Hey Everyone!!! Okay just to let you know this is SIX MONTHS after Mark has been kidnapped . . . . I decided to jump ahead a little so that Mark would be more addicted to the heroin when everyone finds him . . . . Anyhoo, hope you enjoy this chapter!!! next one should be coming up soon!!

Disclaimer: I don't own, I RENT. . . except for my characters and my story line . . . those are mine . . .

Waiting

6 Months Later . . .

Close on Jo and Roger, sitting at the window across from each other. Both have been taking Mark's absence badly. Notice Mimi cooking in the background, the smell of chicken noodle casserole wafting around the room. Zoom in on Jo, whose once cheerful, lively face has gone sad and los. Six months can do a lot to a person . . . especially if it's six months without the love of your life by your side. Pan to Roger, plucking randomly at his guitar. He's upset because Mark was apparently being given doses by a needle now.

Fade to black . . .

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"Do you think he's okay?" Jo asked Roger that day at the window.

Roger sighed, "I don't know . . . I hope so," Roger didn't look convinced, "But from what Richard told us . . ." He trailed off. Jo and Roger sat in silence for a few moments. Both were thinking about their best friend who must've been suffering so much those past few months.

"Rog . . ." Jo said after the few moments, "I'm scared. I mean, Mark could die . . . from . . ." Tears started to well in seal-grey eyes. Roger immediately scooted over to Jo and held her close.

"Shh . . . Shh . . ." He cooed gently, petting Jo's now shoulder length raven hair. "It'll be okay. Mark . . . he's stronger than he looks. Okay? We'll get him out of there."

"How?!" Jo cried, "You know I can't go to the police! I'm supposed to be DEAD! Remember?!"

"Shh . . . Shh . . ." Roger tried to calm the thin girl down, "I know that Jo. But we'll find a way. Joanne's still working on how to do this without your secret being exposed and Richard's playing mole for us. And you have Collins, Benny and I to protect you and the girls in case this guy tries something."

Jo sniffled, "I know but . . . I can't help but feel responsible . . ."

Roger cut Jo off. "Jo, there's no way you could have known this would happen." He said firmly, "It's not your fault."

"Yes it is!" Jo protested, "Mark's getting hurt because of me! If I hadn't been rescued all those years ago, Mark would be here right now!"

"Jo! Don't say that!" Roger scolded, "You being alive has been the best thing to happen to this family since Angel. I have never seen Mark as happy as he is when you're around. Before you showed up at that door, Mark was sinking into a depression. I could see it everyday. He was losing his will to live. And then you came along and it's like all the life that had been sucked out of him came back when he saw you." Jo sniffed and Roger tightened his grip on the thin woman, "So don't say that you shouldn't have been rescued because you are the best thing he could ever have asked for."

". . . Thank you, Roger" Jo squeaked, hugging her friend. The hug was cut short by the phone ringing.

"SPEAK!" *Beep*

Richard's voice blared through the machine. "Jo, it's me. Throw down the keys." Jo hopped up and grabbed the key before stepping out on the fire escape and throwing it down to Richard. A few minutes later, Richard entered the loft.

"What did you find?" Mimi asked Richard, coming from the kitchen.

Richard sighed, "Mark's not doing so hot. He's getting more addicted by the day . . ."

"Have you seen him?" Roger asked.

"And talked to him, Richard said.

"Wait, why didn't you get him out of there?" Roger asked, confused.

"Because Ray has cameras in Mark's room and is threatening to expose our business if we try to help him." Richard explained.

Jo sat on the duct-taped couch and patted the seat next to her for Richard. He sat down. "How protected is this place?" she inquired.

"Very; it's got security everywhere . . ."

"Then how did Ray get in?" Roger demanded.

"I don't know; but he did and he's taken over. I'm only allowed in because Tino's my brother and I need to get supplies for my job as 'The Man'"

Mimi was the next one to ask a question: "Where is he holding Mark?"

"In a warehouse near the river . . . Mark has his own room with basic necessities: a bed, a sink, and a toilet. The room is hidden. When I asked to see him, they blindfolded me and took me to see him. After I was done talking to him, they blindfolded me again and took me back to where I was." Richard said.

"So . . . what do we do?" Jo asked quietly.

Richard replied, "There's nothing we can do . . ."

"Yes there is!" Jo exploded, "There's always something!"

Mimi pulled on Jo's arm, "Chica, calm down. You'll only wear yourself out." She said, "That's what Ray wants: for you to be worn out from crying and screaming so you can't put up a fight. I don't know about you, but I don't want to give him that advantage."

Jo was silent for a moment, thinking. Then she let out an exasperated sigh and sat on the couch.

"So . . . what, do we just let Mark become addicted to heroin while we sit waiting for Ray to make a move?" Jo asked in general.

Richard replied, "For now, until Joanne lets us know what our other options are."

"Will you see him again soon?"

Richard nodded, "I'm going to check on him when I get back."

"Could you tell him . . . that we're going to get him out of there and that I'm sorry . . ." Jo asked of The Man.

He nodded again, "Okay, I can do that," He looked at his watch, "I better go."

"When are you coming again?" Roger asked Richard.

"I don't know, it could take me a while to get away. But I'll be in touch." Richard started to go before turning back, "Jo, be careful."

Jo nodded and Richard left the loft.

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