Yay! Second update! Thank you to my first reviewer Chocobasse, your review made me feel a lot better :D Well, happy reading!

Disclaimer: I don't own Rent as much as I wish I did. Sad day.

Turn This House Into A Home

Chapter 2: I Want To Hold Your Hand.

I cracked my eyes open, only to immediately shut them. So bright…..Am I dead…what happened to me? I searched my thoughts till… Travis! My eyes shot open as I jolted up. A headache took over as I looked around at my surroundings. I was in a hospital room, the beeping of my heart monitor could be heard behind me. I remembered Travis chasing me, then I was falling but, I was saved….. My hand went to my head and I felt a tight bandage wrapped around it. The people who saved me….I remembered one holding me. I raced through my thoughts till a name came to mind…Mark Cohen.

"Your awake!" A startled nurse walked in with a clipboard. Her name plate read, "Barbara." "You're a lucky girl, let me get the doctor." She walked out before I could say anything, I let out a sigh, lying back down. A tall, old man walked in not long after.

"How long was I out?" I asked quickly. He met my gaze.

"About six days, you have a concussion. The bruising on you face and body has healed immensely. You can be out of here by the end of the day, dear." I glanced at his clipboard. My face! I must look a fright right now. Reaching up and touching my face I felt a large bruise and cut on my cheek, an almost healed cut in my lip and a bandage on my forehead. "The police are going to be here later to talk to you, that boy of yours won't be hurting you for a while." He said smiling. I exhaled as his words set in. Tears filled my eyes, I was scared about talking to the police. Just then the nurse walked back in.

"You have some visitors, honey. Six of 'em. Are you up for it? They've been checking everyday to see if your awake?" I looked at her confused. I had no family and after I got with Travis, most of my friends and I fell out of contact. I'm the only one that loves you Lily…His voice rang out in my head. I shuddered.

"Visitors? Um….who?" I shook my previous thoughts.

"One of them gave a name….Um…M...Mark. Mark Cohen, he-…"

"Send them in!" I cut her off. My heart raced as she nodded and left. The doctor left after her. I tried smoothing down my knotted hair. Ugh, their going to see me like this. The door opened and six people filed in, they all looked vaguely familiar. As I took in their faces, I found my voice.

"So…..you're my saviors." I let a small smile reach my lips. "I believe a thanks is in order." I saw them all let out a breath, looking more comfortable.

"I'd just like to know why you were with that total asshole?" A pretty woman with brown hair quickly stepped forward.

"Maureen, come on!" A professional woman with dark skin grabbed her arm.

"What'd I do Pookie?" She whined. My gaze went to my hands. "Uh sorry, for asking the question you all were thinking!"

"Its ok…" I said softly.

"Maybe we should start with our names…" A man with dark skin and a kind smile, met my gaze. "I'm Tom Collins….call me Collins."

"Lily Foster" I smiled back at him

"Maureen Johnson." Said the brown haired woman.

"Joanne Jefferson." The woman next to her spoke.

"Roger Davis." The man with shaggy blonde hair, next to Collins spoke.

"Mimi Marquez." A woman holding Roger's hand, waved slightly.

"Mark Cohen." The last man said. My eyes widened slightly, our eyes met. I blush crept up my cheeks. The gentle beep of my heart monitor began to speed up. Shit! I looked down quickly, as they all chuckled.

"I remember you, Mark." I looked up at him, still embarrassed. "You….you carried me away from Travis." He smiled sheepishly stepping toward me.

"Yeah, yeah that was me. I-I'm glad your safe…and awake…and um-" Maureen cut him off.

"Our Mark? A knight in shining armor? Aw, our little Mark is growing up," She gushed, I let out a laugh as she ran over to him a squeezed his cheeks. He swatted her away, embarrassed, then quickly fixed his glasses.

"Joanne, control her please!" Mark begged, as Joanne pulled her away again laughing. I smiled, I like these people.

"I hope….I hope Travis wasn't any trouble for you guys…" I fidgeted.

"Don't worry Collins and I got him away easily," Roger smiled reassuringly at me, "He wasn't happy but, the police got their soon after and took care of him."

"That's good, I'm glad none of you were hurt." I put my arms around myself. "Travis is….um….Things weren't always that way between us. He….I wish I stood up to him earlier. If you guys hadn't of been there I could have-" I stopped finally letting some tears fall. Mark walked to me putting a gentle hand on my shoulder, I grabbed his hand holding it for comfort. He was surprised but didn't pull away. "T-thank you all, s-so much. I am so grateful to all of you." I smiled through my tears at them.

"We're just glad your ok." Mimi spoke. "We have been checking to see you everyday and well, we're just glad we got you away from the jerk." She said kindly.

"The Travis guy was lucky, we didn't do to him what he did to you." Collins nodded to me.

"Yeah, he's lucky the police got there first." Roger said seriously. They all nodded with him. The door opened then and the nurse popped her head in.

"The police are here to talk to you, hon." I tensed at her words, holding Mark's hand tighter.

"Ok." I breathed. "Can I leave afterwards?"

"Yes, after you should be good to go, I'll bring your clothes in too." She smiled.

"How about we wait outside and walk you home." Collins crossed his arms smiling at me.

"I'd like that." I nodded. "Hopefully it's not long." They started to file out. Joanne took a card out of her pocket.

"Maureen and I can't stay but, I'm a lawyer and if you ever need anything, just call. I'd love to help." She handed me her card.

"Thank you," I said gratefully. She walked toward the door, I felt Marks grip on my hand loosen. I frowned, Don't leave, my mind called. I grabbed his hand.

"Stay." I blurted out, surprised at myself.

"A-are you sure?" He asked, just as surprised as I was. I nodded.

"Please." He held onto my hand, trying to comfort me, as a police officer walked in. The police officer just asked me a couple questions and said I should get some help from a lawyer, then gave me a card saying they'll keep in contact. Probably once I get better. They left quickly and the nurse came in with my clothes and a prescription for me, to help with the pain. I tried to focus but, all I could think of was that Mark never let go of my hand. I felt safe for the first time in a while.