Note:Season's Greetingsfanfiction readers! As you can imagine, I have been uber occupied with all the holiday hubbub. Here is the next chapter of my foray intothe world of Rent. I will have a new chap ready for you after the New Year. Enjoy and go easy on the eggnog. :)

Joanne kicked off her shoes and placed them in the closet. She changed into her favorite pajama pants, the ones with the black and white pinstripes, and a Harvard t-shirt. Her cat rubbed against her legs, meowing plaintively.

"Are you hungry, Lily?" asked Joanne.

The Siamese cocked her head to one side. "Mrrow!"

"Ok! Ok! Take it easy!" she laughed. She went to the kitchen and opened a can of Friskies. "I don't know how you can eat this stuff," she said as she scooped the unidentifiable mush into the ceramic dish.

Lily trotted over and began eating her dinner. Joanne was about to relax on the couch for a while before making her own dinner when her cell phone rang.

"Hello? "

"Hi, it's Maureen."

"Hey Maureen! How are you?"

"I'm fine. I was wondering if you were free tonight?"

"I am, but I'm not exactly dressed to go out right now. You're more than welcome to come here though."

"Are you sure? I don't want to impose if you're in for the night."

"Don't be silly. Besides, I could use some company after the day I had."

"Sounds great! I'll bring in dinner. What would you like?"

"Surprise me. I'll eat just about anything. Oh, my address is 422 Madison Avenue. Just tell the doorman my name and he will direct you to the apartment."

"No problem. See you in a bit."

"I'll be waiting."

Joanne hung up the phone. She was glad she didn't have to cook now. Take out sounded more appetizing than a frozen dinner. Those were reserved for emergencies. She picked up the newspaper from her coffee table and read while she waited for Maureen to arrive.

She had just gotten to the Arts section when her doorbell rang. She opened it to find Maureen standing there with a plastic bag in her hand.

"Did somebody order Italian?" she asked, holding the bag aloft.

Joanne smiled warmly. "My favorite! How did you know?"

Maureen shrugged. "I had a hunch."

"Come in and set it on the kitchen table."

Maureen entered slowly, taking in the apartment. The living room carpet was a plush landscape of snowy white. The black leather couch and sterile silver coffee table added a touch of class. The kitchen table and chairs were stainless steel. There were a few lamps scattered around and a panoramic photo of the New York City skyline hung above the TV. There was a closed door off to the left.

"You're apartment is gorgeous!" Maureen breathed.

"I'm glad you like it. It's nice, but it can get pretty lonely. Thankfully, I have Lily to keep me company."

Maureen stiffened. "Who's Lily?"

"My Siamese cat. She's hiding under the table."

Maureen peeked under the table and saw a pair of sapphires watching her intently. "Awww! I love kitties!" She tried to coax her out, but Lily wouldn't budge.

"She's a little shy. She'll warm up. Let's eat before I drop from hunger," said Joanne.

Maureen set the tins on the table while Joanne gathered forks and glasses. They ate in silence for the first few minutes. Maureen watched Joanne while she ate. She noticed that Joanne ate very precisely. There were always three pieces of penne on the fork; no more, no less. After a few forkfuls, Joanne leaned back and closed her eyes.

"Mmmmm! That is delicious!"

"I'm glad you're enjoying it," Maureen answered with a smile. She took a sip of her iced tea. "Gino's has the best food."

"I'll have to start eating there more often!" said Joanne.

"The owner's son is a good friend of mine. I'll tell him he has a new customer."

By good friend she meant she had slept with him, but Joanne didn't need to know that. They continued to chat while their dinner slowly disappeared. When they were done, Joanne washed all of the dishes and Maureen dried them.

"I am so full right now!" exclaimed Joanne as she flopped on the couch.

Maureen laughed and said, "I'm not surprised after the way you ate!"

"I love food. What can I say?"

Lily slowly crept out from under the coffee table and sniffed Maureen's boot.

"I think someone has finally decided to come out," Joanne whispered in Maureen's ear.

Maureen suppressed a shiver. That always happened when someone whispered in her ear. She looked down to find Lily rubbing against her legs. A loud purring could be heard in the silence.

"I think she likes me," Maureen responded.

"Smart cat," commented Joanne.

Maureen looked up and her eyes met Joanne's. Time seemed to stand still. Her lungs felt heavy and her heart thudded in her chest. Thankfully, Lily took that moment to jump onto the couch. She rubbed her head against Maureen's hand.

"Aren't you a sweetie?" she cooed to the cat. She began scratching Lily behind the ears. "I used to have a kitty just like you, but I had to leave her behind."

Joanne saw the sad look on Maureen's face. She placed her hand gently on Maureen's knee. "Hey, why the gloomy face all of a sudden?"

Maureen sighed and told Joanne everything that had happened with Mark earlier. She figured she might as well have it all out in the open from the beginning. She didn't want to screw things up with Joanne because of any secrets.

"Oh Maureen, honey, I'm so sorry."

Joanne hugged her tightly. Maureen relaxed into the embrace. She felt more protected in Joanne's arms than she had ever felt in Mark's.

"The worst part of it is I have to stay there until I find a new place. I can't go back tonight after what went down. I don't know what to do! Maybe I'll just wait until it's really late before I go home."

"Why don't you spend the night here? I'll lend you some pjs and you can go home in the morning. I don't have work tomorrow, so I won't have to wake you at an ungodly hour. That is, unless you have something to do?"

"I was supposed to have an audition, but the show ended up being cancelled."

"You're an actress?"

"I'm only an aspiring actress. It's not as glamorous as I once thought it was. I love it anyway."

"So, you'll stay?"

Maureen thought it out for a few moments. "Sure. Why not?"

Joanne beamed at her. "It's settled then."

Maureen giggled and snuggled against Joanne. "Thank you," she whispered.

Joanne simply held her.