Disclaimer: Rent is not mine, nor have I ever claimed to have owned it. That right goes to Jonathan Larson himself. I do however like to borrow them to play. Any recognizable names are just that, they are not mine. But any that you don't know do belong to me. And I can do whatever I want tot them so there!

A/N: This chapter is much longer than the rest, because I felt so bad about not updating. Stupid writers block. So enjoy and review if you want to, I will be forever in your debt if you do.

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Maggie walked back into the living room, with two mugs of hot tea. After sitting them down next to her sketch pad, she joined Mark on the couch. Turning to him, she asked, So Mark, I know your first name, but what the hell is your last name? It occurred to me it might well be in my best interest to know the full name of the man who helped me yesterday, then had the courtesy to bring my sketches back.

Well, now if we are exchanging personal information, I suppose it won't hurt. Cohen, Mark Cohen. And yours is Franklin. This game is fun, lets try another. Mark looked at Maggie trying to contain his laughter.

How did you.... Maggie looked down at her sketch pad. Oh yeah.... I forgot about that. Pretty naive of me isn't it? You have to realize that I put my name in there two years ago, when I first moved here. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Again Maggie blushed as Mark tried to calm his laughter, and failing miserably.

Don't worry, I was the same way when I first got to the city. Hell, even after that I was naive about people. I am constantly duped by those who pretend to be my friends. And do you think I learn from my mistakes? Nope, not Mark. I'm just gullible I guess. It was Maggie's turn to laugh.

I guess that makes us a couple of suckers then. Well at least I know I'm not alone. Although I like to think of it as having a positive outlook on people's intentions, rather than believing I am just too trusting. Maggie grabbed her mug and took a sip. She smiled behind her mug and thought about Mark. He really was a sweet guy, true a little different, but sweet. You better watch yourself girl, if you are not careful you will be falling in love with him before you know it.

So did you get into much trouble for not having your sketches? Or did you not need them at all?

Not really, although they were a little upset that I was late and all. But they'll get over it. Besides they had enough to deal with without worrying about a lowly assistant designer. Rehearsals are always interesting, the actresses and actors are so full of themselves sometimes. I often wonder how they function in real society.

Something interesting happen? Some drama with an actress? They always seem to have something traumatic that is more important than anything else. Mark took a sip of tea.

However did you know? Maggie wrinkled her nose. Do you have many actress friends?

Just one.... Maureen.

Maggie's jaw dropped. Oh my God! Maureen? Not a loud obnoxious lesbian woman who is obsessed with herself? Maggie closed her mouth, then promptly opened it back up. But that would make you her Marky. The one she is always going on about. How weird is that?

Yep that would be her... unfortunately. Mark did not smile. It upset him to find out that Maureen still talked about him to complete strangers. No that didn't upset him as much as the fact that Maureen might have said something really embarrassing about him to Maggie. He didn't want Maureen to ruin yet another relationship before it started.

You guys didn't date did you? Oh my god you did. I thought she was a lesbian? What happened? She left you for a woman didn't she? Man, I'm sorry, I just don't know when to keep my mouth shut.... She looked down at her hands while trying to figure out how to get her foot out of her mouth. Maggie sighed and looked up at Mark. She knew what she could say, but Maggie didn't want to go down that road again. However it didn't seem like she had much of a choice, better to get it out of the way she thought than let it hang over her head.

Before she had a chance to say anything, Mark cut the silence with his words, well we did date, and she did leave me for a woman. But things are cool now, other than that fact that she still thinks that she owns me. That is what gets annoying.

Well trust me when I say I feel your pain. At least she dumped you, my ex boyfriend used me as a shield to hide from his parents. And I still would be in that position if I didn't come home from class early one day. Imagine my surprise when I caught him in bed with his best friend', the month before we were supposed to get married, now that was a shock. I guess I was lucky I found out when I did, or I would be stuck with a gay husband now. Maggie looked at Mark and gave him a lopsided grin. God, what a pair we make.

He returned the grin, so are we starting our own club now? I nominate you as president, and I can be vice president. This club is going to be so much fun isn't it? During the exchange between the two, the space between them on the couch slowly vanished until they were almost upon each other. Without any thought about what had happened just the day before Maggie reached out and put her hand on the side of Mark's face and leaned in the rest of the way connecting their lips. This time the kiss was not abrupt.

Maggie's lips softened under Mark's gentle but insistent probing. When her lips finally parted under his attack she sighed. This, she thought, now this is how it is supposed to be. Is this what I have been missing? I could get used to this.

Mark on the other hand was coming to his senses. Only now was it sinking in that he was very out of character. In the span of one morning he had left the apartment without his camera, went uptown to a girl's, no woman's, apartment belonging to this woman he had just met, and was now practically down her throat with only knowing little more than her name. Mark pulled back leaving a very bemused looking Maggie in front of him.

I... I, um, have to get going now. This time before Maggie could respond Mark took off and headed for the door. It wasn't really until her front door closed that Maggie fully understood what just happened.



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What the hell were you thinking Mark? What possessed you to think that you could pull this off? Has it ever worked for you before? Mark shook his head as he walked down the stairs, he didn't even take the time to wait for the elevator for fear of Maggie coming out to catch him. Because he was so caught up in his thoughts, for the second time that day he was knocked on his ass by a woman.

Hey watch where you're going buster. I swear some people. The woman began to pick up some papers she dropped as Mark once again picked himself up off the ground.

I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going, here let me help you with that. When Mark tried to help the woman pick her stuff up he was greeted with more sharp words.

I don't need some man's help, thank you very much. Who the hell are you anyway? You aren't trying to sell anything? Or ask for donations are you? Because we don't allow solicitors in this building.

Mark turned red and tried to defend himself. No I was visiting a friend. I was just on my way out. He turned even redder when he realized that this woman was giving him the once over, knowing that his outfit did not fit in with the aesthetics of the building or the type people that obviously lived in this complex.

Riiight, whatever buddy, I'll believe it when I see it. She in no way trusted this hobo man, or whatever they called themselves. She was just about to turn her nose up at him when he continued to defend himself.

I'll have you know I do have a friend here. She lives on the sixth floor.

What's her name? The woman's tone was suddenly much nicer than it was a few seconds ago.

And with that Mark turned his back on the woman and continued down the stairs.

The woman had the decency to look shocked before she continued up to her apartment, which she too shared with Maggie. A faint smile played on her lips as she realized that the man must be the new guy that had her roommate so riled up. This could prove very interesting.

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....Yes Professor, I'm okay, I just wanted to get some advice, and visit with you.... Actually I am free tomorrow.... Lunch sounds great.. Thanks, I'll see you tomorrow.... Goodbye. Maggie felt better after setting up an appointment with her favorite professor. Not that Collins was technically her professor anymore. She hadn't had a class with him in over a year. But that never really mattered. He had become a semi mentor, and he was very supportive when the whole Paul fiasco took place. It would be nice to see him again, and get his opinion on everything that was happening.

Just then the front door opened, and one of Maggie's other roommates, Michelle walked in. She set her bag down near the couch, and then sat down facing Maggie.

Guess who I just ran into.

Please don't say Paul, I don't want to hear about it if it was. Maggie groaned, knowing that Michelle was not tactful when it came to things like that. She had had to put up with a lot of Paul sightings in the time that they had broken up, Michelle just had a knack for running into him.

Sadly no not today. But it was a guy that you are interested in. Michelle winked before continuing. I think his name was... Mac or something? Anyways I just met him on the stairs. He knocked me over, and was quite rude about it.

His name is Mark, and I am sure that it was your fault that you fell down. But I really don't care....

Sure you do, I heard all about it from Elyse and Nikki last night. So don't try and pretend you don't care. It won't work this time with me. So spill it.

Well there isn't much to tell....

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Mark finally made it back to the loft, only to be bombarded with questions from a waiting Roger and Mimi. Mark pretended it bothered him while secretly reveling in the attention that he hadn't been getting from the two in the past couple of weeks. He sat on the table in front of the couch and regaled his adventure' as they were dubbing it.

Well I ran into her roommate, and she ended up letting me into the building. She seemed pretty laid back, which is a good sign. When I got up there, Maggie offered me some tea and we started talking. Found out that she knows Maureen.

Oh that poor poor girl. Roger smirked and laughed as Mimi tried to keep a straight face. How did she have the misfortune of that meeting?

Well it seems the secret project that Maureen is working on is the same one that Maggie is involved in. And before you ask, yes Maureen is still up to her diva act and driving people crazy in the process. I respect Joanne more and more each day for being able to deal with Maureen.

And how did you manage it Marky? You were with her for a pretty long time, considering her track record. Roger raised his eyebrows knowingly at Mark, while he wisely changed the subject.

Anyways, we talked some more, and I found out that her last boyfriend turned out to be gay. But Maggie had it much worse than I did, she apparently walked in on her boyfriend in the act before they were supposed to get married.

Then before I knew what was happening we were kissing again....

So Mark why are you back here? Why are you not still working your charms on her? I know you like her, and you deserve it. Mimi placed her hand on Mark's forearm and smiled at him.

Well I sorta kinda freaked out and um left her apartment. So that's what happened. Mark blushed again when he saw the look of concern that Mimi gave him. Don't worry about it, really it is ok. Mark said the words, but didn't believe them himself. Neither did Mimi or Roger he noticed.

If you say so Mark, although I still think that you could have totally gotten some. She is just ripe for the picking if you know what I mean. Roger smiled as Mimi playfully slapped him.

Now Roger you behave yourself. Don't corrupt Mark anymore than you already have. He is still a good guy remarkably. Mimi leaned up to kiss a still smiling Roger.

Mark wisely got up off the table and went into the kitchen to give them some privacy. He needed to figure out what he was going to do about the whole Maggie situation anyway. Mark felt bad for leaving the way he did, and knew that in an ironic way he had pulled the same stunt that she did the day before. Needing to save face in the situation Mark decided to call up Collins and talk to him. Since Angel's death Collins was the one everyone turned to for help. He had become the all knowing father of the group and was always there when you needed him.

Dialing his office at the university, Mark waited for Collins to pick up. Hello? Collins?.. It's Mark.... Yeah I'm fine, I just wanted to know if I could come and talk to you tomorrow, I need some advice.... You have a long lunch break right?.... Yeah I can come latter... No it's not a problem that you have a meeting... Great I'll see you tomorrow.... Thanks ... Bye Collins.