When Evil Prevails

Section 3

Writer - Gabriel Shaytan

FX is a Rysher production in conjunction with Fireworks Entertainment Inc. and Winterset Productions Inc as well as Hallmark Entertainment.

Don’t own ‘em, aren’t bein’ paid.
 

         Loubar's actions had repercussions between Angie and Rollie.  The distance they'd seemed to have closed had opened again, not as wide but he could see the wariness lurking below the surface.
        ' Why didn't you tell me Rol?' Angie asked after Mira had left.
        ' About him being back?  I didn't want to worry you.  We seemed to be making progress and I just thought…' Rollie answered.
        ' I want to go back to my apartment' Angie said after a moment.
        ' Why?' asked Rollie.
        ' I don't feel comfortable here Rollie, not at the moment anyway' replied Angela, turning and heading upstairs to pack.

         Rollie watched as Angela disappeared up the stairs, conflicting emotions toiling within.  He wanted her to feel at ease, so if she would rather be at her apartment that was fine.  He also wanted to be where he could keep an eye on her especially now Loubar had made contact again, it suggested he was here for a purpose and it wouldn't be to throw us a party Rollie thought.
         Thinking, Rollie decided to ask, he knew it wasn't likely she'd say yes but it wouldn't hurt… or would it?  Walking up the stairs he saw Angela seated on the bed, looking at a photo of them together.  He watched as she slid it into her already bulging bag with a sigh.
        ' Ahem' Rollie said, announcing his presence ' Angie, I know you want to go, but I don't want you to be alone while Loubar's around'
        ' I have to be Rol, I need some time' Angie replied worriedly.
        ' I know you don't want me staying with you, and I won't ask because I know what you'll say already' Rollie began ' but let Mira stay with you, or Frank.'
        ' I know you're worried Rol but I'll be ok.  I'll be careful' Angie answered looking at the bag.
        ' At least let me take you' Rollie said, picking up the keys to the truck and picking up Angie's bag.

         Angie nodded, aware that he really wanted to show her he was there for her, even after everything that had happened.
        ' You want to go right now?' Rollie asked.
        ' I think it'd be best' Angie answered ' Rollie, I…'
        ' It's ok Ange, I understand, well, I'm trying to' Rollie answered.
 

         Driving through the streets the two dozen blocks to Angie's apartment Rollie wondered if this action of Loubar's was a hint of things to come.  If Loubar kept it up Angie would never trust him again, she'd never be able to forget.

         Pulling up outside her apartment, Rollie stopped the truck and grabbed her bag, carrying it as they headed up the stairs.  Stopping at her doorway Rollie handed the bag over, unwilling to enter.
        ' Oh yeah, I got us a movie… part of an effects crew for a big production.  We can drop it if you don’t want to do it but I'll tell you something about it… Spielberg's directing it.
        ' That's great Rol, could be our big break' Angie said smiling at him for the first time since the loft.
        ' We'll see, we're only a small part of the whole show' Rollie answered with a shrug.

         An uneasy silence descended upon them, Rollie not wanting to leave and Angie unsure of whether to ask him in or not.
        ' Well, I guess I should go' Rollie began ' Call me if you need anything alright?  I care about you, remember that' he finished, turning to walk away.
        ' Rol?' Angie started.
        ' Yep' Rollie returned, turning about.
        ' Thanks for everything' Angie finished.
        ' You know you don't have to say that Ange' Rollie answered.
        ' Yeah, but I wanted to' Angie replied, watching Rollie walk away.
 

         Leaving Angie alone in her apartment, Rollie headed in a different direction, down to the Midtown South precinct.
        ' Hey Frank' Rollie said moving up to the detectives desk.
        ' Hi Rol, what are you doing down here?' he asked.  Rollie was one of his best friends and Angela as well, Mira had told him about what had happened and he sympathized with the Aussie.
        ' Just dropped Angie back at her apartment' Rollie said briefly.
        Frank looked up and said ' I thought she was staying with you'
        ' Said she wasn't comfortable… you know' Rollie answered ' It's sort of why I came actually'
        ' Sure' Frank said ' What can I do?'
        ' Loubar will try something, I don't want him getting to Angie especially now she's alone.  I can't stay there because of the obvious reasons, I was sort of hoping you or Mira could stay with her, you know' Rollie answered.
        ' I'll talk it over with her when she gets in' Frank replied.
        ' Thanks Frank' Rollie replied.
 

         Loubar looked down at the collection he was trying to put together, mementos of the night with Angela.  His mind trying to think of anything that could drive her further away from Tyler.  He knew eventually she'd tire of them, and then he'd start on Tyler.

         He'd have to space them out a little though, let Tyler think he'd left again, then send another, let them start to recover and send another.  The more drawn out he could make it the more likely Tyler was to do something stupid.
 

         Angie looked over at the TV once in a while, not knowing really why she bothered having it on.  She was thinking, she regretted shouting at Rollie before she knew whether it was him or Loubar, she knew her reaction had hurt him but she was so afraid, she hadn't told Rollie about the nightmares she'd had, and was still having.  Rollie was standing there before her, and he slowly lifted his hands, pulling his face away to reveal Loubar underneath before Loubar did the same to reveal Rollie, a never ending disguise.
         Never had she known such fear, except maybe when she'd been taken from her mother, but even then she'd been too young to really understand it.  Now though, she didn’t know what to do.  She knew the real Rollie cared for her like no one else she'd known, except her father, and he filled the big brother gap as well as being the only one she'd turn to if she needed help.  Unfortunately Loubar had picked Rollie to copy for his work and now, he wouldn't leave them alone.  He'd used Rollie to get into their lives and had virtually destroyed their friendship.
         Gently stroking Chiops, her pet cat, Angie sipped at the coffee she'd made, wondering what Rollie was doing and wondering about his news about the new movie.  Could she handle it she wondered.  Rollie would be relying on her and they'd tried hard to make a good name for the company, the fact we got anywhere near shows at least some people have been paying attention she thought.
 

         Mira looked at Frank and nodded ' I know Rollie's worried but I'll only be able to be there after work'
        ' He just needs some reassuring Mira, you know how he's been since… he can't be there, so he just wants someone else to act in his stead' Frank pointed out.
        ' Why not you?  You and Angie get along well' Mira asked.
        ' Well there's the obvious reason that she'd immediately know why I was there, plus I've got family to take care of.  You've got an apartment, that means we could suggest something's happening to it so you need somewhere to stay, which means she wouldn't know how worried Rollie is so she won't worry even more' Frank finished.
        ' So nothing really happens to my apartment?' Mira finished.
        ' Of course not, it's just subterfuge' Frank explained.
        ' Why not, I need some intelligent yet peaceful company after the last few days with " Mr I'm a better cop than you."  If Angie will have me, I'll be glad for the change of scenery' Mira answered.
 

         Rollie returned to the loft, starting to get the gear ready for the movie, he knew it wasn't for a week or so but he wanted everything to be perfect.  Independent companies like his own didn't often get the chance to work with high profile directors, usually only when it involved huge projects and they needed additional help setting everything up.  He hoped that Angie would be ok about it, he'd really need her help during the shoot and it'd be really good for them to get out there and take their minds off all that had happened.
 

         Loubar paused looking at the pile, spacing them out would keep them off balance and wouldn't reveal that he was in the city, he had various postage mark stamps with him.  Looking at the pile he thought another package and then about a week or more before the next, he'd been watching and knew that Tyler would be starting another film.  ' Let him start it, then it'll be all the worse if he and Angela fight' he said to himself.