Hey ALL! Part four! Thank you readers! AND thanks to Chocobasse for THREE reviews! Enjoy and please review NO flames please. Sorry about mistakes.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Rent! Still sad about that.

Turn This House Into A Home

Chapter 4: Maybe This Time

Lily POV:

"Come 'on Cohen! We're going to be late because of this!" Roger huffed, somewhat amused. Mark had been filming things the whole way to the Life and well, walking there went a lot slower with him stopping us to film something.

"Just one more, I swear!" He pled, winding his camera. I laughed, admiring his passion as a director.

"Maureen, Joanne, and Collins are waiting….and I don't want to be late for my gig later." Roger whined smiling. Mark ignored him.

"Are they always like this?" I whispered to Mimi.

"Worse. They act like total divas!" Mimi laughed. "I don't think they even realize it." Our laughter caught their attention.

"Hey," Roger nudged Mark,"…I think they're making fun of us." He eyed us playfully.

"No, nope, not us." Mimi strutted over to Roger giving him a quick kiss. "Why would you even think that." Faking innocence.

"Well, she seems innocent." Mark said, but quickly pointed his camera at me. "But this one….I think she defiantly up to something!" He accused dramatically. "Have anything to say for yourself Miss Foster?" He came closer with the camera. I blushed rolling my eyes in the same dramatic fashion.

"Oh no, Mister Cohen." I gasped. "I would never, silly. Now put the camera down. Pretty please! I'll be good." I giggled noticing Roger sneaking up behind Mark. Mark opened his mouth to speak when Roger quickly snatched the camera and pushed him up next to me.

"Let see how you like it…Mister Cohen!" Roger mocked, pointing the camera at us.

"Roger….be careful….don't drop it." Mark pleaded holding his hands out.

"I won't! Now smile! Come on! Tell the people at home how you two feel." Roger joked.

"Well, if you really must know." I cut in throwing my arm around Mark. "Things are well…" I stopped to kiss on Mark's cheek, earning a wide grin from Mimi and Roger,"….perfect." Really perfect….

We arrived at the Life Café late, of course. Joanne, Maureen, and Collins were already seated. After greetings, we sat and ordered our food. Small conversations materialized around the table, I quietly spoke to Joanne across the table.

"Um Joanne, I uh…I gave some thought to your offer and I'd really like your help….with this."

"I'd love to help." She smiled and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Than-," I was cut off by almost simultaneous beeping sounds. Roger and Mimi both jumped before a somber look crossed both of their faces. Mark instantly stiffened next to me as they shut off the beepers and took out pill bottles. AZT…., I frowned. Mimi and Roger….are…no!

"Sorry you had to find out this way Lily…" Roger muttered, taking his pill. Mimi stayed silent.

"No…I'm….I'm so sorry…I mean…you?" I stuttered softly.

"Me too…." Collins spoke up, he smiled at me. So brave….He's still smiling. I notice a pained look on Mark's face. His friends are dieing around him. I slid my hand over his under the table, lacing my fingers with his. He relaxed somewhat.

"Hey all! Come one, we're going to have a great night. Lets get back to it!" Maureen piped up trying to ease everyone. It worked, and the matter quickly dropped as the conversation at the table became cheerful again. I began to slip my hand from Mark's but, he tightened his grip.

"Now, who said you could let go?" He turned to me, a playful look now in his blue eyes. Whoa, zoom in on my speeding heart mister cameraman…I smirked.

"No one, but I promise you can hold my hand the whole way home." Came he hear my heart beating? I wondered embarrassed.

"I will hold you to that." He grinned. But stopped and studied my face for a second before letting go of my hand. THUMP, THUMP, THUMP! We joined the conversation the table was having till the food came, then ate, paid and left. Roger spoke up once we were all outside.

"The gig starts soon, lets go." He took Mimi's hand. "The clubs not far." He said leading us. I took a step toward Mark before Maureen pulled me toward her linking our arms. A knowing smile crossed her lips. Mark looked at us curiously before turning around to chat with Collins.

"So…..Lily. It seems you caught a certain someone's eye…." She said quietly and nodded her head in Mark's direction.

"Oh, um…no. Mark's h-he's just been really nice." I sputtered out.

"You know I used to date him…" Her smile got bigger.My eyes widened. What? I tried to ignore the little pang of hurt I felt in my chest. "Oh don't worry…it wasn't anything serious…I love Joanne…..I really do." She sent a loving look Joanne's way before continuing. I believed you…., "I just wanted to say that, I know that look on his face anywhere. He really likes you Lily…" She spoke genuinely.

"Maureen.." I sighed. "I…can't…Trav…..I mean….I think I like him too. But….I…just…I don't know."

"It's not a crime to love again. Go with what ya feel girl." She smiled again. "Take good care of our Marky Boy….Kay?" She winked then walked forward to Joanne, before I could say anything. I stayed quiet with my thoughts. Advice from a diva. I laughed quietly.

"Here we are." Roger led us in the small club. Time seemed to go by quickly as the band took the stage, and I was dancing with the rest of the bohemians. Mark, of course, stood by filming us. Roger and his band were awesome, the way the played with such fire and took over the audience. Soon the gig ended and we left after Roger got paid. Maureen and Joanne left together and Collins was staying somewhere else cause he had a class tomorrow. I slid my hand into Mark's hand on the way out.

"Just keeping my promise," I smiled at him, earning one back. The walk home was mostly quiet with a few conversations here or there. We were all so tired.

"Goodnight all," I waved opening my door. "I'll see you tomorrow?" They nodded before going up to their own loft. I glanced at the clock 1:23 am. I washed my face then collapsed on my bed tired but, I couldn't shake all of the thoughts spinning through my head. A while later I glanced at my clock again. 2:35am. I huffed getting up and grabbing my coat and keys before heading up to the roof. It was a surprisingly quite night, cold though. I shivered sorting through my thoughts. A noise behind me caused my to jump around quickly. Roger stood there.

"Oh! Sorry! I didn't know you were up here." Roger said quickly. "I'll go!"

"No wait….you don't have to. Why can't two people sort out their thought on the same roof top." I said amused. He laughed.

"Ok then." He came to me. "What are you doing up?"

"I….I…" He tilted his head confused at me, "I think I like Mark!" I blurted out before covering my mouth.

"I thought so…" He nodded.

"No…I know I like Mark, it's just after Travis…It feels like its happening so fast. I'm scared Roger…" I trailed off feeling tears well up in my eyes.

"Hey.." He put a hand on my face, then wiped some tears away. "What that ass did to you…No real man treats a woman like that…He is going away where he can never hurt you. As for Mark, you have every right to those feelings. Hell, I know he likes you too. Its not a crime, Lily." My eyes widen and a small smile appeared. Like the brother I never had.

"You sound like Maureen right now." I laughed. He looked confused again. "She and I had a little conversation on the way to your gig."

"She told you about them being…,"He wondered.

"Yep." I nodded. "Your right though….tomorrow maybe I should just talk to Mark….and see what happens…" I was nervous.

"Good idea…Mark…he's my best friend and a damn good guy. Not an assertive person though…Just talk to him." Roger reassured me.

"So…why are you up here?" I asked him. He suddenly looked nervous.

"I'm…going to ask Mimi…to marry me…"He looked down. "I love her so much and well…our disease….I don't know how much time we have left. Anything can happen." I hugged him tightly.

"Congrats Roger." I smiled at him. "You are both strong willed and just amazing people. I know things will work out for you."

"Yeah…" He pulled out of our embrace. "..you too."

"We should get back inside, its freezing out here." We left the roof. Before I went back down to my loft I turned to Roger.

"Roger?…Um…Thank you." He nodded at me.

"No, thank you Lily." He smiled. "Good luck tomorrow."

"You too!" I went back and finally fell into a peaceful sleep.

Author Note: I'll try to update tomorrow. I have some stuff going at the end of the week. Hopefully I'll see ya'll soon!