Disclaimer and A/N: Rent does not belong to me, it and all it's characters belong to Jonathan Larson. I am just borrowing them for the time being (I promise I'll be nice). Maggie on the other hand, and anyone else you don't recognize do belong to me, and for that I am thankful.

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Mark found himself looking at the front door to Maggie's apartment building the next morning. After obsessing over what to say when he got there, Roger finally pushed him out the door around 10:00 AM. But now that he was here, Mark lost some of the courage he had last night when formulating this plan. Great idea Mark, really, she is going to think that you are crazy hunting her down like this. He stood around contemplating whether or not to knock, and was still that way when the door opened.

Out rushed a young woman obviously lost in thought. Clad in a pair of stretch yoga pants and a matching top, she was listening to blaring music on her cd player. Sounding oddly like Moulin Rouge, Mark smiled thinking about Maggie. The woman, still not looking where she was going ran right into Mark, knocking both her cd player to the ground as well as Maggie's sketch pad that he had been carrying.

I'm sorry, I didn't see you there, the young woman dusted herself off while looking for her cd player. I'm not usually this big of a klutz.... The woman stopped short when she saw the sketch pad. A smirk of recognition crossed her face as she picked it up and handed it to Mark who was still in a daze from his fall. You must be Mark, Maggie is upstairs if you want to talk to her. Again a smirk crossed the woman's face. I'm Nikki by the way.

Mark didn't know what to say, and numbly thought that this woman must be Maggie's roommate. Um, thanks I think... Mark took the sketch pad back and again looked at the building in front of him, unsure of what to do.

Why don't I just call up to her, that way you can get into the building, besides I owe Maggie one. Without waiting for a response from Mark, Nikki pushed the buzzer for her apartment and rang up. Hey Maggie, it's me... Yeah let me in the building I forgot my keys again... Sure I'll be up in a few. Letting go of the button, Nikki looked back at Mark, The apartments up on the 6th floor, right across from the elevator. The door is unlocked, so just go right in. With that Nikki took off running in the direction of Central Park.

Mark just shook his head and turned to the open door of the building. Well he thought, it's now or never. He crossed the threshold and went to the elevator. This should be interesting he thought, as he pushed the button for the 6th floor and the doors closed in front of him.

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Maggie sat back down on the couch. She was still feeling a little bad about what happened yesterday, and didn't know what to do about it. I still can't believe I ran like that from him. Nikki was right I do need to move on with my life. Maggie sighed and closed her eyes. Knowing all too well that she was feeling sorry for herself, she instead though about the production meeting that she attended yesterday. Most of the show had been cast, and some rehearsals had already taken place. Maggie was supposed to be attending these rehearsals to get a feeling for the characterizations of the actresses that she was to costume. Instead she had been moping about like she normally did, and half attending her classes.

Maggie was concentrating so much on her work, that she didn't hear the door creak open, or the faint throat clearing Mark tried in order to gain her attention. In fact, Maggie didn't even know that someone else was in the apartment with her, until Mark set the sketch pad down on the coffee table right in front of her. Maggie looked up in recognition and smiled, without even thinking about it. Mark returned the look.

I brought your sketches back, you left them at my loft. Mark watched Maggie blush a pretty shade of pink, and smiled again. He really liked Maggie, and he didn't even know her.

Thanks, Mark... Hey look, I'm sorry for the way I acted yesterday. It's just that, well I haven't had very good experiences with men in the past, so I sorta freak out about it. Why don't we forget it happened and start off on the right foot this time? Maggie offered Mark a seat on the couch next to her. Sitting down, Mark nodded in agreement.

No problem, as long as you forget that you were mad at me for filming you in the Life. Then we can call it even.

I don't think so buster, you won't get away that easy. You still deserve a piece of my mind for that. There is no way you can get away with that, and not give me full credit in your movie. I won't rest until I am satisfied with the results. Maggie laughed as Mark tried to look scared only to end up looking constipated.

Alright, alright, I get the picture. Full credit, name and everything. Mark found it easy to open up to Maggie, and to joke with her. That wasn't something that happened very often, and Mark had learned to embrace the situation when it did occur.

Maggie calmed down from her laughing fit. Mark, you want some tea? I started some water earlier, I always have some tea in the afternoon. It calms me.

Mark nodded, just as the kettle in the kitchen started it's high pitched whine. Speak of the devil... I would love some tea. Maggie got up and headed towards the kitchen. Mark settled into the comfortable couch.

What kind, milk, sugar? Maggie called out of the kitchen.

Whatever kind you have, no milk, and two cubes of sugar. I'm going to have to thank Roger when I get home, Mark thought to himself. His day was turning out pretty well. He looked in the direction of the kitchen where Maggie had disappeared moments ago, and smiled to himself. This was a pretty good day after all.