I do NOT own any Rent characters. I only own Jesse and Gwen. PLEASE if you read my story, could you drop me a review? I need to know what to improve on, and whether or not I should continue writing it. Thanks!

Maureen sat, bored, on her living room couch. Joanne had just gotten home and was making a sandwich in the kitchen.

"Joanne, I'm going to die if I have to be stuck here any longer. Why don't we go see Mark, Roger and Collins at the loft? We haven't been there in a while." Maureen said loudly.

Joanne poked her head out of the kitchen. "Give them a call…if they're not busy we can go." She said before returning to the kitchen.

Maureen grinned and picked up the phone. She dialed the familiar number and held the receiver to her ear. It rang once before the answering machine picked up. Speeeeaaaaak. "Hi…Mark? Collins? Roger? It's Maureen. Pick up." She said waiting a minute. Finally the other end picked up.

"Hey Maureen." Said Collins.

"Hey! Are you guys busy? Do you mind if Joanne and I come over?" She asked, twirling the phone cord in her finger.

"I'm the only one here…Roger and Mimi should be back soon. You guys are welcome over anytime." Collins said brightly. "But I was wondering…on your way over if you happen to see Jesse anywhere…could you try to convince him to come back over here? He kind of left earlier…" He added in a dismal tone.

"Oh sweetie of course I will! Joanne and I will be over in a bit. Bye!" Maureen hung up and ran into the kitchen. "Pookie, let's go. Collins told me that Jesse kind of ran out on him…and he sounded worried…he said that if we see him, try to convince him to go back to the loft."

Joanne frowned. "Yeah…for some reason I don't think that he has anywhere to stay in the city…" She said taking a bite from her sandwich. "Well get your coat…we'll go now."

Meanwhile

The door swung open, thoroughly surprising Collins. Roger walked in, Mimi by his side. They were laughing and talking loudly. It was obviously a good day for their relationship.

"Hey Collins!" Mimi said enthusiastically. She noticed he didn't look happy. "What's wrong?" Roger obviously hadn't told her about Jesse. "Where's Jesse?"

"Jesse left. I have no idea where he is and I'm a little worried…" Collins said softly. "Maureen and Joanne are coming over…they said they'd keep an eye out for him on their way here…"

"Where's Mark?" Roger asked. "Still in his room?"

"No, actually, his friend came over and he's at her house for the night." Collins said smiling slightly. "So I'm sure he's having a good night."

Roger looked slightly surprised. "Mark has a girl?" He asked. He hadn't heard about Gwen. "Since when?"

"It's a long story…I'll tell you later…" Collins sighed loudly. "Where the hell is Joanne and Maureen?"

"I sure hope they find Jesse…I'm kind of worried too." Mimi said, as Roger put his arm around her. "Even though he isn't Angel…I can't help but feel close to him…"

"I know how you feel." Collins said softly.

Meanwhile

"Joanne...you see Jesse yet?" Maureen asked, trying to make conversation in the silent car.

"Honey bear…if I see him I'll stop…" She was going to continue but Maureen squealed loudly.

"Pookie! Is that him? STOP!" She yelled. Joanne pulled over quickly and Maureen practically jumped out of the car.

Jesse was curled up in a fetal position underneath the overhang of some café. Maureen ran over to him and knelt down. "Jesse?"

Jesse looked up, his eyes widened, brimming with tears. "I'm gay." He said softly, barely above a whisper.

Maureen looked at him awkwardly. "What?" She put her arm around him.

"I am gay." He repeated, still whispering.

"Oh honey…there's nothing wrong with being gay." She said soothingly. "But…why are you telling me?"

"Collins asked if I was gay and I walked out on him..." He sniffled, beginning to shiver. "He must hate me now…"

"Jesse…Collins is worried sick about you. He cares a lot about you, and he told Joanne and I to look for you…we're on our way to his apartment…why don't you come?" Maureen took his freezing hand in hers, attempting to warm them.

"Please…don't tell Collins…" He whispered. Joanne got out of the car and walked over. "I have to tell him myself…I can't keep lying…"

"Of course…now come on sweetie." She helped him up and Joanne opened the car door for Jesse.

When he got in, Maureen closed the door and smiled at Joanne. Joanne smiled back and kissed Maureen on the cheek. They got into the car and took off towards Collins' apartment.