Author's note: Okay, so I lied in the last chapter. I'll warn you when I get to a point in which I cannot write for more than a few days. I've got some things going on that involve my concentration, thus a lack of writing. My editor is getting pushy, as our deadline is fast approaching!

Roger ended up falling asleep in the triage waiting room, while waiting for word of Mimi's condition. Finally, at about two am, Doctor Anderson emerged from the ICU. He placed a hand gently on Roger's shoulder, and Roger jerked up. "How is she?"

The doctor smiled. "We've done all we can. Only time will tell now. She's resting comfortably. She's very lucky. If a passerby hadn't heard her screaming for help, she might be dead."

"Help?" Roger frowned. "What do you mean, help? Why did she need help?"

"Because she was in danger," Roger spun, and his fist clenched as his father approached, continuing, "and she knew it."

Roger bit his lip, his eyes never leaving Jeremiah's face. "What happened?"

"She was attacked in the alley behind the Cat Scratch Club." Jeremiah's face was unreadable, a tactic Roger knew well. He was hiding his feelings on the matter. "I assume she was heading into the dressing rooms, when a man stopped her and asked her for a dollar so he could get something to eat. When she reached into her pocket to see if she had any money, he pulled a knife on her, and told her to give him all her valuables."

Roger felt his blood run cold. He bit his lip even harder. "And then?"

Jeremiah placed a hand on his son's shoulder. Roger flinched slightly, but didn't shove it away. Jeremiah continued. "Apparently, she tried to fight back. He stabbed her several times in the chest. She finally started screaming for help. It was weak, though. The knife had punctured a lung, and she was having trouble breathing. A few people walked by, ignoring her cries for help. Finally, a few friends and I were passing by, and we heard her weak screams. Mitchell ran to get the police, and Josh and I fought the guy. Josh held the guy until the police arrived, and I brought Mimi to the hospital. She passed out in the car on the way here."

"How did you know to call me?"

Doctor Anderson spoke up. "Simple. We recognized her from your last visit here at Mercy. We remembered that you were her closest family member."

Jeremiah smiled. "As soon as they told me they were going to call you, I realized who she was. I'm glad something stopped me when I heard her calling for help."

Roger nodded, then paled as a horrifying thought crossed his mind. "You don't any open wounds, do you? You didn't mix blood with her?"

Jeremiah frowned. "I don't think so. Why?"

Roger sighed. "Because Mimi and I…we're both HIV-positive. I don't know how long Mimi's had it, she already had it when I met her, and I've been positive for almost four years now. I don't want anyone else to get it. I had a friend die from it recently."

Jeremiah nodded. "I'll get myself tested. I am surprised you care, however. You did tell me earlier to fuck off."

"That doesn't mean I want you to get AIDs! I wouldn't wish AIDs on my worst enemy!" Roger's face was white. "Look, I don't want to do this now. I'm not blowing up in the middle of a hospital triage while the mother of my baby might be dying less then ten feet from me!" He looked away.

Doctor Anderson placed a hand on his shoulder. "Roger, you should go home, get some sleep. Mimi's going to slip in and out of consciousness for a few days. You don't want to see her in the condition she's in. We'll call you when you can see her."

Roger nodded. "You're probably right."

Jeremiah placed a hand on Roger's shoulder. "Come on, I'll give you a ride home. The last thing you need to do is walk through New York at night."