Note: Okay just a short update this time...This chapter's mainly just set up for some of what's to come. Bonus points to anyone who can spot the two sets of Rent lines I ended up slipping in (LOL).

Roger pulled to a stop in front of Mimi's apartment building. She must've been looking out the window for him because she was on the stairs almost before he'd gotten out of the car.

"Hey," she said.

"Hi. You look great."

"Thanks. You too."

Roger opened the passenger door for her and went around to his own door. They chatted nervously on the way to the restaurant. Roger couldn't help but wonder why he hadn't been this nervous talking to Joanne.

Over dinner, conversation became easier.

"So you teach?"

"I teach. Music history, appreciation, and band."

Mimi nodded thoughtfully. "Thought about teaching."

"What made you decide against it?"

"Couldn't handle the kids. I'm planning on going into design actually."

"Design?"

She laughed. "You think workin' the camera shop was my lifelong dream?"

Roger blushed. "Oh, it's not that…I mean, I just…Tell me more about this design job."

"Well mostly I want to design clothes. Maybe handbags. My friend that was with me at the Life, Angel Schunard, is a designer."

"Oh yeah…yeah, Mark said his wife freaked out over the bag he commissioned Angel to design for her."

"It was really sweet of him to do that."

Roger nodded. A silence passed over them for a few minutes as they ate. Roger had to admit he was thoroughly enjoying himself.

"I have to tell you something, right off the bat," Mimi said suddenly.

"O-okay…"

"I'm not necessarily looking for an exclusive relationship. I'm just dating and to be perfectly honest, I am seeing someone else."

"Does he know you're on a date?"

"He knows we're not exclusive."

Roger nodded. "Okay. Fair enough. But I have to tell you something too."

Mimi took a sip of her drink.

"I have a six-year old daughter."

She nearly choked on her drink. Roger smirked at her. "Guess that's not a turn-on?"

"No, no it's not that. I just…caught me by surprise, you know?"

Roger nodded. "I understand. But I'm raising her alone so she's very much a part of my life."

"I respect that. Is, um…shit, I don't know a tactful way to say this but, uh, is the mother still around?"

"She died. Her name was April."

"Sorry."

Roger remembered when he'd told Joanne and how she'd reached across the table to hold his hand. No, no, do not think of Joanne. She's just your friend. You're out with Mimi now.

--LINE BREAK--LINE BREAK--

"Hello?"

"Hi. This is Joanne Jefferson. I was calling for—"

"Joanne! Hey, it's Maureen."

"Oh, hi. Sorry, didn't recognize your voice."

"Don't worry about it. How are you?"

"Um, okay…is Mark around?"

"No, he had to go to some all-day conference thing. Everything okay?"

"Yeah, yeah...I just, um…Roger and I stopped seeing each other."

"Aw, honey…I thought things were going great."

Joanne almost laughed. "Me too. But once Maria asked if I would be her new mommy…."

"Roger freaked and bailed?"

"Basically."

"That's Roger for you…Hey, listen, do you wanna come over and have some lunch? I'm much better at girl chat in-person."

"You're not busy or anything?"

"Nope. Bored out of my mind actually," she laughed.

"Okay, um, yeah…I'll leave now."