Disclaimer: I don't own Rent or the Life Café.

Well, I felt like writing a little more fluff, so here's a filler chapter :P Must… write… fluff… twitch Anyway, here 'tis. A bit of back-story between the end of La Vie Boheme and when my story begins. Uber-sweet fluff alert; those allergic to absolute adorable-ness should not read

December 25th

"Angel, honey? Can you make it home or will I have to carry you?"

"Ican wallk bymyself, sir…" Angel immediately walked from the door of the Life Café straight into a trash can. "Oh, sorrrry ma'am… didn' hic seewhere you was…"

"Angel, I'm going to have to carry you to your house if you don't sober up quick."

"Fine byme, Collernins…" Angel walked towards Collins, banging shoulders with him. Her lover scooped her up rather easily, continuing the walk home. Soon, Angel's drunken stupor turned into full-fledged sleep, a bit of drool wetting Collins' arm. Smiling, he tipped her head to the side a bit, trying to make her more comfortable. She was still beautiful, even when she was stone drunk.

When he reached Angel's apartment, he lay her down on the bed, wondering whether he should change her into her pajamas or just leave her as-is. He decided on the formal, spying a pair of light blue flannel pajamas sticking out of a drawer. Trying to stare as little at Angel's body as he could, he slipped off her clothes and put the pajamas on her. Since she would feel horrible that morning and probably wouldn't mind, he decided to stay the night so he could take care of her in the morning. He put a glass of water and a bottle of aspirin on the side table next to Angel's bed in preparation for the incredible hangover that would most likely plague his love the next morning.

After Collins had settled into bed, his arms around his lover, the shrill sound of Angel's AZT beeper cut through the beautiful silence. Collins sighed, reaching over to turn off the beeper on the table by the bed, and got up. Why the hell did she make her AZT schedule so fucked up? He asked himself, walking to the bathroom for her AZT bottle. Once he had found it, he tried to wake her so she could take it. When all he was met with was grumbling, he pulled Angel up into a sitting position, forcing the pill into her mouth. She woke up enough for Collins to lift her glass of water to her lips, swallow, and fall back onto the pillow, refusing to be woken again. Collins smiled at his drunken diva, kissing the small droplets of water off of her lips. He settled back into bed for the second time that night, wrapping his arms around Angel and kissing the top of her head.

The next morning, Collins woke groggily, a medley of delicious scents tickling his nose. He sat up, wondering what the smell was. He looked to his side, expecting to see Angel still asleep, but found a note saying "Stay right there – breakfast in bed!" Collins was surprised that Angel wasn't suffering from a horrible hangover; from the looks of it, she hadn't even taken any aspirin! Collins sat up, venturing out into the kitchen, where Angel stood by the stove, in her pajamas and an apron, making huevos rancheros. Collins walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist as he nuzzled her neck.

"Get back to bed, you! I'm paying you back for taking care of me last night, and that is final!"

"Okay, okay… mom!" Angel turned around, waving the spatula at Collins.

"If you don't get back in that bed, mister, I'll…" Collins quieted his Angel with a playful kiss, grabbing the hand that held the spatula.

"I'm going… I bet you just can't wait to have me back in that bed, isn't that right?" Angel gave him a light smack, pointing again back towards her bedroom. As Collins walked back, she gave him a light squeeze on the ass, feigning innocence when he looked back at her. She reverted her attention back to breakfast.

A few minutes later, Angel came in with a tray containing a large bowl of huevos rancheros, two small plates, some mismatched forks and knives, and two glasses of orange juice.

"Eat up. And you better enjoy it!" Angel put the tray down on Collins' lap, tugging off her apron and getting back into bed with Collins. She grabbed a plate, serving herself some huevos rancheros with a large metal spoon sticking out of the bowl. Collins was already digging in, wolfing down the food.

"Believe me, Angel, I am. I didn't know you were such a great cook!"

"Well, you've only known me since yesterday evening, silly!" Collins felt like he had known Angel all of his life, not just for a bit more than half a day. He had never felt this way about anyone before; after all, he had never met anyone else this perfect. A true Angel, his lover had a heart of gold and a soul full of love. And her good looks didn't hurt, either. He felt like he was still in a dream. If I really am dreaming, I hope I never wake up.

After Collins had eaten his fill, Collins set his plate back on the tray, leaning back with a happy sigh. Angel had already finished, so she took the tray into the kitchen, leaving the dishes to wash later. She hurried back to keep Collins company; she just couldn't stay away from her man!

"So, Angel, what IS your secret for beating what I thought would have been the Ultimate Hangover of Doom?"

"Chocolate. It makes anything better, you know!"

"You truly are a woman, Ang."

"And who said that I wasn't?" Angel mocked offense, pouting. Collins laughed.

"No one ever did, my Angel."

"Good. That means one less ass I have to kick. And I wouldn't want to damage yours; it's a valuable asset."

"Is that true?" Collins jokingly looked over himself at his ass, seeming to be sizing it up. "I suppose it is." He pulled Angel in for a kiss, his hands moving down her back to rest on her ass. "I'm rather fond of yours, too." Angel giggled, running her fingers down Collins' chest. She pulled Collins on top of her, gripping the back of his neck to deepen the kiss. They couldn't get each others' clothes off fast enough.

Quite a while later, Angel was snuggled into Collins' arms again. Her head leaned against his chest, her fingers laced with his. She sighed happily, snuggling in closer to her lover.

"Collins?"

"Yes, love?"

"Promise you'll never leave me."

"Why would I do that, Angel?"

"Well, because I'm…" Before she could say the last word, Collins held a finger to her lips.

"Don't worry, Angel. I will be here for you. Always." Satisfied, Angel closed her eyes, sinking into pleasant dreams. Collins kissed the top of her head softly, tenderly.

"'Till death do we part."