Death of a Muse
Legal Disclaimer-To own is to worry about copyright. To write fanfic is work out a creative jones. Thanks to the Larson family for fighting to get this on the big screen. The fan fiction is flattery. Nothing more.
Author's Note-Nah. I'm not that evil. Just thought a little drama wouldn't hurt. Also gives a little more insight into Mary. Oh, yes, I know, how did Benny...it's answered here. Sweetie Pie-this isn't the chapter to dedicate to you…I have one coming that will make a hell of a lot more sense and be more appropriate. Oh, btw, in later chapters, I will be upping the rating; it's going to get a little more mature. Hope you all like it. And as I always say-Read and Review. It keeps my mind going, like the energizer bunny.
It took about an hour for Joanne to arrive and during that time, Mark tried to get Mary to calm down. The woman in his arms had stopped weeping, but it was obvious that she was still very upset. Roger, Collins and Benny had left them alone, knowing that she might want to talk to Mark and not feel overwhelmed by their presence in the room.
They wound up on a bench outside, in silence, till Roger broke it.
"How did you know that Mark was dating?" he asked, his voice cool of emotion, "I know you're not talking to Mimi anymore, so how?"
"Maureen," Benny answered after a moment, "When Mark introduced her to you guys yesterday, she called me on her way home. She was upset, but told me that she was impressed. The girl's got spunk."
Collins smiled. This was the Benny he remembered. Maureen calling him meant a lot as well, she and Joanne were good about making sure he knew what the others were doing. Mark had tried to keep in touch with Benny, but after the falling out that he and Roger had when Mimi cleaned up her drug habit, he knew it would take some time for them to all be the good friends they once were.
Joanne Jefferson's arrival made the conversation stop. She wasn't alone. Maureen was in tow, heading down the hallway, looking very upset and businesslike.
"Where is she?" Maureen asked as Roger met them, "Is she okay? Is Mark with her?"
"She's in the back office, Mark is with her and she seems okay," Roger answered, walking with them, "Thank you, Joanne, by the way, and she found the body."
"Damn," Joanne said, stopping at the bench the three men shared, "She has an alibi?"
"Yeah, us," Roger replied, "She spent the night at the loft. We'll vouch for her."
"Okay, so this one is easy," Joanne said, "I'll have Mark come out to you guys, she has to speak to me alone."
"Go carefully, she's pretty messed up," Collins suggested.
"Always," Joanne said, knocking then walking into the office.
Moments later, Mark walked out to join them. He looked pale, sad, and had tear stains all over his clothing.
"How's our girl doing?" Collins asked, watching Mark's eyes as he approached.
"Better, I think," Mark replied, taking a seat, "I want to thank you guys for the help. She's much calmer."
"Tragic situation," Benny said, "The woman was her roommate?"
"Yeah," Mark replied, "From what she told me, she had boyfriend issues and Mary thought she might be getting stalked. That's why she approached me originally. She thought I might be Erin's ex-boyfriend."
"The cops know this?" Roger asked quickly.
"Yeah, she told them, then fell apart, she had asked for me but they couldn't get an answer at the loft, we were already on the way here," Mark's reply was followed by a deep sigh, "Mimi left for work when, a few hours ago?"
Roger took a moment. Mimi had picked up a second job at a bookstore for Christmas. Her idea was to actually take her and Roger on a vacation to Florida. They didn't talk about it much, but he knew she liked the quiet pace of the bookstore as well.
"Yeah, she should have, I need to call there, let her know what happened," Roger said, pulling another quarter from his jeans pocket, "I'll be right back."
Maureen took Mark's hand. He looked at her as she smiled.
"She's a beautiful woman, Mark," she said, as her eyes grew a bit sad, "I'm happy you're dating again, but, I must admit I am little sad."
Mark tried not to smile back. Maureen's admission was unexpected, but he knew she was happy for him. She was never one to hold back words.
"You have Joanne, and I finally have someone, Mo," Mark replied, "Seize this moment."
Maureen laughed. He was right.
"You're right," she agreed, "Now to get her out of this mess, the cops probably want her to stay elsewhere tonight."
"I thought I would ask her if she wanted to stay with us," Mark said as Roger came back, "Mimi okay?"
"Sends her concern and worry to Mary," Roger said, "She also is worried about you. You asking her to stay with us tonight?"
"Yeah," Mark replied, "I know that she left stuff in her room, should I go and get it?"
Joanne appeared at the doorway.
"Maureen? Can you go to Mary's room and pack her some things for a few days? " she began, "She can't go back to her dorm. The cops want it locked down. They're going to send an officer with you."
A young cop came down the hallway as if on cue. Joanne gave him a protective once over and looked at Collins.
"You mind going with her, Collins?" Joanne asked.
"Sure, no problem," Collins replied, getting up.
"Mark, you can come back in here," Joanne said, "Mary's asking for you."
Mark nodded and headed back in.
"Don't fight," he muttered to Roger as he realized that left him and Benny alone.
Roger gave him a half grin and sat down.
"Mimi's working two jobs?" Benny asked.
"Her choice," Roger replied, "We're doing okay, but she wanted us to take a vacation. I'm doing pretty well with the band."
"I heard," Benny continued, "Dammit, I don't want us to keep fighting, Roger. I miss you guys."
"Mark, Collins and me, or Mimi?" Roger asked bluntly.
"All of you," Benny sighed, "Allison is a wonderful woman, but she doesn't have the experiences that all of you lived through. I'm a bit bored, I hate to admit. She doesn't know what it's like to be hungry, creative, or so busy that time flies."
Roger looked at Benny with new eyes.
"You miss us," Roger smiled, "Good."
"Jesus, I'm sorry," Benny laughed, "I won't go near Mimi. It's complicated, I know, but I won't go near her, because she's yours. She's my friend, Roger, but I won't go near her if that makes you a little less jealous."
"I'm not jealous," Roger replied, "You have to look at it this way, what if you met Muffy's …"
"Allison," Benny's interruption was automatic.
"Allison's ex and she was happy to see him," Roger continued, "That's my issue. You guys have a history. It's hard for me to see her eyes change when she looks at you."
"She never looked at me the way she looks at you," Benny replied, "She lovesYOU, man. I'm the one who could have been, she loves you."
Roger stopped for a second. Benny's admitting this was something he didn't expect.
"I'm sorry then," Roger said, "We should be friends. You have to stop turning the heat off though."
"It's not me, I swear," Benny glared, "The power company is being a bunch of asses."
"Fight the man, Benny, you always were good at that," Roger smirked.
Benny laughed. Roger was right. It was good to have the tension between them lifting. Someday it wouldn't be there, but they were at least trying.
The door to the office opened, and Mark, Mary, the detectives and Joanne came out. Joanne shook the detective's hands as Mark pulled Mary closer to him. He put an arm around her protectively, as the detectives headed back toward the scene. Her eyes met Roger's. It wasn't hard to see that she was emotionally drained, her dark eyes making him sad. It was hard to believe that only 24 hours ago the same face was full of joy and life.
"Thank you for coming down here, guys," Mary's voice very soft, "Mark's lucky to have friends like you."
"He's lucky to have friends like you, Mary," Roger replied, "You're okay. Don't forget that."
"And the detectives cleared you, don't forget that," Mark replied, "thank you again Joanne."
"My pleasure," Joanne smiled, "Maureen showed me the tickets, and I can't wait to see you dance."
"Thank you," Mary replied, hugging the woman, "I don't know what I could have done without you."
"My bill is a ticket to your next performance," Joanne smiled, "Besides, it's good to see Mark so happy."
Mary, anxious to turn the conversation away from herself smirked at his rapidly growing blush.
"What's the deal, you not get out much?" she asked.
"Nah," Mark laughed, "I get a little into my work."
"I've seen," Mary replied quickly, "They told me that rehearsal will be tonight. I don't know how I can do it. Erin and I would…"
Roger stood up and looked at her. He could see her starting to break down. Mark squeezed her hand. Benny put a hand on her shoulder.
"You can and will, one of us will go with you," he said, "Mary, you have friends and we're here for you."
"Amen to that," Benny replied.
"Wait a second, you guys are talking?" Mark asked, watching Benny and Roger look at each other, "Miracles do happen."
"Wow," Joanne teased, "Time to call the press, wait a second Mark, you are the press."
"Camera's at home," Mark replied, "Benny, can I ask you a for a ride home when all this is over?"
"Of course," Benny answered, "They should be back any second."
Mary looked down the hall toward the cops. Maureen and Collins were heading down the hallway, carrying a small bag and a suitcase. Mary took a second to wonder how they knew what stuff belonged to her, and then she remembered her labeling system. They were good friends to her as well.
"I think we got all your stuff," Maureen said, watching Mary's reaction, "You know that the front is full of press."
"The theater's going to make a statement. I don't want to be here for that," Mary said, "They are talking about canceling the opening of Nutcracker. I don't think Erin would have wanted that, but they haven't made up their minds yet."
Collins eyes met hers.
"You going to be okay sweetheart?" he asked.
"I hope so; can we get out of here?" Mary asked Joanne, "They are done with me, right?"
"Yes, they are, and you're at Mark and Roger's if they need you, right?" she asked.
Mark nodded. Mary took her bags from Maureen and Collins, kissed Collins on the cheek as Maureen hugged her. Mark's eyes met Maureen's. He was stunned to see her compassion, but her look of utter sympathy toward Mary's situation was compelling. His look said thank you, hers the instant reply of your welcome.