Inside the hospital that they knew all too well, the six friends sat around a weary Roger. It had been an hour after they had air-lifted him out, and he had just woken up from his sedated nap.

"How ya feelin' Rog?" asked Collins.

"Not bad. I just can't believe the Loft is gone. This is horrible." He sat back on his pillows with a sigh.

"Who would want to do this?" asked Tony.

And then it hit them. The only people who had ever had a problem with the peaceful bohemians. Everyone looked at Joanne.

"No way," she said. "They had to have given up." She leaned against Maureen for comfort.

"The Mob doesn't give up so easy," said Mark. "But they must know we're still alive. They have to be done now. It's not like we pose a threat."

Everyone nodded. Finally, Collins looked at Tony. "Baby, you never told me why you left."

Tony sighed. He had hoped everyone would have forgotten. He couldn't do this. "Mark? Please?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," said Collins, holding his hands in the air. "Mark, how do you know what's going on?"

"Well, ah, you see--" He took a short look at Mimi, which he quickly regretted.

Maureen spotted the look and turned to Mimi. "Which reminds me. Mimi, when you came to Collins' apartment, why weren't you in your Catscratch outfits? You did come straight from work, right?"

"Of - of course I did." She went red and looked at Mark. And then everyone looked at both of them, and gasped.

"When Mimi said she was on her way, she accidentally said 'we're coming,'" said Joanne, shaking her head in realization.

That was it. Everyone knew. "Mimi." Roger looked up at her in utter disbelief. "How could you?"

Tears welled in her eyes. "Roger – God -- I'm so sorry!"

He shook his head, fell back on the pillow, and sobbed.

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The Mafia boss sat in the windowed conference room, among his partners in crime. They were discussing how to finish this, and for good.

After much arguing and disagreements over what to do, the Don stood and addressed them. "I will do it. I have lost trust in all of you by now." He picked up his bag and left without another word.

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Finally, Collins and Tony were alone. Everyone but Roger was in the waiting room. He told them he wanted to be alone. Actually, he screamed it at Mimi and Mark, and the others just kind of took the hint.

"Okay, Tony," said Collins. They were sitting in the spacious room, apart from the other four. "It's time to get it out. Why did you leave?"

After a deep breath Tony spoke. "Here goes. Collins, I went to the doctor today and – I – I'm dying."

Collins let out a breath of shock, and there was silence for about a minute. Then he spoke, "Do you know – when?"

"He said six to eight weeks." Tony gave a pained look at Collins. "I am so sorry. I shouldn't have run away, that was stupid."

Collins shook his head. "No, baby. Don't be sorry." Tears welled in both their eyes, and they hugged. "I love you so much," Collins whispered.

"I love you too," he said.

They broke for a moment, and Collins said, "Six to eight weeks, huh? Well, we're gonna make the most of it." He smiled.

Tony grinned and nodded. "No day but today."

They stood, and walked to over to the others to somberly deliver the news.

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Mark and Mimi sat in the waiting room in silence. A half hour had passed since Tony had told them about his condition. The receptionist told them Roger had asked to see everyone but the two of them, but Mimi was still reeling from shock and hardly noticed this.

"I can't believe it," said Mimi.

"I know," said Mark, looking down. "How can this happen to Collins twice?"

It was inevitable that their relationship had to end. Both of them knew it. They shared one last kiss and the receptionist said, "He'll see you now."

They stood and walked out of the waiting room together. Neither of them noticed when a burly, silver-haired Italian man walked in, headed for Roger's room.

AN: There ya are. Hope you're enjoying this so far. And, as always, REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!