Here's chapter 26, as I'm watching "Bram Stoker's Dracula" which is basically a remake of Dracula movies. :P So the plot returns in this chapter. Is that okay with everyone? THE PLOT HAS RETURNED.

Disclaimer: Same as always, I don't own RENT.
September 20, 1992, 10am EST

It started simply, with a cough. A cough, a sniffle, and a feeling of dread settled over the loft. It wasn't who was expected though. Everyone always imagined that Roger would be the one to get sick first.

Mark woke up, coughing loudly. He tried to quiet down, but ended up coughing harder. Roger woke up and patted him on the back.

"Marky, your cough isn't getting any better. Maybe we should go to the doctor…" Mark shook his head emphatically.

"No. I don't want to go to the doctor. I'll be fine. Just let me rest for now, okay? I promise if I don't get better in a week or so, we'll go okay?" Roger nodded and pulled Mark into a hug.

"I just… don't want to lose you."

"Mmm Roggy… the phone is ringing." Sure enough, the phone was ringing. "Can you get it? I'm still tired."

Roger got out of bed and quickly picked up the phone. "Hello? It's Roger, by the way."

"Hey it's Collins. How is Mark doing?"

"He's coughing more, and he looks horrible. But he won't go to the hospital. What should I do, Collins?"

"I think you should make him go. It sounds like he isn't getting any better. Try to get him there tomorrow, if you can."

"Will you help? He'll put up a fight, and it's already hard for me to resist him when he does his puppy-dog eyes."

Collins laughed. "All right. I'll come over tomorrow and we'll get him to the doctor."

September 20, 1992, 11am EST

"Marky, you want some breakfast?"

"Sure." Mark stood up and walked over to the kitchen table, sitting down on it. "What are we having?"

"The magical Get-Well-Soon Oatmeal of DOOM!" Roger laughed evilly. "Just kidding. Oatmeal I bought at the bakery. Why does she sell oatmeal? Do they usually sell oatmeal in bakeries?"

"I don't know, but oatmeal sounds good." He coughed, and Roger looked worried.

"Okay, here you go. Nice warm oatmeal."

They shared their breakfasts on the couch, and Mark randomly threw his spoon at Roger, giggling.

"OW! Marky, why did you do that?"

"I thought it would be funny. Wasn't it?" Mark pouted and set his bowl down.

"No, it hurt. Why did you think it would be funny?" Roger snapped, and Mark looked down at his feet, sniffling. He coughed and tried to hold back his tears.

"I'm sorry, Roggy. I... I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Oh, Mark... I'm sorry I got mad. It didn't hurt that much. It's okay, don't cry." He hugged Mark.

They snuggled on the couch for a while, both of them apologizing for arguing, and at the same time worrying about the other's sanity.

Edited AN: "I GAVE MARK AIDS AND THEN MADE HIM START COUGHING. It's all my fault! -goes into a corner and cries-" Once again, it pretty much says it all.