Author's Note: Ok. Another small chapter, but quickly updated. So, you know, whatever. I'm not very fond of this chapter, and I think I just used it as an excuse to bring Mimi in. Haha. Plus, I'm slightly distracted by some new soundtracks I've downloaded. Anyways. Enjoy!

CHAPTER EIGHT: No Trace

Still half a life away

There's no trace of you

-- No Trace

Mark is at a loss of what to do. He can't even bring himself to do some filming or editing – he's done it too much in these last couple of days. He's gone visiting, walking, relaxing. He's even cleaned. He's bothered.

Roger hasn't phoned. Mark's worried. True, they didn't exactly leave off on good terms, but it was unlike Roger to call with some sort of feeble apology. It's times like these when Mark's over active imagination gets the best of him. He can't stand to think of everything that could've happened to the other man.

He flops himself down on the couch, folding his hands on his lap. He looks at them, twiddling his thumbs out of nervousness. Roger can take care of himself, Mark knows. And he knows that Roger wouldn't have gone and done something stupid. Well … Something really stupid. There's a sound outside the door, and Mark is immediately up and opening it. His face falls slightly at the sight of Mimi, just about to knock on the door.

"Oh … Hey, Mimi."

"Hi Mark." Mimi flashes him a smile, which quickly changes into an amused look. "Expecting someone else?"

"No … Yes." Mark sighs, and can't help but smile at his slight humiliation. "Want to come inside?"

"Yeah, sure. I was wondering if you had any coffee I could borrow? I don't get paid for a few more days, and I don't know if I can last without it that long."

She laughs, and Mark grins a bit as he closes the door behind her. There was a time that she would be saying that about something other than coffee. He goes to get her some.

"Whoa … What the hell happened in here?"

"What do you mean?" Mark looks over at Mimi.

Mimi motions around the loft.

"It's clean. Like … Actually clean. Have some spare time on your hands?"

"Sort of …"

"I'm surprised Roger hasn't messed the place up already."

"He's not here."

Mimi looks over at Mark and frowns slightly.

"What do you mean?"

"He's gone to San Francisco. His band got an opportunity to play there."

"You don't sound very happy about it." Mimi sits down, keeping her watchful eyes on Mark.

"He hasn't called."

"I'll bet it's more than that. He's got under your skin too?" There's a pause in which Mark doesn't reply, and Mimi continues. "Don't worry about it, Mark. Whatever's going on between you two, I'm sure it won't last long. I think you two were made for each other." She gets up and retrieves the coffee from him. "Thanks Mark. See you later."

With a smile and a wink, Mimi leaves the loft. Mark stands there, feeling slightly stunned at Mimi's lack of tact and somewhat ominous trait of knowing more than she ought to.

Author's Note: I PROMISE next chapter will be way better! I'm having inspiration problems. Please review. )