A/N: This chapter has been done for some time now, but my access to the internet is limited so I am doing the best I can do, so here it is! I like this chapter, could be one of my favs minus chapter 4 (Maureen's sick). Anyway, hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own RENT...unfortunately.
Please review!

Chapter 12 - Following Instincts

Benny got to the door of the apartment and was about ready to knock when he remember the key that he held in his pocket. Grabbing the small key, he unlocked to find lights on, but no visible people. He put his duffle bag down by the front door and walked farther into the apartment.

"Baby?" he yelled through the apartment.

"Hey," Maureen said back to him as she walked out of her bedroom and over to him. She gave him a quick kiss before going to the kitchen.

Collins came out behind her from her bedroom and the guilt and sadness on his face could be seen a mile away.

"Hey man," was all he could manage at this point.

"Hey," Benny said back, as he glanced from him to Maureen and saw the pleading look on her face.

"Look, I'm really sorry. The way I reacted early was way out of line, and I think," the taller man stopped for a second and let out a deep breathe, trying to control his thoughts and emotions, "I think I am still grieving and I want to have everyone at my level of sadness. Seeing that Maureen was beginning to be happy again, I became angry, because I believed that because I can't move on yet, how could she? I don't know why I said what I did about you, I really didn't mean that. I know that you have changed; you paid for Angel's funeral for god's sakes. So please forgive me, I still need you guys more than I realized and I am truly happy for you even if I don't show it so well."

Benny walked over to Collins and hugged him knowing that he really needed one right now. "It's cool man, I knew you would come around, that why I didn't push it anymore."

They walked to the living room, leaving Maureen in the kitchen. Sitting down on the couch, Collins looked over at Benny's pondering a way to ask this without saying too much.

"Did you really mean what you say at the community building?" he asked Benny, watching his eyes glance at Maureen and back to his own face.

"Yeah, I really did."

"Good."

Maureen came into the living room and saw the smiles on both men's faces.

"What are you two talking about?" she wondering, seeing that the TV wasn't on so they had to be talking about something.

"Oh nothing," Benny told her, as he felt her sit behind him and put her head on his shoulder.

She was skeptical, but decided if he wanted her to know, then he would tell her. A smile came to her face as she felt Benny's hand grab for her own.

"Well guys, I think I'm going to go back home," Collins told them as he got up from the couch.

Benny and Maureen joined him, and walked him to the front door.

"We'll see you later Collins," Maureen said, as she gave him a hug, then retreated back to Benny's side.

"Yeah, you know all of us are getting together tonight around seven at the Life Café to officially induct Kate into the group, you guys should come."

Benny looked at Maureen and they both agreed by the look in their eyes, "Yeah we'll be there."

"Great, see ya," Collins said as he walked down the hallway and around the corner; out of their sight.

Maureen closed the door and leaned against it, letting out a heavy sigh. She felt like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulder by knowing that she had all of her friends behind her in her relationship with Benny.

Benny was about to turn around and go figure out a place to put all his stuff when Maureen grabbed his hand. She lightly pulled him toward her, staring into his dark eyes, searching for what, she wasn't sure.

"I really want to thank you for going and talking to Collins," she whispered, glancing down at their hands, marveling the contrast, and then back at his face.

"It was nothing. I knew that no matter how much you protested and told me that hit didn't matter, that what Collins though was one of the most important things to you," he told her.

Maureen had so many emotions running through her, it became too much for her to bear. One by one, the tears came flowing out of her deep emerald eyes.

"Baby, don't cry," Benny whispered to her while he wiped away the tears that rolled down her cheeks, "what's wrong?"

Maureen shook her head, "Nothing. I just have so many things running through my head, I don't know what else to do."

"Talk to me, get it out. You know I will always be here for you, I love you Maureen," Benny said to here, staring into her soul, knowing she was doing the same thing.

Silence hung between them for a split-second before Benny started again, "I know that we've only been together for like a week, but with you I'm not afraid to express what I'm feeling and—"

"I love you too," Maureen finally got out after her mind was able to process what he had told her.

"Yeah?" he asked as he pulled her closer by her waist.

"Yeah," she replied, pressing her lips against his.

Benny deepened the kiss and lifter her off the ground. Maureen automatically wrapped her legs around his torso as he started to walk toward the bedroom. Struggling to keep their lips connected and walk at the same time, they finally made it to the room. They closed the door and left the rest up to instincts.