Author's Note: If there's one thing I've learned in the ten or so years I've been writing fan fiction, it's to let a story write itself. So I can tell you here and now, this story is completely writing itself. I don't know whether Marky will live or die, I'll know within the next few chapters. And I know which I way I'm leaning but still...Also no, Marky doesn't have AIDS, sorry guys--although you'll find out what he does by the end of this chapter. Also I apologize for any medical inaccuracy at the beginning of this chapter and Mark's treatment; I'm not a nurse yet, so I don't know how'd they would treat him. Everything else about his disease comes straight from I'm glad you're all enjoying this, I wasn't actually expecting these many reviews! Thanks!

Chapter 2

It seemed like they'd been waiting for hours, as they sat and waited for something, anything from the doctors or nurses. Finally as if an answer to his prayers, a tall bulky man, with pale blue eyes and dark brown hair stepped out from behind the ER doors, he was dressed in green scrubs, and more blood than Roger was sure Mark had in his body. It was a disturbing sight, but it was obvious the man had no other option.

"Doctor?" Collins asked as he took a stand.

"I'm Doctor Beckett, are any of you relatives to Mark Cohen?"

"I'm Roger Davis, his roommate, and we're the closest things to family he has. How's Mark?"

The doctor took a deep breath and nodded, "We've stabilized him for now. We had to do an emergency operation on him to stop the internal bleeding. However, we've stopped the bleeding, we've got him on medication to slow the bleeding down and help it clot a little better. We're also pumping blood into him. We're going to keep him for a few days, we're running a battery of tests, some completely standard to make sure he has no other injuries we don't know about."

"You said some were ordinary—what are the others for?" Benny questioned.

"Roger you said?" The doctor paused at Roger's nod, "Why don't I speak with you privately, the rest of you can go in and see him for a few moments, he looks pretty banged up, but it's worse than it appears."

Mimi opened her mouth to protest, but Benny grabbed her hand tightly, sensing there was more to what the doctor wanted to say. "Come on Mimi, Roger will tell us later. Let's just go see Mark; I'm sure he could use a friend."

She paused a moment, eyeing her boyfriend, before allowing Benny and the others to lead her into the ER. Once they'd disappeared Roger turned back to the doctor and watched him quizzically for a moment, "What's wrong with my best friend?"

"We have reason to believe that Mark might be showing the early symptoms of Leukemia."

Roger felt the world suddenly fall out from under him, his heard sped up, and his breath came in harsh gasps as he was forcefully pushed into one of the chairs, his head shoved between his knees. "That's it lad, deep calming breaths," the Doctor instructed.

After a few silently gut wrenching moments, Roger raised his head and looked back at Dr. Beckett, "Leukemia? As in cancer?"

"It's a type of cancer yes; as I said we're running a battery of tests on him to determine how far along the Leukemia is and what type. There is a good chance that if we've caught it early enough; he will survive and it won't return. In the several hours I was with Mark, and the short period of time he was awake, he kept asking for you. I take it your close?"

"Probably closer than brothers," whispered Roger as he felt his eyes burning again.

"Good; Roger, I'm going to tell you this: he's going to need you now, especially; more than anyone else. I'd like you to be there for some of the tests, some are more painful than others."

"All right, when are you going to start these tests?"

"We're going to do the standard tests, including a CT scan, and an MRI on him this evening, we'll let him rest after that; maybe you or one of your friends would like to stay with him over night. Then tomorrow afternoon we'll start the other tests. He's going to be very tired and weak for awhile."

"Doctor…is my friend going to die?"

"I can't promise you anything Roger, but I can promise that I will do everything in my power to treat your friend to the best of my ability. I understand what it's like to be poor and hungry, we'll do our best. Does Mark have any siblings?"

"Yeah, he has a sister…"

"You may want to call her, there's a chance that Mark may also need a bone marrow transplant…"

"I'd prefer to ask Mark about that first. He doesn't get along with his family very well Dr. Beckett. I've known Mark since we were kids, and in the eight years we were in school together, most of the time Mark was sleeping at my house to escape his father's wrath. I'd prefer not to involve them until we have to."

"Very well, that's your decision, but if it comes down to life or death…"

Roger held up his hand, "If it comes down to that I'd drag his sister here before she knew what was happening."

"Very good. I'll leave you be for a moment, let this all sink it, I know it's a lot of information. If you or Mark have any questions, please feel free to ask. We'll be moving him to radiology shortly."

"All right, thanks Doctor," Roger sighed as he put his head in his hands. Taking a deep breath—he heard the doctor get up and walk away; giving Roger some much needed peace.

Mark had leukemia? Somehow that just didn't sound right, as though those to things didn't go together or something. He couldn't believe it, their strong Mark, who ninety percent of the time hid behind his camera and his work. He never seemed to show his emotions, and suddenly he was faced with the similar mortality of all their other friends. Instead of AIDS he suddenly had a disease that could very well take him away before it took anyone else away. Roger felt as though his entire world, the only solid and constant thing in his life had just been kicked out from under his feet.

Closing his eyes, he said a prayer to God; to save Mark from the pain he was going to endure, the fear he was going to be facing soon. Roger felt an ache in his heart, throat and stomach. He closed his eyes, trying to push aside the thoughts of what they'd face over the course of the next several months, what they would have to face and help him with. What he'd have to deal with—was this God's way of paying back for the withdraw he'd gone through and hurt Mark through. Was he being forced to endure this to make up for all the pain he'd caused and now Mark was going to be causing him?

Taking a deep breath, he walked towards the ER, and took in the sigh of his unconscious best friend. Pasty white, matching the white bandages covering his abdomen and the side of his head where he'd been seriously injured; part of Roger was almost thankful that Mark had been mugged—if he hadn't been they wouldn't have found out about the possibility of the leukemia. His Marky—he wasn't sure when he'd started thinking of his best friend and roommate as his Marky. They were the best of friends; he bit his bottom lip, trying to hide the tears that were rapidly beginning to sting at the back of his eyes. He wasn't ready to lose Mark, not yet, not any time soon. He needed Mark to be around now…for as long as he had left to live.

Maureen was sitting by Mark's head, stroking his soft blonde hair as she crooned over him, getting a warning glance from Joanne who stood at the foot of the bed. Collins stood at the other side of the filmmaker's head, watching for the hazy blue eyes to open. However, chocolate eyes met Roger's emerald ones, and Collins quickly stepped to the side, giving Roger space to slip in near his best friend.

Mimi was sitting at the end of the cot, gently rubbing Mark's limp leg, While Benny stood off to the side, not wishing to intrude. Roger took up the spot Collins had previously occupied, gripping the limp hand in his. He took in the sight of all the wires running in and out of the Mark's arms. He looked like a machine of some sort.

"The doctor said they're going to keep him for a couple days," Roger explained, unsure if he should tell the others yet about the diagnosis. Deciding he'd let Mark decide when to break the news, he offered a weak smile, "I'll stay with him tonight. Maybe you guys could come tomorrow, someone stay with him tomorrow?"

"Of course man," Collins stated plainly, "We're all here to help."

A moan from the bead permeated the room, all eyes went to the blonde on the bed, "Rog," the thin lips managed to get out through a groan of pain.

"Shh, it's okay Mark," the musician gently ran his hand over the man's hair, trying to ease his pain and let him know someone who loved him was near. "We're all here buddy. Just try and relax."

The doctor conveniently chose that moment to walk into the private ER room, "All right everyone, visiting hours will be over in the next few minutes or so. You're all welcome to come back tomorrow after breakfast. Roger, if you'd like, I can take you to Mark's room, while he gets the tests."

"That'd be great Doc; could we just have one more minute?"

Dr. Beckett offered a kind, charming smile and nodded, "Of course, I'll be back in a couple minutes, take your time."

Collins moved back into his pervious position—gently placing his hand against Mark's forehead he smiled, "You get some rest man, we're gonna through you the best party you've ever seen when you get home."

Mark smiled painfully, "Thanks…Collins," he garbled, eyeing the African American with friendly eyes.

"Anytime Kid, get some sleep," without even thinking about it, Collins dropped a kiss to the younger man's forehead; and moved off so that the others could say they're goodbyes.

"We'll be back with some real food tomorrow," Joanne said pressing a kiss to her friend's cheek with a gentle smile. Mark forced another smile.

"Get better soon Pookie," Maureen ordered pressing a kiss to his hair. "We love you so much."

Mimi didn't bother with the kisses; she uncurled herself from the edge of the bed, and offered him a nice warm, gentle hug. Mark smiled a genuine smile as he turned to look at her, "Thanks," he murmured.

"Rest honey."

He nodded slowly, to avoid further pain; then watched her get off the bed. Benny was the last man to come over to his side, and grip his hand, "I know you all think I'm a complete ass, and generally I am, but anything you need man—" he paused and glanced over at Roger, seeing something in his eyes he offered a weak smile, "Anything you need just send the bills to me, it'll be handled."

"Ben…"

"I'm serious Mark, anything."

Mark gave in and nodded, seeing he was in no condition to argue with his friends. He glanced over at Roger, who remained stoic by his side as the others gave Roger a quick goodbye and headed out the doors to the ER.

"Rog?" Mark whimpered looking up at his best friend.

Roger sighed and looked down at the younger man, "We're here Mark."

"Scared."

Nodding, Roger gripped the hand in his own and forced a smile, "Remember what you told me when we found about AIDS, and after April's death?"

"Don't need to be scared when ya got me," Mark gasped between waves of pain.

"That's right, Mark, you don't need to be scared; not when you have me—not when you have us."

"Okay gentlemen, it's time to take Mark off to radiology, Roger if you'll follow me, I'll take you to the room."

"Sure, Mark, try to relax, you'll see; everything's going to be just fine," lied Roger as he squeezed the hand.

"See you soon," muttered Mark as he was wheeled away.

"Yeah—" Roger whispered, realizing this was just the beginning, nothing would ever be fine again…not for a very long time.