Author's Note: Well, here's the next chapter. Review please! :) And also, thank you to CurlySweet who was my 50th reviewer for this story! Yay! :) Thank you!
Disclaimer: I do not own RENT. Not much else to say, huh?
Mark wrapped his scarf around his neck and took one final look in the mirror.
He was going out with Maureen that night. Maureen Johnson. The girl of his dreams. The love of his life.
What the hell was he saying? Mark mentally slapped himself. He had to get Maureen and Joanne back together. That was what he was going to do that night. Talk up Joanne as much as possible. He felt a sickening feeling grow in his stomach at the thought, but quickly pushed it aside and headed toward the door.
When Mark, stepped out of his room and into Mimi and Benny's living room, he overheard shouts.
"Where the hell were you?" Benny yelled.
"Nowhere," Mimi loudly retorted.
"Oh, that's nice, Mimi, that's real nice. You just get home now and say you've been nowhere," Benny scoffed, "Who the hell are you screwing?"
"I'm not screwing anyone! I spent the night at Maureen's," Mimi lied.
"Oh, what a comfort," Benny sarcastically replied.
"Oh, aren't you hilarious? I'm straight in case you've forgotten, Benny!" Mimi shouted.
"I was being sarcastic!" Benny defended.
"Well excuse me!" Mimi rolled her eyes.
"You were with Roger, weren't you?" Benny confronted.
"So what if I was? It doesn't mean anything happened!" Mimi reminded.
"Then why would you lie about where you were?" Benny interrogated.
"Because I knew you would freak out!" Mimi shot back.
"What were you doing there for so long?" Benny questioned.
"Talking!" Mimi explained.
"As if I'm supposed to believe that!" Benny accused.
"Well, if something did happen, it's not like it would be my fault! You're never around!" Mimi told him angrily.
"It doesn't give you an excuse to cheat which apparently you did!" Benny hurtfully argued.
"He just understands me," Mimi murmured.
"And I don't?" Benny bellowed.
"It's just-" Mimi started.
"It's just what?" Benny interrupted.
"You know what? You have no ground to stand on, you bastard!" Mimi cried.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Benny loudly asked.
"You think I don't know about you and Allison Grey? Because I do! And how do you think I felt when I found out about that? Hmmm? Knowing my entire marriage was a fucking lie! How did you even get her to go back with you after you cheated on her the first time? Hmmm? Look, Roger and I was just different. You wouldn't understand. We just, I dunno, connected. You were just screwing around with Allison for no fucking reason!" Mimi screeched.
After sitting there stunned for a moment, Benny finally spoke up.
"How did you find out?" he murmured.
"One of her friends works at Catscratch," Mimi admitted.
"How did they get to be friends with Allison of all people?" Benny inquired.
"Oh, so I'm so much below your mistress just because I work at an S&M club!" Mimi screamed, "You know what? Screw you. We are over!"
"What the fuck?" Benny gaped, "Where are you gonna go?"
"Roger's!" Mimi informed him loudly.
"What the hell? So you just give me HIV from your fucking heroin and then leave me?" Benny reminded.
"You know what, Benny? How do you even know I gave it to you?" Mimi asked, before silently walking out the door, tears falling from her warm brown eyes.
Mark stood there for a moment and watched as Benny collapsed onto the couch before entering into the room, nodding to Benny, and leaving the apartment.
Once he stepped outside, he allowed a small smile to overcome his features. Mimi and Benny had broken up. Mimi and Roger were together. One step closer to home.
Speaking of this creepy alternate universe, he hadn't seen Angel since the Life Café the previous night. What the hell happened to him? Mark allowed himself to ponder that impending question until he found Maureen's door and firmly knocked on it.
Within a few moments, Maureen came to the door dressed in tight black pants and a low but red top. Mark felt his breath catch in his throat. God, he loved her so much.
Wait. What was he saying? Focus, focus, focus. Joanne, Joanne, Joanne.
"Hey, Marky," Maureen giggled.
"Don't call me that," Mark replied as he blushed a violent shade of red.
"Let's get going," Maureen decided, locking her door before walking out of the building with Mark.
"So, how did you like Joanne?" Mark subtly interrogated.
"She was nice," Maureen informed him.
The two walked about two blocks in silence before he finally replied.
"Well, would you think of her as more than a friend?" Mark pressed.
"No," Maureen responded, quirking her eyebrow, utterly confused.
"Wait, are you straight?" Mark inquired.
"Why?" Maureen replied.
"Just wondering," Mark lied.
"Um, I'm bi, why?" Maureen admitted.
"Oh," Mark stated in response as the two entered a Chinese restaurant.
This was beyond bizarre. She was bi and still not interested in Joanne. What the hell?
"How may I help you?" the waiter asked Mark.
"Um, table for two please," Mark requested.
"Right this way please," he responded, before leading Mark and Maureen to a table that overlooked the falling snow.
"I'll get you some water in the mean time and be back in a few moments to take your order," the waiter informed them.
"Thank you," Mark thanked.
"So, does it matter if I'm bi or something?" Maureen continued.
"What? No," Mark insisted, "Of course not! I was just wondering. Because you know, I thought you would be interested in Joanne."
"Well, I'm not," Maureen promised.
The two looked at one another in silence for a few moments. Slowly though, Maureen began to lean into the table, Mark following suit. Although it was a small table, to Mark, it seemed to go on for miles and miles.
Once their faces met in the center, Maureen softly pressed her lips against his, and Mark immediately felt his heart rate accelerate as the blood rushed to his head. He scooted his chair forward so that their current state was not putting such a strain on his neck as Maureen slid her tongue into his mouth.
Mark felt completely on fire. It had been so long since he had felt Maureen's lips upon his and he wanted it to last forever.
Wait. What was he doing?
He rapidly pulled apart from her.
"What's wrong?" Maureen replied.
"Um, it's just you're supposed to be with Joanne. Not me. I wish it could be you and me, I really do, but it just can't," Mark informed her, feeling the tears well up in his eyes as he stared down at his silverware.
He loved Maureen more than anything. He wanted her more than anything. But she would never fully want him in return. Even if she believed it, he knew that deep down it was supposed to be Joanne. Not him.
"What are you talking about? Look, Mark, I know I don't know you well, but I really like you," Maureen admitted.
"But as much as I wished it were different, we're not meant to be," Mark flatly stated, tears beginning to fall from his eyes as he rose from his feet and headed out of the restaurant.
He had to get out of here.
A/N: Well, I hope you liked it! :) Next chapter will be the last, sadly. :( Review though!