(Mariska is on the floor holding her cheek as tears fall down her face. Jesse hovers over her with an angry scowl on his face breathing hard.)
Jesse: You see what you made me do. All you had to do was leave it alone, but no you just kept going.
Mariska: You're the one sleeping around and I get hit.
Jesse: Yeah well maybe you need to back the fuck off. I don't need this shit when I come home from you, or the noise from them.
(She finally stops shaking enough she picks herself up off the floor. She slowly moves away from him as he moves towards her.)
Mariska: You need to leave.
Jesse: This is my house.
Mariska: I'm not packing my children up this time of night and going to a hotel.
Jesse: Well I'm not leaving either. I pay all the got damn bills here, and I can do what the hell I want. Now if you would excuse me, I have a meeting to get to, or should I say more important things to get to.
(She swallows before she watches him grab his wallet and keys before leaving. After the door slams Mariska stumbles a little before she sinks into the sofa. She bites her lip to keep a sob from escaping and because she doesn't want her kids to see her like this. She gets up to go wash her face and whines a little seeing the red mark. As she wipes her face she hears the door open a little and sees her daughter.)
Maeve: Mama.
Mariska: (sigh) Yes baby.
Maeve: Are you ok?
Mariska: Yeah, just finished using the restroom.
Maeve: (walks up to her) Why were you and Dad fighting?
Mariska: We were just having an adult talk sweetie.
Maeve: But he hit you.
(This causes her to turn and look at her. She bends a little not caring to hide it any longer and cups Mae's face.)
Mariska: Mae baby everything is fine ok.
Maeve: (touch the mark) He hurt you.
Mariska: He didn't mean to, things just got a little out of hand.
Maeve: Will he be back?
Mariska: Yeah.
Maeve: (tears up) I don't want him to come back. He yelled at J and hit you mommy.
(This broke Mariskas heart and she pulls her into her. Mae buries her face in her mother's neck as she holds on tight to her shirt.)
Mariska: Hey, hey I promise I would let him hurt you, your brother or sister.
Maeve: What about you? Who's going to protect you?
Mariska: (smiles sadly) I will be fine baby ok.
Maeve: OK, maybe when you find daddy he could protect us.
Mariska: Maybe. Come on let's get you all in bed huh?
Maeve: Can you stay with us tonight?
Mariska: Yeah, I think a sleepover is much needed.
(She takes her hand and they walk to the girl's room where she comforts her other two kids before setting things up for bed. She slides the beds together and after everyone baths, they get into bed. Her kids all snuggled up to her and before she knew it everyone was asleep.)
(Days pass and she has done a good job hiding the bruise on her cheek. She hasn't told anyone about what happened because she wasn't ready for what was to come. Jesse has tried to apologize but nothing he said or brought made her forgive him. She was in her office going over some paperwork when there was a knock on her door.)
Mariska: Come in.
Chris: (peek his head in) Hi.
Mariska: (smiles) Hi, come in.
Chris: Tim told me you wanted to talk to me.
Mariska: Umm yes I do actually. I wanted to ask if you will be free Friday night after work.
Chris: (thinks) Yeah I'm free.
Mariska: Great, would you have dinner with me?
Chris: (looks shocked) I'm sorry.
Mariska: Would you have dinner with me on Friday night?
Chris: Umm aren't you married?
Mariska: This is not about that. I asking you out to eat because I have something to tell you and I figured a public place would be best.
Chris: Why, scared I might hit you.
(She jerks her head up.)
Mariska: What?
(She grabs her purse without thinking and pulls out a small mirror as she inspect the mark.)
Chris: You hid it well, but not well enough.
Mariska: Oh god no actually it's a funny story. I was hit with the bathroom door when my sn busted through it.
Chris: Ouch, how that happen?
Mariska: I was picking up a towel and next thing I'm hit in the face. It's no big deal and it's almost healed now.
(Chris gives her a look letting her know he wasn't buying that story. His eyes scan over her face making her feel a little uncomfortable.)
Chris: Look Mariska, I know it's been 10 years since we saw each other, but you can talk to me.
Mariska: It's complicated, but I really need to talk to you sooner rather than later.
Chris: (looks concerned) Ok just tell me where and what time.
(She slides him to her cell.)
Mariska: Lock your number in and I will text you sometime tomorrow.
Chris: OK, you sure there's nothing I can do?
Mariska: No I'm for really.
Chris: Just call me if you ever need anything.
Mariska: Thanks Chris, I really appreciate that.
Chris: Hey maybe we can become the best of friends again.
Mariska: (smirks) You have always been my best friend Chris. That time we had together was magical, the best time of my life. Maybe this is the universe's way of bringing us back together.
Chris: I'll take anything you are willing to give me.
Mariska: Let's have dinner first and see where it goes from there.
Chris: I'd like that.
Mariska: Then it's a date.
Chris: I can't wait.
(She then realizes what she said.)
Mariska: I didn't mean.
Chris: (chuckle) I know, I'm just playing along.
Mariska: See you Friday night, and have a great rest of your day.
Chris: You too and try not to run into any more doors.
Mariska: I'll try.
(With that he gets up and leaves, leaving her in her thoughts of what he just said. Pushing it to the back of her mind she gathered her things and made her way home to her family.)