Disclaimer: Jonathan Larson's.

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Collins' POV

I've never liked hospitals. I find it hard to believe that anyone would favor hospitals to the real world. Hospitals show the worst possible parts of our world. It shows our stupidity, our death, our mistakes, our faults, and our depression. Life is given here, but life is also taken away.

After finding out I had AIDS, it was difficult to soak in that I would die in a hospital. Surrounded by my friends, all knowing that this would eventually come. But what I didn't know at the time was that I would be here with someone I loved, waiting for their time to come.

The cold, white, harsh walls of the building send chills down my spine as we enter. Doctors, nurses and patients almost seem to stare at me. I always feel like they know what I have, why I'm here. I squeeze Angel's hand tight, feeling a sense of comfort when I have someone to hold onto.

"Baby, relax. It's just a T-Cell count. We'll get the results and be outta here in no time. I've done this a million times before." She smiles warmly, patting me on the arm and sitting down in a gray chair pushed against the wall. The clock ticks slowly, every second taking an eternity to pass. At last, a familiar doctor pokes his head out of the swinging doors. Angel doesn't need a notice; she leaps up from her seat, winking in my direction, then heads towards the door. Her pink skirt blows behind her, and for once, I'm not able to follow. I learned that the last time I tried to go in with her. It began an entire debate on who is family and who is not.

Thoughts rush through my mind. All about the group. Mark is probably working, Maureen and Joanne not talking, Roger helping Mimi, Mimi shooting up, it's all a mess. How could we let everyone drift apart like this? After Maureen and Joanne broke up at their engagement party it's all gone to shit. Now, Angel's health is deteriorating and our core is being shaken.

I find myself staring at the clock once again, snapping my head to see the door every time it opens. I dread the worst possible news. Angel only has a month, she only has a week, a day…who the hell knows what they'll say? I bet I'm just being pessimistic. I'm just worrying way too much. It will all turn out fine. I'll see soon enough.

Angel comes through the doors, and I search to discovers her emotions. She's not particularly cheery, but doesn't seem disappointed. Just…worn out. She grabs her purse off of the chair next to me, flashing a huge, almost too huge, smile before grasping my arm.

"Come on, I'll tell you outside." She whispers. Shit. Does she not want to tell me here so I don't make a scene? Now I'm really scared. It's relatively nice out, a time during the year that I used to love so much. You can wear anything you want. It scares me to think it might be the last spring I'll spend with Angel. Pushing my worries to the side, I pull her hand into mine, swinging it enthusiastically. I want her to remember this. I want to remember this. I want to remember her. Not that I would ever forget her for a second.

"So what's this news you can't tell me inside?" I ask casually, hearing the rhythmic clicks of her heels hitting the ground. Lately she's been wearing shorter ones, just to make sure she doesn't get too tired. Her skirt blows in the light breeze, displaying her upper thigh that's covered in white and pink tights. There's some sort of design that I can't make out, even if I look closely. I'm sure she doesn't even know what they are.

"I got my results." She frowns, gripping her fingers tightly between mine. I try to ignore the bad signs and push forward the best way I can.

"No kidding?" I chuckle, then almost wince at myself when she doesn't do the same. All she does is look down at the sidewalk beneath her, trying to build up the courage to tell me the truth.

"They said I don't have much time. Months. But the doctor says that my T-Cells are leaving slowly. So, I might have a little longer. I just don't…I didn't want you to…" She stutters, before I pull our tangled hands up to my chest.

"Don't be scared babe. I'm here with you."

"I know, hun. Thank you." Her voice is light, airy almost. She doesn't seem particularly upset about it, although I wouldn't be either. We've both known it's coming. We've known since the start. It's just facing the fact that it could be anytime, that's the hard part.

"What do you wanna do?" I ask joyfully, hoping to raise her spirits. She smiles widely at me, and I run across the street quickly with her in tow, until I reach the other side of the sidewalk.

"I don't know! Anything." She answers, and an idea pops into my head. I smile mischievously and lead her down the road. "Where are we going?" She asks, but I refuse to answer. She'll have to see.

Once we reach the entrance, Angel has drilled me with a million questions. I guess she can't take surprises very well. I open the door to the bar, breathing in the smoke and odor of the interior. It's a grimy place, but it's the only place I know that will work. I barely pay attention to Angel's questions anymore, and I lead her to the corner, to the old jukebox. It must be ages old, sitting there rusting, just waiting and pleading for someone to dance. I dig a quarter out of the bottom of my pocket, kind of surprised it was there, for I almost never have any money, and slip it in the coin slot. I turn around to see her checking out the place, occasionally grinning at the random stranger sitting at the counter.

A slow, romantic song comes over the antique machine, and I pull Angel close to my body, positioning my hands, one on her hip, and one still grasping her own. I sway lightly back and forth, then hear a loud giggle come from her lips.

"Collins, no one here is dancing. It's a bar." She bats her eyelashes matter of factly, and all I can do is smile.

"You said you wanted to go dancing on New Years. Well…it's been a couple months, but we finally got to it." The ends of my fingers play with the waistband of her neon skirt, as I watch Angel's eyes fill with joy and excitement. Glee overcomes my body, just to be able to make her smile.

"Honey…I…" She laughs gently, unable to finish, then gives up. Her head leans down to my shoulder, and we rock back and forth, keeping each other company. I hardly notice that anyone else occupies the bar. For now, it's just her and I.

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Notes: Okay, so that was kind of short again, but I hope you all enjoyed it. Did it seem like it was repeated from the last chapter? Review and tell me what you think! You guys are amazing! Love ya!