Hey guys. Hope the wait wasn't too long for ya'll . So, it took me so long because this chapter was originally about twice as long (almost 7000 words, about 20 typed pages, so about double the size of my average chapters) but both me and my beta thought it'd be best to split the chapter into two. So here's the first half (its still a touch longer than usual)…I wasn't positive about where to split it, so let me know what you think when you see the second half (which should be out soon, I'm just doing some last minute editing at this point).

Also, thank you to my readers who made suggestions for Marshall's present. I liked all your ideas very much, and had to end up thinking of something random because I couldn't decide.

I do not own RENT or any characters therein. Although if they ever go up for sale, let me know; I'll sell a kidney.

Shopping and Bad Timings

Mark yawned, pushing his cereal around. He wasn't very hungry, but he'd made the attempt. Finally giving it up for a lost cause, he poured the mixture in the trash. Roger looked up at him at the sound.

"Already to that point, are you?" he mocked harshly.

"What are you talking about? I'm just not hungry." Mark answered defensively, crossing his arms.

Roger rolled his eyes. "That's exactly what I mean. Just wait, pretty soon you won't need food at all. Heroin will be your food."

"When did you become so melodramatic?" Mark said, annoyed.

Roger jumped to his feet. "The same time you became so fucking stupid!" he shouted.

Mark sighed. "Fuck this, I'm out." Without giving Roger time to respond, Mark grabbed his camera and left.

LINELINELINE

"You're seriously telling me you don't notice a difference?" Gina demanded.

Mark frowned in thought. "Uh…not really…it's a little darker, right?" He admitted.

"Its more blue!" she exclaimed.

Mark laughed. "Its always been blue!"

She pulled on her bangs. "No, Mark, it hasn't. Before this, it was all turquoise with teal streaks. Now, its all turquoise with royal blue streaks and navy blue bangs. Totally different!"

He crinkled his brow. "I noticed it was darker." he shrugged.

"Wow…Reye's right, you suck as a gay man." Gina teased.

"Hey! Besides, not exclusively gay."

Gina's eyes lit up and she wrapped herself around him, half straddling his leg. "Really? Awesome!"

"Uh, making it hard to walk here, G." Mark laughed as he tried to continue down the street with Gina gripping onto him.

Suddenly her hand dropped to his waistline and he stopped.

"Okay, once again, very flattered Gina, but uh…no!" He gently but firmly disentangled her.

"You never let me have any fun!" she whined, but she grinned and they continued on their way.

Finally, they reached a pawn shop. It was the third one they'd been to that day. Mark had originally wanted to bring Reye with him, but the barista had had to work a double today and Mark hadn't wanted to wait until the last minute in case he couldn't find what he was looking for.

They walked in and Gina started jumping around the shop, looking at everything, while Mark went up to the counter.

A rough looking man in his upper thirties stood up to face him.

"Lookin' for something in particular?" he asked Mark.

"Yeah, antique camera. Preferably from the early 1900s."

The guy frowned. "Think you'd have better luck at an antique shop, kid."

Mark sighed. "Me too, actually, but things tend to cost more at those places and I'm not really rolling in cash at the moment."

The guy nodded. "Alright…well you're in luck, kid. I actually got two old cameras you might want." He disappeared for a few minutes, during which time Gina came over to the counter with an old pair of cowboy boots and a faded leather jacket that Mark didn't think was worth buying.

The pawn keeper came back with two old models and set them on the counter. Mark looked them over.

"How much?" he asked.

"Normally, they'd be $225 for this one and $250 for this other one, but you seem like a good kid so how about $200 for the Conley and $225 for the Korona?"

Mark frowned. "The Conley looks like its in better shape…why is it cheaper?"

"The Korona works, the Conley is just for show."

"Does the Conley have all its parts?"

"Most of them."

Mark frowned, making a show of looking the camera over. "I'm thinking about this one…but I mean, it doesn't even have all its parts. I don't really have $200 for that…"

The pawnshop dealer pursed his lips. "I can do $185, but that's really the best I can do. And for that, you're pretty much ripping me off, kid."

Mark inwardly groaned. He didn't really have that much to spare…maybe he could figure out a different gift idea for Marshall…

Gina suddenly came over, sliding her hand over her stomach as if rubbing an inch and slyly slid her top down a couple inches before leaning over the counter slightly.

"You call that a deal? The camera doesn't even work." she teased, pouting at the man ever so slightly.

"Your girl's a bit of a flirt, ain't she?" the guy noted gruffly, but Mark saw his eyes glued to Gina's chest and suddenly understood Gina's idea.

"She's not my girl."

"Yeah, despite my best efforts to turn him, Marky here is living the tinkerbell life. See, that camera there is actually for his boyfriend. Me, I was just so bored, decided to tag along. I get bored…a lot, actually."

Mark had to admit, she was pulling off the sexy pout and bedroom eyes quite convincingly.

The guy smirked at her. "So, you trying to flirt the price down for him, are ya missy?"

She smirked right back at him. "No…was thinking about a trade. How bout you drop down the price a bit, and I'll give you my digits?"

His eyes widened slightly. "Well, I dunno…I suppose I could go down to uh…$175?"

Gina backed up from the counter, stretching her arms over her head and exposing her belly button as she yawned. "Not good enough, you're making me feel so cheap! Come on, Cowboy, I know you can do better than that."

"I ain't going lower than $150, girly."

Gina glanced at Mark and he solemnly shook his head. She looked back at the guy shrugged. "Sorry, Cowboy. But ring these up." she tossed the jacket and boots on the table and Mark headed to the door to allow her to negotiate her price down in peace. I tried at least…now gotta think of something else.

As he was walking out, a wooden easel caught his eye. He went over to check it out. It was a pretty standard easel, a little paint splattered but sturdy. He went to move it when he saw the supplies next to it. There was an organizer filled with tubes of slightly used oil paints, a few brushes of varying sizes, a tin still mostly full of turpentine, a palette and palette knife: both used, and a few unused canvases.

This is perfect…he already has a workable easel for now…but he doesn't ever actually use canvases, just poster board, so he should like that.

Leaving the easel there, he grabbed the paint supplies and went back to the counter. "How much for this stuff?" he asked.

The guy, who was currently trying to see down Gina's blouse without her noticing (which Mark knew was pointless because she clearly noticed and was leaning over just to make it easier for the man), turned to the pile and smirked slightly.

"Sixty five bucks."

Mark groaned, "Are you serious? You probably paid less than half that for this stuff."

The guy leered at Gina. "Tell you what, I'll sell all of it to you for twenty-five if girly here goes to dinner with me tonight."

"Deal!" Mark proclaimed, slapping his cash on the table.

"Hey!" Gina cried, shoving him.

"You were going to do it anyways." Mark pointed out.

"Well…yeah. But I would've liked the choice." she pouted slightly. "Oh well. My name's Gina, and I'll meet you here at nine." she told the guy before turning and walking out, Mark hastily stuffing the supplies into a bag the man had given him before following.

"I get off at seven!" the guy called.

"So? You can wait for me. Believe me, baby, I'm worth it." Gina called back as they walked out.

They stood on the street when Mark turned to her.

"Are you really going to go out with him?"

She shrugged. "Probably not…depends how bored I get later."

"But he has your number." Mark pointed out as they started heading back to Gina's.

"True, but my phone was disconnected last week cause I stopped paying the bill. So he can call me all he wants." she laughed.

"You are such a tease." Mark chuckled.

She frowned slightly. "I'm not a tease…I'm a bit of a slut, but not a tease."

Mark rolled his eyes but laughed, giving Gina quick hug that quickly turned into her attempting a grope. After he managed to disentangle himself, he continued to walk her home.

LINELINELINELINE

Mark hung up the phone with a smile. He hadn't planned on shooting up before work, but in the end, he had. And he knew better than to try to work high so it just made sense to call off. He was rapidly losing favor with his boss, but he figured he could deal with that.

Reye smiled over at him. "So, you decide what you're getting Marshall?" she asked.

Mark shrugged. "Yeah…and no, its none of your business."

"You never let me have any fun." she whined playfully.

"I know, I'm just so sorry." he laughed.

"You know, you should get him what I get him every year."

"And what is that, Miss Reye?"

"A coupon book." She grinned, reaching into her purse. Mark watched as she pulled out a pack of Marlboro Reds and lit one.

"Since when do you smoke, Miss Reye?" he asked.

She glanced at her cigarette and shrugged. "Usually, just once in a while, when I drink or I'm really stressed… but I dunno, just picked up a pack a couple days ago. Plus, they increase your high. …Want one?"

"Yeah, sure."

She handed him one, and he lit it, coughing on the first inhale. "Ugh. Do you have to smoke Reds? They're like trucker cigs." He teased.

She shrugged. "I dunno…everyone always implies they're mega harsh or whatever, but they're what my stepdad and sister used to smoke, so they're the first cigarette I ever tried."

He nodded, inhaling more slowly and exhaling.

"So, a coupon book? I don't get it."

"A homemade coupon book. It has coupons like 'Good for one free hour of Reye shutting up' and 'Worth one night of Reye doing the dishes without whining' and so on. You could make one. It could be a sexy coupon book." she teased.

Mark shook his head with a laugh. "I don't know about that idea…"

"It could be great though. 'Good for one free sexy massage', and 'Give one blowjob, get one free'." she giggled. "Oh, but you have to do one that says 'Good for free smoochies'! And it has to say it just like that: Smoochies."

He laughed. "Hell no! You're crazy…plus, he'd make fun of me hardcore for that."

She smirked. "Oh hell yeah, he'd make fun of you. He'd make fun of you for like a month…But he'd use it! And that's what counts."

Mark thought for a moment then shrugged. "Eh…maybe. I'll think about it." He took another drag from his momentarily forgotten cig.

Reye grinned at him. "Can you French inhale?"

"If I do, I'll cough…but I used to be able to. I was never to blow smoke rings, though."

Reye grinned again, taking a long drag and blowing a couple wobbly smoke rings. "Ha! I win!" she bragged sleepily, laying back so her head was cushioned on Mark's stomach.

Mark lazily ran his hand through her curls, watching the blue-grey smoke curl up from the end of his cig. They talked for a while until Marshall and Kara walked in.

"This place smells like an ashtray." Kara wrinkled her nose.

Marshall nodded in agreement. "Reye, I told you to either go up on the roof or sit on the ledge." he reminded her.

"And cigarette smoke is so damn hard to get out. You're gonna need some major odor eaters." Kara added.

Reye sat up, glaring at Kara. "Don't worry about it, Kara. Its not like you live here…what are you doing here anyways?"

"Reye Alicia Valdez, what the hell has gotten into you?" Marshall snapped.

Mark stared uneasily between the three. Kara was an intelligent and slightly outspoken woman. She was tall with intense, natural red hair that matched her fiery temper. She was known for being an avid drinker, having enough sarcasm and wit for a comedic tour, and for being somewhat of a bitch.

She was also Marshall's best friend. And it was that fact that worried Mark; Reye often assumed Marshall would always take her side over anyone, but Kara was the exception.

Reye's look softened at Marshall's anger. "Nevermind. I'll sit on the ledge from now on." she mumbled, getting to her feet and wandering away.

"Your sister is getting a real attitude problem." Kara noted darkly.

Marshall shook his head. "I'm sorry about that…She's been having mood swings lately; I think its all the partying."

"Well, after your party, the kid can take it easy for a while. Your party's gonna be enough to tire anyone out." Kara grinned.

Mark had stood up by this point and, seeing him, Kara suddenly came over.

"Oh, hey Mark!" she said, giving him a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. "Sorry, didn't see you with all the bitchiness in the room."

"I heard that!" Reye's angry voice came out from her room.

"Not saying anything that isn't true!" Kara called back.

Marshall quickly tried to intervene. "I'm gonna go…think of a valid excuse for distracting Reye while I go talk to her…and I'll come back when I think of it." he gave a quick grin before heading back.

Mark settled into easy conversation with Kara who'd moved to sit next to him on the couch. As much as Kara was known for being a bitch, and she could be, Mark had found out that she could also be an incredibly fun and kind person, and a very loyal friend. She was simply slow to trust and cold to people she didn't know well. It had taken her a long time to warm up to Mark. And her and Reye seemed to alternate regularly between friendship and hatred.

Mark suspected some of their conflict stemmed from jealousy about Marshall, which Mark, in the position of boyfriend rather than friend, was safe from, thankfully; neither of them wanted to be what Mark was to Marshall, but both wanted to be Marshall's strongest platonic relationship. A great example of which was the party, which they seemed to almost be in competition over; a game to see who could add the best element.

Kara paused suddenly, glancing off towards the hallway. Seemingly satisfied, she leaned closer to Mark and lowered her voice.

"So, I'm thinking about getting Marsh a stripper for his party."

Mark choked. Taking a breath, he had to cough for a minute before speaking. "What?"

"Hey, keep your voice down! it's a surprise." Kara hissed with a grin.

"You want to get him a-a stripper?" Mark whispered in disbelief.

"Well…yeah. But I wanted to check with you first, to see if you'd be okay with it."

Mark chewed his lip in thought. "Male or female?"

Kara laughed. "Male, of course! Marsh has no interest in chicks."

Mark frowned. "Then, no…I don't think so. Sorry."

Kara sighed. "I figured you'd say that."

Mark shrugged, but held his ground. He'd seen other guys, and girls for that matter (some of whom had been strippers), all over Maureen when they'd been dating and despite the fact that he really didn't think Marshall would touch and flirt back like Maureen had, just the idea gave him a sour feeling in his stomach.

Marshall came back in after a few minutes, joining Kara and Mark where they sat on the couch.

"You settle the kid down?" Kara asked.

Marshall nodded. "Yeah. Like I said, she's just moody. Don't take it personally, Kara. I know she likes you."

Kara rolled her eyes, but held her tongue.

LINELINELINELINELINE

"Look, I'm sorry. I would come in if I could, but I'm still getting over the flu. I'm probably still contagious." Mark coughed, hoping it didn't sound fake.

He paused, listening to his boss' irritated complaints before he finally consented.

"Okay, thank you. It won't happen again, promise." Mark figured it was a lie, but so long as he stayed on good behavior at work for a while, he'd get away with it.

Mark hung up the phone and smiled in relief. He didn't want to just keep calling off work, but Dennis had scheduled him to work that night and he hadn't been able to find a replacement. He hadn't been about to work the night of Marshall's birthday party.

Picking up the phone, he dialed Marshall's number.

"Hello…Reye?… Oh hey…I'm good…Yeah, I'm excited…Yeah…Yeah, I'm sure Marsh is gonna have fun…Uh huh…Sure, I know which skirt you're talking about…Yeah, I like that skirt…" he laughed. "Well, it is a little short, but I think 'slut' is a bit strong…I didn't say that!…No…Look, whatever, if your brother thinks its slutty then don't wear it… Well, if you like it, then wear it…Argh, fuck it! I hate being in the middle. Just let me talk to Marshall.

"Marsh? Hey…Yeah, she was lying…I didn't call you a prude…Yeah, I agree, the skirt is short…Well, she's an adult now…Okay, I'm done! I'm not getting in the middle again!…" he laughed again. "Look, I just wanted to know what time you wanted to get dinner, cause Reye said I have to have you at Kara's by nine….Okay, yeah, seven works…No, you don't have to pick me up…Well, fine. If its on the way. Just call me from the payphone across the street and I'll come down…Okay, go ahead and come up, if you want…Okay…No, we are not fooling around when you get here…I don't care… If Roger's here, that'd just be too damn awkward…Yeah, sorry…Another time, promise, ya perv…Alright, I'll see you then…Bye."

He hung up with a chuckle, shaking his head slowly. He spent the next couple hours editing film and giving his camera a work up. He was planning on filming a bunch of Marshall's party and wanted to finish his second present for the photographer.

"Fuck." Mark grumbled, starring angrily down at his sliced finger. That was the second time he'd slipped and cut himself while working with his equipment.

My hands are shaking …I guess I just must be nervous about whether Marsh will like his present or not…has to be it…fuck, they're still shaking…

He got up and went to his dresser, pulling out the second drawer and taking the baggie there. He didn't want to shoot up because he was going to see Marshall in an hour and wanted to be lucid. Smoking took too long so there was too large of a chance of Roger walking in on him (not that I care what he thinks; just don't want him to try to take it away), so he opted to snort a small amount.

Just enough to settle my nerves; I don't actually want to be high right now.

A few minutes later he was taping the bag to the back of the drawer again, where he used to tape his envelope of emergency money that was now empty, and wiping his nose in irritation.

Glancing down at his watch, he suddenly realized how late it was: 5:57, and hurriedly put his equipment away before rushing into the shower.

LINE

He was attempting to hold his jeans up while simultaneously looking for a belt in his closet when he heard Roger come in. He opted to ignore the musician and grinned as he found a belt by the edge of his bed and threaded it through his belt loops easily.

He walked out to the bathroom, ignoring Roger's eyes on him as he went to look in the mirror.

Eh, not bad…

"What are you all jazzed up for?" Roger's snide voice came at him. "Got a date with The Man?" he sneered.

Mark poked his head out of the bathroom. "Go to Hell." he muttered, turning to do a quick adjustment to his hair.

"Believe me, I'm there." Roger murmured.

Mark frowned, having not heard, and poked his head out again. "What'd you say?"

Roger came closer, glaring at him. "I said, I'll see you there. Asswipe."

Mark came out, his own anger rising to the surface. "Oh, by the way, Roger, I saw Maureen and Joanne the other day. Had a real interesting conversation." he watched Roger's expression turn wary with no small degree of satisfaction.

"What, did you tell him how idiotic you've become? How you're a junkie now?" Roger scoffed.

Mark shook his head. "No, actually, talked to them about you. They said they missed you, seeing as they haven't seen you in a month." he was shouting by the end. Roger didn't say anything, so he continued. "You've been talking to them this whole time? Hanging out with them? Really, Roger?" he demanded. Alarms in his head were sounding and he knew he was crossing dangerous territory but he couldn't stop himself.

Roger shrugged helplessly. "Yeah, so?"

Mark stared at him for a moment before he had to look away, his voice quieter but somehow more intense as he continued. "So? Roger, I just want to know why."

"Why what?"

Without warning, something inside of Mark slipped free and he found himself unleashing all of the hurt and confusion from the past several months; the emotions he'd learned to shield himself from with heroin he was exposing himself to again, a part of him knowing he'd get hurt and another part not caring.

"Why you stayed friends with them and not with me. Why you were nice when Collins came home. Why you seem to still like all of them…but you hate me." he paused, searching Roger's closed off face.

"Seriously, Rog, I want to know. I deserve to know. Why me? Why do you hate only me? What the fuck did I ever do to you?" his voice was closing on desperate at the end, and Mark suddenly regretted only snorting a very small amount.

Roger stared at him for a long moment, mouth slightly opening as if he couldn't decide what to say. Finally, he took a breath.

"I never once said I hated you." he whispered.

Mark rolled his eyes. "You sure as hell act like it." he snapped.

Roger took a step towards him, slowly. "…Mark, its just…just let me explain-"

They both whipped their heads around at the sound of a knock on the door, Roger with a frown of confusion and Mark with a grin of relief.

He turned away from Roger, hurrying over to the loft door and opening it to find Marshall standing there, smiling at him.

"Hey Babes." Marshall said, leaning in for a chaste greeting kiss.

"Hey yourself." he grinned back.

"Who the fuck are you?"

Mark and Marshall both turned to see a furious Roger glaring at the photographer. Mark resisted the urge to yell.

"Let's go." Mark said, trying to prompt Marshall back to the door.

"You didn't answer me, who the fuck are you?" Roger demanded, coming closer. "And what the fuck are you doing in my place?"

Marshall's face hardened but he stepped forward. "I presume you're Roger, the roommate. I'm Marshall, the boyfriend." he said coolly, holding his arm out but not even flinching when Roger didn't shake his hand.

Roger starred at him for a moment before looking over at a suddenly anxious Mark. "Excuse me, the what?" he demanded.

Marshall went to speak again but Mark stopped him by placing a gentle hand on his chest, missing the way Roger's eyes narrowed at the gesture.

"He's my boyfriend, Roger. Sorry you two have never been properly introduced but you've been, you know, a jerk." Mark answered sharply.

Roger didn't speak for a moment, and Mark made use of the silence.

"Marsh, I'm just going to go grab my camera and we can go." he glanced nervously between the two before hurrying to his room.

He was only in his room for a few seconds and was quickly back out to find Roger attacking Marshall.

"So Marshall, was it? So you're the asshole who got Mark addicted to heroin?"

"Mark is not addicted-"

"Like you fucking care. Anything to use him, right?" Roger was shouting now, pushing into Marshall's face with an angry intensity in his eyes that instantly terrified Mark.

"Roger, back off!" Mark yelled, going to Marshall's side.

"You fucking stay out of this, Mark. This is between me and Rico Suave here." Roger growled.

"Actually, we have nothing to discuss. So if you'll kindly back the fuck off, we'll be out of here." Marshall's voice was fury just barely held under pure ice.

"Fine, as if I fucking care." Roger shouted. "Go ahead and get the fuck out" he harshly grabbed Marshall's front and shoved him, hard, towards the door. "You and your junkie fucktoy."

Mark couldn't stop the gasp of shock and hurt that escaped his throat, and he froze for a second, starring at Roger-who wouldn't look at him, icy pain and burning hatred mixed up inside Mark's chest.

He snapped out of it in time to grab Marshall's shoulder, stopping the punch the photographer had been aiming for the musician.

"Forget him…come on, let's just go…please?" he didn't care that he was pleading.

Marshall nodded shortly, sliding an arm around Mark and leading him out. Mark couldn't stop himself from glancing behind them, catching Roger's eyes and seeing a crazy mix of emotions but managing to place hatred, anger, and regret before the loft door slammed shut.

Mark leaned into Marshall. "Mind if we take a hit before we go out to eat? Just a small one…please?" he asked softly.

Marshall dropped a kiss on his brow. "That sounds like a good idea, Babes."

LINELINELINELINELINELINELINE

Please don't hurt me! *shields face with arms*. If you couldn't tell, the second part of the title was in regards to Marshall…please don't hurt him either. I think Roger wants to hurt him enough.

Anyways, please let me know what you think! I know a lot happened in this chapter (can you imagine how intense the original length chapter was? I just had to cut it in half lol) but please let me know if you liked how the story's going or not…and why. I love concrit, btw.

The next chapter is almost done, like I said earlier, just some last minute editing. So I'm thinking around a week until the next update. Expect Marshall's party and a little angst in the next chappie.

Much Love