Author's Note: Whoa. 94 reviews! I love you all! I loved to read all your responses to the last chapter. Thanks to everyone who offered help with Civilian. DreamingToThis is going to give me the songs (either on CD or via yahoo messenger). So a sequel will happen! Anyways. Here it is. Second to the last chapter. Not too fond of it. Life goes on. Enjoy! (By the way, I told you I'd update on Wednesay.)

CHAPTER ELEVEN: Rhyme and Reason

I'm standing here pleading

And you just cover your eyes

-- Rhyme and Reason

Roger has seen TV shows and movies where people who are feeling incredibly frustrated start smacking their heads against walls and desk. He, personally, has never felt like that. Until now. Things had been going so well … Roger knows where he screwed up. He isn't stupid, after all. He just doesn't understand why.

With a groan, Roger rolls over on the couch to block out the morning light. He hasn't slept at all. How could he? All that he can think about is Mark, and if he is alright. Roger feels like smacking himself. Of course Mark isn't alright. He clenches his eyes shut and fades into one of his fitful sleeps.

--

Mark pulls his jacket tighter around himself as he walks towards the loft. February is moving on to March, and with that comes sharp winds. Mark wishes he grabbed his scarf last night. He looks down to the ground, feeling horrible about simply leaving the loft. He doesn't think it was the right thing to do. Then again, it wasn't right of Roger to do what he did.

A scowl finds its way on to Mark's face, and it is directed at a rock that is kicked aside by Mark's shoe. When he looks up, Mark sees that he is almost at the loft. His pace slows down considerably. He starts preparing himself for anything that can happen. He's even preparing himself for things that most likely won't happen.

With slow, careful precision, Mark climbs up the stairs to the loft. He slides open the door a bit and peers inside, then walks inside. He notices Roger lying on the couch, asleep (amazingly not falling off), and thinks it's better not to wake him. Moving around silently, Mark takes off his jacket and pours himself a bowl of Cap'n Crunch. His eyes move towards the couch when he hears Roger waking up.

Roger stretches once his eyes are open, and he sits up. After giving a small yawn, he sits still for a moment, thinking about things. He stands up – stretching again – then goes to get a glass of water. He pauses when he sees Mark.

Mark looks at Roger, trying to read his face. He comes up with nothing.

"Morning," Mark says.

Roger swallows a bit. His mouth has gone dry.

"Morning." It's all he thinks he can manage to say. He doesn't even think he can move.

Mark quickly notices that this is going nowhere. He puts down his spoon and gives the tiniest of sighs.

"About me leaving last night … I … Should've stayed here instead of running off like that. Sorry."

"You're sorry?" Roger blinks.

"Yes, I am. Is there something wrong with that?" Mark looks a bit annoyed. He hates it when people don't take his apologies seriously.

"Mark, you didn't do anything! I …" Roger suddenly loses his voice again. He looks to his feet. "I got carried away … I didn't want to … I'm the one here who should be apologizing."

Mark shakes his head.

"I knew you were sorry long before I even got back here, Roger. It's … Whatever it is, it's done now. It happened. We've got a strong enough bond to get over it." Mark smiles a bit.

Roger's smile is smaller, and tense. He wants to agree with Mark, but he knows that it won't be so easy. He just nods in response.

"You should get some sleep, Rog. You look dead."

Out of natural habit, Roger shoots Mark a sarcastic look. But he listens to the other man, and goes into his bedroom. As soon as the door is shut, Mark runs a hand through his hair.

--

Over the next few days, things are more than awkward. When Mark and Roger are in the same room together, they avoid each other. When they talk, the conversation isn't much. When one goes to hug the other, or kiss, or anything physical, it is met by unfeeling emotion. Day to day life is hardly the same, despite their best efforts.

Mark and Roger are sitting on the couch, Mark with his camera, Roger with his guitar. The only thing that is keeping them from being silent is the occasional chord from Roger. Mark swallows and looks at Roger. What he has to say cannot be postponed much longer.

"Roger … Can I … Talk to you about something?"

Roger merely nods. His attention at the moment is too much focused on his music, and he's sure that Mark is going to say something uninteresting.

"I think one of us needs to leave. Just for a bit."

It is the hardest thing Mark has ever had to say, and it catches Roger's attention instantly. He turns to look at Mark with unblinking eyes and frowns.

"What do you mean? Why?"

"Don't play stupid, Rog. Things haven't been … They're not normal anymore. We keep blocking each other's efforts … It's too … Awkward. I think we need a break from each other."

Roger simply stares. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he knows Mark's right. Hell, he's been thinking it, too. What other way was there to stop an addiction than to stay away from it?

"… I … Guess." Roger didn't want to give up that easily. "Isn't there something else to do?"

"If there was, I'd suggest it." Mark looks down sadly. "I've already started packing my things."

Roger hardly heard Mark, but the impact of the words were strong. He was sure Mark would ask him to leave. He didn't want to be left alone in the loft. He looks to the floor. Years of friendship are coming to an end. Neither Mark nor Roger ever thought they'd be separated until death.

"It's not forever, though." Mark's words are quick and rushed. "I mean … Just a couple of weeks or something. To sort things out."

Roger looks at Mark and grins a bit.

"Just a couple of weeks … We can do that."

"Yes." Mark grins a bit as well. He stands up. "I'll go pack some more then."

"Don't pack for a long time. Just a couple of weeks."

"I don't have enough stuff to pack for one week."

Mark and Roger laugh together uncomfortably, and Roger watches Mark retreat to his room.

Author's Note: Thoughts and comments? Let me know! One more chapter to go guys!