Disclaimer: I own nothing.

A/N: I was watching RENT not too long ago, and saw this one scene during the "Without You" montage with only Benny and Mimi in it, and got inspired. So here's my take on how this scene might have gone. R&R, please. :0)

Life Support

Mimi allows herself a measure of comfort from the last person she'd have expected. Benny/Mimi.

He didn't make a habit of visiting the club very often.

At least that's what he told himself.

He'd watch the show from the very back of the crowd, trying to isolate himself from all of the "perverts" and "dirty old men" that were in the mix. And then he'd quickly make his getaway before anyone saw him.

But tonight was different. This time, he stayed. As inconspicuously as possible, he made his way backstage to where the dancers were. Walking past the rows and rows of vanities, he tried not to stop and stare at the girls wearing next-to-nothing.

He was a married man, after all.

But at times like these, he wished he wasn't.

Stranger after stranger went by, each one seeming prettier--and younger--than the last. Finally, he came upon someone he recognized.

She saw him coming in the mirror she stared vacantly into. Without a word, he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. After a moment, the dancer settled into his touch and was soon enveloped in a gentle embrace. It was quiet for what seemed like an eternity. At last, he spoke.

"Mimi…"

"Why are you here?" Her voice was quiet, about as frail and as thin as she looked. Benny thought about it for a second. Why was he there?

"I just wanted to see how you were doin'."

"I'm okay," she said, forcing a smile. But he could clearly see the tears that glistened in her soft, brown eyes. And that was more proof than he needed.

"Mimi, come on, stop kidding yourself…how are you--really?" Benny glanced at his watch; Allison would get suspicious if he wasn't home soon. And that was the absolute last thing he needed.

"I--I don't know," she whispered, beginning to cry, "I just don't know…everything with Roger, and now Angel…I don't think I can take it--I just can't!" She was sobbing now, and the man felt compelled to do more than just stand behind her with his arms around her shoulders. He pulled her up out of the chair and to his chest, holding her close, allowing her to cry into his favorite sport coat.

"Shh," he soothed, "it's all right…"

"It's so hard!" she wailed, unleashing a fresh round of tears, "it's so damn hard!"

"I know." As he gently stroked her thick, dark hair, he thought. "I want to help," he said suddenly, unsure of even what he could do. Mimi quickly gathered her dignity and wiped her makeup-smeared eyes.

"I don't need your help," she sniffed, trying to sound confident. Benny didn't buy it.

"Listen, Mimi…I---" His voice trailed off as the words escaped him. "This isn't about sex, or anything like that…just--as a friend, I'll do anything I can to help you. I just wanted you to know that." There was a long stretch of silence as he waited for her answer.

"Thanks…" After another minute, the businessman spoke.

"It's getting late--would you mind if I escorted you home?" She shook her head.

"No." He watched as she gathered up the last of her belongings; she was so pale, so thin. He couldn't help but wonder how much longer she had left. At last, it was time to go. But Benny also saw that she had no jacket, and it was cooling off outside.

"Here," he said, taking his sport coat off and carefully wrapping it around her. Mimi smiled at him, pausing only for a moment to realize that this whole mess was his fault.

But right now, that didn't matter. She needed someone, and he was there.

As the pair left the bar together, Benny checked his watch one last time. Allison would be expecting him home any minute.

But she could wait, he thought. After all, he didn't make a habit of visiting the club very often.