A/N from PinkElphaba- hi guys, as always, thanks for your reviews. Just so you'll know, in the following weeks our updates might be less frequent due to reasons that are out of our control (aka school, ugh), but we're still here- the story is NOT finished yet so keep following it! Don't you go anywhere! Here's the next chapter, enjoy and review of course!

Chapter Twenty

"Maureen, I still… I still love you."

That statement still echoed in Maureen's ears long after she first heard it. The relief she felt by finally learning the truth about that night was suddenly replaced with panic and the slightest excitement. It was the tiniest spark of hope, yet it was the only one Maureen could hold on to.

She kept staring at the projector for a long moment in disbelief, then slowly removed her gaze to Mark. He didn't look back. He looked shaken; his gaze never left the screen, as if he couldn't believe he told her that. It was over a month ago, long before Michelle. Could it still be true? Was it true back then, or was it again the alcohol speaking out of him as before, when he said all these horrible things to her…

Why wouldn't he face her? Was it because he was embarrassed that his well-kept secret was revealed, or because it was complete nonsense? Whatever the answer was, Maureen couldn't let it go. She had to know.

"Mar-"

The phone rang. The sound was faint yet audible, as it pierced the uncomfortable silence between them. Maureen leaned back with a desperate sigh. Mark didn't look as if he was going to answer the phone. His gaze remained fixated on the screen. For a moment, Maureen wasn't even sure that he heard it… The machine took over.

Roger's voice… urgent, panicked… come to the hospital… Mimi… collapsed… ER…

It happened in an instant. Suddenly, what happened that night didn't seem to matter, as Roger's message quickly sunk in.

Maureen got up the second Mark did. His haste movement caused some of his equipment to crash on the floor. The projector was shot off immediately. "Shit…" he mumbled without really realizing what he had just done. Then it seemed to hit him, and he cursed louder. "SHIT!" He didn't give it much thought as he started moving around the living room. "Mimi…" he murmured, pacing back and forth, looking for something. "Wallet… wallet…" he stopped and stared at the answering machine as if it was the first time he had seen it. Maureen didn't have a chance to blink before Mark launched himself towards it. "Roger? Roger, I'm coming!"

But Roger was no longer at the other end as the machine's red light started blinking madly.

Maureen grabbed her bag and slipped back into Collins' jacket. She ran to the door and stood there, fidgeting impatiently, as she watched Mark, who was still pacing back and forth across the room, helplessly looking for his wallet. What is it with men when it comes to emergencies, she wondered. They became so impossibly hopeless, it was pathetic. Maybe I should stick with women after all, she told herself.

All she cared about was getting to the hospital. That message, along with Roger's frightened tone, frightened her as well. An unmistakable sense of panic was slowly creeping under her skin, making her blood freeze in her veins, causing her heart to sink. The worst thing was, that she KNEW something was wrong with Mimi the other night, and told Collins only an hour ago, and he just dismissed it, as if it was nothing, blaming it on her work… She did four double shifts last week to get off yesterday for your show… Your show. She completely forgot about Mark's statement as she suddenly remembered these two horrible words. Your show. It was all her fault. Mimi exhausted herself the week before just to be there, to see her perform, without even considering the consequences of her hasty actions… and to make things worse, Maureen didn't even perform eventually, so Mimi's efforts were for nothing.

Damnit, why is it taking Mark so fucking long? "Mark! Mark, leave the damn wallet, I'll pay for the cab, now COME ON!" She had to get to Mimi. She had to make sure that she was okay. She was the closest thing to a younger sister Maureen ever had. She couldn't lose her… THEY couldn't lose her… their angel…

Mark finally relented and followed her to the door, struggling with the sleeves of his jacket.

"Come on, let's go!" she put her hand on the knob and opened the door.

They nearly bumped into Michelle, who had her hand in the air, as if she was about to knock on the door. She kept her balance and didn't stumble forward. Maureen's theory was proved as correct. Women were faster in their reactions, in all cases. Michelle's surprise lasted a split second before her eyes narrowed as she observed the scene in front of her. Her cold and accusing gaze wandered from Mark to Maureen, and back to Mark.

"Mark?"

Mark's hysteric state of mind seemed to die away quickly as his puzzled gaze met her cold one. It was as if Michelle was the last person he expected to see on his doorway, which took Maureen by surprise, since she believed she was the one holding that position by now.

"Michelle?" he looked at Maureen, then back at Michelle. "Look, we really need to leave-" he started, intending to take her along with them.

And then it started.

"I should have KNOWN!"

Maureen's head snapped up as she instantly detected the unfamiliar bitterness in Michelle's tone. It was pathetic. She looked at her pitifully. "What? Hey, hold on a second, he didn't-" her voice trailed off. She knew what she wanted to say, but she also knew how it would sound. "It's not what you think."

Michelle ignored her. She was looking through Maureen as she kept yelling at Mark. "Just because we had that little fight you go and sleep with your ex-girlfriend? You are DIRT, Mark Cohen!"

A fight? Maureen was a little surprised to hear it, but then again, she didn't have time to ponder over it as she listened to Michelle's scolding and accusations in total shock.

Mark looked amazed at her reaction as well as he stared at her. "WHAT? I wouldn't stoop so low! What do you take me for?"

Michelle didn't seem to buy that. "Then what's the real explanation for her being here?" she shot Maureen such a look that told her everything she needed to know. Michelle despised her. The truth was, that Maureen didn't give a damn. She didn't like HER much either.

"Michelle, I really don't have TIME-" tried Mark again.

"I don't care, you… you… sleaze…"

Maureen rolled her eyes and glanced at Mark. He looked as if he didn't know whether to laugh or cry at his girlfriend's ridiculous reaction. Was that her best?

She had to help Mark. She had to support him, or she'd end up ruining his life again. "Michelle, look, we'll explain later, but right now we have to-"

"Don't talk to me, you whore!" snapped Michelle.

Maureen's jaw nearly dropped. Did Mark's perfect little Jewish girlfriend just call ME a WHORE? Her eyes narrowed. "WHAT? How dare you speaking to me like that, you don't even know me!"

Michelle glared at her maliciously. "I know exactly who you are! You're a lonely-wannabe-lesbian-that-can't-get-with-men-or-women-and-can't-find-out-who-the-hell-you-are bitch, so you try to sleep with those you've hurt!"

WHOA! That was all Maureen could think about after listening to that mouthful speech coming out of the pleasant looking girl who was standing before her. Looks can deceive, indeed, she told herself. She was too horrified and amazed by what she had just heard, to even be hurt by it. That boring innocent-looking girl does have a dirty mouth, she thought as she returned Michelle's glare but said nothing. She was trying to preserve every piece of self-control she still had. She wanted to act like an adult for once, but knew that her own outburst was only a matter of time. It felt like there was a bomb ticking inside of her. Michelle was not very far from making it explode.

Mark looked horror stricken himself as he stared at her in disbelief. "Michelle-" he started just as Maureen decided to say something anyway, so she'd have some dignity left.

"I'm not sleeping with him! Taken guys are not my style, no matter what you might have heard!"

Michelle didn't look too convinced. "Then why the hell you are here? I know damn well it's not to borrow a cup of sugar!"

"Why I'm here is none of your goddamn business!" Maureen backfired, steamed.

Michelle shot her a look as if she was stupid. "I'm Mark's GIRLFRIEND, I deserve to KNOW!"

"Michelle, please, nothing is going on," started Mark as he tried to get Michelle out of their way.

The slap came out of nowhere. "Don't TOUCH me, you pig!"

Maureen couldn't take it. She jumped in front of Mark, facing Michelle, whose pretty features seemed to disappear behind a façade of fury. "Hey, get your hands off him!"

Michelle shoved her aside abruptly. "I will do as I please, slut!" Maureen stared at her wide-eyed as she turned back to face Mark. "I can't believe you!"

Maureen decided to ignore the fact that Mark's perfect girlfriend had just called her a slut. Must be real love after all, she thought bitterly as she once again tried to push Michelle away from Mark. "He tells you the truth, nothing is going on. If you're his girlfriend as you claim to be, you should believe him, not suspecting him!" She could feel Mark's gaze piercing her back. She didn't dare to turn and face him.

Michelle snorted. "Sure, grin and smile when I see my boyfriend with his ex, the fucker he swore he never would be seen with, who he swore he never wanted to be with!"

Maureen sighed. Why wouldn't she get it? She was supposed to be bright and educated! "He didn't even know I was coming here!" She glanced at Mark. He looked worried and tipsy, and Maureen knew it wasn't much because of Michelle's jealousy scene. He was obviously more concerned for Roger and Mimi. And they were running out of time. "Look, this is pointless and we really need to go-"

"You're not going anywhere until I found out what happened!" she grabbed Maureen's wrist and tried to pull her out of the way.

And Mark finally raised his voice. "Michelle, let go of her!"

By the look on Michelle's face, Maureen could tell she was waiting for him to say just that. "I KNEW it, you're trying to PROTECT her!" she cried triumphantly.

Maureen couldn't help but smile in satisfaction. Mark didn't even try to contradict her.

"Let GO!" he repeated, getting agitated.

Michelle raised her hand to slap him again, but he was quicker to react this time. He ducked away, and her arm hit Maureen. It caught her completely off guard and she nearly lost her balance from its force. The bitch can hit, thought Maureen as a burning sensation went over her lower lip. She touched it slightly, and her fingers were stained with blood. It was then she noticed the silver ring on Michelle's finger.

Michelle smirked, obviously satisfied with that result. "You deserved it, whore…"

Mark shook his head and glanced at Maureen quickly. His eyes widened slightly as he noticed the blood that was now streaming from her split lip. She nodded, to let him know that she was okay. She wasn't, really, it hurt like hell, but she didn't want to make him even more worried than he already was. Then he turned to face Michelle again. "Michelle, calm down…"

"How could you do this to me?" she asked, her tone full with accusation.

Mark looked as if he was about to strangle her. He looked at her desperately. "Do WHAT to you?"

Michelle said nothing, but rather glared menacingly at Maureen, who glared back at her. That's it, she told herself. I was trying to be mature, but no more. I have to fight back. She strode forward, fueled by fury and pain, her eyes burning. Speaking came out with a little difficulty as a result of the throbbing pain from her split lip, but she tried to ignore it as she said, "Will you just LISTEN for a second? He didn't do anything! Why can't you understand that? And stop calling me names; you know nothing about me or my life! Who are you to judge me?"

"He may not have done anything, but I know YOU would show your tits off just to get him in bed! Am I right or what? Isn't that what you were trying to do the first time I stepped into your apartment?"

Maureen stared at her for a moment. She didn't know what the hell was Michelle talking about. When was the first time that bitch was in my apartment? And then she remembered, and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The flirting incident. "It was a stupid joke!"

"SOME JOKE!"

"Look, I'm sorry if you can't get jokes, if you can't get ME, but that's fine! Personally, I think you're the most boring person I've ever met, but I'm not going around calling YOU names, so if you don't mind, get off my back and stop bugging me before the next slap here is gonna be on YOUR pretty face!"

Or not…

Michelle slapped Maureen again, impossibly harder, before she even had a chance to blink. Maureen did all she could to stand up straight, though she was already beginning to see black little dots in front of her eyes. Mark tried to help, but Michelle pushed him again and he stumbled backwards.

"Fuck you, Maureen!" she yelled.

"Honestly Michelle, I think it is YOU who needs to be fucked," said Maureen, her tone icy cold. She heard Mark gasp but didn't care. Now she was hurt AND furious. She couldn't hold back any longer. Damn it, she didn't even want to hold back. Michelle definitely crossed the line.

"Come on, Mark!" Michelle grabbed Mark's arm.

Mark shook his hand, trying to release himself from her death grip. His expression was new to Maureen; it was the coldest glare imaginable, an expression that radiated so much distance and scorn, things that she could never relate with Mark. "I'm not going anywhere with you!"

"I said COME ON!"

"NO!" he yelled back, like a rebellious six-years-old.

Michelle glared at Maureen. "What the hell did you do to him?"

Was she deaf? "What do you want from me, I did nothing to him! And I told you we're leaving, so if you don't mind-" Maureen stepped forward. She needed to get Mark away from that… that…

Michelle let go of Mark and threw Maureen's arm away in the process. She felt sharp pain that was slowly beginning to spread up her arm. Michelle took hold on her other arm, twisting it.

"Michelle, let go of her!" yelled Mark. Now he sounded somewhat panicked. Maureen felt paralyzed. There was not much she could do, being held with both her arms.

Michelle didn't seem to listen, as she yanked at Maureen's hair pulled her inside the loft. It felt as if she was about to rip her hair out of its place. Maureen was so ashamed of herself for behaving so hopelessly, for not fighting back, but frankly there wasn't much she could do. She felt a slow swelling starting at her bruised lip, and she prayed to God that the sharp pain in her arm didn't mean that Michelle managed to pull her arm out of its socket. It happened to her once in her childhood when she fell down from a swing, and putting it back in place hurt like hell.

Now Michelle was dragging her along the loft as if she was a rag doll, completely deaf to Mark's protests. They finally landed on the couch, where Michelle was laying on top of her, straddling her, trying claw her face off.

And then it dawned on Maureen what she was doing, and the fury inside her grew impossibly stronger. You WON'T let her win this; you won't let her win MARK.

Mastering every piece of strength that was left in her, Maureen freed her arms from Michelle's grip and scratched her face. Michelle screamed, as if she wasn't expecting that. Once Maureen had her distracted it was easier to hit back, and she raised her knee and pushed it into Michelle's stomach. Mark stood there, watching in disbelief as they were rumbling on, scratching each other, yanking at each other's hair, cursing. Somehow they switched positions and it was now Maureen who was lying on top of Michelle, her hair falling down her sweating face, blocking her already blurry vision. Why am I even doing this, she thought as she managed to escape from an elbow that came towards her face. I'm better than her, I don't need that! And then someone grabbed her shoulders in a grip that was both forceful and gentle.

"That's enough, girls," said Mark coldly. Maureen turned to face him, breathless. "Let's go, Maureen," he added. Then he turned to face Michelle, who was sprawled on the couch, breathing heavily and still looking furious. "And you… this is over. I don't want to hear from you or even see you ever again."

Maureen stared at him, completely shocked. Did Mark Cohen just… DUMP someone?... And he did it quite well, either; for even she was afraid of his tone. She couldn't help but feel proud. She held herself back from standing up and cheering him loudly.

Michelle looked shocked to hear it as well, but said nothing as she got up and left the loft, slamming the door on her way out.

"Come on Maureen, let's go."

Maureen didn't dare argue with him. Mark handed her her bag, which she dropped at some point earlier. She followed him silently down the stairs and out of the building to the street, where they quickly found a cab.

Maureen leaned back in her seat, still a bit shaken and breathless. Did I just take part in a CAT FIGHT? She always believed she was stronger than that, but that time it really wasn't her fault. Michelle's behavior was really nasty; Maureen couldn't let her go on with her insults. Who knew what Michelle was able to do, unless she fought her back.

Mark's voice snapped her back into reality. "You didn't have to fight her like that."

Soft. Comforting. Maureen wanted to lay her head on his shoulder. "I didn't have to fight HER? It was totally self defense, she slapped me twice Mark, I did nothing to her."

Mark scratched his head as he looked at her worriedly. He looked as if he wanted to ask her something, but didn't. "I… I'm really sorry."

She found a small mirror and some tissues in her bag, and tried to fix her appearance, but found it impossible in the cab's shaky movement. "Why are YOU sorry?"

"For everything. For going out with that insane bitch, and letting her go at you… anyway, I think I've had it with women for a while. I get such a headache…" he chuckled, "Maybe I should try men? "

Maureen couldn't think of anything else but NO-NO-NO-NO-NO. The next thing he said caught her completely off guard.

"I just want to clear things out with you so we won't keep… you know, 'bumping' into each other. No more. We leave each other with no more… distractions. Only if you agree. This way we won't hurt each other. Okay?"

She couldn't believe that he was actually saying that, to HER! It was worse than being dumped, that was for sure. Hidden feelings? Might feel the same? Damn you, Collins! "You mean, like… not see each other again?" she asked weakly.

Mark slowly nodded. "For a while, you know. I mean, after everything that's happened I need some time away from you. Maybe in time we can be… friends."

FRIENDS? He couldn't mean THAT! Not when she finally realized that she loved him!

Mark didn't notice her mortified expression, or he just chose to ignore it, as he kept on talking. "But we can't do that until, you know… we agree not to do anything to hurt each other."

Maureen hesitated. What was she suppose to say? She couldn't possibly agree to that! "Well, you know, Mark," she started slowly, carefully glancing at him, "I don't think I'll be able to do this-"

"Maureen, please," he said, cutting her off. "For so long, it's always been your way. Can't you think about me for once?"

His honesty touched her heart. She saw the desperation that was reflected in his eyes. He was right. Through their entire relationship, he was always silently bidding to her every command, whether he liked it or not. Well, for once she had to do that for him, too. He deserved that. It was probably the most painful decision she'd ever got to in her life. She slowly nodded her agreement. "Okay, we'll have it your way," she said quietly.

Mark stared at her, completely surprised by her answer. He seemed to be expecting a struggle. "R-really? You really mean it?"

No I don't really mean it! "Yes, I really mean it." Damnit, don't cry now! Her voice quivered a bit when she added, "Mark, I want you to know that I'll never do anything to hurt you… at least not intentionally. So yes, for once, we'll do it your way."

Mark's lips curled into a small cute smile that made Maureen's heart melt. "Gee, Maureen, you're acting really mature about this, thanks." But then he remembered something and his smile faded. "That means I'll have to stay away from Collins for a while," he added sorrowfully.

Maureen shook her head. The cab stopped in front of the ER. She sighed thoughtfully as she took some bills out of her purse and handed them to the driver. "I think we're going to spend some time here… all of us, together… God, I hope she's okay." More than anything, she hoped they weren't too late. They wasted so much time already thanks to stupid Michelle…

Mark touched her hand gently. It was the slightest touch, but it made her heart leap.

"She'll be okay," he promised as they went out of the cab. "Umm… bill me in the morning," he added, slightly embarrassed.

Maureen forced a smile. "Come on, that's what friends are for, right?" She didn't wait for his reply and just stepped into the ER. She didn't even bother to check if Mark was following her inside. She went straight to the reception area, in the middle of the crowded room.

A tired looking receptionist looked back from her notes, staring at her strangely. "Can I help you, Miss?"

"Yeah, hi. I'm looking for my friend, Mimi Marquez, she was-"

"Maureen!"

Maureen turned at the familiar sound of Collins' voice. He was running towards her from the other end of the room, and she met him halfway with a worried expression on her face. He said nothing when he wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug and Maureen buried her face in the fabric of his shirt with a sigh of relief. At least Collins was there. She felt like crying, but couldn't bring herself to do it.

Collins held her close, like he was drawing comfort from her body that was pressed to his, and he caressed her hair absentmindedly. "I tried to call you at home but you never answered… did you hear that message I left for you?"

He probably called her at the same time Roger called Mark, she realized. He pulled away from the hug so she could now look at him. She shook her head. "Yes… I mean no, I was-"

He was just staring at her in shock for a moment, giving her the same strange look the receptionist had just given her, and Maureen didn't understand why at first. Then she remembered the dry blood and the bruises on her face. "My good Lord, what the hell happened to you?" he breathed.

Maureen shook her head. No time for long explanations. First she had to explain that to herself anyway. "It's not important right now. How's Mimi? Where is she? Will she be okay?"

"They took her up to the ICU to check on her," said Collins. Suddenly he looked over her shoulder and nodded, as if acknowledging someone's presence. Maureen turned to look back. Mark was standing there watching them, with his hands in his pockets. He took Collins' nod as a sign to move closer, but he said nothing as Collins started telling them what happened.

"We were having dinner at Life when all of a sudden she started choking. We thought it was because of something she ate but then it came to a point where she could hardly breathe. She started coughing like crazy, spitting blood…" he closed his eyes, as if talking about it alone was unbearable. Maureen snaked her hand into his and gave it a small comforting squeeze. "Then she fainted so we brought her here as soon as we could."

"Where's Roger?" asked Mark. It was the first thing he said since they left the cab.

"He's up there with her in the ICU. He's not in good shape himself, he started screaming at the doctor who tried to get him away from her," said Collins, shaking his head.

"What do the doctors say?" asked Maureen. She wasn't even sure she wanted to hear the answer, yet she had to ask.

Collins had a hard time answering her question, but eventually he did. He put his hand under her chin, making her face him. His eyes were like two pools of liquid chocolate, glistening with tears. Maureen was horrified to realize that. Collins rarely cried. The last time she had seen him cry was in Angel's funeral.

He looked straight at her, and his voice trembled slightly when he finally said, "They don't think she's gonna make it."