Be kind. I'm not very good with RENT fanfics. This is the Roger/April story, and it alternates POV's numerous times.

WARNING! THIS STORY CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING: SEX (seriously cheesy lol), RAPE (not graphic, but it's there), DRUG USE, AND SWEARING.

NOTE: I DO NOT OWN RENT OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS!

Chapter 1

Roger looked out into the crowd as he played his guitar and sang. There was that cute girl again. She'd been coming to almost every one of the gigs he played with the Well Hungarians lately. Holy shit, that smile she just gave me...it could melt a heart of stone. But what he noticed even more than her smile was her gorgeous green eyes, sparkling like two emeralds. He smiled and winked at her and decided to choke back his nervousness and talk to her after the set.

******

April was enjoying the music, really. But she was enjoying watching that hot frontman more. She wanted nothing more than to meet him. He seemed like the kind of guy she could see herself with. He was fun and funny (judging from his stage presence and the jokes he cracked onstage) and, well, he was hot and could PLAY that guitar. She flashed him a flirtatious smile. Hell, what did she have to lose? If he wasn't interested, well, they'd never met before, and they didn't need to. But if he was...

"Thanks, guys. We're gonna take a short break," she heard him say. She watched as he put his guitar down and stepped off the stage. He was coming towards her! Thoughts flashed through her head at a million miles a minute. Oh God, do I look alright? I'm sure my hair is a mess. What do I say to him? Would telling him the music is awesome be really cliche? Holy shit, I don't even know this guy's name. What kind of person randomly flirts with...

"Hey, I've noticed you at some of our gigs. I'm Roger."

"Yeah, hi. I'm April."

******

God, she's incredible. Roger had only been talking to April for a few minutes and she was definitely making a good first impression. She wasn't star-struck (not that he was much of a star, but a lot of people got all nervous and giddy around him when they met him, so the fact that April wasn't was a welcome change), and she had a great sense of humor (meaning she laughed at all of his corny jokes). Roger glanced at his watch. Damn, time to get back up on stage. Should I take a chance? Hey, why not? SHE smiled at ME, right?

"Uh, see you after the show?"

April smiled, again flashing those gorgeous green eyes. "Definitely."

Roger walked away, not even feeling the floor beneath his feet.

******

OH. MY. GOD. He's even more amazing than I thought. But I acted like a giddy teenager. I'm sure he was just trying to be polite when he asked me if he'd see me after the show. What guy would want to go out with the idiot who was just talking to him?

April was convinced she'd completely blown it. But she stayed for the rest of the show and waited for Roger afterwards. She couldn't very well just leave. That would definitely blow her already slim chances. She hoped he didn't think she was just trying to get lucky. She really wasn't. April was over the one-night-stand scene. It felt good for a while, but it ended up leaving her feeling empty and alone. She wanted someone she could see herself growing old with, but someone she could enjoy being young with too. She watched him pack up his guitar and amps and set them to the side. He turned around, saw her, winked at her, then went back to packing up the equipment. Perhaps she hadn't completely blown her chances after all.

******

Roger couldn't finish the show fast enough and the last thing he wanted to do was spend another hour packing up. He could be spending this time with April. He hoped she didn't think he was just trying to get lucky. That rock and roll reputation made it so damn difficult to get a real girlfriend. Most girls just assumed all he wanted was to sleep with them. Granted, Roger had had his share of one-night-stands with random chicks from the shows, but he was over it. He wanted more. He wanted someone to be with, a muse, a soulmate. Someone he could write gushy love songs for and she wouldn't think it was corny. Plus, Mark was probably tired of him bringing home random girls. Somehow, he sensed April was the girl he had been looking for. He turned around and saw her. She flashed him another of her heart-melting smiles. He winked at her, then turned around, trying to finish packing up as quickly as possible.

Fifteen minutes later, everything was packed. April was still waiting there for him. Roger grabbed his guitar and asked the guys if they would mind loading the van without him. They just laughed and said yes. He headed to the table where April was still sitting, waiting for him.

"Great show tonight," she said.

"Yeah, thanks," Roger laughed.

"Wow, that was really cliche. Sorry," April chuckled.

"Haha, it's all good. So, can I buy you a drink?" Roger immediately regretted saying that. God, Roger, you really want her to think you're trying to get into her pants, don't you? Well, you're on the right track.

"Sure, but I'm sure you're probably anxious to get out of here. Let's go somewhere else."

"Yeah, I'm over this place," Roger said sarcastically.

April laughed. "Well, come on then. I know this awesome bar just a couple of blocks from here."

"I just played there last night."

"Oh shit, seriously? Uh..."

Roger laughed. "I'm kidding. And even if I had played there last night, I wouldn't care."

"Oh, great. Now I feel like an idiot," April laughed.

"Come on, let's get out of here." Roger smiled. She's just getting better by the second. I love it when girls can just laugh when they think they've blown it and don't completely freeze up.

******

A drink turned into, well, more than just A drink. Roger and April sat there for hours talking. April was getting more and more impressed with Roger, but she felt a stronger force than the beginnings of new love coming over her. Something she didn't want him to see just yet. Damn, I really need to lay off this junk. I can't do ANYTHING without it. How do I excuse myself without making it painfully obvious that I'm going to shoot up? Well, I've gotta pee anyway...

"Uh, I'll be right back," April said, excusing herself.

"I'll be right here," Roger joked.

April laughed as she headed towards the bathroom.

April sat in the bathroom stall, shaking uncontrollably as she pulled the rubber strap as tight as she could around her arm. She tried to steady herself as she slid the needle in and felt her body returning to normal. I got away from him just in time. What would he have thought if he saw me shivering like a hairless animal in the dead of winter? Thank God I wore a long-sleeved shirt tonight. At least I can cover up the evidence.

******

Roger knew April didn't want him to know it, but he'd seen enough people when they needed their junk to know that she was going to shoot up. She'd been acting on edge for about fifteen minutes before her abrupt departure from the table and she was taking too long to have just gone to use the restroom. But he decided not to say anything. He was sure she'd trust him with the truth eventually. He would have to somehow show her that he didn't care. Hey, all the guys in the band did it. Matter of fact, he'd been thinking about trying it himself, but he just never did.

He looked and saw her coming out of the bathroom, looking significantly more relaxed. She was clearly dependent on heroin. But it didn't phase him. He was already in love with her.

"Hey, you ready to blow this joint?"

"Yeah, definitely."

Roger searched for his wallet, hoping April didn't think he was going to pull the "I lost my wallet" trick on her. He found it in a pocket of his jacket. He paid for the drinks and left a substantial tip. He offered her his arm, which she accepted as they walked out the door.

"Can I walk you home?" he asked. Great job, Roger. You really want her to think you're trying to get lucky, don't you?

"Sure." April smiled.

******

The temperature was low that night, but April didn't feel the cold at all. She couldn't believe how amazing Roger was, how amazing this night had been. As they approached the front door to her building, she didn't want it to end. She wanted to invite him up, but she didn't want to rush things. This was different. She wanted to get to know him, to give this a real chance.

"Well, this is it," she said.

"I had a great time tonight," said Roger.

"Me too."

Roger leaned down a bit, moving in for a kiss, but waiting for her to respond. She went in the rest of the way and their lips met. Hands down, it was the best kiss April had ever experienced. It just felt...right. She didn't want to stop, and he clearly didn't either.

"I've gotta be at work tomorrow. I should probably head in," April said when their lips finally parted. She turned around towards the door, fumbling with her key.

"Wait," Roger said.

April turned back around.

Roger blushed a little. "When can I see you again?"

April smiled. Oh my God, he likes me! "I'm free after work. I get off at 9."

"How about a late dinner at the Life Cafe, then? I'll pick you up here around 10?"

"I can't wait."