Chapter 30

AN- Yes, 30 chapters…I think I'll go maybe another 10 chapters before I end this story, then I'll concentrate on writing other RENT fan fictions. So enjoy!

Roger walked briskly up the street, heading towards the bar. He hoped to get there before Mark so he could order a couple of beers for them. Once he reached the bar, he went to grab the handle.

"Roger! Hey!" Came a familiar voice.

Roger turned around and smiled. "Hey Mark." He said letting go of the handle. Mark ran over and stopped next to Roger. "Why'd you want to meet at the bar?"

Mark shrugged. "I needed to get outta the apartment…I've been cooped up with Gwen all week…not that I'm complaining, but I seriously needed a change of scenery." Mark laughed. "Why were you so quick to accept my invitation?" Mark smirked.

"Mimi was getting on my nerves…and I wanted to buy you a beer in celebration of being negative…" Roger opened the bar door. "So why don't we go get drunk? Sound good to you?"

Mark walked in. "Sounds fabulous."

Fabulous. Roger cringed at the word, no man in their right mind would use that word unless they were a fairy. Obviously, Mark was one of those fairies. "Uh…yeah…" Roger followed him and they both took a seat around the bar. "Two of whatever's on tap." Roger said to the bulky bartender.

MEANWHILE

"Collins honey…do you mind if I go out for a little while?" Jesse asked, shifting on the sofa.

"Hm? Go out?" Collins smiled. "Of course I don't mind…enjoy yourself." He said sitting back in his chair. "I wanna take a nap anyway…"

Jesse stood up. "Are you sure? I don't want to leave you alone…"

"Go!" Collins laughed. "I'm not dying right now." He said smirking.

Jesse sighed. "Well…alright…I'll be at the bar on the corner…just in case you need me for anything…" Jesse walked over to Tom.

"I won't need anything." Collins kissed Jesse. "Now go have fun."

"Ok…bye sweetie." Jesse grabbed his jacket before walking out of the apartment. He walked down a flight of stairs and walked out the front door. He turned back to the apartment building for a second before proceeding up the street. He needed an apple martini…maybe that would soothe his nerves. He reached the bar, and pulled over the heavy door. He walked in and glanced around. Good…no one I know is here…oh shit. Before he could sneak back out, Roger and Mark had turned around and spotted him.

"Jesse!" Mark waved enthusiastically. "Come over here! Have a drink!"

Roger rolled his eyes. "Well why the fuck else would he have come into a bar?" Roger said smirking. Mark ignored him.

Jesse smiled nervously and walked over; he sat down next to Mark. "Hi guys." He said coolly. Mark and Roger could tell something was wrong.

Mark gave him a quizzical look. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Jesse said quickly.

"You lie. I know…I lie a lot." Roger folded his arms. "Spill it."

Jesse knew he had to tell them about Collins, but he didn't think he could bring himself to. "Well…it's just that…it's just…Collins…"

"Collins what?" Roger and Mark asked together.

"He's…" Jesse was beginning to get upset, his eyes were brimming with tears. "He's dying." He sniffled. "Can I get a fucking apple martini!" He snapped at the bartender.

"Oh…Jesse…" Mark hugged him. "Everyone is going to die…Collins has a long time to live…"

Jesse pushed him away. "No…you don't understand." He was shaking. "Collins doesn't have time…"

"How long?" Roger asked monotonously.

"Three…maybe four months…" Jesse whispered.

Roger and Mark stared at him. Jesse looked down at the floor, several tears trickling down his cheeks. Mark put his hand on Jesse's back. Roger lit up a cigarette and took a long drag on it. "We have to do something special for Collins…" Roger said, thinking aloud.

"But what? We don't have a lot of money…" Mark sighed.

"Wait a second…when's Tom's birthday?" Jesse sat up.

"In a couple of weeks…why?" Mark asked.

"Why don't we throw him a party!" Jesse clapped his hands, grinning.

"Hmm…yeah…that sounds great!" Mark said grinning. "We'll need a guest list…and…we can throw it at the Life Café! I have connections there."

"This is going to be great! One last get together." Jesse smiled to himself.

"Yeah…this should be…interesting." Roger said folding his arms, nodding. "Very interesting."