Chapter 5

A/N: Okay, thank you all for your reviews! L.M. Ward, you are officially my favorite person. I know, I know, the Joanne/Mark thing was TOTALLY predictable, but hey, it was either Jo/Mark, or Jo/Collins. And that wasn't happening. So, this is what we have. Sorry for the shortness (is shortness even a word?), but I try.

Maureen stood in the open doorway, gaping at Mark and Joanne on the couch. Joanne launched herself across the room, but the damage had been done.

"So. This is why you go straight. To take the man I dumped so I could go lezzie for you."

"Mo, its not like that," Mark like; more to himself than Maureen. He glanced at Joanne who was furiously blushing. A new sadness, one less than the pain she had felt all day, but a definitely recognizable one set in. So. Mark isn't interested.

"Don't you Mo me, camera boy! Joanne, you are fooling around with my ex!"

"First off, we were not fooling around, we were having a conversation. Second, for once in your life, you're right! Mark is your ex. He is not your property! He can 'fool around' with whomever he pleases!"

"Yeah!" he said lamely. A small smile crept across Joanne's face at the stupidity of Mark's exclamation.

"And, I'm… your ex too!... I'm not…" giggles took hold of her. She glanced at Mark who was "church laughing". She could see his shoulders shaking, his face twisted into a grimace that was unsuccessfully trying to conceal his grin. "I'm not your girlfriend!... so I can… fool around… too!" Laughter consumed them both. Maureen was not amused.

"Joanne, I'd like to have an adult conversation with Mark. So if you could leave," she said coldly, freezing Joanne's amusement. She glared at Maureen, and walked calmly to the door, head held high, stealing a glance at Mark. When the door shut, Maureen kicked off her shoes and threw them and her purse in a corner, causing a shower of dry wall to crumble on them.

"Hey! You're going to make this dump fall down!"

"You're too whiny Mark. And you made me forget what I was going to tell you. Oh, yeah. Sorry about those pictures. So, can I talk to you?"

"I guess."

"You're not going to date Joanne, are you?"

"Uh… well… I don't… um…" Maureen rolled her eyes.

"Forget it. I feel just short of a hangover. This crying business sucks. Why did she leave me mark? I'm always the one that does the leaving! And why do I care so much? That's what really bothers me, is that I care!"

"She left because she was afraid you were going to, and couldn't handle the rejection."

"So now I have to! But why do I care so much?"

"Maybe you're genuinely in love with her?" Maureen contemplated that for a moment.

"I think you're right. No offense Mark, but I think she's the only one I was ever truly in love with. Don't get me wrong, you were great, but you have no spine."

"Gee, thanks," he growled.

"That's got to be it. I really am in love with her, because she wouldn't let me walk all over her! It feels so refreshing," she smiled.

"You know what else is refreshing? Not being walked on!" he said angrily.

"I've got to get her back," she declared with a hug. "Thanks, Marky. You're so smart sometimes. Were you saying something earlier, by the way?" Mark answered with a scowl. Not noticing, Maureen bounced out the door on her merry way to her apartment. As she was about to open the door, she crashed into Joanne, spilling the contents of a cardboard box onto the floor.

"Oh! Pookie, I'm sorry. Here, let me help you." Joanne sighed and got to her knees. Now she decides to get helpful. "What is all this stuff anyway?"

" 'All this' is my stuff." The women got to their feet.

"Oh, but you don't have to leave!" Maureen said gleefully, taking the box and setting it on their kitchen table.

"What, are you going to leave?"

"No, stupid, I've decided I'm really actually in love with you!" Joanne rolled her eyes.

"Now you've decided? When I've decided I'm done?" Maureen wasn't getting it.

"Well, I don't know if I just barely fell for you or what, but you're the only one that matters, honeybear."

"I see. And all those little 'breaks' were just for fun?"

"Pretty much. I mean, I needed someone who was wild, like me. You were too organized." She spat the word like it was a disease threatening to infest her. Joanne grabbed her box.

"Well, you can find some wild girl, or guy, or whatever you're into these days, permanently. After all, I'm much too much of a geek for the Mighty Maureen. I'll be back for my furniture."

Maureen stood in the empty kitchen. I've been walked out on twice in one day! What is her problem, anyway? I totally told her she was the only one, and how does she thank me? By walking out! She collapsed weakly onto a chair. I swear, I should go back to guys permanently! Experiencing two people's PMS in the same house blows.