Author's Note- So huzzah to my reviewers for coming back for more! As promised, here is Maddie meeting with Roger and Mimi, and their reactions.

Disclaimer- I don't own these characters, I rent.

December 17, 11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

I take Maddie across the street to the loft. I get a little worried about her on the third flight of stairs- for all I know, she might not be able to handle it- but she pulls through and we push on to the top.

"Anybody home?" I yell as I throw open the sliding door. Roger, Mimi, and Collins magically appear out of the woodwork.

"Merry Christmas, bitch! Where've you been, man?" Collins bellows at me and comes to say hello. When he sees Maddie, he stops. "I know you!"

"Hey Professor," Maddie grins.

"What's a student of mine doing out here?" Collins asks with ease. He looks past her to me, his pseudo-stern look telling me that he's still in teacher-mode.

"Marky…" I glare at Roger for using that in front of Maddie.

"Guys, this is Maddie Parker. We met at the pizza joint across the street. Mads, these are Roger Davis and Mimi Marquez, since you already know Collins."

"Man, you're the pizza girl!" Mimi gave her a huge hug. "Roger was just telling us about you."

"And I was just being told about you," Maddie smiles sweetly back at them. "It's great to meet you. It's obvious that Mark is crazy about you guys."

"Well, I can't remember the last time Mark smiled like that when he was sober, so I think he's crazy about you, too," said Roger.

For another forty-five minutes, we all chat together. Maddie, I notice, can hold a conversation with all three. With Roger, she gets in a discussion about sixties' rock (Apparently, Roger is more of an oldies' fan than he lets on). She and Collins gossip about life at NYU.

"So wait," Mimi cuts in on Collins and Maddie, "You're a music major?"

"Music education, technically, but yeah, it's definitely a music class," she smiles.

"Do you play?" Roger joins in- he's always been into fellow musicians.

"I sing," Maddie smiles, a little nervously.

"Oooh, really?" Mimi says. "Can you sing something for us?"

"Sure," Maddie beams. I can tell she's pleased to be asked. She takes a deep breath, opens her mouth and sings us an old show tune- Much More from a show called The Fantasticks, a song full of yearning for better things and love- something, I realize, that Maddie must know very well.

I'd like to swim in a clear blue stream

Where the water is icy cold

Then go to town in a golden gown

And have my fortune told

Maddie's singing voice is so different from her speaking voice. When she sings, she loses her self-consciousness and pours her soul into her music. She's got an amazing range, with a lot of vibrato. We all stare, openmouthed, amazed by the volume and capacity of her voice.

Just once! Just once!

Just once before I'm old!

I'd like to be not evil

But a little worldly wise

To be the kind of girl

Designed to be kissed upon the eyes.

Now Maddie flashes a winsome smile at me and goes off into the faster paced part of the song.

I'd like to dance 'til two o'clock

Or sometimes dance 'til dawn

Or if the band could stand it

Just go on and on and on!

Just once, Just once!

Before the chance is gone.

Roger and Mimi buzz with excitement as she hits each high note. Then the melody abruptly slowed.

I'd like to waste a week or two

And never do a chore

To wear my hair unfastened so

It billows to the floor.

Now she hits a low note that stuns the room. I can see the tears that she's forcing down as she sings about her hair. I wonder if Collins knows her secret, too.

To do the things I've dreamed about

But never done before

Perhaps I'm bad or wild or bad

With lots of grief in store!

But I want much more than keeping house.

Much more!

Much more!

Much more!

Roger and Mimi and Collins erupt into whistles and cheers. Maddie's smile splits her face.

"Damn!" Collins swears softly.

"Mads, that was… amazing," I say, pulling her close and softly kissing her.

"Thanks," Maddie beams.

Some time later, Maddie announces that she has to leave. Roger, Mimi and Collins all get up to tell her goodbye, and I walk her out. We stand on the stairs, just out of sight of the loft- I haven't forgotten everything from the days of Maureen. We quickly exchange phone numbers and addresses. Maddie lives off-campus, about a five-minute bike ride from the loft.

"Maddie, do you mind if I tell Roger and Mimi about you and how you're… sick?"

"Sure, if they ask. Collins already knows." I can't imagine how Maddie can be so nonchalant about this, although I suppose that she's become used to it.

"I think they'll notice, dear." I lean in and softly kiss her goodbye. "You'll be all right getting home, won't you?"

"Don't worry about me, Mark."

"When can I see you again?"

"Well, term lets out for Winter Break soon. I'm going to see my parents the day after Christmas, because I haven't seen them in forever. I miss New Jersey so much. I know that sounds weird to you," she smiled, seeing my face. "But South Jersey is so awesome. It's North Jersey that's one big dumpster."

"How long will you be gone?"

"A week?"

"That's a long time."

"I know, I'm sorry. But I really want to stay…"

"I know that too, but Mads…"

"Mark. I'd love for you to come home with me." she says and means it.

"Really?"

"Really. Mark, I've never had a boyfriend before. My parents will fall all over you, just because of that. Plus, you're…. wonderful. You make me so happy, and I sincerely care about you. I think you'd enjoy seeing where I grew up and who I grew up with."

"Of course I will, Mads." I kiss her softly.

"Does this mean we're really together now?"

"I guess so. And I guess you're going to have to meet my family sometime soon."

"Oooh, I'd love to see your family for myself. I bet they're not as bad as you paint them."

"Awesome. And do you think you could come to Christmas dinner at the Life with the Bohos?"

"I don't see why not. See, the Bohemians seem to be just like my friends in high school, with added sex and alcohol." I laugh. "But I don't think wine and beer mixes very well with all the meds I have to take. I've never really asked, but it might not be a good time. Plus, it wouldn't be fun for you to meet my parents for the first time with a hangover."

"Touché. Just… let us know, all right?"

"Sure."

A/N- So… later chapters include Mark telling the Bohemians about Maddie, Christmas at the Life Café (where Maddie will meet Mo and Jo for the first time, so that should be fun) and Mark meeting Maddie's parents. I must admit that after that I'm a little sketchy on where the story's headed. I've got ideas but I haven't executed them yet.

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