I'm searching for some kind of miracle
Waiting song long, waiting so long

"Ah, I love this time of year." Roger takes a big whiff of the air as we walk through Tompkins Square Park. "Smell that?" I nod. "Know what it is?"

"Smog, poverty, and decadence?" I venture.

He chuckles. "Nope, it's SPRING. God, you're such a cynic."

"Look who's talking," I retort. I move in front of him and start walking backwards, camera pointing at him. "March 27th, 2:03 PM, eastern standard time. Close up on Roger Davis, out of the house for the first time since January 3rd and in a frighteningly good mood."

Roger flips me off and tries to look threatening, but the goofy grin on his face ruins the illusion. "Get that thing away."

"Or what?" I laugh. Roger's mood is infectious. Suddenly a hand shoots out and before I know it, the situation is reversed. Roger is standing in front of me, filming my every move.

"Next shot: Mark Cohen filled with shock, as the tables have turned!"

"Hey, give that back!" I start chasing him down the path.

"Make me!" He begins running backwards, keeping the camera pointed at me while occasionally looking behind himself to avoid tripping. "Zoom in on Marky-boy, in hot pursuit of his new director of photography!"

"This isn't funny!" I protest, reaching for the stolen device. Now I'm getting annoyed.

"I think it's hilarious! Ladies and gentlemen, it appears our wonderful director has lost his sense of hu-!" Just then Roger's heel lands in a slight dip and he goes tumbling down, taking me with him. We land with a thud, Roger on his back and me on top of him.

For a moment, neither of us moves. Then I pull myself back slightly and look at him. Those eyes that match so well amongst the grass in these months simply gaze back at me, his mouth slightly agape. I can't read his expression.

I feel my heart pounding as it decides to send just a little extra blood to my face. Roger cocks an eyebrow at me, and that old mischief I never thought I'd see again is filling those round emeralds.

Quick Cohen, say something. "…Ow." Wonderful. Now he's looking at me like I'm insane.

"'Ow'? Heh, I break your fall and YOU say 'ow'?" He starts to sit up "Get off of me. Even if you only weight 80 pounds, you're STILL heavy."

I roll over and sit beside him. "140, thank you."

"Whatever, you're still a twig."

"Heh, wuss."

I feel a slight touch trailing up my arms. Oh shit. I thought he forgot about that. By the time he reaches my armpits I'm giggling uncontrollably. "This…isn't…fair!" I manage to say between breaths.

"Say it!"

"W-what?" He tickles harder and I cry out in protest. "I ca-I can't breathe!" He doesn't let up. Then I see my opening. I lash out and grab him by the back of his ankles. He falls like a ton of bricks. Now he's at my mercy.

"FUCK!" His body forces out laughs at full volume as my fingers dance around his ankles.

"Say it, Roger! SAY it!"

"I'm your-I'm your biatch!" he finally forces out.

I raise my arms triumphantly above my head. "Damn right!"

He pulls himself into a sitting position next to me. "So what's with you today?" I ask.

He plucks a blade of grass from the ground and rolls it between his fingers, studying it. "I decided it was time." His voice has lost its playful tone.

"Huh?" God, he can be enigmatic. I study him. He's being completely serious.

"It's time to stop moping. I mean, I still miss Mimi…and April…and Angel, too. And I always will. But I'm through being sad all the time. That's not how I want to live my life." He tosses the grass aside and looks over at me. "Besides, isn't it fun to think that right now all three of them are gathered around, watching us act like dorks and laughing? And if we can still make them smile even now, there's no reason I shouldn't let them still do the same for me." He shakes his head. "I'm not making sense."

I put my hand on his shoulder. "No, it makes perfect sense. 'Forget regret', right?"

I lay back down with my arms folded behind my head. "Hey, speaking of Angel, that cloud looks kind of like an akita. And that one looks like a pair of handcuffs. And that one's an iris. Those were April's favorite, weren't they?"

I guess Roger was right. They are watching us right now. I wonder if they have dance floors in heaven. They'd all love that.

"Mark?" I snap out of my thoughts and look over at him. "Thank you."

I raise an eyebrow. "What for?"

He lies down and slips an arm around me, closing his eyes. "Just…for being you."

I look away as I feel my face growing pink again. "Um, you're welcome."

Somehow my hand finds its way to his and before I know it, he's laced our finger together.

AN - Well, everyone. That's twelve chapters so far. I think the next is going to be the last. Thanks so much for all your support, and I hope you like the ending!