Note: Wow--thanks for so many positive reviews guys! I'm glad you're all enjoying it...Enjoy the peace while it lasts, there's drama to come...

After Maria finished her soup, she yawned and looked from Roger to Joanne and back.

"You okay, sweetheart? Need anything?"

Maria shook her head. Joanne glanced at her watch. "Oh! Jeez, Rog, I have to get going. I told my parents I'd have dinner with them."

"Oh, okay. I'll walk you out."

"Bye Maria. It was nice to meet you."

"Could you come here?" she asked.

Joanne stepped towards the bed. "Yeah?"

Maria sat up and wrapped her arms around Joanne's neck. "Thanks for my present."

"Aw, you're welcome, sweetie. I hope you feel better."

"Thanks."

Roger smiled at Maria. "I'll be right back."

He walked Joanne to the door, wondering what he should say. "Thanks for coming. That present was really sweet."

"No problem. Glad I could help. I hope she feels better though."

"Yeah…I'm sure she'll be fine."

Roger hesitated. "Well, I'll call you. If that's okay."

"Sure. That's be great."

Roger held the door open for her and waved as she strolled out to her car.

--LINE BREAK--LINE BREAK--

Mark finished wrapping the bag as he heard Maureen's car pull up. Perfect timing. The bag had come out beautifully. Angel had designed it to be just the right size, or what Mark hoped would be the right size, and of beautiful deep red and sapphire blue fabrics.

"Mark? You home already?" she called as she opened the door.

"Took the afternoon off."

Maureen followed the sound of his voice to the den. "Well that's a nice surprise."

"And not the only surprise," he said, handing her the package.

"Baby, what's this?"

"Open it."

Maureen looked confused but sat down and unwrapped it. Her eyes lit up as she lifted the bag from the box. "Oh, Mark! It's adorable!"

"You like it?"

"I love it! It's the most gorgeous—where did you find it?"

"I had it designed for you. One-of-a-kind original by Angel Dumott Schunard."

Maureen's eyes widened. "What? How…but…you mean…you know Angel?"

"Met her at the café when I went out with Roger a couple weeks ago."

"Baby, thank you so much!"

Mark shrugged. "You're welcome. I just…I know we've been arguing a bit lately and that I've missed dinners and I want to make it up to you."

Maureen slid her arms around him. "You're too good, you know that?"

He smiled. "I love you."

"I love you too," she whispered, pulling him in for a kiss.

--LINE BREAK--LINE BREAK--

Collins stepped out of the taxi, bag slung over his shoulder. He'd managed to come home a day early. He wanted to call Angel and tell her but knew the surprise would be that much better if he just showed up. Her secretary looked startled and started to pick up the phone but Collins shook his head and put a finger to his lips.

"Surprise," he whispered.

The secretary smiled and waved him in. Collins knocked on Angel's door, opening it without waiting for an answer.

"What is—Collins! Oh my God!" she squealed, jumping from her chair.

Collins threw the bag to the ground, picking Angel up and spinning her around. "Miss me, baby?"

"More than you know…I thought you weren't going to be home until tomorrow."

He shrugged and let her down. His arms stayed around her waist. "Thought this might be a nice surprise."

"Honey, nice doesn't begin to describe it," Angel said, pulling him in for a kiss.

Collins pulled back, smiling. He saw a strange look cross Angel's face. "You okay, baby?"

"Yeah, yeah. Just a little dizzy."

"You okay? Here, sit down," Collins said, ushering her back to her chair.

Angel sat back and closed her eyes. When she opened them a minute later, Collins was kneeling before her.

"You okay?"

"Fine. Just a little tired. I'm fine."

Collins smiled and kissed her hand. "Good."

--LINE BREAK--LINE BREAK--

Roger opened the door to see Benny smiling. "Hey, man."

"Hey. Thanks for coming."

"How is she?"

"Says she's feeling fine but she's got a low temp so I'm making her stay inside today."

"How'd the doctor's appointment go?"

Roger sighed. "Fine, I guess. Didn't really say much. It's a flu, you know how kids are, blah blah blah."

"The usual bull?"

"Basically."

"Well, why don't you get going? You pick up those pictures yet from her birthday?"

"Shit. No. Guess I'll do that after I hit the grocery store." Roger picked up his jacket. "Thanks a lot, Ben. I really appreciate it."

"No problem."

"Maria, I'm going!"

"Bye, Daddy!" she called, heading into the living room. She gave Roger a quick hug and waved at him. "Love you!"

"Love you too, princess."

Benny walked him to the door and locked it behind him. "Now, how's my girl feeling?"

"Good. Guess what?"

"What?"

"Daddy's friend comed over and she broughted me a present."

"She did?"

"Yup. Wanna see?"

"I'd love to," he said, letting her lead the way to her room. "What friend of Daddy's was it? Mr. Mark?"

"Nope. A lady. Her name's Joanne. She's real nice."

It took him a minute to remember where he'd heard the name. Wasn't that the woman he'd gone on the blind date with? Meeting Maria? Benny smiled, glad to hear that he'd apparently at least made a friend.

--LINE BREAK--LINE BREAK--

Roger stopped at the camera store and ran in. He smiled in surprise when the girl behind the counter turned around. "Mimi, right?"

"Yeah, that's me. Roger?"

"Yeah, yeah…it's nice to see you again."

Mimi smiled, a faint blush creeping over her cheeks. "Nice to see you too."

"I'm sorry I haven't called but my daughter's sick so I haven't exactly done or seen much of anything or anyone the last week."

"Oh, sorry to hear that she's sick."

"She'll be okay."

Roger didn't realize he was staring at her until Mimi's cheeks darkened. "What?"

"Huh?"

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Your eyes…sorry, that sounds like a line, nevermind."

Mimi looked away for a second and tried to calm the butterflies dancing in her stomach. "So, um, what brings you here?"

"Oh! Right. My friend came in and dropped off pictures for me a couple weeks ago…actually about a month or so ago, now that I think about it."

"Okay, great. What's the name?"

"Roger."

"I know that, silly," she giggled. "Last name. That's how we file 'em."

It was Roger's turn to blush. "Oh, right, um, sorry. It's, uh, Davis."

Mimi turned her back to him, bending slightly to look through the drawer. "Davis…Davis…Davis…Aha!"

She started to straighten up but stopped. She could feel his eyes on her and whirled around. "Like what you see?"

"Wh-what?"

"Staring again."

Roger blushed more. "Oh, no…I mean, I didn't—you…I…"

Mimi smiled. She liked the way he blushed and stammered. "It's fine. Just teasing, Rog."

"Oh, right."

Mimi rang up his pictures and took the money from him. "Have a nice day."

"Thanks. You too."

She watched, mildly amused as he walked out, spun around, and walked straight back into the store.

"I forgot the pictures."

She nodded, eyes flicking to the envelope on the counter. Roger picked them up, smiling, and left again. Mimi laughed to herself but stop when he came back again.

"Forget something else?"

"Sort of. Um…you….do you think it'd still be okay if I call you? I mean, once Maria's better?"

"I'd like that," she said with a smile.

"Okay. I'll call you then."

As she returned to her work, Mimi wondered what it was about Roger that made her so jumpy. And why Benny didn't seem to have quite the same effect on her.