"Rollie!" Leo cried out. Rollie was so still, so pale, and so cold. His lips were blue. Leo reached down and touched him as tears began to fall. "Oh no!"
Francis reached in, feeling Rollie's neck and searching for a pulse. His head hung in despair. He could hear Angie screaming in the background for Mira to let her go. Suddenly, Francis felt a...yes! He felt a faint pulse.
"Get a medic over here!" Francis called, startling Leo. "Leo, Rollie's alive...barely, but he's alive." He smiled at Leo. Francis started to administer rescue breathing to Rollie. He remembered the technique because of a recent refresher course he had to go through for the department.
"You hang in there, pal. You're going to be just fine. Angie will never forgive you if you leave her you know that don't you?" Leo whispered to Rollie. "And neither will I." He was afraid to move him in case something was broken. He didn't know why, he just was.
Suddenly Mangela was beside them. Francis moved so he could get closer. Mangela reached down and touched Rollie's chest and forehead and smiled. "Sonny boy," he whispered.
The medics came with the gurney and their medical equipment. Rollie was raised out of the grave and carefully placed onto the gurney. They checked him for any external wounds or injuries. They found that Rollie was badly bruised and swollen around his stomach area. They covered him with blankets before they readied him for transport.
Angie broke away from Mira and Lucinda. She ran to the gathered crowd around the grave. Then, she saw Rollie on the gurney.
"Rollie!" she cried as she ran over. She stopped in her tracks as she almost fell into the grave. Angie swallowed hard as her mind took in what she could only imagine had happened to Rollie. Leo grabbed her arm suddenly and led her safely over to Rollie.
"How is he?" Angie begged for information. She shivered in the rain even though she was wearing two jackets, hers and Rollie's. Somehow, she had hoped that Rollie would be able to wear his jacket home.
"He's alive." Leo explained to her. "The bastards buried him alive." The anger and outrage was etched on Leo McCarthy's face. "But there's a pulse and he's breathing. C'mon. Let's get him to the hospital."
Angie's hand shook as she touched Rollie's cold skin. "Rollie? Rollie, I love you," she whispered in his ear. She kissed his cheek lightly.
Rollie was placed in the helicopter and rushed to Manhattan General. Angie rode with him to the hospital. Mangela followed with Leo and Lucinda in the FX van. Mira and Francis stayed behind to coordinate reports with the New Jersey police.
Leo, Mangela, and Lucinda arrived at the hospital. They sat in the waiting area waiting for word. A while later a doctor came out to speak with them.
"Detective McCarthy?"
Leo jumped up even though technically he was no longer a detective, at least not until he's declared alive officially. "Yeah, doc?"
"I'm Doctor Habib. Ms. Ramirez said you would be out here. She sent me out to speak with you," the doctor said. "Mr. Tyler is stable now. He's suffering from mild to severe hypothermia. There's some frostbite on his fingers and toes that we're concerned about but we're taking it slow. He's in a Hypothermia wrap to get the core body temperature up. Hopefully, Mr. Tyler won't lose any of his digits. He also had some internal bleeding that we were concerned about but with the cold, it actually seems to have stopped the bleeding. We're going to be keeping an eye on that but for now it doesn't seem to be causing him any problems. It seems Mr. Tyler received some blows to the stomach and ribs. He has a cracked rib. But for now, as I said, he is stable. He's breathing on his own now. He's a very lucky young man." Doctor Habib smiled. "Are there any questions?"
"Can we see him?" Leo asked.
"Normally, I would say no. But considering everything that's happened...one at a time. Room 421. Good evening."
"Thanks Doc."
Leo entered the room first. He saw Angie standing at the end of the bed. She was immersing Rollie's feet and hands in warm water. She accepted Leo's hug gratefully.
"Thank you, Leo."
"You did it, Angie. You're the one that figured out that he was in Jersey. Someday, you're going to have to tell me how you did that." Leo smiled as he moved up to look at Rollie. "Hey pal, thanks a lot for putting a scare into all of us. Like we didn't have anything better to do."
Angie smiled at Leo. She knew that Leo was as uncomfortable as she could be sometimes with expressing her feelings. Still, she wasn't about to leave Rollie to give them some time alone.
A nurse came in to check on Rollie. She asked how Angie was doing with the warming baths.
"I think his color is improving," Angie answered hopefully. She prayed it just wasn't her wishful thinking.
"It is." The nurse smiled in assurance. "Perhaps just one more bath then?" she commented before taking the water and replacing it with another batch at the appropriate temperature.
"I'm going to let Lucinda and Mangela come in." Leo rose from his chair to leave. "Can I get you anything Angie?"
"No. I'm fine." Angie sounded tired. "You've already done so much for me already Leo. Thank you for bringing Rollie back to me."
Angie stayed at the hospital that night. Lucinda got a ride back to Angie's place with Leo and Leo and Mangela went to the loft, not having anyplace else to go just yet. Mira and Francis showed up at the hospital briefly but figured they would let Rollie and Angie get their rest.
Angie slept in a chair by Rollie's bed, her head resting on the mattress as her hand held his. Some time nearing morning, she started moaning in her sleep. "No." she moaned. "Rollie!" Angie cried out as she sat awake suddenly. She blinked several times before she remembered where she was and when she did, Angie slowly reached up and brushed the hair from Rollie's eyes confirming with the touch that he was real and he was going to be okay. Then, she moved up and kissed Rollie lightly on his temple.
Suddenly Angie was staring at wide-awake brown eyes staring back at her. Angie yelped.
"Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you." Rollie smiled weakly.
"Rollie!" Angie cried as she smiled broadly down at him, still so pale. "Oh gosh, you big jerk. Of course you scared me. But I don't care." She hugged him gently, almost not touching him.
"You call that a hug?"
"Well...well I—"
"Get over here you." Rollie pulled Angie to him. His lips felt tingly but kissing Angie felt so good although he winced in pain from his sore rib.
"Rollie," Angie breathed. "I'm not sure we should be doing this. You almost died...."
"It's because I almost died that I get to do this," Rollie proclaimed defiantly, but weakly, as he pulled her close, ignoring the pain that shot through his ribs once again with the movement. "Besides, I'm a fast healer. Now, scoot up here beside me and keep me warm."
"Rollie!" Angie laughed. She swore nothing stopped Rollie's libido.
"What? When you wanted me in your hospital bed I didn't complain."
"Yeah, but that was different."
"How?"
"Because I didn't have near frostbite. What if some of your brittle parts break off? We wouldn't want that, now would we?" Angie smiled as she teased him. She knew she probably shouldn't tease him after his ordeal but...she couldn't help it.
"Now, that all depends on what those brittle parts are." Rollie winked at her.
Angie smiled down at Rollie. "I love you Rollie."
"Prove it. Get into this bed with me." Rollie tugged on Angie's sleeve. "You can help warm me up."
"God! You have a one track mind!" Angie laughed. "Fine." She caved in finally as she curled up next to Rollie on the tiny hospital bed. She had to admit, it felt so good be in his arms again.
"This is better," Rollie sighed as he hugged Angie tight in his arms. He gingerly fingered the bruise on Angie's forehead. "What happened here?" he asked.
"Hmm?" Angie stirred from her contented spot on Rollie's chest. "Just a little bump. Nothing to worry about," she explained as she hugged Rollie gently, not wanting to remember what precipitated her bumping her head.
Rollie sighed again, feeling content and safe. His aches and pains were nothing compared to what he had experienced. Rollie fell asleep again with a deep sigh and breathing in the smell of Angie's skin and hair. Angie fell asleep also, with a big smile on her face; happy to be in the arms of the man she loved more than life.
"Well! This is a sight!" the nurse exclaimed as she came in to check on Rollie and seeing that Angie had joined him in the bed. "You know this goes against hospital regulations?"
Angie looked up somewhat sheepishly at the elderly nurse. "Sorry." She apologized as she moved to get off the bed.
"Well, if it goes against hospital regulations then I'm checking myself out," Rollie complained.
"Rollie!" Angie glared at him.
"Nope. Can't change my mind. I feel fine, if a little cold. But other than that—"
"Rollie, stop this nonsense. You'll go home when they say you can go home even if I have to have you placed under house arrest."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah!"
"Bloody!"
"Relax Mr. Tyler." The nurse interrupted. "It's good to see you awake. I'm sure that if all goes well with your tests this morning, you may be going home today or at the very latest tomorrow morning."
"Really?"
"Certainly. As I understand it, the major concern was the hypothermia. And you seem to be responding well to treatment. We rarely keep people over 48 hours and your case wasn't that severe. As for the internal bleeding...the doctor says that seems to have stopped. Your blood pressure is better." The nurse gave Rollie some juices to drink. "Of course we'll have to wait for the tests."
Rollie was wheeled away for tests. Angie waited around the waiting room and was soon joined by Mangela, Leo, and Lucinda. All except Mangela were surprised when Angie told them that Rollie was awake and talking, even arguing, and had gone for tests. Everybody except Angie seemed anxious to hear what had happened to Rollie.
"I brought you breakfast Angie." Lucinda handed her a bag with a breakfast burrito and coffee.
"Oh thank you Lucinda. You're a lifesaver. Coffee, coffee, coffee!" Angie sighed as she took a sip of the dark roast she was so fond of. It was most especially welcome this morning.
"You don't seem surprised that Rollie is awake already Mangela," Angie said quietly as she came to his side.
"My Sonny boy has a strong life force. I would be surprised if he didn't wake up talking and arguing." Mangela smiled. "If Rollie has to stay another night you should go home and rest," Angie started to protest, "and I will stay here with Sonny boy. You need your rest too. Once he gets home you will need to care for him and you will need your strength for that."
"I guess so." Angie sighed. She laid down the law to Rollie earlier and now she was getting the same treatment from Mangela. She knew Mangela was right. She would need to care for Rollie once he got home and she needed her energy for that.
Rollie was wheeled back to his room and all his visitors welcomed him. He was surprised to see Mangela since Angie didn't mention that he was here. Yet, he wasn't really all that surprised either.
"So what's the word Rollie? Are you getting out of this joint today or what?" Leo asked.
"Dunno yet, Leo. The doc hasn't come with the test results yet. Where's Angie?" Rollie asked as he scanned the room for Angie but didn't see her anywhere.
"She went to get some more coffee. She's been a bit deprived these past few days," Lucinda answered.
"Sure you don't mean depraved?" Rollie smiled.
"I heard that!" Angie announced as she entered the room. "Ya know, maybe I am depraved. I should get my head examined while I'm here so I can figure out why I am with a guy like you."
"Cute." Rollie grinned at her as he pulled her to sit on the bed beside him. He ran his hand up and down Angie's arm as the others peppered him with question on how he was feeling.
Finally, Leo said something that brought the conversation to a halt. "What happened Rollie?"
Rollie felt Angie stiffen. He stiffened a little himself. "Blunt and to the point, Leo. I always liked that about you. Used to anyway," he said as he apprehensively looked over at Angie. Angie looked down at the floor. "Look, Leo, I'm going to have to give an official statement. Why don't we wait for that, okay?"
"Sure pal, whatever you want. Actually Detective Sanchez and Francis should be here soon to do just that. You don't mind if I sit in, do you?"
"Nah. Knock yourself out," Rollie replied. "Look, uh...can you guys give me and Angie a few minutes?"
"Sure, no problem."
After everyone left the room Angie sat on the edge of the bed. "Soooo," Angie looked uneasily at Rollie, "what's up boss?"
Rollie smiled at her odd term of endearment. "Look, Ange, you don't have to be here when I give my statement. I can tell you what happened when we're alone back at the loft, okay? Or if...you would rather not hear about it at all, I understand."
"I don't know," Angie replied quietly. "I mean, I can kinda figure out what happened to you on my own and that's bad enough. I know you must have been scared and you were hurt. I just don't know if I want to know how badly you were hurt and scared. I'm sorry Rollie. I know that I should be stronger." She cried. "I...I—"
Rollie put his finger to her lips. "Shhh, it's okay. I'll tell you about it when and if you're ready, okay? Sometimes being strong is knowing how much a person can take and you are the strongest person I know."
"I'm sorry." Angie sobbed into his chest.
"Don't be. It's all right. Really," Rollie said softly as he stroked her hair. "You look totally exhausted. You should get some rest."
"Oh, like I haven't heard that, like, fifty kagillion times!" Angie smiled as she wiped the tears away with her fingers. "I want to find out if you're coming home today."
"Let's cross our fingers."
"And our toes," Angie added.
"And our eyes," Rollie added as he went cross-eyed, causing Angie to laugh.
"I'm going to call the others back in. They were all so worried about you and they were such a big help through all of this. Even Rick Sapien helped." Angie's eyes lowered and her chin quivered. "I don't think I could have gotten through this without them."
"C'mere," Rollie whispered as he pulled her close.
"Knock, knock! Can we come back in?" Lucinda asked as she peeked her head through the door.
"Come on in Lucinda," Rollie called to her. Angie pulled away and lay down next to Rollie on the bed, Rollie's arms around her shoulder.
Lucinda entered the hospital room followed by Leo and Mangela. Soon laughter could be heard coming from the room. The nurse came in a couple of times to ask them to please try and keep it down.
A short while later Doctor Habib came in to tell Rollie that he wanted to keep him until tomorrow morning just to be cautious about the cracked rib. He said that there didn't seem to be anymore internal bleeding but he wanted to wait until the swelling came down more to be sure and he had also scheduled an X-ray for Rollie later that afternoon. Rollie was disappointed about not going home but was reminded that the rest of the prognosis was good.
A little while later Mira and Francis arrived to take Rollie's statement. Lucinda took Angie out for a walk while they did that.
Rollie explained that he was nabbed as he arrived back at the loft after running a few errands. He figured it was best to go with them rather than risking them taking or harming Angie. One of them got into the car with him while the other followed behind in a blue van. They held him in an old cold storage room of a building. He didn't see where. The door had a latch and locked from the other side. It didn't even have hinges that he could access to get the door off. He tried using his PDA but wondered whether the cold would interfere. He tried to talk some sense into the not-so-wise-guys by trying to get them to listen to reason.
"How?" Mira asked.
Rollie spoke slowly. "I explained to them that there was no way that anyone was going to agree to a swap of Delveccio for me. I told them they had a snowball's chance in hell of that happening. They didn't like what I was telling them."
"Then what?"
"They beat me." Rollie paused, and the turmoil was evident in his eyes. "They hit me a few times in the stomach. I gathered that they already knew they weren't getting anywhere and I had just provided them with an outlet for their aggression. They found my PDA and smashed it to bits. They left it there in broken pieces which I was happy about because I palmed the tracker and put it in my jeans."
"Did they mention anything about their plan? What were they going to do?"
"Not really. I could tell it wasn't going very well. To be honest, they really didn't seem to have a plan." Rollie's brow furrowed. "They seemed to be making it up as they went along and not very well either. I think they really thought that they could swap me for Delveccio." Rollie shook his head. "Morons!"
"What happened next?" Mira prompted.
"Well...then nothing for a while. It was freezing in the room and I as having a hard time staying awake. I did jumping jacks and push-ups but it wasn't helping too much. My watch said it was 11:15 p.m. A short while later they came back in. They tied my hands and blindfolded me. I tried working free but my hands were tied too tight. I think they put me in a van. I remember I had to have help to step up. We drove...I don't know...maybe a half hour, maybe less. When we stopped they pulled me out and took off the blindfold. I was in a wooded field. To be honest, I don't know where I was. I saw the pine box and I knew...." Rollie's voice trailed off as his eyes watered. Rollie was quiet for a few moments. Then, finally, he cleared his throat before continuing. "They threw me into the box. My hands were still tied. I tried to reason with them again, saying that they would be caught and it was just a matter of time. I told them things would go better for them if they let me go but none of that seemed to matter. They closed the lid...I could hear the dirt hitting the wood...I tried calling out but we were in the woods...I...I...." Rollie shook his head and clenched his jaw. "I managed to get my hands free...I pushed at the lid...I punched, I clawed...but...nothing seemed to matter...." He looked down at his bandaged hands.
After a few minutes Mira placed a hand on Rollie's shoulder. "It's okay. I think the rest is pretty obvious." Mira wiped a tear from her eye and cleared her throat. "I'll um...I'll have this typed up and ready for you to sign tomorrow before you're released," Mira turned off the tape recorder. "I'm glad you're okay Movie guy."
"Me too," Rollie smiled weakly. After a few moments he looked between Leo, Francis, and Mira. "I still don't know how you found me."
"You have Angie to thank for that," Leo replied. "She's the one that realized that you had the tracker on you. From there it was a matter of tracking the signal."
Somehow Rollie thought there was more to it than that as he stifled a yawn unsuccessfully.
"I think we better go and let you get your rest," Mira suggested to the others. "Is Angie staying tonight?"
"No," Mangela answered. "I am."
Rollie smiled at Mangela, grateful that he was here and grateful that he had convinced Angie to go home and get some rest.
Angie and Lucinda returned a short while later and shared dinner with Rollie and Mangela. Then the two friendly interlopers gave Rollie and Angie some time alone before she left for the night.
Mangela returned to Rollie's room after the two women left. "How are you doing Sonny boy, really?" Mangela asked after Angie and Lucinda had left.
Rollie took his time in answering. He knew that Mangela could tell if he was being flip or falsely brave. "It was hard, in there, you know? I um...started panicking. I couldn't breath. I was afraid that I was going to die in there and that I would never see Angie again, or you, or my dad. I was afraid that I would never feel the wind on my face or sunshine." Rollie looked away. "I worried that if I didn't make it out of there, that no one would ever find me or my body and I was scared of what that would do to Angie."
"Go on," Mangela encouraged him after a pause.
"I kept thinking of Angie, of how much I love her and how strong I needed to be for her. I kept telling myself that I had to survive, that she has lost too many people in her life and I couldn't leave her alone." Rollie paused again. "It was so bloody cold and I was in pain. I knew that I was bleeding. I could feel myself losing consciousness and I knew I was running out of time." He looked directly at Mangela. "I...remembered your teachings, Mangela. I remembered what you taught me about slowing my breathing and slowing my heart rate. I didn't know if I would remember it correctly or if it would work but I didn't see that I had any other choice. So, I tried working on that." Rollie wiped a tear from his eye. "In truth, I think it saved my life, at least partially."
"You did good Sonny boy." Mangela squeezed Rollie's shoulder. "And so did Angela."
Rollie looked up at him with questioning eyes. "What do you mean?"
"Angela was exhausted but was fighting sleep. She was running on empty and putting herself in a state where she would be unable to help, even if she wanted to," Mangela explained. "So, I convinced her to lie down because I knew that once she let her mind rest she would be open to another plane of consciousness. She had a dreaming Rollie boy...."
Rollie's brow furrowed.
"She did." Mangela confirmed. "In her dreaming she saw you, she saw that you were trapped in a place that was dark and cold. And she knew that you had the tracker." Mangela's eyes locked on Rollie's. "You told her didn't you?"
Rollie looked up at him reluctantly after a few moments. "I wasn't sure if I would be able to remember. It's been a while but I tried to get the message to her. I wasn't sure if she would be able to either. I...."
"She did. I don't think she understands it, though. You don't look like you do either." Mangela laughed. "I'm just glad that you remembered some of your teachings. You and Angela are soul mates, Rollie. You belong together. You could never do what you've done with anybody else. She's the one." Mangela smiled broadly because he had wanted this kind of happiness for his Sonny boy for too long.
Rollie laid his head back on the pillow and smiled. "She is."