Here is my new fanfic. Its RENT, which Im sure you already know. I saw the movie before I saw the play, so its mostly based on that, but there are certain things I took from the play as well. So obviously I picture all the characters like they are in the movie, but feel free to picture them as whichever person you liked best. Please R&R and Enjoy!! :-)

Nessa

Chapter 1

There is no future, there is no past. Thank God this moment's not the last.

Joanne hugged Mimi carefully, trying her best not to start crying again. She was so glad they had found her in time. Time. She wondered quietly to herself how much time Mimi truly had left.

"Thanks again for everything," Mimi said, smiling up at her friend.

Joanne smiled back, silently telling her that it was no problem. She turned and reached for Maureen's hand as they made their way out of the apartment. Maureen paused at the door and looked at Roger and Mimi.

"We'll stop by tomorrow if that's alright," she said, wanting to be there for them as much as possible.

Roger was hardly paying attention to anyone but Mimi, but Mimi smiled at them and nodded.

"Of course," she glanced at Roger who hadn't yet taken his eyes off of her. "You're always welcome."

And with that, Joanne and Maureen left, shutting the door softly behind them.

Mimi turned to look at Collins. He looked absolutely awful. She knew he still wasn't over Angel. But it was more than that. He didn't just look sad, or depressed, he looked sick. She wondered if there was something he was keeping from everyone. Maybe he…

"You must be exhausted," Roger said, tracing Mimi's jaw line with his index finger.

Mimi looked away from Collins to stare into Roger's eyes. He looked so worried, and so broken. She wished she could save him from the hurt he was sure to soon feel. She wished there was a way she could make him believe she didn't love him, so that when she died, it would perhaps hurt him less. But she knew that it wouldn't hurt him any less. Besides, she didn't have the strength to pretend. She wanted and needed Roger more than anything right now. And whether that was selfish or not, she didn't care. She loved him and he loved her. And that's all that seemed to matter right now.

"I am pretty tired," she commented, not looking away from him.

Roger stood up, and picked Mimi up carefully. He started walking toward the door, but she stopped him.

"Let's just stay here tonight," she said quietly.

He nodded and turned to head toward his room. He laid her gently on his bed and grabbed an extra blanket before lying down next to her. He made sure she was completely covered before pulling her into his arms. She laid her head against his chest as he kissed the top of her head. She was so glad she got to see Roger before she died. Nothing in the world made her happier than Roger did. Everything about him, from the sound of his voice, to the feel of his touch made her feel warm inside. It made her feel completely relaxed and completely safe. Nothing could compare. And he felt the same way about her, and she knew it. Knowing that made her feel like she could fly. Even though she felt horrible, felt sicker than she ever had in her life, she felt like his love could enable her to do anything. She smiled at the remembrance of the song he had written for her.

"Roger," she whispered.

"Yes?" he said, sitting up slightly, hoping she was alright.

"Could you sing me the song you wrote?" she asked, looking up at him in the dark.

Roger smiled softly as he relaxed again.

"Of course." He took a little breath before he began. "Your eyes…"

Collins and Mark continued to sit there in silence for a while before they heard Roger quietly singing to Mimi.

"She's okay," Collins said, in half disbelief. He had been so sure the moment Joanne and Maureen brought her in, that she was done for. He had not expected her to come to, and then to talk about Angel. Angel. Just thinking the name hurt. He missed him… her so much. He had never loved a human being so much before in his life. And then he met Angel, and she turned his life upside down. She made him feel like he was on top of the world, and as long as they were together, nothing could hurt him. But then, Angel's condition worsened, and Collins knew then that he didn't want to survive without her. But Angel had made him promise. Perhaps she could see it in his eyes, that he would shut down after she was gone, who knows, but whatever it was, she made him promise her that he would go on living. That he wouldn't give up like Roger had when April killed herself. And so, he reluctantly made a promise to his love, that he would go on, stronger than ever, until the day came when he would naturally reunite with his lover. Collins wasn't a holy man, he wasn't sure if there was a God out there or not, but he had to believe that somehow, someway, he would get to see Angel again. That thought and his promise to her, were the only things that kept him going from day to day.

"Yeah, she is," Mark replied, breaking Collins out of his reverie.

"But for how long?" Collins replied after a moment.

Mark sighed and looked down. This was something he tried not to think of. He was focusing so much on the fact that Mimi was alive today that he didn't have to think about the fact that she may not be alive tomorrow.

"I don't know," he confessed. "Not much longer."

Roger finished his song and looked down at Mimi to realize she had fallen asleep. He could see her chest moving steadily as she slept and relaxed slightly, knowing she was still breathing. But for how long? How many more days, hours, or even minutes did he have left with her? He couldn't be sure, but one thing he was sure of, was that it wasn't long. Whatever the time was, it wasn't going to be enough. He knew, without a doubt, that he didn't have more than a week or so left with her. That though stabbed him like a knife. He couldn't bear the thought of losing her. It had hurt when he had found April, his previous girlfriend, dead in the tub. He thought he would never get past that. And in some ways, he still wasn't. But then he had found Mimi, whom he loved more fiercely that he would have thought possible. When Angel had died, that was a serious blow. He was an amazing person, and blessed their lives more than he knew. He had been great for Collins and their love gave Roger hope. But Angel had died, which had been inevitable, but still hurt just the same. And now Mimi was dying and Roger was powerless to stop it. He wasn't sure if he would get past this one. This was it for him. After Mimi, what did he have left to live for? Yes, he had his friends, which he cared about very much. But it wasn't enough. He knew that either he or Collins would be next, and there's only so much death a person can take before they go insane. He sighed deeply and shut his eyes. He would try to sleep so he wouldn't have to think of these things for a while. He kissed Mimi's forehead gently as he fought back the tears that threatened to spill out. I love you, he thought, before laying back and falling into an uneasy, restless sleep.