Sorry about the really long wait. I got a job, combine that with college, finals, a social life, drama, Challenge Central business, Christmas, and the fact that concerning this story, I'm indecisive as fuck…and you equal the long gaps between my updates.

Um, like I said before, I kind of rewrote the last chapter right before I posted it and therefore didn't completely change my game plan, but took a diversion from it that I now have to write into my original idea… So really, I do not know where I am taking this right now or what's going to happen for the next couple chapters…I'm just planning on writing until it comes to me.

I do not own RENT or any of the characters therein. I do own Reye, Lactose, and Marshall.

A Conversation and a Lack Thereof

Mark yawned, rubbing his eyes tiredly. He hadn't gotten very much sleep the night before, a discomfort he blamed on Marshall's eyes and unusual way of actually caring about what he thought, Roger's strange persistence in his mind and Reye's evil theory about the nonexistence of sexuality. Yes, it was all their fault.

A little while after he finally had gotten to sleep, police sirens from outside, a sound he had naturally started blocking out since his first year in New York, somehow woke him. And now he was sitting at the table, eating Cheerios, being blatantly ignored by Roger.

Roger, who wasn't eating. Roger, who, by the fact that there were no other dirty dishes, had not eaten. And somehow, that bothered Mark much more than the neglect did.

Even after Roger had changed, even when they went through days of not speaking, they still had eaten together, most of the time. It had just formed out of habit, whoever was up first or whoever got hungry first made food and made enough for two. Mark sighed, such niceties had ended, lost to the new ways of the loft. He couldn't even solely blame Roger for this. Sure, he'd started the rift and kept it wide, but as of recent, Mark had stopped making an effort and so their eating custom had died from both ends.

With a slight grimace, he slurped up the rest of his now soggy Cheerios, hateful of wasting any food, especially when it was Roger's money that had bought it, and put the dish away. He'd wash it later, right now he just needed to get out of the house. Damn being so tired he could barely keep his eyes open whenever he sat, he would wake up from the walk.

LINELINELINELINELINE

"Oh my God, you're here. I don't believe it." Mark grinned, patting his bike seat fondly. He had been more than sure that someone was going to steal his bicycle during the night, as it had been secured with just a single chain, but miraculously it was still sitting there.

Leaving his bike with the hope that it wouldn't now be stolen in broad daylight, he went down into the café. Although it was strange, he wasn't really surprised to see Reye sitting up on the counter already, smiling at him. The reason as to why she was smiling didn't hit him until he was already spotted and unable to turn back.

Oh jeez, this is going to be fun.

"Hi Reye." He said guardedly.

"Oh hello Mark." She answered simply. There was a moment of silence before a wide grin crossed her face and a bit of barely concealed mischief entered her tone. "Did you have fun at the party last night?"

Mark shrugged, firmly deciding to play dumb. "Yeah, it was a good party."

Reye didn't seem to be put off by this, however. "Yeah, it seemed like you were having fun…although I imagine you had more fun after you and my brother left…together." She ended suggestively.

"You make it sound like we actually did something. We just went for a walk!"

She laughed. "I know…bet it was a nice walk, though…" She gave him an expectant look. "Well?"

He sighed. "Well what?"

"Come on, you know its true. Say it." She goaded.

"Oh fucking grow up." He snapped, but a slow smile was spreading over his face.

She grinned widely. "You like him! I know it!"

"I never said that. This whole conversation is ridiculous. I can't believe I'm talking to you about this. I'm twenty-five years old and you're what, fourteen?."

"I'm older than that, asswipe. Now stop changing the subject, just admit it!"

They stared each other down for a few seconds before Mark sighed. "Okay, I may…kind of…be attracted to him… That doesn't mean I like him! I'm just…more open to the idea than I was before I met him." He said, choosing his words cautiously.

"You know it was more than attraction, Sweettooth. I could practically see the sparks flying between you two when I introduced you." She teased.

"What is this, high school? Oh yeah, I forgot, for you it kind of is." He grinned at her glare. "Okay, maybe I like him…I think my voice does at least since it kind of agreed to go out with him before the rest of me could catch up."

He knew he'd made a mistake when her eyes widened to the size of saucers. "You're going out with him?! When? Where? Can I come?"

"Yes, I don't know, I don't know, and definitely no…Didn't he tell you he asked me out?"

She laughed. "Nah. Marsh hardly tells me anything about his personal life, something about it being his business...But I noticed you were both gone from the party and when I came home he still had stars in his eyes…I made up my own version of what happened in the middle… Number one rule of snooping, act like you know what happened and people will tell you."

"…You're a rat, you know that right?"

"Yep. So, now that I know you've got to tell me everything…like right now."

He laughed, running his hands through his hair. "No, I don't think so, Miss Reye."

"Aw, you're no fun. Please?"

"Well….there's really not that much to tell. We walked around, talked for a while, then he asked me if I would go out with him. I said yes, and we agreed to make you our personal messenger." He smiled at the last bit.

Her smile matched his. "At least I'm in the loop somewhere…but why do you need me? Why didn't you just give him your number?" she asked in confusion.

His face flushed crimson as he tried to think of something to say. "Well, I did… but then…I told him not to call me…so that's when he came up with the message idea." He explained slowly.

She stared at him for a few moments, eyes carefully searching his face as she chewed her gum in thought. "Because of Roger?" she asked at length.

He was silent for a minute or two before meeting her eyes. "I don't know."

Reye groaned, holding her forehead in her hands and sitting like that for a long time before straightening and looking at him. "Mark, you're my friend, and I trust you…but I have to warn you, don't hurt my brother. Don't rush into things if you're not ready yet."

"What are you talking about? I'm over Roger, way over." He snapped defensively.

Reye stared at him levelly. "Mark, I mean it. Don't hurt him…please."

"…I won't."

LINELINELINELINELINELINE

Okay, this chapter is pretty short…I meant to write more, but I figure its been long enough since my last update, why make you wait longer for something I can add to the beginning of the next chapter? …I also know this chapter wasn't that exciting. The story gets better, I swear…although not any more original, I don't think. Oh well, flame me when I get there, but keep reading in the meantime.

Oh and I appreciate the reviews, everyone!

PS: Challenge Central...with college and work, its taking Lillia, Cris and I longer than we previously anticipated. So the winners will not be announced this month. Shortly after, hopefully.

Much Love,
Di