AN: Heh. Heh. Ok, let me explain! I'm so very sorry! You know those lovely meds I was taking? Well, they backfired. Got a fever and started yakking all over the place. Yes, I know: EW! My sentiments exactly. But I am very, very sorry I didn't a chance to write all this time, even though apparently the longer I wait it out, the more reviews I get. Are you trying to tell me something...? And then my grandparents stopped by for a surprise visit on Friday, and the only place we could put them was on the pull-out couch in the room this computer is in. I hope you guys can be kinda patient and hang in there. I reiterate: I will never abandon this fic unless my mother kills me for failing the SATs. Just to reassure you. Oh, guess who I just discovered? Meredith Braun. Seriously awesome musical theatre chick. Her voice kicks some serious ass. She was Epopine in the London and Manchester versions of Les Mis and originated Betty Schafer in Sunset Boulevard. All musical theatre buffs should totally check out her official site. Anyway... Guess what I saw at the Kennedy Center on Sunday night? WICKED! It was totally awesome! The original Madame Morrible was in it, plus Stephanie Blocke and Kendra ... well, I can' remember, but she was AWESOME! And that chick Libby the cheerleader from Sabrina the Teenage Witch and the dad from Married with Kids. And I was in the front row! That never happens to me, if you're wondering. Elphaba looked straight at me! Yay! I'm thinking of doing a fanfic for Wicked. Shout it out if you think it's a good idea. Of course, major love to all my reviewers – you guys have made my insanely crazy past few days bearable. Now, anons:

Amber – Ha! Seriously? That would rather awesome. Aw, thanks. Good to hear. Have fun at the 'rents. Hmm ... an explanation. I'm intrigued.

Andrea – I'm glad you enjoyed it. Roger/Mimi was much easier and more fun to write than I'd thought it'd be. Hee. Fluff is nice, isn't it? I thought it was needed for an emotional break. Back to some emotional stuff now. And that's all ok. I took French for four years, and dammit if I still can't say anything. But I know how to say "Where's the hotel," "Where's the airport," and "Where's the bathroom," so I think I'll be ok.

socogal – SQUEE BACK! Is it sad that it's my fic, and I'm just as excited? Eh, well. Who gives a damn? They're getting married! Hee. Gotta love it. This is me on drugs as well. I mean the prescribed, back-firing kind. My parents apparently told me my grandparents were coming like six times, but it was only when I switched the meds yesterday and they told me again that it finally stuck. Crazy meds. That sounds closer to Maureen than anything else. How fun would it be to play her? She's every which way with one of the funest diva songs ever. And yes, I know funest is not a word, as my spell check is angrily reminding me. I think the reason you can't find that is because those are insanely random things to be afraid of. Then again, I did once meet a person who was afraid of feet. Something about how they're like mutated hands or something. I am actually just happy I have a normal fear, which is the fear of snakes. Which is why I totally freak out during the Harry Potter movies. My friends laugh at me. I don't think that's very nice, do you? You should probably realize that I will totally be taking up that offer, as I have no competence in Spanish what-so-ever. Having said that, thank you very, very much. Hmmm ... Edward's ok, because you can give them a nickname. Randall's kinda sketchy. The one name I can't stand? Wilbur. Ew! Oh, and to anyone whose name is Gordon, Steve, Edward, Randall or Wilbur and is reading this story, I'm very sorry. Give me your address and I'll send you all my holiday fruitcake. Yes, Virginians can be rather awesome bodyguards. But as for generous ... I think my aunt sent it to make up for my uncle telling me what a Godless heathen I am. As much as I've heard that since I was five and discovered Barney, however, I am perfectly willing to hear that for the five thousandth time if I get paid. :D

EmMm – Bad reviewer! No, just kidding. It's all good. There've been worse reviewers. Like those who don't review at all. Grr them. But you're cool. I'm happy to hear I will not be in any kind of Saw or Scream reenactments. I'm not a very big fan of scary movies. Except for, you know, Scary Movie. Which ironically isn't scary. Sorry, anyway. It is my choice, yes, but if you guys hate it, then what is the point? Happy you liked it. Thank you very much!

BohoGirl – Grr. Well, I guess since you're reviewing now, it's ok. Glad you liked it, here's more!

Always Rosalind – I know. Yay! Um, I hope you meant it wasn't all that bad. Otherwise, I'm kind of sad right now.

Caitlin – Aw, really? Thank you! I actually wasn't much of a fanfic reader until I started writing some, so I totally get where you're coming from. But really? Thank you so much. Merry Christmas (belated) to you to!

And finally, to end what really is the LONGEST AN ever, Happy Holidays to everyone! Even though half of them have passed already.

Disclaimer: Don't sue. It's Christmas, I'm broke now, and I don't own anything.

Rings and Eyes

Vrooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Benny groaned. Damn that stupid coffee maker. Mimi had showed it to him proudly the day he moved in, informing him that she'd bought it at yard sale for $5 and it was her baby, "and if you say anything bad about it, she'll hurt you. Badly," Roger had warned him under his breath. But Roger had no idea the hell that thing caused, because for some reason, he and Mark could sleep right through it. Maybe Mark was right. Maybe he had been in the good side of town too long.

He groaned again and rolled over. He slouched out of his room and glared at Mimi blearily. "Did I mention I hate you when you do that?"

She smirked. "It's a morning tradition."

He heard something whirring behind him, and turned to look. There was Mark, looking at film he'd shot of Life Support meetings, Maureen nestled at his side, asleep from the looks of it. Benny realized that the conversation he'd had with Mark last night was most definitely not a dream like he'd hoped. Damn it.

He sidled up to Mimi. "What's going on with him?" he whispered.

She shook her head and sighed. "I don't know. He hasn't really talked to anyone besides Maureen yet. And I'm going to go down and tell Collins and Dave, then head over to Joanne's once this coffee is done," she murmured back.

"No," he told her softly. "You're doing enough. I'll tell Collins and Dave. You go help Abby. She needs that now."

"Thanks." She smiled at him, a smile of relief and gratitude. He felt something in him stir, but it was a small something. It was true that he still thought about her sometimes. But he was a very long way down the road to getting over Mimi Marquez. He could only be grateful. He'd loved her for too long without getting anything in return, and besides, if Roger ever thought Benny wanted her back, he'd kill him.

Absentmindedly, he reached for the same coffee mug she did. "Oops, sor..." he stopped. He'd flipped over what he'd thought was an ordinary ring on her left hand, and revealed a diamond. He took a deep breath. Yeah, he was mostly over her. But that still stung. "When did he...?"

"Last night." God, she looked so happy. "We didn't want to tell anyone, you know, with Abby and everything." Her grin faded as she caught the look on his face. "Benny, is this..."

He wasn't sure of it was ok, but he wasn't going to ruin it for her. For either of them. He bent over and kissed the top of her head. "Hey. You guys are my friends. Whatever makes you happy makes me happy." He tried a little grin. "But maybe we shouldn't tell Mark just yet." He looked over to the projector, which was now running reels of Maureen and Joanne's wedding.

"Yeah," Mimi confirmed dejectedly. She downed her coffee in one gulp, a thing that still amazed Benny no matter how many he saw her do it. Then she went over to Mark. "Hey, sweetie. I'm going to go out for a while. I'll see you soon, ok?" Then she strode quickly out of the apartment. Before the door slammed, he could see her wipe a tear off her cheek.

Benny hesitantly walked over to the couch. Mark hadn't taken his eyes from the projector even when Mimi was talking to him. He was completely entranced with something on the screen that Benny couldn't see.

Benny sat down next to him. "Hey, Mark."

He was silent for a moment. Then he answered him in an awed voice, "Did you know I never noticed it before?"

Benny looked over to Maureen (who had woken up, rather irritably, when Mimi had slammed the door), who just shrugged sleepily. Benny decided to just tread carefully. "Noticed what?"

"Their eyes." Mark pointed to the projector. Benny realized that all the shots were close-ups, with the eyes of the members clearly in the center. "I always knew they were special, but I couldn't tell why. I didn't see what was in them."

"What's in them?" whispered Benny, staring like Mark now.

"I kept looking for fear. I expected fear. And I thought just of how brave they were, because there was no fear. But there's more there. Joy." He swallowed loudly and looked at Benny. "And sadness."

Benny looked at the eyes. Even though he wasn't a filmmaker, for a just a minute, in each person's eyes, he saw it. "My God, Mark," he murmured, riveted.

"Angel." Benny looked over to Maureen, who was gazing at the image of her friend tearfully. He reached over Mark and grabbed her hand.

"Hey! What's going on with the lovebirds?" Collins burst through the door, followed closely by Dave. He grabbed a mug of coffee and drained it in one swallow. Dave plopped on the chair by the couch.

"What's up with all you drabs?" Dave teased. Then his forehead wrinkled. "Wait. Why are you watching that? Where's Abs?"

Benny jumped up. "Collins, Dave. Hall. Now." He grabbed Collins (who was watching the projector sadly) as he headed for the door. Dave trailed after them slowly, throwing glances back at Mark.

Benny shut the door behind them and turned to face Collins and Dave. Dave looked angry, but Collins looked understanding, and saddened... Benny realized he already knew.

Dave, on the other hand, didn't have a clue. "What the hell, Benny?" he half-shouted. "What's going on?"

Benny stammered. How do you tell someone something like this? "Um, look, Dave ... I mean, well ..."

Dave rolled his eyes. "Come on, Benny, how hard is this? We need to know what's going on!"

"I know, it's just ..." And with his boyfriend and sister having AIDS? It should make it easier, but remembering Mark's reaction, Benny couldn't seem to bring himself to do it.

Dave seemed to be at the end of his rope. "Damn it, Benny, just spit it out!"

Collins took a look at Benny's face, then saved him. "Baby, Abs has AIDS."

"What?" Dave's eyes widened. He looked stricken. "No." Then suddenly his eyebrows snapped together. He grabbed Collins' hand. "Let's go." He marched off down the stairs, dragging Collins with him. Benny stared after him. What was that all about?

He shook his head, then opened the door slightly. "Hey, Mark? Maureen? I'm heading to the wedding." Last week, he'd found his old band. It was a jazz group, who was trying to hit it big, but mostly played wedding gigs now. They'd been going somewhere before Benny had quit.

Mark tore his eyes from the screen. "The wedding. Right. Where's my camera?"

Benny shook his head again. "Mark. You don't have to come. I mean, with Abby and everything ... I can do it instead, you know."

Mark grabbed his camera and looked at him. "Not as well as me. And this is your first time playing the sax in forever. Someone has to tape it." He grinned a little."

"No one would blame you if you ..." Benny stopped at the look on Mark's face.

"If you can go when you just got divorced, I can go now." Mark took a deep breath. "I'm not going to be like Roger. I'm not going to stop living. It doesn't do any good." Speechless, Benny nodded. Mark glanced around. "Where is you sax?"

"Um, at the hall." Benny looked quizzically at Maureen as she bounded up and followed Mark out the door. "What are you doing?"

She grinned at him. "Coming with you, sweetie. You think I would miss this? Shotgun!" She took off down the stairs.

Benny sighed. Today was definitely going to be interesting.

AN: Ah! My fist chappie in a week! Love? Hate? Please, please, please review!