Rollie Tyler rolled over and groaned in pain. The bum, his rescuer, came over to check on him. Rollie tried to focus his eyes to see his rescuer more clearly. There was something about the bum's eyes, something familiar...but how?
"Leo?" Rollie questioned weakly.
Police sirens could be heard approaching the scene. The bum looked at Rollie for a moment and then quickly ran off. Rollie sat up rubbing his head. He tried to shake the cobwebs from his brain. No, he told himself. That could not have been Leo. Leo is dead. But the eyes...
Rollie returned to the loft an hour later, having had to stay to give a description of the punks and to get checked out by the EMT's. He returned to the loft empty handed too, having decided that breakfast was too much trouble. He was also trying to convince himself that the vagrant he saw was not his friend, the late Leo McCarthy.
Angie Ramirez came down the stairs in Rollie's bathrobe. She stopped halfway down when she noticed Rollie's bruised face and that he was moving stiffly. She ran down to meet him.
"What happened?" she asked, as she looked him over.
"Attempted mugging," he replied as he she maneuvered him over to the lounge and sat him down on the couch. "I'm okay Angie. It looks a lot worse than it is."
"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked as she lifted his shirt and he flinched as she touched his ribs, "you've got some pretty bad bruises here."
"I'm fine. The paramedics already checked me out," Rollie assured her, but there was hesitation in his voice, which he hoped Angie did not pick up on.
"What is it?" she did pick up on it, "what's wrong? What are you not telling me Rollie?' her voice held a touch of panic as her imagination led her back to the one person that could cause them so much pain, "is it Loubar?"
Rollie grabbed her hand to still its shaking and looked into her eyes, "No. It's nothing like that. Loubar had nothing to do with it. Its...."
"What?"
"Some street person jumped in and saved me. You should have seen the guy, Ange. I've never seen a bum move like that and...."
Angie searched his eyes, "What? What is it?"
Rollie didn't answer at first. He avoided her eyes because he knew what she would say.
"It was the eyes Angie. This guys eyes. They were so familiar...." Rollie stood up and leaned on the table.
Angie could see he was troubled, "Go on."
Rollie looked at her then and knew what he was about to say would make her think he was crazy. But he had to tell her anyway.
"Angie. The eyes...they were Leo's."
Angie breath caught in her lungs and she stared at Rollie, "Rollie? Are you sure you're all right?" she went over and caressed his forehead, "You didn't receive a blow to the head did you?"
Rollie brushed her hand away in disgust, "No. I did not receive a blow to the head!"
"But Rollie...Leo's dead. You know that."
Rollie sighed, "I know Ange. I know," he shook his head, "But I know Leo's eyes. All those times I fitted a mask on him and the only thing familiar staring back at me were his eyes...."
Angie sat down on the top of the couch, her feet resting on the seat cushions, "But what about the rest of this guys face Rollie? What did that look like?"
Rollie sighed, "I...I don't remember. All I remember is the eyes."
Angie bit her lip.
Rollie's eyes caught the action, "You don't believe me do you?"
Angie looked uncomfortable. Together, they had seen and experienced some incredible things.
"It's not that I don't believe you Rollie. It's just that...I think that maybe you saw what you wanted to see --"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Angie slid off the couch and came over to him. She saw the anger in his face as she took his hand and caressed it.
"It's just that we've been through so much in these last few days Rollie," she began, her heart becoming heavy with remembered experiences. "And I don't know...maybe you needed to feel Leo's presence with you this morning because of that. You two were such good friends and I know how much you still miss him...." She caressed his cheek, "Remember after my father died and I kept insisting that I saw him out of the corner of my eye or I would hear him calling my name? I would swear that all of that was true, Rollie. But he wasn't really there...I just needed to feel his presence, that he was still watching over me."
Rollie looked into Angie's eyes, tears brimming them.
"But he's not really there Rollie. And neither is Leo. Leo is dead, Rollie. You know that don't you?"
Rollie pulled Angie close, "Yeah. I do," he admitted as he remembered the explosion that killed his friend. He was there. He saw it. Rollie wiped the tears from his eyes as he held Angie close. She was the only constant in his life. "How are you doing, Ange?"
"Me?"
"Yeah. You had a really rough time of it yesterday."
Angie's eyes lowered, "I'm okay."
"Angie?"
Angie looked up at him.
"Why don't we go away for a couple of days? I think that you and I could use a break, someplace peaceful, maybe on another planet? Or by the ocean or a lake?"
"I'd like that," Angie smiled, "Maybe we could get a nice secluded cabin someplace?" but then she thought of something, "Rollie? Can we really do that now? What about work?"
"There are a couple jobs on the horizon. I can set up a meeting late in the week with Tom Bradford. He has a film he wants us in on, on the recommendation of Richard Owen. And the other one is a small budget slasher film by Tony Valez. I'm not so sure that something we should step into just now...."
"Yeah," Angie agreed, "me neither."
"All right," Rollie kissed the top of Angie's head, "Why don't you make the arrangements for our getaway and I will set up the meeting with Bradford?"
"Sounds good."
Angie went upstairs and changed. She stayed up there quiet some time as she lost herself in some thoughts. She knew Rollie wanted to go away but she had just been kidnapped and her whole life had been turned upside down. She really wasn't sure she wanted to go away, even for a little while. She felt safe here.
Angie came back downstairs and found Rollie coming out of the kitchen. "Hey Rollie,"
He looked at her with questioning eyes and smiled. "Yes? You seem to have something on your mind. What?"
"It's just that, well-- would you be disappointed if we didn't go away?"
"Why? You don't want to?" he searched her eyes.
"It's not that. It's just--" Angie sighed, "Do you think we could do it some other time? I'm still sore and very tired. Truth is, I'm not sure I would be up for a long car ride" Angie sighed as she rubbed her hand lightly on her arm, the tenderness of the skin causing goose pimples.
Rollie watched her briefly, aware that his sweetie was still hurting. Rollie stared at her, "Angie? Remember that hotel we stayed at when we were scamming Sebastian?"
Angie looked up at him, her eyebrow raised, "The St. Marcus Hotel? Yeah, I remember. So what?"
"Well, okay. It's not secluded or by the lake or the ocean but we can get rest and be pampered there too...."
"Yeah," Angie laughed, "and pay through the nose. Rollie, do you remember how expensive that place was?"
Rollie pulled a chair up beside Angie and turned her around to face him, "Angie. We need this now. Not in one week or one month. Everything we've been through..." he took her hands in his, "Look, except for quick weekend climbing holidays --"
"Or romantic getaways with Dani," Angie interjected. Angie bit her lip as she immediately regretted the remark and cringed inside.
Rollie sighed and shook his head, feeling as if he had just been slapped. That was the last time he had gotten away for a weekend and Angie remembered that. It wasn't really all that long ago either. He wondered why she brought it up but decided to move on hoping it would not be an issue.
Rollie cleared his throat, "We never go anywhere except when we're working. Our bank accounts can more than handle a two-night stay at the St. Marcus Hotel, including room service."
Angie chewed on her bottom lip as she moved her chair close to Rollie's, "Rollie I don't need big expensive places. I will be perfectly happy to spend the weekend holed up here with you. We could do like before...no phones, no visitors. Just you and me...." Truth was she didn't want to be treated the way he might have treated Dani.
"But Angie, I want you pampered --"
Angie crawled into his lap, "So pamper me...." She whispered in his ear.
Rollie called Mira and Francis and told them that he and Angie would be away for the weekend. Angie went to her apartment and made arrangements for Chiops with her neighbor. On her way back to the loft she picked up some groceries and also packed some extra items of clothing she would need.
Mangela was at the loft with Rollie when she returned. He came over to Angie and took her hands in his own.
"Angie," he said with tears in his eyes, "My heart is still pained by what you've been through. But you are strong and you will grow stronger with my Rollie boy's love, as will he with yours. When next we see each other I hope you have only good things to tell me," he pulled Angie to him in a deep hug.
Angie looked over his shoulder over at Rollie who stood with a wide grin on his face.
"Are you leaving, Mangela?" Angie asked as he released her. Rollie came over and held her around the waist.
"I go where the wind takes me," he smiled as Angie rolled her eyes at his evasive answer. "I have to get back to the People. Rollie knows that I will be here again if he needs me," he patted him on the shoulder, "And that goes for you too, my little bunny," he reached down and grabbed his sack.
"Thank you so much, Mangela. I can't tell you how much it helped to have our talk. I guess I thought I had dealt with it all...but I hadn't. I guess I didn't realize how much I was still holding onto. Talking with you helped me release some of it. Thank you," Angie kissed Mangela's cheek, causing him to blush and get all shy.
"Aw, shucks, just helping a Sheila, that's all. You would do the same for me, I reckon," he touched his cheek where she had kissed him. "Holding onto the guilt and the pain wasn't doing you or Rollie any good. You need to remember these lessons 'cause I'm not going to be here all the time to remind you," he said smiling a big smile, "running away from what you're unsure of doesn't help either," he said as he looked Angie in the eye. "Do you know why you did that?"
Angie looked uncomfortable under his gaze. She wanted to run away now. Angie tried to look everywhere but at Mangela, but he wasn't leaving until she answered him. She bit her lip and looked up at him bashfully.
"Because I was afraid of losing Rollie. So I thought...I figured it wouldn't hurt so much if I left first," that's why she threw herself into a relationship with Paul. "It didn't work, though," she bowed her head.
"It never does," Mangela replied simply. "You don't have to run away anymore, like some kind of bunny rabbit. You have Rollie's love and when you feel less strong or unsure of yourself or where it is you are headed, all you need to do is hold on tight to that love and believe in it with all of your heart. When you do that, you won't want to run away anymore. And if Rollie falters--"
"I won't," Rollie interrupted.
"If he does, then it will be your responsibility to gather up your strength and hold onto him and never let him go," Mangela finished.
Rollie hold on Angie's waist tightened as she placed her hands on his. She looked up at him and he smiled.
He leaned over and whispered in her ear, "What he says goes," and then he kissed her ear softly. Then Rollie released his grip and went over and hugged Mangela, "Don't take so long between visits next time Mangela."
"I won't," Mangela promised, "but you know Rollie, modern travel is like a boomerang. It works both ways. You could always come back and visit me and the People back home."
Rollie tensed up and shook his head but after everything Mangela had done for him he found that he couldn't discount it completely either.
"We'll see old man, we'll see."
Rollie and Angie watched Mangela leave, the sadness of which marked Rollie's face. Angie looked up at Rollie. Rollie caught her look and covered with a quick smile.
"What?" he asked.
"You're very lucky you know?"
"Oh, I know," he admitted as he pulled her close, "Now, I'm going to move the car around so people don't realize that we're here after all. Everything all set?"
"Yep. I'll see you inside."
Rollie entered the loft to find Angie busy at the workstation. He came up quietly behind her and whispered in her ear.
"What are you doing?"
Angie jumped in her seat, startled by Rollie's question. "I was just --"
"Just nothing," Rollie said as he reached over and turned the computer off.
"What? Hey! What are you doing? Rollie!"
"Don't 'Rollie' me. We agreed, Angela. No work for the next two days unless it in some way serves to makes this weekend hideout more...pleasurable."
Angie turned her seat around to face him, "Oh? And how do you know that what I was doing wasn't related to that?"
"I've got eyes Angela. Don't think for one minute that you can fool me."
Angie stared at him for a minute and then sighed, "Fine," she said. Then she stared at him, rolled her eyes, whistled, folded her arms, drummed her fingers on her arm, and looked around the loft, all the while her foot impatiently taping the inside of his chair, "I'm bored already," she sighed, "What are we going to do?"
"This was your idea remember?" Rollie laughed, "Oh Rollie! I don't need anyplace expensive," he said in an exaggerated female voice and hand movements, "I'll be perfectly happy spending the weekend holed up here with you --"
Angie slapped his shoulder, "Shut up!" and laughed involuntarily.
Angie climbed into his lap, "I seem to remember you saying something about pampering me...." She whispered in his ear.
Rollie rubbed Angie's thigh, "That's true. Except that the loft's not really equipped for that. What I had in mind was a hotub or a Jacuzzi, a nice massage...."
Angie's lips brushed Rollie's cheek, "We can give each other massages," her eyebrow raised seductively and she smiled, "What else did you have in mind?"
Rollie's hand started caressing Angie's arm and back, she flinched a little at the touch, her body still tender, "I thought we could uh...." Rollie swallowed as Angie blew softly into his ear, "uh...have nice dinners, and dance by candlelight, uh...uh...." Angie nibbled on Rollie's ear, her breath brushing the hair around it, "and we could uh...."
"Yes?"
Rollie turned his face to take Angie's mouth in his, "We could," he continued breathlessly, his mouth against hers, "spend the weekend in bed, just holding each other...."
Angie's eyebrow arched, "Just holding each other?"
Loud banging woke the sleeping couple Monday morning. Rollie cursed as he jumped out of bed and dressed quickly. He called to Bluey to show the front entrance onscreen. Angie grabbed Rollie's robe and followed after him downstairs. She looked over his shoulder at the monitor to see Mira waving at the camera.
"I guess it really is Monday morning," Angie said disappointedly as she ran back upstairs to take a shower.
Rollie watched her leave, "Yeah. No shared showers this morning," he muttered as he walked over to the door and let Mira in.
Mira smiled broadly as she entered the loft, "Morning movie guy! How was your weekend?"
Rollie shook his head, "It was great. Wonderful," he walked into the kitchen and prepared the coffee, "and it's early Mira. Is there a reason you're here so bloody early this morning? Christ Mira, it's not even eight yet!"
Mira laughed, "Of course there is. I'm checking up on my two best friends. I haven't seen you two since Long Island and... say, how is Angie anyway?" Mira laughed when she saw Rollie blush. She reached over and pinched his cheek, "Aww, you're so cute."
"Knock it off," Rollie warned her.
Mira laughed again.
"So, really Mira, is there a reason why you are here this early?"
"Yeah, there is," Mira sighed, "But I'll wait until Angie joins us. She is here isn't she?" she smirked.
Rollie turned away from her, shaking his head, "Yes, she is."
"You are so cute, Tyler!" Mira laughed again. Then, her demeanor grew pensive. "How is Angie?" she asked in a more concerned tone.
"Physically, she's doing better. She's still a little sore and tired. Emotionally...she's healing, I think."
"And you? How are you doing, Tyler?"
"I would do a lot better with Loubar out of the picture permanently."
Angie came bounding down the stairs all dressed and fresh from her shower. Her step slowed as she reached the kitchen as she saw Mira there with Rollie. Rollie's eyes brightened when he saw her. He offered her a cup of coffee.
"Morning Mira," Angie said as she sipped her coffee, "what's up?"
"Nothing much," she smiled, "I've just missed you guys and wanted to see how you are doing?"
Angie looked at Rollie, a blush coming to her cheeks. Rollie winked at her from across the room and she smiled shyly.
Mira laughed again after watching the exchange, "You guys are so cute together!"
Rollie put his cup on the counter, "All right. If you're not here for an official reason I'm going to go upstairs and take my shower."
"Actually," Mira called after him, "there is a reason."
Rollie and Angie exchanged worried looks as he turned back around, "Is it Loubar?" he asked.
Mira nodded, "And some other loose ends I thought you might want to know about. I will be unavailable the rest of the day so I thought I would tell you what I know now," she touched Angie's arm, "but it's not all bad. Don't worry."
Angie leaned against the counter and folded her arms across her chest, already tensing up at the mention of Loubar's name. Rollie watched her from the other side of the room.
"So go on Mira," Rollie implored her, "fill us in."
"Well. You already know that Loubar got away. He apparently stole one of Paul's motorboats and escaped by the river. We found the abandoned boat not far from Port Washington --"
"Is he still in the country?" Rollie asked.
At that question Angie caught her breath and turned around, facing the wall as she tried to prepare herself for an answer she didn't want to hear.
"As far as we've been able to determine...no," Mira answered, her eyes also on Angie, "But the interesting part about this is...."
Angie turned back around when she heard that.
"The information we're getting from Europe." Mira continued, "Loubar has now made some very powerful enemies. He double-crossed the terrorist group that hired him in the first place to steal the biological plans. Word is he was supposed to steal the plans in Washington and England, and then head to Norway to get the plans there and turn over the code to the terrorist group. But he went off on his own agenda when he went after the two of you. Plus, by doing so he's tipped off the security agencies to the plans of the terrorist group. Raids and arrests have been taking place simultaneously both in Europe and in New York and Washington."
"Big deal," Rollie replied, "Loubar's got his own agenda. No surprises there."
"Yeah, to you and me," Mira agreed, "but he's always been very professional when hired to do a job. Only now...." Mira shook her head; "he's letting his hatred of you turn into an obsession. He's going ahead with his own agenda and screwing his clients in the process. I tell ya Rollie, his pals are not going to take kindly to that."
"So what do you think will happen?" Rollie asked.
"Well one scenario is that they give him another job and see how he does. Only this time he will be closely watched. The other scenario is they put a hit out on Loubar if they think that he's a loose cannon...."
"What about Rollie?" Angie asked, as she turned around and looked at them both, "What if they decide to kill Rollie so Loubar can concentrate on his job?" the fear was evident on her face.
Rollie came over to her and hugged her, "That's not going to happen, Angie."
"Rollie's right," Mira agreed, "They don't care about Rollie. All they care about is the fact that Loubar is becoming unreliable and therefore a liability. Frankly, I don't even think they'll give him another chance."
"So what?" Angie asked, "We're just supposed to trust that he'll be killed by this terrorist group. No body...no proof!" Angie shook, "I can't do that! I need proof! I don't want him to come back, Rollie," she started crying, "Oh god, please don't let him come back."
Rollie held Angie tight and looked over at Mira with worry in his eyes, "Angie?" Rollie said softly, "This is good news. This means that Loubar is on the run. He's the hunted one now...."
Angie continued to sob into Rollie's chest. All she could feel right now was the pain and the fear that was always brought up when she heard Loubar's name. She tried to be strong but the fear she felt shook her to the core. Fear for the man she loved and fear of being brutalized again by Loubar.
Rollie continued to hold Angie tightly and whisper soothing words into her ear. Gradually her shaking stopped and her sobs quieted. Mira came over and stroked Angie's hair.
"I'm sorry Angie. I should have waited," Mira apologized.
Angie looked at Mira through puffy eyes, "No. Don't apologize," Angie sniffled, her face still against Rollie's chest, "I'm sorry for being such a big...big baby," she sniffled.
"Hey, don't you dare apologize Angie," Mira warned her, "You have a right to feel this way. That man, and I use the term loosely, terrorized you and Rollie. Fear, anger, hatred...these are all natural feelings Angie and don't you be ashamed to feel them. I'd worry about you if you didn't have any of those feelings, okay?"
Angie smiled weakly, "Okay."
"I'm sorry you two," Mira sighed, "I should have known better than to come here bright and early this morning after your weekend getaway. I should have waited."
Rollie looked at Mira over the top of Angie's head. His face also held pain and worry, "Don't apologize Mira. You said you weren't going to be around for the rest of the day?"
"Yeah," she sighed, "Francis and I have to travel to Washington and give a briefing to the State Department. I'm hoping we'll be back tomorrow but...we'll see."
"Well...I'm glad you gave us the news in any case. It's better knowing than not knowing. Right, Ange?" he asked as he looked down at her, her face still buried in his chest. Angie shook her head to agree but didn't move otherwise.
Mire smiled, "I'll see you guys when I get back. Bye Rollie," Mira ran her hand over Angie's hair, "Bye Angie."
"Angie?" Rollie whispered in her ear.
"Yeah uh...I'm fine," Angie looked up at Rollie, her eyes showing the strain. And she realized she was putting up walls with Rollie. "No. I'm not," she admitted finally, slapping her forehead with her hand. "Damn it! I can't let that bastard continue to get to me this way," she pulled away from Rollie and sat down on the couch, her knees pulled to her chest.
Rollie sat down beside her and put his arm around her. He hated seeing her beat herself up over this creep.
"Rollie, I just don't know how to deal with this...this not knowing. Is he going to be killed? How will we know? Or will we spend the rest of our lives not knowing? God! He's probably out there right now waiting, plotting his revenge. How long will he wait? When will he turn up? What sick twisted plan will he have next?" her body shook with each question, "How do you do it Rol? How are you getting through this?" she asked, looking at him in wonder.
Rollie looked at her, his eyes serious and she could see the pain in them. She knew he had probably thought of the same questions. Angie reached up and caressed his cheek.
"I have you now," Rollie said finally, his voice hoarse from choking back tears. He caught her hand in his and kissed her palm. "It was harder last time...I was...mostly alone with my thoughts. The only thing that got me through it was the thought that you were happy. I refuse to live my life afraid of shadows Angie. We can't live that way. We can't put our lives on hold in anticipation of Loubar. And you're right; we may never know if he really is alive or dead but I will do everything I can to make sure you are safe. Angie, I could get through anything as long as I know you are safe."
"Rollie I couldn't...get through anything without you. You're my whole world," Angie hugged her knees, "I just wish...."
"Wish what?"
"Well...I just wish that someone could go after Loubar the way that he's gone after you. You know? What's wrong with the Fed's? Why can't they put him on the offensive for once? I mean he's one man for chrissakes! Why doesn't someone steal his life for a while and see how he likes it? I hate that he keeps getting away."
Rollie quickly looked away from Angie because he thought that that was a really good idea and knew she probably didn't realize what she had just said. Rollie rubbed his chin in deep thought. He wondered where Elena Serrano was.
They sat together on the couch for a while. Angie curled up against Rollie, her head against his chest listening to his strong heart beating, and his hands caressing her hair. The phone rang and Bluey put it on speakerphone. It was Tony Valez. Angie rolled her eyes as she realized what he was calling about. She went over to the workstation, happy to immerse herself in work and her email. She wished they had another job that she could throw herself into.
"Tyler? Is that you? Man, you are one hard son of a bitch to get a hold of!" Tony laughed, "I have been trying to reach you for the last 5 or 6 days."
"Ah, sorry about that Tony." Rollie laughed. He liked Tony a lot because he shared his enthusiasm for movies and special effects. Unfortunately, all of Tony's movies were slasher type movies; "We've been sort of out of town for a few days. What's up?"
"What's up? What's up?" Tony acted incredulous, "What do you think is up, man? I have another movie I want you in on."
"Let me guess...Splatter 3? Or is it 4 now?" Rollie smiled and glanced at Angie who just shook her head. She was usually the one that ended up covered in the splatter.
"Actually it's a new one in what I hope will be another series. Its working title is 'Night of the Zombie Biker Babes.'"
Rollie laughed out loud, "What? Are you serious?" he laughed again, "That's a great title! I love it!"
"Oh...my...God," Angie rolled her eyes again. Another B movie. Still, she loved all the effects that went into them. Great again, she thought, a whole bunch of beautiful biker babes...even if they are zombies.
"Great!" Tony said, "Does that mean you're in?"
"Hold on, mate." Rollie quickly replied, "I didn't say that. You know I have to look at the script and see what's involved. And there's all the other particulars that have to be worked out...."
Angie typed something into the computer and squirted it over to Rollie's computer. Rollie was leaning back in his chair when his computer beeped the message. He nodded to Angie.
"But I should warn you...." Rollie continued, "That we may be unavailable, depending on the shooting schedule of course."
"Well how about I send you the shooting script and you let me know what you think? How's that?"
"Sounds good," Rollie replied, "talk to you soon."
Angie came over and stood in front of Rollie's desk with her arms crossed, "I thought we weren't going to do Tony's movie?"
"Yeah, well I can't turn down one movie until I know for sure about the other. No sense burning bridges, now is there? But we both still have to agree remember?"
Angie nodded in agreement. "So do you have a meeting setup with Tom Bradford?"
"Yep. 9:00 o'clock Thursday morning at the Crown Plaza. You want in?"
"Um, no. I trust you...sort of," she smiled.
"Angela. When have I ever steered you wrong?"
Angie tilted her head as if to ponder that question, "Oh let's see... there was that Nick Breen piece of crapola... and House of Horrors--"
"Hey, I liked House of Horrors--"
"Of course you did," Angie smirked, and she knew exactly why.
"I meant the movie, Angela, the movie."
"Oh yeah, right," Angie shook her head and walked away. She went back to the workstation and found a new email had arrived.
Rollie wondered where this jealousy Angie was displaying was coming from. He thought she had liked Dani. It seemed that way anyway.
Angie called her apartment to check on her phone messages and immediately started returning calls.
Rollie started working on some sketches that were subconsciously being influenced by Tony Valez's new movie title. At least he had some idea of the plot for his movie. He had no idea what Tom Bradford's movie was going to be about. Still, it was a great compliment that Richard Owen had recommended them for the job. Rollie was startled out of his thoughts by Angie's squealing.
"Oh my God!" Angie squealed, her hand on her head and her mouth open. "Oh my God!" she repeated.
Rollie came over to her, "What is it Ange?"
"Oh my God!"
"What?" he looked at her. She didn't appear to be upset. She looked more stunned or flabbergasted.
"I just got off the phone with Daryl," she continued to explain when she saw Rollie's blank look. "I went to NYU with him. He's been directing commercials and art films for awhile but he's recently had some success directing music videos," Rollie still had a blank look on his face. "You know, for MTV? Anyway he left a message on my machine." Angie was almost breathless. "He's doing a music video next week with Scorched Earth...the Scorched Earth. Oh my God, Rollie...you do know Scorched Earth don't you?"
Rollie's brow furrowed, "Sorry."
"When I was at NYU I had this huge crush on the lead singer, Johnny Rhodes. I absolutely loved him. I saw him in concert at CBGB's and it was totally wicked!"
Rollie felt a little jealous at the still obvious adoration Angie felt for this Johnny guy.
"So what? You want to hang around the set when they film is that it?"
Angie's jaw dropped. "No silly. Daryl knows the line of work I'm in. The video is going to have some effects in it, nothing heavy though. The band's not into techy stuff. Rollie, please can I do it? Please?"
Rollie chewed his pencil realizing that he wasn't being asked to be involved. Angie bit her lip nervously.
"This Daryl...he's nothing like Levi is he?"
"No. No, definitely not. Levi made gonzo films. Plus, he was an idiot. Daryl makes art films...or at least he did."
"How long is this shoot going to be?" he asked.
"Two weeks. Three tops."
Rollie drummed the pencil against his lips. "All right. Technically we are between jobs right now--"
"Oh thank you...thank you...thank you!" she threw her arms around Rollie. Angie started kissing Rollie then, quick little kisses at first but then she started getting more and more aggressive.
"Rollie, " her voice was throaty, "I want you so much right now." Angie was pushing him backwards towards the couch.
"Right...now?" he asked in wonder.
"Uh huh." Angie was unbuttoning his shirt, and then her hand went to his belt and undid it and then she unzipped his pants.
"Uh...uh...oh," Rollie was pushed back down onto the couch. Rollie wasn't entirely displeased at being the recipient of Angie's raging hormones even if Johnny Rhodes set them off. "Oh mama...." Rollie moaned.
Rollie and Angie dressed for the second time that day. Rollie sat at his office and started writing some stuff down on a tablet. Angie came over to him with some tea.
"What are you working on?" she asked as she peered over his shoulder.
"I'm making a list of things to pick up at the electronics store, items that need to be replaced because of my...outburst," he waved his hand around.
"Mmm," Angie murmured as she stroked a stray hair from his forehead. She knew he didn't want to talk about the video Loubar had sent. She figured whatever was on that tape must have been bad to set Rollie off like that. He didn't get angry often, so when he did....
"So, is there anything you need me to do?" she asked.
"Yeah. Can you call and order us another makeup mirror? We definitely need one of those."
"Sure. Is that it?"
Rollie grabbed his jacket and his list, "Yep."
"Okay. Rol?"
Rollie turned around at the door. "Yeah?"
"I'm going to go to the gym and workout for awhile too. I really need to get moving and I think I'll use the pool. So, I'll see you later okay?"
"Sure. But Angie, don't overwork yourself okay? You need to give your body time to heal."
"Yes boss." Angie smiled as she grabbed her jacket and headed out the door. Rollie wasn't sure if she was going to listen to his concerns or not. She hated being told what to do even if it was for her own benefit.
Rollie returned to the loft several hours later with several boxes of electronics equipment.
"How's my Blue boy? You're such a good Blue boy." Rollie called to Bluey and then instructed him to play the phone messages. There was a message from Lucinda.
"Hi Rollie, guess who? Calling from sunny California...."
"Yeah don't remind me." Rollie muttered, he hated LA but missed the sun and the surf, reminders of his own home.
"Listen, I'm coming out there for an audition. Actually I already auditioned out here and I think I had a real chance but the movie was moved to New York so now I have to fly out there if I still want it. And I do. It's a small part, supporting role...but the director is getting a lot of buzz lately. Maybe even you've heard of him Rollie. His name is Tom Bradford...." Rollie rolled his eyes. "So, anyway I'll be flying out next week. We have to get together. Gee, I miss you guys. Well, gotta go. I'll call you when I arrive. Say hi to Angie for me. Toodles!"
"Toodles?" Rollie laughed, "God Luce, you're turning into a regular California starlet."
Rollie spent a few hours working on his electronics, completely immersed in it when Angie arrived back at the loft. Rollie looked up from his work to see her come in on her rollerblades and carrying a hockey stick. He came over as she rolled around the workstation.
"What's this?" he asked as he held up the hockey stick.
"That," Angie rolled around him, "is a hockey stick.'
"I know what it is Angela. Why do you have it?" his eyes narrowed.
Angie's mouth opened and then she closed it without saying anything. She scratched her ear.
"Angela."
Angie sighed, "I signed up for a women's rollerblade hockey tournament next weekend in Queen's--"
Rollie came towards her as she backed up on her rollerblades. "Angie, you're still recovering. Do you really think you should be playing hockey so soon?"
"I'll be all right Rollie. I'm feeling lots better after this weekend and the bruises are all healing...." She smiled hoping he would too, "and they needed another player otherwise they would have had to pull out. And it's for charity Rollie. Besides, it's mostly non-contact...."
"Mostly?"
"Yeah, well there is this one team from the Bronx. They play rough, body checking, fistfights and all...." Angie caught Rollie's concerned look, "but my team will most likely be eliminated before we even go up against them. We play for fun and we haven't even had a practice yet."
Rollie shook his head. He wished she had waited before getting involved in something so strenuous. "You're a big girl Angela. I just wish you would let your body heal a little more."
Angie rolled over to Rollie. "I promise you I will take it easy until next week," but then she realized something and bit her lip.
"But?"
"Well...principle filming starts next week on the music video. I meet with Daryl on Friday. But other than that...I will take it easy."
Rollie shook his head and walked away. He returned to his electronics and picked up where he left off.
Angie came over after taking off her blades. She stood in front of his desk.
"Are you really mad, Rollie?"
Rollie looked up at her without raising his head. He sighed, "I'm not really mad Angie. I'm more worried. I don't like to see you in pain."
"I don't like to see you in pain either but that doesn't stop you from doing what you do."
He knew she wasn't just referring to FX. She had always made clear her fears of him getting hurt whenever he helped out the police.
"Like I said, you're a big girl."
"You've got that right," she answered back. She stood there a minute watching him and then went over to the workstation. She had a slight feeling of being scolded like a child, which she did not like. Rollie had become even more protective of her ever since her rape and she now worried that it would be even worse after their latest encounter with Loubar.
Angie worked for an hour before she got up and walked around the loft, feeling restless. She'd pick up something, look at it and then put it back. She went into the kitchen and opened the fridge and then closed it. She went to the stereo and thumbed through Rollie's CD collection. She tapped her knuckles together and peered outside. Rollie eyes followed her and he was about to ask if she was bored when she spoke.
"Rollie, I think I'm going to head home tonight...."
Rollie leaned back in his chair and sighed, "Angie, I told you. I'm not mad."
"I know."
Rollie put down his screwdriver, "So what is it then?"
Angie smiled, "Well, you know I do have a home."
"You want to go home?"
"Well I think I should," Angie shrugged, "I do have plants to water and a cat to feed."
Rollie came to the front of his desk and sat on it. He studied her for a minute, "Is that it?"
"What do you mean?"
Rollie reached out and pulled her to him, "I mean there's something going on here. What is it?"
Angie looked at Rollie confused. "There's nothing going on."
"Then why go home?"
"Uh...because I have a home. You seem to forget that. I don't live here Rollie."
Rollie held both of Angie's hands in his as she stood before him. "I don't want you to go home."
Despite herself, a small smile curved Angie's lips. Rollie could tell he was melting her resolve.
"Oh I see, you get what you want and I don't. Is that how this relationship works?" Angie asked, a smile still curving her lips.
"I think it works out to be mutually beneficial, don't you?" Rollie smiled as he pulled her closer and put his hands on her hips. Angie's hands went around his neck.
"It has possibilities," Angie answered, "but don't you think maybe we're moving a bit fast?'
"Ah," Rollie smiled triumphantly, "we arrive at the crux of the problem. Why didn't you just say that to begin with?" Rollie shook his head, "Angie. We have known each other for thirteen years. I have nearly lost you too many times already, most recently last week," Rollie stared into Angie's eyes, the memories of last week coming back.
Angie tried looking away but his gaze was commanding. Angie never felt so loved as when she looked into his eyes.
"I don't want to waste any more time, Ange. I want to be with you. I want to hold you in my arms all night," Rollie searched her eyes, "but if you want to take it slowly, if you want to slow down...we can do that." The last thing he wanted to do was push Angie to do something she wasn't ready for.
Angie bit her lip, "Honestly Rollie, I don't know what I want," she sighed, shaking her head, "I'm one big ball of confusion. I want you. I want us. Beyond that...I don't know."
"That's fair. I don't think I can see past you either," Rollie rested his head on Angie's forehead and they stared into each other's eyes. "Do you still want to go home?"
"No," Angie replied quietly, "but I think I should. What I said before about the plants and my cat...was true."
"Ah yes," Rollie smiled, "you have responsibilities. Have you ever thought of an electronic cat?"
Angie shot him a look of shock and disbelief. As if she would ever trade her cat in for an electronic pet!
"I take that as a no," Rollie laughed, "I'll drive you home then. Maybe we could go out to dinner somewhere?"
"I'd like that," Angie smiled sweetly. As she pulled away Rollie caught her around the waist and pulled her back. She looked at him with questioning eyes.
"Angela Ramirez, will you go out with me tomorrow night?"
Angie looked at him with narrowed eyes, "You're asking me out? On a date?"
"I am. And what is your answer?"
"Hmm," Angie twisted her lips, as if pondering the question. She grabbed the PDA. "I have to check my calendar --"
"Why you!" Rollie laughed as he lunged at Angie and tickled her.
"Okay...okay," Angie pleaded breathlessly, "I will go out with you. Sheesh! What would you have done if I said no?"
"Trust me Angela, you don't want to know."