AN: Next chapter up. I hope you likey. Review please!

But do I try to change him?
So hard not to blame him

I lean against the wall next to Roger's door, listening to him shove the last of his belongings into his bag. I've been trying to muster the courage to talk to him for about five minutes.

Fuck it. In one quick motion I spin on my heel and slide over until I'm leaning against the door frame and for a split second I almost feel smooth. Then I remember I still don't know what to say.

"So, um...I hear they have, uh...really good food out west..." Oh, perfect, Cohen. Get Roger to stay by telling him the place he's going to has good food. Might as well tell him in spring Fenders rain from the sky there.

"Yeah, tacos." He's not listening. He's muttering to himself. "That bitch."

"Her? You're the one who freaked out after you found out she dated Benny!" It's true. Even if it hurt me to see them together...she made him happy. She doesn't deserve this.

"You don't even know what you're talking about." It's like he's not even hearing me. Normally by now he'd be raising his voice. But he's still speaking under his breath. "I can't believe Angel's gone."

"Which is exactly why you need to take advantage of the time you have! Didn't her death teach you anything?"

"No. It didn't." His tone has venom in it now. That got to him. Good. He heads to the living room, bumping my shoulder as he walks past determindly.

I can't stop now. "Have you gone insane? I need you! MIMI needs you!" Nice save, Marky.

"I can't deal with her shit right now."

"Oh, like you don't have problems?"

"How many times do I have to say it, Mark? DON'T tell me what to do! Who do you think you are?" I've hit a nerve. And more than any other time before, that scares the shit out of me.

"A friend!" A BEST friend. A person who loves you even more than hope. I can't go on without you, none of us can, not after Angel...

"But WHO are you, Mark?" I must look confused because he lets out a small laugh. "'Mark has got his work.' They say 'Mark lives for his work' and 'Mark's in love with his work'. But you're just using it to hide."

"From what?" I chuckle a bit. He's not making sense. At least, I wish I could say that.

"From facing the fact that you're alone! You're so afraid of being hurt you don't even live your life! You just watch it, safely detached, from behind a camera!"

"Maybe it's because one day it's all I'll have left!" His face softens for a bit. He knows what I meant. At least, he thinks he does. Then his eyes shoot daggers into me.

"Poor baby." I almost feel frostbitten. He starts heading toward the door. No...he can't!

"Mimi still loves you." I love you. "Are you really jealous or just scared because she's getting sick?" Stay for me, stay for Mimi, I don't care anymore. Just don't go, I'm begging you.

"She did look pale today..." I see realization appear on his face. But it quickly fades. Maybe if I work his guilt.

"She's running out of time, and you're going to Santa Fe!"

"Just shut up! Look...I'll call, okay?" I look into his eyes and just hope he somehow knows what I'm really trying to say. 'Please don't leave me'.

He opens the door and finds Mimi standing on the other side. They have a brief discussion before he brushes past her towards his 'new' car.

Suddenly I realize that this may be the last time I ever see Roger Davis.

Mimi is too busy calling after him to see the tears filling my eyes.