Disclaimer: Not my characters etc.

"You slept with a whore, Mark", Roger said trying to control the quiver in his

voice.

"So", Mark responded, "Its my life". Roger wasn't expecting this response,

normally Mark would of apologized right away, for his idiocy. But at this point Mimi

had, had enough.

"She has FUCKING AIDS Mark", Mimi screamed. All Mark could do was stand

there staring at his feet. No one said anything, they were just waiting for Mark to react as

he stood frozen to the spot. Two full minutes had past before Mark looked up, staring

straight into Rogers eyes. Roger was surprised when Mark looked at him fear spiralling

from his eyes. With that Mark turned around and made a mad dash for the door only to be

grabbed from behind by Collins.

"Where do you think your going?", Collins asked as he grabbed Mark. "Were

taking care of this here and now". Mark had, had enough he was on information over load

trying to remember, trying to think of a way to escape from his friends.

"No", was all Mark could say as he tried to struggle against Collins and now

Rodger as he would not give up and Collins began to loose his grip.

"Fuck, Mark grow up, did you use a condom or not, yes or no? Roger asked Mark

as his iron grip reinforced its self on Marks shirt. Mimi was still watching the scene

unfold tears coming down her face, she cared about Roger and hated watching him have

to get through to his usually straight thinking friend. Just then Mark stopped struggling as

he came to a sudden realization.

"No, no I didn't" Mark replied to Roger's question. With that response all hell

broke loose in the loft.

"What the fuck were you thinking?" Roger yelled at Mark. On the other hand all

Collins could do was stare while Mimi on the other hand broke into sobs. Marks reaction

to the whole scene in front of him was simple. He needed time alone, to confront his

idiocy, to question his own motives. And with that he escaped from the now loose grips

holding him and headed for his bedroom.

"Where do you think your going." Roger called after Mark as Mark left the room.

Mark didn't reply he could care less of what Roger yelled at him. He needed to be alone.

Roger on the other hand was worried and mad and worried.

"What are we going to do?" Roger asked Collins as Mimi took Rogers hand in her own.

"We'll let him get some rest, and think things over then tomorrow were going to

the clinic to find out."

"I guess that's all we can do." Roger said as he took a deep breath. Roger didn't

sleep much that night and Mimi wondered how he was going to deal if Mark really was

affected as she fell asleep in his arms.

The next morning Mark awoke to find Collins and Roger sitting on the couch. As

Mark walked in they both stood up and Roger handed Mark his jacket. "Come on Mark

were going to the free clinic", Roger informed his friend. Mark didn't say a word he just

took his jacket and put it on. Roger and Collins were surprised with Mark's

cooperativeness as he so easily took his jacket and headed for the door. The walk to the

free clinic was an hour and what a quiet, awkward hour it was. Mark didn't say anything

while Collins and Roger muttered to each other from behind. When they finally arrived at

the clinic Roger noticed how removed Mark looked from the whole situation. He told

Collins to go in and get Mark's name on the list while he held Mark back for a word.

"Mark, I'm not mad, I swear, I know how your feeling and I know we all make

mistakes. Once you get tested and if it turns out you have it. Just promise me you

won't…..do any thing stupid…ok?" Roger watched as Mark continued to stare at the

ground until he finally lifted his head to answer.

"I'm not April" as he walked past Roger to enter the clinic. Ouch Roger though to

himself, Mark had a point though Roger was worried about Mark partly because of Aprils

reaction, When Roger found out he had aids he was to jacked up on smack to give a

damn. Their was no way to tell how Mark was going to react and Roger was worried.

________________________________________________________________________

Ok so I guess I left it with a little cliffy their but the next chapter will probably be up very soon so no worries.

By the way I'm flying to Boston at the end of July to see Rent again for my second time ever (I saw it in Chicago in April). I live in Northern Ontario so its going to be a bit of a job trying to find a way to get down their for the cheapest amount possible.

So I was wondering does any one live in Boston or know the city well? Because I am trying to find the cheapest hotel within walking distance of the colonial theatre and a cheap airline to fly to Boston through. So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Aranka