Disclaimer: I do not own anything RENT, all belongs to Jonathan Larson.
This is the last chapter; I hope you've enjoyed this story!
Going Home
The walk back to the loft was about sixteen blocks, and everyone was quiet. There was light snow fall on the ground, and the air had a bite to it. All of the Bohemians seemed content, Roger most of all. He held Mimi's hand and whispered to her every so often. After a couple of blocks, The Man was standing on a street corner. He spotted them and made his way over.
"Davis, I've got more of what you want right here. You know I'm always open for business" he said with his trademark snake-like smirk.
"Get lost asswipe" said Mimi fiercely.
"Shut your mouth slut! Soon enough you'll come running back to me too, just like lover boy over here" he replied.
"HEY!" said Roger. He pushed the Man. "For your information, I didn't use it, so you're wasting your time here. And don't you ever speak to her that way again!" he said. Roger was nose to nose with the Man now.
"Whoa, take it easy" the Man said. He grinned the whole time he said this. "Come on Davis" whispered the Man to Roger. "Remember how it made you feel? How nothing could touch you? All the pain disappeared…"
Before the Man could finish his sales pitch, Collins stepped in between them and stood there. He towered over the Man and looked at him very sternly. The Man began to back up.
"I think he already gave his answer. I don't want to see a lowlife like you around my family anymore, understand? I'm sick of son-of-a-bitches like you trying to destroy people's lives to gain money in this city. So if I find you around any of us again you'll be eating through a tube, get it?" said Collins. He then stepped forward quickly, causing the Man to jump and fall backwards. The Bohemians laughed and walked away as the Man was still shouting behind them.
"You're pathetic Davis. You need your friends to protect you! They won't always be around. You'll be back you reject, you hear me!"
None of them turned back and soon they were at the loft.
"I'll make us all some tea" said Mark. He walked into the kitchen and began getting mugs and teabags out.
Roger, exhausted, just sat on the couch. Mimi joined him a moment later. She took his hand and leaned into his shoulder. He smiled to himself as he watched her fall asleep. He kissed her forehead softly and was careful to move her gently when he got up. He walked into the kitchen where everyone was standing, drinking their teas.
"Guys?" Roger said after a moment. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure Roger, anything" said Mark.
"How close was I?" he asked.
"How close were you to what?" said Joanne.
"How close was I to killing myself?" Roger said.
"What do you mean kill yourself?" said Maureen.
"I bought a speedball mix which I knew would be lethal. I was intending on dying last night…" Roger said. He looked at the floor. He was really glad Mimi was sleeping right now.
No one said anything for a couple of minutes. All of them stared at Roger.
"You were very close. The needle was in your arm man, all you had to do was push" said Collins.
"And, who took it away from me?" asked Roger.
"Mimi did. I've never seen her like that before. She just sprang into action" said Maureen.
"How did she look, like her face, her eyes" said Roger.
"Like her whole world was about to die" said Joanne.
Roger sighed deeply. I can't believe I've done this.
"Don't worry, we got there in time, don't beat yourself up over this" said Collins.
"How do you know I would?" asked Roger.
"Because you're Roger Davis, which means it's like embedded in your personality" said Mark.
Roger laughed quietly to himself. "This is true" he said.
Mimi woke a few minutes later and was standing in the doorway. She rubbed her eyes and said "Babe, why did you leave?"
Roger walked over to her and put his arms around her.
"I never left baby, I'm right here" he said softly.
THE END