Authors' Notes: Sorry if this chapter seems a little long. I have a 3,000 word level for myself now, in this chapter I went a little over. Hope that works out. LOL. Thanks to all of you who faithfully read this, it means a lot. I just hope that I'm not letting you down. Let a sista know how you feel! In case you were wondering, I am African-American. LOL. Random much? Yes.

Once again I DO NOT OWN RENT.

PLEASE READ, REVIEW AND ENJOY!

Italics are thoughts and memories.

Chapter Seventeen

With Collins and Angel

"Angel. I want you to get out of here okay? I don't want you to be around me anymore."

Angel turned toward his lover, trying to be careful not to cause himself any more pain.

"Lover, I want to stay with you."

Collins looked up at Angel, tears still falling. "No Angel, I can't have you here if I'm going to hurt you. I don't deserve you Angel."

"Stop staying that Tom. We'll be alright my love I swear."

"No Angel listen to me. You need to stay away from me."

"Where am I going to go Tom? I live here, with you. I refuse to be alone again. I refuse."

"No baby, I can't have you here." Collins thought quickly. "I'll leave then."

Collins began to get up, gently pushing Angel away from him. Angel jumped to his feet, which he found out he could barely do. "Tom, don't you leave me here by myself!"

The professor stopped in his tracks.

Angel went up to him and felt his face in his hands. "I love you Tom."

"I love you too Angel. But I can't stay here, I can't even handle us having arguments . . . "

Collins sensed the awkwardness of his words and moved past Angel. The street drummer looked down at the floor, tears falling once more. "TOM YOU BETTER NOT FUCKING LEAVE ME AFTER WHAT YOU DID!"

Once again Collins stopped in his tracks. Angel was right. If he left now, it would show him a coward and a low life. He had to make this right. But what do you do when you rape the love of your life? Run? Stay? Let it be?

"Angel I don't know what to do about this. I hurt you."

Angel slowly sat on the edge of the couch, which caused him pain. "Yes you did Tom, but I know you didn't really mean what you did . . . did you?"

Collins ran back to Angel, going on his knees. "No baby, never."

"Alright then, stay with me so we can fix this."

The professor sighed. "But what if I hurt you again?"

"You won't."

"How do you know that Angel?"

"You're not a monster Thomas Collins. Shit happens, to everyone. People do stupid things to the ones they love and usually they don't mean it."

Angel thought back to David. Did he really do that because he loved Angel? Did he even love Angel in the first place? Was he really sorry for what he did? So many questions would never be answered.

"But you don't deserve the shit that happens to you Angel. Why do you take it?"

Angel looked out the window. "Because I know there is good in people Tom. There is good in everyone. I truly believe that."

"How can you sit there and still have a good outlook on life when everything around you crumbles? How can you possibly be happy?"

"I don't know."

Collins laced Angel's hand with his. His voice got lower as if in a whisper. "Did I hurt you badly?"

Angel smiled at him. "If I hadn't had been used to you, it would have been a lot worse. But I'll be alright."

"I should take you to the doctors."

Angel's face became like stone. "I'm not going to another fucking hospital."

Collins sensed his seriousness. "Alright Angel." The professor looked around for ideas of what to do to make things better. "I'll be right back."

Angel looked after the professor who ran into the bathroom. "Tom what are you doing? Babe, I don't feel very well."

Collins called from the bathroom. "One moment!"

Angel heard water coming from the bath tub. "Tom honey?"

Collins came in and grabbed Angel, holding him as if he was a bride being carried over the threshold. Angel leaned his head into Collins' chest, sighing. "I love you Thomas Collins."

"I'll always love you."

To Angel's surprise Collins had drawn a bath with Angel's favorite bubble bath. Bubbles were endless. There even a few candles lit. The professor placed Angel down and slowly began to take his clothes off. Angel grabbed his hands quickly. "Wait." Collins let go of Angel's clothes and put his head down in absolute shame. He couldn't even touch Angel the way he used to. Angel lifted his head. "Give me a little while honey alright?" Collins knew exactly what he meant, so he nodded. Angel disrobed, clothes falling to the floor. He smiled at Collins warmly. "Help me in Professor Collins." Collins took Angel's hand and helped him into the bath. The hot water caused Angel to wince, but it calmed him immediately. He slowly slid into the tub, letting the water completely take him over. Angel sighed greatly, the pain from his injuries starting to let up with the water's temperature. Collins sat on his knees, and cupped some water in his hand and let it drip on Angel's arm. Angel looked at his man, he was so sorry but couldn't bring himself to words. "Thank you baby."

Collins looked up. "For what?"

"For this."

"Oh."

"I forgive you Tom."

Tears fell down Collins' eyes. "Angel . . . "

"I forgive you and I love you."

"But Angel . . . "

"Do you accept my forgiveness or not?"

"Yes." Collins said quickly.

Angel closed his eyes, sighing. "Tom, no one needs to know about this do you hear me? No one."

"Angel you know I don't speak to anyone about us."

"This is between you and I my love, no one else."

Collins leaned over to kiss Angel's soft cheek. "No one." He muttered. Collins lifted his head to meet Angel's. The two lovers stared at one another, taking in how much deeper their relationship had become in a matter of one hour. Angel took his hands out of the water and grabbed Collins' face passionately kissing him.

Finally after a while Angel broke the kiss. "Now get out. I'm trying to get my beauty treatment here."

Collins smiled and began to walk out of the door.

"Wait!" Angel smiled at him cutely. "Bring me those roses."

When Collins returned with Angel's roses, he looked at them. "What do you want to do with them?"

"Take a few of their petals and put them in the tub."

Collins shook his head and took two of the roses and placed their petals into the tub.

"Thank you honey."

The professor kissed Angel on the forehead. "You're welcome."

"Now get out!"

With Joanne and Maureen

The two laid there thinking of the past 24 hours, wanting to never leave one another ever again.

"I love you Maureen." Joanne said as she sweetly kissed Maureen's neck.

"I love you too Jo."

For a while Maureen thought that she had lost Joanne forever. But now she was certain they would last because they just went through the worst breakup of their relationship. Could their arguments get any worse?

"Pookie?"

"Love?"

"What happened to the show?"

Joanne jumped up, still having a tight grip on her girlfriend. "Holy Shit I've got to call Miss Abram!" The lawyer jumped out of bed with speed almost knocking Maureen off of it completely.

"Hey!"

Before Joanne ran into the closet she came back and kissed Maureen on the cheek. Soon the lawyer came out with a housecoat, tying the strings around her. Maureen took that as her cue to hop in the shower, she needed to see Angel.

Joanne sat down on the chair next to the phone and dialed Miss Abrams' number.

"Hello?"

"Miss Abram?"

"Joanne! Hello dear, how are you? You ready for rehearsal?"

"I'm fine Miss Abram thank you. How are you?"

"I'm just fine. I'm so excited! The mayor, can you believe it? The mayor!"

Joanne smiled at Miss Abram's enthusiasm, she was so glad to have her around. She lifted everyone's spirits. Just like . . .

Holy Shit! I've got to call Angel!

Even as Joanne was thinking Miss Abram was still going on and on about the show and how much of a success it was going to be.

"Miss Abram!" Joanne giggled.

"Oh Lord have mercy I'm so sorry dear! What is it that you were going to ask me?"

"What time did you schedule today?"

"At three."

Joanne looked at the clock. It was 1:30, just enough to get ready and go talk to Angel.

"Wonderful, I'll see you at the Theatre then."

"Joanne, is Miss Maureen going to be able to come?"

Joanne hesitated for a moment but then thought to the mornings actions.

"Yes. Yes she will."

"Good, I can't wait. I'll see you soon then."

"Okay, bye Miss Abram and thank you for everything."

"Anytime darlin'. Bye bye."

"MAUREEN!"

Joanne got up and walked into the bedroom looking for Maureen until she heard the shower going. The lawyer smiled and saw this as particular opportunity to join her girlfriend. The performance artist hadn't even noticed that Joanne was coming in the shower until she went to reach for her soap.

"Oh! Pookie you scared me!"

"Let me get that." Joanne said slyly as she grabbed the soap and took Maureen's loofa out of her hand.

As the two washed one another, all problems were forgotten and once again the only people in the world that existed were them two.

With Mimi, Roger, Mark

As Mark fumbled with his camera inside, Mimi and Roger sat outside on the fire scape smoking a cigarette.

Mimi looked exhausted which worried Roger greatly. "Babe?"

The dancer took in some of her Cigarette letting the smoke out into the air. "Yeah?"

"Come here." Roger motioned for Mimi to sit on his lap, which she did contently. "You look tired babe, want to go to bed?"

"I'm feeling alright babe."

Roger gave her funny look as she tapped the ashes off of her cigarette. "You look really tired baby."

"Rog, I'm fine baby okay?"

There was silence for a moment as they listened to the familiar sounds of New York that surrounded them. After the two had finished their cigarettes, Roger got up lifting Mimi in the process. She felt light as a feather. "Am I heavy?"

Roger flipped his long dirty blonde hair out of way. "Actually, I'm having some trouble."

Mimi's jaw dropped, but quickly turned to a smile as she hit him. "Shut up!"

Mark looked up from his words, seeing the couple laughing. Usually he wasn't very bitter. He was extremely happy for Roger. He never thought that he'd ever get his best friend back after April's suicide. But today, he wasn't up for listening to them giggle or be in their world. He just wanted to be in his own world.

"Guys, can you please keep it down. I'm trying to concentrate."

Roger put Mimi down and looked up at his best friend. "What the hell is your problem?"

"Roger I can't concentrate while you guys are over here being . . . you guys. Why can't you go down to Mimi's?"

Mimi looked at Mark with concern.

Fuck, he's lonely.

"Mark come on, let me do you hair again! Remember you said you liked the way I did it?"

Mark rolled his eyes as her pathetic attempt to change the subject.

"No Mimi, I don't want you to do my fucking hair."

Roger began to get defensive. "Woah Mark, chill the fuck out man. She didn't do shit to you."

"Look I just want to be left the fuck alone for once alright?"

The guitarist walked over to his best friend. "Mark, what is the matter man? Do you want to talk?"

Mark met eyes with Roger. For the first time in while Roger actually wanted to help someone, but Mark didn't care.

"No I don't want to fucking talk man."

"Whatever the fuck happened man, you don't need to take it out on us."

Mimi cautiously walked up behind Roger placing her hands on his shoulder. "Yeah Mark, we love you."

The film maker threw the canister of film across the room. "I HATE THE FACT THAT EVERYONE CARES ABOUT MARK WHEN THERE IS NO ONE ELSE TO WORRY ABOUT!"

The other two stood in silence, not wanting to miss a word. This is what Mark needed, someone to listen.

"NO ONE FUCKING CARES ABOUT MARK! NO ONE! FUCK LIFE! FUCK THIS! I HAVE TO WATCH EVERYONE BE HAPPY! I'M FUCKING TIRED OF IT! I'M SO FUCKING TIRED OF BEING LONELY!"

Roger tried speaking up. "Mark. We're here with you man. You don't have to be alone."

"LIKE HELL I DON'T!" Mark was clearly upset and was almost becoming dangerous.

"YOU HAVE MIMI! COLLINS HAS ANGEL! JOANNE HAS . . . MAUREEN. BENNY'S WITH ALISON. NO ONE FOR MARK. NO ONE EVER FOR MARK. FUCK LIFE! I FUCKING HATE THIS!"

Mark walked over to the table, grabbing an empty beer bottle and threw it across the room.

Mimi yelped in fear. "Shit!"

Roger looked around, there were bottles everywhere Mark had plenty of ammunition. "Mark, calm down man."

"FUCK OFF DAVIS!"

Roger looked over to Mimi. "Mimi go downstairs and call Collins, I'm gonna need some help."

Mimi took her cue and flew out the door.

Mark ran for more bottles and threw them all over the loft.

"MARK KNOCK IT OFF! MAN, CALM DOWN! LET'S TALK MAN!"

"FUCK TALKING! THAT'S ALL ANYONE EVER WANTS TO DO! TALK! NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE THAT EXTRA STEP WITH ME EVER!"

Roger listened to his friend's words. "Mark you're not thinking."

"FUCK THINKING! FUCK LIFE!"

Mark through himself on the couch, face in hands. Roger cautiously moved the remaining bottles from the table in front of Mark. He sat down on the coffee table directly in front on Mark, which he was sure was not a good idea.

"Mark."

No answer.

"Listen man, maybe it's just not your time to have someone yet. You know there are reasons for everything."

Mark slowly raised his head, a look of anger painted on his face. Roger was taken aback, he wasn't sure if he should get up or stay there. "Sure, you can say that. But have you experienced loneliness like mine?"

Roger was pissed now. "What the fuck do you mean Cohen?"

How could Mark have forgotten when April died?

"How fucking stupid are you! I've experienced more fucking loneliness than you ever have!"

"Oh really? I'm so sorry Mr. Never-Comes-Home-Alone. I MADE A FUCKING MISTAKE!" Mark said sarcastically.

Both men were up, anger raising by the moment. "What is it with you man? What the fuck did I do to you!"

Mark looked away. "I don't want to fucking deal with this right now." The film maker walked over to his bag and began stuffing things into. Roger threw his hands in the air, defeated. "Where the fuck are you going Mark?"

"OUT! You mind?"

Roger gestured him to the door. "Not at all."

After Mark had gotten his things he quickly placed his coat and scarf on. Roger opened the door for him. "I just hope you'll get over yourself and actually get out to meet someone instead of making them feel weird by fucking filming them."

Mark glared at the guitarist. "Fuck you Roger."

Roger watched his best friend practically run down the stairs until he heard a huge crash. The guitarist looked over the banister. "Mark!" He saw Mark at the foot of the stairs trying to gather his things once again. Roger ran down the stairs. "What the fuck man are you okay?"

Clearly Mark wasn't because he began to limp in his right leg. "Fuck off Roger."

"Mark you're limping. Come on you need some ice let me help you upstairs."

"We don't have any fucking ice."

"Mimi does. Come on stop being an ass and let me help you."

"I said FUCK OFF!"

Mark grabbed his bag and threw it around him. "I don't want you to fucking help me." The film maker hobbled in massive pain down the rest of the stairs and out the main door. Roger sat on the stairs, not knowing what to do.

Mimi came out onto the stair well. "Roger! I couldn't get to Collins he didn't answer. Where's Mark?"

"He left. I don't know where he's going, but he left. I don't know what has got into him."

Mimi began to cough. Roger jumped up toward her. "Come on Meems, let's get you into bed."

"No babe." She coughed again. "I'm good."

"Mimi."

Finally she gave in. "Alright I'll go to bed, but I have to talk to Angel to see if she got home okay."

As the two climbed up the stairs and entered the loft Mimi jogged over to the phone hoping to reach someone at Collins or Angel's apartment. Still trying to stop coughing,

she dialed Collins and Angel's number once more as Roger went into his bedroom to prepare the bed.

ring, ring

Come on, someone pick up.

ring, ring

They can't have been fucking this long!

ring, ring

"Hi!"

"Hello Chica?"

"Got ya!"

"Dammit Angel."

"You've reached Collins and Angel. We're not here at the moment so leave your name, number and BRIEF message and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you and have a fabulous day! And remember . . . No Day But Today!" BEEP

"Angel-Chica! It's Mimi. I just wanted to know if you made it home alright. I'm sure you two are probably making up for the day you lost, but I just wanted to make sure you were alright. Mark is over here throwing bottles and going crazy and shit. I haven't talk to Mo or Jo yet. One of you call me back at the loft! I love you guys!"

Roger called from his bedroom. "Meems! Bed!"

Mimi cleared her throat at which she found was painful. "Yes father!"

As soon as Mimi was settled into bed, Roger looked at her. "You're beautiful you know that?"

Mimi blushed, her darn brown curls everywhere. "So are you."