Horary!! Another chapter down! I'm going to see Avenue Q on Friday with mi chica Kandechan. I can't wait. . .

Disclaimer: I don't own, I RENT. Except for my plotline and characters . . . those are mine.

The Man

Mark, Jo, Mimi and Roger were talking happily while walking to the Life Café. Mimi and Jo were talking in rapid Spanish while Mark and Roger talked about similarities and differences between the two girls. Roger then pulled Mark away from the girls a bit so they could talk in semi-private.

"You obviously haven't told her yet." Roger stated, looking pointedly at Jo. "Mark, you've got to do it soon."

"I know, I know; it's just . . ." Mark trailed off.

"It's just what?"

Mark sighed, "Jo's never had a boyfriend. Ever. What makes you think she'll decide to choose me when she's rejected so many others?"

"Because it's you, Mark." Roger replied, pointing his index finger towards the filmmaker. "There's no one else in the world she trusts more than you."

"I know but . . ." Mark was cut off by Mimi and Jo in front of them.

"Jo! Don't!" Mimi yelled, pulling the petite girl back from running off.

"What?" Jo asked, confused. Roger and Mark caught up with the two girls.

"Do you have any idea who you were heading to?" Mimi asked, worry evident in her voice.

"Yeah," Jo replied, "I was going to go talk to him." She pointed over to a shady character at an alleyway entrance.

Mark, Roger and Mimi's eyes got wide. "Jo, do you have any idea who that is?" Mark demanded in a hasty whisper.

Jo looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"Jo, that's The Man. He's the resident drug dealer." Roger said seriously. "He used to sell to Mimi and me before we quit."

Jo shook her head. "No, that's Richard. He and his brother Tino were the ones who helped me start my new life." She said, "He's a real softy. He and Tino took me in and patched me up after the incident. I stayed with them for a while bore they set my new life up and sent me on my way. No, I know who that is. It's Richard."

Mark, Roger and Mimi looked dumbfounded. "Chica," Mimi said, "Are you sure?"

Jo smiled and nodded. "I'm sure." She said before turning, "I'm going to go say hi. I'll be right back, I promise."

The three Bohemians watched nervously as Jo walked up to The Man and prayed she knew what she was doing.

As she walked toward Richard, Jo saw someone approach him and subtly exchange money for a small bag of white powder with him than hurry away. She tapped on his shoulder and he turned around. Immediately, Richard's face turned from serious and shady to surprised an happy.

"Josephine?" He asked, unable to hide his joy.

Jo smiled widely and hugged The Man. "Richard! Oh my god! It's so good to see you!"

Richard hugged Jo back, obviously very happy to see an old friend. "It's good to see you too Jo." He said, "How've you been? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine Rich, in fact, I'm great! Do you remember that boy I told you about; the one who was my best friend?" Jo asked.

Richard laughed. "Of course I remember. You never shut up about him."

"Well, I found him nine years later here in New York and he seems to know of you."

Richard snorted in amusement, "I'm not surprised." He said, "I'm known around these parts as--. . ."

"—The Man, I know; what's up with that?" Jo asked still staying cheerful. "It's like . . . some evil villain's name or something."

"Yeah, well in my line of business you have to keep a low profile." Richard said.

"So you can sell drugs?" Jo asked innocently. Richard's face fell a bit. "How did you sink that low, Rich?" Jo asked gently, "You and I both know you're much better than that."

Richard sighed, "I know, but Tino and I were in a rut after you left and this was the easiest way to make money. I'm not proud of it but its just good business . . ."

"I know Richard," Jo said, giving Richard a light smile. "Tell Tino I say hi?"

Richard smiled at Jo, "Of course; you take care of yourself Jo."

Jo gave Richard one last hug before starting back toward the Bohos. "I'll see you around!" She called back to him. He smiled and watched Jo meet up with her friends before disappearing in the shadows of the alley.

RENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENT

"I can't believe it!" Mimi exclaimed as they made their way to the Life. "You're friends with The Man?"

"As I said before chica . . . Yes, I'm friends with The Man. No, I'm not secretly getting drugs from him. Yes, underneath that tough exterior is a sweet, caring guy. And yes, he doesn't like his job!" Jo explained for what seemed like the billionth time.

"Still," Roger interjected, "It just seems weird. I mean he's always been a shady character for as long as I've known him; then all the sudden, you come along and he's all happy and smiling!"

Jo smiled slyly, "I guess I just have that effect of people." She said, giving a small laugh.

"Is that true Marky?" Mimi asked, playfully prodding a finger into Mark's shoulder. Mark grumbled and swatted Mimi's hand away.

"What do you think?" Mark shot back, "She's friendly and outgoing; and she likes attention. What's not to be drawn to?" Mark took out his camera and started to narrate. "Close on Jo, who apparently knows the resident drug dealer. Tell the folks at home how this is possible."

Jo giggled, "He saved me from getting killed and helped me start a new life." She said to the camera.

Mark stopped filming and lowered the camera. "Well, I guess we owe him a thank you." Mark said grudgingly. Jo took notice.

"Why so pissy?" she asked, "He's a good guy."

"He gave my friends HIV." Mark spat suddenly, "He is not a good guy." Jo looked astonished, then mad.

"He is." She growled, "You just refuse to see it,"

"Guys, calm down!" Mimi scolded before they could truly get mad at each other. "Don't argue about this, please."

"Fine," Jo said quietly. But both Jo and Mark knew this was far from over.

RENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENT

"You know The Man?" Collins exclaimed later at the Life Café.

"Yes," Jo said, exasperated, "I know The Man. His name's Richard and he's not that bad!"

"I disagree." Joanne said, "He's a drug dealer who gave Roger and Mimi HIV. He's not a good guy."

"I disagree with you, Pookie." Maureen said, "Maybe he isn't as bad as we thought he was . . . if he saved Joie from dying, then maybe he's not who we thought he was."

"He's not who you think he is. He's a kind and caring guy who took care of me for the months I stayed with him and his brother." Jo said.

"He has a brother?" Collins asked cautiously.

"Yeah, Tino is Richard's brother. Tino's older than Richard by one year. But Richard's more street smart than Tino." Jo replied.

"And how do you know this?" Mark asked, obviously pissy. Jo stared at Mark for a moment.

"I told you, I lived with them for a few months." Jo said quietly. "There's no need to be pissy."

"You know why I'm upset." Mark glared.

"I know why, but you need to get over it." Jo glared back. "You don't have to like Richard, just be civil to him."

Mark stared hard at Jo. "Make me,"

Jo's temper started to rise very quickly. "What'd you say?"

"I said: make me." Mark was being rebellious and wasn't going to back down.

Jo stood up, reached across the table and pulled Mark's short hair. He let out a cry of pain. Mimi and Maureen gasped and Roger, Collins and Joanne grabbed Mark and Jo and tried to release Jo's grip on Mark's hair.

"Jo! Let go of him!"

"Jo! Calm down!"

"Not until he apologizes." Jo growled.

"Let go of him and let him apologize!" Joanne scolded. Jo refused to let go. Finally, fed up, Collins picked Jo up and carried her outside the café with Mark still attached.

"Collins, put me down!" Jo spat.

"First, let go of Mark; then I'll put you down." Collins ordered.

Jo reluctantly let go of Mark's hair. Collins put her down.

"Now, Jo, apologize to Mark." Collins instructed. Jo didn't say anything. "Jo . . ."

"Fine; I'm sorry Mark." Jo said, still upset.

"now, Mark, apologize to Jo for being mean." Collins told Mark. Mark took a moment to take a deep breath and try to calm down.

"Jo, I'm sorry." He said, sincerely. Jo looked to him, surprised. "I know he's your friend, but he's the reason two of my friends have HIV. Maybe he really is a good guy, I don't know. But I'm sorry; I guess I'm just not ready to accept the fact he's not a bad guy."

Jo gazed at Mark for a few moments longer before walking over to him and giving him a hug. He returned the favor eagerly.

"I'm sorry, too, Mark." Jo said, "I shouldn't have pushed you."

"It's okay," Mark said.

"Good," Collins smiled; "Now c'mon, we've got dinner to eat."

Mark and Jo smiled at each other and went inside with Collins; none of them knowing they were being watched by a real bad guy.

Whoot! I hope you all liked this chapter, I wanted to show how Mark an Jo get mad at each other like regular couples or friends. PLEASE REVIEW!!!