NYC, Mark and Roger's loft, Friday.

[collins_tom]

Tom was packing up his things, folding his clothes, not really paying attention. They had only gotten to see Mimi once. She died Saturday night. Tom had dreamed about Angel that night and knew Mimi was gone before they got the call. Her funeral was Tuesday, the whole gang was there. It was good to see them all again, if only the circumstances had

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[just_one_song]

Roger glanced up from where he had perched himself on the couch. He hadn't moved all day. He sighed and faultered a second on the stings his fingers ghosted over when he heard Collins' voice.

"I'm in here." He said. His voice was rough from the crying he would swear to the death he wasn't doing. He started strumming again plucking out a few notes.

E, B,....D no.....G...flat... A, flat flat

"Fuck..." He breathed out reaching up to wipe a bead of sweat from his forehead.

[collins_tom]

Tom followed the sound of Roger's voice and stood in the doorway, watching the poor guy for a minute. "Hey man, how you doing?"

Stupid question.

"I mean...fuck man, I don't know what I mean. I know you're not alright. I know better than anybody. And yet I still don't know what to say." Roger just looked so lost...

"Rog, Lu and I have something we wanna ask you."

[just_one_song]

Roger just stayed silent as Collins spoke. He didn't look up, he just kept playing, because it was all he could do to keep from crying again.

"Don't worry about it." Roger insisted at his friends apology that he wasn't sure what to say to him. "I'm fine." Roger insisted and quickly switched the subject so Collins couldn't argue with him on it.

"Ask me what?" He questioned still strumming out chord that were going no where, and plucking out notes that didn't seem to have a purpose.

[collins_tom]

Tom was not so easily put off. "You're not fine, don't lie to me about it, I've always seen through you."

He dropped the subject after that though.

"We want you to come back with us. Change of scenery, leave the ghosts behind. It was the best thing I ever did, and I know it would be good for you too." He stared at Roger, hoping against hope that he would agree.