Collins gaped at Frankie, his eyes moving to meet hers, and then back at the photograph. The picture had been taken at The Life Café on Angel's birthday.

"Who is Angel?" Frankie repeated.

He racked his brain for an explanation. He looked at Mimi and Roger for help. Roger gave him a 'What do you want ME to do?' look, and Mimi bit her lip, something she often did when she was nervous. Collins sighed and gave in; no longer caring if it meant his and Frankie's relationship would be jeopardized.

"He was my boyfriend," Collins mumbled.

"What?"

"He was my boyfriend," Collins repeated, louder this time.

"This is a MAN?" Frankie exclaimed.

He nodded. He was unashamed. Why should he be? He had nothing to be ashamed of. He was simply telling the truth.

"I . . . I didn't know you were like that, Collins."

"Like what?" he said, getting angry.

"Well, you know . . ."

"You mean GAY?" Collins snapped.

"Well, yes."

"I prefer not to use that word," Collins said, coldly.

"Why are you getting mad at ME? You were the one who wasn't being honest!" Frankie cried.

"What do you mean, 'wasn't being honest?'" Collins cried, "I didn't lie to you! You asked me if I had had any previous relationships and I said yes!"

"But you didn't tell me you used to be attracted to men," Frankie said, quietly.

"What's there to tell? It doesn't matter if the someone I love is a man or a woman. What matters is that I LOVE them. I was hoping you would understand that." He put his coat back on, and turned towards Roger and Mimi. "I'll see you at the gig," he said curtly, and left.

Frankie stared at the floor, looking like she was trying not to cry.

"It's alright, Frankie," Mimi soothed, walking over to her side.

"How can you say that?" Frankie whispered, "You and Roger are perfect for each other. You NEVER get into arguments."

Mimi heard Roger smirk, and she shot him a glance, rolling her eyes. "Frankie, EVERYONE gets into fights, whether the relationship is a gay one, or a straight one. Including me and Roger."

Frankie still looked unconvinced.

"All relationships have their bumps in the road," said Mimi. "Believe me, I know."

Roger was listening too. He seemed impressed with the way that Mimi was handling the situation.

"If all people never had their occasional arguments, it would be annoying as hell. People who love one another NEED their challenges, because once they overcome them, it makes them stronger."

"Okay," Frankie said quietly, forcing a smile. "Thanks, Mimi." She walked over to the closet and retrieved her coat. "I guess I'll see you around?"

"Of course," Mimi smiled. "See you later."

"See you," Frankie repeated. "Bye, Roger."

Roger waved goodbye. Frankie left. Roger came up behind Mimi and wrapped his arms around your waist. "How do you do that?"

"Do what?" Mimi asked, frowning.

"That thing where you become all therapist-like."

"I dunno," Mimi shrugged. "It sounded to me like I was talking out of my ass."

"Frankie didn't think so," said Roger. "It seemed like she was taking what you said to heart."

Mimi seemed pleased with this. "Oh, well what do I know," she said, shaking it off, "It didn't make a difference."

Roger smiled. "I think it did."

***

"Meems, what are you doing?" Roger exclaimed, stepping into his room. This was difficult because there was an array of clothing spilt onto the floor.

"I'm looking for an outfit for tonight," Mimi replied, fishing through the closet.

"You couldn't find anything to wear in all of this?" he exclaimed, eyeing all the leather skirts, pants, halter tops, tank tops, belts, and high heels scattered around the floor. He picked up a lonesome high-heeled boot and handed it to her.

"Men," Mimi rolled her eyes, taking the boot from him. "What are you wearing?"

"I have no idea. I'll figure something out. And no, you're NOT going to be my dress consultant," he joked.

"Don't fool around, Roger, I'm nervous," Mimi complained.

"What are you nervous about?" he asked, hopping over a pair of fishnet tights to stand beside her. "Everyone's rooting for you. Even if you didn't sound good, which you DO, everyone would still support you."

"I know THAT," said Mimi, "I'm just nervous about performing."

"But don't you do it all the time at the club?"

"That's different," Mimi declared. "I don't know those people."

Roger sighed. "I have faith in you, Mimi. You're going to be great. I can FEEL it."

"Really?" Mimi asked, smiling.

"Really."

"Thanks, Babe," she said, as Roger leaned in forward to kiss her.

"I'm gonna go wake Mark up," Roger said, as they parted. "He should have sobered up by now."

"Hopefully," said Mimi.

Roger went into Mark's room, and found him already awake and dressed, wrestling on an old pair of shoes.

"Well, look who's up," Roger said, surprised.

"Yup, I'm just dandy," Mark grumbled.

"What's wrong?" Roger asked, hearing the annoyed tone in his voice.

"What's WRONG, Roger? What's wrong is you set me up with some crazy Crack Head, who slept with half of the people we saw that," Mark exclaimed, "And then when I told her I wanted something LIGHT to drink, she orders something for me that totally knocks me out!"

Roger started to say something, but Mark interrupted him. "I know it's for the good of the show, Roger, but you knew what she was like, and you didn't warn me."

"Because if I told you, you would have never done it," Roger said, sheepishly.

"Just fucking great," Mark grumbled.

"I'm sorry, Mark. I shouldn't have taken advantage of you."

"I'll say."

"Will you forgive me?"

"Do I have a choice?" Mark sighed. "Yes, I forgive you. You just wanted to help the band, right? Always about the band."

"Mark, I said I was sorry!" Roger said, annoyed.

"Sorry about leaving with me with a drunken sex-fiend?" Mark yelled.

"You were the one who agreed to it!" Roger shouted.

"Well I wouldn't have if you had fucking told me about this woman!"

"Would you guys SHUT UP?" Mimi cried, racing into the room.

"Christ, Mimi, you're not even dressed," Roger exclaimed. Mark was blushing furiously.

Mimi had put on a black pair of pleather pants. She was barefoot, and she hadn't put on a top yet, and she was only clad in the black strapless lace bra that Roger was fairly familiar with. Her fingers were up against her ear, trying to shove in a silver hoop earring.

"Well, you guys were fighting," she said, stubbornly, ignoring the fact that Mark was gaping at her like a moron.

"It's fine, Meems, I'm taking care of it."

"It doesn't sound like you're taking care of it," she said, huffing. "I'm already nervous about tonight, and you're just stressing me out even more!" She then turned to Mark, annoyed. "They're called breasts, Cohen. I should think that you've seen them before."

"I have," said Mark, blushing furiously. He grabbed his jacket and left the room quickly.

"Way to handle that one, Mimi," Roger laughed.

"Shut up," she snapped, pulling a black halter top over her head.

"Sorry," he said, holding up his hands. "You almost ready to go?"

"Yeah, almost," she sighed, putting in her other earring.

"Okay, good. The others are going to be meeting us there."

"Is Frankie still going?" Mimi asked, shoving her small feet into her high- heeled boots.

"I don't know. I hope she is. And as mad as Collins is, I think he hopes so too," said Roger.

"Me too," said Mimi. She turned so her back was facing Roger. "Could you tie this for me?"

Roger stepped forward and tied the thin black string of her halter around her neck.

"Mark's mad because I didn't warn him about Candace," he said, pulling it tight without noticing.

"Ouch! I said tie it, Roger, not choke me!"

"Sorry," he said quickly, loosening it.

"It's alright. He'll forgive you. He's your best friend, right?"

"Yeah," Roger sighed, "But he's still really pissed off."

"It'll all blow over soon," Mimi assured him.

"I hope so."

"It will," Mimi insisted.

Roger smiled. "Okay. You ready to go?"

"Yup. I've just gotta grab my coat, and then I'll be all set."

"Okay."

Mimi grabbed her coat, and the two of them started to head out the door.

"Mark?" Roger called, "You coming?"

There was no answer.

"Mark?"

Still nothing.

"He must have left without us," Roger sighed.

Mimi chewed on her lower lip, one of her nervous habits.

"Man, I REALLY hope this does blow over."

Mimi didn't answer him this time, because this time she wasn't sure of herself.

"Oh well," he sighed. "You ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," she sighed, nervously.

"Okay," he smiled. "Let's go."