A/N: Howdy, partners! Since you guys have given me such positive feedback on my first few RENT fics, (that means a lot, by the way) I figured I'd give ya something new to read! Yeah…thank me later. So here's the frustration factor behind this one: It seemed to me like Mimi's absence right before Finale was a little rushed and impersonal, so here's a little take on Roger and the rest of the Boho's during the critical time spent searching for her. Enjoy! Hey…listen…hear that? That little purple button down there is talking to you. It says, "Push me, reader! Push me!" Heed the warning. -The Fish
Weakness
RENT. Without them, he wouldn't make it through the night. Roger-centric.
The young man stared out the window at the empty streets below him. Dusk was fast approaching; a prelude to the sleepless night he knew he would face. He'd been standing there for quite some time--how long, he'd forgotten. A million questions raced through his mind: Where was she? Was she all right? Would he be destined to yet again lose the woman he loved? To a few of these questions, Roger Davis didn't want the answers. He suddenly felt a hand touch his shoulder.
"Come on, Roge," Mark said slowly, "we've done everything we can for one night. Why don't you try and rest?" Roger turned to look at the other man, tears of worry, fear, and remorse beginning to fill his emerald eyes.
"Rest?" he scoffed, "how the hell can I rest? Mimi's still out there! And besides, every time I close my eyes, I see her." Mark turned to the others that were present, concern for his friend overtaking his handsome features. Maureen spoke up.
"Would you like something to drink?" she asked. Roger nodded weakly. His body shook, trying to fight the sobs that were building within.
"You were right, Mark," he said sorrowfully. "I was a fool to leave." The filmmaker forced a tight smile; if nothing else, Roger was finally beginning to acknowledge his emotions. "I should've told her…" Roger continued, his voice growing lower and more desperate with every word, "I should've let her know how much I loved her…" The last word came out in a strangled whimper, and everyone else watched as the agonized young musician crumpled to his knees. Mark met him there, pulling his best friend into a firm embrace.
"Roger," he nearly whispered, "I'm sure Mimi knows how you feel. She does. When you admitted you were wrong and came back, that showed how much you love her, okay? That song you told us you wrote, that shows how much she means to you… You're willing to do whatever it takes to find her…that, if anything, proves how much you love Mimi…" It was quiet for a moment, Roger clung to Mark's thin frame, powerless but to let the sobs rack his body.
"Where is she?" he begged, "Marky, please tell me where she is…" Mark tightened his grip, conscious of the tears that were now coursing down his own cheeks.
"I don't know where she is, buddy," he confessed, "but I do know this--Mimi loves you. She's strong…she'll be okay. And you'll be okay." Collins stepped forward and joined his friends on the floor.
"Angel's watchin' over her, man. She'll be home soon." Maureen set the cup of coffee down and knelt beside the other three--a group-hug of sorts. Roger was so much more than grateful to be surrounded by his closest friends in his hour of need. And that would do until Mimi was in his arms once again.