Author's Note: Sorry guys, I forgot to add this note earlier. A question was asked before and yes, this takes place Post-Rent now. The incident that happened in the prologue carried over.

Chapter Two:

"Are you okay?" Mimi asked as she moved her body closer to Roger's on the bed.

"Yeah," Roger answered, "Just thinking."

"You always have this look when something is bothering you," the dancer said, "You had that look just now."

Roger sighed and pulled Mimi flush against him, burying his face in her hair. And he hugs her tight because he didn't know what to say to her, how to tell her that last night he had a dream that was far too real to just be a dream. As he ran a hand down her back, he sighed again.

"It's really bothering you, isn't it?" Mimi asked, a look of concern etched on her delicate features.

"It was just a stupid dream," Roger answered, pressing a kiss to the younger girl's forehead, "Just a dream."

"I'm guessing you don't want to tell me what it's about?"

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay, baby. I understand."

And as they laid in bed together, Roger's mind kept wandering back to his dream, wandering back to the darkness and the image of the ones he loved leaving him, dying and simply just fading away. It scared him and he wondered if the feeling, of fear and emptiness that he had felt in the pit of his stomach, was the same feeling that Mark felt. Did Mark feel as bad as he did, knowing that more than half his friends would die before him?

"Let's go out, baby," Mimi whispered, pressing her lips to Roger's, "Maybe it'll make you feel better."

Reluctantly, the musician answered, "Yeah, let's get out of here."

Mark had seen Roger and Mimi leaving the building, but he didn't rush up to greet them. Instead he stood out of sight until they disappeared around the corner. With his camera clutched tightly in his hands, he made his way to the loft, up the stairs, and home. He let the door slide shut as he set his camera and bag down.

Without removing his jacket or scarf, he sat down on the worn sofa, staring at the door. He didn't know what to do in the quiet loft. He really hadn't shot any footage and he didn't feel like editing any of the film that he had developed recently. The fact that he didn't feel like working scared him.

The phone ringing caused him to jump in his seat.

The answering machine clicked on, "Speak!"

Shit, I'm driving myself crazy, Mark thought as he made himself relax, his heart still pounding.

"Hey, bitches!" Collins' unmistakable voice came through loud and clear, "Calling to see if you guys want to go to the Life. Pick up the phone if you're there, Mark."

The filmmaker got up and quickly picked up the phone, knowing fully well what the professor wanted to talk to him about, "Hey, Collins."

"Hey, man, how you doing?"

"I'm… I don't know," Mark answered truthfully, "Just strange."

"That was a hell of a storm last night. Is Roger there?"

"Yeah, I know and no, he's not."

"Everything okay?"

"I broke my favorite mug, if that's what you're asking."

"Want me to get you a new one?"

"If you can somehow find one exactly like it, then be my guest."

"So, you want to take up my offer for the Life? My treat."

"Been rewiring ATMs again?"

"I actually have a job, you know."

"Then I'll take you up on your offer. Half an hour?"

"Sure thing."

Forty-five minutes later, Mark and Collins sat in a booth at the life. The filmmaker was absentmindedly stirring the tea he had ordered while the professor sipped his coffee.

"So, what's bothering you?" Collins finally asked as he sat back in his seat, "And don't tell me nothing cause you've been staring at that cup since we got here."

Mark sighed as he brought the cup to his lips. Taking a sip, he slowly spoke, almost as if he were searching for the words, "Roger was there last night. He started asking questions."

The professor instantly sat up straighter, "Did you say…"

"No, I avoided the questions," Mark answered, "But I know he'll keep asking me, eventually anyway."

"So, what are you going to do about it?"

"I have no idea. I can't explain it to him without giving myself away and that's not what I want to do. Not now, not when everything is finally right again for him."

"You can't always spare his feelings, Mark."

"I know. I just… I just think it's too much."

"You don't have to do anything you don't feel like doing."

"I know that."

And as Mark sipped his tea and Collins drank his coffee, they fell into a somber silence.

"Baby, look over there!" a familiar voice called out, causing Mark and Collins to look in the direction of the door.

There stood Mimi and Roger. The dancer was smiling and waving, while Roger looked slightly indifferent. The two made their way over the already occupied booth. Collins gave a laugh as he scooted over to make room for their incoming friends.

"What are you guys doing here?" Mimi asked as she pushed Roger into the seat next to Mark, herself sitting down beside Collins.

"Meems, we're always here," Mark said with a smile.

"Yeah, but you usually don't order anything," the dancer smirked.

"Collins said he was going to treat me, so I took him up on his offer," Mark answered as he took a sip from his cup.

"You mean like a date?"

Mark nearly choked on his tea, causing Collins to laugh deeply and loudly. Even Roger couldn't help but smile at the expression on the filmmaker's face. Mark coughed as he put down his cup, wiping away the liquid that had dripped down his chin. He was blushing so much that it was hard for his friends not to continue laughing.

"That wasn't funny," Mark said, clearing his throat.

"The look on your face was priceless," Mimi smiled, her eyes dancing mischievously.

The filmmaker rolled his eyes, "I can see why Roger picked you."

"Aw, Mark, you don't have to be jealous. I know how to share."

Mark looked to Collins for a little assistance, but the professor just held up his hands, knowing he wouldn't be able to do anything. He gave Roger a nudge, hoping to escape from the booth before any of them could embarrass him further. No such luck.

"This isn't funny," Mark said as he sank down as far as he could in his seat. It was one of those moments he wished he could reach into his bag and pull out his camera so he wouldn't have to look at the goofy expressions on his friends' faces.

"Come on, let's order some food!" Mimi exclaimed, "How long has it been since we all sat down together and eaten?"

"Probably a few weeks," Collins answered.

"I don't really feel like eating anything," Mark interjected, again trying to get Roger to move so that he could get out, "Can I get out?"

"You're eating," Roger said as more of a command than a statement.

"I'm fine, Rog."

"You didn't eat last night or this morning, don't think I didn't pay attention."

"Roger…"

"Mark."

"I'm not getting into this with you," Mark said, with an exasperated sigh, "Now can you please move so I can get out?"

"I just think--"

"Roger," this time it was Collins' voice, gentle yet stern.

Hesitantly, Roger scooted out of his seat so Mark could get by. The filmmaker thanked him with a grateful smile, but the musician couldn't help but feel as if he should have held his friend back.

"Look, if you really want me to eat, why don't you bring some food home?" Mark suggested as he pulled his camera from his bag, "That way I can have something to eat when I get home later, at least."

"Okay, but you had better eat it," Roger said.

Mark smiled, "I promise. I'll catch you guys later."

Roger watched as the filmmaker walked out of the restaurant, then turned to the professor, "Why'd you just let him go?"

"You can't make him do what he doesn't want to do," Collins answered, "He's a grown man, Roger. I know he's your best friend and you want to be there for him every once in a while, but you have to respect his wishes as well."

"Oh," the musician suddenly found great interest in the menu, even thought he wasn't quite paying attention to it.

Something bothered Roger and he knew that some small part of it had to do with him. He knew, but couldn't bring himself to voice it. Maybe I should talk to Mark tonight, he thought as he set down his menu, already knowing that he would order what he always got.

Author's Note: Please leave a review if you enjoyed or found a flaw! Thank you )