Disclaimer: I don't own Rent. For the sake of this story Collins does not have AIDS or HIV but he does have the antibodies that would fight HIV. Angel is female in this story and her blood type matches him. Also Angel is not Collin's girlfriend. She is his daughter. She is also a victim of AIDS due to a blood transfussion. Collins Choice is different because there is no poetry in it.

Angel was at home one morning with Collins when the phone rang. She was shivering and sweating at the same time. She felt herself slipping away. The doctor said it was just a common cold but with AIDS nothing is common.

"Sweetheart I'll be right back," he promised, "I just need to go answer the phone."

Angel closed her eyes and nodded her understanding. She was just a little girl and she was scared. Tears filled her eyes.

"Hello?"

"Mr. Collins this is Dr. Webster. Can you come in say about 3 o'clock today. I need to speak with you about your daughter."

"Of course," Collins said, "I'll have my friend babysit her."

"Good," the doctor said, "See you at 3 then."

Collins called Mark but he couldn't babysit because he was already going to a parent/teacher meeting for his own son Roger. Roger however agreed to babysit on the condition that he could bring Mimi along.

"Alright," Collins agreed.

He liked Mimi and he trusted her. Roger offered to do it for free. He showed up at 2:30.

"I hope I'm not too early," Roger said.

"Not at all," Collins replied, "You're right on time. It's a half hour drive to Angel's doctor's office anyway."

He went into Angel's bedroom and gave her a gentle kiss goodbye.

"Daddy where are you going," Angel asked softly since it hurt her throat too much to talk.

"Your doctor needed to tell me something," Collins said, "I'll be back soon honey and I'll bring you a gift."

The 8 year old said okay and fell asleep.

Collins drove all the way to the doctor in a panic. His heart was racing. He didn't know what the doctor was going to tell him.

...

"Mr. Collins," the doctor said, "I have discovered that you have what is known as HIV and AIDS antibodies."

"What does that mean," Collins asked, "And what does it have to do with Angel."

"Well I know you're afraid of needles," the doctor began, "But a blood transfusion with your blood could and in all probability will cure her AIDS. I mean it's your choice to do it or not to do it but-"

"It's not a choice," Collins said, "This is my daughter. I would go to hell for her. Of course I'll donate my blood to get her better. I don't care how scared of needles I am I'm more scared of losing my child"

"Thank you Mr. Collins," the doctor said.

When he got home he explained the situation to Angel.

"But daddy I thought it was a blood transfusion that got me sick," Angel said. She was feeling better so she could talk better.

"It was," Collins said, "But this is a different type of transfusion. The other kind of blood made you sick. This type of blood is the type that makes you healthy."

"Okay daddy. Who's my donor," she asked.

"I don't know sweetie," Tom said, "The doctor didn't tell me."

Tom would not tell his daughter he was the donor because she knew he hated needles and would probably feel guilty about it. That was the last thing in the world his little girl needed.

The transfusion was done June 22nd and by July 22nd the results were in. The transfusion had taken. It had to have been the best thing that could ever happen for Collins. Who would have thought he would ever be glad about being stuck with a needle?