When Evil Prevails

Section 19

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.
 

         Moving to the couch where Rollie had sat down she handed over his cup and sat next to him, finding his arm snaking around her waist as she did.  It was then that she noticed the serious expression in his eyes, the slight lines crinkling his forehead beneath his long wavy brown hair.
        ' What is it Rol?'
        ' You saw him didn't you?  When I brushed your face.  Is that what he did?'
        ' Yes… to both' Angie admitted, she wouldn't lie to him.

         Rollie let out a sigh and sipped at the cup of tea, staring at the wall, almost oblivious to Angie's presence.
        ' but Rollie… I know it was you and not him'
        ' You shivered Angie… when I did it.  I know it wasn't the cold'
        ' It was just a flashback Rol, I didn't run away screaming did I, I didn't attack you'
        ' No but…'
        ' There are not buts Rollie.  I wouldn't be here with you if I didn't want to be.  I WANT to be with you, it's my choice and being with you IS my choice' she answered not angry but frustrated that things still weren't running perfectly between them like they had.  Leaning over she took his cup and set it on the table, taking hold of his shirt she pulled him up from the slouch he'd slid into and kissed him.  It was everything a kiss should be, passionate, loving, caring, arousing… lasting.
        ' You think that I'd kiss you like that if I had a single thought you were Loubar?' Angie replied with a breathless smile.
        ' No' he replied ' Are you sure I'm me?'
        ' Yes'
        ' Good let's try that again' Rollie laughed as he pulled her forward.  She was off balance, but at that moment he felt his own balance go as well and fell back onto the couch, Angie landing on top of him.
        ' Well I didn't expect this on the first date' Rollie said conversationally, brown eyes twinkling with suppressed mirth as he gazed up through her blonde hair into her bright blue eyes, before pulling her down to kiss her… on the nose.

        After laughing at Rollie's move she replied ' Don't get any ideas Rol… this is the first date after all and I'm definitely not easy'
        ' Never said you were'
        ' Lucky for you you didn't'
        ' I mean… I work with you everyday and it's always… Rollie do this, Rollie do that.  See you at the set on time right… or, be back for lunch…I know you're not easy to get along with' Rollie answered innocently.
        ' I suppose that was fair after the age joke' Angie grinned ' but most guys struck out with me on the first date Rol, I'm really not easy'
        ' No kidding… first and last date if I had said you were huh?' Rollie asked, Angie still lying on top of him and not hurried about moving by the look of it.
        ' You betcha'
        ' I like it you know' Rollie said with a grin.
        ' What exactly do you like?'
        ' The bracelet… looks great on you.  What did you think I meant?'
        ' With you studmuffin… how's a girl meant to know?' she replied with her own smile.

        Angie looked down at the bracelet, sitting as it was on the hand that was propping her up.  It had been truly thoughtful of Rollie to find a memento of their first date, a lot of guys wouldn’t have even considered it.  Slowly pulling herself upright and back to a normal sitting position while Rollie continued to laugh to her reply, pulling himself upright, moving close to her.
 
        ' You want another cuppa?' Rollie asked.
        ' Actually I suppose I'd better go, we've got to be on set early and I've got that scene to finish off… it'll be a long day' she answered.
        ' Oh… okay' Rollie replied, standing up ' I'll grab my jacket'
        ' I could take the car'
        ' How would you explain that to Mira?  Don't worry it's no bother at all… I picked you up I should drop you home'
        ' Good point… ok let's go'
 

         There was almost no traffic on the roads and Rollie made better time than he had hoped, every second he could squeeze out of this first date with Angela would be another moment he treasured… like the rest of times he'd spent with her.
        ' Well… here we are' he commented.
        ' Yeah'

         Silence settled for a moment before Angie spoke, turning to her partner ' I had a great time Rol… I don't think I'll ever forget when we walked around the corner into that cop'
        ' Yeah tell me about it… I liked the silent dinner… that got us some good looks too'
        ' and thankyou for the gift, it's beautiful'
        ' No more so than you, actually a lot less beautiful than you'
        ' You really can sprout those lines at will can't you!'
        ' What can I say… all it takes is the inspiration, such as the mere sight of the perfection sitting here before me and I all I can think of is how I love so many different things about you… and I can finally find the words to tell you that'

         The smile on Angie's face told him what she thought of that.  Leaning over he kissed her on the lips, drawing her close in his arms.  Releasing her after a moment he gently reached up, cupping her face with his hand before he remembered what had happened.  This time though she didn't shiver or draw away, she responded in kind, drawing his head towards her and kissing him as she had before, sending his heart beating in overdrive.
 

        ' I'll see you in the morning' Rollie said after a moment.
        ' That a promise?'
        ' Yes it is sweetie'
        ' Good.  Tonight was wonderful… thankyou Rollie'
        ' I'm glad you had a good time'
        ' Goodnight Rollie'
        ' Goodnight sweetie' Rollie said, standing at the door to the building, watching as she turned and headed inside.

        Walking back to the car he waited, watched the light come on in her apartment and the curtains twitch.  Waving he opened the door to his car and climbed in.  Starting the engine he headed back to the loft.

        Angie looked at Mira, still out like a light on the couch.  Walking across the room to her bedroom she gently pushed the door shut and prepared for bed.  After showering she dressed for bed climbed in, tomorrow really would be a long day but she didn't regret spending the night out with Rollie for a minute.  Blushing slightly at some of the memories that popped to mind she fell asleep quickly, a contented smile on her face.
 

        Rollie drove, not realising that he'd taken several wrong turns and driven almost thirty miles already, until he saw the bridge looming before him.  Shaking his head and promising himself to pay attention in the future he turned around and headed back towards the loft, remembering the same thing had happened to him the first night he'd taken Taya out.  Ten minutes from his hotel and it'd taken him almost an hour to get home.

        Finally getting back to the loft he headed inside, walking up the stairs to the apartment level and shucking off his coat.  Dropping it on a chair he swung down into another and removed his shoes, they were tight and new and he'd be sporting a set of matching blisters by morning… it had been worth it.
        Stripping down he headed for the shower, relaxing in its warmth, knowing that if he went straight to bed he'd lie awake for hours, body too excited to sleep.  Moving out he pulled on a thick robe and headed back downstairs.  Sitting down he lifted the folder, filled with work for the next day.  Grabbing a pencil he started marking down sections, placing symbols for various effects.

        Thinking that he was almost tired enough to sleep he looked up, blinked to clear his head a few times and then looked back at the sheet.  ' I really need to try and concentrate' he muttered as he started erasing the name Angie from several spots, substituting them with what he really meant.  What was it?  Even when he'd been with Taya it hadn't been this bad… he'd kept some semblance of intelligence… but he just couldn't stop thinking of her, the way she moved, the way she smelt, the softness of her in his arms… the kiss.

        Walking back up the stairs he moved over to the bed, crawling under the covers and praying that he'd manage to get even a few hours before having to be up for work.
 
 

        Several hours had passed and it was still dark inside the loft, clouds hanging in the sky overhead, most of the city still asleep.  It was another cold morning when Rollie awoke.  The sleep had done some good but even then he hadn't been able to escape, dream after dream had come and gone, most in the blink of an eye and yet he remembered them all vividly.  All of Angie, sometimes she was as he'd met her, other times as she might be in the future… though most often it was as she was, young and alive, full of energy and always enjoying herself.  One though had almost seemed more real than the others, the sounds, textures… all so much more vibrant than normal… and yet it was one he prayed was only his overactive imagination at work.  He had been alone, Angela was nearby and someone else… he could feel their hatred.  He'd found Angela but the other person had disappeared… that was it, everything had gone black after that.