Disclaimer: I own not a notion. I rent.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO REVIEWED! I appreciate it greatly.

Well, here it is. Sorry for the delay. Hope it continues to keep interest and is enjoyed by anyone who likes the story. By the way-the ending isn't much a cliffhanger if you've heard the OBCR, seen the musical or read the libretto. But it was the best place to end the chapter.

"December 2nd, 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. I haven't had the time to even think about filming, let alone actually film." Mark sighed. Three months had passed since the morning in September when Roger vowed to lay off drugs. And those three months were some of the most turbulent months Mark had ever experienced.

Fall slipped into winter and the loft was constantly freezing. Money was tight and food was scarce. Nothing unusual for the season, but everything seemed harder this year. Collins, Maureen and Benny were the breadwinners amongst the roommates, but their measly wages didn't spread very far. Collins' money, as it was unanimously agreed upon, would go toward his AZT, which was very expensive. Maureen used the money she brought in waitressing at The Life Café for food, and Benny's job paid well enough to cover most of the utilities. The remainder of their wages was pooled and used for rent. Mark had sold a few photographs to a local art gallery, but that money was long gone. Roger's gigs had lessened and his band was on the verge of breaking up. April had a job at the local library, shelving books, but those wages didn't pay much either. She had moved in with Roger when they both decided to go clean, so the loft-though rather spacious-was as full as it had ever been. Too many people and short tempers coupled with frustration made for a very hostile environment at times.

Mark swept his camera across the loft, "A peaceful evening for once. Roger and Benny are out buying some groceries. What little we can afford. April is asleep. Collins is smoking on the balcony and Maureen is curled up next to me." Pointing the lens at Maureen's face, she gave him a weary smile. Turning the camera off, he leaned back on the worn couch and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Mark had recently entered into a real relationship with Maureen, and though he was as happy as he'd ever been, the constant tension in the loft put somewhat of a strain on every relationship. It didn't help that Roger and April were on and off drugs. Mark and Collins did their best to make sure that they stayed away from heroin and The Man, but there was only so much they could do. Once the withdrawal got unbearable, it was inevitable that one or both of them would end up running into the ally to buy smack. Collins had recently implemented a No Tolerance policy. Roger's room was checked daily for drugs and whenever he or April went out, Collins, Mark or Maureen had to be with them. So far, so good. But the nastiest stage of withdrawal was nearing and Mark knew that things would get bad once again.

"Mark? You okay?" Maureen's brown eyes gazed worriedly into Mark's.

Mark shook himself from his daze, "Yeah, Mo. I'm fine." He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. She kissed him back, longer and more passionate. It had been awhile since they could enjoy the luxury of just being together. Most nights they were just too tired to do anything or everything was hurried. Tonight, though. Tonight was different. They had no responsibilities and all the time in the world. Kisses deepened, hands groped and Mark lost himself in Maureen's scent, Maureen's hands, Maureen's hair, Maureen's…

"Ahem. You two want to a get a room or something?" Collins smirked as Mark blushed deeply.

"Sorry Collins. I think we're just going to…take this elsewhere." Mark grabbed Maureen's hand and pulled her in the direction of his bedroom.

"I wish you would. Have fun." Collins chuckled to himself. Those two-such an unlikely pair, but it worked. He could see the affection each held for the other in their eyes. Mark was happy and that was all that mattered to Collins, since the past few months had been extremely tough on him. Sitting on the couch, Collins grabbed an old copy of the Village Voice and read. About an hour later, April emerged from the bedroom. Her red hair was tousled from sleep, but Collins noticed that her eyes were red and puffy.

"Hey April. Sleep well?"

"Yeah…hey Collins, I need the bathroom for awhile."

"Okay. It's all yours. Hey, Maureen told me you were upset after your trip to the clinic. She said that you didn't want to talk about it on the way back, but if you changed your mind, I'm here. Just so you know." In truth, Maureen had said that April was nearly catatonic on the walk back to the loft and had immediately barricaded herself in her and Roger's bedroom. Roger hadn't even been able to get her to talk to him. Withdrawal made his temper short, and Benny had made the suggestion that Roger leave with him for the store to give April some space.

"Thanks Collins." April hesitated, her hand on the bathroom door, "Actually, I…um…never mind. I'm fine. I'm just going to…I'll be in here." Collins could see the tears welling in her bright green eyes. She looked far older than her 23 years. Her face was lined and it broke Collins' heart to see her look so broken. He wished that she would talk to him and maybe he could ease some of her pain. Collins understood why April couldn't talk to Roger. He was a bear right now and she needed someone calm and understanding to listen to her.

"Baby girl, what's wrong? You know you can tell me anything. Why don't you come sit here and talk to me?"

April's hand left the doorknob, but quickly resumed its place, "No…I…there's something that I have to do. I mean, I just have to take a bath. I feel dirty." The last was murmured quietly.

"Alright, well when you're done, come out here and-we don't even have to talk. We can just sit here. Okay?"

"Yeah…sure. Thanks Collins. Thank you for everything you've done for me over these past three months."

"No problem. That's what friends are for."

"You are a good friend. A very good friend, especially to Roger. He's lucky to have you."

"You have me too April. We're friends too."

"I know. I do. I'm just going to…" she pointed to the bathroom.

"Alright. I'll see you when you come out."

"Yeah…Bye Collins." She disappeared through the door, closing it behind her.

For some strange reason that Collins couldn't place, he didn't think he'd be talking to April again that night. Grabbing his cigarettes, he went and sat out on the fire escape, finding himself deep in uneasy thought.

Mark blearily opened his eyes. He hadn't been asleep long, but when nature called-it called. Maureen was still asleep, head on his chest. Placing a kiss on the crown of her head, he moved to pull on his sweat pants and padded quietly to the bathroom. Finding the door closed, he knocked lightly.

"Anyone in there?" No response. Glancing behind him, Mark saw Collins' shadowed figure sitting on the fire escape. Pulling the door open, Mark's eyes widened in terror and disbelief. The copper smell hit his nostrils and he bit his tongue to stop himself from vomiting.

"Collins! Call 911!"