When Evil Prevails

Section 17

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.

        Frank climbed from his car, following Rollie into the loft, wondering why Rollie seemed to be in such a good mood, the last few weeks he'd hardly been able to coach a smile out of the Aussie, though occasionally he'd seemed his old self.

        Inside the loft Rollie turned to Frank ' Make yourself at home, beer's in the fridge and umm, I think there's something in there if you want something to eat too' Rollie explained, heading for the stairs.
        ' Where are you going?' Frank asked, seeing the expression on Rollie's face.
        ' Out.  I'm meeting an old friend' Rollie called back, already at the top of the stairs, coat thrown onto the back of a chair.

        Frank walked over to the fridge, pulled out a beer and pulled the ring.  He'd have a quick one and then go out, grab something to eat… Sarah was taking the girls over to her mothers so there wouldn't be anyone home.

        Browsing through the fridge, Frank came up with enough to keep him going, making a nice submarine sandwich from half a French loaf that was still fresh.  Taking it across to the lounge he switched the TV on, preparing for a nice night relaxing.

        Upstairs, Rollie rushed through the shower, his electric razor removing the short stubble that had grown.  Pulling his hair back he sprayed it quickly with some hairspray and pulled on a nice, brand new shirt that Angie had bought him for Christmas and that he hadn't had the opportunity to wear just yet.  They'd decided to make it just a casual thing, nothing flashy but still… he didn't want to turn up dressed normally and find her looking stupendous like he knew she would.

         Heading out into the apartment area he grabbed his gold Rolex from the nightstand and slid it over his wrist.  Frantically searching he came up with a black sports coat and a pair of new blue denim jeans to finish it off.  The shirt already in place he realised he'd forgotten something.  Grabbing the deodorant from the cabinet he pulled the shirt up, hoping that it wasn't too strong.

        Little things that normally held little significance suddenly took on amazing importance and he continued, fumbling his way through them until finally he had everything ready.  Looking around he realised that he should really have something to give her, a small token of the first date.  Flowers would be nice but he didn't have any, the shops would be shut and he didn't want to get busted picking them from someone's garden like he had back home.

        Searching he came up with a thin gold link bracelet he'd had for some reason that he couldn't bring to mind, he dropped it into a small box, hurriedly wrote out a quick note and slid it inside.  Tucking the gift into his pocket he hurried down the stairs, spotting Frank sitting on the couch he coughed and asked ' So… what do you think?'

        Frank turned around, surprised at the change Rollie had undertaken.  He looked more like a debonair rich kid in his fancy sports coat, polished yet casual ' Look's good… this old friend of yours must be special for you to go looking like that' Frank commented.
        ' Yeah… she is.  You don't need to tell Mira or Angie about this though… ok?' Rollie replied, hoping it would keep Frank and Mira off track.
        ' Sure Rollie.  So… you bringing her back here tonight?' Frank asked.
        ' Frank' Rollie replied sternly not wanting to discuss it, it wasn’t any of his business.
        ' Just wanting to know if you want me out that's all' Frank answered reasonably.
        ' Actually… that might be best' Rollie decided ' Sorry'
        ' No problem, Sarah and the girls are out so it'll nice and quiet at home' Frank replied, standing up and finishing the beer… it wasn't far to home.
        ' Thanks Frank' Rollie answered, heading for the garage and the sports car.

         Watching as Frank left, Rollie pulled out and headed away, still wondering how Angie was going to get Mira to let her out of her sight.  All she'd said was that she'd meet him outside the building and that he'd better be on time.
         Glancing down at his watch he realised that he'd better get a move on if he was going to keep that promise and pushed his foot down, heading along the streets right on the limit.
 

         Angie looked over at where Mira was asleep on the couch.  At least she'd be able to get out without Mira finding out she'd gone, hopefully she'd still be asleep when she got back too.  Looking in the mirror she took in the effect, hoping that Rollie hadn't over done his own preparations.  The black slacks and satin blouse went well against her hair, they were comfortable and would be warm enough with the city experiencing an early warm change.

         Grabbing her bag she headed for the door, opening it and stepping into the corridor, turning and locking the door before sighing in relief and heading down the stairs towards the front of the building where she'd told Rollie to wait.

         Pulling to a stop outside Angie's apartment building, Rollie hoped he wasn't late, looking at his watch he saw that it was almost exactly the right time.  About to turn the engine off he noticed someone appear at the front door, turning and locking it before turning around.
         Glad he hadn't over dressed, Rollie watched, flicking the headlights on and off, announcing his presence before climbing out.

        ' Hi… you look great' he said as she approached, stepping close and smiling as he wrapped his arms around her.
        ' You too… I like the coat' she replied with a smile.
        ' So, take my picture and we can get going' Rollie answered ' How did you get Mira to let you out anyway?'
        ' I don't need to Rol, I know it's you' Angie replied.

        Rollie looked down at his partner, meeting her blue eyed gaze before replying ' I thought we'd already discussed this Ange.  I want you to be sure it's me… that it's me that says anything I might have to say'
        ' Rollie' Angela began.
        ' Ange… we could stand here all night arguing or you can take the picture and we can get on with what we both want to be doing' Rollie pointed out with a grin.
        ' Oh okay, I wouldn't want to waste time' Angie replied, pulling the P.D.A from her bag and snapping Rollie ' Done… now can we go?'
        ' Your chariot awaits' Rollie said with a chuckle, opening the passenger-side door for her.

         Walking around to the driver's side he glanced up at the apartments, wondering again how Angie had convinced Mira to let her go.  Climbing in he started the engine, listening to it a moment before asking ' So… where to?'
        ' How about the Film cafe?  It's a nice quiet little place, you know the one… we went there with Leo after he got out of hospital' Angie replied after a moment, quickly running through different places in her mind.
        ' Perfect' Rollie answered.

         Pulling away he started through the darkening city streets, night was already falling and the neon street lamps shone their orange glow onto the road, casting oddly shaped shadows on the surrounding buildings.  Sometimes the light showed the glint of eyes in the alleyways, the eyes of the homeless or non-law abiding, the unseen, out of sight and out of the mind of the prosperous of the city.  The dark streets and abandoned buildings had become their homes, still… even in the dark, relationships were built and hope didn't always die.

 
        The place was quiet when they arrived, which was one of the best features of the place, a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the job.  It was small, holding barely a dozen plain wooden tables enclosed by the high backed bench seats that gave each table the appearance of privacy.
         It wasn't a place they frequented often, most of the time it was bigger places for meetings or somewhere like Kenny's for the wrap parties.  So a quiet little place made a nice change, showed that this wasn't just another meal out because of business.

         The menu was plain but that didn't bother Rollie, he'd had worse… many times in the past, but never when Angie had cooked.  Taking a table furthest from the door and the noise outside, Rollie sat down, across the table from his date and picked up one of the laminated menus sitting on the table.
        Dismissing most of the meals at a glance he finally settled for a satay, chicken kebab dish and passed the menu across to Angie, who did likewise and ended up choosing the same, setting Rollie laughing when she told him what she'd have.

        Giving the order to the waitress, Rollie waited, their drinks arriving quickly, Rollie choosing coffee while Angela asked for a ginseng tea, another good thing about the place was the selection of beverages… something for everyone.  It was less a place to eat than a place to meet, drink and talk, a reason it was quiet at this time of day… other places served better meals.

        Sipping the piping hot coffee Rollie looked around, trying to think of something to say… here he was with Angie, and he couldn't think of anything… he remembered the first date he'd been on and how tongue tied he'd been then.  ' I thought I got over that' he thought to himself with a smile, turning back to her… ' but she's not talking either… perhaps she's got the same problem'