A/N: I posted the last chapter late last night, so PinkElphaba, thanks for being up! Okay, here's the next chapter!
Mark seemed to be drifting off into his own world, when he came back to reality.
"I'm guessing you want me to let go now." He laughed nervously, but Maureen's reply made him feel good, a nice, sincere…
"No… I don't…"
Mark felt the strange exhilaration once again. Maureen didn't want him to let go of her. She felt warm and loved in his grasp, and to Maureen, no one could ever love her the way Mark did, and no matter how much she would have said otherwise, she missed Mark, and the only reason she missed him was because of Joanne.
Love always has to backfire and ruin the day, Maureen thought, recalling all of this information. Maureen gazed into Mark's, and together, they melted into each other's embrace without realizing it.
Finally, Maureen snapped back into reality. She held tight to Mark for a few moments, and then pulled away gently. "We'd better eat." She said, realizing the food had arrived. They sat don next to each other and ate dinner.
The movie theater wasn't too far from the Life Café, and they would be able to walk the food. Maureen pulled Mark over to the side so they could talk.
"That was some stunt you pulled in there, Cohen." She said in an impressed tone. She wrapped her arms around his waist. They obviously had a tendency to hold one another every so often.
"Good thing it worked." She giggled. Mark laughed also, but he suddenly changed his attitude.
"Yeah, I'm good." He said coolly. Maureen laughed, but her joyful expression faded at the sight of Michael and Joanne holding hands.
Mark looked from Maureen, then to Joanne, then back again. "You really love her, huh?"
"What?"
"Joanne. You love her so much…" he trailed off.
Maureen suddenly looked horrified. "Oh Mark! Don't be like that! Oh course I love her, but Mark, remember, I was in love with you at one point in my life and-"
" Yeah, I know- I couldn't satisfy you." Mark retorted sadly. "I just… I'm not getting anything out of this. I'm helping you, and then you get your lover back, but what about me?" he asked. "It'll seem like a waste of time."
Mark began to walk off, but Maureen stopped him. "Mark, stop-" she started, but Mark cut her off quietly, but in a tone that sounded slightly rude. "Yeah, I know- the sooner you get back with the Joanne, the better. Then I can forget about you, or Joanne, or our past relationship. Hell, I can't even get into a relationship."
Mark was caught of guard by Maureen's arms thrown around his neck and her lips pressed to his. He pushed her away after he finally recovered. Mark could see small tears welling up in Maureen's eyes.
"Mark, I'm sorry if you feel that way, but I never meant to hurt you, and, if I knew you weren't okay with this, I would've never asked you, because I didn't want you feeling hurt again."
The two walked in silence, a little bit behind the group. Maureen shivered a bit from the cool air. Mark sighed. He took his jacket off and put it around Maureen's shoulders, though she was wearing a leather jacket.
Maureen looked at him, stunned that he had done such a kind thing, even though he had just been hurt. "Thanks." She said softly, though her eyes were filled with sadness. Mark tucked his hands in his pockets and returned the hurt, sad expression, then caught up with Roger.
Maureen felt awful. She wanted to cry her eyes out. She wished that none of this happened. Then Mark wouldn't have been hurt, and Maureen wouldn't feel so guilty. Maureen wished Angel were still there. He would've known what to do.
Maureen caught up to the others. She wasn't so tenderhearted like this, but Mark made her happy, and when he was upset, Maureen was upset.
Maureen forced the thought to leave her mind. No way would she ever truly get back with Mark. No way, now how, no day…
But today…
She thought about the philosophy over and over. Maureen decided to let go of the subject, and threaded her arm through Mark's. He looked down at her and smiled, but Maureen could see that underneath his smile, a hurt Mark felt neglected. Mark attempted look away, but Maureen took his chin and moved it towards hers. She kissed him for a few seconds, but it was passionate.
Mark pulled away, looking slightly scared. Maureen gave a little laugh and held him close. The young filmmaker's anger seemed to fade, and he rested his head on Maureen's as she laid her head on his shoulder. Mark realized he could never stay angry with Maureen for long.
Inside the theater, Maureen held on to Mark's arm through out most of the movie. On the loudest parts, Maureen would sit on the Mark's lap and occasionally make out with him until the scene was over. (Roger had occasionally rolled his eyes and tapped Mimi to look over at them.)
The movie was about 100 minutes long, so by the end of it, Maureen's hair had been messed up a bit, and Mark's glasses askew. After a few taunts from the others, they departed and went their separate ways. Benny and Collins were the first to leave, and then Mimi and Roger went to Mimi's apartment. The only ones remaining were Maureen, Mark, Michael, and Joanne.
"So how's everything?" Maureen asked, trying to sound friendly. Joanne blinked and replied "Good. And you?" she asked, returning the question. Maureen clutched Mark's arm again and replied with "We couldn't be happier." She smiled.
Joanne gave a false smile, something that Maureen had learned to spot while she was with Joanne. Joanne realized that Maureen had detected her flaw and wiped the smile off her face. The pale moonlight reflected off the ex-lovers faces as they stared at one another. Maureen could tell that Joanne was jealous. Come one Mark, just a little bit longer…Give me a sign. Just then, it seemed as if a guardian angel was watching over her.
"Well, we should be getting back now- it's getting late." He commented, glancing at his watch. "Well, yes it is!" Maureen exclaimed, clinging to Mark. "We'd better get going." She turned to Michael "Nice to meet you." She added. "You too." He replied. Maureen gave a little wave to the two, and Mark waved also. Joanne gave a small wave and gave a fake smile.
Walking off into the direction of the loft, Maureen snuggled up closer to Mark. "Thank you Marky." She whispered. "You don't know how much this means to me." She kissed his cheek and leaned against him the entire way. Mark opened his mouth to speak, but just smiled.
Mark opened the door to the loft and turned the lights on. The room was still bright, due to the moonlight, which a dim light could've possibly been on.
Maureen perched herself on the couch as Mark hung his jacket on the coat rack. "Want anything to drink?" he asked, heading to the sink. "No thanks." He heard Maureen say. When he came back into the room, he found Maureen lying on the couch, her jacket and shoes off. He sat down next to her, not daring to make eye contact.
Maureen sat up. "Mark, I know you're still upset about earlier, but you have to understand that it's only temporary." She reminded him. He gave and exasperated sigh and faced her. "But Maureen! I just can't do that!" he protested. "I'm not like you! I can't just have my "ex"pose as my girlfriend, and not act like nothing's happened."
Maureen looked taken aback by his sudden outburst of feelings. She leaned against him. "I don't know how, but I want to prove to you I'm sorry." They sighed in unison, and laughed. She looked around the loft. "Could I spend the night here?" she asked unexpectedly. Mark's eyes widened. "H-here?' he stammered.
"Yeah, I really don't want to go back to my apartment right now." She replied calmly, noticing Mark was a little intense. "Oh come one Mark! Nothing's going to happen! Besides, why do you always have to be such a goody-goodie?" she asked in a childish tone.
"Nothing! It's just- just… so sudden." He finished softly.
"Mark, I swear, nothing's going to happen- besides, who said I would be in your bed?" She responded. Mark felt relieved.
Maureen looked down at her attire. "Got any clothes I can borrow?" she asked helplessly. Mark grinned and ran into his room. He came back with sweats and a long sleeved shirt, only to find Maureen, pulling her shirt over her head. Luckily, for Mark, she was wearing a crimson bra. He tossed the clothes to her and she waltzed into his bedroom. She closed the door and changed.
When she came out, Mark laughed at he clothes. He changed also, and Maureen fell onto the couch. She patted the spot beside her, signaling Mark to sit down. He did so, and rested his head on the armrest of the couch. Maureen slinked up next to him.
She placed his arm around her stomach, and Mark, once more, felt happy inside. " 'Night Marky." She said, kissing him.'
" 'Night Maureen." He murmured, before dozing off into a deep, peaceful sleep beside the woman he practically adored. Beside him, Maureen also felt happy in the warm embrace of her former lover. Play it safe, she thought, and fell asleep happily.
A/N: Okay, this is my longest chapter yet! I think... Don't worry , this story will not have any sexual content, maybe some extreme making out, but I'm not sure. I'm new at this whle thing, and this is my first RENT fic, so you know what to do! Review please!