Author's Warning: This story is a cliffhanger, so if you don't like that type, then you might want to wait for the sequel and read them together! Email comments to katie66_80@yahoo.ca.

Blown Away

By Kimber

"So, what do you say. Are you willing to accompany me back to the homeland?"

Angie nodded, happily. "Yeah, for sure!" Ever since she'd met Rollie, all he had talked about was the beautiful Australia. The land where he had been born and raised.

He had promised her that they would take a trip some day, that he would show her the place he thought so fondly of.

"Sure am glad Jimmy agreed to shoot here. It is awful beautiful, especially for a love story."

Angie blushed. "Yeah, Rol. I think Jimmy really knew how homesick you were. And we can't have our special effects guy feeling down now, can we?"

The shoot was taking place in a beautiful deserted area just outside of Sydney. The director had given them the weekend off, and surprised Rollie with plane tickets to Melbourne, the city he had been raised in.

Rollie had given his second ticket to Angie, and was ecstatic when she agreed to accompany him.

"It won't be too long of a trip," Rollie commented. "Maybe an hour at the most."

"Good, that leaves us the whole weekend to explore!"

"Hey there..." Jimmy, the director appeared behind Rollie. "You like your gift?"

Rollie slung his arm around Angie's shoulders. "We love it Jim. Thanks so much."

"Don't mention it," Jimmy replied. "So you ready to deport?"

Rollie nodded. "Yup. Just gotta make the hotel reservations ... that's all!"

"A hotel?!" Jimmy cried. "Man, Rollie I honestly thought someone like yourself would know more about the outback! You don't stay in a hotel in Australia!"

Rollie shrugged. "You aren't suggesting we camp, are you?"

Angie giggled. "Oh come on, Rol. It'd be fun to camp out. Think --- just a tent and the wilderness."

Rollie sighed. "Aright, Angela. Be ready in half an hour, can I rely on you for that?"

Angie rolled her eyes. "Of course you can." She blew Rollie a kiss, and grinned. "Half an hour!"

Rollie gave Jimmy one last look. "Thanks again, mate. We'll see if inviting Angie was a mistake or not soon enough!"

* * *

An hour and fifteen minutes later, Rollie and Angie stepped onto the plane.

"Angela, let's go!" Rollie called, as Angie took one last look at Sydney.

"It's just … Sydney's so beautiful, I don't understand how Melbourne could be any more nice!"

"It is, love," Rollie finished giving the gear to the flight attendant, and he put his arm around Angie. "Let's go find our seats."

Once the plane had taken off, and Rollie and Angie were comfortably in their seats, she turned to him.

"Listen, Rollie. I just have to thank you again for bringing me along. No one's ever been as nice to me as you are … and, well, thanks for that I guess."

"Oh, Angela." Rollie reached over, and enveloped her in a bear hug. "You know how much you mean to me, love. I would sacrifice anything for your happiness."

"Well," Angie began. "Let's just hope this reunion with you and your land goes well." She laughed. "I mean it's Australian outback, what could go wrong?"

* * *

"Ang! Angie, c'mere!" Rollie called.

Angie sighed, and made her way to where he stood. She had to laugh; though, forever since they'd landed; Rollie had acted like a kid in a toy store, dragging her from landmark to landmark.

They were nearing downtown Melbourne, the part of town where Rollie had hoped to meet some locals that he'd left behind.

"Look!" Rollie cried, suddenly. "In that very store, Dingo bought me my first daredevil dirt bike. Man, I rode that thing like there was no tomorrow…" He sighed. "I just wish…"

"Rollie? Rollie Tyler?" A voice came from behind Angie, and spun around to find an older woman running toward them.

"Yeah, that's me." Rollie replied. His face suddenly brightened. "No way! Joey is that you?"

She reached him, and they embraced. "Rollie it's good to see you, mate! It's been forever! Why, the last you were just a wee lad!"

Rollie blushed. "Aw, come on. I was maybe eleven or twelve years old."

"Still little," she spotted Angie. "Why hello, lass. Rollie, I'm disappointed … you never sent word of the marriage." She made her way to Angie, and grasped her shoulders. "My, she's a pretty one, ain't she?"

"Oh, uh, Joey…" Rollie began. He came to stand beside her. "This is Angela Ramirez, my partner and best mate."

"Oh I see." Joey stepped back. "Y'aren't married yet, huh? Well," she slung her arm around Rollie's wide shoulders. "My Rollie's a fine prize, that's for sure."

Rollie sighed. "Ang, this is Joey Frederic. She was my nanny way back when."

"And a sweeter child you never met," Joey began. "Why I remember when you were just eight or nine, such a sad little child." She spoke to Angie. "After his Mum's death he was a wreck. So ruined…"

"Uh, Joey … I think Angie's heard enough…" Rollie began.

"Oh, an' that embarrassing event didn't help either. In front of the whole school with his pants down…"

"Joey!" Rollie exclaimed. "Enough!"

Joey cleared her throat. "Yes, well it was nice seeing you again, Rollie. And Angie … enjoy my boy!" She gave both Rollie and Angie a peck on the cheek. "Don't forget," she called as she walked away. "I expect to be invited to the wedding!"

Once she'd gone, Rollie picked up the tent, and began to walk. "Sorry 'bout that Ang." He began. "She's so impossible that I've learned to just go along."

"It's okay," Angie replied. "She was kind of funny. What was she talking about … the embarrassing experience? Your pants down, and…"

"Angela!" Rollie cried. "Man, you're almost as bad!"

There was a silence between them as they trekked along the road.

"So … where exactly are we docking for the night?" Angie asked, suddenly.

"Oh, some place special," Rollie replied, nonchalantly.

"Where?"

"I … it's a surprise, I can't tell you yet or it won't be as fun!"

"Well, are we almost there?"

Rollie looked out into the wide Australian land that stood before them. "Yup," he said. "I mean I think. I haven't been there since I was a teenager, so I hope my memory is right."

Angie rolled her eyes. "I hope so, too."

They walked for maybe ten minutes more, and Angie began to see a large rock formation before her.

"Oh Rollie…" she breathed. "It's beautiful!"

Rollie stopped once they neared the landmark.

"It's as old as time," he said. "There's an entrance over on the far side. The inside is even more beautiful." He grabbed her hand. "C'mon…"

He pulled her along, to where a large opening protruded, leading into the depths of the cave.

"Rollie," Angie pulled back. "Beautiful, but is it safe?"

"Sure," Rollie pulled her inside.

Angie gasped. The inside was a mixture of deep medium browns. The ceiling was many feet up; the walls seemed to go on forever.

They spread a blanket on the ground and then Rollie grasped her hand, again.

"Angie…" Rollie began. "I've been coming here since I was young. Just after my Mum died … I began coming to this place. I … I've been saving it for someone special. Someone like … you."

Angie blushed. "Rollie, what…"

"Angela, I … I like you a lot. And I've been really thinking a lot lately about … about me and you … about us."

"Rollie, I…"

"No," Rollie brought his finger to her lips. "Please just let me continue. I've been waiting for a long time to say this, and now is the right time and place.

"Angie, I've had this feeling forever, and I know this may be sudden. The last thing I want to do is intimidate you, but what I'm feeling…"

"Rollie, I don't know."

"But I do, Angie, I do. I think … no I know that I love you. And it's not just silly emotions. I…" He leaned in toward her.

Angie jumped, and pulled away. "Rollie, do you…"

"No, I'm sorry I'm so stupid!" He stood up. "I never should have rushed."

"No," Angie stood up as well. "It's not you, it's that." She cocked her head toward the entrance. "Can't you hear it?"

Rollie listened. He nodded, "yeah, the voices out there. I'd better go check it out."

"Don't," Angie grabbed his arm. "I smell explosives." Their eyes met.

Angie walked toward the entrance. By the time she neared the mouth, she realized she'd made a huge mistake. She turned around to run, but it was too late.

The last thing she heard was Rollie calling out her name.

* * *

Rollie was jolted awake by a sharp pain in his head. He reached his hand up, and felt sticky blood.

He strained to remember what had happened. The last thing that crossed his mind was the kiss he had almost shared with Angie. Then the noises, and the voices, and … the explosion.

And Angie. He remembered calling out her name, and then the blackness.

As his sight came back slowly, Rollie surveyed the destruction around him. His sight was still blurry, his ears ringing; Rollie attempted to get up. Despite the blood and bruises on his body, his limbs worked reasonably well.

He saw that the normally beautiful scenery was strewn about him, craters covered the floor and walls. Fires burned in every corner, the flames were rising.

"Angie," he whispered. "Angie!"

He shuffled to where he'd seen her last, and found nothing.

Suddenly, something caught his eye, and he bent down to survey it.

Angie's PDA lay on the ground, the straps singed. "No..." He whispered. She's gotta be here."

There no longer was a path to the entrance; it had been blocked by flaming boulders.

He shot off toward the fire, trying to find an open area that he could see through. He began clawing at the stones, ignoring the searing pain that ripped through his hands.

Once he had made an opening large enough for him to crawl through, he slipped through. All that stood on that side of the wall as the same fiery scene that he had already witnessed. The fiery boulders blocked off the path to the entrance.

Rollie spotted a figure near the corner, and he ran to it.

"Angie," he bent down, and surveyed the body. Angie was lying on her side, her legs strewn either way. She had blood coming from both ears and from several scrapes and cuts on her face. "Oh, God, no..."

Rollie carefully bent down and drew Angie into his arms. He cradled her, and let her head fall into his lap.

"Come on Angie, you're going to be okay..." he cried, trying to feel Angie's neck for a pulse.

He found one weak, but at least there; and he stared down into her face.

"I never meant for it to be like this. I wanted to bring you here, and let you experience what I found beautiful. I saved it for you, Angie, even as a young boy.

"I knew there was someone special out there for me, and when I found you..." he began to cough. The flames he attempted to make it through were spewing out smoke in all directions.

Rollie knew that in time that smoke would make its way into his lungs, bringing death closer to him. And to Angie... if it wasn't close enough already for her.

Angie began to sputter, and Rollie quickly sat her up against him.

"Angie? Angela?"

For a moment a flash of blue came from her face, then disappeared. She attempted to lick her lips,

"Rol..."

Rollie hugged her close to him. "Shh, Angie don't speak. You're hurt, and we've gotta get you out of here fast. I don't think we have much time. This cave is blowing up every second minute, if we don't get out..."

Angie feebly wrapped her arms around Rollie's waist. "I trust you," she murmured.

Rollie smiled, thinking through in his head how he could get them out of this predicament.

He figured there were at least two more tiny enclosures like the one he was in. At least before the exit. He had to try and knock the boulders down, so that he could get Angie into the outside world, the clean air.

He let Angie back down onto the ground, and set his bag under her head. He raced toward the flaming boulders, using all his strength to push them.

The fire scorched his hands, licking at his face. He fell backwards, holding in a scream. The pain was so bad!

He thought about how many times he could have told Angie how he felt, how much easier another situation would have been. Rather than risking his and her lives foolishly like this.

So many times he had almost told her what he felt, so many times he had almost reached out and touched her.

"Rollie..." Angie’s raspy voice brought Rollie back from his thoughts.

"Ang..." He raced to her, and dropped onto his knees.

Angie struggled to pull herself up, finally falling back to the ground.

"Angie, don't try to move. Your legs are crushed, and you probably have internal injuries, too. Angie, listen. Things will be easier for you if you try and sleep. I have to try and find a way out of here."

"No... I want to help. I..." Angie’s voice gave out and she began to cough attempting to clutch at her throat.

Rollie pulled Angie toward him. "Angie please. It will be easier."

Angie nodded and instantly relaxed against Rollie's chest. He lay her on the ground, set to try and break free again.

He suddenly remembered the set they'd been working on earlier, a scene where the heroes busted through a wall. The effect was done by Rollie placing a pasty material on the wall that, when ignited by fire, exploded. If Rollie's instincts were right...

He reached into his pocket, breathing a sigh of relief, and pulled out the tube. He called to Angie,

"Hey, I'm trying something okay? Close your eyes..."

Angie remained still

Rollie pulled the cap off, and began to squeeze. The sound of air whistling through an empty pocket met his ears, and he let the tube fall to the ground.

Now he remembered! He'd taken the empty tube with him and was on his way to collect a full one when he'd learned about the trip to Melbourne.

"Bloody hell," he moaned. He knew he’d have to attempt pushing through the flames himself.

The smoke was so heavy that Rollie could barely see Angie anymore. He saw her stir, heard her call out his name. It was all he needed to hear.

He ran to the wall, ripping off the sweater he had around his waist as he went. He pushed at the wall with the sweater, and sighed as he watched the boulders tumble down.

An opening appeared, small enough for him to fit through. He saw only more fiery destruction on the other side, no daylight yet.

He ran back to Angie and scooped her up into his arms. He wiggled his way through the fiery doorway he’d made, carefully clutching to Angie.

He placed her in the center of the room, and tried to knock that wall down. This one took several attempts, and he knew his hands must be a bloody wreck.

He finally saw daylight one more room down. By this time, the thick smoke had grown so thick that he found it hard to breathe, and even harder to find a weak spot in the boulders to knock in.

On his final attempt, Rollie decided on a swift kick. He knew this was the last wall before he reached outdoors, where he could breathe, and get help for Angie.

The kick turned out to be a rotten idea, however he realized this only once he felt the pain surge up his leg. This time he cursed.

The excruciating pain made him fall to the ground, clutching at his ankle. He was slowly noticing the loss of sensation in his leg and foot. He pulled up his pant leg, and sighed when he saw how swollen his foot had become. A small knuckle-sized bone protruding slightly through the skin.

Angie began to sputter again.

"I’m comin’ for you, Ang…" He said, standing up. The pressure he put on his foot caused him to wince. He knew he didn’t have time to brace the ankle, although it did need some support. He took the tattered sweater, and wrapped it tightly around the ankle.

He made his way to Angie, using his good leg to pull his lanky body along. He swooped Angie’s limp body into his arms and ran through the open section of the wall.

"We’re gonna make it through this," he muttered. "I promise."

Rollie was nearly through the wall when he felt his bummed leg catch on a boulder. He let go of Angie, and she sailed to the soft ground, a dozen feet from the cave.

He himself fell back through the wall, hitting the ground heavily. He heard Angie calling his name.

"I’m coming love!" He called. "I promise I won’t leave you!"

He felt the ground beneath him shake. The outside was before him now; he was only steps away.

He covered his ears and hoped for the best.

* * *

"…So we’ve got contact with her friends. Apparently there’s no family, but the friends are flying out from Sydney…"

Angie heard the voices speak. She struggled to open her eyes to place a name to these unfamiliar voices.

"Hey, I think she’s comin’ around!" Angie felt a hand caresses her own. "C’mon sweetheart. You’re safe now."

Angie’s eyes flew open; her lids felt nearly a hundred pounds. She struggled to remember what had happened, and where exactly she was.

She figured by the white-clad figures that she was in a hospital.

A sudden flash invaded her memory and she saw Rollie, and fire, and thick smoke. And pain, terrible pain.

The pain was gone now, replaced by a sense of confusion. Angie tried to move, and felt the pain return.

Oh, Ms. Ramirez, I wouldn’t do that!" One nurse moved toward her and carefully forced her back into the center of the bed. "You’re injured pretty bad."

"I…" She began to cough. "I hurt."

The nurse nodded. "Yes, we expect you will darling. My, if the firemen hadn’t found you in time … you’d surely have perished.

"Why the construction workers didn’t check for people before they blew up the cave. It’s lucky they saw you before they administered the final blow."

Angie nodded. "He saved my life. I couldn’t walk, and he…"

The nurse turned to her friend, then back to Angie. "Who do you mean, darling?"

"Well Rollie Tyler, of course." Angie replied. "The man I came in with…"

"Oh, dear. You came in by yourself. We found nobody else on the site, I…" She shook her head. "I don’t suppose your friend could have survived."

Angie felt her breath stop. She shook her head. "No, he was there. He must have survived. He promised! He promised not to leave me!"

"I think you need some more pain killers," the nurses agreed, seeing the look of pain that overtook Angie’s face. They raced from the room.

Angie felt a tear slip down her bruised cheek, followed by a chorus of others.

It wasn’t he pain in her body that bothered her. The broken ribs, legs, and the scratched-up face.

It was a pain in her heart.

Don’t Worry, Part Two Is Coming Soon To the Internet Nearest You!