases? Reena, what happened? Did Joanne kick you out?" Not trusting herself to speak, she simply nodded. "I thought things were going so well. Come in, come on," he instructed. He grabbed a suitcase and Roger slipped past her on his way out, giving a nod to signal 'goodbye.'

Once inside the apartment she felt comfortable enough to speak. "I don't know what happened, Mark. Well, I know what happened, but I don't quite understand it. I just...I don't know." She sighed in defeat and realized what she was saying. "Oh, I'm sorry Mark, I didn't mean to- I just didn't- arg. Forget I said anything, okay?" He looked up at her, many questions in his gaze. She dropped her eyes to the floor, focusing on an orange stain and avoiding his eyes. It was like human eyes were a thought portal for him. If Mark Cohen looked you straight in the eyes he could usually figure out exactly what you were feeling. She didn't want that. She didn't want anyone knowing that someone had finally managed to hurt her.

He decided not to push her. But really, weren't they getting along? He could've sworn that they had been on speaking terms for several months now. As far as he knew that was their personal best. He didn't sense that anything had been wrong...unless Maureen had been cheating. Hadn't she changed? Hadn't she promised not to flirt around? But if that was the case, why would she be planning an anniversary party? Guilt? Maybe he could at least try to ask, although Maureen didn't usually talk about things with any meaning.

"Reena?" She finally looked up from the floor.

"Hm?"

"What's going on?"

"What do you mean?" She questioned back at him as though she hadn't just turned up at his door with two stuffed suitcases.

"Between you and Joanne. I thought you two were just fine. What about the anniversary party?" Another deep sigh from Maureen.

"It's off. She accused me of cheating, she doesn't trust me. She thinks we were just living on a dream." With that, she pulled out the note Joanne had left and handed it to him. His eyes filled with understanding.

"I thought you changed your ways. I didn't think you would cheat on her." She wasn't sure if he meant that as a statement or an accusation. She looked at him with hurt eyes.

"Mark I thought you'd understand. I wasn't cheating. Joanne has an active imagination I suppose."

"If you weren't cheating, why did she think you were?"

"I wasn't cheating...I wasn't. I was out late for a few nights in a row planning that goddam anniversary party. I meant for it to be a surprise for her, so naturally I didn't tell her where I was. That would surely spoil it. I figured she might get a little mad, but I never imagined a full breakup. After I promised her I wouldn't cheat, I didn't. I don't know where she got that idea."

Mark suddenly found his shoes entrancing. Was his talk with Joanne that one day the thing that started that line of thinking in her?

"I told her about all those times you cheated on me," he admitted. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause you any trouble, I just felt obligated to tell her. It hurt so much to think that you could be so selfish to just think of yourself when I needed you and you were in the arms of another man- or woman. I don't know anymore."

"All those times? Mark, what the hell? You know what? I only cheated on you once. I don't know where you got the idea I did it more than that. But even then I knew cheating was wrong, I don't know why I did it. I still regret it today. I really do. I don't know why, you were wonderful to me. I just...didn't feel like anyone loved me. I went drinking and met Andy. And that's it. I never even did anything with him. I'm not trying to justify anything I've done. I know it hurt you. I'm so sorry, Mark. I don't know how or why you put up with me."

"I put up with you then because I loved you. I put up with you now because I love you even more."

"I love you too; it's hard not to. I just- can't accept being loved sometimes. It's just too much."

She stood and excused herself to the bathroom. Like the rest of the loft it was old and grungy, but it worked and suited it's owners. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she felt the self-hatred rising inside of her. Pathetic. Why did she have to go all mushy on him? All that stuff she said to him had been eating her up for so long. Was Mark the reason that Joanne didn't trust her? In the end it was her own fault for talking to Andy in the first place just because she wanted to feel loved. I should have just sucked it up and moved on with life. Why did she always have to bother people? Yeah she was known as Maureen the Drama Queen to many, but currently she was fed up with all of it.

Her reflection tore her out of her thoughts. Mirror Maureen looked as weak and pathetic as Maureen herself felt. Can't I at least look strong? Digging through the pocket of her pants, she pulled her razor blade out. She looked from the blade to Mirror Maureen. What else was there to do? It had helped her earlier, why not now? She lifted her shirt and pressed the sharp edge to the skin just below her bra. With a few swift motions she had fresh lines of blood almost identical to the ones on her hip. For some reason, Mirror Maureen's injuries looked much worse than the ones on her body. After wiping some of the blood away from the cuts and readjusting her shirt she went back to Mark and sat on the couch beside him feeling much calmer. He wouldn't look at her.

"I'm, sorry if any of that stuff I said earlier made you feel bad. Really. I don't like seeing you so upset." He looked up at her as he spoke.

"Mark, everything you said was true, I just hadn't really chosen to face any of it before today. I can't help it that I'm a terminal screw up when it comes to relationships. I can't help it. I always end up hurting someone." She stood up and looked at him again.

"Really Mark. I hadn't ever thought of it before. I know I'm going to have to deal with it, but right now I just want to forget it. Let's go for a walk or something. The weather's actually pretty nice right now. Come on, please," she gave him a smile accompanied by the puppy eyes she had perfected by age seven. How could he refuse? Sighing in submission, Mark stood and joined Maureen near the door.

"Where to, Reena?"

"Does it really matter? Let's just walk." And they did just that.

A/N– Okay, so that's the second chapter. I wrote it fairly quick, so I hope there aren't too many errors and inconsistencies. Did you like it? Either way, why don't you leave me a review? Anything I need to improve? Tell me! By the way- thanks for reviewing, Rayon! It made my day!