AN: Yay! Reviews are the loveliest thing on earth. But they have made me discover a new kind of self-inflicted torture. My computer makes this noise when I get mail – but every once in a while it won't make it. So right after I write a chapter, I have to go off and do something away from my computer so I won't keep checking and going "Well, there has to be a review now. Well, maybe there's a review now. How about now?" and repeatedly clicking on my mail. If I am doing homework on my computer for a prolonged period of time, I start checking every few minutes. If I'm gone for a few minutes and then come back, the first thing I do is check for reviews. Here is the truth: reviews are addictive, and I am a review crack-whore. "Hello. My name is Jennifer, and I am review-aholic." Having said that (and sounded a little on the insane side), I thank you for all the fabulous reviews – you listened to me last time, and gave me some really nice reviews. Just wanted to know exactly how appreciated your reviews are. Now, I will reply to the anon ones:

socogal – Isn't a fun new alphabet? I quite like it. Funny thing is, I didn't even realize that when I was writing it. I'm more of a Roger. I was proof-reading chapter 4, and all of sudden I go "Hey! Look! They make A, B, C, D and M, M, M!" Dave is more my kind of drunk (I'm a musical singer) and Collins is a smarter drunk, just because he's smarter in general. I'm glad they amused you. Thank you for thinking about Mr. McLean. I'm glad you liked the way I handled the heavier stuff. I think it's too early to go in depth just yet, but I wanted to skim the surface, so to speak. I also think that Uma Thurman is a terrible Ulla (though I've never heard the original), but the lines are funny anyway, and I like Broderick and Ferrell, and I ADORE Nathan Lane. Wicked and Princess Bride awesome! I will promise you one thing: Abby will not fall for a lawyer. I may one day marry a dorky Jewish boy – but then again, I may marry a hot moody rocker. Whichever gets to me first.

caitlin – Thank you! I'm glad you like. As you can see (if you read above) reviews definitely make my day!

Disclaimer: This is another form of self-torture. Every time I write, I must be reminded: I don't own Rent!

Christmas Giving

"Maureen! Joanne! Come on!" Abby knocked on their door for the fifteenth time, nearly insane with impatience. "I know y'all are newlyweds and everything, but seriously, we're an hour late. Let's GO!" She heard no reply from the other side of the door. "Maureen. Don't make me do something you're going to regret." Still nothing. She sighed. She really did love her cousin, but she had met one good guy in her entire stay in New York, and those two were keeping her from him. And celebrating Christmas for the first time (her being Jewish and all). "Fine. Maureen once tried to make out with an ice sculpture of Moses at a Bat Mitzvah and got her tongue stuck to it. We have a video tape at home. She was eleven. At thirteen her father caught her ..."

Maureen barreled out of her room. "Ok, ok! We're coming!" Joanne followed out at a more leisurely pace, a smirk etched across her face.

"Baby, what exactly did your father catch you doing?" she cooed as her flustered wife pulled on her coat, blushing a bright scarlet. Joanne slid up next to her and put her arms around Maureen's waist. "Come on, Pookie." Her voice was filled with suppressed laughter.

Maureen's voice was high-pitched as she answered, "Come on, honeybear. We have to go to a party now." Abby giggled. Maureen shot a death glare at her. "Don't think this is over, Abs."

Abby smiled innocently. "I'm just trying to get to my very first Christmas party, Mo."

"Oh, please," Maureen rolled her eyes dramatically (because she did everything dramatically). "You just want to go see Mark."

Abby grinned at her. "Yeah, I do. It doesn't make me any less excited for the party." Maureen bit her lip in a concerned way. "What?"

"Well ..." Maureen actually looked uncomfortable, which was worrying. Maureen was the type of person to get uncomfortable. "You've gone to Italy, right?" Abby nodded. "You grew up in a pretty big house." More nodding. "You went to private school. You stayed at my parent's house, which is pretty nice." Nodding seemed pointless at this point, so Abby settled on a look that clearly stated, "You're point being?" Maureen gathered a deep breath. "Well, last night, you didn't look happy when you came in here. And the loft, I mean, Mark's place, it's not as nice as it is here. I just don't want you ... hey!" Maureen exclaimed as Abby began to laugh. "I'm serious! There are places much worse than this, and ..."

"No, no, you don't understand," Abby managed through her giggles. "I didn't look happy last night because you two were feeling each other up in front of me, and I was tired and cranky in the first place. I have no problems with your place. I've been in worse during spats with my parents, believe me."

"Oh. Ok." Maureen didn't seem to know what to say for a moment.

Joanne rescued her. "Let's go, shall we?" She ushered the two other girls out into the cold.

Abby broke the silence about a block away. "Is it going to be weird for you guys? I mean, your friends don't really know me. I don't expect presents or anything. Is it going to be awkward?"

Joanne smiled at her warmly. "It'll be fine. We don't do a lot of gift-giving anyway. More like food-giving. Although we are bringing those lovely anarchy signs Maureen made out of Popsicle sticks. Great way to spread holiday cheer," she added dryly.

"Come on, sweetie. I made little wreathes, too. For the more conventional. And you know Collins will love them," Maureen defended.

"Well, the only thing I've got is money. Do you think they'll want twenties?" questioned Abby fretfully. The couple stopped in their tracks, jaws dropped. "What?"

Maureen threw her head back and laughed a full-throated laugh. "Baby, I'm sure they'll love it," chuckled Joanne, "but maybe should make some Popsicle Santas and give it to them on New Years. Save your money for when your parents cut you off and you need it."

Abby shrugged. "But I'm going to have that job at the bar. I should be fine, right?"

Maureen shook her head in disbelief. "Baby, you are really naive. Good thing you have us," Joanne cocked an eyebrow at her, "ok, Joanne. And Collins," she added reflectively. "You really have no idea how hard your life is gonna be." She peered at Abby. "Sure you wanna do this? You could probably go back to your parents and say you wanted to a doctor or something, and they'd take you back."

Abby shook her head empathetically. "Even if they did take me back, and I'm not sure they would, I wouldn't go. Look, Mo, I've got you two, and a place to stay, and maybe even a job. I like your friends, some more than others," she grinned wickedly, "and I love this city. And I can do what I love to do. I can deal with a little money shortage."

Maureen looked at her with concerned eyes. "If you say so, Abs. I just don't want you to get into trouble."

Abby laughed humorously. "Can't be much worse than the trouble I've already gotten myself into, huh?"

"That wasn't your fault," reminded Maureen. "You didn't do anything wrong. Seeing Joanne glancing between the two of them curiously, she put on a cheery smile. "On to the loft, then!"

Abby couldn't help but be grateful to her as she ran to catch up. Maureen was not only helping her transition out of the oppressive upper class, she was being amazing, keeping her secret. Not that it will be secret for long, she told herself firmly. Just until they really know me. In her heart, however, she knew that she was really afraid to tell anyone, because it would seem real to her. As long as no one but her family knew, maybe, just maybe, one day it would go away. But in her head, she knew it never would.

AN: (Dodges flying rotten fruit). Ok, ok! I am evil, I know it. It was short and sour. I hope you can forgive my teasing. But how will you appreciate the reveal unless I give you a good build? So I guess this wasn't as plot-like as I'd planned it to be. More character development. Eh, well. Love? Hate? Please review!