Sorry it took longer to update . . . I've been having technical difficulties (also known as my parent's stupid parental controls on their computer!) Anyway, here is the next chapter!

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

Darkness and Light

Darkness . . .

Nothing but darkness . . .

Darkness everywhere . . .

I can't stand the darkness . . . It's like being alone . . .

I don't want to be alone . . .

God, where am I? . . . I need a hit . . .

Wait . . .

I hear something . . . Is that . . .? Jo? . . . and Roger . . .?

I can't tell . . .

What are they saying? . . .

"He can do it at home Collins. He was there for me and I survived."

Roger . . .

"I know Rog, but that's just it. He helped you before and he knows how to avoid everything we throw at him."

"Don't be so sure." Jo . . . "I wasn't around during Roger's withdrawal. I might be able to help out and give ideas to keep him home."

"That may be, but you know better than us how clever he is."

"Precisely, I know how smart he is but with your help, we can outsmart him and get through this without much incident."

"Don't be so sure," Benny . . . "He'll still be violent. Roger was and you saw how Mark was when he ran. That was only from the first few days. Imagine how bad it will get after the first few weeks!"

No one's saying anything . . . why . . .? What's going on?

"Do we need the girls to stay at Joanne's place?"

"I'm not leaving him,"

"Jo, we can't guarantee your safety while he's in withdrawal."

"I don't care. I promised him I wouldn't leave him after I woke up. I can't break my promise."

Promise . . .

Promise . . .

Jo, don't leave me . . .

Darkness again . . .

RENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENTRENT

Jo gently stroked Mark's head, waiting for him to open his eyes. All of the Bohemians were sitting around Mark's hospital room. Mimi was sitting contently on Roger's lap, talking quietly about god-knows-what. Maureen and Joanne were huddled together, comforting each other. Collins was standing next to the door, watching the scene before him; and Benny was simply sitting, staring into space.

The filmmaker on the bed started to stir, causing the whole room to come back to life.

"Mark?" Jo called, still petting Mark's head.

"What?" a slurred reply emitted from the former-blonde's lips.

"Are you awake?" Jo asked, trying to get Mark to open his eyes.

"No, I'm asleep. Yes, I'm awake crazy!" Mark cracked a smile and opened his eyes.

Everyone smiled in relief as Mark sat up. "How do you feel?" Jo asked.

Mark paused, how did he feel? Well, he wasn't shaking, he wasn't too hot or cold, he didn't feel anything. But he still craved heroin. "I don't know." He finally said, "I feel fine."

"You've been out for about a week." Benny said, "You went through withdrawal in a sleep-like state."

"Ah," Mark got it, "Okay,"

"So, how are you feeling?" Jo tried again.

"Well . . ." Mark debated about telling them about his cravings but decided against it. "I feel better."

"Yeah, well you're not fully better yet." Roger said, "You're still craving it, aren't you?"

Mark regarded Roger carefully, "Yes," He said finally, "But you're not going to let me have any are you?"

"Damn right," Roger glared at Mark, "Not after what just happened."

"Well, I don't intend to get any." Mark snapped back, "I may not be done with my withdrawal yet either. So prepare for one hell of a time Rog."

"Fine," Collins said, "But Jo's going away while you're bitching."

"What?!" Jo cried out.

"What?" Mark's eyes got wide.

"Collins, you can't! I'm not leaving him!" Jo yelled at the bigger man.

"I can and I have. You're going to San Francisco until Mark's clean." Collins declared resolutely.

"No! I won't!" Jo growled harshly.

"Jo, we can't risk you getting hurt." Benny said, siding with Collins.

"I'm not going to get hurt!" Jo screamed, "I survived a fucking gunshot wound! I can deal with this!"

"It's too late, Jo. I've already called the girls. They're coming tomorrow to pick you up." Collins said coolly, "Jo, I'm sorry, but I don't want to see you hurt again."

Jo sat down, defeated. "Does my mom know?"

"Yes, she supports it fully."

Jo let silent tears fall from her sad, seal-grey eyes. "I'm not happy."

"I know. But better you safe and him clean than everything bad . . ."

Jo wiped her tears, "Fine . . ."

Next Chapter will be updated soon . . . just as soon as I get REVIEWS!!!!!!