I know I know. It's almost been a year since I last updated...and well...I'm sorry. The only reason I really have is my muse left me... that bitch lol ;) but it came back, and I finished the story. So it'll all be up by the end of this week.

I don't own RENT

Chapter 11

"Mama...I know you're mad..." Haley said, "But please, don't be." She sighed running her fingers through her hair, leaning against the payphone, "I know I shouldn't have left with out talking to you guys, and don't be mad at Roger, he thought you both knew. I just...I'm sorry, but I need to do this." She said, "I didn't... get my teenage years, and I know it sounds selfish, because I love Kylie so much, and I wouldn't trade her for anything, but I'm on an opportunity of a life time, and if you can't see that, then you're not the Mama I know and love."

Joanne leaned against the wall, her hand pressed to her forehead, Maureen anxiously watching her. "Haley, I know what a great opportunity this is, but for you to just leave without even discussing this, which we were going to do...it's very irresponsible of you. What was going through your mind, besides the fact that you wanted your teenage years back?"

"I thought you were going to say no." She said, "And I didn't want to hear it. So now I'm here. And things are going great...and I'll be back in 6 months, okay?"

"Haley." Joanne said her voice tight.

"Mama, you can be mad at me all you want, you and Mom can ground me for a life time when I get home, but nothing you say will make me come home. It's only six months, and that's when I'll be back." Haley said. "Plus I'm old enough to make my own decisions now. Legally you can't do anything about it."

"But you still live under my roof." Joanne said, "And what about Kylie?"

Haley paused, her daughter's name bringing tears to her eyes, "I miss her like crazy, but I know she's in the best hands possible, you and Mom." She whispered. "And don't even ask me about Tyler, I'll deal with him when I get back."

"He's pissed just an FYI." Joanne said

Haley sighed, nodding even though Joanne couldn't see her, "I wouldn't have expected anything less."

Maureen crossed her arms, "Joanne let me talk to her."

Haley looked over her shoulder, the guys packing up the bus, "I have to go, I'll call you again. I want to talk to Kylie next time."

"Well just wait, Mom wants to talk to you." Joanne said

Maureen stepped forward, grabbing the phone, "Hey baby girl, how do you like it?" she smiled, trying to be all cool; "I bet it's pretty sweet being on tour, your first tour."

Haley smiled, happy Maureen was at least happy for her. "It's so cool Mom."

"Yeah, I bet. Different hotel every night." She smiled, her face falling, her eyes darting back and forth, "Bus full of boys..." She said, her voice quivering, "Fans grabbing at you while you're on stage." She paused, "Haley come back home!" She shouted, tears filling her eyes, brushing a stray one away. "Why'd you go? What were you thinking, huh?"

Haley pulled the phone back, surprised by the outburst, although she really shouldn't have. She rolled her eyes, "I'll be home soon, I really have to go now. Sorry Mom, I love you."

Maureen sighed, "I love you too." And then hung up, wrapping her arms around Joanne. "I'm proud of her Joanne, I am, but she's my baby girl."

Joanne wrapped her arms around her, holding her close. "I know honeybear, I know."

...

A few nights later Brooke sat across from her dad, the guy she had been meeting up with the past month.

"Dad...I can't keep doing this." She said, "The only reason I've been getting away with it is because everyone is concerned with Haley right now."

He sighed, "But I'm a changed man, Brooke, I promise."

"I know, but if Maureen ever found out...she'd flipped." She said, "You hit Joanne, that's like..." She sighed shaking her head, "You hit Joanne."

"I know, and I'm sorry. I will apologize for that." He said his face full of seriousness.

Brooke ran her fingers through her hair, "And I can't keep lying to Leah, she's getting upset with me...I just..." she let out a shaky breath, "I think it'd be easier if you didn't come around anymore."

"But Brooke..." He said, reaching across the table for her, "Who will I have?"

"You should have thought about that before you went all crazy." She whispered, standing, "I'll meet with you one more time, but after that...it's goodbye." She said.

He reached out grabbing her arm, causing her to flinch, flashbacks to the past of the horrible nights of beatings. He quickly let go. "Sorry." He said standing take a step back to put distance between them. "At least once a month?"

Brooke's eyes were on the ground, but then she looked up at him, "Okay, that's fair."

He smiled nodding, "Thank you."

Brooke softly smirked, and then left the coffee stop, not seeing Leah across the street.

"Brooke?" Leah called, crossing the street.

"Babe?" Brooke questioned, pulling her coat a little more tighter around herself, "What're you doing here?"

"I was bored at home, so I came to visit Collins and Angel." She said, "I thought you were at work?"

"I...was taking a break." She lied.

Leah sighed, "Brooke, just...tell me the truth. You've been acting weird lately; you work late all the time now. Oh and by the way I called your work the other night to talk to you, and guess what, they said you weren't working, so just...tell me what's going on."

Brooke sighed, running her fingers through her hair, "Babe...I..." She sighed, studying her face, seeing she was disappointed, "Okay...you remember that whole drug deal situation?"

"Situation?" Leah asked, "I remember it being a little more than a situation."

"I know I know, well...this guy Leo...he's been coming around, trying to get money off of me, and...I've just been trying to deal with that." She said pausing, "And..." She bit her lip, wondering if she should tell her the part about her dad being back, "And..." She struggled, finally looking up at her, making eye contact, "I can't get rid of him."

Leah reached out, taking her hand, "We'll go to my Mama."

"She's done enough for me." Brooke said, "I want to try and deal with this on my own."

"Brooke, she won't care. She'd give you a freaking kidney if she had to, just let's go to her." Leah said, tugging her closer, "Please." She pleaded, "I don't want anything to happen to you." She whispered.

"Leah, he's harmless. Tessa could take him out in one punch; I'm not really worried about it." Brooke said, slipping an arm around her waist, "I promise."

Leah eyed her, "One week."

"What?" Brooke asked eyebrows knitting together.

"I'm giving you one week. And when I say one week, I mean Monday through Friday, five business days to get rid of this guy, and if you don't, I'm going to my Mama." Leah said, reaching out, grabbing her chin, making sure she was making eye contact, "And I will find out if you're lying."

Brooke sighed, finally nodding, "Okay."

Leah finally leaned in, pressing a kiss to her lips. "I love you."

Brooke smirked, resting her forehead against Leah's, "I love you too."

Thanks to anyone who is still R&Ring! Means a lot :)