A/N: Here's Chapter 4...enjoy! Most of the chapter is a flashback, in italics. Again, and as always, reviews are love.
Mark took a deep breath. "It was about 3 years ago. A couple of months after April died." Roger winced slightly at the mention of her name. "You weren't doing so well…"
Mark sat on the couch in the loft, staring at the door to Roger's room. He needed to do something. He couldn't let Roger go on killing himself like this. They'd just lost April. Maureen had moved out. Collins was teaching at MIT. Benny had moved in with Alison. Roger didn't have anyone but Mark to help him. Mark sighed and walked over to the door. "Rog?" He knocked twice before opening the door. Roger was passed out on the bed; fresh track marks on his arms, and fresh tear stains on his face. Mark pulled the blanket up over Roger's sleeping form, vowing to talk to him when he woke up.
A few hours later, Mark heard Roger stirring. He decided to take this opportunity, knowing that Roger was at his most lucid just after waking up. He wouldn't be high, and he wouldn't be shaking from withdrawal. Again, Mark knocked twice and opened the door. "Roger, we need to talk."
For a moment, a bit of the old Roger shone through. "Are you breaking up with me, Mark?"
Mark smiled, enjoying that all-too-rare demonstration of Roger's sense of humor. "No, Rog, you're not getting rid of me that easily. Sit down." Mark gestured to the bed, sitting down himself. "I'm worried about you. You've got to start taking better care of yourself. You need to start taking your AZT, and you need to get off the heroin." Mark reached out and touched Roger's arm gently. "I can see if we can get enough money together to get you into rehab, but it'll be tough."
Roger shook his head, not looking at Mark, tears gently falling down his face. "I can't take your money, Mark. I've made my bed, now I have to lie in it. I've got to do this on my own."
Mark reached out and raised Roger's head in order to look into his eyes. "You're not alone, Roger, I'll be here every step of the way." Mark had never seen Roger look so helpless. He wrapped his arms around him into a tight hug. "No matter what, I'll be here for you. You're my best friend – my brother. I wouldn't know what to do without you. I've been going crazy enough without hearing 'Musetta's Waltz' 73 times every day." The mention of the song made Roger crack a watery smile.
"I'm scared, Mark. I've seen what withdrawal can do."
"You've also seen what addiction can do, Roger. I won't let you end up like that."