Mark inhaled sharply, preparing what he was about to tell Maureen. His heart was beating so fast and hard that he thought it might burst.
"I love you." Was all Mark said. It was all he needed to say. Maureen's head snapped up, and she looked very surprised.
"Wha-…I don't understand, Marky. I thought you hated me after I broke up with you. How can you still love me?" Maureen asked, extremely perplexed.
Mark didn't know how to answer this question, so he decided to do the next best thing. He put his pale, large hand under Maureen's chin, lifted her head, and kissed her respectfully on the lips. She kissed him back, and as she did, the wheels in Maureen's head were turning and spinning. Before Joanne, their relationship had depended on intimacy. As they kissed, Maureen knew that this time, it would be less sex and more respect and honesty with one another. Mark's head was also spinning as he realized that he had loved Maureen the entire time, but he just wouldn't admit it to himself because he knew that she was Joanne's girl.
"I love you too, Mark." The diva whispered in his ear. Mark, his usual self, flushed bright red and looked down. "Hey," said Maureen. "You don't need to be embarrassed. It's love, and it can't be controlled. I love you as much as Collins still loves Angel, and although he won't admit, as much as Roger loves Mimi." This proclamation surprised Mark very much. He didn't know what to say yet again. Maureen could tell that he was tongue tied, so she put her hands on his cheeks and kissed him again. This time it was more exciting. Mark's breath came in wild gasps, and his hands found their way to Maureen's slender waist. Maureen ran her fingers through Mark's short, blonde hair. She opened her mouth slightly, and Mark did the same. As he kissed her excitedly, his hands moved off her waist and onto her butt. Maureen seemed to like that, as she put her hand on his hip, nearly touching his backside. Suddenly the door opened, but neither one paid attention.
"Hey, Mo, can you help me with someth-…Never mind, I'll come back later." Collins quickly left the room, snickering to himself as he shut the door quietly behind him.
Tripping over tables and rugs, Mark and Maureen found their way to the couch with their eyes closed, still lip locked. Mark shed his jacket, Maureen shed her sweater, revealing a tiny, see through red camisole. She decided to try something. She opened her mouth a bit more and explored Mark's mouth with her tongue. He returned the favor. Maureen remembered her thought a few minutes before. "…this time, it would be less sex and more respect…" She placed the accent on the less as she thought to herself. She started to stand, Mark followed her lead. He seemed to think exactly what Maureen was thinking, as he took off his striped sweater to reveal a pale, muscular chest. The couple made their way to the bedroom, still exploring each other's mouths, and laid down on the bed. Mark finally gently pulled away from Maureen, as his jaw was beginning to ache.
The two sat together on the bed, talking for hours and hours without tiring. When Maureen let out an involuntary yawn, Mark asked if she wanted to sleep. She sleepily nodded, and Mark headed for the door to leave, grabbing his sweater and jacket on the way out.
"Wait! Where are you going? Please stay…I'll get lonely." Maureen pathetically whimpered. Mark, after a few minutes of objection, finally gave in. He lay down next to Maureen, but not before making sure she was safely under the covers and almost asleep. Mark made sure to lie on top of the blankets. He stroked Maureen's wild brunette locks as he hummed a lullaby that Roger had written for Mimi. He soon nodded off, still humming to himself.