Chapter 26

AN- Wow it's been a while since I've updated, so I figured I'd enlighten you all today. Try to enjoy yourselves! I love reviews! Thanks!

The next few days dragged by, or so it seemed. Mark and Gwen were rather distant to everyone else, nervously awaiting the result of Mark's HIV test. Jesse spent a night at Joanne and Maureen's apartment, and then found a hotel room- he couldn't seem to bring himself to speak to Tom. Tom on the other hand, was worried sick about Jesse; he had no idea where he was. Roger and Mimi were on decent terms, and actually getting along with each other.

"Roger, have you heard anything from Mark lately? He hasn't really been around…" Mimi said rummaging through her near-empty cupboards.

Roger looked over at her from the couch. "Nope…he's probably just staying with Gwen." He said sitting up. "Why?"

She shrugged. "I was just wondering…" She sighed.

"Well don't worry about him…I'm sure he's fine…" Roger said, forgetting Mimi hadn't heard about Gwen being positive.

Mimi turned around quickly. "Why wouldn't he be fine?"

Roger's jaw dropped. "Uh…" He couldn't lie himself out of this. He sighed loudly. He figured he would try. "I dunno."

Mimi pursed her lips and folded her arms. "Roger." She said sternly. "I don't want to start a fight. So just tell me what's up."

He sighed, obviously defeated. "When Mark left with Gwen, he went to the clinic. He wanted to get and HIV test."

She cocked her head to one side. "Why would he need one?" She paused seeing Roger's face. "Oh my…fuck…he used protection didn't he?" She asked quickly.

"Yes…well he said he did." Roger stood up. "Don't worry Meems, I don't think he has it."

"I hope not…or Gwen's gonna hear from me…" She said in an undertone. Roger cleared his throat and Mimi blinked. "Sorry. I got a little carried away for a minute…"

MEANWHILE

"Joanne I can't call him…not yet." Jesse said softly holding the phone to his ear.

"Jesse…I'm not going to keep lying to Collins. Seriously, you need to talk to him…he's worried sick about you." Joanne said; her voice stern.

"Honey, well then don't talk about me around him…I just need time. I promise I'll call…" Jesse said weakly. "I just feel so bad…I left for such a stupid reason…a stupid superficial reason!"

"This is new. Do you want to talk about it?" Joanne asked.

"Well…don't call me a whore…but I left because Collins said he wouldn't risk having sex with me. Even with a condom. Then Mark walked in, and scoffed at me when I said the white boy gets more than me…he corrected me! 'JEWISH white boy.'" Jesse said mocking Mark. "I was so angry…I just left."

"Well…it's a little superficial…but it doesn't mean you're a whore. You just have a healthy sexual appetite." A voice was heard on the background. "Maureen! No I'm not talking about it…jeez every time I say sex you think I'm talking about you. Sorry Jesse…Maureen's acting up again I have to go. Call Tom. You know he can't stay angry at you. Maureen put you shirt back on!" She hung up.

Jesse slowly hung up the phone. He sighed softly, looking out the hotel room window. It was a nice area of the city, right near Times Square. He knew he had to call and tell Collins where he was, he knew Joanne was right about everything. Even though he hated being alone, he was actually enjoying pampering himself in a hotel. He could sleep in a freshly made bed every night. Room service was call away and there was complimentary mouthwash! Who wouldn't love that? Jesse smiled to himself, flopping down onto the bed. He closed his eyes; his smiled grew wider when he thought of Tom. "I need to call him."

Jesse sat up quickly and grabbed the phone receiver. He dialed the number Joanne had given him. It rang once before a click was heard. SPEEEAAAAKKKK. Then a beep.

"Um…hi…this is Jesse. I'm just calling to let you know I'm alright. Bye." Jesse hung up quickly. "There." He muttered flopping down on the bed again, he let out a sigh.

Just then the phone rang, making Jesse jump up. He looked at the phone for a moment before reaching for the receiver. "Uh…hello?"

"Jesse?" It was Collins.

"Yeah…Tom?" He asked.

"Thank God. Where the hell have you been? Do you have any idea how nervous I've been?" Came Collins nervous, loving voice.

"Sorry…I would have called…but I thought for sure you'd be angry…I feel so bad for taking off again…but I just got so aggravated…" Jesse stumbled for words. "Tom…can you ever forgive me?"

A sigh was heard on the other end. "Jesse, I do love you so of course I can forgive you. I know what you're going through…I loved Angel too…"

Jesse sniffled. "Oh honey…sometimes it's so bad I can't even handle it." Jesse slowly broke down. "Maybe if I was a better brother…"

"Dammit Jesse don't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault; Angel was loved, and didn't die in vain." Collins paused for a second. "I really want to talk more…I have an appointment so why don't you meet me at the Life Café around 5?"

"Sure…yeah…definitely…I guess I'll see you in a bit then…" Jesse mumbled.

"Yeah…I love you…bye…" Collins hung up.

Hearing the three word phrase made Jesse tear up again, he held the receiver to his ear even after Collins hung up. "I love you too honey." He whispered softly, slowly slipping the phone back into its holder. "Oh Collins…"