Disclaimer: Characters and everything RENT belongs to Jonathan Larson
Warnings: Rated R for situations and language
Author's Note: The absence of certain Bohemians (Joanne, and Mimi) will be explained soon. And the chapter titles are all (hopefully) going to be lines from the musical. This chapter marks the first appearance of Collins:)
"December 14, 1992. Close in on Maureen Johnson, four months pregnant and still gorgeous as ever," Mark narrated.
"You know, you don't have to compliment me just 'cause I'm pregnant."
"Who says that's why I'm saying it?"
Maureen blushed. "Whatever, Pookie. Why don't you go stick the camera in Roger's face for a while?"
Roger shook his head as soon as Mark turned to him. "Seriously, Cohen, don't."
"Seriously, Davis, I'm not doing anything."
Roger threw a pillow at him and Mark had to duck. "Whoa! Roger has unusually good aim. Fortunately for me, my reflexes are better than his aim."
Maureen glanced at the clock. "Okay, we need to go out."
"Out where?"
"Don't care. I just have to get out of this damned loft."
"You have a doctor's appointment," Roger said.
"Yeah, I know, but it's not for another three hours and I'm bored."
"Pregnancy has only enhanced Maureen's ability to whine and nag," Mark said to the camera.
She stuck her tongue out at him and pouted.
"Hey, I got an idea," Roger said.
"Let's hear it."
"Let's go visit Collins. I mean, I know he just got home yesterday, but he should be unpacked and stuff."
"Yeah! I'm calling him! We're going!" Maureen announced, jumping to her feet.
"Collins. Tom Collins. Our old roommate and dear friend. He's a self-proclaimed anarchist and part-time professor. The last three months, he's been touring the country talking to kids about HIV and AIDS. Collins has AIDS and most people assume he got it from his homosexual lifestyle. Collins, in fact, got it from a blood transfusion following a horrible car accident nine years ago."
Mark stopped filming and let his camera hang around his neck.
"Why you filming so much? And with so much detail?" Maureen asked.
"Huh?"
"We all know who Collins is and how he got the virus. So what the hell's up with the full backstory?"
Mark shrugged.
Maureen rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Fine. Don't tell me."
"It's a surprise, okay?"
She smiled and kissed his cheek, then handed him the plaid jacket he wore everywhere. "Okay. Well, Collins is waiting."
They walked to the subway station, laughing and joking.
"So which appointment is this afternoon?" Roger asked.
"We find out what it is!" Maureen said with a giggle.
On the subway, Roger and Mark stood protectively on either side of Maureen. She laughed and sat down. "You two are impossible!"
"What?"
"You both look like you're standing guard."
"We are," Mark said.
Collins had already poured the wine when they arrived a half hour later. His eyes bulged as his gaze settled on Maureen's stomach.
"Look at you!"
"Yeah, look at me!" she laughed.
Collins pulled her into a bear hug. "How you feeling? Do you know what it is yet? You guys decide on a name yet? When are you do?"
"Collins, man, calm down," Roger said with a laugh.
"Great! Don't know yet, still deciding, and May 7!"
Roger and Mark waited for her to step aside before coming into Collins's apartment, each hugging him.
"How you feeling, Daddies?"
"Fine," Roger said.
"Good. You?"
"Great, actually. Nice to be home though."
They settled into the living room. Collins gave the guys their glasses of wine.
"Maureen, I've got coffee, tea….water, but it's kinda iffy sometimes…"
"Coffee would be great, Col. You want some help?"
"No, no, no. You sit yourself down there. I'll get it."
They heard him rummaging around the kitchen and Mark began rolling his camera. "We're now seated in the living room of Collins's apartment. He's fixing Maureen some coffee while Roger and I share some wine."
"Collins always tries to get us drunk," Roger said, intentionally raising his voice so Collins would hear.
"Wouldn't work if you two weren't such lightweights!" Collins laughed from the kitchen.
Roger sighed and sat back on the sofa. "You doing okay, Mo?"
"Yep. How about you?"
He nodded. "I'm good. I'm good."
They could see he was lying, but bring themselves to say so.
