When Evil Prevails

Section 18

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.
 

         The lights glowed fitfully and several other patrons had arrived at the small café by the time the meal arrived.  It had arrived without the two partners having said a word to each other and they were now the object of several very open stares from the staff, making the silence between them even more deafening.

         Rollie glanced over at Angie and saw the almost imperceptible shrug of her shoulders as her eyes met his own.  They really didn't need to talk to tell each other what they were thinking and Angie's smile showed she understood what he was going through.  It wasn't that Rollie didn't have anything to say to her it was just… he knew exactly what he wanted to say but couldn't find the right words.

        The time progressed and the plates were cleared away.  Meal finished with and cups emptied once more, Rollie looked across and Angie who nodded back.  Catching the eye of the waitress, Rollie motioned for the bill and when it arrived, tipped the young lady for the excellent service.  Rollie stood up followed a second later by Angie.  Walking across to the counter he pulled his wallet from his back pocket and put the money down on the counter on top of the bill.

         Turning around he took Angie's arm and headed out the door.
        ' Well the dinner conversation was stimulating' Angie joked as they walked down the street, heading for a small nearby nightspot.
        ' I think it's the first silent dinner date I've had… but I was talking Ange… were you listening?' he asked.
        ' Oh I was listening Rollie don't you worry about that'
        ' How did you manage to convince Mira to let you out?'
        ' I didn't'
        ' Then how?  She's not following us is she?'
        ' No' Angie laughed ' You don't think I'd agree to that do you?'
        ' Well I certainly hope not.  She's going to be surprised if you did though ' he replied leaning over to kiss her lightly on the lips, walking backwards before swinging back next to her, one arm sliding around her waist ' So how?'
        ' I slipped her a Mickey' Angie answered shrugging.
        ' Angie!' Rollie said shocked, eyes wide… ' That's brilliant' he finished with a grin.

        ' I thought you'd like that… remember when you did that to Leo?'
        ' Yeah… we had some fun didn't we Ange?'
        ' We always seem to Rol… fun's never far away when you're around'
        ' Well… ready for some more?' he asked pointing to the club.
        ' Think you can still keep up?' Angie laughed, pulling him inside.
 

        The inside of the club was exactly what Rollie was expecting.  It was noisy, crowded and smoke filled.  The dance floor was filled almost to overflowing when Angie pulled Rollie along behind her and then turned back to him, getting into the mood, feeling alive and seeing that he was ready to have a good time as well, something they hadn't had in a while.
 
        Dancing on the floor didn't consist of the close, contact dancing that Rollie had hoped he might try with Angie, but still… it was obvious she was dancing with him and no one else, just as he was dancing with her.  It had been a long time since he'd hit one of these places and he watched others dance, picking up the style…or lack of it as he thought.
 
         The dance continued, non-stop music blaring out over the sound system as the DJ kept the mood high, fever pitched.  New people replaced the worn out and in turn were replaced.  The hours rolled on.

        Angie had definitely been right about keeping up, he was almost dead on his feet but it was a good feeling, he thought Angie was starting to look a little tired herself.  Motioning to the side of the floor Angie nodded and together they moved away, there was barely standing room, certainly nowhere to sit.

        ' What say we get out of here?' Rollie shouted but Angie shook her head, she couldn't hear.  Rollie looked around then looked straight into her eyes before turning and looking at the door.  Following his gaze she reached out, taking his hand, her expression showing her agreement.

         Back outside in the cool night air Rollie sighed ' I must be getting old… I think I'm out of touch… that dancing was weird'
        ' I don't think it was what you had in mind that's all… and I wouldn't call you old… ancient, decrepit, senile do pop to mind though' Angie replied, skipping out of reach as he made a grab for her.

         Rollie stalked forward and Angie kept her distance, stepping hurriedly around a corner with Rollie a step behind.
        ' Stop right there mister… don't move.  Are you okay miss?' the policeman asked, seeing Rollie's outstretched hands, his hand hovering on the butt of his revolver, nightstick already in hand.
        ' Fine officer… really' Angie replied wanting to laugh.
        ' You're sure now?' the officer asked.
        ' Yes, thankyou officer' Angie replied.

         Giving Rollie another hard look, the officer relaxed somewhat and continued on around the corner.
         Waiting, standing still for twenty seconds, Rollie watched Angie as she looked at him and they both laughed… that… had been interesting.  Sure that the policeman was out of range, Rollie leapt forward, grabbing Angela's arm and pinning her against the side of the building.
        ' Ancient am I?  Decrepit?  Senile?' Rollie asked in a whisper, punctuating each of his remarks with a kiss, hands holding her waist.
        ' I might have been mistaken… ' Angie whispered back, relishing the attention he was finally giving her, returning the kisses as they stood in the shadow of the building.

         It wasn't truly late, they had work the next day but still… neither of them wanted to end the night so early, walking through the streets back to the car they held hands, looking like any other couple out enjoying the mild night.  Stopping at the car, Angie turned to see a frown on Rollie's face ' Hey… you're supposed to be having fun remember' she said, pulling him from his reverie.
         Rollie smiled back, pushing the thoughts away ' I am Ange…I am' Rollie answered, fingers gently framing her cheeks before running a thumb gently over her lips, so soft and luscious.

         Angela's breath caught in her throat, remembering how Loubar had done that same thing on that night. Shivering slightly she stood for a moment, not realising that Rollie was holding out his jacket for her.  ' Angie? You okay?' he asked, placing it around her shoulders despite shivering slightly himself.
        ' What?  Oh… fine… better than fine' she replied, Loubar had obviously watched Rollie and had seen him do that.
        ' I think I should get you home' Rollie answered… something HAD happened.
        ' How about a drink at the loft first?'
        ' You sure?  How long will Mira be out?'
        ' Yeah I am.  She shouldn't be up before morning'
        ' Okay then… I don't want you getting in trouble'
        ' Rollie… if I get in trouble with Mira because of this I won't mind… it was worth it'

         It was only a short trip back to the loft, Rollie guiding the car through the streets trying to decide what had happened… and what would happen when they reached the loft.  Glancing across at Angie he found her looking down at a small box, the same one he'd dropped into his coat pocket earlier.
        ' Go ahead… open it' he said.

         Angela glanced at the box again before thumbing the catch open to reveal the white satin lining and the glinting gold bracelet.  The thin links shone, Angela's eyes picking out the small gold-mark on the catch as she lifted it free of the box.
        ' Nice… not too heavy'
        ' Glad you like it… it's yours… a… memento, of tonight'
        ' but I don't have anything for you' Angie replied guiltily.
        ' You gave me your company Ange… and those kisses… that was all I wanted' Rollie laughed in reply.

         Shaking her head Angela looked down at the bracelet, deftly undoing the catch and laying it around her wrist before pulling the ends together and redoing the clasp.  It felt nice, light, not large and unwieldy like several other pieces she had… this was much more to her liking.  Lifting the small note Rollie had written, Angie began to read.

        Angela.  For all your years of friendship and on the first night of something even more special.  Rollie.

        ' Thanks Rol' she finished at last, the simple message touching her heart.

         Rollie brought the car to a halt inside the loft's garage, the door closing automatically behind them.  Stepping out he made his way around and opened her door, offering his arm.  Moving into the loft, Rollie called out ' Blue, light's on' and moved over to the computer, seeing that Bluey had already recognised his signature.  No one else had been in the loft since he'd left and he sighed, glad that Frank had gone home… Frank already knew what he thought of Angie but he didn't know just how close they'd already become.
 
         Angela moved through the loft, into the kitchen, beginning to prepare the drinks like she had so many times before, pouring water into the green ceramic mugs.  Seeing that Rollie had fresh tea for a change, she placed some in the infuser and lowered it into each of the cups, only leaving it for ten seconds before removing it.  That was one of the secrets to good fresh tea, the flavour still came out as strong as normal but the flavour was much more evident.
         Seeing Rollie checking the computer and hearing him say a happy greeting to Bluey she relaxed, knowing that Bluey had Rollie's pattern and that Loubar had disactivated Bluey last time.  She watched as he stood and moved over to the lounge, knowing she'd join him.