Disclaimer: I don't own Rent. I don't even rent Rent. It's all Jonathan Larson's.

A/N: Yay, time for another chapter. I have I few things to point out. I HAVE been trying to section off Mark and Marli's POV. It unfortunately, has not been working. Any help you can offer would be much appreciated. Also, Marli does NOT know why Mark and Maureen broke up. She just knows that they did. Obviously, Mark is a bit embarrassed that Maureen left him for another girl. Thanks to burn to emerge for pointing this out for me! If you have any questions don't hesitate to review and ask! I will be sure to answer them, as long as you ask nicely!

And without further ado:

CHAPTER FIVE

Mark held the heavy script in his hand, breathless. The script had everything his documentaries had worked to express in it. All the raw, powerful emotions and every single rise and fall. It was all there. He felt like he needed to direct it. He felt as if he owed to himself and every single bohemian artist ever to direct it. He owed it to the world to allow them a glimpse into this life. He had stayed up all night reading the script and he was absolutely compelled to direct it. Without any hesitation he picked up the phone and dialed Marli's number quickly, hurriedly.

"Hello?" Marli's voice chirped through the phone and he felt like a complete girl when he began to melt.

"Hi Marli, it's me, Mark," he said, taking a large gulp of air before continuing. "I just stayed up all night reading your script, and I think it's absolutely fantastic. I have decided that I owe it to myself, to everyone really, to direct it."

There was a pause. He was petrified that Marli may have hung up on him. "Hello? Marli? Are you there?"

"Yeah, Mark, I'm here. I was just absolutely shocked that you said yes. Would you like to meet at my agent's office for negotiations?"

"Sure, that sound's great."

Marli gave him directions and told him to be there promptly at 12. As he hung up his phone, Mark felt a frisson of delight. His big break! Welcome to the big times, Mark. Isn't it grand?

Marli waited in her agent's office. Once again, she was ten minutes early. Her agent couldn't believe it when she waltz in, perfectly primped, a full ten minutes early. In fact, Marli had to catch him when he fainted (mind you, not an easy task when you are 5'5" and weight 120 pounds, catching your 6'7" and 200 pound agent.). She began to toy with her necklace, her favorite nervous habit behind biting her nails.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity (but had been about five minutes,) Mark walked in. He had an adorable grin on his adorable face. Marli felt he stomach start flipping and flopping about. She had a dumb grin on her pretty face and she turned the exact same color of her bright pink top. She was giddy with excitement. Mark seemed to be experiencing the same exhilaration.

Her agent, ever the killjoy, immediately took out Mark's contract, which Mark accepted and began to look over with a black woman, whom Marli hadn't noticed before. She assumed that she was his lawyer. Apparently someone named Marli had not been paying attention during the introductions.

Eventually, the long, boring contract session was over. She shook hands with his lawyer, who's name, she found was Joanne. She was a good lawyer. Very straightforward and down-to-business. She had to remember to ask Mark for her business card. She was a bit less formal with Mark. He gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek, and as he did so, she swore that her heart began to soar. As they were about to leave, Mark asked if he could have a word alone with me. Of course, there were no objections.

"Marli? I was wondering if you wanted to grab some dinner tonight? It's the least I can do to thank you for everything." He asked this nervously, playing with the fringe of his scarf.

"Yeah, I'd like that a lot," she said, blushing a bright pink once more.

"So we'll meet at the Life at around, eight?"

"Sounds perfect."

Mark spent a long time getting ready to see Marli. He felt like a girl, but at least Roger wasn't there to criticize him for it. He just liked her so much. And he hoped that this dinner would help her see. Mark Cohen wasn't all work. Now and then, he liked to play. He finally put on his scarf and left. Hoping to get there before Marli, he sprinted off to meet her at the Life Café.

Mark was just about to reach for the door to the café when a perfectly manicured hand grabbed the handle. He looked up to see Marli, in all her glory.

"Fancy seeing you here," she smirked.

"Hey stranger," he kissed her on the cheek.

Being a Friday, the café was expected to be crowded. Finally, they were seated. They had, in Mark's opinion anyway, yet another magical night together. It almost felt like they were back in college, write down to how much he liked her. In fact now it was safe to say that he officially loved her. The conversation carried on.

"So," Marli started, "why did you and Maureen break up?"

"Well, it's just a tad bit embarrassing…"

"Please tell me, Marky-Poo. I promise never ever to tell." She gave him her best puppy dog eyes, and he swore his insides became a puddle.

"Well, she broke up with me. For another woman."

"OH MY GOD! Who?"

"Joanne," he said dryly.

"Joanne. As in your lawyer Joanne?"

"Yes, that Joanne." Once he said this Marli began to laugh. Her soft, almost silent giggle haunted him like there was no tomorrow. "What?" He asked.

"It's just ironic. That's all."

"Tell me about it."

They continued to chat and finally, the decided to pay the check and leave the café. They left and began to chat. Then, without thinking about it, without planning it at all, he kissed Marli. To his surprise, she kissed back. They broke apart and she giggled. "Mark Cohen, I have always loved you. Ever since that first day back at Brown."

"Marli Ryan, I too have loved you since then. And I'm sorry I've been too much of an idiot to act on it."

"I forgive you." She placed her hand in his and they started walking. Behind them, a person was being mugged. But when you're in love, even the grungiest streets of the East Village seem like paradise on Earth. They walked a few more paces before leaning in for another kiss. They kissed for what could've been minutes, or perhaps a few days before a certain someone broke it apart.

"Mark, is that you? Where the hell have you been man?" It was Roger speaking, his girlfriend Mimi at his side. It took Roger a while before he processed what had happened. "Who is this?" He asked, pointing to Marli, "and what the hell were you doing with her?"

"I'm Marli Ryan, Mark's new girlfriend. And you are?" Marli didn't even bother waiting for Mark to introduce her. She took charge for herself, thank you very much.

"I'm Roger, Mark's roommate. This," he gestured to the girl at his side, "is my girlfriend, Mimi."

"It's very nice to meet you both. I'm glad I met you. At least this isn't the most awkward it could be," she let out a little giggle.

"No shit. It's nice to meet you. You'll be good for Mark. I can tell."

"It was really nice to meet you. I look forward to seeing you again." Mimi had finally spoken up.

Mark really hoped Roger and Mimi liked Marli. After all, she'd be around a lot. He took Marli's hand and they began to walk more.

"Mark? Do you want to come stay at my apartment tonight? Nothing sleazy, I promise. I just feel like we still have so much catching up to do."

"I'd like that. I'd like that a lot."

For fifteen minutes, they tried in vain to get a cab back uptown. It wasn't going to happen. Not even the toughest cabbies came around here this time of night. Marli was getting very frustrated, mumbling about how cabbies should come here. He wasn't sure why she was so anxious to get home. After all, Marli Ryan was a classy girl. And she had said nothing sleazy, right?

"You know what, Mar? What about you staying at my loft tonight? We're never going to catch a cab uptown."

"Sure." And so they walked to his loft hand-in-hand. And they got there in a much shorter time than the amount they had spent trying to catch a cab. They talked for a while, until Marli leaned in and kissed him. It was more rushed, more hurried. Who knew, maybe Marli would be just a little sleazy tonight.

A/N: Another chapter gone. I'm very, very proud of this chapter. I like it a lot. What do you think? Review as always. And how did you like Roger's appearance. I know it was short, but this chapter was kind of a building chapter. A lot more will happen next chapter, I promise.