Author's note: I'm back! Did ya miss me? Okay, anyway, let's just get on with this thing! (By the way, Marina is a little over a year old by this point. Just throwing that at ya!)

October, 1993

The morning of the dawned cold and clear. Roger had been awake for hours. By dawn, he couldn't lie in bed anymore, so he went out to the fire escape. He felt nauseous and shaky, but chalked it up to nerves. He began to watch the sun rise, barely noticing when Mimi slipped up beside him. "What's wrong, Baby? You didn't sleep all night."

"Yeah, I know. I'm fine. Just nervous."

"You have a right to be nervous, baby." Mimi took his hand. "You're shaking. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

Marina began to scream. Mimi scooped her up, but she refused to calm down. "I don't get it. She's not wet, and it's too early to feed her. I wonder what's wrong?"

Marina continued to scream, and finally, Roger took her. "Let me try." He carried her around the room, humming softly, and after awhile, she calmed down. "Dada?"

Mimi began to grin. "Her first words!"

Roger nodded. "Did we ever start a baby book? Write it down."

Marina cooed, but it wasn't her usual happy coo. "Dada sick. Bo bye-bye."

Mimi looked confused. "Rog? Are you sick?"

"No!" Roger frowned. "I mean, not in the way you're thinking. It's just nerves, I promise."

Mimi nodded. "If you're sure…"

"I am. Now, why don't you go wake Mark and Firefly while I hop in the shower? We need to start getting ready."

"Have we found a sitter?" Mark asked over breakfast. "Because Firefly and I could…"

"No way." Roger frowned. "I need you guys there, Mark. We discussed this last week. Collins is sitting."

"Right, sorry." Mark looked upset.

Firefly jumped in, changing the course of the conversation. "So, Roger, I found one of your old tapes. From your band? It's really interesting."

Roger smiled. "Which tape?"

"Um…Crystal Hornet."

"I love that one!" Mark was smiling again. "Great song. Wasn't it about your mother?"

"Yeah." Roger hummed part of the tune. "'Total control, you dominate me, crystal hornet, manipulate me.'"

Firefly smiled. "I particularly enjoyed 'Anything.' Was that Mimi singing?"

"No." Roger smiled. "It was April."

There was a slight silence, before Firefly muttered, "Oh," and looked away. Roger placed an arm around her shoulders. "Relax, sis, I'm not upset. I can see how you mix the two up. When I first met Mimi she reminded me of April too. Anyway, we have to get going. Mimi, can you meet us at the courthouse once Collins gets here?"

"Sure."

"Great. Then the rest of us will take off. The trial starts in an hour."