Author's Note: Just making my usual disclaimer…I don't own any part of Rent. I hope you like chapter four. Please read and review!

Chapter Four:

"I was hoping to see you again, Mark."

Mark's hands fumbled slightly as he switched off his camera without taking his eyes off of Sophia.

"Uh…" he stuttered. "I was…hoping to…see you too."

He cleared his throat.

"How are you, Sophia?"

"I'm…good. I didn't sleep well last night. I'm still a little rattled."

"Oh. Okay. I'm…sorry."

The two of them stood there nodding at each other before breaking into laughter.

"I'm sorry." Sophia said, still laughing slightly. "I don't know why I told you that."

"No! It's okay. I wanted to know. But I'm sorry about the not sleeping thing. You did look pretty shaken up yesterday."

"Yeah…well. Like I said, I am completely new to the city. To any city. And before I moved here, my mom gave me all these talks about the dangers of New York but I never really thought…you know." She broke off and looked away, rolling her shoulders.

Mark nodded.

"Well, I'm glad you're okay."

"Yeah. Thanks to you Mark."

"I really didn't do anything."

"No you did! It's not even the money thing. But I was so scared and you were trying to protect me. I really appreciate that. And you are the only one I know here. I really want to make it up to you. What can I do?"

"No, you don't have to…"

"Please! I really want to."

There seemed to be no arguing with her. But this was a good thing. Mark grinned slyly, feeling more flirtatious and confident than he had ever felt before.

"Will you do anything?"

Sophia looked at him skeptically, a similar grin on her face.

"Maybe. What do you want?"

Mark tucked his camera under his arm and held out his other hand.

"I want you to take a walk with me."

Sophia looked at his hand and than back up at Mark; her face broke into a wide smile. She took his hand in her own.

"Let's go."

…………………………………………………….

"So she stayed outside Benny's apartment just playing her drum until the dog…you know."

"No way! That's awful!"

"It's true. It was a bummer for the dog. But it was kind of good for Roger and me because we got food and alcohol for Christmas."

Sophia laughed. They had been out together for a couple of hours now. Wandering aimlessly around their neighborhood, talking and still holding each others hand. They stopped in the Life Café and drank tea to warm up. This time, Mark could pay for it. They went back and forth sharing stories, making each other laugh. Mark told her about all of his friends and his parents and the sleazy people he worked for at Buzzline. What he didn't tell her about though, was everything that was messed up or sad. He told her about Angel but that was the extent. She didn't need to know yet about Mimi, Roger and Collins all having AIDS. She didn't need to hear about how they nearly lost Mimi at Christmas. She knew about Maureen but he didn't tell her that Maureen was his ex who dumped him for Joanne. He was having a good time laughing with Sophia. It had been a long time since Mark had felt so carefree and happy. He didn't want to ruin it by bringing in…life.

He walked her home once more.

"Thank you Mark. I had a really nice time." But she made no move to go inside.

"I did too. I'm glad I got to talk you again." Mark also didn't leave. He lifted his camera and switched it on. But instead of holding it up to his own eye, he handed it over to Sophia and adjusted it so that he was looking straight into it.

"Close on Mark Cohen" he said. "A currently nervous wreck who had a great day and would really like to see Sophia Hunter again."

Sophia laughed and switched off the camera.

"You don't have to hide behind the camera, Mark."

"I wasn't. I was hiding in front of it."

"Yes. Well, you don't have to do that either. I was hoping that you would say that. I really want to see you again too."

She handed the camera back to him.

"Come upstairs for a second so I can find a pen."

"What?"

"For my phone number? And so I can have yours?"

"Oh! Right, right."

He followed her up to nearly the top floor. She opened the door to a small but cute apartment. Boxes were everywhere and there wasn't a lot of furniture. She really was new.

"It's nice…" he said mockingly.

She looked up from her search.

"Shut up. It will be nice. I just haven't unpacked yet. I've been too busy job hunting. I've only been here a week."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to make fun. My place isn't much better."

She laughed before giving a triumphant Ah-ha!

She came back to Mark with a pen and a pad of paper. She scribbled her number down and tore the sheet off, handing it to Mark who put it in his pocket. He then wrote his own down in a shaky hand.

"I should tell you, we screen our calls religiously."

"Okay. Then you can call me."

They laughed together. Mark sighed, content.

"I haven't had this much fun in awhile. Thank you."

"You're welcome. I am really happy that I met you, Mark."

"Me too. I'd better go."

"Alright. See you soon?"

"Definitely."

Mark walked back to the loft elated. He kept reaching into his pocket to make sure that the piece of paper was still there. He wouldn't dare let it out of his sight. He felt like a kid on his birthday.

But all that was not well back at the loft. Mimi was doing worse than when he saw her this morning. He could hear her throwing up and crying in the bathroom. Roger emerged from the bathroom briefly at the sound of the door. Mark went over, concerned.

"Rog? What's wrong?"

"I don't know. Everything." He replied frustrated.

"Does she need to go to the hospital? Or rehab?"

"No, no, no. I don't think so. Just…rest. She needs rest and heat. She's shivering."

Mark nodded and went to turn up the heat. It was going to be a long night. He came back to Roger who was kneeling down next to Mimi, rubbing her back.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"No, man. I don't think so. You look tired. Go to bed."

"Are you sure?" he asked, uncertain.

Roger nodded. Mimi looked up and nodded gently as well. Mark bent down and gave her a hug.

"You're strong Meems." He whispered. "Remember that."

Roger looked at him thankfully. Mark stood and gave them both a wave before going to his own room. He collapsed on his bed, confused. He was so…happy before with Sophia. But now he had come back to find one of his best friends look like death warmed over. Was it right for him to feel so good when his friends were feeling so ill? He reached into his pocket and pulled out the piece of paper, smiling as he read the name and number written on it. He set the number on his nightstand before switching off the light and rolled over for what was sure to be a sleepless night.