Uncharted Desires

Sequel to DESTROYED

INTRODUCTION: Here is my sequel to DESTROYED, which I highly recommend that you read before this one as there may be some chapters where you just won't have a clue what's happening, specifically when it comes to flashbacks and memories that have been in the previous story. In DESTROYED, after Angel caught Collins cheating on him with in a club his ex boyfriend turned drug pusher, Sam Michaels, and subsequently tossed him out on his ass. Three months later, Julia convinced Collins to return to New York and his lover, where chaos then proceeded to ensue, with Angel almost being killed twice. Through turmoil they overcame and the story was ended on a happy note. Now, Uncharted Desires chronicles the following year in their lives, with Angel still with us – this story is considerably lighter, though will have its dark moments. Sam and Julian will be marking their return (which is why I suggest new readers check out the first story – I know it's long, but it'll help you understand) even though they are behind bars. Julia will also be back.

A year after the tragic events that almost cost Angel his life, twice and things has returned to as normal as they could be for the family of friends. The psychological scars still burn Angel with nightmares, though he works through them with the love and support of Collins and his friends. He has, though, regained his bright, bubbly spirit and lives life to the fullest once again, now knowing just how precious life is and how easily it can be taken away. While on the street one day, Angel makes a discovery that will change their lives forever… what – or who – that discovery is, will surprise you. And Mark's will change big time, too. You can believe that. New characters – Mercy (5) and Charlotte (23) will be introduced. This story is about teaching our bohemians about taking chances… when Angel takes a chance on a little girl.

NOTE: The dynamics of the story may change, I.E. my writing style… this is just a warning to the readers who are already familiar with my writings, and what I mean by this is that I MAY choose to alternate point of views (I.E. from Angel's perspective, then Collins, then Mark's, then Roger's, and then maybe back to a third person perspective) – just to keep the story interesting and to take the readers deeper into the complexities of the situations our favourite bohemians have to face. So just keep that in mind, but I will make it easy and let you know should I be alternating a point of view. I'm not sure if I will pursue this structure for the story, but like I said, I'll let you know if I decide to.

DISCLAIMER: Of course, none of the eight characters – Mark, Roger, Benny, Mimi, Maureen, Angel, Joanne, or Collins is mine. Nor are the peripheral characters that I may choose to include (such as Benny's wife (Alison), and Alexi Darling, or even April). They are purely fictional creations of the wonderful Jonathan Larson (R.I.P), who obviously owned them and upon his death, ownership and copyright of RENT and its characters passed onto his family and estate. The other characters – Sam, Julian, Julia, and the new characters for this story, Mercy and Charlotte, are mine – twisted figments of my very twisted imagination.

Okay, okay, sorry for rambling on like this but it had to be done. Okay! Onto the story!

"SHIT!"

"Mark, what are you doing?"

"Oww! Nothing, Roger I stumped my toe on the table!"

"Fuck! Whoever that is, get your hand off my ass!"

"It's me, Maureen!"

Pause.

"Joanne, get your hand off my ass!"

"Oh shut up! You didn't object when that woman from the Cat Scratch Club had a go!"

"Joanne, Maureen, don't start!"

"Fuck you, Collins!"

"Sorry, Maureen… I don't do the 'female' thing"

"Uh-huh but you'll do Angel?"

"She's as close to a woman as I wanna get!"

"Uh, guys, can we stay focused?"

"Mark's right. Roger, baby, where the hell did you go?"

"I haven't gone anywhere! It's the power that's disappeared…"

"FUCK YOU BENNY!"

"Maureen, pull your twisted head back inside the window NOW!"

"Whatever, Mimi! He can't keep doing this to us!"

"Well you screeching out the window ain't doing us any favors!"

"It's more than the rest of you are doing – now damn it! I KNOW that ain't Joanne's hand on my butt! Normally it wouldn't bother me, but… can we get some fucking light?"

"Sorry!"

"Roger?"

"I said sorry Mims! It wasn't on purpose! Geez! You're getting as paranoid as Joanne!"

"Ha ha!"

"Screw you, Roger; Maureen… I don't need this shit from either of you right now!"

The six friends were scrambling to find not only a source of light, but some heat as well. It was now December 16th, 1992 and once again they found themselves in a familiar predicament – pissed off the landlords (which still happened to be Benny) and now, without having paid the last six months of rent, was in the position of having no heat and no power. So they were freezing in the darkness, again. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, everything had been going along fine until Maureen decided to have a go at Benny for something trivial or whatever, and now it seemed like they were all paying the price. In the year that had passed since we left this small group of bohemians, everything had returned to as normal as was actually possibly, given what had happened that previous year. All of them chose not to reflect on the past any longer, and to live each moment as if it were their last, at Angel's insistence (which was no surprise, given that he was the one who had suffered the most the year before, and he was subsequently now trying to get on with whatever time left he had on this earth). Mark had gotten some freelance photography work, Roger was still writing his songs, Mimi was still at the club though was now officially an ex-junkie; Maureen and Joanne were still together, living under the same roof, Collins was working at New York University under strict supervision and guidelines, and Angel had fully recovered from his injuries and was still doing his street drumming. Everything was working out fine, though the nightmares of what had happened to him in the year before still came back and haunted him from time to time; often enough he'd wake up in a heated sweat, hyperventilating after coming out of the nightmare that prevented him from sleeping peacefully. He would then wake Collins up, who would gladly sit up with him and hold him until he had calmed down… so the trauma was still there, but they were getting through it. Each day got easier for Angel, Collins, and all of them. None of them had seen or talked to, or even thought about Sam and Julian since they were convicted, and occasionally Collins, or Mimi, or Roger would go to see Julia where she was incarcerated, but Angel was not allowed to go. Collins prevented him, as he feared it would only cause him to bring up old pains and emotions that he shouldn't have to go through again. But, surprisingly enough, Angel was doing a lot better and had progressed further than any of them thought he would, and of course that couldn't be a bad thing. If it was even possible, his and Collins' relationship had got even stronger over the time since he left the hospital after Sam had put him there by beating and raping her… and then five days later, Julian came in to finish what Sam couldn't, and ended up slitting Angel's throat.

But that was all in the past now, thank God. After all the shit the seven of them had to go through, it wasn't surprising that none of them wanted anything more than to face the future. Not that they disregarded or forgot about the past entirely, no that would be stupid – they learned what they needed to learn from the experiences (they had to, given their lifestyles), and had let it go as best they could. Now, on December 16th, 1992, they were in the very same position they were in at Christmas in 1989… where the family really did come together.

"I'm going to fucking KILL HIM!" Roger screamed in frustration, rubbing his leg after accidentally walking into Mark's bike that was rested against the wall, as he tried to find where exactly Mimi had put the candles. "Mimi, where are they?"

"Quit your bitching, baby, they're on the shelf over there!"

"Over where?"

"By the door!"

In the darkness, and not knowing what clutter was at his feet, Roger outstretched his arms in front of him and slowly walked in the direction he knew the front door to be. Benjamin Coffin the third was so getting his ass kicked for this – how could man that rich be so stupid? Oh wait… now that's a stupid question.

"OWW!" Collins yelped and jumped out the way, almost toppling over the table he was standing next to, after Roger crashed into him.

"Sorry!"

"Jesus fucking Christ this shit has got to stop!" Collins rubbed his arm. "Are there any flashlights or something?"

"Mark lost the two flashlights a few months ago," Roger pointed out, as Collins held out his arm to help him up. The musician gladly accepted his offer and was then pulled to his feet. "Who knows where they are now…?"

"Hey, it wasn't my fault!" Mark protested in defense of himself.

"Uh-huh, sure Cohen."

"Back off!"

"Guys, shut up!" Mimi rolled her eyes and said in frustration. This was getting out of hand, even for her, and it wasn't the time for them to start bickering. Everyone was pissed off, hungry, freezing, and wanting Angel to get his ass back to the loft with the food he said he'd go buy with part of Collins' pay check. So far he had been gone almost an hour, and knowing Angel the way they did, they knew it'd probably be an hour more before he got back with the provisions. Lesson one learnt. Never let a bubbly drag queen do the tasks that need to be done with the utmost importance – no doubt he had was dancing around Avenue A checking out any of the vendors, or looking for new materials to make exciting, crazy outfits out of. It was nearly 8:00PM, dark, and Collins wasn't exactly at ease about letting him go alone (which was understandable), but he had insisted.

"Baby, you sure you wanna go alone? I'm not sure you're ready…" Collins spoke with grave concern, but Angel laughed the concerns off.

"Honey, I'm just going to the store, I mean come ON! Totally stifling me here sweetie, and besides… are you ready? Am I ready? When are any of us gonna be ready?"

"Angel, you're not making sense—"

"Exactly! My point exactly, Collins! Doesn't make any sense. Anyway I'll be fine! Honest! Please!" he had then gone on to pout and gave his lover that look… his eyes mesmerized him and he knew he could get away with anything; that Collins would cave to him. And he was right. Collins had then shaken his head and sighed, defeated. What was the point with arguing with him? A woman's logic was something never to be argued with, no matter how totally strange it may be – that's a reason why Collins always thankful he was gay. But now it seemed like arguing with a drag queen's logic was even worse! Way more twisted and skewed...

Finally Roger made it to the shelves, relatively unharmed and he started feeling around for he matches and candles. About ten seconds later, his hands came across what he felt was what they were looking for and he picked up the box of matches, removed one from the casing and lit it. Sure enough, the spark was enough to cause a flame that illuminated enough space around him so Roger could see what he was doing a little more clearly. There in front of him, he saw five candles and a small lantern that Mark insisted they keep there, just in case a situation like this ever presented itself… and now Roger grudgingly had to admit that it was a pretty smart idea, but not that he'd admit it to anyone, especially Mark. He proceeded to light each other the candles.

"Thank God," he muttered under his breath, relieved that they had some light to keep them satisfied until they were given a good opportunity to go hunt Benny down and give him the ass kicking he deserved. It still hurt that their no ex friend had turned on them, after sharing so many similar dreams and principles… his desires were once no match the principles he stood behind them with. And it surprised them even more when he was the first and only one of them to abandon those principles for the sake of money… the poster boy for selling out. Well, as we all know, this was not the first time he had cut the power on them or the other tent city residents, but it was just another reason that he needed to get a lesson in morality more so than anyone else. "Guys," he called over to the others, who were all still in their stationary positions in the darkness. "Someone get over here and help me with the lantern, please?"

Mimi jumped to her feet from the sitting position she was in on the sofa, and cautiously made her way over to him. She lovingly placed her arm around his wait upon approaching him and he acknowledged her subtle affection with a charming smile.

"Hey," he whispered.

"Hey," she echoed and let him go. "You okay?"

"I'm good. A little help?"

Mimi assisted him in lighting the lamp which didn't take long; thankfully not giving them anymore problems than they were having already. Roger then blew the match out and turned around.
"Well," he sighed. "It's not much, but it's something." And he wasn't kidding. At least now they could see each other and various objects which they had been tripping over and trying to avoid for the past fifteen minutes. He looked around to see Collins sitting on the table he had just fell onto; Mark was on the sofa, Maureen was sitting on the floor with Joanne standing next to her – all of them looked bored out of their minds. Maureen was obviously sulking.

"Where is she? She said she'd be, like, ten minutes!"

"Girl, do you know how long ten minutes is in Angel's world?" Mimi laughed, and picked up the lantern, and then walked back to the group. "Seriously, it converts to, what, two hours in normal time – wouldn't ya say, Collins?"

"Hmm?" Collins looked up, having not paid much attention. Mimi rolled her eyes again.

"Never mind, sweetie."

"So what now?" Mark asked, looking at each of them as if expecting different answers.

"Damn it, I want food!" Maureen whined and pushed her arms against the sofa, pushing herself up and grabbed Joanne's arm, unexpectedly, to steady herself.

"Maureen!" Joanne snapped, almost falling over herself. "Watch it!"

"Sorry baby," Maureen grinned and kissed her cheek. How these two managed to stay together after all the crap they had put each other through was beyond anyone's guess, especially Mark's. But, nevertheless, at least things were returning to normal, which is what they all needed. Well, normalcy to them was what society would consider very much abnormal, but they didn't care about what anyone thought of them… I guess that's how they managed to survive for so long, was not caring or having to try live up to other people's expectations.

As their little charade was going on, Collins was totally oblivious to it all, and stared out the window, and we all know why. Given Angel has AIDS, it's not too hard to understand Collins' concerns for his lover. He had always been attentive to his needs, but even more so when he came so close to losing him… that was hard enough to have to live with, and Angel was always telling him to let it go. He was, but it was taking longer for him because not only had he felt the same pain Angel did, but he also felt most responsible for it, which only served to place extra weight on his shoulders that he, nor anyone, would ever need or deserve.

Collins sighed and felt him self shaking a little as he exhaled – he was nervous, and it did not escape his friends' attention. Roger approached him, with a candle in each hand. He held one out to his longtime friend.

"Collins?"

Apparently Collins didn't hear him, as he was still gazing out at the window, lost in his own worried thoughts and concerns over Angel's safety. Mark and Roger exchanged glances, and Roger then placed one candle on the table and snapped his fingers in front of Collins' face, which sufficiently did the job of drawing Collins out of his withdrawn state.

"You in there, man?"

"Hmm?" he looked up and around to see the other five staring at him with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "What?"

"You okay?" Roger asked again, frowning. "Wanna share?"

"No, I'm good." He then got to his feet. "Look, I'm gonna go see what Angel's up to, I don't feel—"

"Collins, sit down and shut up," Maureen insisted. "Angel's old enough to take care of herself… and let's face it, she can take those gloves off and take on a fight as good as any man could. There's nothing to worry about!"

"Yeah, but—"

"No buts!" Roger insisted, gently pushing Collins by his shoulder, so he was sitting down again. "You're staying. If he's not back in half an hour, we'll go, okay?"

MEANWHILE – WITH ANGEL

Carrying the provisions in his pickle tub, which he carried under his arm, he walked down the street with a tiny smile on his face. He didn't know why, but something about this Christmas was gonna be so special… he could feel it, and when Angel got a feeling, chances are that it wasn't too far off the truth of a situation or certain circumstances. That was just the aura of Angel Dumott Schunard. Time was irrelevant to his life and everything about it, because in his mind, as soon as you started living by the rules of time, then the quality of life starts to dissipate… life is meant to be lived without a care, and time was one of those restraints that unfortunately tended to follow many people around because they didn't know how to appreciate the beauty of life without some sort of control… order… structure. Angel didn't. Even before his recovery, before he was attacked, before Collins cheated on him… his life was nothing but freedom – he was the picture of freedom and love, and his beliefs had definitely been challenged during tough trials that could've certainly killed him and his friends. And Collins. Oh God was he in love with him… never had Angel fallen all over his self like he did for this man, and he was completely gone when he was with him. And their friends. Everyday he was thankful to be blessed with their company, and was gonna make sure that he did nothing to fuck it up again.

Being the holiday season, it was only natural that Angel was dressed up in his beautiful holiday season outfits. On this night he was wearing a white skirt with gold stitching, and white tights, with a red sweater, white gloves, and black platform heels, as well as his favourite black wig and he was looking fabulous as always, and after shopping for the past hour he couldn't wait to get back to the loft. Now that Collins was working again (he started at NYU about eight months earlier), things weren't as bleak for them anymore, and they managed to keep their apartment and lead a fairly stable life, given that their lifestyle usually demanded instability.

He jumped up onto a small ledge, humming one of his favourite Christmas songs and lightly tapping one of his drumsticks on any surface he came to pass. Tonight was a beautiful evening, there was no doubt about it. Snow was starting to lightly fall from the sky, and Angel giggled when one snowflake landed on his nose. Why he was so happy, not even he knew, but whatever it was, he loved the feeling… a freedom… it was the latter part of the year that always did this to him. And to be heading home, where he could feel his lover's strong arms wrap around his waist and to feel Collins' lips kissing the back of his neck.

Angel felt shivers run down his spine at that thought, and his smile grew even wider with all the wicked thoughts of what he wanted to do to Collins…

He hoped off the ledge and skipped up a little more, feeling the urge to get him, yet the difficulty in resisting to jump Collins as soon as he saw him. It wasn't necessarily too much to say that it was hard to pry them apart, when Collins wasn't working, and the closeness of their relationship was only demonstrated further with their total lack of shyness when it came to expressing that love. Public displays of affection were far from uncommon with Collins and Angel, despite the dirty and a lot of the time disgusted looks they got from the still relatively homophobic society at large that saw them as nothing more than a waste of space in society. But they didn't care. They were in love and nothing else existed but each other when they were together…

Angel grinned when he saw the Christmas decorations in one of the stores as he went by, tapping the window lightly with his drumstick. This was Angel's season… season of love… Christmas was his second favourite holiday, after Halloween. Halloween was when he had a legitimate excuse for going wild and crazy with his costuming… not that if ever stopped him, before but the beauty of Halloween was that it allowed creativity to mix with the rush, that amazing feeling of innocent fun of being a child. Angel loved it. But Christmas was definitely a close second, as it allowed a person to really experience the love… the beauty… of being alive.

"Angel!"

He stopped when he heard his name from behind, and turned around to see someone in the distance running towards him. His jaw dropped.

"Jordan!"

Jordan… Erica's boyfriend? Angel couldn't believe who he was seeing… he hadn't seen Jordan in almost four years, since Erica's funeral. Wow.

"Oh my God!" Angel squealed and started running to meet up with him. Already he was feeling tears in his eyes, but he didn't care. A few seconds later, he had flung him self into Jordan's arms, and started sobbing. Jordan chuckled at her emotional response and returned the love with a fierce embrace… Erica had meant so much to them both, and unfortunately after the voluptuous drag queen diva died of the AIDS virus in 1986; they lost contact for no particular reason. It just happened. And now, to see Jordan here, in 1992, still looking as damn hot as he had always been.

"JORDAN!" Angel cried, pulling away and putting her hands to his cheeks to get a better look at the man who had made Erica's last few years the most blissful, and happiest, she had experienced. Angel could not have hoped for a better lover for her mentor.

"Oh my God! Baby, wha—" the shock was so evident in Angel's eyes, seeing Jordan's beautiful face for the first time in a long time, that he could barely formulate single words let alone actual sentences.

He chuckled. "Hey Angel, baby…" he greeted Erica's best friend with a warm hug and even warmer smile. "How you been, girl?"

Angel blinked repeatedly, as if not believe who he was seeing. "I… I… oh, sweetie you don't wanna know! Long story! Wha… how have you been? What are you doing here? I thought you left after…" he trailed off, not wanting to say what both of them were thinking.

"I'm in New York on business… I moved to North Carolina a couple months after Erica died… I'm so sorry I didn't call you, baby, I know I should've, I was just so depressed and—"

"Shhh!" Angel hushed, with a weak laugh and wiping the tears from his eyes. "Hush yourself, darling. You don't gotta apologise for anything, sweetheart. I'm just so happy… so shocked… to see you!" he stroked Jordan's dark skin softly. "Oh, God Jordan… you look amazing! So amazing…"

"And you!" Jordan stepped back, taking hold of Angel's hands and looked him up and down. "Damn, Angel, you just get more and more gorgeous all the time!" Angel blushed as he looked at her again, his smile faltering only a little. "Erica would be proud, sweetie. You know that, right? She would be so proud… you became who you were born to be."

Angel's smile, too, wavered at the thought of the diva whom was more like a mother, a sister, a best friend to him than any of his real family ever had been. "Yeah," he whispered. "She would."

Angel then took Jordan's hand in her own and they started walking down the street, Jordan offering to carry the tub of food and supplies that Angel had bought, which he gladly let him do. The snow was falling, and two close friends were suddenly reunited on the street for the first time in close to six years, and Angel was shaking so badly… not from the cold whether or the disease, but from the shock of seeing Jordan again, whom he hadn't seen for so long, but whom had never left his heart. They walked for what seemed like forever, though really was only two blocks, in complete silence as they both had to absorb what was happening, and the shock of it all. Jordan was a true inspiration, a testament of courage and strength when it came to losing a loved one, and he was the one who comforted Angel during when he was grieving the death of Erica. Suddenly, Angel forgot all about the obligations he had to get back to the loft, and was enjoying the quietness he was having with a friend who he thought he'd never see again.

"I can't believe this is happening," Angel muttered, softly. "Seeing you again…" he stopped and turned to face Jordan, who also stopped when he felt Angel was no longer next to him. Angel then lifted his hand to Jordan's face and touched his skin, feeling it for confirmation that this was real. What a beautiful Christmas gift this was. "What were you doing here?"

"You mean now?"

"Yeah…"

Jordan pressed his lips together in a thin, straight line, and his forehead creased a little. Truth was, he didn't know why he was here… this was where he and Erica came so often when they were together, in the throes of love and passion, they'd go up to the roofs of buildings where they would lay together for hours, sometimes make love, or talk, or read, or just go crazy together.

"I don't know," he replied, honestly. "I guess… I mean, I'm here with a colleague, at a bar down the street. I saw you walk by, and I just freaked."

Angel shook his head and then kissed Jordan's cheek, pulling him closer into a hug. "Baby, I missed you so much…" he sniffed. "You have no idea what's been happening…"

"Well why don't you tell me," Jordan used his thumb to wipe away a tear from just under Angel's eyes. "I got time. Joe went back to the hotel… maybe you and I can have this time to catch up. Tell me what's been happening, you know?"

Angel smiled, happy to have found a moment in time which he could literally cherish forever… seeing a long lost friend for the first time in years always brought hope, happiness, and most importantly, love. A unique moment that could soften even the hardest of hearts and Angel could not turn him down. Dragging him by his hand, Angel began walking down the street. Being night time now, not many places were open where they could sit and talk, but right then neither really cared where they were – they were just happy to see each other again, so close to Christmas, and seeing that the other was doing well given the circumstances (yes Jordan has AIDS too). Angel led him over to a nearby bus stop where they could sit down.

"So," Jordan grinned at him, and pulled the petite drag queen into his arms, and kissed the back of his head. "What's been going on with you?"

Angel's heart fluttered, and he couldn't wait to tell him about Collins, his one true love, and of course, his friends. "Well, um… I dunno. What do ya wanna know?"

"Anything and everything, baby…"

Angel giggled and brushed strands of his hair… well, the wig… out of his face, and placed his head on Jordan's shoulder. "Anything, huh? You wanna know all my dirty, sordid secrets?"

Jordan pouted, sticking out his bottom lip. "Aww… Angel, gorgeous, you could never be dirty or sordid. Anyone who says differently is a fucking asshole and I'll kick their ass."

"I love you too, honey," Angel looked up and winked, mischievously. Don't go getting any ideas from this, Angel and Jordan are just friends. They had a lot of lost time to make up for, and seeing Angel again only made him want to stay in New York even more… to move back. "Gosh, you have no idea what you've missed… some seriously shitty stuff has gone down."

"Such as?"

Angel sighed. This was not how he wanted to started off the trip down memory lane, so he sat up and looked at his friend. "You really want me to start from the beginning?"

"Every bit. Leave nothing out."

"Well, okay… I guess I should start with this… Jordan, the most amazing person entered my life almost three years ago. His names Collins. Tom Collins. Jordan, I'm in love…"

2 HOURS LATER – 10:14PM

It was close to ten o'clock and Angel was fast growing tired, but he had managed to tell Jordan all the important things of what happened in his life, including what happened with Samuel and Julian. Needless to say, by the end of it, Jordan was stunned. Still holding Angel in his arms, he stared straight ahead as he tried to comprehend everything he was told. So much of it was a classic tale of tragedy, but also one of blossoming romance and friendships… this Collins guy whom Angel was smitten with sounded like everything Erica could've ever wanted for her girl, and when Angel told him of what happened last year, he definitely almost freaked out. He suddenly realized just how much he missed Angel, and how much of his young life he never got to see… Erica would've been so disappointed yes, but Jordan also hated the fact that he wasn't around to protect Angel in his most vulnerable of times. There were few words that could describe what he was feeling…

"Fucking hell…"

Those were two of them.

Angel nodded and yawned. "I know, I know… crazy shit, huh?"

"No kidding…" Jordan frowned and then looked down at the innocence of young Angel, all dressed in red and white, already for Christmas. How could anyone even wanna think about violating this beautiful, gorgeous human being who had done so much to spread love and joy to everyone he met. What kind of monster would wanna destroy this life? This angel? Instinctively, Jordan pulled Angel closer, and kissed his forehead. "Angel, I'm so sorry, sweetie."

"What for?" Angel innocently, and casually replied, inspecting his newly painted nails.

"I shoulda been here for you! I shouldn't have left! I should've—"

"Shut up, Jordy!" Angel interrupted, with mock-frustration. He then sat up and turned around just enough to properly face his friend, who was looking so concerned… so guilty, and Angel's heart melted. "Oh, baby, don't worry! Honestly! Okay? I'm fine now… okay?" he kissed the side of Jordan's neck and smiled very sweetly – a smile that could calm anybody. Though he remained a little uneasy, Jordan nodded and relaxed somewhat… Angel was okay now, and that's all that mattered. Time, suddenly seemed so relevant to him… though to Angel, it was meaningless – no existent.

"Okay!" Angel insisted.

"Yeah, yeah…" Jordan replied. "I'm just glad you're okay… back to your normal self."

"Oh please!" the drag queen gushed, melodramatically. "Nothing could ever bring me down, baby. Not possible! Ha!"

Angel sank back against Jordan's body and stared up into the break in the clouds… he could see a single star there, and became momentarily lost in its beauty – its mystery. And then, all of a sudden…

"OH SHIT!" he jumped to his feet and grabbed the pickle tub and started panicky. Confused, and startled, Jordan also stood up. How do you calm a panicking drag queen? The hysterics and melodramatics not withstanding, they could be very high strung at times.

"Angel, ANGEL!" he tried. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"I gotta go!" Angel yelled and started running down and across the street, but then stopped when he got to the other side and turned around – Jordan was still standing there, dumbfounded and confused. Angel then crossed the street again and jumped into his arms, hugging and crying at the same time. His heart was beating so fast. How could he have been so dumb? "I'm sorry! I am, it's just that I was supposed to be home, like hours ago and they're gonna be worried and hungry… probably more hungry than worried, but still I gotta go!"

"Who's 'they'?"

"My friends. Collins. My friends, um… Roger, Mimi, Mark, Maureen, Joanne… they're all waiting for me, oh fuck!" Angel bit his bottom lip. "Collins is probably gonna be scared to death, he isn't exactly comfortable with me being out alone at night again yet."

"Possessive?"

"Scared. I think he still feels a little guilty about last year, but it doesn't matter!" Angel gazed around, trying to think of what to do next. It was five and a half six years since he last saw Jordan, and he didn't want to have to go that long again. This whole time Angel had been telling him about how he's been, and hadn't gotten the chance to listen to Jordan's story. "Tomorrow, do you know where the Life Café is?" he breathed, brushing hair from his face. Jordan nodded.

"Of course I remember it. I used to live here, honey, remember?"

Angel giggled. "Hey, don't give me that attitude. How can I forget? We used to party together every weekend. Tomorrow, can you make it?"

"Sure. 4:00?"

"Sounds great!" Angel squealed and kissed him, in a friendly way. "I really gotta go baby! Tomorrow, at 4:00! Life Café!" he then turned and ran across the street again, eager to get home, yet not eager to face the wrath of his probably terrified-out-of-his-mind lover. Not that he could blame Collins for being upset, but as he ran down the street with the things he bought, in his gorgeous outfit, Angel could only image the stress Collins would be under now. He had said he'd be back within ten or fifteen minutes, but has actually been gone for three hours?

He ran down an alleyway, jumping over fallen debris, trashcans, and other junk that had been dumped there, feeling his heart was barely keeping up with the demands he was making of his body. He wanted to go faster, but felt the fatigue dragging him down so much that soon he had to slow down. Angel slowed to a paced walk, cursing him self for what happened, though not regretting running into Jordan. Jordan! Of all people, he was the last person Angel expected to see!

After ten or so minutes of walking, jogging, and weaving his way through back streets, taking as many shortcuts as he could to get home, Angel took a break just behind a building, and leaned against the brick wall, breathing deeply.

"Well, at least I'm burning the fat," he reasoned with himself, with typical drag queen diva attitude – notoriously, drag queens hate junk food and are like a lot of girls, and obsessed with their weight and keeping fit and gorgeous. While taking time out to breathe, Angel straightened his skirt and sweater, before closing his eyes and tilting his head back against the wall.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, Angel noticed something moving down the road, in the distance. Standing up straight, he strained his neck to see what was going on, and took a few steps in the direction where he saw the moment. Someone was down there. Of course, for Angel he understandably couldn't help but tense up, and subconsciously he touched his throat where the scar was, and shivered, almost wincing – as if he could feel the blade of the knife piercing his skin. He quivered and took a couple steps back, and was unsure if he wanted to know who was down there… before he had been caught off-guard by Sam, in the park. The second time, he was lying helpless, strapped down on a hospital bed. This time, he was well aware and not incapacitated to kick ass if he had do.

"Ugh!" He cried softly, in disgust with him self. "Angel, girl, get a grip! Damn…"

Then, someone started running down the street, in the opposite direction Angel was in. Angel couldn't see who it was, or how tall, or even if the person was a male or female… just a shadow. Just as Angel regained her ability to move, the shadow disappeared, and suddenly he was alone again… a rattling experience it was and he placed his hand over his chest, breathing deeply.

"Cool it, girl, cool it…"

With one more glance in the direction of where that person, or whatever it was, and turned and picked up his stuff and started running towards the loft. He just wanted to get home.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Okay, here's the sequel. Please review! Let me know what you think. This was an introductory chapter, and is definitely leading to something. In the next chapter – when Angel gets home, Collins has fallen asleep, but the next day the professor lets loose on his lover. Angel runs off and meets the 'shadow'. Suddenly, their whole lives are thrown into turmoil once more.