A/N: I know you're all dying to know what happens. This is a bridge chapter, not too much happens, so... read. This is all I had. I've gotta actually think up more now... yeah. It might be a couple days. Sorry.

So, I've been depressed. Because I think this story is horribly written, and you guys like it better than my other ones that are better written than this one :cries: so... I have a threat. :points at very wounded Mark: SEE HIM? If you do not read my other RENT fanfics and review them... HE DIES!

...ahem read on.

Mimi shook Mark's head lightly. He didn't move. She put her ear to his mouth, listening for a breath. She detected a very faint wheeze, and sighed in relief.

"Mark," she said, putting a hand on his cheek. "Mark!" This time, she was shouting.

Mark's eyes flitted open, and Mimi let out a quaking, involuntary laugh.

Roger craned his neck to look down the alley. He swore under his breath. "Where's the ambulance?" he muttered.

"It'll be here, Roger. Don't worry," said Mimi. She looked down to Mark's face. His teeth were gritted and his eyes were squeezed shut. His hands were clenching and unclenching in irregular patterns. She reached for his hands and held them, stroking his knuckles with her thumbs.

"Okay, Mark, you've gotta stay awake. I want you to talk to me," Mimi said.

Mark nodded, panting.

"Okay. Do you know what time it is?"

He shook his head. "No," he said, choking on his words.

"Take a guess," Mimi coaxed.

"2 a.m.?"

"That's about right. How are you doing?"

"What kind of question is that?" Mark said with a shaky laugh.

"Sorry. How was your day?"

"Geez, Mimi!"

"Before this."

"Uh… good."

"What'd you do?"

"Went on a date. Oh, God. Roger, would you get off me?"

Roger looked up. "I'm trying to stop the bleeding."

"Well, it hurts! Get off!" Mark hissed, trying to let go of Mimi's hands. She held them tight, and he started to kick.

"Mark! Chill!" Roger yelled.

"Get your hands off me!" Mark shot back.

Roger didn't move. "I think it was nicer when he wasn't talking," he muttered.

"Roger, listen! I hear a siren!" Mimi said, turning to look out of the alley. Roger listened, and sure enough, the siren was getting louder by the second.

"Mimi, go stand out by the street so they know we're back here," Roger said. Mimi rushed off, leaving Mark and Roger alone. As soon as Mark's hands were free, he grabbed at Roger's arms and tried to push him off. Roger gave in and sat on his feet with a sigh.

"Thank you," Mark said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. He furrowed his brow. "I-it hurts…" he trailed off. Roger looked at his friend, worried. His stomach was still bleeding, his nose looked broken, and he could barely use his right arm.

The sirens became deafening. Flashing lights filled the alleyway. Roger heard Mimi call, "Over here!" and soon two paramedics, Mimi, and a stretcher were coming.

"It's okay, Mark. The ambulance is here," Roger said, patting Mark lightly on the shoulder.

The corners of Mark's mouth curled up slightly, and he chuckled, but the chuckle turned into a cough and he spit up some blood.

"Tha…thank God…" he whispered, closing his eyes.

"Mark, stay awake!" he yelled as the paramedics caught up and started loading him onto a stretcher. Mark slowly opened his eyes again. One of the paramedics turned to Roger.

"You know him?" he asked.

Roger nodded. "He's my best friend."

"You wanna come with?" the paramedic asked, pushing the stretcher out of the alley.

"Yes, yes please," Roger said, grateful. He caught up with Mimi, who was being interrogated by a cop.

"Meems, I'm going with Mark. You coming?" he said.

Mimi looked nervously at the officer. "I really want to, but this guy won't let me," she said.

"She's a witness," the officer stated simply.

Roger looked from Mimi to the ambulance. They were putting Mark inside. He looked back to Mimi and gave her a quick kiss.

"Come as soon as you can, okay?" he said. "I'll call everyone else." Mimi nodded, and Roger dashed off to the ambulance car, leaving her alone with the police officer. She watched him hop into the back and ride away, lights flashing and siren wailing.