Note: So sorry it took so long to update...I've had a crazy week! There's lots going on in this chapter, so enjoy! Oh and don't worry, lunch between Maureen and Joanne doesn't necessarily mean a hook-up.

Note 2: Congrats and bonus points to everyone who spotted the RENT lines in the last chapter.

Note 3: I know there's lots of Roger-angst/drama and love-triangle but it's heading somewhere--I promise!

Joanne pulled into the driveway of the Cohen residence. She rang the bell and tried to smile when she saw Maureen, tried to look at least moderately happy. Maureen hugged her.

"Hi!"

"Hi."

"Come on in. I was just looking through the kitchen, trying to see what we've got. I haven't actually grocery shopped in, like, a week so I think our choices are peanut butter and jelly or I can put a frozen pizza in the oven."

Joanne followed her into the house, glad that she was greeted with the nonsense chatter instead of a million questions. "Hm…how about the pizza?"

Maureen clapped her hands together. "Good! I was hoping you'd pick that."

As they waited for the pizza, Maureen grabbed a can of Coke for each of them.

"So, what happened?"

"Roger and I called it quits."

"Because of what Maria said?"

Joanne nodded. Maureen sighed.

"I didn't…I should've figured he'd jump to that conclusion."

"What conclusion?"

"Look, you're the first woman Roger's dated since April, Maria's mom."

Joanne nodded. "Yeah, he told me."

"Well, Roger's always been a bit…okay, he's not impulsive but he's just a little…"

"He's protective of his emotions."

"Yes! Yes, exactly. I mean, he really does like you a lot. He told Mark that himself. I'm sure once he calms down and starts thinking clearly, he'll give you a call."

Joanne shrugged. "Hope you're right. He's the first decent guy I've met in the last few years."

"Think part of it's the holidays."

"What is?"

"The whole Roger getting all freaked-out about Maria thing. I think it's just that the holidays thing has him stressed out."

"Maybe…Enough about him, I'm just getting depressed. How are you and Mark? He told me about your bag. An Angel Schunard one-of-a-kind?"

"Yeah. Oh my gosh! I have to show you—it's so adorable!"

Maureen jumped up and ran to another room, returning a moment later with the bag in hand. Joanne's eyes widened in awe.

"Oh wow! That's gorgeous…"

"Isn't it the cutest thing you've ever seen?"

"Oh definitely. He got a brother?" Joanne asked, laughing.

"Sorry, just a sister."

"Damn!"

"Oh and guess what?"

"What?"

"Mark and I are trying to have a baby."

"Oh! That's so great! Congratulations," she said, leaning over to hug Maureen.

Maureen smiled. "I'm so…I mean, I didn't think he wanted kids yet. We'd always said someday but now…I'm so excited. And I just…I mean, it's so awesome, isn't it?"

"That's really exciting, Maureen."

The buzzer in the kitchen dinged. "Oh! That's our pizza."

Maureen leapt up and went to the kitchen.

--line break--line break--

Mark walked the girl back to her mother in the waiting room. When she'd gone, he returned to the quiet confines of his office. His afternoon appointments were done but he had to finish drawing up some papers about some of the cases he and Joanne collaborated on. An hour and a half later, Mark's phone rang.

"Mark Coh—"

"Did you know he broke up with her?"

"Maureen, what are you talking about?"

"Roger. He broke up with Joanne."

"What? Why?"

"Because Maria asked me if Joanne was going to be her new mommy."

"Normal question."

"Well maybe you could explain that to him because he broke up with her."

Mark sighed. "Okay, baby, I'll try to talk to him."

"Thanks."

"Why so concerned?"

"Because…she called to talk to you but I'm the only one home so she came over and we had lunch. She's all bummed out and stuff. And she seems really good for him. And she adores Maria."

"I don't know that we should push him, Mo."

"Yeah, well…there's…sometimes people need to be pushed."

"Tell you what, I'll call and see if he wants to go out tonight and talk to him, see what's up."

"Okay. Thanks, baby."

"Welcome. I was actually just wrapping up here, though, so if you let me go, I can be home within the hour."

"Oh! Great. Go ahead and go then. Love you!"

"Love you too."

Mark hung up and put away the last files before dialing Roger's number.

"Hello?"

"Roger, what's up?"

"Hey, Mark…not much. You?"

"Not much. Just wanted to see if maybe you wanted to go grab a beer or something tonight."

"Sure, sounds great."

"Need a sitter?"

"Nah, Maria's at my mom's this weekend."

"Great."

"What time? Where?"

"Um…how about eight at Garrison's? That little bar around the corner from the Life?"

"Sure. Sounds good. I'll see you then."

--line break--line break--

Collins sat by Angel's bedside, pouring over the pamphlets from the doctor. His eyes flicked over the statistics and treatment information.

Angel lay in the bed, staring out the window. Her wig was gone. "So what's next?"

"Chemotherapy. Fortunately, it doesn't seem to have spread. Most of the cancer cells are isolated in your limbs."

"So chemo and then what?"

"Then we wait and see if it's been enough to destroy the cancer."

"And do you think it will be?" Collins asked.

"I think there's a good chance it will be enough. Of course, with cancer, there is no guarantee, no promises. But I feel fairly confident that we've caught this in time that Mr. Schunard should make a full recovery."

"Thank you," Collins said.

"When do we start the chemo?" Angel asked.

"As soon as you'd like."

"Now."

"Baby, maybe we should wait till tomorrow so—"

Angel shook her head. "Now. No day but today, honey. That's how we do everything. That's how we're doin' this. If chemo's gonna help me, I want to start it now."

"All right, good choice," the doctor said, "I'll just draw up some paperwork for Mr. Schunard to fill out and then we'll get started."

--line break--line break--

Mark and Roger sat at a booth in Garrison's with their drinks.

"So how's Maureen?"

"Good. Worried about you though."

"And just like that we've reached the hidden agenda," Roger laughed.

Mark blushed and shrugged. "Sorry."

"No worries."

"So, um, do we have to do the beat-around-the-bush thing or can I just flat out ask you what happened?"

"With Joanne?"

Mark nodded.

"Maria wanted to know if Joanne was going to be her new mommy."

"And you couldn't just say 'no' because…"

"Because…because what if I just say no and let her get attached and then things don't work with Joanne?"

"Are you afraid that Maria will get attached or that you will?"

"Mark, don't pull the shrink card on me. I'm afraid that Maria will get attached. She's my concern, she's my priority."

"And you're not at all concerned that you'd get attached?"

"I'm a big boy, Marky. If I get my heart broken, I'll get over it."

Mark nodded. "You tell Maria that Joanne's not coming around anymore?"

"Sort of."

Mark raised an eyebrow.

"Well I told her that Joanne and I decided to be just friends."

"Good answer."

"She wants me to find her a pretend-mommy."

Mark winced. "Ouch."

"No shit," Roger said, taking a drink. "Try answering that one."

"It's normal that she'd ask, Roger."

"Normal doesn't help me answer her."

"So keep dating. Just don't bring 'em around until you're certain they'll stay around."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Remember that Mimi girl from the Life?"

"The cute little brunette who was too shy to talk to you?"

Roger nodded, blushing.

"What about her? You call her?"

He nodded. "We went out."

"And?"

"And I like her."

"Good. That's good."

"I just…I don't know..."

"Look, Maureen will probably kill me if you tell her I said this, so please don't. But don't rush anything, okay? You don't have to get into a relationship. You don't have to be on the lookout for a new mother for Maria. You're a good father. And you're doing a great job with her. She'll be fine whether you find someone else or not. The only issue is whether you want to be with someone."

Roger sighed.

"Okay, I missed the class on Interpretive Sighing. Was that a relieved sigh or a distressed sigh?"

"Both."