He sat up, rubbing at his eyes, realizing his glasses weren't on.
He squinted and found them sitting on the coffee table.
Reaching out, he took them and placed them on the bridge of his nose, looking around.
"You're up." Maureen commented from her spot on the couch across the way.
Mark nodded.
"How long was I out?" he questioned, cracking his neck.
Maureen looked at her watch.
"An hour or two. It's night, now." she said, nodding towards the full moon which beamed through the glass windowpane.
Mark followed her eyesight and smiled.
"It's beautiful." Maureen commented, appearing behind Mark, wrapping her arms around his neck in a comforting way.
He took her hands in his, kissing her knuckles softly.
Maureen kissed the top of his hair before pulling away and falling next to him.
"Let's go for a walk." she suggested, reaching out and pushing Mark's hair out of his eyes.
Before he knew what was going on, Maureen had him up and heading out of the loft.
"What about Joanne?" Mark questioned as he was rushed down the stairs.
"She's asleep! Don't be such a worrier, Mark!" Maureen exclaimed, letting go of Mark and rushing out the door, spinning around as the snow began to fall.
Mark smiled at her beauty, illuminated by the glow of the moon and the sparkle of the snow.
"What?" Maureen asked as Mark walked up beside her, linking his hands in hers.
"I don't know. Reminisicing, I guess." he replied.
Maureen twirled him around in the snow enough for him to stumble and fall.
She fell with him, landing softly on top of him, giggling.
"Don't tell me...Roger took you and twirled you about in the snow?" she teased, placing her hand over Mark's heart.
Mark laughed.
"No, but everything brings something up, Mo." he replied.
Maureen lie her head down on his chest, wrapping her arm around his stomach.
Mark placed his left hand under his head as a means of support, running his other hand through Maureen's curly hair.
She looked down at him, and before he could stop himself, he was leaning forward, his lips upon hers.
Slowly Maureen opened her mouth, accepting his kiss.
She climbed on top of him, covering his body with her, wrapping her arms around him fully.
Mark let his head fall to the snow, wrapping his arms around Maureen's back, running his fingertips along the small of it.
"Mark..." Maureen managed, pulling back.
Mark looked up at her, wide-eyed.
"Oh, no." he said, pushing Maureen off of him, climbing to his feet.
He turned to Maureen, who stood, too.
"I'm sorry. I, I don't..." he attempted, running his hands over his face and through his hair.
"Don't. Baby, don't." Maureen whispered, reaching out and pulling Mark's hands from his hair, pulling them down to his sides.
"It's okay. Shh." she cooed, bringing Mark close.
Mark rested his head on her chest, sobbing uncontrolably as Maureen comfortingly ran her hands along his back.
She looked towards her apartment window just as Joanne peeked out.
She shrugged to Joanne who smiled fondly.
"C'mon, Mark. Let's get you inside. It's cold, and you're without a jacket." she commented.
Mark looked up at her through tear stained eyes.
"Mo, you're wearing sleeveless." he retorted.
Maureen just shook her head, linking arms with Mark and leading him back into the building.
Once inside their apartment, Mark reached out to the boxes.
"You're going back?" Joanne questioned from her seat on the couch.
Mark sighed, shrugging.
"I need to get things done. I want to get out of here as quick as I can." he replied.
"Pookie!" Maureen exclaimed, pouncing on Mark, holding him tightly.
He pulled her close, kissing her nose softly.
"I'll be just uptown with Benny. Mo, I can't stay here." he insisted, pushing Maureen off and into Joanne's lap.
Joanne wrapped her arms around Maureen's waist in a protective manner.
"You sure you don't want to stay with us?" Maureen asked.
Mark snorted, blushing immediately.
Joanne rolled her eyes, looking to Mark.
"It's an offer, nonetheless." she spoke, squeezing Maureen's sides tenderly.
Maureen wrapped her arms around Joanne's shoulders, pecking her on the lips.
Mark shivered.
"I need to go." he said, waving, grabbing the boxes, grabbing his coat from the hanger, and disappearing quickly out the door, just as Maureen turned to straddle Joanne.
He groaned as he walked down the stairs and out into the cold winter atmosphere.
He wrapped his arms around himself, rubbing his hands up and down his arms in an attempt of heat.
It was then he realized he had to walk six blocks in this weather to reach his loft.
Cursing, he pushed forward.
Upon reaching the building of the lot, he threw himself through the doors, letting out a groan as he realized the heat was out.
Trudging up the stairs, Mark narrowly missed running into Benny, who was standing at the entrance to he and Roger's lot.
"Benny." he whispered.
Benny smiled.
"Set up some boxes for you." he commented, reaching out and taking a few of Maureen's boxes from his hands and pushing the door open for Mark.
Mark entered, setting the boxes on the floor and moving to let Benny do the same.
"Where'd you go? I stopped by earlier." Benny asked, sliding out of his leather jacket.
"Maureen and Joanne's." Mark replied, going over to the fridge, opening it and pulling out the last bottle of whiskey, popping the top and taking a large gulp.
Benny only stared at him.
Mark held the bottle out in offering.
Benny shook his head, holding his hands out palm first.
Mark shrugged, taking another gulp.
"Going at it rather quickly, there." Benny noted, sliding onto a stool.
Mark shrugged.
"Last night in the loft. Gotta make it worth it." he said, blinking.
Benny sighed, reaching out and taking the bottle from Mark's grasp, downing a few sips himself.
Mark accepted the bottle back, downing the rest of it, shaking his head.
"I haven't had a good drink since...since the night you found Roger." he admitted.
He smiled blissfully, leaning across the table.
"So that's why you came into the hospital staggering. I thought you were just scared shitless." Benny teased.
Mark rolled his eyes.
"If only, man."