Just a quick note before you begin this chapter: I haven't really ever liked the MoJo pairing that Jonathan Larson created. I mean, it's his, so yes, it's genius, but I haven't really liked it, ever since I first became a Renthead, to be honest. I play around with it (mainly because Joanne's so fun to annoy), but that's it. And I know, on my profile, I had said that it was practically illegal to change the sexuality of any Rent character, because what Jonathan Larson wrote is law... but lately, I've changed my mind on that, too. Maybe it's because I've seen so much MarkRoger slash around this site (not saying that's a bad thing, but they are both straight in the movie and play, after all, with April, Maureen to an extent, and Mimi.) I don't know why I've changed my views on that. But anyways, my point is, I've never liked the MoJo pairing that much (if you want a more in-depth explanation, PM me or something and I'll explain more), so in this chapter, I'm trying something new. Some of you might like it; some of you might not. Happy reading.

Chapter 10

Two weeks later…

Collins and Mark jumped as the loft door slammed against the wall. A completely hysterical Maureen came staggering into the room.

"Markyyy…" she slurred. "I need… to talk… to yooou…"

"Oh, my God, Maureen, sit down," Mark said, alarmed, and he forced her into a chair.

She looked terrible. She was obviously drunk, her hair was a mess, her make up was running, and she looked exhausted. She was crying, too.

"Maureen, calm down," Mark said. "Tell me what happened?"

"I'll tell you what happened," said an angry voice.

Joanne had entered the loft.

"Maureen went out last night without me and got so drunk, she cheated on me with both a man and a woman and can't remember their names. She was so wasted she can't remember doing it at all!" Joanne exclaimed.

"Joanne, calm down," Collins said, looking at Joanne. Then he looked at Maureen. "Maureen, is that what happened?"

"I— I can't remember!" Maureen cried. "How can you"— she pointed a shaking finger at Joanne— "accuse me of something I don't remember doing?" Before Joanne could open her mouth to retort, Maureen screamed, "Do you have it on tape or video or something?"

"No, I don't," Joanne said, "just eyewitness accounts and my own testimony. Then she got drunk this morning, before I woke up, so she really didn't remember. And why, you may ask; all because of Jaclyn."

"Jo, did she pass out at all last night?" Mark asked urgently.

"No," Joanne said.

"Did she have a hangover?"

"No," Joanne said irritably, "but I'm guessing she's gonna— one hell of one. And I'm not gonna deal with it anymore."

Maureen looked up, tears in her eyes and flowing down her cheeks. "What do you mean?" she asked. She leaned against Mark, shaking, and he put his arm around her.

"I mean, I'm sick of this, Maureen. I'm sorry. No, wait," Joanne paused and changed her mind, "then again, I'm not. I'm tired of having to always keep an eye on you. I want someone who will be completely faithful to me for the rest of my life; not some beautiful, cheating drama queen who promised that to me once and betrayed me not once, but twice." Tears welled up in her eyes. "We're over, done. You can pick up your things tomorrow."

And with that, Joanne turned around and stormed out the door. Mark didn't know what to do. Collins had barely been able to say a word in Maureen's defense, while Mark had comforted Maureen. Now Joanne was gone for good.

Collins put his arm around Maureen and both men held her as she cried bitterly. Eventually, she became very tired and they laid her on the bed in Benny's room to sleep off her major hangover.

Mark was wiping her forehead and neck with a lukewarm washcloth when Roger walked in, back from his gig. Mark put a finger to his lips and pointed to the bedroom. The door was open and Roger could see Maureen sleeping on the bed.

"What the hell happened to her?" he asked, concerned.

"We'll tell you later. She's completely trashed," Mark said.

"Why?"

"Because of…" Mark paused. He looked at Roger warily and decided it was time to tell him the truth. "She was upset because of Jaclyn."

"Why?" Roger asked.

"Because she left," Mark said, "and this has caused Maureen a lot of emotional problems. Jaclyn was her best friend, after all."

"Where did she go?"

"If we told you, would you even care?" Collins snapped.

Roger was looking angry again. "Try me," he said.

"Fine, I'll try you," Collins said. "She's in D.C.; has been for nearly two months."

"Oh, is that all?" Roger asked. "Why didn't she tell me?"

"Three reasons," Collins said. "One: you hurt her real bad that day she left. Two: she no longer trusts you and doesn't expect that to change, which I admit I find surprising. But I'm sure she's waiting for you to try to earn that trust back. Three: you would have said, 'Is that all?'"

Roger almost smiled. "Well, can I call her or is she coming to visit or what?" he asked.

"That's up to her," Collins said, feeling protective. "We'll ask her for you."

"OK," Roger said, shrugging. "So when is she coming to visit?"

"She's hoping to come home for Christmas," Collins said. "She says she hates D.C. She throws herself into her job so she doesn't have to think about leaving here."

Roger grimaced. "I need to apologize to her, Collins," he said. "If she hates it there, she should come home." He noticed the way they were looking at him and he frowned. "Look, I won't make her do anything she doesn't want to, OK? But we can at least be friends again, can't we?"

"You'll have to take that up with her," Collins said, raising his hands. "She can take care of herself."

"Fine," Roger said.

"Now, if you'll excuse us, Mo needs attention," Mark said. "Would you make yourself useful and help?"

"Of course," Roger said. "It's something good I can do around here, for once."

Collins and Mark smiled. Finally, it seemed, they were getting through to Roger.

"I can't do this, Marky," Maureen said, stopping and clinging to Mark nervously. They were standing on the front steps of Joanne's flat, about to retrieve her belongings, before she left Joanne for good.

"Maureen, don't say that," Mark said. "You can, you can." He pulled her close to him and was surprised and pleased when she didn't resist. "Look, I'm not gonna say I know how you feel, because I didn't understand your relationship, how close you were to her, beyond what I've seen." She looked up at him. "You know I don't mean anything by that, right?"

Maureen nodded.

"But if you need to talk at all, I'm here to listen. That's all I can offer."

Maureen nodded again. "I know," she said, and she sighed. She looked at the apartment. Though it was broad daylight, the front light was on. "Come on, let's just get this over with."

Mark nodded and knocked on the door. A minute later, Joanne answered. She didn't say anything except, "Good, you're here."

Maureen, Mark, and Collins walked past her, into the apartment. Maureen quickly gathered as many possessions into her arms as possible, and took it out to Collins' car. Collins' car wasn't new by any means, nor was it good-looking, but it got him from point A to point B and he had gotten it cheap not long before.

They had to make several trips, but eventually, they were done. Maureen seemed to be in shock, because even after Joanne slammed the door behind them and they walked to the car, she was silent. When she and Mark got to the car (Collins was inside the flat, speaking for a moment with Joanne), Maureen burst into tears just as Mark started the car.

"Maureen!" Mark said in alarm, and he shut off the car quickly. "What is it?"

"It's over, Marky," Maureen sobbed. "Me and Joanne, it's over. It's just a… a hard concept to grasp."

Mark nodded.

Then she looked up at him and said something he never thought she would say.

"Was it this hard when I left you?" she asked.

"Oh, Maureen," Mark groaned. He didn't think now was the time to ask this. But she insisted. "All right… well… no, it wasn't. I mean, I won't deny it was a shock, but… but I felt it was your decision, even if I was angry and hurt and upset. And I figured you left because I got caught up in my work. I was neglecting you."

He gently caressed her cheek with his thumb. "I never really got over you," he admitted. "I was always hoping you'd come back; just not under circumstances like this. I didn't want you to come back hurt, I wanted you to come back by your own decision." His voice dropped hesitantly.

"I wanna tell you something," Maureen said, looking up at him.

"What?" Mark asked.

"I never really got over you, either."

Mark smiled and Maureen leaned in. And for the first time in a long time, Mark's lips met Maureen's in a gentle kiss.

Hehe. I don't know if any of you wanted me to leave it there, but I've decided to end this chapter on a good note. Don't forget to review. I'll update the next chapter as soon as possible, but probably not until next week or later. Sorry, but life is gonna get really busy for me really soon. Please be patient for me as you wait for sporadic updates. I've got quite a bit written up, and it will be typed up and posted as soon as I can. Thanks.

Until next time, lots of love,

Renthead07