Joanne stretched as her eyes opened. It was nice to finally be waking up in her own bed. It would have been better if Maureen was next to her, but she couldn't have everything right away. Maybe with time they could…
She screamed when she saw Maureen standing across the room.
"Hey." She nodded her head in greeting.
Joanne frowned. "What are you doing in here?"
"Waiting for you to wake up?"
"Why?"
"So I can say goodbye."
Joanne's frown deepened. "Goodbye? What are you talking about?"
"Your mom's little visit last night brought everything back for me."
"Are you saying you remember?"
Maureen nodded. "Everything. Including the fight we had just before I fell."
"Mo…"
"No, hear me out here, Joanne. She was right. You were right. I'm not good for you. You deserve so much more than I seem to be able to give." She smiled sadly. "I love you, Jo. I really do. But I can't do this to you anymore." She picked up the suitcase sitting on the floor beside to her. "I'll send for the rest of my things."
"No!" Joanne tried to get up but she was too tangles in her sheets. "Maureen, wait!" She finally managed to free herself, but Maureen had already walked out. "Damn it Mo, wait!" She ran into the living room to find it empty. "Maureen?" She frantically ran toward the front door. "Maureen?!"
She landed with a thud on the floor, looking around totally bewildered for a moment before realizing she was still in her room. How the hell did she get back in there?
"Maureen?!" She ran, barely taking the time to open the door before she barreled into the living room. It was still empty. "Damn it!" She was about to run out of the apartment and search the whole city if need be when she heard a noise coming from the bathroom.
It was just like Maureen to make a pit stop on the way out. She hurried in that direction, her heart in her throat as she threw open the door.
"Whoa!!" Maureen screamed. "Joanne, what are you doing?!" She scrambled to cover herself but didn't do a very good job considering the only thing within reach was a wash cloth.
Joanne's mouth fell open when she realized Maureen was naked. "You're…"
"Yeah." Maureen nodded. "Wearing clothes in the shower kind of defeats the purpose."
"But…" Joanne furrowed her brow. "I thought…"
Maureen moved to get a towel, causing Joanne to take a step back. "Are you all right? I heard you yelling, that's why I was getting out."
The phone rang, making them both jump.
"Saved by the bell."
"Joanne."
She couldn't bring herself to look at her again. "I had a bad dream, that's all. Why don't you finish up while I see who's giving us a wake up call?"
She left, shutting the door behind her before Maureen could say anything else. She leaned back against it, giving herself a second to recuperate. The whole dream thing was getting ridiculous. She had never been the insecure type. Then again the love of her life had never nearly died right in front of her before. Maureen leaving in one way, shape or form seemed to be at the root of every dream she'd had. She was just going to have to convince herself that the brunette wasn't going anywhere.
The idea of going back in the bathroom and ravishing her before she could get her clothes on flitted through her mind but she quickly shoved it away. Now was hardly the time.
What she needed was something constructive to do. Like answering the phone.
She hurried into the living room to pick it up. "Hello?"
"Hey Joanne, it's Mark."
She rolled her eyes. Of all their friends that could have called it had to be him. Their relationship was tentative at best and she really could have used a sympathetic ear.
"Did I wake you?"
She almost laughed. "No."
"Good. I wanted to call before I headed out to film. You know, so I didn't miss anything like yesterday."
Bless his heart. They might not have been on the best of terms, but he cared for Maureen. Of course that was probably because he was still head over heels in love with her. Well he was just going to have to stand in line because Maureen was hers. And it was going to stay that way, amnesia or no amnesia.
"So, am I?"
She frowned. "What?"
"Am I missing anything I should know about before I head out?"
"No."
"Good. That's good."
An uneasily silence filled the line.
"Look, Joanne…." Mark finally broke it. "I want to say I'm sorry again. For yesterday. I'm a big enough man to admit I was jealous at the thought of you getting to spend time with Maureen when the rest of us couldn't. But I thought about it last night. Really thought about it. And I realized something…."
Joanne held her breath, thinking "This ought to be good."
"The two of you are meant for each other. You'd have to be blind not to see it when you look at one another. And I know if anything can bring our Maureen back, it's the love the two of you share."
"Mark, I…" She was completely blown away. "I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything. Just know we're all behind you one hundred and ten percent. And I know this goes without saying, but take good care of her."
With that he hung up.
Joanne moved the phone from her ear, staring at it for a moment before hanging it up. That had to be one of the sweetest things anyone had ever said to her. Obviously she thought she and Maureen were meant to be, but to have Maureen's ex tell her the same thing made her heart sing. Tears filled her eyes as she smiled.
"Who was that?"
Joanne looked up when she heard Maureen's voice, relieved to see she was dressed this time.
"You're crying!" Maureen was across the room like a shot. "Who made you cry? What happened? Was that your mother again? Because I'm feeling better today than I did last night. I won't just stand around and do nothing this time!"
Joanne couldn't help but chuckle. "Maureen, calm down."
"But you're crying." Maureen made it sound like it was the end of the world as she reached out to wipe a tear from her face. "I might not remember much right now, but I know I hate to see people cry."
How true was that? She was more than willing to admit she turned on the water works from time to time to get her way with the diva. And it always worked. One tear could take raving Maureen and turn her into a complete pussycat.
"Tell me what happened."
Joanne swallowed hard as Maureen cupped her cheek. The physical contact along with the look in Maureen's eyes was more than she could stand. "Nothing." She grabbed her hand, pulling it away from her face.
"Joanne."
"I'm all right, Maureen. Really."
"Fine." She growled the word as she flopped down on the couch with a sigh.
Joanne frowned at her reaction. "What?"
"Nothing."
"Maureen." Joanne quirked an eyebrow when she didn't answer. She sat on the edge of the coffee table so she could face her but Maureen avoided her gaze. "What's going on?"
"If you're allowed to cry and not tell me why, I'm allowed to sit down in a huff and ignore you."
And there it was. Maureen's first drama queen moment since coming home. It made Joanne want to jump for joy.
"I mean, we're friends, right? Best friends according to what you said last night. You were there for me at the hospital. The nursing staff said you only left my side for a few minutes at a time. And last night you played mama bear, taking my side against your own mother. Not to mention the fact you're acting like it's no big deal that I can't remember a damned thing. But I'm not allowed to ask you what's wrong when I find you crying. That's not fair, Joanne."
For the second time that morning she was too blown away to say anything.
"I'm not made of glass. I won't shatter if you lean on me." Maureen shook her head. "Forget it. I'm just being stupid."
"No you're not." Joanne finally found her voice, knowing Maureen would completely shut down if she didn't keep her talking. "And I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel like I was shutting you out. I just…" She sighed. "I know I can come to you, Maureen. I just didn't want to burden you right now. You've been through enough."
"Helping a friend is never a burden."
"You're right." Joanne nodded. "So what do you want to know?"
Maureen finally looked at her. "Are you being serious? I can ask and you'll be honest with me."
"Of course."
"Joanne."
"I swear I'll tell you the truth."
"All right." Maureen scooted forward to sit on the edge of the couch. "Who was on the phone?"
"Mark."
"Mark…" Maureen narrowed her eyes in concentration. "One of the friends you mentioned at the hospital?"
"Yes."
"And he upset you enough to make you cry? Did something happen to one of our other friends?"
"No." Joanne stopped her before she could get worked up again. "He just said something really sweet that made me a little emotional."
"So they were good tears?"
"Definitely."
"All right." Maureen nodded. "What about your dream?"
Joanne instantly tensed and started to get up.
"Uh, no." Maureen put her hand on her arm to stop her. "Didn't we just go through this? You promised to be honest with me." She sighed when her friend didn't answer. "Those might have been happy tears, but you were obviously upset when you came in the bathroom earlier. So spill. What did you dream about?"
She thought about lying, she really did. But she had promised to be honest with Maureen. And even in her current condition her lover would know she was lying.
"You."
"Me?"
"Yes, I had a dream about you."
"And it freaked you out?" Maureen frowned. "What, do you think I'm going to go all psycho and cut you up in your sleep or something?"
"No. Nothing like that. I dreamed you were…." Joanne sighed. "I dreamed you were leaving. That all the crap with my mom last night drove you away."
A hint of a grin graced Maureen's face. "And the thought of me leaving upset you that much?"
"Yes." The intensity of her answer surprised her. She quickly tried to do damage control. "You have amnesia, Maureen. I can't have you wondering the city alone. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you."
The grin disappeared. "Because we're friends?"
"Exactly."
Joanne couldn't explain it, but something happened. It was almost like a little of the light left Maureen's eyes.
"Well, thanks for being so honest with me." She stood up. "I'm going to find something to eat."
Joanne furrowed her brow as she watched her walk away. If she didn't know better she would have sworn Maureen was disappointed with that last answer.
