Author's Note: Yeah, I admit I love royalty and stuff pertaining to it. And yes, I am crazy enough to try it out on the characters of Rent! Very much AU. Joanne's POV.

Disclaimer: I don't own emotion. I rent. No, I did not say I own Rent. That'd be lying!

Chapter 1

"Why is it so dark in…?"

"Surprise! Happy Birthday, Joanne!"

Why did I ever think my friends wouldn't do it? It's in their nature to do this. Why wouldn't they throw a surprise birthday party at the Life, when they've been wanting to do it to just about anyone they know? And yes, I think it's crazy. But then again, my closest friends are crazy.

There's my law partner, Steve Patten, a closet party-o-holic who loves to drag me into his crazy escapades. Most probably, it was his idea to do a surprise party. There's my childhood friend Camilla Whitlam-Patten, Steve's wife, who was responsible for me telling my parents I'm not straight, and, then later, that now I am. There's my Harvard friend, Heather Bridges, who helped me and Maureen get together, and later, get over her, with her making me go to her weekly restaurant hopping.

And then, there are the bohemians, Roger Davis, Mimi Marquez, Tom Collins, Maureen Johnson, and Mark Cohen. All of them very crazy (They're bohos. Of course, they are!). They're the people who made me dance on one of those tables here at the Life. The sanest one (and the one I usually go to for problems) is who I consider my best fiend.

Mark and I have always been quite close ever since that Christmas rehearsal for Over the Moon. At first, we pretty much hated each other's guts (I stole her girl. How could he not be mad at me?). But, after that day I discovered he was a nice person who'll always be there for you. He's like my brother.

"...Okay, I'm tired. One last gift to open, then I'll go, all right"

I picked up a small, rectangular box from the pile of gifts. The tag read:

Dearest Joanne,

Happy birthday! You are a very amazing person. I'm blessed to have you as a friend

---Mark---

And when I opened it, it was even better--- a charm bracelet with different charms representing me. There's a music note for the first time Mark and I met (Maureen's protest). There's a sort of shield thingy for my profession, defending people. There's a pair of shoes because of my secret (I dance!). But it has a lot of space left. I wonder… Wait. A note fell out.

So that you can still fill it with more memories!

Ah, yes! This is typical Mark! He does something extra special for his friends. But I'd have to say he outdid himself with this. I just have to hug him!

"Oh… my… gosh! Thank you so much"

"Please! Don't mention it! You're so cool that I think your present should be too. Now, you look really tired. You should get going."

Oh right! I have a big case tomorrow! So, I stood up, said goodbye to the guys, and headed home. As I walk, I can't help thinking how amazing my friends are. I love them. These friends make me appreciate my life. These friends make me glad I'm Joa….

Oh no! Not those two! Aaaaah!