Author's Note: Well, I'm having fun…
May, 1994
"Angel, everything's falling apart." Mimi knelt beside Angel's grave. "Ever since we lost Roger, things have gone downhill. Maureen's pregnant, Firefly and Mark are fighting-we haven't actually seen her since March-and Joanne is missing. Rumor has it she's not in New York anymore. I don't know what to do."
Someone cleared their throat behind her, and Mimi turned, expecting to see Collins. Instead, she saw a girl, about twenty-one, with short red hair. She wore a denim knee-length skirt and fishnets tights; a black t-shirt with the Guns and Roses logo on it; and a leather jacket, bearing the legend 'Only the Good Die Young.'
She smiled at Mimi. "Hi. We've never actually met, but I know who you are. You're Mimi. Roger's Mimi."
Mimi smiled nervously. "Who are you? One of Roger's friends?"
"You could say that." The girl chuckled. "I'm April."
Mimi's jaw dropped. "Roger's April?"
"The one and only." April smiled. I hear you need some help."
"Um, yes, I do." Mimi smiled nervously. "But first, can you tell me how Roger is?"
"Coping. He's furious he can't be with you. I'm almost jealous, actually. He really loves you. But to the living problems." She laughed. "I crack myself up. Well, Joanne is in Albany. She's running for state senate. She hates Maureen's guts."
"I know that. I'm worried about Mark."
"He'll live. He's been through worse."
"I'm worried that he'll start cutting again."
"You know about that? Damn. Be careful if he does. Your blood."
"I know."
"How's Marina."
"Healthy and HIV-negative, thank God."
April smiled. "Roger'll be glad to hear it. Don't worry. Everything's gonna be fine."
She vanished. Mimi blinked. Lying on the grave to Roger's left (Angel was on his right) was the jacket. Mimi studied the stone. 'April Ericsson.' She smiled softly, picking up the jacket and arranging it on the headstone. "Thanks," she murmured.
Back at the Loft, April stood in the doorway of Mark's room. Mark was sitting on the bed, back to the door, arranging his filming equipment. April walked over, placing a hand on his back. Mark jumped. "Jeez, Mimi, your hands are like ice." He turned, and his jaw dropped. "April?"
"The same." She smiled. "I can't stay long. Arm," she ordered.
Mark nodded, rolling up the sleeve on his left arm. Faint scars ran up and down, from wrist to elbow. April smiled. "Good. Don't start."
Mark nodded. "I'll try."
"Don't worry. Firefly'll come round. Give her time." She sighed. "I've gotta go. By the way, Roger says hi." She vanished.