Chapter 23 Baggage

AN- Here's the 23rd chapter for all my fans! Haha I hope you guys enjoy it...it's not a really good chapter...but whatever...maybe you guys will still like it: )

Gwen shut the door behind her as she strolled over to the couch Roger was sitting on. She sat down and crossed her legs. Roger glanced at her and the looked down to his feet. "So what's up?" Roger asked, still not making eye contact with her.

"You're obviously not comfortable around Mark and I." Gwen said, looking at Roger. "And would you mind looking at me when we're talking?"

Roger let out an annoyed sigh. He looked up and stared her in the eyes. "Happy?"

"Very." She smirked. "So what do you have against me?"

"Nothing...honestly." He said quickly.

She folded her arms. "Roger."

"Fine. I've known Mark for years...I've lived with him since he left Scarsdale. He's my best friend, and I just don't know if I'm going to be able to cope with Mark being gay." He said sighing loudly. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm the only hetero guy left...and Meems is the only hetero girl."

"Aw honey, don't worry about it! Just because Mark prefers men to women, doesn't mean he isn't your best friend anymore." Gwen tried to sound cheerful.

"I know that." Roger stopped. "Gwen, I need you to tell me something."

"What?"

"Tell me you don't have HIV or AIDS." Roger said in the most serious voice he could manage.

Gwen broke eye contact with him. "I can't...Roger...I..." Her voice trailed off.

Roger stood up. "Dammit Gwen. Do you have it?"

"I...I..."

"GWEN."

Gwen stood up. "Fuck! Fine I have HIV!" She yelled.

Roger's face lost all color, his jaw nearly hit the ground. "Did...did you tell...Mark?" He asked, his voice no louder than a whisper.

Gwen stared at the floor.

"Did you tell him?" Roger asked sternly. Gwen shook her head. "Are you fuckin' stupid? You didn't...uh...you didn't fuck him did you?"

Gwen sniffled, her eyes brimming with tears. Roger shook his head and sat down, shaking his head.

"Roger..." Gwen whispered. "We used a condom."

"He needs to get tested." Roger said ignoring her. "Take him to the clinic...if he has it...so help me..." Roger stared at her. "Almost everyone around me is dying...if I lose Mark...I just don't know what I'll do...I'm dying...Mimi is too...Collins is...Angel did die..."

"Stop being so fucking pessimistic!" Gwen said frowning. "I'll take him to get tested. Happy?"

"Very." Roger got up. "Well, what are you waiting for? Don't just stand here."

She rolled her eyes and stomped out of the apartment, slamming the door behind her. She clomped up the stairs and stopped at the door to Mark's apartment. She slowly she inhaled and opened the door. Mark got up when he saw her.

"You ok babe?" He asked, walking over. She looked at him, a smile was nowhere to be seen.

"Mark..." She whispered. "I need to tell you something."

Mark looked back at everyone. "We'll be back." They walked out of the room and stood in the stairwell. "What's wrong?"

"I..." Gwen stopped. She couldn't bring herself to tell Mark that he may be in danger of having HIV. "I love you so much."

"I love you too honey." Mark looked at her awkwardly. "Are you alright?"

"No...I'm not...I need to tell you something important...but I don't know if I can..." She whispered, her eyes brimming with tears.

"You can tell me anything Gwen." Mark hugged her. "So what's wrong?"

"I have HIV." She blurted out, beginning to cry softly into Mark's shoulder.

"Oh..." Mark still held her close. "But...we...used a condom."

"I know...Roger wants you to get tested...so...will you?" Gwen asked sniffling loudly.

Mark was silent. "Why didn't you tell me before?" He asked softly, after a long pause.

"I was caught up in the moment...I'm so sorry...please...don't hate me..." Gwen stumbled for words.

Mark shook his head. "I can't hate you...come on...we can go to the clinic now...I think they're open late on Sundays." He said starting to walk down a couple stairs.

Gwen followed him. "Thanks Mark."

He turned. "Hm?"

"Most people would have run away...breaking my heart if I told them I had HIV."

Mark smiled slightly. "I'm not most people. I love you Gwen, I couldn't do that to you."

Gwen smiled as well. "This means so much to me...after we leave the clinic...I'm taking you out. We can go see that new horror movie..."

"Definately. Sounds like fun...now let's go before the clinic closes." Mark held his hand out. Gwen grasped it immediately, as the two walked down the stairs together and out the door.