Rating: PG-13

Warnings: Mentions of sexual activity

Song Featured: "Touch My Soul" from the musical Bare: A Pop Opera

Disclaimer: RENT is the sole property of Jonathan Larson. Also, the song "Touch My Soul" is the sole property of its writers.

"What's your longest relationship?" Mark asked. Maureen lay sprawled on the couch, her head in his lap.

"What?" Maureen asked, looking up at him.

"Longest relationship."

Maureen bit her lip. "Um…not-not long."

"Not long like a couple months or not long like a couple weeks?"

"Month and a half."

The things I have don't last for long

Boys have come and boys have gone, I've grown accustomed

Maureen smiled when Mark came in. "Flowers?"

He nodded. "Guy on the corner was selling 'em. Thought it'd be a nice surprise."

Maureen crossed the loft and kissed him. "You got me flowers just because?"

Mark blushed and shrugged. "Just wanted you to know I was thinking about you today."

I never really cared too much, don't get attached

Because I know them and what they're after

"Look, I should tell you, Maureen's not so good at the monogamy thing," Roger said.

Maureen froze, not opening the door.

"Roger, I appreciate you looking out for me but I trust my girlfriend."

"Mark, listen to me. I've known Maureen for a hell of a long time. I love her like a sister. But that being said…she's been around the block a few times. Haven't you wondered why her longest relationship was a month and a half?"

Maureen cringed at her friend's words.

I let them in, we make some noise

They let themselves out, that's their choice

Boys will be boys

She sank to the ground, her arms pulling her knees to her chest. It was like high school all over again. Sure, she'd had sex. And yeah, she'd had sex with a few people more than a good girl probably should.

Maureen didn't do it just for the sake of sex. She never thought they'd leave. Each guy she dated she'd thought would stay around. The only reason her relationship with Jack had lasted that month and a half is because that's how long it took until she slept with him. He was gone in the morning.

The phone won't ring and I become some anecdote

And though I've had my fun, it gets lonely

Mark wasn't like the other guys. They hadn't slept together and Mark didn't seem bothered. He opened the door and saw her sitting on the ground. Kneeling in front of her, Mark pulled her into his arms.

"I love you, Maureen. Not what Roger says about you," he whispered.

Maureen smiled when his lips touched hers.

But then came your kiss

And all I was missing was there in your eyes, your lonely blue eyes

Mark helped her to her feet and guided her back into the loft. Roger winced when he realized she'd heard him.

"Maureen, I—"

"Not now," she said.

Mark sat down with her on the couch as Roger disappeared into his bedroom. Mark kissed her again. She sighed when he moved and kissed each tear on her cheeks.

"Mark?"

"Yeah?" he asked, pulling away.

"Are you, um…if this goes any further…I just, um…"

Mark brushed a curl away from her face. "Baby, whatever it is, just ask me."

"Before this goes any further, just tell me the truth. Are you going to leave?"

Mark shook his head. "Not unless you want me to."

Maureen shook her head. "Please don't go."

His arms wrapped around her as her head fell to his shoulder.

So please say you'll stay, say you'll never go away

My discarded heart has finally found a home

I know it's love, you touch my soul

Maureen sat on the window seat staring at the raindrops sliding down the windowpane. She couldn't help but think of what Roger had said. He'd been her best friend for years. Is that really what he thought of her? That she was just some stupid slut? Maureen blinked back tears. If Roger thought it, maybe it was true.

Mark opened the door to the loft. "Maureen, I'm home."

Maureen felt lighter as she drifted over to him. She couldn't remember why she'd been so sad before. Mark always seemed to make her feel better, whether he knew it or not, meant it or not.

When I see you, I catch my breath

Forget my sorrow

Mark kissed her. "I'll be home in a couple of days."

"I don't know why you have to go though. You don't even like her," Maureen said.

"I know, baby, but she's still my sister and if I miss her kid's birthday, I'll have the wrath of my mother and my sister which will not be fun, to say the least," he said, kissing her again.

"I know…Just hurry back, okay?"

Mark kissed her a third time. "You know I will."

And I miss you before you've left

You are tomorrow

"What if I can't do it though?" she asked, genuinely curious.

"You can."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I believe in you," Mark said. He wrapped his arms around her waist, his chest against her back. "This is what you've wanted…"

"I know, I just…Nobody else ever thought I could do it. Including Roger. And so I just kind of figured it would stay some stupid pipe dream."

Here in your hands, I find a chance to make it through

To be somebody…stay with me

"I love you," she said.

Mark stared at her.

"What? Don't you believe me?"

"Maureen, I've been saying 'I love you' for four months. Forgive me if I'm a little suspicious that you all of a sudden feel the need to reciprocate."

She rolled her eyes and joined him on the sofa. "This is not about reciprocation. I just…I have a hard time saying that stuff, Pookie."

"And yet you have no trouble with the embarrassing, god-awful pet names," he teased.

Maureen leaned her head on his shoulder and slipped her hand into his. "I'm serious. I'm not just reciprocating. I love you."

I need your kiss

'Cause all I was missing was there in your eyes, your lonely blue eyes

Maureen dragged him along the city sidewalks. "Come on, Pookie!"

"What are we rushing for?"

They reached the skating rink and found it empty. Mark looked around curiously.

"Maureen, it's the middle of the night. Why the hell are we at an ice-skating rink?"

"Because I want to show you something. Come here," she said, holding a hand out to him.

So please take my hand

Let me help you understand

Ten minutes of playful banter later, Mark lay on the ice beside Maureen.

"You're insane. You know that, right?"

She giggled. "Yeah but you love me."

Mark sighed with content. "That I do."

"Show me a constellation."

"What?"

"In the stars. Show me a constellation. I don't know any."

"Um…" Mark squinted and finally pointed. "Okay, you see that really bright one?"

"Yeah?"

"That's the North Star."

"And?"

Mark laughed. "And I don't know any constellations either. That's the extent of my astronomical intelligence."

Maureen sighed. "Make one up."

"Make one up?"

"There's billions of 'em. Pick some that look like something and point it out to me."

Mark stared up at the sky in silence. For a minute, Maureen wondered if he was actually studying the sky or just humoring her until she gave in. He nudged her and pointed up. "Okay, if you start at the North Star and then trace it up to that one there, see?"

"Yeah?"

"Okay, now go down to that one, back up to that one and down to that one there."

"It's an M!"

"For my Maureen."

"And my Mark."

Two searching hearts can rest and be made whole

I know it's love, please let me touch your soul

Mark opened the door to the loft and led Maureen to the bedroom, both of them shivering. "I think next time we should bring a blanket," he said.

Maureen nodded. "Thanks for doing that with me."

Mark hugged her, kissing her forehead. "You're welcome. But really, I should be thanking you. That was fun. And certainly not something I would've done with anyone else ever."

She laughed and leaned up to kiss him. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Please let me touch your soul