(A/N: This is one of my favorites. Enjoy!)

Chapter Two
There's Only Us
Challenge Prompt: Write a Mark and Collins fic

"Well boy," Collins said dropping onto the couch. "Looks like it's just me and you from now on." Mark sighed and nodded, taking a seat next to his friend.

"I just can't believe he's gone...I mean, I knew he'd be going for awhile now, but I guess the reality of it is finally sinking in. It's going to be so...different...around here without him." Mark said thoughtfully as he loosened the tie from around his neck.

"No guitar chords coming out of his room. Nobody to tease you with." Collins said with a sad smirk.

"Nobody to bother about taking his AZT...No one to make coffee for in the morning." Mark added with half of a laugh. Collins nodded and clapped his hand down on Mark's shoulder.

"Well, at least we know he's happy, right?" Mark nodded and bit his lip before turning away from Collins.

"Of course he's happy..." he began quite bitterly. "He's with Mimi, isn't he?"

"What, are you jealous?"

"I don't know...yeah, I guess...a little." Mark struggled as he pulled off his suit jacket and draped it over a chair. "And angry...that he could just leave me here. Alone."

"Well, he couldn't very well take you with him." Collins replied logically. "That's illegal in this state."

"Dammit, I know that! It just---hurts. That he's not coming back."

"I understand, boy. But can you try to be happy for him? You were crying pretty hard back at the church."

"I am trying. You have no idea how hard I'm trying. But to be here in this loft without him---" Mark trailed off. "There's just so much here that we had together. Memories...you know?"

"Marky, you sound like you're in love with him or something." Collins teased.

"No! Collins stop it! Of course I'm not in love with him. He was like my brother."

"But you did love him?"

"He was my best friend since grade school Of course I loved him."

"Well, it's not like you're never going to see him again. You can go down there and talk to him whenever you want."

"I know...but...I---ah...whatever." Mark sighed. "I guess we should start packing up his stuff, huh?"

"Yeah. I guess." Collins agreed. "You know, he's lucky he's got such great friends."

"Well," Mark laughed. "I told him this was the only gift he was getting from me. I can't afford vacuum cleaners and blenders and

God only knows what other shit was on that list. Although I'd gladly give them my mother's hotplate."

"Come on, Mark." Collins laughed as he started throwing Roger's notebooks into the box in front of him. "Let's get a move on. Roger and Mimi will be back from the hotel tomorrow morning. We should have these all moved downstairs before then." Mark nodded and started packing Roger's clothes.

"I still can't believe he got married. I never thought Roger Davis would settle down."