RENT and all related media are copyrighted to Jonathan Larson. Roxie, is mine though. Her last name was changed for the purpose of this story. Thanks for all of your reviews too! They really do keep me going! Sorry I haven't written in so long either. I've been swamped with many other things. I'll try to get back into this. Read and review please!


In those few moments a lot had happened. But it wasn't what the group of friends was expecting. They thought that this could possibly be a new bohemian to join their family. That prediction was more off then they would like to admit. This arrival wouldn't change to meet their expectations either. Be proud of who you are, right? The least that could be boasted about would be it all couldn't get worse. After the grenade was thrown all that was left was the aftermath.

While everyone else was inside with the new arrival…the couple was having a little heart to heart. A long silence wasn't exactly the best way to start a conversation though. Well, what was there to say about this? Hopefully it would be something nice, and at least relatively pleasant. But the cold weather didn't exactly improve the mood either.

Angel had taken the liberty of finally starting to open up about this whole thing. "I don't know why he's here… It really doesn't make sense to me at all. That broad already has every rich guy he could get his hands on. Why would he want to live with a bunch of bohemians in my apartment or a run down loft? This really was a confusing situation that needed to be thought out, and not acted upon with impulse...Like a few moments ago. But the drag queen didn't know weather to wait this out and see the reason why her cousin came, or to just shut her out without another word. Leaning over the fire escape railing she had a blank expression on her face. Angel didn't know that this would turn out to be. But the latter choice sounded much more appealing.

"Hey, that's family right? They come in and change everything." Collins replied to his lover. After all, that's what it was like with his family every time they had surprise visits. Luckily though, that had stopped that quite some time ago, and thank god. What would it have looked like when they came to see their son with a drag queen? Not so pretty. Yet, he wasn't intending to hide her. Just let them learn bit by bit. "Well, where's she going to stay?"

---

"Where are you planning on staying then?" Roger asked coldly breaking the awkward silence between everyone. He already didn't feel too good about this new arrival. Just something about how she walked, talked, and acted irked him. Probably because she had an attitude like he did. Normally people find that they hate people's qualities because they know they act the same way.

"With my dear cousin of course, and if she turns a cold shoulder on me… Here." Roxie replied smiling as though she was the one that made the decisions. Well, to say the least, if she was going to keep that up then it was time to get used to the idea of sleeping on the streets. Already she was trying to scope out the one who would cave in. Because, it was obvious there was an extremely good chance of them denying her. Was Angel going to say yes? No, hell would probably freeze when that happened.

"Says who?" Roger snapped quickly. Ultimately it was between Mark and Roger to make this choice. The former rocker was not going to cut this gal some slack considering she already insulted them and their home. "With an attitude like yours. I would say you would be living out with the homeless. Why would you even want to stay in a place like this anyway? Don't you 'feel dirty' just being here?"

Maureen and Joanne had stayed out of this conversation for more the one reason. One, they were not the type to judge people on their first time meeting them. Joanne knew that if it was like that with Maureen… Well, they would've broken up for the last time already. Maureen, well, Maureen understood that people could be odd or even rude. Heck, she had a bad feeling about Mimi for a little while. Probably the only other reason why they stayed out of the little 'talk' was that the loft wasn't even their home.

For the most part Mimi just stayed out of this as well. Roger had been spending some of his time at her apartment anyways. So why would it matter that this newcomer who needed an attitude adjustment stay? Well, there was the fact that she would probably try to take over or something. Also, that she would be getting free room and board. Wait, isn't that what they were doing though? Freeloading. Eh, well maybe it wasn't so bad after all.

Mark, oh Mark didn't know what to think at all. He never did like denying people things when they really needed it. Even making decisions that would directly determine someone's fate bothered him. He had been holding his camera silent as a church mouse. Eventually someone would ask his opinion, and maybe he wouldn't cave in under pressure. But who would be the one..?

"Aww don't be so mean babe." Nearly on cue Roxie had found her way to Mark's side. Pouting with her delicately formed lips she asked the cameraman feigning innocence, "I remember my little Angel talking about you. You're Mark right? Well, Markie… Would you send me out of this place and let me freeze? As cute as you are you couldn't possibly be so mean." Great, fuck. Mark thought trying to look away from her. "You wouldn't do that to me? I already see that you care about me so much." Her eyes shown a serious overtone to them despite the kind look she gave him. Is it such a good thing to be compassionate at all times? Like hell I can refuse her now. "N-no." Mark caved in quite easily after all. "You can stay. I don't see what trouble it would be." Sheepishly grinning at Roger he hoped that he wouldn't get that 'I-hate-you-more-then-Benny' look.

Ah well, it didn't matter...the look was given to him nonetheless. Roger just buckled down and didn't bother to turn this into an argument for once. "On one condition." He interrupted. "You drop your attitude." Might as well tell her to stop breathing air all together. Roxie was spoiled as hell, yeah right she would stop. Then again, people change with a little 'convincing'.

As this decision was made, Angel and Collins had come right back from their small alone time. "You're not staying with us." The drag queen said to her cousin flatly. That was a decision that she could make all on her own. Why would they want to be crammed in the same living space anyways? It would only bring the two at each other's throats over a small squabble.

Her sculpted face was beautiful even when she was being as rude as she could be. Trying to relax and stay cool Roxie replied, "It doesn't matter. You're friends are letting me stay here. It's a very spacious area and is probably a better place to stay anyways darling." It felt good to just shove this in her cousin's face. For a while she could at least make it look like they let her stay because they accepted her. But soon enough it would be obvious that she was only here because Mark couldn't handle the pressure.

Let the games begin.


What did you think of my returning chapter? Loved it? Hated it but have some constructive criticism? Leave a comment then!