A/N: Okay… I just posted this morning but I really felt like writing more (amazing isn't it?)!! So hersheygal, I know I promised you the next chapter so for the moment this chapter will be dedicated to you… unless you can PM me and let me know a certain memory you would like to be in here.

Disclaimer: I don't own RENT… the unfortunate Johnathon Larson does… rest in peace!

I'm Ready For My Close Up!

Out Tonight!

I know this might sound ridiculous or maybe it will make me sound like an overly sensitive jealous baby, but I can't stand Mimi's job. Really, can you blame me? Especially since she happens to work at a strip club with tons of gross old men… anyway, it's caused a few quarrels between us. She thinks that I'm being over sensitive about the issue but I insist that it seems a bit of a dodgy job.

(Flashback!!)

Roger sighed as he glanced at the clock for the upteenth time. The minutes seemed to be dragging on for an eternity… the hands seemed to never go past 10:30 p.m. Wait a minute, time can't possibly go that slow could it?

"Oh yeah… it's only been broken for about five years Roger," he mentally scolded himself. "Shit," he swore and flopped his head back on the couch with a slight grunt of dissatisfaction. That probably meant that Mimi was late coming home from work again. Not that he didn't trust her exactly but he sure as hell didn't trust those old rich men. With another sigh Roger kicked the creaky floorboards in an attempt to amuse himself.

"Oh stop it with the pathetic noises Roger," came a floating voice from the kitchen. Mark emerged into the "living room" type area and took a seat next to the distraught rocker. "Mimi isn't home yet I take it." Roger turned his head and shot a look at his friend and then allowed his head to face the door again. "Point taken."

"It's just she's always late and I can't help but wonder what exactly her job is…" Roger complained, in a way pleading with Mark to help him.

"Well then the solution is simple then isn't it?" Mark prodded, hoping that way Roger would get the idea. Right on cue a little light bulb seemed to go off in Roger's head and he leapt to his feet.

"I go to the Cat Scratch Club!" he declared and dashed off to get his coat. Roger was back from his room in a flash and was heading out the door. Before he left though Mark managed to throw some words of wisdom at his slightly hot headed friend.

"Don't do anything stupid Rog!" Mark called. Roger poked his head back into the Loft and smiled convincingly.

"Me? Do something stupid? Oh ye of little faith." And with that the door snapped shut and quick footsteps could be heard going down the stairs. Mark shook his head and began to search the sofa for last week's copy of The Village Voice. He would need it for when Mimi came home to yell at Roger all night.

(End flashback!!)

Good old Mark with his all knowing ways. So I was on my way to The Cat Scratch and it was only half way there that I realized I didn't really have a plan. What would Mimi think if she saw me sneaking around a gentleman's club? Probably nothing good I can tell you that. So I decided I would sit at a table, look for her, and then either wait for her to get offstage or if she already is then firmly walk her home. There was absolutely no reason for her to be working that late. Or at least, that's what I thought at the time. Who knew that a perfectly reasonable plan could go so horribly wrong?

(Flashback!!)

Roger glanced around nervously in the dimly lit club… actually there WAS light but it was the strobe light that accompanied the half dressed women on the stage. Thumping music overwhelmed his ears as well as the shouts and jeers from practically every man in the club. Trying to keep his eyes respectfully averted, Roger began to wade through the packed room. Unfortunately a waitress hindered his process.

"Well can I help you sir?" she asked sweetly, taking a moment to examine the obviously uncomfortable Roger. "A rock star huh?" she asked before Roger could respond to her first question, fingering his hair. Roger quickly swatted her hand away, causing the beautiful girl to draw back, obviously offended.

"I'm looking for my girlfriend Mimi Marquez," Roger answered and stressed the word girlfriend. A look of recognition came across the waitress's face and her previously hurt expression changed to one of brightness.

"Oh yes, she's a dancer right?" When Roger nodded she continued to babble on. "I believe her shift is close to being over… though she's probably just now getting ready to get on stage," she said helpfully and Roger smiled nervously at her.

"Thanks for the help." Then as quickly as possible without seeming too rude Roger took off towards a table in the front.

(End flashback!!!)

Well… in spite of being a little too flirtatious that waitress turned out to know what she was talking about. Mimi went on stage not too long after I found a seat and I guess she saw me right away because she stumbled a little coming out. Oh, and she mouthed a "you are so dead" to me before picking back up on the dance routine. I of course, just smiled and waved cheerfully at her. Maybe that would teach her to work late all the time and leaving me alone with Mark and his annoying camera. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse.

(Flashback!!)

Roger grinned as Mimi and the other dancers did their thing and for a moment he forgot that the room was filled with those creepy old men. That was soon forgotten.

"Hey that's hot stuff there!" an elderly gentleman next to Roger cheered and gave a few wolf cries. Mimi did her job by flashing him a smile and a wink but soon she had to turn back to other customers.

"Show some respect man," Roger snapped dangerously at the man, eyeing him angrily. The man just laughed at him and downed a few drinks.

"You don't come to this place to be respectful sonny!" he exclaimed and then turned back to his buddies. Roger rolled his eyes and slouched in his seat, barely managing to keep from snapping at the rest of the jeering crowd.

Soon though Mimi was allowed to dance away from the stage as another girl took her place. With a heavy sigh of relief Roger darted away from his table to go meet up with Mimi, eager to get away from the flashing lights and deafening music. Apparently Mimi was way ahead of him because she was now storming towards him with a sour look on her face. Luckily she had pulled a coat modestly over herself.

"Roger Davis!" she hissed, grabbing him by the arm and yanking him off to a quieter spot. "What the hell are you doing here?" Roger found it odd she wasn't yelling at him in Spanish… that's always what she did when he did something that made Mimi mad.

"Well you're always working so late so I decided to come see you…" Roger explained, adding a little bit of sugary sweet tone underneath. This couldn't keep Mimi from smiling a little and she swatted his arm.

"Well that's sweet Roger…" she started but was cut off by a tap on the shoulder. It was the same gentleman from before that sat next to Roger.

"When you're done with him I'm more than willing to go next," he slurred, smiling and swaying drunkenly. Roger was almost going to be mad at Mimi, thinking this was a regular occurrence until he saw the look of surprise and hurt on her face.

"Excuse me," she began vehemently but the man cut her off again.

"Oh come on sweetheart, I'm willing to pay you decently." Roger stood there fuming for about half a second, his hands clenching and unclenching with that dangerous glint in his eyes. The man never saw Roger's fist coming towards him, that is until he connected with his jaw and sent him flying.

"She happens to be my girlfriend ass hole!" Roger shouted. With an arm draped protectively around Mimi Roger escorted her from the building and didn't look back.

(End flashback!!!)

Huh… I just now noticed that I always seem to do that whole hand thing when I'm angry. Anyways, Mimi was so grateful that I went to meet her at work because she knew that situation could have gotten sticky otherwise. I was happy too because then I knew that I could totally trust Mimi, just obviously not her boss who never seems to be around to keep an eye on his dancers. And Mark didn't have to put up with our arguing all night. So all in all I think it was a good night for everyone… except for whoever the jerk was.

A/N: Kind of a random chapter… please review and tell me what you thought!! Oh and something interesting I wanted to share, in the last chapter I mentioned Roger's bed as a kid growing up. That was based of a dream I had where I went to his parent's house for some reason and they told me that "Roger isn't here right now, he's off in Alphabet City, but you can use his room while you're staying". Yeah… and that was what it looked like… lol!!! Just thought I would share. :D