Death of a Muse
Legal Disclaimer-This is called fanfiction. I have no money. Zoom in on my empty wallet.
Author's Note-I'll admit it, I'm a sucker for reviews. I rewrote this chapter three times. I hope you guys like it. I also saw Rent again. It gets better second time around, although I wish to hades that they had kept the second part of Goodbye Love in the final edit. We don't get to see it till the DVD release.
Mark watched her as she watched his film. Roger had taken a back seat to the story unfolding in front of him, as much as he wanted to comment, he knew that Mark wouldn't hear him. His body language had screamed 'Go away'.
Mary brought out something in Mark he hadn't seen since he dated Maureen. He wanted to protect her. From what, he had no idea, the woman was certainly strong enough to fight her own battles, he knew that from her introduction to him, but something about her got to him. He had boldly kissed her, not knowing why, just knowing that was the thing to do at that moment.
Blue eye met green across the loft. Mark tried to explain it all in one look, but it was going to take a conversation with Roger to make it all right. He knew that and looked away. When he looked back, Roger smiled. He got the message, they knew each other long enough that looks and expressions could say more than words. Roger was concerned though.
Mary squeezed Mark's hand as the filmcame upon Angel's gravesite. It had an impact.
"I wish you had told me," she whispered, "Ido understand."
The film flickered into darkness and Mark got up to reverse the projector. Mary broke the silence that had settled upon them.
"Thank you for showing me this," she said, "I loved it. Mark, you are very talented."
Mark blushed. It was hard to take compliments, they all sounded hollow and wooden to him, the compliment to him was the reaction people had to his work. Mary was the first person since Maureen to get it.
Thank God, he thought to himself.
"I thought it would be better to show you Angel alive," Mark began, "I hope you do understand why."
"Mark, I'm in ballet, remember?" Mary shook her head, "There are so many people infected with AIDS that are in dance. Some of them are my friends. I want to advance in ballet on my talent, not because the ballerina ahead of me is dead. It's not fair to lose such talent so damned early."
Mark looked at her. Their eyes met and he saw the frustration that hid behind hers. She knew his pain.
"Agreed," Mark turned to look at Roger.
Roger had not said anything, he just stood up and began to work on the mound of dishes that were in the sink. He had heard what she said, but didn't know if he wanted to comment. It was chance to get to know her mindset.
"You still want to go out and shoot?" Mary asked, "I think we have some sunlight left."
"Yeah, actually, I do," Mark replied, grabbing his coat and scarf, "You want to join us Rog? Look for Christmas in the shitty part of the city?"
Roger felt the smile twitch at the sides of his mouth. Mark's words reminded him of Angel.
He was interrupted by the phone.
After the standard "Speak" the deep bass voice of Collins filled the room.
"Mark! Guys, I'm downstairs, drop down the key," Collins began, "I have lunch, if you forgot."
"Shit!" Roger and Mark replied in unsion, "It is Chinese Wednesday-crap!"
Roger started cleaning the kitchen faster as Mark undid his keys to walk out onto the fire escape and throw them down to the waiting Collins.
"Chinese Wednesday?" Mary asked, bemused.
"Act hungry," Mark replied, "Collins is seeing a Chinese guy and he makes lunch for us every wednesday. We don't mind and it keeps us seeing Collins."
"Gotya," Mary caught on as her stomach growled, "It won't be hard to act hungry."
The door opened to a whirlwind that could only be described as Collins. Mark had mentioned Collins to her and the film she had just seen had shown her Collins at his very best. He was good now, but his time with Angel was the best of his life. In his hands, several bags of Chinese food. The smell was overpowering.
"The best of the orient for my guys," Collins said through his teeth, Roger moving quickly to remove the bags and the keys from his friends mouth, "And who is this?"
He walked toward her, hand oustretched. Mary smiled and shook his hand.
"I'm Mary, Mary Blaine," she said as he turned her hand to kiss it, "You must be Collins."
"I have heard much about you, my princess," Collins met her eyes, "How are you, baby? I see you have finally met Roger."
"And I have finally met you," Mary replied.
Collins looked around the room as Roger started to dole out food into plates.
"Where's the mighty Mimi?" he asked.
"She and Maureen went shopping," Roger replied, "She should be back pretty soon."
The door to the loft opened, revealing the two women just spoken of, Maureen and Mimi.
"COLLINS!" Maureen yelled and she ran into his arms, "How the hell are you baby?"
Mimi laughed, took the small shopping bag in her arms and walked in behind her. Not seeing Mary she went directly to Roger and kissed him.
"Missed you Baby, what did you bring me?" he asked, taking her into his arms.
"Oh something for later," she laughed, "I remembered it was Chinese Wednesday, so we came back early."
Maureen turned to look at the other occupants of the loft and stopped.
"Hi," she smiled, locking eyes with Mary, "You are?"
Mark stepped up and put a hand around Mary's waist.
"My girlfriend, Mary Blaine," Mark replied, "Mary, this is Maureen."