Disclaimer: I own nothing of RENT or the Beatles songs. They belong to their respected owners. I can say, however, that I own my original characters. 'Nuff said.

Italics are song lyrics, flashbacks and thoughts

A/N: I was listening to my Beatles playlist and somehow, this story formed in my head.

Summary: AU: Follow the RENT characters through love, loss and Beatles songs. Rated T for language, character death and drug references. RD/OC, MC/OC, MM/RD, TC/ADS, MJ/JJ, BC/AG, RD/EC, MJ/OC, JJ/OC. Takes place in 2010.

Genre: Romance/Drama

Rating: T


CHAPTER ONE
(chapter title – Across the Universe)

Roger Davis looked out the window, sighing. Looking out the window, he saw it was raining. Roger stepped away from the window and plopped down on the duct-tape couch. He then picked up his guitar and strummed it. He was suffering from writer's block, something that had never experienced before. Mark was at the store and Mimi was at work. Collins had passed away from an overdose two years ago. Angel had died in 1989 of AIDS; Maureen and Joanne had gotten married and now were expecting in the fall. Benny had gotten a divorce from Alison and was living in Harlem with his girlfriend, Emily.

Roger leaned back on the couch and strummed a bit of Musetta's Waltz. He then switched in mid song and played Across the Universe – one of his favorite Beatles songs. He had grown up listening to the Beatles (they were his dad's favorite band) and as a kid, he tried to play some of their songs on the family's piano and later his guitar.

"Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup,
They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my open mind,
Possessing and caressing me

Jai guru deva, om

Nothing's gonna change my world,
Nothing's gonna change my world,
Nothing's gonna change my world,
Nothing's gonna change my world.

Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes,
They call me on and on across the universe,
Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letterbox
They tumble blindly as they make their way
Across the universe

Jai guru deva, om

Nothing's gonna change my world,
Nothing's gonna change my world,
Nothing's gonna change my world,
Nothing's gonna change my world.

Sounds of laughter shades of life are ringing
Through my opened ears inciting and inviting me
Limitless undying Love which shines around me like a
Million suns, and calls me on and on
Across the universe

Jai guru deva, om

Nothing's gonna change my world,
Nothing's gonna change my world,
Nothing's gonna change my world,
Nothing's gonna change my world.

Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva.
" Roger sang, strumming his guitar. He heard the door slide open and heard Mark enter. Roger got off the couch and went to help Mark with the groceries.

"Thanks. Mimi not home yet?" Mark inquired. Roger shook his head as he put the groceries away.

Once the groceries were put away, Roger went back to the couch and strummed his guitar while Mark fiddled with his camera. A short while later, Mimi entered the loft, looking exhausted.

"Hi baby." She greeted Roger, kissing him on the lips. Roger pulled her onto his lap and kissed her lips. Mark rolled his eyes as he continued to mess with his camera. He didn't even notice Roger and Mimi enter the bathroom together.

An hour later, Roger and Mimi emerged from the bathroom, Roger's arms wrapped around Mimi's waist, kissing her all over.

"Babe, we need to ask Mark that question." Mimi told Roger, returning his kisses.

"Right." Roger said, pulling away from her and turned his attention to Mark. "I was wondering if you would be my Best Man when Mimi and I get married."

Mark felt tears in his eyes, so he just nodded and hugged the happy couple. Roger and Mimi hugged him back.

That night, Roger had a very strange dream. He really didn't know how to explain it, but it was a strange dream, indeed.