OUCH

(Joanne POV)

I got Maureen to the hospital as quickly as possible so they could get the glass out and get her stitched up. We must have been a sight; here Maureen is, limping into the hospital with a bloody bandage around her foot, and I'm the one in panic mode.

They had me fill out Maureen's basic information while the doctor went to examine her injury. I got to some questions that I wasn't quite sure about, so I went into Maureen's room and sat with her while she filled them out; not even paying attention to the doctor. He put some sort of ointment on the cut, and I thought Maureen was going to go through the roof, and take me with her. She screamed almost as loud as when she stepped on the glass in the first place, making me jump and grab onto her hand, as if it was me that the doctor was dealing with. Besides the fact that my baby was in pain, I was almost grateful for the disruption of silence. Plus, me jumping caused Maureen to laugh hysterically, which is always adorable, even if it is at my own expense.

When the doctor finally finished, he took Maureen's papers out to the nurse's station so I could stay with her. Maureen, being the stubborn woman that she is, was immediately up and trying to walk, testing to see how much pressure she could stand. I, of course, was trying to get her cute ass back in the bed. I'm always getting her into bed in one-way or another. But she wouldn't listen to me; she wanted to keep walking. I just laughed at her and walked out to the nurse's station to see when she'd be released, not noticing the nurse that walked into her room.

After much questioning, I found out Maureen had to sign a paper and was then free to leave, so I went to tell her the good news.

"…Start by admitting from cradle to grave isn't that long a stay. Life is a cabaret…" I sang quietly to myself while returning to her room. But as I looked up expecting to see Maureen alone, I was stopped in my tracks. Maureen was flirting with some hooch of a nurse.

"Where'd you get this necklace? It's gorgeous," I heard her say while sliding her fingertips along the necklace. I stood around the corner regaining my composure before announcing my presence.

"Baby, the nurses said you just have to sign a paper and we can go," I said while walking over to her and kissing her, making sure Nurse Betty, or whatever the hell her name was, saw. I normally don't have a huge jealousy problem, but Maureen knew I was right outside the door. She didn't, however, know tat I had seen the whole situation. Well, almost the whole thing, except for when I was regaining my composure. But what could have possibly happened in those ten seconds that could right her wrong?

(Maureen POV)

The entire way to my house was excruciatingly awkward, but I didn't know why. Joanne was acting really strange ever since she came back from the nurse's station. I don't remember doing anything wrong. I talked to that one nurse, but that was completely innocent. Joanne wouldn't have read more into that than what really happened would she? She's more rational than that. She knows I had a flirting problem in the past, but that's just it; past. I love her. I'd never do anything to intentionally hurt her.

When we got to my apartment, Joanne went straight to my bedroom and shut the door rather loudly. I grabbed a drink and sighed, dreading what I might see upon entering the room, but hobbled in anyway. The sight almost broke my heart because I figured it was my fault, although I didn't know why. Joanne was sitting up against my headboard clinging to my pillow for dear life, and she seemed to be crying. I set my drink down and slowly approached her, testing the waters almost. I sat down on the bed in front of her and rubbed her jean-clad shin. She pulled her leg away quickly which was very uncharacteristic of her.

"Honey, what's wrong?" I asked quietly.

Nothing but more sobs.

"Joanne, did I do something wrong? I hate to see you crying, and if I'm the cause, I want to know how I can fix it. Jo, please talk to me," I was now all but begging. Her mood instantly changed to anger.

"What do you expect me to say, Maureen? You were flirting with that slut of a nurse," she yelled. I must have looked really shocked because she quickly followed with, "Yeah. I saw you. Don't try to hide it, Maureen. I know what you did. I saw the whole thing." I knew that was a lie, because had she seen the whole thing, she'd have know that I was completely innocent.

"Where'd you get this necklace? It's gorgeous."

"Thank you. I got it from a little jewelry shop near Jefferson Park a couple days ago. It was pretty expensive though."

"Oh, I don't care how much it costs. I have to get one for my girlfriend. She'll absolutely love it."

In walked Joanne…

"Joanne, it wasn't like that. I was just asking her a question."

"Bull shit. I saw you laughing with her and touching her necklace. That's exactly what you do when you flirt with me." She was now walking back down the hallway rather quickly with me limping behind.

"Joanne, baby, please. You have to believe me. It wasn't like that. You can even ask Sarah." Oops.

"Oh, so you know her name too? You know what, Maureen, I'm sick of yelling right now. We both need time to calm down. I'll call you later and we can discuss this rationally." With that, she turned and walked out the door.

A/N: Sorry this one is a bit short and took me a couple days to get posted. I'm in the middle of moving, so I'm afraid chapter updates might become a tiny bit more spaced out. I will have the next chapter up very soon though. :)