AN: WOW, it has been a long time since I updated. Very, very sorry, but i've been grounded for the past two weeks, and I haven't had the oppurtunity. So, as you can see, I haven't forgotten about you. Enjoy!

Roger, Mimi, Joanne, Maureen, and Collins all stood outside the lot, staring at Mark's camera bag. They were all thinking the same thing. Mark never went anywhere without this bag.

"Mark said he was staying at some girl's place tonight," said Roger, shaking his head. "Why would he come here?"

Joanne thought for a second and said, "Maybe she blew him off and he knew that if he went back to the Loft, you would wonder what happened. He would have got embarrassed. So he decided to camp out here."

"Probably," said Collins. "But this isn't important right now. We came here to look for Tony, remember? Let's get back to that, shall we?"

"You're right, we don't need to focus on Mark right now," said Mimi. "Where could Tony be?"

Just then, Mark rounded the corner, and jumped when he saw his friends. "Whoa, what the hell are you guys doing here?"

"Ahem," Maureen cleared her throat and held up his bag. "Is this yours, Marky?"

Mark took it and smiled. "You found it," he said, smiling awkwardly.

"What's going on?" questioned Roger. "What happened to the girl you were staying with?"

"Ah, she got called away," Mark said with a quick glance at Mimi.

Brilliant acting, Mark, thought Mimi.

"And you got embarrassed, so you decided to spend the night here," Joanne said, gesturing towards the space.

"Yes," said Mark after a hesitation, eyes darting. "Yes I did."

Collins shook his head and spoke, "I'm sorry about that Mark. I really am. But we've got some bad news. Tony – he's gone. He left." He choked up again, and Maureen rubbed his shoulder.

"Oh, God, Collins, that's awful!" he said, doing his best to act shocked. "Have you looked for him?"

"Yeah, and we don't know where to look next. Any ideas?"

Mark pretended to think a second. "We could try the Loft," he shrugged.

On a rooftop across the street from the Loft, Roberto Camicci watched through high-powered binoculars as the bohemians made their way to the building. He had a transmitter right next to him, and was listening to every word they said.

He had done a good job bugging both Joanne's apartment and the Loft, and had even managed to place tiny microphones on all of Joanne's clothing. He could hear everything they said.

The boss had agreed they should wait a good three weeks before making their move, until her guard was down. Now it was time. Roberto watched as they entered the apartment building, and then made his way down from the roof. He quietly crossed the street and approached the apartment door. He pulled out the medium-sized explosive and fastened it to the frame as a black sedan pulled up. In he went and they were off.

The six friends opened the door to the Loft and gasped. Well, five of them did. Mark just kind of raised his eyebrows a little.

There on the couch sat Tony, nervously tapping his feet. He looked up when he saw them and half-smiled.

Collins ran over to him. "Baby, you're here!" He hugged him and sat down. The rest of the group entered and took seats around them.

"What – ah – why?" was all Collins could manage. He was glad to have his lover back, but also worried about what had happened. Tony continued to sit there and stare at his feet. He couldn't bring himself to say it.

A silence fell. It was awkward, and only one other person in the room knew what had to be said and he really didn't want to hear it again.

Mark stood up. "Tony, do you want a beer or something?" He nodded. "Anyone else?" asked Mark. They all nodded. Mark returned with a six-pack and sat down again.

Collins couldn't take it any longer. "Tony, please. I have to know. Was it something I did? Please, Ton, talk to me."

Tony took a deep breath, opened his mouth, and closed it again. He looked pleadingly at Mark. Mark said, "Tony, just tell him. It won't hurt any less if you try and put it off."

Collins was about to look questioningly at Mark, when Tony said, "Okay, here goes. Collins, I'm--"

BOOM

AN: Ah, cliffhangers. I love them so. MWAHAHAHAHA!!!

REVIEWS!!! REVIEWS!!! REVIEWS!!!