A/N Wow, a lot of reviews from that last chapter! Thank you guys so much! I really appreciate it. I wanted to address some things brought up in the reviews, so here goes.
#1 Just one quick question... if they plan to tell the baby that Roger is it's father, won't it wonder why it doesn't have AIDS?
Okay speaking as Roger, he doesn't really plan that far ahead. Mainly because he doesn't really believe he'll be around long enough for that to come up.
#2…managed to create an original character who could easily be considered a Mary Sue and make her not only unannoying, but actually likeable and able to fit in with the essence of Rent.
I have to admit, some one said something about Cass being a "Mary Sue" in the beginning, and I had no idea what that was. One day I read the fan fiction definition and couldn't believe I'd gone and written almost a textbook example of a Mary Sue! But I'm glad she has managed to win you all over despite her Mary Sue-isms.
#3 …at nearly 70 chapters with no end in sight, I can't help but wonder if you're writing a fanfic or a novel here. It's beautiful, but perhaps you should wrap it up soon?
Truthfully, when I started this, it was just a short story. Which I began on an extended vacation just for something to do. At no point did I plan on ever posting it anywhere. Well it grew and grew finally turned into what it now is. When I went back and was re-reading it, that was when I decided to post it to ff.net, which I had been faithfully reading for a few years now. I agree it has turned into somewhat of a novel in length. But I can't help that now. Just know, that it is actually completed, so you will see an end. I always hated it when someone began a story, sucked you in, did a number of chapters and then falls off the face of the ff.net earth. In between posts I'm not writing, I'm just typing as I hand wrote the whole thing out. As for wrapping it up, we are coming closer to an end, but we still have a little way to go. So stick with me!
Thank you guys all so much. I just love you for reading this!
Kelby
Chapter 70
Jason shifted over closer to Collins as Maureen climbed into the cab. "What's all that?"
"A couple of outfits for Cass to try on. She needed something to wear. She's convinced she looks really pregnant in everything she's got."
They rode in silence the rest of the way to the loft. As they got out of the cab and started up the stairs Maureen began complaining about her heels.
"Mo, why exactly are you here?" Jason snapped at her as Mark opened the door. "You didn't even know her."
"Well, neither did you, but Cass is my friend and she may need me. Like when the police take Roger away and book him for assault." She told him, pushing past Mark and walking toward Cass and Roger's room.
"What is she doing?" Mark asked.
"Being a nosey pain in the ass." Jason answered him. "Where's Roger?"
Mark pointed towards the room Maureen just entered. Jason nodded and headed over with the garment bag he had brought with him. Suddenly Mark realized both Collins and Jason had on suits. He looked down at his old suit. He only wore it to funerals and necessary job interviews. It seemed it had been worn more for the first then the second.
"What are you two doing here? And dressed like that?" Mark played with his still undone tie.
"We, uh, well, after the third or fourth time Maureen said something about Roger and Izzy beating up Anton, we decided it might be a good idea. Just in case." He shrugged.
Mark got a small smile on his face. He knew exactly what Collins meant and having him and Jason along Mark really appreciated. "Thanks Collins. Really."
"Fine then, be that way! I was only trying to help!"
"Surprise, you didn't!" Jason told her as they headed out back to the kitchen where Collins had sat down with Mark at the counter.
"What happened?" Collins asked offering out bagels.
"I don't know! He just about bit my head off!"
"Drop it Mo." Jason warned her, taking a bagel.
"Sorry." Mark apologized, starting to do up his tie. "Everybody's been a little tense this morning." He finished up his tie and started on a bagel. "I mean they are both doing really well." Mark said, to no one specific. "If I was Cass, I don't know if I'd have it together as her. But then again, that's Cass. Tell her no and that only gets her going more. And Roger's being, well, not like Roger. He's almost thoughtful and stuff. I'm almost not even worried about him going after Anton or anything."
"Almost?" Collins asked with a questioning look.
Mark grinned again. "Well this is Roger we're talking about here. I mean let's not get crazy."
Just then Cass came out of the bedroom followed by Roger. "Are you sure?"
"Cass you look fine. Nobody can tell you're pregnant. Mark will you tell her."
"He's right Cass. I mean the only time you even look pregnant is when you're lying on your back with no shirt on."
Everyone just looked at him as Mark realized what her said and started to blush. "I mean, she was lying on the couch! In a sports bra! That's all! Really!"
"Relax Mark." Cass laughed at him taking a bagel.
Roger just laughed, shook his head and went back into the bedroom. A minute later they heard him call from the room. "Mark come here. I need help."
Mark sighed and went into the room. Jason gave Collins a confused look. "What's he need help with?"
Maureen got a small smile as Collins quietly laughed. "Just listen."
"You know someday you really should figure out how to do this yourself."
"Whatever."
"I mean this isn't that difficult Roger."
"Whatever Mark."
"Will you hold still, I can't do this when your moving around."
"I'm trying to put my pants on Mark, what do you want me to do?"
"I want you to stand still. And learn how to do this yourself. I mean it's only a tie Roger."
"I don't need to learn how to do it, I have you for that."
"Oh you are so impossible. You know that?"
"So you've told me. Come on, I'm ready."
Collins had tears in his eyes he was laughing so hard. Jason, Cass and Maureen weren't far behind him. "Tell me again," Jason asked Cass, "is he dating you or already married to Mark?" They all broke out laughing again as Roger sat down to put on his boots.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing Baby. You want a bagel?" She fixed him one and slid it across the counter.
"Where's the rest of my suit?" Jason asked him. "Because leather pants weren't part of it."
"The pants didn't fit."
"I think you look good." Cass smiled at him.
"I still can't believe you got him in a shirt and tie." Maureen smirked.
"Whatever." We got to go." He stood up, put on his leather jacket, which matched his leather pants. "Well let's go already."
****************
They got to the church and sat down. Cass watched various people she used to know come in and sit down. Mark's head kept flipping back and forth as people walked in. She knew he was looking for Anton.
Cass looked at Roger. She could tell he felt completely out of place. In a church. Wearing a tie. Surrounded by people he didn't know and trying to not obviously look for a person he hated but had no clue as to what he looked like.
Roger tugged at his tie to loosen it some, smiling at her. He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, whispering in her ear. "Your okay Baby." It was more of a statement than a question.
She nodded at him. He was right. As long as he was with her, he was right. She knew that was what was going to get her through this. Cass couldn't help but smile at him, thinking that. Mark's voice broke into her thoughts just then.
"There's Paulie. And Brian. Cass who's that guy with Paulie? He was at the hospital too."
She looked over. Even from this far away she knew they were wasted. Paulie kept wiping at his nose. "What an ass!" She hissed. "His cousin's girlfriend dies and he's doing lines in the back of a church! Not that I should expect anything different, considering the guy with them is Greg."
"Who's that?" Mark asked.
"Paulie's connection." She said, matter of factly. She watched a blonde, in a tight dress walk over and give Paulie a big kiss. Paulie grabbed her, running his hands down her back and over her ass. "Oh for God sake Paulie, this is a church!"
The others gave small laughs as Mark looked up. "Um, Cass…"
She looked over to where he was pointing. Roger felt her whole body tense up against him as her fingers dug into his thigh. He knew it had to be Anton. Roger turned to see him walk in. He was tall and thin with dark blonde hair. Anton walked over to Paulie and shook his hand. Roger watched them talk for a minute, before Paulie pointed in their direction. He could see the twisted evil smile come over Anton's face as he headed towards them.
Cass' whole body was shaking. Roger had his arm around her on one side and Mark was holding her hand tightly on the other. Collins and Jason were on the edge of their seats, knowing instantly what was going on.
Anton got closer; Mark could feel him sizing them up. He had so much anger and hatred for him bubbling up inside him. He wanted to kill Anton, rip him apart with his bare hands. He looked over at Roger, sure he was ready to pounce on him. Instead Roger was just sitting there, holding Cass, whispering into her ear. One arm around her shoulders, the other tracing patterns on her leg.
Cass never looked up at him. She never took her eyes off Roger's hand on her leg. "Cassiopeia, what are you doing here? You need to come home." He said in a thick accent.
"Go away, your not supposed to even be talking to me."
"Come on baby." He smiled at her and continued in French.
"First of all, I am home. Secondly, I don't care if I ever see your disgusting excuse for a human being of a self every again. Now go away." She told him in an icy cold voice.
"Why you little bitch! I ought to-"
"Anton!" The voice behind him called. "I believe you need to find a seat now. I think they are about to begin." When Anton didn't move, the voice moved closer to him. "Perhaps on the other side of the church." His hand went around Anton's arm, giving it a hard jerk.
Anton mouthed the word "bitch" at her but started moving. The rather large man the voice belonged to pause to wait for Anton to get somewhat ahead of him. "I'm sorry Miss Sullivan. I had to let him enter on his own. To see how far I could trust him. Obviously I can't. I am sorry, it won't happen again. We'll be leaving New York this evening."
"Thank you Daniel." Was all she said as he walked away.
"Who was that guy Cass?" Mark asked as the service was beginning.
"He works for Carlton. He's kind of like an assistant, driver, bodyguard type."
"Looks like they sent him along to baby-sit." Maureen whispered.
Cass nodded as the priest began to speak.
**************
When the memorial service was over, the priest announced that Renee's body was being flown back to Los Angeles to be buried there. He thanked everyone for coming on behalf of her family. Cass just sat there, watching everyone else get up to leave.
Mark watched the big bodyguard guy hurry Anton to his feet and not so gently push him out the door. When they were about the only ones left Mark turned to her. "Are you ready to go Cass? I think he's gone."
She nodded and stood up, followed by Roger, Maureen, Collins and Jason. As they walked down the steps she saw Paulie, Brian, Greg and the blonde standing to the side where they would come down.
"Cass, baby, you look great. Long time no see."
"Not long enough Greg." She said trying to walk past them.
"Cass, I want to talk to you."
"Well I don't want to talk to you Paulie."
"I don't care." He almost yelled, grabbing her arm.
"Ow!" She cried out.
"Get your hands off her!" Roger grabbed him by his jacket, causing Paulie to let go of Cass.
"Watch the suit blondie!" Paulie smacked Roger's hand away. "This happens to be an expensive suit! Not that you'd know what that's like!" He laughed.
"Paulie what do you want?" Cass asked him, obviously upset.
"Paulie can we just go?" The blonde woman whined to him.
"Shut up! Can't you see I'm having a conversation here? Go wait in the car." He watched her walk off then turned back to Cass. "I want to talk to you. Alone."
"Well I don't want to talk to you!"
"Give me a break Cass. Two minutes, that is if your little entourage can live without you that long."
"Oh that's good coming from the guy who brought his dealer and a date to a funeral!"
"Oh nice Cass, real nice. Fine you don't want to talk to me alone, talk to me here. What the hell are you doing here? In New York? With them?"
"What does that mean?"
"I mean you don't belong here, with them. When Anton told me you went to New York, I knew you'd end up at that movie guy's place. I didn't think you'd be staying!"
"Go to hell Paulie!" Cass started to walk away but he grabbed her again.
"Come on Cass. I've missed you baby." He pulled her in to a hug, trying to kiss her.
Roger yanked him off Cass, throwing him into the wall surrounding the little garden around the church. "Go ahead, touch her again. Give me a reason to beat you into the sidewalk right now." He said to him in a low growl. Brian started to step up next to Paulie, but stopped when he realized Jason, Collins and Mark moved up behind Roger. Mark reached out and held the edge of Roger's jacket and he moved back some.
Paulie backed away some, brushing off his suit. "Come on Cass. You can't tell me you're happy living here. Aren't these the same idiots with no money, no heat and who's phone and electric bill you were always paying? You're better than this Cass. Look at them. You don't belong with them. I remember all about that film guy and his guitar-playing roommate. I never understood what you saw in them. You're better than them. Than this!"
"What, I should come back to you! You and Greg! What about your little girlfriend in the car Paulie?"
"She's nothing."
"Oh very nice Paulie." She was so upset she was crying. "Nothing huh? What about the last four years? What about the fact that you left me in that place?" She was stepping towards him with each sentence, poking him as she spoke.
Cass stared at Paulie. Roger at Cass. Mark, Jason and Collins all watched Roger. Waiting to see what would happen next.
"You left me Paulie! To save your own ass you left me!" She was yelling and she didn't care.
"Come on Cass, that wasn't my fault! Your uncle would have had me thrown in jail. What did you want me to do? Go to jail?"
"But it's okay to let them lock me up?"
He stepped up to hug her again, getting his arms around her before she pushed him away again.
"And the only reason I have to see you again is because Renee is dead! And you know what Paulie, it's all your fault! Your fault and my fault! It's our fault Renee's dead!" She kept hitting him in the shoulder as she yelled at him and cried.
Greg was clearly getting uncomfortable. People were looking at them. "Come on Paulie, let's just go. Before she makes a bigger scene." He reached into his pocket, pulled out a piece of paper and wrote on it. "Here's my cell number Cass, call me if you need me." Greg reached over and dropped it in the pocket of her jacket. "Come on."
"Come on Baby, let's go home." Roger whispered to her as Jason got them a cab. The six of them squeezed in again. Cass on Roger's lap, Maureen on Mark's, Collins squished in the middle.
"You guys want to eat first?" Jason asked from the front seat.
"Let's go home first, I want to change. Mark said.
Everyone walked up to the apartment. Mark changed and Maureen borrowed some of Cass' clothes as well. Roger yanked off his tie and tossed it on the table. He went into the bedroom to change out of Jason's dress shirt. When he came back out Cass was still standing in the living room area. "Baby you want to eat?" She shook her head. "You guys go ahead and eat." He told them.
"Okay, we'll meet you outside Mark." Maureen said as they stepped out the door.
Mark nodded. "Why don't you take a nap Cass. I'll bring you guys back some food." He turned to Roger, "I, uh, need some money."
Roger nodded and pulled out his wallet. "Take your coat off Cass." He told her handing Mark the money. "Baby what's wrong?" He asked seeing the look on her face.
Mark looked up at her and saw the look of fear on her face as well. "Cass?"
She pulled her hand out of her pocket and held it open. She had the paper Greg wrote his phone number on and a little brown glass jar.
Mark knew immediately what it was. He didn't know what to say. He just looked at Roger, who was staring at her.
"Go to lunch Mark." Roger said without looking up from Cass.
"But…"
"Go to lunch. It's okay." Roger walked over to Cass and held her while she just stood there and shook. "Come on Baby. It's okay." He told her, sitting them on the couch after Mark left.
"No it's not. It's not okay at all." She sobbed.
"Come on Baby, don't cry. I hate it when you cry." He just kept whispering to her, running his fingers through her hair. He hadn't seen her this upset since she first got there. But thinking back on the day so far, he couldn't blame her. Today was probably almost as traumatic as the days before she even got to New York.
"He only came here to get to me." She sobbed.
"Anton? Yeah, either that or he's got a death wish." Roger smiled at her, kissing her on the forehead. "But you didn't let him get to you. You did really well."
"You know it's my fault Renee's dead. Mine and Paulie's." She started to cry hard again.
"No it's not Baby. It's not your fault." Roger told her, as he pulled her onto his lap. "Shhh, it's not your fault Baby."
"Yes it is." She cried into his chest. "It's all my fault. It's my fault she met Brian. It's my fault she got into the coke. It's my fault she's dead."
**************
"What's the matter?" Maureen asked alarmed the minute she saw his face as he came out of the building door. Mark just started walking very fast toward the Life Café. "Marky what's wrong?"
"They. She. That guy. Agh! I gotta go back." He stopped and turned around so quickly he almost smacked in to Collins who was right on his heels.
"Mark!" Jason snapped at him. "The rest of us speak the English language. Join us in it."
Maureen couldn't help but think how much Jason had sounded like Roger just then. Then she realized as Mark got it together enough to stop spazing out, that sounding like Roger had been exactly what Jason had meant to do.
"That guy Greg. When he put his phone number in her pocket," he shook his head, "he dropped a thing of coke in too. She just found it in her coat pocket."
"Uh huh?" Collins said.
"Uh huh? I just left the two of them up there with a full thing of coke and all you can say is uh huh?"
"What do you want me to say Mark? Run up and flush it for them?"
"I don't know! I can't believe I just left them up there like that. Especially after today!"
"Mark do you trust them?" Jason asked.
"Yes, I guess, most of the time. I guess."
"Mark your not his mother. You know perfectly well you can't tell him what to do. Cass either." Collins told him. "Look, we've had this conversation a million times. Either they'll flush it or snort it. Either way you can't make either of them do what they don't want to do."
"I know, I know. I just wish it hadn't been today. After everything that went on, today is like the worst possible day to drop a bunch of coke in front of her nose."
"Mark we've been through this. You gotta let it go. There is nothing you can do but wait and trust him to do the right thing. We just have to trust him. Both of them. And if they don't, then we can try and help them. But you know that won't work either unless they want it. You know all this."
Maureen knew Collins was right. But she remembered all this from the old days. How Roger's drugs were tearing Mark apart back then. The last thing she wanted was to watch Mark go through that again. She slipped her arm around Mark's. "Come on Marky, Collins is right. You just gotta trust Roger. He won't let anything happen. Not now. He's come too far to do something like that again." She actually meant it too.
********************
Come on Baby. None of this is your fault." Roger just kept holding her, stroking her hair.
"Yes it is. It all is." She sobbed. "Oh you just don't get it."
At that Roger had to laugh. He got it all right. More than she could ever imagine. He knew exactly what she was thinking and why. "I know Baby."
"No you don't." She cried into his shoulder.
"Hey. Look at me." He forced her chin up. "I know exactly what you mean. You think I don't blame myself for a thousand things?"
"It's not the same. Renee's dead and it's my fault."
"It is the same. It's no different from me thinking it was my fault April became a junkie, or came up positive, or killed herself. It took me years to realize it, but it's not my fault. I didn't make her a junkie. She did that on her own. I didn't force her to shoot up. She was already doing that when I met her. I didn't make her keep doing it. She wanted to on her own. Just like me. She didn't make me do it. Just like you didn't force Renee. Right? I mean did you force a straw up her nose? Did you make her date Brian?"
"No."
"See Baby. Everybody makes bad choices. God knows I made plenty of them. But just because you were there and part of it, doesn't make it your fault. You and I both now stuff just happens. And bad shit comes from lousy choices. But it doesn't make it our fault. You understand?"
"But Roger…"
"No Baby. It doesn't matter what you did or didn't do. Renee did coke. Renee messed up her heart. Renee died from that. Not because of you."
"If you're so right, why do I feel so guilty still?"
Roger smiled at her. "Because that's just how it works. You gotta learn to deal with it. It'll get better." He held her close.
"Thanks Roger." She sniffed, putting her arms around his neck when she realized she still had the coke in her hand. She looked down at it. "You know how easy it would be to just do a line and feel so much better?"
"Yep." He nodded at her. "I know exactly how easy that would be."
******************
Mark opened the front door for Jen and they walked out onto the stoop. "So how are things going Mark? You look really tired."
"I'm fine."
"Maureen told me about the other day. You're still worried about them aren't you?"
"Yes." He told her, looking towards the ground. "I don't know."
"Well they flushed it didn't they?" She asked as they walked towards the Iguana.
"I guess. I mean he said they did. But they are just acting a little weird."
"Weird how?" She put her arm through his as they walked along.
"Just a little too happy I guess. Or at least happier than it seems like they should. Especially right after that little incident the other day."
"Well maybe they just are happy. Maybe Cass just decided to deal with it that way."
Mark sighed. "I hope."
"They're going to be alright Mark. You gotta trust them. I mean they're adults. And drugs are everywhere. You have to trust them to make the right choices. They have both been through too much to go back to that."
"I know. It's just that because they have been through so much, that's what worries me."
"Don't worry about it sweetie. They'll be fine. I mean they are singing tonight."
"True."
"How did Izzy convince Roger to do Christmas music? I thought that went against everything he felt rock and roll stood for?"
Mark had to laugh. "Yeah it does. But Izzy's great plan was to have Krystal and Cass do the singing. I guess that convinced him. He's been trying to get Cass to sing with them for awhile now. She'd screw around at rehearsals, but that's all. She wasn't happy about the idea at first, but he convinced her somehow."
"I'm sure." She smiled. "Hey how about a night out? My office is having a Christmas party a week from Friday. I can take a date. You have to wear a tie, but it's free food and alcohol and a really good restaurant. You wanna go with me?"
Mark looked at her. A night out. Alone without Roger and Cass. Maybe that was exactly what he needed. He knew what everyone was saying was right. That he just had to trust them to make the right decision. And he knew they would. Well, he was pretty sure they would. He hoped they would. Well he'd just keep watching them. Closely. God Cohen you gotta stop obsessing over this. They haven't really given you any real reason to doubt them. So somebody gave them a thing of coke. On a really bad day for them. That doesn't mean they couldn't handle it enough to not take it. Or to lie to him about flushing it. Yeah, they'll be fine. He'll just watch them to be sure, but they'll be fine. He hoped.
Mark smiled at Jen. "You know, that sounds like a lot of fun. I'd like that Jen. We'll have a great time." He grinned at her as they walked on to the Iguana.
****************
Krystal and Cass finished singing to a round of applause. "We're going to take a break but we'll be back in a little bit." Izzy said into the mic as he unhooked his guitar.
"Hey Iz, a voice in the crowd yelled at him. "Why you having the girls sing?"
"Cause they're way cuter than Davis!" He yelled back laughing as he walked off the stage into the back. "Hey Cass, you sounded real good again tonight."
"Um, thanks Izzy." She grinned trying to catch her breath, pulling away from Roger.
"Yeah Baby," he said as he kissed down her neck. "I told you you'd be great."
"Roger cut it out." She laughed, she could feel her face getting red as Izzy laughed and went out front.
"Okay." He laughed. "But you were really good."
"Thanks. It was kind of fun." She kissed him back. "We better go out front."
"Why?" He started kissing her again as his hands went up her back. "It's way more fun back here." He kissed down her neck.
"Hey Rog?" Mark called down the hall.
"That's why." She laughed, pushing him away. "We're down here Mark."
"God his timing sucks." He head falling against the wall as Cass moved over and hushed him.
"You sounded awesome Cass!" Mark said grabbing Cass by the hand, pulling her towards the front. "Come on everybody is waiting!" He told her, not wanting to leave the two of them alone in the back.
Roger almost had to laugh. Mark was so excited he was almost bouncing off the walls. You would have thought it was him up there singing instead of Cass. And Cass. God she was amazing he thought. He still couldn't get over how incredible she was. Mark was right. She did sound awesome. Even if the only thing he could get her to sing were Christmas songs.
He watched her walk out to the table with Mark. Collins, Jason, Jen and Maureen were all waiting for them. Roger could see them all telling her how good she sounded. He loved to watch her laugh and talk to everyone. He loved to watch her move. He realized he just really loved her. Everything about her. Roger couldn't image life without her.
"Rog, you okay?" Mark asked worriedly as he handed him the beer he had brought over.
"Huh? Oh yeah." He smiled. "I was just thinking."
"Explains the odd look on your face." Mark grinned.
Roger just punched him in the arm and sat down. They sat around talking for the next ten minutes till Izzy came over.
"You planning on joining us up there Davis?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming." Roger told him before turning to Cass. "You and Krystal are done. You going to stay or go home?"
"Can I see you at home?" She yawned. "I'm so tired. And Krystal already left." She leaned in and kissed him.
"Yes." He laughed kissing her back. "Go home."
"Yeah, we need to take off too." Jason said. "Last week of classes. Everybody starts either turning stuff in or begging for an extension."
"Don't forget the butt kissing. That starts big time this week." Collins laughed.
"Yeah well, some of us have regular jobs that we have to get up for every Monday." Jen told them.
"Tell me about it!" Maureen whined. "Everybody waits till the last minute to make up their Christmas cards and stuff. Then they think I've got some magic wand or something and can get them done overnight. I mean really. Who do these people think they are?"
"Maureen Johnson?" Mark asked trying to sound innocent as everyone laughed.
"On that note, I'm going to get my coat. You two play nice till I get back." Cass told Maureen and Mark.
Roger walked her into the back and grabbed his old leather jacket she had worn over earlier. He helped her put it on and pulled her close, running his hands up her back under her shirt. "You were amazing Baby." He kissed her. "You are amazing." He kissed her again. "God I love you." His lips went back to her skin.
"I love you too Baby." She threaded her arms around his neck. "I could only do that because I was with you." She smiled at him.
"I kinda like that." A slight grin crossed his face as he heard Izzy calling for him. Cass turned around in his arms so they were both facing Izzy. "Yeah, I'm coming Iz!" he yelled to him before whispering to her as his hands slid down onto her belly. "I'll see you later." He kissed her on the head as he rubbed her belly. "I love you Cass."
"Love you too Roger. I'll see you in a little bit. Go be awesome." She turned and kissed him before leaving with Mark and everyone.
Roger played his last set almost on autopilot. He kept thinking about Cass the whole time. When they wrapped up he went into the back office with Izzy and sat down. "So Cass and Krystal sounded really good."
"Uh huh." Izzy said reading over the bar order, not really listening.
"Iz I need a favor." Roger just blurted out.
This caught Izzy's attention. He put down the order and looked up. "You? Roger Davis needs a favor? I thought only Saint Mark was privy to those." He joked.
Roger ignored the joke. "I'm serious Iz. I need a favor."
"Okay, sorry. What's up?"
"It's okay if you say no. I'll understand if you do. But if you say yes I'll have you paid back by the end of January. I promise."
"How much do you need?"
"A thousand dollars. I can't use any of that money Mark and I got, because we put that into a 'business' account. And I won't get my first check from the record label until at least January."
Izzy whistled. "That's a lot of money Roger. What do you need it for?"
"Um, I don't really want to tell you. Not yet."
Izzy sat back in his chair, kicking his feet up on his desk. "A thousand dollars and you can't tell me why?" He studied Roger as he sat there. After a second he spoke again. "Okay just tell me one thing. Only question. And tell me the complete, honest to God truth. Doesn't mean I won't give it you the money, but the complete truth Rog. Deal?"
"Yeah, deal." Roger knew what he was going to ask, and it didn't bother him. That actually surprised him, the fact that it didn't bother him. "No problem."
"Okay." Izzy hesitated. "Just tell me if it has anything what so ever to do with drugs. Anything. Even in the slightest way."
"Nope. Nothing at all." He smiled. "Actually it has to do with Cass. And Christmas."
Izzy watched the stupid grin come over Roger's face as he said that. He leaned back in his chair more and thought through what he said. "Cass and Christmas huh?"
"Yeah." Roger grinned.
Slowly Izzy shook his head. "Okay. Can I give you five hundred tonight and fine hundred next Sunday night?"
"Yeah!" Roger jumped up out of excitement. "That should work fine!"
Izzy laughed as he reached into the bottom drawer of his desk and pulled out an envelope. He started to count out five piles of twenties. "You know, if it's what I think it's for, I'm gonna get shit form Krystal. I'll never hear the end it."
"I don't know what you're talking about Iz." Roger picked up the money, shoving it in his pocket.
"Yeah, I'm sure." He grinned as he watched him head towards the door. "Hey Roger," he looked at him for a second, "if you need any help, just tell me. I'll take you to see Krystal's uncle in Jersey."
"Thanks Izzy. Really. I'll see you later."