Author's Note: Wow. I'm getting good at this update thing, eh? Look at me. Three chapters in 24 hours. I'm making up for the lack of quick updates earlier on. That, and tomorrow's Valentine's Day, and, if I don't get another chapter up, then this is my gift to you all. Everyone say hello to Mimi. She's back. And, you know, I totally don't write Mimi. Ever. So cherish this. I like this chapter ... Just a little bit to get away from the other stuff and set up some irony. That's enough then. Thanks for reviewing! Enjoy!

CHAPTER NINE: The One That Got Away

I know the games you play

Goodbye to the one that got away

-- The One That Got Away

Mimi sighs softly as she walks up the stairs to the loft. In her hands is a small box. In the box are a few of Roger's possessions that she knows he'll be wanting back. This is Mimi's least favorite part of a break-up. She can't stand the "returning of the stuff". But, what must be done must be done, so she puts up with it. Besides, it's not as if she can avoid seeing Roger forever. They live in the same building. And, although she has no intention of getting back together with Roger, she feels as though things needs to patched up between them.

She knocks on the door and waits a moment. From inside the loft comes a gruff voice, telling her to come inside. Taking a slightly deep breath, Mimi pulls open the loft door and walks inside.

Almost immediately, Roger focuses on her with reproachful eyes. He feels suddenly on edge, not trusting Mimi to a certain degree. His eyes flick to the box she holds, then back to her.

"My stuff?"

"Yeah …" Mimi sets it down on the floor. "I wouldn't brought it back sooner, but I wanted to wait a bit … So we could both calm down." She wants to walk over to Roger, but stays where she is. Mimi knows she gave up a lot of freedoms when she said goodbye.

"Thanks." Roger gets off the couch and picks up the box. "I've got all your things sorted out. You can come get it if you want." His tone is careless as he walks to his room. Mimi, having nothing better to do, follows.

Standing in the doorway while Roger proceeds to search for the box of her things, Mimi watches her ex. Mimi has had many relationships, but she will never forget her time with Roger. He can be a bastard and a jack-ass, and sometimes even worse, but he is irreplaceable. For all of his bad moments, he's had a number of good ones.

But Mimi's time with Roger is passed, and she knows it. She does not regret her mistakes (she never does) and thinks about the good that came out of the relationship. Mimi hopes that the next person Roger finds is wonderful, and that he will finally be happy.

Roger places a slightly bigger box than the one she brought into her arms.

"Here. That should be everything."

"Thanks, Roger." Mimi smiles, accepting her possessions. She walks out of the doorway to the bedroom, and turns to look at Roger. "How are you doing?" It is a difficult question to ask.

"… I'm alright." Roger stands there, alert. He cannot help but feel that she is up to something.

"You look good." The response and the smile is enough to relax Roger a bit. "Have you written anything new lately?" It is an obvious stretch for conversation.

"No … I've been … Busy."

"Oh …" Mimi nods as the awkward tension sets in. She shifts her weight for a minute or so, staring at the floor and everything around her. "I guess I'd better go. I've got work in a bit. A girl's got to pay her rent, after all." A laugh familiar to Roger's ears leaves Mimi.

"Right. Thanks for bringing my stuff back." Roger rubs the back of his neck.

"I figured you'd want me to." Mimi walks to the door. "Don't be a stranger, Roger." She is already out the door, but Roger can picture her small grin perfectly.

Mimi's grin slides off her face and turns into a ghost of a smile as she nears her own apartment. She hadn't expected Roger to respond to her with open arms, and is therefore pleased that he was so civil with her. After all, Roger Davis is hardly on to forgive and forget, and for him to show any sort of welcoming attitude is an amazement in itself. Mimi chuckles slightly at this and walks into her home.

The first thing she does is sit down and sort through her things. There are a few hair ties, some clothes, a couple magazines, and other various odds and ends a girl leaves at her boyfriend's house. At the bottom of the box is one of the first pictures ever taken of the two of them together, and, straight away, Mimi hunts down a frame for it. She sits the picture next to her bed and smiles slightly. Roger may have gotten away from her, but whoever finds him next, she decides, is luckier than one would think.

Author's Note: End chapter nine. Three more chapters to go, people! Two requests. Any have the songs from Civilian? I need them for my sequel! Secondly, I think you should review. I'm trying to break 100 reviews with this story. I know it can happen. Because you're all wonderful like that. Next chapter shit hits the fan. Just so you know.