Disclaimer: I do not own anything RENT, all belongs to Jonathan Larson.

To Hell and Back

Roger was lying in the bathtub with the needle in his hand. He began to push it into his arm until he heard:

"ROGER!"

It was Mimi. How did they find me? Collins broke the door down and ran inside the bathroom, followed by the others.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" screamed Mark. Collins lifted Roger out of the tub with a struggle. Mimi grabbed the needle from his hand and smashed it onto the floor. There were liquor bottles on the floor and Roger could barely hold himself up.

Collins laid Roger on the bed and made sure Roger was breathing steadily. Joanne was holding Maureen's hand, and Mark was pacing around the room. Roger was a little inebriated, so the others watched him as he slept. When he woke up later that night, he saw Mimi sleeping on the other side of the bed. Maureen and Joanne were sharing a chair in the corner and were fast asleep. Mark and Collins were sleeping on the floor.

They did this, for me. He felt a twinge of guilt. I'm not taking the easy way out anymore, I owe it to them. I feel like such an asshole for putting them through this.

Mimi felt him stir and woke up a few minutes later. Roger stood by the window and looked down at the city below. Mimi walked over to him.

"Roger?" she asked softly.

He turned around startled and said "Mimi, look, I'm so sorr-." She put a finger over his lips and looked into his eyes.

"Shh, baby its ok. We were all so worried about you. I understand, why you didn't tell me. I wouldn't have judged you. I know why you're hurting. I'm so glad we got here in time, I couldn't live without you" she said sincerely.

"I just wish you didn't see me this way" said Roger.

"Roger, you're human. I wish you'd open up to me, I don't bite" Mimi said. She giggled at little. "It's ok to be vulnerable and open sometimes. I want to know about your past. I'm looking for baggage that goes with mine, remember?"

"After everything I've put you through when you were using, after all the things I've said and all the times I've left. Why do you love me Mimi? You could have anyone. You could have so much better" said Roger.

"Why would I want better when I have the best?" said Mimi. "Roger, I love you because you're creative, sensitive, thought you don't like showing it" she said then playfully punched his arm. "You're caring and thoughtful. And I deserved the hell you put me through; I should have stopped using a long time ago. We always look for an easy way out, an escape. It's human nature. I love your eyes, your smile. I love you Roger Davis and that's all there is to it" she finished.

Roger just looked at Mimi, amazed. No one had ever needed him or loved him that much in his whole life. Not April. Not his groupies. Not even his own parents.

"I love you too Mimi Marquez" said Roger.

They kissed for a while, then went back to sleep. The sun crept through the window at daybreak, and everyone began waking up. They all looked at Roger for a moment, and then he said "I know, I deserve it, let's hear it"

But instead of being reprimanded, they all hugged him, one by one.

When it was Maureen's turn, she was a little nervous.

"I'm so sorry I made you do this Roger. I'm sorry I brought up April and said those horrible things." she said.

"No Maureen, you didn't. You were right all along, it as all my fault, it's time I start taking some accountability. I need to grow up and start facing my past and my problems I'm sorry I said what I said. I don't think you're evil or a killer." Roger said.

"I understand" said Maureen. Then they embraced. And it wasn't awkward or faked, it was genuine.