Chapta 2, foo'.

Disclaima: I dun own nuthin' from Rent, bit.

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Roger swung out of Mimi's apartment, the note pocketed carefully. His mind whirred with ideas of what he could possibly do for Mimi when she returned, figuring it wouldn't be long until she did so. It was 12:30, and she didn't usually check in to the club until 5 or so. She'd come back here for a few hours, wouldn't she?

He hoped so.

But the question still remained… What could he do for her? He didn't exactly have spare change to buy her anything, nor was there much material to make her something. He entered the loft and moved to the window, staring quietly out the dusty windows. He continued doing so for a moment, falling into an oblivious daze, and only coming back to reality when he saw Mimi's crying figure scurrying toward the building. His eyes widened, his face leaning closer to the glass. "Mimi…" he breathed, nearly grinning. However, the smile was short lived when a car rounded the corner just as Mimi begun to walk across—

"MIMI!"

The girl paused, glancing up at Roger's window. She smiled through her tears, lifted a hand to wave, than—

BEEEEE—

The car's horn blasted into her left ear and she jerked her head toward the automobile, freezing like a deer in headlights. The car screeched to a halt in front of her, nudging against her hips slightly.

That had been close.

Within the next 30 seconds, Roger had rushed out from the loft and down the stairs, running out from the building and into the street next to a sobbing Mimi.

"Hell, Mimi, come on—Let's get inside," he muttered quietly, wrapping his arms around her. She turned her body against his, burying her face into the crook of his neck while she cried.

The car beeped its horn again, and a very angry construction worker poked his head out of the driver's window. "Get out of the bloody road, bums!" he snarled, slamming his palm against the horn a few more times.

Roger through the driver a vicious glare, pulling Mimi and himself back onto the sidewalk. He watched the car pass before turning his face down to the girl, frowning in concern. "Mimi, whats wrong? I hope I hadn't hur—"

"It's not you," Mimi murmured into his neck. She moved from him, her face turned away as she entered the building wordlessly.

"…" Now, Roger was confused.

Something must have happened at Cat Scratch…

Roger followed Mimi, surprised to see her flee to the loft rather than her own room. She left the door open, practically flew across the room, than crashed into the couch, bawling.

Roger slid in after her, shutting the door. His eyebrows curved down, face contorting with worry. He quietly walked to her, sitting down on the couch.

"Mimi, talk to me… What happened?"

The dancer rolled on the couch, sitting up. She wiped her face of wetness, than sighed miserably.

"What happened to you?" Roger repeated, leaning to her and cupping her face, thumb stroking away leftover tears.

Mimi's heart fluttered to his touch. Her dark eyes drifted toward him, than closed.

"My boss threatened to fire me."

Roger's blood ran cold. His hand moved away, his eyes widening. "Why? What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything!" Mimi shouted, throwing her forehead to her hands, groaning and tearing once more. "He says I've been losing my… enthusiasm or some BS like that. It's because I'm in withdrawal from drugs. Being off them is good for me, but its making me a little crazy, and—"

"Meems, don't worry about it," Roger whispered in her ear.

Mimi shuddered, lifting her head to look at him and his smile.

"I understand you might not be yourself because of what you're going through. But it won't hurt to change your mood around, as hard as it is. Instead of being depressed from your withdrawal, find happiness in it. Rowdiness, even. Because you're getting better, not that you're being deprived of something. Just change your perspective, and things'll look up, okay?"

Mimi blinked, then frowned.

"Trust me. You'll keep your job, drug-free. Everything will be okay," Roger assured her.

Mimi grinned through the tears, than sighed, rolling her eyes and throwing her hands up slightly. "Oh-kay. I'll give it a try."

"Great."

"Thanks, Rog…"

Mimi leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, hands snaking up to the sides of his face, closing her eyes. Roger smiled into the kiss, holding her against him as they slid down onto the couch.

……………

5:30 PM.

Mimi's eyes slid open. She smiled groggily, still half-asleep; resting on Roger's napping self. She kept her ear to his chest, listening to the soft beat of his heart, a warm feeling cascading throughout her. Hearing his heartbeat somehow put her at ease, and apparently also into an ignorant state.

She should have left for work at least half an hour ago.

Not realizing this, she slowly pushed herself up, planting her face in front of Roger's.

"Wake up babe…" she muttered in a silky voice, her breath swarming around the man's head. Roger's eyes fluttered open, and he suddenly seemed particularly startled to see her there for the second time today.

"Mimi…" he said softly, his eyes narrowing in a gentle manner.

Mimi's grin spread across her face widely, eyebrows raising. "Yeah?..."

"You're late for work."

The grin dropped. Mimi's eyes grew to the size of plates and she leaned back, smacking her forehead.

"SHIT."

Roger leaned up as well, pushing Mimi's shoulders up to help her stand. "You better run," he murmured, and she nodded.

"I can't believe we--…fell asleep…"

She rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly, Roger blushing. "Yeah, I'm sorry. …So, …um… you… should leave, I guess."

She nodded, turning toward the door. "Well, I'll see you later, Rog." She began to walk away, but paused at the doorway to give a backward glance to him.

"Are you coming to visit me tonight?"

"…At the Club?"

"Yeah."

"…Would you like me too?"

"It might help my 'enthusiasm'…"

A smile grew across her face again. Roger looked liable to laugh, though he never did, and simply nodded his head. "Sure, I'll be down in a few."

"Meet you there…" Mimi said cheerfully, waving slightly as she walked out of the loft and disappearing.

"…I love you…" Roger sighed to the empty room, the smile falling from his face as he looked to the window. His arms folded tediously, nose wrinkling as a draft seemed to wisp through the desolate place. He shuddered upon receiving a chill, than shook his head, moving off to find his shoes.

Somehow, he predicted a long night ahead…

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End Chapta 2, 'gummybear.

Whats going to go down at the Cat Scratch Club?

MYSTERY TIME.

Owned.

R3birth signing off.