A/N: This one's a bit long. I tried to split it up in two chapters, but it just wasn't happening. Hope ya'll like it. :)
Warm. That was the only thing my sleep fogged brain could comprehend so early in the morning. I snuggled closer to Joanne, my head resting on her chest. Her heartbeat kept me in a lulled state of consciousness so strong and steady. I could feel my heart beating in the same rhythm.
Joanne shifted underneath me, trying to slip out of bed unnoticed. There was no I way I was going to let that happen.
I tightened my grip on her waist, pulling her closer to me.
"I have to get ready for work, baby." She whispered in my ear. I shook my head, opening my eyes just enough to look up at her and see her smiling down sleepily at me.
"Don't wanna." I said sleepily, closing my eyes again.
"Well I don't want to either, but I have to go to work." She kissed my forehead, running her fingers through my hair.
"Fine." I pouted, moving away from her slightly so that she could get out of bed.
Before she slid out of bed she leaned down and captured my lips in a good morning kiss.
"Morning, baby." She whispered with a smile, climbing out of bed and walking to her closet on the far side of the room. She picked out a simple suit with a skirt and then walked to the bathroom for a shower.
I wrapped my body around Joanne's pillow and inhaled deeply. I smiled, recognizing her shampoo. I was asleep in minutes, lost in my own little dream world.
I don't know how long I was asleep, but when I woke up I could smell coffee. I yawned and stretched before climbing out of bed and walking to the kitchen.
Joanne was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the other. I snuck up behind her and slid my arms around her neck, leaning down and kissing her neck.
"You smell good." I whispered in her ear before kissing her neck softly.
"Why thank you." She said, turning and kissing me gently.
"Do you want some coffee?" She asked, nodding towards the coffee pot.
"No thanks. I don't drink coffee. I don't need any more energy, thank you very much." I kissed her again before taking a seat at the table opposite her.
"So what are your plans for today?" She asked, setting her paper aside.
I smiled, pulling my one of my knees to my chest and resting my foot on the chair. I put my hands on my knees.
She was willing to just talk to me. So different from Mark. I shrugged, smiling.
"Hadn't really thought much about it. I don't really have anything to do. I guess I could work on my protest some more." I said absentmindedly, brushing my hair back out of my face.
"You don't have to work? And what protest?" She sipped her coffee slowly. I took a deep breath and sighed.
"I quit my job. My manager kept hitting on me, so I just quit. And the protest. Remember, I told you about doing protests at the Eleventh Street lot?" She nodded, running her fingers through her hair.
"Benny's trying to shut down the lot. So I'm planning a protest. On Christmas." I smiled proudly, tilting my head to the right.
"My little anarchist." Joanne said, moving to her feet. I watched as she walked across the kitchen to the sink and rinse out her cup.
When she walked by me on her way to sit back down I grabbed her by the hand and pulled her down onto my lap.
"Hey you." I said softly, slipping my arms around her waist underneath her jacket.
"Hi." She smiled and leaned forward, kissing me softly. I whimpered and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. Her hands ran through my hair as she slipped her tongue into my mouth softly.
We kissed until the need for air won over the need to be close. I bit her bottom lip playfully as she pulled away. Our faces were only inches apart.
"Will you be here when I get home?" She asked breathlessly. I thought for a second, resting my forehead against hers.
I hadn't given it much thought. I didn't want to leave, but I didn't want to invade her space. I was sure she was going to get sick of me sooner or later.
"Do you want me to be here when you get home?" I ran my hands up and down her back softly. She kissed me slowly, rubbing my cheeks with her thumbs.
"Of course I want you to be here when I get home. But it's up to you. I don't want to seem all clingy." She said with a shy smile.
"I'll be here." I kissed her again.
I couldn't get enough of kissing her. It was like a drug.
"Good. I've got to go. But I'll see you later." She said, kissing me quickly.
"Bye baby." She said, climbing off my lap and walking out before I could distract her again.
Her apartment was always so quiet when I was there alone. I walked into the livingroom and turned the television on. I needed the back round noise. I didn't know what to do with myself. I figured I should at least go home and shower, get some clean clothes, and grab my protest stuff.
I made my way around Joanne's apartment, grabbing all of my clothes and shutting the television off before slipping my jacket on and walking out.
I headed straight for the elevator. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the elevator doors and I smiled. I seemed like a completely different woman. A natural smile graced my face. My eyes had a new fire in them. An old fire, really. I felt like I was glowing.
When I reached the busy street I shivered. It smelled like snow. I've always loved the snow. It was always so pretty.
My apartment was only a fifteen minute walk from Joanne's. There was a small theater between the two apartments that I'd noticed every time I made my way from one to the other.
As I walked by today I noticed a sign up, announcing an open audition for a new musical called "The Bamn". I had never heard of it, but I knew that I wanted a part.
I hurried home and ran up the stairs to my apartment. It was cold, but I didn't care. I dropped my clothes on the floor and went directly to the bathroom for a shower. I took my time, making sure that I was completely clean. I wanted to make sure that I looked my best.
Wrapping a towel around my body I looked in the foggy mirror, pulling my hair back out of my face with one hand and tying it in place with the other. With a small smile I turned and walked out of the bathroom, scurrying across my apartment to my bedroom.
I stood in front of my small closet, dancing slightly as I searched for an outfit. I giggled to myself as I pulled out a black skirt and a dark green shirt with long, flowy sleeves. I dressed quickly and then walked back to the bathroom.
Make up was my first priority. When that was done I dried my hair as best I could, leaving down around my face. By the time I finished primping for my audition I had wasted two hours.
I decided working on my protest was the best thing to pass the time and get my creativity flowing. And hour later I was ready for my first audition in almost five months.
I was a little nervous about being on stage again after so long. In high school I was always on stage, whether it was for a school play, singing for a talent show, or just goofing off with my friends.
The stage had always been like a second home for me. I was safe on stage, because I wasn't being myself, I was playing a character.
Nobody could judge you when you were on stage. They could only judge the character you were playing. I was free on stage. I needed to feel that freedom again.
I wondered idly, as I pulled the glass door to the theater open, if I could really go home again.
I could hear a woman on stage singing as I made my way into the theater. I took a seat in the back row and watched her. She was pretty, with long blonde hair, tan skin, and a beautiful soprano voice.
I was shocked, really, that someone as small as she was could make as much noise as she was. I could see the director sitting in the middle of the house, drooling over her. I had to admit, she was hot.
She finished her song and smiled as the director began to gush over her.
"Amazing. Simply amazing. You will definitely be hearing from us." The director said, now on his feet. She thanked him and walked out, smiling sweetly at me as she walked by.
I watched three other women sing, all of them blondes. I began to wonder why they were all blonde. It didn't really matter, though. I was different.
"Next." The director called, looking down at the clip board in his hands. He didn't look impressed. It was obvious that he didn't want to see anyone else. He had already made up his mind. Maybe I could change it.
I made my way up to the stage confidently, hiding my nerves. When I finally reached the stage I looked out at all the empty seats in front of me. It seemed that I was the last to audition.
"Name." He still wouldn't look at me.
"Maureen Johnson." I answered with a smile. His eyes lifted off the page for a brief second to look at me.
"Thank you, Ms. Johnson." He said, moving to his feet.
"You aren't even going to let me sing?" I asked, my voice angry.
"I'm sorry, but you aren't right for this part. I'm sorry to have wasted your time." He was walking away, leaving me to stand on the stage alone.
I couldn't believe that he wasn't even going to let me try out. I ran my fingers through my hair and for the first time in my life I cursed my dark brown curls. This was the first time my looks had stopped me from getting a role.
I don't like feeling like I'm not wanted.
With a huff I stormed off the stage and made my way through the theater and out into the street again. As I made my way back to my apartment an idea formed in my mind.
I hurried inside and changed out of my skirt, pulling on a pair of jeans. It was colder outside than I thought it was going to be.
I found a pair of pajama pants and a tank top and stuffed them in my bag, along with my toothbrush. I had a feeling I was going to be spending a lot more time at Joanne's apartment.
I left as quickly as I arrived, locking my door behind me. My apartment felt empty. It was really just a place for me to crash. Joanne's apartment felt more like home than anywhere else in the world.
As I walked down the stairs I passed Mark, who was making his way up to the loft. We avoided eye contact, moving away from each other as far as the narrow staircase would allow. I shivered again.
Nothing was ever going to be the same again. I fought the urge to turn around and follow him. I knew that trying to fix our friendship right then was pointless. I had hurt Mark and now I needed to deal with the consequences. He and I weren't friends anymore. It was just hard.
Reaching the street I set my plan in motion. I made my way through the city to the only movie rental place I knew. After finding a few movies I thought Joanne would like I went to the closest grocery store I could find. I bought candles, matches, and a bottle of red wine.
When I got back to Joanne's apartment I went to work, setting up.
I put two candles on the table and then went to the livingroom, setting two more on the small coffee table, along with the movies.
Walking back into the kitchen I put the wine in the fridge, debating on whether or not I wanted Chinese food or Italian. I wasn't sure what Joanne would prefer, but I did know that she loved both, so it wouldn't matter either way. I finally decided on Italian. It seemed more romantic.
I called my favorite Italian place and ordered, giving them Joanne's address. I checked the clock and sighed. It was four in the afternoon. With a yawn I grabbed the blanket Joanne kept on the back of the couch and curled up to take a nap. Two weeks of not sleeping was finally catching up with me.
I woke up to the sound of someone knocking on the door. I jumped to my feet and almost ran to answer the door. The delivery guy was kind of cute. I took the bag of food from him and reached into my pocket for my wallet.
"$23.50." He said with a shy smile. The poor kid couldn't have been out of high school. I handed him thirty bucks.
"Keep the change." I said, smiling at him. He blushed, mumbled a thank you, and ran off.
I shut the door and laughed, walking into the kitchen. I set two plates on the table, my mouth watering at the smell of the chicken alfredo. That done I put the two pieces of strawberry cheesecake with chocolate syrup in the fridge and grabbed the wine.
I poured each of us a glass and then stepped back to look at my handiwork. I smiled, reaching into my other pocket, pulling out a box of matches. I lit the candles in the kitchen and turned down the lights before going back into the livingroom and lighting the candles there.
As I blew the match out the door opened and Joanne walked in, looking exhausted.
"Hey baby." I said happily, bouncing over to her and kissing her softly. She dropped her brief case and ran her fingers through my hair, pulling me closer and deepening the kiss. I pulled away, breathless, and smiled.
"How was work?" I asked, leading her to the kitchen.
"Long." She said with a sigh, slipping out of her jacket.
"Awww." I said, wrapping my arms around her waist.
"What have you been up to?" She asked, her eyes locked on mine. I just smiled and nodded towards the kitchen. She turned and looked at the kitchen, her jaw dropping.
"Maureen?" A brilliant smile took over her face.
"I was bored with nothing to do all day. And I missed you." I said with a small smile. She kissed me again, smiling against my lips.
"Come on, let's eat. It's gonna get cold." I said, dragging her to the table. We both sat and began eating in silence, stealing glances at each other whenever we could. I loved watching her. She was always so intense, so passionate about everything she did. It made me smile.
"I love food." She said when she finished, sipping her wine.
"There's more." I said, standing and walking to the fridge. I pulled out the cheesecake and put each piece on a plate.
"Are you trying to kill me?" Joanne asked with a laugh as she looked down at her cheesecake.
"Not at all, baby." I smiled at her, taking a sip of my wine.
After we finished desert I cleared the dishes, leaving them in the sink.
"What now?" Joanne asked, a sly smile on her face. I stood and walked around the table, sitting on her lap.
I kissed her before she asked any more questions, running my fingers through her hair. Her hands settled comfortably on my hips, her thumbs making small circles over my jeans.
"Movies." I whispered when we pulled apart.
Joanne shook her head, kissing me again. I let out a small moan as her tongue swept into my mouth. She wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me closer. I kissed my way along her jaw and down her neck, nipping over her pulse softly. She gasped and bit her lip, trying to keep control.
"You said something about movies?" Her voice was shaky and she took a deep breath slowly, leaning her head on my shoulder as I pulled my lips from her neck. I kissed her cheek and slid off her lap.
"Yup. Come on." I said, pulling Joanne to her feet and dragging her into the livingroom like an eager child.
"You didn't have to do this, ya know." Joanne said, wrapping her arms around my waist from behind. I leaned back against her and sighed, resting my head on her shoulder.
"Yeah, I know. But I wanted to." I kissed her cheek and slid out of her arms.
"Which movie do you want to watch?" I asked, pulling her down on the couch with me.
"I don't care." She said, pulling her knees up underneath her.
"Come on, pick!" I whined playfully, grabbing all the tapes off the coffee table.
"Maureen, I really don't care what we watch. I'll be happy watching anything as long as I get to cuddle with you." Joanne said cutely, smiling shyly at me. I melted.
"Ug, you are too cute." I said, kissing her quickly.
I stood and put the first tape in the VCR.
"What are we watching?" I sat on the couch and curled up against Joanne.
"'What Dreams May Come'." I answered softly, wrapping my arms around her waist.
"Maureen Johnson, I never would have thought that you would be the romantic type. Thank you so much for tonight. It's perfect." She leaned down and kissed my forehead. I hummed softly, smiling.
"I love you." Her breath was warm in my ear. I shuddered slightly.
"I love you too." I pulled her closer, never wanting to let her go.
"Move in with me."
My head shot up and I looked her in the eye.
"What?" My voice came out a squeak.
"I've been thinking about it all day. I love you. And I like the idea of coming home knowing that you'll be here. Move in with me." I sprang into her lap, throwing my arms around her neck.
I kissed her fiercely.
"Is that a yes?" Joanne asked, smiling at me.
"Of course." I kissed her again, all thoughts of movies forgotten by both of us.