Author's Note: I hope this is a quick enough update for everyone. This was a difficult chapter to get through, and, I, personally, find it to be a bit sloppy. Hopefully you all like it nonetheless. And, thanks to VivaLaVieBohemeA for some wonderful tips on getting rid of writer's block. This is prbably this last chapter with a lot of Mimi in it. She will bemost likelybe mentioned, and she may make an appearance later, but don't expect anything too soon. Enjoy!

CHAPTER THREE: Every Time Around

Dreaming far away, every time around

See, it's only love, God, it's only love.

-- Every Time Around

Roger's feelings have been right. It has been nothing short of a horrible week. He's hardly left the loft, due to Mark's suspicions, and, try as he might, he can't stand talking to Mimi. The musician hates getting into moods like this. It usually attracts a lot of attention, which he normally doesn't complain about, yet this bothers him. He can't stand Mark's constant looks, nor Mimi's constant efforts at conversation. Even when neither of them are breathing down his neck, Roger is still bothered. He knows how they sneak around when he's in the bathroom or locked in his bedroom. He knows they're trying to find evidence of something that's going on. He knows they talk about him.

Right now, as he bites his nails down to practically nothing, he hears Mark let Mimi into the loft and say something to her. All he catches her muffled reply, and, suddenly, there is a knock on his door. He doesn't answer. Another knock. Mimi shuffles away, and the sound of the couch being sat on reaches the musician's ears. Roger groans, ever so slightly. He can't let Mimi and Mark know he's awake. Heaven forbid they come into his room. With a grumble, he lies down on his bed.

---

Mark watches Mimi sit on the couch. He looks from her concerned expression, to Roger's door, and back again. He understands, to a point, what she's thinking. When Roger gets like this, secluded and isolated, things are usually … Not good. Of course, he knows that he's part of the reason. Over the passed few days, a guilt has been forming in Mark about his reaction to Roger on Mimi's birthday. What he can't understand is why the guitarist is ignoring Mimi.

"Don't worry. He gets like this." Mark sits next to Mimi, leaning his head back against the couch. "He'll come around."

"I know," is Mimi reply. "It's just … He hasn't been behaving oddly just this passed week … He's been … Not himself for a long time." She looks to the filmmaker. "I thought he and I were through this. We aren't fighting now. But he's … Not the same." She frowns, looking to the ground.

Mark listens, as he always does. He takes in everything she says. Each word gets processed into his mind. What Mimi is saying would sound like, to someone who simply knew Roger, normal Roger behavior. To people like Mark, Mimi, and Collins, though, there's something lacking. Mark is almost bothered that he can't put his finger on it.

"Maybe it's just one of his moods?" Mark cannot offer anymore. "I'm sorry, Mimi. I wish I could help. He and I haven't exactly been our usual selves towards each other, either."

Mimi says nothing. She gets up, a look of determination on her face, and goes over to Roger's room. To Hell if he's sleeping. She doesn't even knock on his door. She just walks in.

Roger is startled at the intrusion. He looks up from his bed, and frowns.

"Mimi?"

"Roger … Babe … We need to talk." Mimi sits on Roger's bed. She takes his hand and looks at him sadly. "What's been going on with you lately?"

Pulling his hand back, Roger looks at his wall.

"Nothing. Nothing's been going on."

A small, annoyed glint flashes in the dancer's eyes. Mimi has tried to teach herself to be patient with Roger. This is a difficult task for someone with a short temper. She puts her hand on Roger's cheek, turning his face so they're looking at each other.

"I know when something's wrong with you, Roger. We've been through enough together. It's not that hard to point out. You aren't as good at hiding your emotions as you think you are."

Roger could almost roll his eyes. He already got this little spiel from Mark, he doesn't need it from Mimi. He vaguely wonders if Mark told Mimi to say that, or if both his best friend and girlfriend were just that much alike. There's a pause in Roger's thoughts. Is that why he is dating Mimi? The thought is discarded. Mimi and Mark are nothing alike, and that is why Roger is growing bored of his amazingly sexy, stripper girlfriend. If he were still in high school, people would beat him up for that.

"Did you ever stop to think," Roger asks (in lazily, exasperated tones), "that I could be mad at you?"

This seems to surprise Mimi.

"Mad at me? But, why?" She frowns.

"Mimi, you slipped me some ecstasy last week at one of those clubs!" Roger no longer sounds lazy and exasperated. "Why the fuck would you do that?"

"You were being boring! I just wanted you to let loose and have fun." It's a weak argument, but Mimi didn't want to work out some big lie.

"You could've just asked!"

"You wouldn't have done anything!" In a flourish of angry scowls and brown curls, Mimi gets up. She storms out of Roger's room and heads to the door of the loft. Naturally, Roger follows/

"I just want you to be happy, Mimi. How am I supposed to do that if you don't give me a chance?" As Roger watches Mimi, waiting for an answer, he can feel Mark's ever watchful eyes on him.

"I've given you plenty of chances, Roger. I haven't been happy for months!" Mimi opens the door to the loft. She looks at Roger. Her eyes practically beg him to tell her what she wants to hear; what she needs to hear to stay.

"Maybe I just don't love you anymore!"

It is exactly the opposite of what Mimi was expecting, and the harsh tones of Roger's anger did nothing to hide just how truthful the words were. As tears form in her eyes, Mimi shoots Roger a glare that could kill.

"I hope you're happy, Roger Davis." Her voice is pure venom. "We're over. For good." Her final words ringing in the air, Mimi leaves.

Mark, slowly, gets up from the couch. He walks over to Roger, looking at him. It takes a moment for Roger's attention to turn away from the door, and the filmmaker nearly flinches at seeing the fire that still blazes in the musician's eyes. He relaxes once Roger's look softens, and they both look at each other momentarily before looking back at the door.

"She'll be back." Mark's words, all though soft, break the silence sharply. "She always is."

"Yeah."

Both men know, however, that Mimi's final words were as truthful as Roger's confession, and neither expect her to return anytime soon. Roger cannot help but feel happy about this.

Author's Note: Yeah ... I can't say I'm really happy about this chapter. Oh well. It's done, and I can start on the next one. Reviews make me a happy, motivated writer. :D