Whoot!! Chapter 20 is up! (I'm not counting the prologue, Technically it's ch 21 but whatever) Anyhoo. . . you find out what Jo's planing in this chapter and there's two confrontations in this chapter . . . I hope you all enjoy this chapter . . . it's one of my favorites. I won't be able to update for a while because I need to type up my next chapter still . . . hopefully I will be able to find the time . . .

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

Don't Be Rash

Jo, the Bohos, and Richard pulled up to the warehouse where Ray was supposedly holding Mark. Collins, Roger and Richard hopped out of the bed of Jo's truck while Jo, Maureen, Joanne and Mimi stepped out of the cab.

"That's where he's keeping Mark?" Maureen asked, fear and anger evident in her voice.

"Yeah," Richard said, "He's in there . . . if any of you need to duck out, now would be a good time." He looked toward Maureen, Joanne and Mimi, "Mark's not gonna look too hot. Ray's finally got it to where Mark injects himself with smack. He might be preparing his next hit as we speak."

"Well, then we've got to get in there quickly now; don't we?" Roger said. "Here's the plan: we get in, we find Mark, we get out and call the police. Sound good?"

"You guys have fun with that." Jo said, pulling out a small black case from the cab of her truck. "I've got some unfinished business to attend to."

Richard knew what Jo was thinking. "Jo, don't even think about it. The plan was to rescue Mark; not settle a score with a man who wants to kill you and is armed with a gun!"

Jo opened the black case and took out a black hand gun. "Well, I guess that makes two of us." She said, loading the gun before shoving it in her pocket.

"Jo, where the hell did you get that?" Collins asked nervously, eyeing it with uncertainty.

"I bought it when I turned 21 for safety reasons. I've never fired it except for at a firing range."

"Josie," Joanne said, "That's not going to solve your problem."

"I know that Joanne but I can't wait until the police show up and take him to jail mixed up with them finding out I'm not dead and going on trial against him and all that shit. No. I'd rather go out with a bang and take him with me before I ever do that." Jo said resolutely.

"Bu chica," Mimi took her turn, "What about us? What about Mark? Who knows what he'll do if you don't survive."

"That's why I'm trusting him with you." She replied, "Because who better to help him than his friends?"

"Jo, you're his friend too."

"I know. But even after we rescue Mark, Ray might avid the police and still come after me. Why draw it out? Why not get it over with? If I kill him, Joanne will be my lawyer in court but if I die he'll go away for murder and kidnapping. Don't you see? It's better to end it now." Jo paced back and forth, "I don't expect you to understand. Hell, even I don't understand. But I know I need to do this. And I'm trusting you to respect my decision and take care of Mark . . . for me . . ."

The Bohemians gazed at Jo, fear and shock painted on every face. Had she really given herself up to death? She seemed resolute about her decision. But were they themselves ready to give up Jo? After all, she had helped make them stronger as a family. And what would happen to Mark if his best friend wasn't there to pull him out from behind his camera and be with him? Who would love Mark unconditionally and care for him if not for his best friend Jo? What would happen to their family if Jo died at the hands of a madman bent on revenge?

"Are you sure Jo?" Maureen asked, tears welling in her eyes.

Jo sighed and nodded solemnly, "I need to do this. It's me or him . . . just pray I'll get him first."

Richard tugged on Roger's jacket. "We have to act fast if we want to get Mark out. I suggest we get moving." Roger nodded and the friends turned to Jo.

As the Bohos said their goodbyes to Jo, they felt a feeling of dread in their stomachs. Would this be the last time they would see Jo alive?

"Do you want us to tell him?"

"No," Jo replied, "He'll be better off not knowing."

"Okay . . . "

"Let's go." Richard said tearing the Bohemians away from their friend.

"Okay," Roger said. As the Bohos walked one way into the building, Jo walked through a different door. Collins followed her.

"No one should be alone," He justified to his friends before disappearing through Jo's door.

The remaining four turned to Richard and followed him to Mark. They sneaked through many hallways and finally came to a door.

"He's in here." Richard said, unlocking the door. The metal door creaked open to reveal Mark holding a needle over his arm, ready to shoot up.

Like lightning, Roger bolted over to the blonde and snatched the needle out of his hand. Startled, Mark looked up.

"Roger . . .?" Mark whispered, eyes wide with fear. Roger took the needle and made his way to the small window. "Roger no!" Mark cried when he realized what Roger was doing. "Pleas no!" Mark clawed at Roger as the guitarist held him back.

"You don't need it Mark." Roger said firmly while Richard held the girls back.

"Yes I do! You know how it is! Remember?!" Mark pleaded desperately.

"I remember but I don't want you to know that." With that, Roger dropped the heroin out the window.

"NO!!" Mark screamed, desperately trying to get the smack that was already gone. Mark then started weakly punching Roger in the abdomen. "You asshole! You mother fucker! I hate you! I HATE you!" Roger let Mark get his frustrations out, he wasn't that strong anyway, until he collapsed on the floor from pure exhaustion and lack of food. "I hate you . . ." Mark whispered from the floor.

Roger knelt down and looked into Mark's winter-blue eyes. "No you don't." He said, "Jo wouldn't allow it."

"Jo?" Mark lit up a bit. "Is she here? Is she safe? Where is she?" he demanded softly.

"Mark," Roger was unsure how to tell him. "Jo . . . she went to find Ray . . . alone."

"What . . .?" Mark could barely speak. "No . . ."

"Collins followed her." Roger tried to reassure the blonde. "He'll take care of her."

Suddenly, Mark got angry. "No! I need to see her! Where is she?!" He yelled, frustrated. "You're lying! She wouldn't!"

"She would and she did!" Roger lost his temper, taking Mark by surprise. "She took a fucking gun with her! She's gonna kill him if he doesn't kill her first! Do you understand Mark? She might die!"

"Roger!" Mimi hissed angrily at her boyfriend. "Stop it."

Roger stopped and looked at the pathetic form before him, cowering in fear and withdrawal.

RENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENT

Jo was stubborn. She wanted blood; Ray's blood. She never hated someone as much as she hated Ray. He took Mark from her and forced him to become addicted to heroin. That was unforgivable in her eyes.

She turned down multiple hallways until she came to an open warehouse area. In the middle of that area, stood Ray.

"I knew you'd come to me." He said cockily, "It was only a matter of time."

"Why?" Jo asked harshly, venom obvious in her voice.

"Why? Why what?"

"Why do you want to torture me?" Jo's voice was unwavering.

Ray smirked, "Because you're perfect." He faced Jo, a gun in his hand. "You are my perfect murder." He started walking around Jo, taunting her. "I've killed so many teenagers over the years but you were the only one that got away . . . Do you remember how you were saved? Two men came and caught me off guard . . . you got lucky. But I couldn't risk you out in the world . . . You got smart. You changed your name, got out of town. But I'm smarter. I stalked your best friend. I found out about his issues with heroin and how easy a target he was." Jo was getting irritable but she wouldn't show Ray that. "So when you finally came back, I was overjoyed. I'm a patient man. And my patience paid off."

"Why didn't you go after me first?" Jo snapped, glaring at Ray as he continued to circle her.

"Too easy;" he replied simply. "I like a challenge."

"So you took Mark,"

"He was just begging to be tortured."

"That's not an excuse!" Jo yelled, pulling out her gun. "No one deserves that!"

"Are your emotions running high, Josephine?" Jo continued to glare at Ray, "Good. I'd be pissed off if I were you."

"You took the one person I truly love you son of a bitch." Jo growled before firing her gun.

Another gunshot was heard and Jo felt pain in her abdomen.

Oh, shit . . . everything was red . . .

Jo was shot.

Oh no!!! What has happened?!?! What have I Done?!?! *laughs maniacally* I am so evil . . . and to make you wait until I type up the next chapter to boot! Sorry. . . ^_^ I am so evil . . . PLEASE REVIEW!! I'll type faster if you review! Thanks!!