Okay, here's the deal: I was looking through a bunch of old stuff, and realised that my RENT fics where, in a word, bad. So I had my current beta do what she does best. Yes, kids, that means that spncsifreak will be helping me out once again.
So it's the same story, really it is. The only difference is that now I sound a lot better. Always good, right?

Here we are... The beta-d version of Musetta's Waltz

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Mark walked out of his Avenue A apartment and looked up at the fire-escape. Roger sat on it. Singing his heart out. Trying to bring her back. Mimi Marques left. After dying in Roger's arms, and living again because of his song, she left.

Why did you leave him, Mimi? He had just gotten to the point. To the point that he could see what you had. He helped you through the withdrawal, which was no easy thing. Helped you get back on your feet. Then you just leave him behind like an unloved CD or an old sweatshirt?

Mimi left with her ex-boyfriend. Met him back at the club and left, without a word to Roger, Mark, Collins, anyone of them.

The Bohemians lost a great that day. The woman clad only in Bubble Wrap.

Mark walked to his new car, the one Buzz Line gave him, and drove to work. Not thinking about anything, but helping his best friend out of withdrawal again. Only this time, it wasn't heroin, it was love. Love has something, like other drugs, the long and painful withdrawal. But one thing heroin doesn't have is the sting of the afterburners. The mention of a name or a situation. The blissful, yet painful memories the person has. Roger is nowhere close to that yet, but in a while the name 'Mimi' will sting like the slap of a new-found sunburn.

"Hey, Marky!" A deep voice called out beside him. In the next car over, Collins sat, a huge and wonderful smile planted on his face.

"Hey, Collins!" Mark yelled back.

"How you doin', buddy?" Collins called out.

Well, I have to help Roger go through another withdrawal. Mimi left. Oh, yeah, you didn't hear?

"Everything is fine. Pull over, man!" the filmmaker yelled to his friend. They both pulled over to the side street. Collins got out of his car quickly and gave Mark a bear-hug before he could protest.

"Hey, boy. How you been, man? Hope you been doin' good. Oh, and Roggy! Where is that lil' boy?" Collins asked.

"Well, Roger is in a rut right now. Mimi left. I'm helping take care of him." Mark said with a slight smile.
He loved taking care of his best friend.
To hold the man while he cried on Mark's shoulders. To whisper comforting words in his ear while the sobs died and the breathing becomes soft. Mark loves the nights when he and Roger drift off to sleep on the old couch and wake the next morning. Mark knew he loved Roger. Had known since they first met. but also thought Roger would never return the feelings. Especially after what he has been through the last month.

"Well, boy! Did you tell him yet?" Collins blurted out.

"What? What are you talking about, Col?" Mark tried to look as innocent as he could, but no one can fool Tomas Collins."

"Have you told Roger?" Collins asked. This time in all seriousness. The smile was ripped right off Mark's face.

"No, I haven't." Was his answer.

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Y'all like the new version?

P.S... I have absolutely nothing against Mimi. I like her, actually. But in order for me to get this right, something's gotta happen to her. It's either this or die, and if she dies I'm not gonna have a very large fan base, now am I? (original note)

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