Disclaimer: I do not own RENT, it all belongs to Jonathan.

Chapter 6

Roger, Mark, and Crystal walked up a couple of flights of stairs and finally arrived at Crystal's apartment, number 702. The building was seedy looking and wasn't well lit. It wasn't like Roger and Mark's loft was anything special, but this place was worse.

"Are you sure you can stay here? You're welcome to stay with us if you want," offered Roger.

"No thanks, I'll be fine. Good night guys," said Crystal. She put her key in the lock and opened the door.

"Goodnight," said the boys and she went inside.

Roger and Mark arrived at the loft about ten minutes later and went inside. Mark said "Goodnight," and went into his room.

"Goodnight," said Roger. He took off his shirt and went into his room. He always only slept in his jeans in the winter or his boxers in the summer. He tried to fall asleep but started coughing uncontrollably. It felt like his throat was closing and he began wheezing, unable to breathe. His heart raced and he tried to inhale and exhale to get air in his lungs. Finally the coughing fit passed and he regained his breath.

It's nothing serious; it's just because of the cold. I must have some phlegm in there or something, he thought to himself and tried to go to sleep.

Crystal got undressed and just put on a pair of boxers and a tank top. She dozed off on her couch for a little while until she heard a knock on her door.

"Bayy...byy... It's me, Jake, open up, I miss you," the voice slurred.

Shit, if I let him in I know what he's gonna do and there's no way I can fight him off. How the fuck did he find me?

Crystal began panicking and tried to think of what she should do.

"Come on, I know you want me, open the goddamn door!" said Jake loudly.

Crystal looked at the fire escape and thought of what to do. She threw on her boots and jacket and quickly went out of her window. It probably wasn't the smartest thing to do to just go out in a tank top, boxers, and a leather jacket but she had to get the hell out of there. She ran down her stairs and started down the street. She knew where she wanted to go.

Roger slept lightly; he wasn't much of a night person. Around three in the morning he heard frantic knocks on the door.

"Roger! Mark! If you can hear me please open the door!" pleaded Crystal.

Roger jumped out of bed and ran to the door. He opened it and found Crystal shaking in just her pajamas and a jacket. She noticed he didn't have a shirt on and his body was very striking.

"What the hell happened, are you ok? Come inside it's freezing," said Roger.

He closed the door and she sat on the couch. Roger found her a blanket and sat next to him. She wrapped it around herself and stopped shaking.

"Are you ok? Tell me what's wrong," said Roger.

"He came to my apartment. He found me Roger, I don't know how he did but I'm scared," she said, crying into his chest.

"You're staying here from now on, understand?" he said.

"Are you sure, I really don't want to trouble you guys, I feel so bad," she said.

"I won't take no for an answer," said Roger.

"Thank you," she said.

"You'll sleep in my bed, I'll take the couch," he said.

"No, really don't do that. I don't want to put you out of your bed," Crystal said.

"Nope, it's already decided. Now go get some sleep, I'll see you in the morning," he said.

"Goodnight," she said and went into his room. Roger eventually fell asleep on the couch but his coughing fits returned every so often. Crystal was too afraid to sleep, and hearing Roger cough made her even more uneasy.

The next morning, Crystal woke up around nine. She heard Mark and Roger stirring around the loft and walked out of Roger's room.

"Good morning, what would you like for breakfast, eggs, toast, and bacon?" asked Mark.

"I thought you guys were poor," said Crystal jokingly.

"Yeah, but every so often that ATM at the Food Emporium really comes in handy," said Roger with a smile.

She remembered hearing this story from Roger and laughed. "He must have been a genius," she said.

"Yeah, he was brilliant," said Mark.

"Hey guys, do you know if there is a Life Support meeting today? I don't have my schedule thing from the court," she said.

"I don't think so. I think it's only once a week, but Paul's there all the time if you need to talk to him," said Roger.

"Ok thanks, I'm gonna go do that," said Crystal.

"If you need clothes, you can use some of Mimi's," said Roger.

"Oh no, I couldn't do that. I mean, wearing your girlfriend who died's clothes wouldn't feel right," she said.

"No, I'm ok with it. It's better than them just sitting there, I know she'd like them being put to use," he said.

"Alright, as long as you're ok with it," she said.

He nodded, and she picked out a plaid skirt, white tank top with a black sweater over it, and blue boots. After getting dressed she put on her jacket and walked towards the door.

"Do you want me to go with you?" asked Roger.

"No, I'm ok. I want to go alone thanks," she said. He looked like he understood, and she walked out of the loft and made her way to the Community Center.

When Crystal arrived at the Community Center, Paul was directing some youth volunteers putting up Valentine's Day decorations. He turned around when he heard her come in (graceful entrances were not her forte), and said "Hello Crystal, what can I do for you today?"

"I'll come back another time, I see you're busy," she said.

"No, not at all, I'm always here to talk. Let's go to my office, "Paul said. He then turned to the teens and said "I'll be back guys in a while. Keep up the good work."

The office was tiny and just had a desk and two chairs. Crystal sat down and Paul sat behind his desk.

"Ok, what would you like to talk to me about?" he asked her.

She took a deep breath and said "I'm afraid."

"What is the source of your fear Crystal?" Paul asked gently.

"I'm afraid of dying. I see now what the disease does to people; reality is starting to sink in. I feel like a leper sometimes," she said.

"Fear of death and the unknown is natural Crystal, but there are two options in life. You can either make your whole life center around the fact that you will die, probably before most. But it does happen to everyone. Or, you can live your life the way you want to and make it the most fulfilling experience you can," he said.

"That's not all I'm afraid of. I'm afraid of losing the only good thing that's ever happened to me. It's a guy in fact. Roger Davis. No one has ever given a damn about me as much as he has. No one has ever had any expectations for me. At first I had lustful feelings for him but now I feel like we're siblings. He's the caring older brother I never had. I feel like I don't deserve it and that there's nothing I can do to ever repay him," she said.

"Oh yes, Roger Davis. He's a good man. You know how you can repay him? By doing the same wonderful thing for him that he has done for you. Don't forget that he has lost four very important people in his life in very tragic circumstances. Believe in him, guide him, listen to him and most of all respect him the way that he has for you. And the greatest thing you can give him is your time, trust, and loyalty," said Paul.

"Thank you so much Paul, you've been such a help. You should be so proud of yourself for what you do for us," said Crystal.

"You're very welcome," said Paul.

They said their goodbyes and Crystal took this talk to heart and headed back to the loft.