AN: Ok, it seems like I've had absolutely NO time to write this thing...but amazingly enough my social calender's been jam-packed. Huh. Interesting.

Anyways, short filler between the end of August of beginning of September. Nothing too Earth-Shattering.

Liv: yeah, I know, although the Mark-Benny comparisons will probably end there. The one-liners? Thank u, you have just made my day.

I own nothing that Jonathon Larson's estate already owns.

"Bad day at work, darling?" Collins looked up from his sheaf of mediocre student papers to one obviously pissed Mark.

"How many times do I have to say no to one person?" Mark sighed.

"You're actually denying Tara sex?"

"No." That was a surprisingly statement from the usually docile Mark that Collins had grew to know and love so well. "It's...someone else."

"Oh? And who is this someone else of which you speak of?"

"Look, she's just a chick at work who's got this high school crush on me. It's not a big deal."

"Then why are you making it one?"

"What?"

Collins tossed the papers onto the card table in front of him. "You just said that this was no big deal?"

"Yeah."

"You're complaining about it. You're making it a big deal even if you don't want to be."

Although Mark replied that one with the standard "Lay off the weed," his stomach was telling him a very different thing.

Or was it his heart?

Now during the last month and a half while the loftmates were straightening out their own mess of problems, Benny was faced with at shitload of his own. First, the final divorce courts, where the Greys sued him out of nearly everything he had but the shirt off his back. And then the job hunting. Boy, that was a fun trip. Talk about your multitasking. His various short-lived careers ranged from piano-playing (which is how he fell in with Roger-an early band of his called for a keyboardist, enter Benny) to a bodyguard (the guy ended up being recently released from Bellevue, so technically that one didn't count) to a freelance writer, which what he was doing right now. Shit pay, but sometimes Benny was able to go out and enjoy himself.

But what really got him feeling shitty was his test.

Although the Greys hadn't been either cutthroat or overly sympathetic at the trials (they did allow him to keep the apartment- Alison ended up living at their summer home in the Hamptons), the topic of Mimi did arise, and her problem. Benny agreed to get himself tested, although Alison had to wait until he reported the results.

Not a great thing to leave on the back burner.

Right now, he was coming home from a magazine office, nearly bursting at the thought of his assignment. They wanted him to do a series on the lives of HIV/AIDS infected New Yorkers. How much more perfect could that be for him, when the possibility of Benny joining the ranks was very probable.

He stopped at a pay phone a few blocks away from his apartment, feeling the stash of change weighing down in his pocket. He picked up the receiver and dialed a very familiar number.

Someone picked up on the third or four ring. Amazingly enough, they didn't hang up on him.

Maureen rolled over in the beige sheets. Another great night with Alex-much more fun than what she ever had with Marky or Joanne.

Speaking of which, Alex had gotten up earlier, and Maureen could smell the eggs crackling in the pan. "Mmm..."she groaned, "I love breakfast."

She got out of bed and threw on a yellowing terry bathrobe. Not exactly her first choice, but then again, nobody's perfect. Maureen could live without the lap of luxury, no matter how nice it was most of the time.

Alex was standing in the kitchen, clutching the frying pan. "Hey, babe. How do you like these things done?"

Maureen smiled. "Sunny-side-up," she said, emphasizing each word. They kissed.

"Bacon or sausage?"

"Ooooh...sausage, please."

Alex slid in even closer to her. "Toast?"

"Maybe."

Yeah, Maureen thought, I love breakfast.

PS: YES HE WILL BE BACK!!!!!!!!HAHAHA! Bonus props to anyone who can point out the sources of Benny's various odd jobs!

Otherwise, I think the Alex-Maureen thing may be getting serious. I don't know. I have a wedding to plan.

REVIEW PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!