Chapter 24

Legal Disclaimer-Larsons own, I borrow without asking.

Author's Note-LONG week. Not much sleep, working a whole lot. And I do need to move it along, I know. This is a filler type chapter. Reviews are begged for as always.

As darkness fell, Mary reflected on the day as she sat on the roof of the building and drank hot chocolate. She had come upstairs after Roger had left for rehearsal and Mark actually went to lie down. The traveling to the studio, the shopping and the lunch they had all had at the Life Café had tired him.

She had kept him busy, trying to get his focus off his sudden wealth and realizing the wealth of his friends. He knew it, but he was a little lost when he saw all the zeroes on the check that Lexi handed him. Mary marched him to the bank and made him deposit the check immediately. Roger was supportive as well, demanding that Mark spend some of it on himself, even suggesting a vintage clothing store for him to find that suit he needed. Roger kept after Mark to take the time for himself. He teased Mark about some of the clothes, but he was a great help to both of them.

His presence kept the atmosphere light, and it also kept Roger happy, because seeing Mark lifeless the day before had scared him. It had scared him more than he liked to admit. He knew that Mark would be cautious about the money, but he did need to spend a little on himself. When Mark had insisted on not spending the money, knowing that Roger and Mimi needed it for the AZT, he nearly cried. There were times when he felt that Mark sacrificed too much for his own joy and was almost willing to come to blows for his friend to have a little fun. Mary had intervened and got Mark to loosen up and agree to the shopping trip.

A little searching and they had the perfect outfit put together for Mark. Mary and Roger had laughed about how well they worked together. Mary also made sure that Mark got his glasses replaced. The doctor at the one hour place they went to made sure that his prescription was updated and Mark actually managed to find frames that were identical to his old ones. Mary's comment about the glasses and tape had made him think about changing his frames, but the old style still suited him. It was also great to see them a little better.

Mary had also insisted that he check his favorite pawn shop just to see if he could update his film camera. He loved his Bolex, it was an attachment that he could and would not give up, but if there was another model in great shape, it would be an additional camera to add to his collection. They found a camera that he didn't have to wind, which to Mark was a godsend, and the price was great as well. Mark began to feel even more like a filmmaker.

All in all, his life was a little smoother thanks to her suggestions. The money in the bank would take care of the rent for the next few months, along with the incidentals that made the bohemians life a constant struggle. Fate in its own way made a great Christmas present for the boys. For the first time in a long time, they had a security blanket.

Mary worked more on her chocolate and knew that she really should get up from the lawn chair that they had spread out upstairs. The only issue was that she was finally comfortable. She buttoned her coat and settled further into the chair. She closed her eyes to rest.

Two hours later, Mark Cohen woke up and realized that Mary wasn't were he last saw her. He tried not to panic, noticed that she had made hot chocolate, and then remembered how she had discovered Roger's love for going up on the roof to think. He headed up there, hoping to find her, sitting and thinking.

He approached her sleeping form. Leaning over, he realized how asleep she was. He knew Mary had issues with her sleep, the stress of past few weeks had been rough for her to deal with; he knew her sleeplessness was from that. He had caught her on the couch napping when she had come home from class, and he watched her now, sleeping like an angel.

Her face was completely relaxed. There was no tension lingering in her jaw line, her serene look was accented by the movement of her chest as she breathed in and out. The bruise from their mugging was dark and angry looking on her left eye. It was also evident that she was getting cold. He kissed her forehead.

"Mary?" Mark asked gently, placing his hand on her good wrist, "Baby, you need to wake up."

"Hunnn?" she asked sleepily, "I don't want to…"

Mark ran a fingertip down the side of her face. He gently avoided the bruises. She reacted to his touch and slowly opened her eyes. Green met blue.

"Hey," she mumbled, "How long was I out?"

"I don't know," Mark said, "It's getting cold up here and I was worried."

Mary looked at her watch. It had been about 2 and half hours.

"Crap, I didn't mean to fall asleep," Mary sat up, "Did you get some sleep?"

Mark smiled. Some of the serenity of her sleep was still in her eyes.

"Yeah, I did," Mark said, "Then I got really lonely. I realized Roger went to practice and I couldn't find you."

"Came up here to think," she said, putting both hands down as she tried to get up.

A jolt of pain reminded her that her left hand was in a brace. She grimaced.

"Damn," she muttered, "That hurt."

"Take it slowly," Mark suggested, "You need help up?"

She nodded no and got her feet under her as she stood up. She stretched and turned to him.

"Thanks, I got it," she laughed, "How about dinner?"

"It'll probably be here in a few minutes," Mark replied, "Remember, its Wednesday."

By the time Roger showed up from rehearsal, Collins had left him some mushu pork and Mark was sitting contently on the threadbare couch, Mary curled up in his lap. She had grabbed a pillow and used Mark as a pillow frame. She was fast asleep. The heat was on in the loft, making it comfortable for the first time in years.

"You guys left me food, right?" he asked, coming in, "How's she doing?"

"She's out cold," Mark said, "She had been upstairs thinking after you went onto rehearsal, and she fell asleep. I woke her up."

"You think everything is catching up with her?" Roger asked, concerned.

"Yeah, I do," Mark replied, gently rubbing circles in her back, "Eating helped. Sleeping is better."

Roger smiled and walked into their kitchen area.

"Why couldn't Collins stay?" Roger asked, putting the food into a bowl.

"Chang told his parents tonight about Collins," Mark said, "There was lots of drama, throwing of dishes, but afterward, the family seems to be coming together and accepting of the whole thing. They went over together to make sure that the family drama is over. Means we will probably see more of them now."

"Thank god," Roger said, "It must have been so hard for them to live a lie."

"Yeah, it was," Mark replied, "They're doing okay though."

"Meems call?" Roger asked as well, "I know that she wasn't going to be long at the Scratch tonight."

"She should be…" Mark was interrupted by the door to the loft opening, "Right behind you."

Mimi looked at the scene as she walked in. Finally they had peace in the loft and for once, Mark didn't look like a third wheel. She had gotten used to Mary being there, and was happy that everyone was home.

"So, what have I missed?" she asked, putting her bag down and hanging it up on the hooks that Mark had placed next to the door.

"Nothing much," Mark said, not changing in his constant motion of rubbing Mary's back, "Mary's asleep, Roger's stealing your dinner, and I made ten thousand dollars today."

"WHAT!" Mimi exclaimed, but knowing the truth by Mark's expression, "Good for you Mark."

"The piece I did for Buzz Line for Christmas is getting picked up by the networks," Mark smiled, loving her reaction, "We did some grocery shopping, got my glasses replaced and a new camera. The rest, is in the bank."

"That is fantastic Mark," Mimi said, kissing Roger as she walked into the kitchen to pick up the plate of food that he had prepared for her, "How long has Mary been asleep?"

"For a little while," Mark replied, "She's really worn out from everything. I should get her to go on to bed."

"Content to just have her there, aren't you?" Roger asked, raising an eyebrow, "I haven't seen you this content in years."

Mark smiled slightly. Roger was right, he hadn't been this content in years. It was good just to be alive, have some security in his life and someone to love in his lap. Something was going to change this, he knew it, but for the moment, he would just enjoy it.