A/N --Disclaimer is in the first chapter.

I am trying my hardest to get this out as fast as I can. Granted I had been home sick yesterday I got Jack-shit done…

Anyway here is some more… it gets a little cuter…

Enjoy and leave comments.

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Reluctantly, Mark pulled himself out of bed. His night had been filled with many dreams of one girl in particular. He made his way to the cold shower and got ready for his day at work. As much as he hated his job at Buzzline, he stuck with it only because it kept the bills paid, the heat on, and food on the table.

Mark threw his notebook down on a table and plopped down on a chair with a package of Poptarts © in his hands. Roger was already up, sitting on the couch, tuning his guitar.

"Working on Christmas?" Roger asked as he shifted, setting his guitar between his legs.

"News never takes a break. Anyway, it is holiday pay- time and a half."

"Cool beans- so, uh, what was with you last night? I don't think I have seen you that out of it since well… well… never- what's up?" Roger got up, setting his guitar on the couch and moving to the table, sitting across from Mark.

Mark shrugged," Nothing. Hey, did you know that there is a girl who lives downstairs next to Mimi?"

"Yeah- Melissa, a really sweet girl, very musically inclined. Though she likes to keep to herself; well, it is more like she likes to stay in the building."

"Hmm." Mark nodded as he bit into one of the pop-tarts.

"Wait, You never noticed her before?" Roger laughed as he got up and sat down again on the couch," Mark Cohen- the man behind the camera, misses what has been in front of him for 8 years!"

"Roger- get over it- you are looking at the one who made a load of money for all that footage-" Mark looked at his watch," Fuck, I've gotta go." Mark got up, grabbed his camera from under his bed, threw on a scarf and coat then grabbed his bike," Don't forget your AZT." Mark left for a long, grueling day at work.

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It was around 7 at night when Mark returned. He started lugging his bike up the stairs and when he for close to the top floors, he could hear two people talking, the voices of Roger and Melissa.

"A completely shitty Christmas," Mark heard Melissa say, a hint of fury in her voice.

"Why hasn't Jamey taken you out, he usually does, doesn't he?" Roger responded sympathetically.

"Jamey skipped town after he found out about my dad. He said that he didn't want to take any risks. Plus if he did want to take me out, I am not up to leaving today."

"I understand. Hey were you at least tested?"

"Yeah, and I was negative but-"Melissa's voice faded off as she saw Mark climbing up the stairs," Hi, Mark, how are you?"

"I'm good and yourself?" Mark asked as he rested his bike on the floor.

"Been better… Were you working?" Melissa asked as she shifted so that there was room for Mark to get up the stairs to his apartment.

"Yup. It was dull- has Collins stopped by?"

Roger nodded and pointed behind himself with his thumb, where Collins was sitting.

"Man, you need a day off," Collins said as he stood up and moved down the stairs into the view of Mark.

Mark leaned his bike against the wall and darted up the stairs, him and Collins embracing almost immediately. After a moment the two broke apart," When did you get in?"

"This morning, Rog said that you had just left." Collins shrugged," We have just been chilling waiting for you to come back so that we could get on with tradition; as well as talking to this wonderful young lady here." Collins gestured to Melissa who was sitting on the step sticking her tongue out at Roger who was doing the same back. "You two are so immature," Collins chided.

"Maybe it is you, who is immature, and we are mature and you just don't realize it." Melissa said, and then laughed at herself," Did that make any sense?"

Roger shrugged," A bit," he stood up and looked at the guys," I'm gonna head in." Roger walked up the stairs and vanished into the apartment.

Mark walked down the stairs and grabbed his bike while talking to Collins," So, have you gotten a job up here yet?"

"Yes, Great job- right Melissa?" Collins said laughing.

"Completely, I just hope that you can do a better job than the last one. She was pure evil, you'll be cool though." Melissa smile and laughed.

The laugh made Mark smile as he carried his bike up to the apartment, vanishing while Melissa and Collins chatted.

A minute later Collins appeared," Go ask the girl if she wants to join us… Don't say that you don't want to cause I can see it in your eyes. You here are a man who has found someone."

"But isn't she busy?" Mark asked softly.

"Her dad kicked her out of the place till he and his boyfriend are done. From what I understand, that could be a long while." Collins shook his head," Ask her or don't… your choice…" Collins walked off towards Roger and they began to talk again.

Mark took a moment then finally made up his mind and walked out of the apartment and walked down the stairs and sat down next to Melissa who was writing." How are you today?"

"Been better- you?" Melissa said not even looking up from her notebook.

"Hey, you wanna come up to my place, and chill with us? I would really like it." Mark put on his most charming smile.

Melissa looked over at Mark and smiled back," You don't know how much that would mean to me." A blush took over Melissa's face and she covered up her cheeks with her hands.

"You're blushing… that's cute." Mark said, again starting to mentally beat himself up, he looked at Melissa," Come on." He stood up and helped Melissa up as well, holding her hand," Hey, I was wondering, would you like to go out to dinner with me tomorrow night?"

Melissa shifted so that she was resting on one leg," I would love to but… How about you come down to my place, and I will make something." Melissa paused," I don't really like to leave this place; I get a little uncomfortable, and have panic attacks…" Melissa looked down at the floor.

"Hey, that's cool, I understand, that would be great, I'll bring the stuff, we can cook together." Mark smile and slipped his finger under Melissa's chin and raised it so that she was looking at him," I like that better."

Melissa smiled and pecked him on the cheek," I'm glad."

The two of them then made their way up to the apartment where Collins and Roger were waiting for them.