A/N: Alright, here is the next chapter, and you will be happy to know that Chapter 11 is already written. You guys get two chapters in one...lucky, I would say. AND! I have even started Chapter 12, so that will be up soon, I hope. Anyway, read and review! ENJOY!
Disclaimer: Once again, I don't own RENT as much I wish I did, I don't.

Chapter 10 – The Key

"Didn't you have an audition at 2:15, which would be now?" Maureen asked, getting up to wash the tear stains off her face.

"Well, it turns out it's tomorrow, not today. I have lost track of my days," he answered, getting up himself to get something to drink.

Benny glanced at the refrigerator before getting a glass, and a piece of paper caught his eye. It was for a lead in an upcoming off-Broadway play, and the auditions were held in a couple hours.

"Hey Mo, do you remember this?" he asked, taking the piece of paper to her in the bathroom.

Her eyes moved to the mirror and looked through it to the reflection of the paper.

"Shit! I forgot about that, it isn't too late is it?" she yelled, quickly turning around and grabbing the paper from him, "Oh my god, the auditions are in two hours, I better get my ass in gear!."

Benny watched Maureen frantically run to her bedroom and shut the door behind her.

"I take that as a no I didn't remember it until now," Benny said to himself as he smiled and shook his head.

"What?" Maureen asked through the door.

The smile on Benny's face increased, "Nothing!"

He went to the kitchen to continue his search for something to drink. Since Maureen was going to an audition today, he figured it would be a perfect time to talk to Collins about everything that was happening. He was so lost in his own thoughts, he totally forgot what he was doing, and just stood there with the refrigerator door open.

Maureen walked into the kitchen to find Benny standing at the fridge, and staring at the wall behind it.

"So, are you trying to heat the food slowly or cool the kitchen down?" she asked sarcastically as she watched him come out of his trance.

"What? Oh sorry," he stuttered as he quickly shut the door like a child being caught in the cookie jar.

"Are you all right?" Maureen asked inching closer and closer to Benny, trying to catch a glimpse into those ebony eyes.

"Yea, I'm fine, I was just thinking," he replied, flashing his marvelous smile that makes her knees go weak.

"Okay, but you know I'm here if you want to talk about anything."

"I know."

Maureen enveloped herself into his arms and rested her forehead on his. They stood there in silence, listening to each others soft breathing and feeling it wash over their lips. Small moments like this one helped flourish the strength they both needed at this point. The love they felt from each other overpowered every sense of defeat and helplessness they had now and would have in the future.

The brunette lifted her head off its resting place and stared into two beautiful dark eyes that held many stories she was anxious to hear.

"I'm going to go and hopefully get this audition over with fast; I don't know when I will be home, so here is a key," she whispered to him, as she put the small silver key in his hand.

"Thank you," he simply whispered as his lips ended their search for pink ones that belonged to the beauty in his arms.

This moment was too perfect for Maureen and she wished it never had to end, but she knew that she had places to go. She hesitantly broke the kiss and returned her forehead to its place on Benny's.

"I really need to get going, so I will see you later, right?" she asked him, bringing her head up.

"Of course," he replied, "I'll probably go and get some more clothes and stuff from my apartment, is that okay?"

Maureen's face lit up, "Yeah, bring whatever you need."

"Great, I will see you later babe," he said to her, giving her a light kiss.

"Okay, wish me luck," she told him, giving him a goofy smile before heading out the door.

Benny stood in the kitchen for a while just trying to collect his thoughts and figure out what he was going to say to Collins once he found him. He decided to not mention to Maureen what he had planned, because he knew she would tell him that it wasn't that big of a deal and they should just let it go, but he knew that this really mattered to her. He stared down at the key that he held in his hand, and his face instantly broke out in a smile. He couldn't believe how much his life had changed in a matter of days, and how incredibly lucky he was to have Maureen in his life. She brought out the man he wanted to be to the one he loved; the man that was never revealed in his marriage with Alison. He knew right then that she was definitely the one for him, but for her sake, they must take things slow. With a million things on his mind and a lovesick smile on his face, he left the apartment to find the only friend whose opinion matter the most to Maureen.