Disclaimer: Not mine. As usual. So stop asking, kay?

A/N: Wow. Sorry about not writing anything in forever. Well, this is for my friend and I hope she enjoys it.

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Welcome Home

It had been over a year since she had lived in the loft. Yet she was back…hoping that they would take her in. Praying someone was home…praying that that someone was not Mark. She couldn't handle Mark right now. Mark was too prying, although he meant it all for the best. She just needed someone who didn't ask questions…someone like…Roger.

Roger? How had she come up with that thought? She never in a million years thought she would be needing him like she did right now. But she did need him and she was at the loft so she might as well go for it. She raised her hand, knocking on the door.

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There was no answer at the door. She knocked again and the door slid open, revealing a very surprised Roger. "Maureen?" he asked, looking at her. She nodded silently in response. "What are you…?" He paused, trying to take in what stood in front of him. This woman was not Maureen. This woman was way too thin and covered in bruises to be Maureen.

"Can I…" she managed to get out, feeling him looking at her. "Oh, of course" he said, realizing how stupid he was being. "Please." He stepped out of the doorway, watching her come in. He slid the door closed. "Can I get you anything…a drink or something?" he asked, knowing that a drink wouldn't really help her. She shook her head, stumbling over to the couch and sitting down, her body shaking.

He followed her, sitting on the small table across from the couch and looking at her. "Maureen…what happened?" he asked gently, clearly concerned.

"Oh. Um…." She couldn't say the right words. Hunched over, she felt herself begin to cry. Immediately Roger was at her side, holding her close to him. "Ssh…" he murmured, rubbing her back. "You don't have to tell me." She nodded, burying her head into his shoulder as she cried. "Joanne…" she said in a choked voice. "She…she did it"

Roger felt his jaw drop. Quickly, he shut his mouth, anger surging through him. "No." he said, shaking his head. "No. Oh god….I'm so sorry…I don't know what to say…" he was rambling and he knew it.

"Roger, stop. You aren't helping." She said quietly, looking at him, the hurt showing in her eyes. He nodded, touching her cheek lightly and brushing away a stay tear.

"Can I…" she said softly, not breaking eye contact. "Stay here for a while? Just until I find a new place… I can't go back there…" He nodded, his hand still on her cheek. "Of course you can…after all, this is your home."

"Thank you" she murmured, curling up into his lap and resting her head on is shoulder, closing her eyes. "Thank you…" she said again as she drifted to sleep.

"Welcome home…" he said softly, stroking her hair. "Welcome home."

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A/N: Mmkay. Finished. I hope you like it. I might continue this one if I get good reviews.