One Song Before The Virus Takes Hold

Tears streamed down April's cheeks as she walked back in to the loft. She was grateful it was empty when she got there. She didn't want anyone to see what she was about to do. She ripped a small piece of paper off the corner of a notebook and scribbled down a simple message, three simple word: We have AIDS. Wiping her eyes she went into the bathroom and grabbed Roger's razor, stepping into the bath tub. She couldn't live with this. She'd done this to him. If she hadn't gotten him addicted to heroin, none of this would be happening. With the note still clutched in her hand she laid back and bit back a sob before she slit one wrist and then the other, watching the blood drain quickly from her small body.

Roger sighed as he opened the door and took off his jacket. He looked around as the apartment was quiet before he spotted April's jacket on the couch. "April are you here he called softly as he walked around the apartment, he noticed the bathroom door was open slightly and he made his way over to the door. He slowly pshed the door open before he started crying at the site he saw.

April had been gone for quite some time by the time Roger had gotten back to the loft. She lay lifeless in the bathtub, the note still clutched in her lifeless hand.

Roger slowly went to her side and read the note before he started to cry harder.

Mark was coming home from filming a few things for his documentary when he heard the sound of someone crying as he entered the lodge. "Roger?" Mark called gently from the living area.

Roger just continued to cry as Mark called for him.

Mark's eyes widened when he came to the bathroom door. "Roger...." he said, stepping inside. "Is she....is she gone?"

Roger nodded before he handed the note to Mark.

Mark looked down at the note and read it. "We need to call an ambulance to get her out of here and you need to get tested," Mark said.

Roger just nodded numbly and and let Mark call the ambulance.

Mark called the ambulance and sighed when they later arrived and he had to pull his best friend away from the lifeless body of the only woman Mark had ever seen him fall in love with.

Roger just sat numbly as he watched them leave with his love.

Mark walked over to Roger and pulled him into a hug.

Roger started crying again as his friend hugged him.

Mark gently rubbed Roger's back. "I'm so sorry....." Mark said softly. He wasn't going to say it was okay, because it wasn't.

Roger just continued to cry.

Mark slowly guided Roger out of the bathroom and out into the main living area. He sat down on the couch and pulled Roger into his arms.

Roger had almost calmed down before he spotted April's jacket and started crying harder.

Mark carefully moved the jacket so Roger could no longer see it when Collins came home. He sat down next to Roger without a word and rubbed his back. He wasn't going to ask what was wrong, Roger would tell him when he wanted to.

Roger bit his lip as he softly said "Collins she's gone."

Collins nodded. "We're here for you Rog, we'll get you through this," Collins said.

Roger nodded softly as he continued crying, soon he was having touble keepping his eyes open.

Mark pulled Roger close. "Go to sleep."

Roger nodded and curled up on the couch.

Collins carefully picked up Roger and carried him to bed.