A/N – What if the one of them to survive…didn't?

The One to Survive

Roger stared at the tombstone blankly. The first to go of their group (as he didn't consider Maureen, Joanne, or Benny part of their group) was Angel. Then Mimi. She had left with AIDS. There had been no second miracle this time and Mark had been there, again. Mark had always been there, supporting him. So why wasn't he there now?

Mark was always there! He was always supposed to be there! He wasn't supposed to die! Mark was supposed to be there, with him in his final days. He wasn't supposed to get hit by a car! He wasn't…

Roger winced at his own thought process. "I guess I didn't learn Mark. Not to take things for granted. Or I used up all my lessons with Mimi and forgot I took you for granted too Mark. Too late for that.

"Oh, and your camera just got a few scratches from the accident, so it is safe…and the film. I just realized we didn't steal the camera enough from you. You're in barely any of the home movies. Or in the album. There are a total of eight screen shots, one photo. Yeah, I really took you for granted Mark."

Roger crouched down looked at the tombstone. This was one Mark's parents had paid for reluctantly. Mark had a will, with an insurance policy that would cover the funeral if his parents didn't follow his request. To be buried with his friends. Of course, when he had it written, he had thought he would be the last to go.

Roger just felt cheated, but he knew he had cheated himself. "And…I never said I was sorry."

His voice cracked a little and he took in a shaky breathe. "I never said I was sorry about what I said…what I said to you, when I left for Santa Fe."

"Roger, it's time to go."

Collins had taken over Mark's old job; keeping Roger from using drugs as a crutch if things got too rough. He urged Roger up and the musician reluctantly stood in the chilly air. The anarchist led his friend back to the flat, wondering if Roger would ever really be okay.

The answer was a resounding 'no.' Of course, Collins wasn't sure how to react either. He hadn't expected Mark to die.