AN: Ok, I know you hate me. But let me defend myself. Here is the insane past (almost) 3 weeks in a nutshell:

Computer broke, studied for exams, took exams, computer broke, sister's boyfriend took room with computer for three days, SAT prep course, SAT diagnostic test, new semester, lots of homework, computer broke, dad left (he's the only one who can fix it), all friends wanted to see me on my "free" (HA!) weekend (Hoodwinked AWESOME! Tristan and Isolde crap. I mean, it was confusing and not very good in the first place, then the hottest character in the movie DIED), and finally, computer spazzed and killed my posts to Tiniweil and Born2Bbad – then broke. Prepare for audition, had audition, prepared for next audition by going to after school monologue/singing classes, had audition in two parts – did you know the second audition is for a play that's supposed to be done by the end of March? Tell me how that will work. New semester, new classes, new people, new after school activities, new schedule. And then my computer died again, and I was sad.

Now if that doesn't cover it, I don't know what will.

So my dad is back, my computer is fixed, and I FINALLY have some free time, so here I am! I know you hate and may never forgive me. But please try. In honor of you trying, I'm giving you chapter 20. It's been 20 whole chapters. This is now officially the longest thing I've ever written. Yay! And thanks so much to everyone who's reviewed – I now have over 200 reviews! Ok, I'm going to skip the review replies today. I'm very sorry, but in the interest of finishing this chapter tonight, I don't have time. I hope you understand, and I will try to put them into next chapter. Awesome!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, as we all know. My damn computer doesn't even work. Grrr ...

Mark kept his head down as he followed behind Collins and Dave to their apartment. He kept running his confrontation with Abby over and over in his head. God, the look on her face ... "I didn't think." That was definitely true. What the hell was he doing? It had only been a two week relationship. Did he expect her to pour out all her secrets in a few days time? Why was he acting like such a jackass?

But this voice kept pestering him in the back of his head. It kept telling him that both he and Abby knew it wasn't just a stupid two week relationship. It told him that she knew that he had so many friends with AIDS. That he'd already lost someone. That she should have told him right away.

The problem was, he couldn't tell if the voice was right or wrong.

He climbed the stairs, still thinking the same thoughts. Collins made a couple quiet excuses at the door of the apartment and continued up the stairs to the loft. Dave opened the door silently and gestured for Mark to go through. Mark sighed, trudged into the apartment and collapsed on the couch. He had an idea that Dave was about to rip into him, and he wasn't really in the mood. He eyed his friend wearily as Dave slowly closed the door and locked it laboriously. "If you're going to yell at me, could you just do it already?" he finally requested loudly. If this went fast, maybe he could go to sleep on the couch he was currently sitting on before Collins left and Mimi and Roger followed through with what they looked like they were about to do earlier and make it impossible for anyone to sleep.

Dave breathed in deeply before he squatted in front of Mark and looked him straight in the eye. "I understand."

If Mark had thought of a hundred different things that Dave was going to say to him at that moment, that wouldn't have even made the list. "You ... what?"

Dave slipped onto the couch next to him. "I get it. Why you freaked out the way you did. You and I have the same thing going on, sweetie. Abby is just like Collins. We don't know how long we'll have them."

Mark opened and closed his mouth in horror. How could he not have realized all this time what Dave was going through? "Dave I didn't ..."

Dave shook his head. "That's not the point." He put his arm around Mark and hugged him close. "The point is that maybe we can work this thing about Abby out. Together." After a moment of silence, he added, "Talk to me, honey."

Mark tried to say something, then stopped. He tried again. Nothing. He uttered a frustrated noise and jumped off of the couch, rubbing his head in annoyance. "I ..." Was there a disease that made one unable to talk, or was he just a complete dumbass?

Dave just sat there and watched him. Goddamn the bastard. He wasn't going to help him at all.

"Talk about what?" Mark finally spluttered out bitterly, then paused, surprised something had finally come out. "I mean, it's just ..." he sighed deeply. "You've been with Collins for months. Abby and I were just together for a couple of weeks." He stopped, then plunged on. "So why is this so hard? Two weeks. That's it. Can't I just become her good friend or something?"

"No." Dave seemed to want to say more, but Mark interrupted.

"Of course I can't!" Mark actually felt insulted by the idea that Dave would even consider the idea. "I love her! God, I love her and I didn't even tell her." Mark suddenly realized what he had said. "I didn't even tell her that I loved her."

"And why didn't you ..."

"Well, it was just two weeks!" Mark defended hotly. "And if we're talking about why someone didn't tell someone something why don't we talk about why she didn't tell me about the fact that she had AIDS!"

"Technically she has HIV ..." Dave stuttered before Mark silenced him with a glare.

"I know she has HIV. I have three friends with HIV. I am aware that she has HIV. Now. I'm aware she has HIV now. Not in the first two weeks of our relationship. No. I'm aware she has HIV now. Why? I don't know! Did she not trust me? Why would she not trust me? I have three friends with HIV."

Dave muttered to himself, "You mentioned."

Mark didn't even bother to get mad. He just looked at Dave in a defeated sort of way. "Why didn't she tell me Dave?"

Dave looked him over carefully, apparently judging whether or not Mark was about to blow up. "Well, sweetie, two weeks isn't a very long time."

Mark ran his hand through his hair again. "I know. I know. But if we fell in love than less than two weeks, couldn't she have learned to trust me in less than two weeks? I'm putting too much on her, aren't I? Or am I right? Should I just ..."

Dave got up from the couch and pulled Mark into his arms. "Hey. It's fine. We'll figure this out. It'll be ok." Then he let go and told him briskly, "Now we have got to do some actual talking. Conversation. Where two people speak."

Mark grinned. "That book your writing is self-help, isn't it?"

Dave smiled brightly. "If I decided to go that direction, you will be my first case in the book." Then his face got serious again. "Now decide if this case will be successful or not."

Mark sat down slowly. "Alright, Mr. Baldacci. Tell me I need to do."

When Collins came back down to the apartment a few hours later, Mark shushed him and pointed down at Dave. Collins grinned at the angelic look on his boyfriend's face as Dave snored lightly. Then he looked up at Mark. "You wanna tell me what happened? What'd you decide to do about Abs?"

Mark shook his head as he stood up quietly. "I think I'll keep that to myself for a now. I need to be sure, you know?"

Collins cocked a half-grin. "I know, man. Now come here." He grabbed up Mark in a half hug, half choke hold and ruffled his hair. Letting go, he pushed his friend out of the room. "Get your sad ass up to bed."

Mark laughed. "Night Tom." He jogged up the stairs and opened the loft door. He smirked as he saw Roger and Mimi lying across the couch, dead asleep. He was about to go into his room when he saw something sparkle as Mimi moved a little. He crept up close to the two and lowered his face to her hand.

A ring. An engagement ring. Roger was getting married. Roger.

Mark rolled his eyes. This was just too much for one night. He'd deal with that, and why they didn't tell him, first thing tomorrow. Whenever Roger woke up. So maybe three-ish. Whatever. He was done for the night.

And with that Mark, still fully clothed (including shoes), collapsed on his bed. Abby's face haunted him the same as it had the night before, and he couldn't sleep for hours.

AN: This took FOREVER! Major writer's block. But I'll try and get another chapter up this weekend. I will! Ugh, I'm so tired. But good news! I got a callback on one of my auditions! Yay! I'm insanely nervous about this chapter, what with my horribly long absence and all. But whatever. Review please! I'll answer the anons from last chapter next chapter. Mk. Love? Hate? Review!