Silence

Disclaimer: I just used all of my piggy bank money to buy tickets to see Adam and Anthony in January. I doubt I'll own Rent in the near future.

Roger glanced at the door for the third time since he sat down. How long did it take for a girl to put on makeup and do her hair? Seriously, it's not like she NEEDED any makeup in the first place. He sighed and tried to focus on his guitar. E, G, D, E, F, F, G, E….He tried to ignore the fact that it sounded out of tune, because he wasn't in the mood to screw around trying to fix it. Two minutes later, frustrated with his total lack of ability to play decently tonight, Roger aggressively set the guitar on the cushion next to him. He sighed and looked to the door yet again.

The loft was strangely quiet, which always made him nervous. Mark was gone, so there was no narration about the exciting life of the spider that lived in their kitchen cabinet. And since his guitar was being an absolute bitch tonight, it was silent. Usually he could hear humming when she was doing her hair and makeup. Then again, she had been quiet all day. Had he done something? Shit.

"Are you okay in there?"

No answer.

Fantastic.

So, she WAS pissed at him. What the hell had he done this time? She got upset over the most stupid things sometimes. Which he had learned was a bad thing to say while fighting with her. God, he didn't want to fight again. She was so moody lately. His voice was dripping with overdone sweetness when he spoke again, in an effort to NOT be yelled at.

"Baby? Could you just…speak or something so I know you're all right?"

Nothing.

Well, that was just rude. How much effort does it take to say "Yes, Roger, I'm breathing, don't worry."? Torn between being annoyed and being concerned for her, Roger stood up and walked over to the door.

"If you don't answer in thirty seconds, I'm coming in." he huffed, crossing his arms. "Ten…nine…."

STILL silence.

This was ridiculous.

Roger let out a growl. "I'm fucking serious."

His countdown abandoned, he turned the door knob and threw open the bathroom door. It took him ten seconds to realize she wasn't standing in front of the mirror. In another five, he noticed the spoon and lighter in the sink. Cringing, he spun around to face the bathtub.

A wave of relief flooded through him when he saw her sitting on the edge of the bathtub. But it disappeared seconds later. She looked….terrified as she sat there, clutching the syringe and crying silently. Roger stood still for a moment, staring at her. She kept her eyes glued to the spot on the floor where her tears kept landing.

"Are you going to use that?" he asked, the level of calmness in his tone completely forced.

No response.

Part of the calm slipped away.

"Are you? Yes or no?"

She shook her head and held out the syringe. Roger quickly took it from her and tossed it into the sink. Logically, he knew he should get rid of it now, dispose of it somewhere she wouldn't find it. Part of him wanted to scream at her and ask what the hell she thought she was doing. It had been so long…..

Instead, he sat down next to her and wrapped an arm around her tiny frame. He rubbed her back soothingly as she finally gave in and sobbed.

"I'm s-sorry." she whimpered, looking anywhere but his face.

Roger shook his head and kissed her hair. "It's okay. You didn't use it."

She looked up in surprise. "But…."

"It's fine, Meems. We'll get rid of it together."

Mimi laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

*hides* Pl-please be gentle? I know it's terrible and out of character but it's the first Rent fic I've dared to post. Oh, and cookies if you know where I got the notes Roger plays from.