"On The Fire Escape"

Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own it. I own half the ideas for a movie and I stole my mother's camcorder... Rent is the property of the late, great Jonathan Larson!

Author's Note: I'm back!! Thanks to my faithful readers!! (Do I have faithful readers? of course you don't.... who asked you?) Anyway, this is another 'Oh, they're so depressed!' chapter, but in the next one silliness ensues!

Chapter 2: Warmth to Thaw my Heart

Mimi opened her window and smiled as a warm breeze touched her face. The waether had been so nice lately and the chords drifting from Roger's guitar helped her already soaring spirits rise. She was content to stay watching the city all day and the music made it seem that much more alive.

Suddenly, the phone rang and the beautiful melody came to a halt. There was the muffled sound of talking from the other room. A few moments later Roger came in, an apologetic look on his face.

"Babe, I gotta go; band practice. I'm sorry, it's your night off and all..."

Mimi smiled and said teasingly, "It's fine. Go have fun, get your antisocial (but very cute) ass out of the apartment!" She really didn't mind. Sometimes it was nice to have a day to herself. Romance was a lot of work!

"Thanks, you're the best." The musician gave her a quick kiss and was gone.

Mimi was glad that they were on good terms again. Most like thanks to Mark... He was such a sweetheart. Odd how quickly she had begun thinking of him as a friend. But he always knew how to cheer her up, even if she was just realizing it recently. Besides, they had had some good conversations while sitting on the fire escape and watching the sun sink below the horizon.

The petite dancer crawled lightly out her window and onto the fire escape, reveling in the autumn sunshine after so much rain. When she looked up she noticed Mark sitting just above her. He was minus his normally ever-present camera and looked out from his perch with a forlorn and agitated expression.

"Marky, honey," she called, "Are you all right?"

The filmmaker turned to her with a forced smile. "I'm fine, Meems. Just fine..." But he couldn't completely keep the bitter note out of his voice. Mark Cohen was always fine. His friends accepted his hiding from life and failure patronizingly. They left him alone until they needed him because he was fucking fine!

It surprised him when Mimi climbed up to sit facing him. Her large brown eyes searched his blue ones with concern before she asked, "Seriously, Mark, what's wrong?

He sighed and leaned back. "Just one of those days, I guess..."

Mimi crawled over to sit next to him and rested her head on his shoulder. "What happened?" Sensing his reluctance, she added, "And I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to know. You listen to me bitch enough, God knows!"

Her friend sighed again and looked at his hands. "Maureen came over today," he said finally. "She and Joanne had another argument, so she needed someone to help with her latest protest. I told her no and she had a shit fit."

He blinked when Mimi giggled. "What?"

She hid another titter. "I'm sorry, it's just... what's a shit fit?"

Mark gave a short laugh of his own. "She freaked out and told me that I 'shouldn't sit in the loft and feel sorry for myself just because people hate my films and my best friend can't stand me'. Then she stormed out with quite a flourish." he explained, face carefully neutral.

Mimi bit her lip. "I'm sure she was just mad, Mark. I for one love your films and I know Rog does too. You don't believe her, right?"

"You hear something often enough and you might find the truth in it"

"Mark..." she started, unsure of what exactly she wanted to say. "Maureen is the drama queen. She just wanted you to feel bad about not helping her."

"I know," he said softly. "Part of me does, anyway..." They were silent for a moment before Mark remarked casually, "Halloween is this coming Friday..."

Mimi felt tears fill her eyes at the mention of what was once one of her favorite holidays. God, had it been a year already? "Do you miss him?" she asked Mark.

"Every fucking day." he whispered brokenly, sliding an arm around her shoulders.

They stayed like that as they talked, reminiscing over all the things they had done with Angel over the time they'' known him. Like the time when Mimi had first moved into the city and she and Angel had made over $400 by combining their artistic talents for the day. Or when she and Mark had taken a picture of Collins (who had fallen asleep while correcting papers and been given a make-over by a giggling Angel and Mimi) and blackmailed the anarchist with it almost every week for a month. As they remembered all of the kind, caring words that Angel would offer to anyone in distress, neither could help but smile.

The sun had already set when Mimi shivered, suddenly feeling the cold. Mark gave her a slightly distant smile. "You should go inside, Mimi chica. You don't want to get sick." he told her softly.

She nodded slightly, turning to give Mark a tight hug. "You know I love you, right honey?" she asked softly and fiercely in his ear.

His arms went around her as well. "I love you too, Mimi. You're one of the nicest people I know." He tightened his hold on her small form. "Thank you."

She pulled away. "You never have to thank me. What are friends for?" Mimi headed down the ladder. "Try to get some sleep, Marky!" she called, smiling at his nod.

"'Night Meems. Tell Rog I'll be down to see you guys tomorrow, kay?"

"Sure." Her curly hair disappeared through her window and Mark returned to the loft. Somehow, it didn't seem quite so lonely lately. Mimi was right, of course, and Maureen would get over it. He turned to cast one more look at the stars.

"Angel, I know you watch over us, and I hope you're proud."