Author's Note: I don't own Rent! Here is Chapter Five! By the way…when you get the chance please go check out the stories written by my friend Midorinasu. She is extremely talented and her stories are great. So go read them. Well, enjoy. Please read and review!

Chapter Five:

Mark dragged himself out of bed to get ready for work. Alexi wanted everyone in early for whatever was planned for the day. After drinking about three cups of coffee, Mark left a note for Mimi and Roger and headed out. Hours later, Mark dragged himself home, tired and depressed. Another day of selling my soul.

Mark had been feeling this way for a long time now. He always tried to hide it from his friends. He always tried to seem upbeat and optimistic. He was healthy right? What reason should he have to complain? But he was back at a horrible job helping to support his sick friends; friends he would have to watch die one day. A day that would come all too soon. It wasn't always good being the one to live and survive.

But then he thought of Sophia, and the fact that she was just a phone call away. He ran the rest of the way back to the loft. He threw open the door and stood, suddenly shocked in the doorway. Mimi was dancing around the loft with Maureen who was in her cat suit once again. Joanne and Roger were sitting on the couch. Roger looked tired still but happy and Joanne was cheering them on. Whatever had gone on between Joanne and Maureen must have been resolved. Everyone was clearly celebrating something. Not really wanting to get too swept up, Mark tried to sneak into his room; he wanted to get her phone number. But Maureen caught him.

"Pookie!"

She ran over and grabbed his arm, twirling him around before sitting him in between Roger and Joanne. Mark looked at Roger.

"What are we celebrating?"

"For one, Collins is coming back to town and is meeting us later. And also…"

"I'm feeling great!" interjected Mimi. "So I want to go out! We need to hit the streets. Come on Mark! We're all going."

"I don't know…"

"Please?"

"Besides" Maureen added "You look like you need to go out and get drunk…or laid."

"Oh, thanks, Maureen."

Roger patted Mark's arm in sympathy. Maureen simply rolled her eyes.

"Well, laid or not, you are coming out. At least come say hi to Collins. You don't want to be rude do you?" she asked as she plopped herself down on Joanne's lap.

"No Maureen."

Mimi next sat down on Roger's lap and put a hand on Mark's arm.

"Ignore Maureen. I want you to come out and have fun. As a thank you for taking such good care of me. I'm finally feeling well enough to go out and I want you with me."

Roger wrapped his arms around Mimi and pulled her close. She sighed contentedly and put her head on his shoulder. Roger smiled and turned to Mark.

"She's right man. Come out. It wouldn't be the same without you and you do look like you need to have some fun. "

"That's what I said!" Maureen protested.

"No Maureen," said Joanne patiently. "You insulted him."

………………………………………..

Once again at the Life Café the group of friends sat at a multitude of tables pushed together. Others had joined them though the separate groups talked amongst themselves. Mark sighed staring into the rim of his beer bottle still mostly full. He wasn't really up for partying tonight. But he did want to see Collins and he was happy that Mimi was feeling so good.

Collins had come later and was greeted joyously and loudly. He was now laughing at a story Maureen was telling. Mimi and Roger were sitting side by side, heads bent together whispering. The two looked happy and in love. Mark smiled slightly. Roger caught him staring and covered his and Mimi's foreheads with his hands, feigning embarrassment. Mark laughed. It was nice to see the two of them so happy. It felt like it had been too long.

"So Mark…" Collins broke into his thoughts. "Tell me something. How are you? Anything exciting going on?"

Mark hesitated, unsure of how much to tell. Should he tell Collins about the robbery? About Sophia? About anything? However, he chickened out in the end.

"Nothing is new really. I went back to Buzzline and I'm still filming my own stuff."

"Any new ideas for a documentary?"

"No. Nothing yet. Today 4 U feels like it was my most important work. I just can't seem to get my head around anything else."

"Don't worry. You will."

…………………………………….

Later that night, Mark, Roger, Mimi and Collins returned to the loft. Everything was dark except for a single blinking red light from the answering machine. Without even thinking Mark walked over and hit the play button.

"Mark? Hi. It's me…Sophia. I was just calling, well; I was just calling to say hi. I've…been thinking about you. I had a lot of fun yesterday. I hope we can do it again sometime. Good-night. I hope to hear from you."

There was complete silence in the room. Mark's neck and ears enflamed. He could feel three pairs of eyes on his back. He slowly turned around to meet his friends' gazes. In their faces he saw a mixture of confusion and mischief. Mimi spoke up first.

"So…who's Sophia?"

"She's…well…I…"

Roger interrupted. "How come you never mentioned meeting someone? Were you with her yesterday?"

"I…well…uh…funny thing…"

"Did it just slip your mind," Collins interjected "When I asked if anything was new?"

"N-no. I just didn't think I should mention it."

"Why?" Mimi asked.

"Well, we all have enough going on and I just met her. It just didn't seem like something to talk about just yet."

"Don't be ridiculous! If this is important to you, you should tell us. So…where did you meet her?"

"At the Food Emporium, grocery shopping."

"And yesterday?"

"I was out filming and I walked by her apartment and she met me outside. We spent the day together."

"Do you like her?"

Mark blushed and looked down. Collins laughed.

"That's a yes. Come on guys. We've embarrassed him enough."

"He deserves it!" Roger argued. "He kept this from us."

"I didn't" Mark responded. "I just was waiting for the right time."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. 'Night buddy."

Roger and Mimi headed into their bedroom. Collins looked at Mark, a large grin on his face.

"I'm happy for you Mark. You deserve this."

"I'm not sure that there is anything to deserve just yet."

"Well, call her tomorrow and find out. I'm going downstairs. Mimi said I could sleep at her place. Better than that ratty old couch."

"Sleep tight Collins."

"You too Mark. Goodnight."

After Collins shut the loft door Mark went into his bedroom and emerged with a scrap of paper. Despite the late hour, Mark dialed Sophia's number, praying she would be up. She answered on the second ring.

"Hello?"

"Sophia, its Mark. Did I wake you?"

"Not at all. I thought it might be you."

"How?"

"The only people who have my number are my mom, my older brother and you. They both like to go to bed early."

"Oh. Well, I was just calling to say good-night. And…will you meet me tomorrow in front of your building?"

"Yes! What time?"

"At about four o' clock?"

"Until then. Sleep tight Mark."

Mark smiled. He thought he was the only one who still used that phrase. None of his friends or family ever had.

"Sleep tight Sophia."