When Evil Prevails

Section 11

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.
   

           Angela sat at her upstairs workstation in the clean room, gazing into the monitor, it had a small design on it that she'd been working on, trying to devise something wondering how on earth Rollie came up with the stuff he did.  It was hard work.
         She questioned herself, knowing that this hadn't really been why she'd stayed at the loft, knowing that sooner or later she'd be left alone with Rollie… the real one… the one who cared about her… and loved her.

         She moved to the edge, looking down and seeing him sitting at the bench with Bluey running around by him, he loved that little robot and so did she.
        ' I don't want it to be like this, watching him from a distance, I want what we had back…and I'm going to get it' she said suddenly, determination showing on her face.

        Standing up she walked down the stairs, knowing Rollie would hear her coming.  She stopped at the bottom of the stairs and looked across the small gap to where he sat.  Sitting down on the step she asked ' Rollie… can we talk?'

         Rollie turned and looked at her, aware how much meaning applied to those words.  ' Sure sweetie' he answered, standing and moving closer, sitting down on the floor before her.

        Angie wondered how it was that, a friendship lasting so many years, could almost be destroyed by a single night and the results of the three days before it.

        ' Can I ask you something Rollie?' she started.
        ' You know you can ask me anything Angie' Rollie answered.
        ' Why DID you look after me all those years?'
        ' Why… What?' Rollie said, confused then in a gentle tone continued ' I couldn't leave you, I wouldn't have wanted to.  I owed Manny so much but it went way beyond that.  You were my best friend Ange, you understood me better than anyone.  I loved having you around to talk to, to spoil.  I never had anyone growing up, especially after my mother died.  Sure there was Mangela and Dingo but they just couldn't fill that hole her death caused… you did'

         A small, wavering smile appeared on his face as he looked at her, seeing her shyly return it with one of her own.

        ' I remember talking to my mother, it's one of the few things I can other than the day we left.  We used to talk about things a lot while she was teaching me to cook, dad was always there when I was scared but it wasn't until we were here that we really talked' Angie responded.
        ' Then I came along' Rollie put in.
        ' I needed a friend.  You always treated me so politely, flattering me no matter how I looked.  I loved that, besides my dad you were the first boy to do it'

         Rollie's smile widened as he remembered.  ' You looked so beautiful, innocent.  What a mistake it was thinking that!  You weren't like the other little girls I'd met, to find out we'd almost had the same childhood… I sort of hoped I could be your friend, it would have been easier when she died if I'd had someone to talk to.  I didn't have anyone who understood'

        ' I remember hating you for making me cry in front of you.  I really didn't want you to see me like that.  I wanted to show everyone I was tough.  The more we talked though the more I saw you accepted me anyway I was, tears and all.  You made me laugh and dad really liked you, I think it was as much for that as for your intelligence he made you his apprentice'
        ' I still laugh when I think about how closely he watched me when we were together.  You know he actually thanked me once for talking to you about your mother… it was so hard for him, he couldn't face you, with you looking so much like her'
        ' I know, he loved her so much, it really hurt him to leave her.  I was a shy little girl, but you opened me up and helped me heal, and if I did the same for you then I'm glad'
        ' Remember that night when Manny was asleep and we just talked the whole night?'
        ' Yeah, we just talked and talked, I loved it.  I sat with my head…'
        ' On my shoulder with my arm around your shoulders, teasing you about your hair bun' Rollie finished with a laugh.
        ' I haven't worn it that way since because of that night you know.  We had a great time together didn't we'
        ' Yep, the best I'd had in a good long time' Rollie said.
        ' Let's do it again Rol, I want what we had back'

         Rollie looked up at his partner and he stood up, offering his hand, helping her up.  He was surprised when she kept coming, putting her arms around him tightly.  Putting his own around her, he stood holding her for some time, something he'd missed, something that comforted them both.

        Eventually Rollie led her over to the couch, sitting next to her.

         After a hastily put together meal they settled down on the couch, Rollie's arm around Angie's shoulder and his other hand held tightly in her hand.
        ' Before we start… one thing' Rollie started.
        ' Mmmm' Angie replied leaning her head on his shoulder.
        ' Mira showed me the piece of paper and the CD.  I know why you were so upset so forget it happened.  If you get any more packages, we'll deal with them together ok?'
        ' Deal'

         Sitting close, they talked, neither of them worrying that they started shooting early, both of them forgetting that Mira would be wondering where Angela was, this was much, much more important.

         Rollie looked up as the phone rang, luckily he'd turned it down.  Angie was asleep on his shoulder so he carefully reached over and picked up the cordless handset sitting on the table.
        ' Yep' Rollie said quietly.
        ' Rollie I don't know where Angie is' Mira's first words poured down the phone full of worry.
        ' Oh heck, I should have left a message' Rollie started ' She's still here, we've been talking.  She's presently asleep on my shoulder.  Want to hear her sleep?' he asked, in a better mood than he had been for months.
        ' As long as she's ok.  Here's a question for you though, how do I know you're not Loubar?'
        ' Let me tell you a story about Leo.  You can ring Frank, he knows it as well' Rollie replied and started talking softly but quickly.
        ' Ok, I'll ask him' Mira replied as Rollie finished.

         Rollie put the phone down and sighed, looking down at his partner.  No one would ever trust him with her again, except Angie, she knew what it was like to have no one to turn to.
         Drawing a thick blanket up he settled it about them and resting his own head against the back of the couch, tried to get some sleep, feeling the warmth as Angie took hold of his hand and pulled it closer, still asleep.
         ' I love you Angela Ramirez, nothing will ever change that' he whispered, gazing down at her sleeping form and then up at the ceiling, drifting to sleep.