A/N: This chapters kind of filler-sorry, there are a couple important things, I had to set up the flashbacks which start next chapter.

Chapter 3: Moo With Me

I always thought that places changed as time went by. Everyplace I had ever visited from my childhood had changed drastically. I was expecting this as I walked into the Life Café, but as with the loft, it was exactly the same.

Except for the people. I used to know the staff and regulars by name, was friendly with them, now I obviously knew no one. Much like the loft I realized. It hadn't changed, but the people in it had, or they di-

A tug on my hand jerked me back to reality.

"Miss Maureen, are you coming?" Daphne looked up at me smiling.

"Sorry Sweetie, I was thinking."

"S'ok!" Daphne slipped her hand into mine. "Come on!"

That tiny gesture tugged at my heart strings. It reminded me of Aby.

I let Daphne pull me over to our table in a secluded corner.

"I found her!" she shrieked.

All the adults, including Joanne, laughed. Well expect for Jasmine. She just looked sternly at Daphne and said,

"Use your indoor voice Daphne."

"Yes Mommy," Daphne said, her head hanging. I felt bad for the little girl, with Joanne and Miss Stick-Up-Her-Ass as mothers, the kid probably never got a break.

"I wanna sit next to Miss Maureen, she's cool!" Daphne giggled.

"No, Daphne, your staying next to me," Jasmine said.

"But I wanna sit next to Miss Maureen!"

"It's fine with me," I interjected, trying to avoid the temper tantrum that I feared would follow.

"Well, I am her mother and I don't want her sitting near you," Jasmine put her hand protectively around her daughter.

"Relax, I'm not gonna kidnap her or anything."

"I'm more worried about you corrupting her."

Ok, what was this woman's problem, cause she clearly had one with me. Mind you she has known me for the grand total of ten minutes. My guess – she was a little insecure about her relationship with Joanne and the rest of the group. Probably afraid I would take them away. That was sad, but I could see where she was coming from, especially since I'm positive Mark and Joanne, and Roger when he was alive, filled her head with many stories about my alleged cheating, my flirting addiction, and many of my other bad girlfriend qualities.

I put a hand on the arm she had resting on the table. She flinched, but didn't pull away. "Honey, I'm not gonna steal Joanne away. Besides I despise long-distance relationships…phone sex just isn't the same!"

Benny started laughing, Mark flushed bright red and choked on his drink, in typical Joanne fashion, Joanne rolled her eyes. I used to tell her they'd get stuck like that someday. She'd tell me to give her less to roll her eyes about. I was expecting someone to make a comment on the phone sex thing, something along the lines of how I would just go out and pick up a random stranger. I was relieved when no one did.

Jasmine nodded, she didn't look completely convinced, but we made some progress. I took my hand off her arm, I didn't need Joanne flipping on me.

I took a sip of the beer Mark ordered. Alcohol in my system was much needed if I had to tell my life story.

"Are there any pressing questions that can't wait, or should I just start from the beginning?" I looked around expectantly.

Questions came flying at me.

"You really have a daughter?

"Are you married?"

"Where were you?"

"Which team you batting for now?" That was Benny obviously.

"Still protesting?"

I held up my hands, "Ok – ok! Yes, I really have a daughter, Aby, she's five. I'm divorced. I live in Santa Fe. I'm not holding protests like I was ten years ago. I have an actual job now, I'm a youth therapist.

"You're a what?" Joanne asked.

"A youth therapist, you know, listen to kid's problems, help them, that sort of thing."

"Maureen, honey, when have you ever listened to anyone other than yourself?" Joanne tried to ask gently.

I just looked at her. She had a right to be resentful I suppose, but even so, that was harsh.

"Well, I think that after I finish explaining everything, you'll all see that the person not listening wasn't me."

I admit, I was getting a tad snappy, but what was this, gang up on Maureen day? I know I should be used to it from them, but even so… Especially when they want an explanation from me, the least they could do is pretend to be nice.

"Miss Maureen?"

"Yes Sweetie," I smiled at Daphne, she was such a cute kid, I could easily see her and Aby as friends.

"You need to meet Moo-Moo!" She held up a stuffed cow.

"Hello Moo-Moo, it's nice to meet you," I shook the cow's hoof.

"Moo-Moo's my favoritest animal!" Daphne exclaimed.

I laughed, "Mine too!"

Joanne rolled her eyes, "You and cows," she laughed.

Deciding to have a little fun, I put my fingers to my nose and – "Moooo!"

Daphne laughed, "Do it again! Do it again!"

From the looks on Mark, Benny, and Joanne's faces they were all thinking about my Over the Moon/CyberArts protest.

"Alright, but you have to," I paused dramatically, "Moo with me!"

A collection of groans and laughs resounded as we moo-ed.

Jasmine sighed impatiently, "Are you telling this story or not? Some of us have to work tomorrow."

"It's a very long story. To fully understand it, we're gonna have to start at the very beginning…"