Yes, it's short! Yes, it's a cliffhanger! Yes, I'll be gone for two weeks after this! Agh, I know, and I'm sorry! But I PROMISE that the moment I come home, I will update! I swear! Love to you all!

Luvvies! And I'll send you all presents from Greece and England! Who knows, maybe one of you lucky ducks will get Idina after I snatch her from Wicked…

-Panda

"Mimi?"

"Angel! C'mon in, girl!"

"Hey, Angel." Roger was sitting beside Mimi already, the chair drawn up as close she could allow, leaning back with his arms crossed. Mimi was also sitting up, leaning slightly into her pillows. She looked less like the horror movie character that she had been before and more like the recipient of a half-hearted gang beating. Her arm, enveloped in a bulky cast that had been doodled on for the last two weeks, was the only really noticeable thing. She looked okay.

But that didn't mean she was.

"How'd you sleep, honey?" Angel asked, walking into the room. There was a split second where she began to head for Mimi to hug her, but then she paused and veered off to sit in the other chair, about a foot from Mimi's side. That much she could handle.

"Okay. This guy got here early and woke me up, so now I'm cranky," Mimi said, pretending to scowl. Roger and Angel laughed. It was wonderful and at the same time slightly disconcerting, Mimi's happy attitude. She seemed to be forcing herself sometimes, trying as hard as she could to be optimistic and light. Angel felt that it wasn't good for her; she needed to express any feelings of fright or depression she might have. But Mimi was adamant, and there was really nothing Angel or anyone else could do.

One thing that neither of them had discussed since that first visit two weeks ago was Mimi's attacker. Her assurance that it wasn't Benny seemed to be the truth, but it was nowhere near the whole truth. No matter what Joanne, who was the best at gently prying things out of people (lawyers have to be) tried, Mimi refused to talk about it. And though the others weren't totally convinced, Angel knew that Benny hadn't done it. Mimi wouldn't hold out like that for an asshole like Benny.

Although, asshole might be a little strong of a word for Benny right now. They had called him and told him what had happened, and ever since he had spared no expense for Mimi. Medical bills, expenses, even a lump sum to cover the pay she was losing by missing work. Even Roger, who made it well known that he had a basic vendetta against Benny, reluctantly agreed that his help had been a tad generous.

"Oh, Mimi, I've never seen you cranky before. Heavens, what will that be like?" Roger joked, crossing his legs. Mimi laughed, and Angel smiled. Roger was holding on, being a rock for Mimi all through this. He was there nearly every day, only leaving when Collins or Mark dragged him to the loft for food and a shower. He too tried to be cheerful; but everyone could see that it was getting to him.

The three of them talked for a little while about nothing in particular. Then, during a brief lull in the conversation, Angel said softly, "Mimi…are you nervous?"

Mimi didn't need to ask what she meant. Staring the opposite wall, she gave a small shrug. Roger made a move to grip her hand, but pulled back just in time. Even he could not touch Mimi.

"Cause you can be. But you don't have to be afraid, girl, because you have us. Whatever it is, we're gonna help you deal with—"

"I've made my decision." Mimi's flat voice cut Angel off. Angel looked at her, surprised. Mimi's face was solemn, and she turned to look into Angel's eyes.

"I know what I'm going to do if…if that happens." Angel saw the look in Mimi's eyes, and she felt her back tense up.

"What?" Roger asked, his voice steady. Mimi looked down at her lap, but when she spoke, she sounded stronger than ever.

"I'm going to have an abortion. I'm going to get rid of it, because I live with a kid, for one thing. I just couldn't do it. And for another…any baby of mine would have AIDS from birth, and I'm not going to do that to someone." The silence after she spoke was deafening.

"Ms. Marquez?" The door opened and a man in a long white coat came in. His eyes looked Mimi over gently, and he gave a small nod to Angel and Roger.

"Good morning, I hope you slept well." She nodded. "I…I have here the results for your pregnancy test. Do you…?" He glanced at Angel and Roger. Mimi nodded again.

"They'll stay."

"All right. Well…"