Angie, Leo and Lucinda returned to the hospital the next morning to pick up Rollie. Angie brought with her a sack with a change of clothes for Rollie. They had to wait for the Doctor to come during his rounds to sign the release papers. Rollie dressed and shaved while he waited. As he came out of the bathroom Angie gave him a big, deep, hug.
"Hey." Rollie smiled against her cheek. "This feels nice."
"It does." Angie looked up and smiled as she caressed his freshly-shaven cheek. "Although, I do a much better job."
"You do." Rollie agreed. "Maybe you can give me another shave later?" He winked at her.
"Maybe." Angie smiled. "Depending on what the doctor says."
Doctor Habib released Rollie an hour later with instructions for him to take it easy for a couple of days. He told him to go to the hospital if he experienced any abdominal pain whatsoever. He also told him to call his secretary to arrange a follow-up appointment in one week.
Leo, Lucinda, and Angie took Rollie home and Angie immediately began fussing over him. She took his bag upstairs and made him some tea and a light lunch. Rollie noticed some bags by the door and inquired about them.
"They're my bags," Leo said. "I figured it was about time that I got out of your hair. I'm working on getting my life back in order. The Policeman's Brotherhood is going to be helping me out with some of that. Sapien said he could help with the IRS and in the meantime he's fronted me a portion of a reward for busting the arms theft ring. By the way, you two should be getting a piece of that pie as well. So, I'll be staying at a hotel for a few days—"
"Leo, you don't have to do that. You can stay here as long as you need," Rollie implored him.
"I know that." Leo shrugged. "Angie already tried to get me to stay but you two should be alone. Let that be my gift to you, at least for now."
"Is there any way that I can change your mind?" Rollie asked quietly.
"Nope."
"Well...thank you for being there for Angie and for me. Angie told me how you helped her. Thank you, Leo."
"No thanks necessary. Look at what you've done for me. That's what pals are for." Leo turned to the door as he heard a car horn. "That must be my cab. Take it easy you two. I'll be by to check on you later, Rollie."
Rollie followed his friend to the door. "Bye Leo," Rollie called out after him as he watched Leo get into the cab. His arm went around Angie's waist as she joined him by the door.
"Bye Leo," Angie called out too.
Lucinda called out desperately for him to wait for her as she ran from out of the lounge. She gave Rollie a big kiss and hug and then said that she had to get back to Angie's to go over a script for an audition she has tomorrow. "See ya. Wish me luck?"
"Break a leg Lucinda," Angie called.
Rollie watched them leave, suddenly reveling in the quietness of the loft. He walked slowly up the stairs and held onto the back of the couch for he was feeling a bit unsteady on his feet yet. Angie caught the movement.
"All right, it's time to get you upstairs and into bed," Angie ordered as she swung his arm around and she supported his shoulder. "Come on."
"Bed? Why Ms. Ramirez it's only 2:00 in the afternoon!" Rollie waggled his eyebrows at her.
Angie looked up at him and shook her head. "Wipe that look off your face. The doctor says for you to take it easy so there will be none of that for a couple days."
"What?!"
"You heard me."
"Bloody hell!"
True to her word, Angie slept in the chair in their bedroom that first night. Rollie couldn't believe that she was serious but she was. She told Rollie that the sooner he got better the sooner things could return to normal. Tonight, he promised himself, was going to be different.
The next morning Rollie wondered where Mangela was but Angie said that she didn't know. She had assumed he would stay with them but he had slipped away without word after Rollie had returned home and she hadn't seen him since.
Rollie lay on the couch downstairs working on his PDA. He tried insisting to Angie that he was getting better but she was just as adamant that he at least listen to the doctor's suggestion and take it easy. So she ran around the loft getting things for Rollie, making him tea, fixing him food, and doing her own work. He could see that she was working herself into exhaustion and she still hadn't yet caught up on her own sleep. Rollie caught Angie's hand as she placed his fourth cup of tea down on the coffee table near the couch.
"Ange, lie down here with me."
"Rollie—"
"No. You're working yourself too hard. Look at me. I am fine. I'm not tired. I'm not in pain. I'm not weak. Come on, just lay down with me," Rollie insisted.
"All right." Angie caved in, the invitation being too good to pass up. She slid next to Rollie on the couch.
Rollie moved against the back of the couch to accommodate his new guest. He rested his elbow against the pillow as he gazed down at Angie.
"Oh yeah, um...Elena called again the other day," Angie informed him.
"Bloody hell, we keep missing each other." Rollie muttered as he began nuzzling her ear.
Curiosity was getting the better of Angie. She knew that if it was important Rollie would tell her but still, she had to know. "What does she want anyway?" she asked finally and as casually as she could.
"Probably nothing," Rollie answered quickly. "She's going to be in town in a few weeks and she wants to get together." Rollie looked away from Angie. "I thought it would be a good time to tell her about us and...maybe invite her to the wedding."
Angie rose up on her elbows and looked at Rollie. "You want to invite her?"
"Yeah. I do. Is that a problem?"
Angie paused. "No. I guess not. It's fine." As long as she knows that you're mine, she thought to herself. She remembered all too well how predatory Elena Serrano could be with Rollie. Angie also remembered how beautiful and sexy the FBI agent was. The thought made a pang of jealousy run through her. She didn't even notice right away that Rollie's hand had moved inside her t-shirt and was caressing her stomach. She felt her stomach muscles contract.
"Rollie, you rat." Angie breathed.
"Angie." Rollie's hot breath whispered in her ear.
"We shouldn't—"
"Oh, but we will." Rollie promised with a wicked grin.
"Rollie...."
Rollie's hands undid the button on Angie's jeans. He undid her zipper and his hand made it's way under her panties and down....
Angie's breathing quickened as she arched her back. She twitched and jerked with pleasure. She licked her lips and moaned. Rollie was nuzzling her neck as his hands worked wonders down below. Angie moved so that her pants were lowered and Rollie's other hand came up her stomach to her breast. He kneaded her lace-covered breast as Angie's fingers curled in Rollie's hair. Angie raised Rollie's face to hers as their mouths connected hungrily. Rollie's tongue pushed its way inside Angie's welcoming mouth. He tasted her juices and licked the inside of her mouth.
"We should stop...." Angie panted as she broke the kiss. She felt delirious and so alive!
"It's been too long," Rollie growled sending a shiver down Angie's spine. Her leg wrapped around Rollie's waist pulling him into her.
"I don't think I can stop," Angie moaned as she pulled Rollie's shirt off. Angie undid his pants and together they pushed the material down. Somehow, anxious to feel their skin against the each other, they soon divested themselves of their burdensome clothing.
Rollie's hand remained between Angie's legs, his fingers working to bring Angie to such heights she had never been before. Angie was breathing harder and harder, her eyes rolling back into her head.
"Now, Rollie! Now!" she panted.
"Not yet." He smiled.
"Rollie!" Angie pleaded.
Rollie's breathing was matching Angie's but they weren't where he wanted them to be just yet. Angie moaned as his fingers worked her to ecstasy, her chest heaving and her body twitching with incredible pleasure.
"Rollie!" she cried.
Rollie moved on top of her as he entered her, their bodies filing with liquid fire. Their passions were exploding and their bodies were writhing with pleasure. Finally, Rollie collapsed onto Angie, breathless and spent. Angie pulled at Rollie's hair, raising his face to hers to kiss him. Sweat covered both their brows.
"Oh my God, Rollie," Angie breathed as he moved off of her. "That was...amazing!" She giggled somewhat shyly.
Rollie folded both his arms in back of his head and leaned back. "Aw shucks ma'am, tweren't nothin'!"
"Ooh, you're a little full of yourself aren't you?" Angie smiled at him and nuzzled his neck.
"Shouldn't I be?" Rollie asked with a very satisfied smile.
Angie looked at Rollie and smiled as she brushed the hair from his forehead. "I think that in this instance...I'll give you that. You were amazing." She purred contentedly into his ear as her hand ran circles on his chest. "You've been holding out on me! You have incredible hands. Your fingers were like...magic! That's it! You're like this Incredible Wizard of Oz!" She smiled.
Rollie couldn't help but laugh. "Incredible Wizard of Oz?"
"Uh huh. Rollie?" Angie smiled and chewed on her finger shyly.
"Yessss?"
"Can we do it again?" she giggled.
"Wha...a...at?" Rollie laughed. "Are you serious?"
"Definitely," Angie assured him as she guided his hand between her legs.
Suddenly the door to the loft flew open and Leo McCarthy's voice boomed throughout the loft. "Hey, Rollie!"
A startled Angie yelped and struggled with an equally startled Rollie as the two fell off the couch with a thud. They fell into a mess of tangled limbs onto the floor.
"Rollie? Are you here?" Leo called.
Rollie held his finger over Angie's mouth. "Shh!" he whispered in hopes that Leo would think they weren't there.
Wide eyes stared back at him. This was worse than Angie's nightmare over the translucent walls of Rollie's bedroom. Here they were, naked and on the floor, about to be discovered by Leo.
"Rollie? I know you're here pal, your door was open." Leo called out again as he started coming up the stairs.
Angie started panicking and fighting to move away from Rollie but all her moves made her slip on the floor. She yelped again as she slipped.
"Leo, STOP!" Rollie called out.
"What? Rollie, where the hell are you?" Are you okay?" Leo had stopped momentarily but was now coming back up the stairs. "I heard a noise."
"Leo, I'm fine—"
"Well, where the hell are you?"
"I'm...we— we're on the floor Leo." Rollie hung his head and looked at Angie on the floor underneath him. He was trying to shield her in case Leo did come up. This would have been funny if she weren't so mortified.
"On the floor? What are you doing on the floor? Are you all right?" Leo asked as he slowly took another step.
Angie closed her eyes to the imagined embarrassment. She swallowed hard as her hand went to her head in prepared shame. "Oh...my...God," she whispered.
"Leo, please!" Rollie shook his head in exasperation. "Don't come any further! I'm fine. Angie's fine. We're just...we...we're um...on the floor...together. Do you understand?"
"Oh— OH!" Leo exclaimed as the realization finally dawned on him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean — I'm sorry, Angie, jeez I—"
"Leo, please! Just go," Rollie begged. "I'll call you later."
"Yeah, jeez, sure, pal. Sure." Leo started backing down the stairs. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to check up on you, that's all. Angie, again, I'm sorry—"
"It's okay, Leo," Angie said quietly, probably too quietly for Leo to hear. They heard the door shut.
"Bluey, secure loft," Rollie ordered the dog to do something he realized he should have done earlier. This was, after all, both his home and workplace. People were used to coming in here without knocking and he was grateful it was Leo and not one of his film contacts. Rollie and Angie lay on the floor as he pondered that conundrum.
"Well, that was—"
"Interesting." Rollie finished.
"I wasn't going to say that, exactly. But, yeah."
"It was—"
"A bit of a mood breaker," Angie finished.
Rollie looked at Angie. "I guess so," he replied disappointedly.
Angie reached over to the floor near Rollie and grabbed his t-shirt. She put it on as she sat up and then stood up.
"Where are you going?" Rollie asked as he grabbed her hand.
"To the lounge. I'm famished," Angie replied as she padded off to the lounge. A few minutes later Angie came back with a bowl of fruit in her hands. She placed the bowl on Rollie's chest as she lay on the floor in the same spot she left him.
"I am so hungry, Rollie." Angie spoke with a full mouth as she ate her grapes hungrily. "I worked up quite an appetite. Aren't you hungry?"
Rollie just nodded his head, wishing the interruption of earlier hadn't happened.
Angie leaned back and fed Rollie a grape. She reached up and pulled the throw blanket off the couch and covered Rollie's...eagerness. Angie fed him another grape as she whispered in his ear "It's okay. We can continue this later." She winked at him. She followed that up with a soft kiss on his cheek. "I guess you really are better." She smiled. "We have to get up anyway. I have to take a shower. Luce is coming for dinner. She should be here in a couple of hours."
"What? Dinner?" Rollie asked flabbergasted.
"Yeah. She was really worried about you," Angie explained. "Everyone was. She wanted to stay last night but I figured you needed your rest. So, I told her that tonight would be better. It's okay, isn't it? Do you want me to call her and cancel?"
"No. It's fine," Rollie sighed. He knew all his friends had been worried and that they had been an incredible help to Angie. "Guess I'll take a shower too. Care to join me?"
"Can't. I have to start the sauce. Why don't you go up and shower and I'll do that and then when you're done you can watch the lasagna?"
"I guess so." Rollie pouted.
Rollie came down dressed in a nice blue shirt and dress pants. He inhaled the aroma coming from the lounge. He found Angie, still dressed in his t-shirt and barefoot, putting the finishing touches on the lasagna and Rollie smiled inwardly at the sight. Angie was far from being a domestic diva but seeing her like that made Rollie realize just how close they had become. Rollie came up behind Angie and wrapped his arms around her.
"Mmm, you smell good." Angie purred into his ear.
"So do you," Rollie purred back.
Angie pulled away with a laugh. "Yeah, right! I smell like garlic, and onions, and tomato sauce!"
"Like I said," Rollie reiterated.
Angie put the lasagna in the oven. "Can you watch it? I want to take my shower. Luce should be here soon."
"Will do."
Angie started out of the lounge but paused in the doorway. She watched as Rollie took out a bottle of wine from the small fridge. She studied his face, the way Rollie's eyes crinkled when he smiled and how his brow furrowed when he was concentrating on something. It sent shivers down her spine. Angie bit her lip as she realized how lucky she was. "You look nice Rollie." She smiled shyly.
Rollie glanced over and caught her watching him. "Get outta here!"
Rollie watched Angie go up the stairs. He waited until he heard the shower running. Then, he ordered Blue to dial Elena Serrano's office number.
"Elena Serrano, please. Rollie Tyler. Yes, I'll hold." Rollie kept an eye on the upstairs bedroom. After a moment he heard Elena Serrano's voice on the other end of the line.
"Rollie! Finally, we connect. It's been a while. I'm going to be in New York in a few days—"
"Yes, I know. Your office told me."
"So, do you want to get together? How does dinner at the L'Hermitage sound? You know we were supposed to get together there the last time I was in town. Somehow, it never seems to work out for us. Maybe this time will be different."
"Yeah, I remember. Listen Elena, can we make it lunch instead?" Rollie replied. "I have something important I want to talk with you about. It has to do with Loubar."
"Loubar? Victor Loubar? What is it?"
Rollie glanced upstairs. "Nothing I want to go into over the phone."
"You're being unusually mysterious. That's such a big turn on, do you know that?" Elena purred. "I'll be staying at the St. Regis. I should be there within a couple of weeks. See you then. Bye Rollie."
"Bye Elena," Rollie said as he glanced upstairs again. The shower had finished and Angie was getting ready. "Oh boy."
Mangela arrived while Angie was still getting ready. Rollie invited him to stay for dinner and he accepted. Mangela said he wanted to see how Rollie was doing and explained that he was staying at his friend's house in Queen's.
Angie came down and greeted Mangela with a warm hug. She was dressed in black crushed velvet palazzo pants and a white silk shirt. She looked absolutely beautiful and Rollie smiled over at her. Angie blushed as she remembered their afternoon lovemaking and how much she wanted to continue it, even now, with Mangela here and Lucinda on her way. She felt the blood rush to her cheeks.
"You are absolutely glowing, Angela," Mangela remarked with a smile. He glanced over at Rollie and saw the same glow. He chuckled to himself.
"Am I?" Angie asked as she felt her cheeks. "It's a little warm in here, isn't it?'
"Yeah really." Rollie agreed.
Thankfully, Lucinda arrived and the three of them turned their attention to the new arrival. Lucinda handed Angie the dessert she brought, a rich chocolate cake.
"Chocolate. The dessert for lovers," Mangela pointed out to Rollie and Angie as he stood between them. He chuckled as he walked away leaving a blushing Angie and a flabbergasted Rollie in his wake.
"Bloody hell! It's like he can see through walls and into our minds or something." Rollie moaned.
"I'm sure he doesn't really know," Angie assured him but then a second later looked up at Rollie for assurance. "Right?"
"I wouldn't be too bloody sure," Rollie replied as went to ask Lucinda if she wanted a drink leaving a perturbed Angie to ponder that thought.
"So, how are you doing Rollie?" Lucinda asked.
"I'm fine. Really." Rollie almost groaned. "I wish people would stop being so worried. I was never even on the critical list."
"I know, but you could have been killed. A few more hours in that grave and who knows?" Lucinda replied, looking down at her feet.
"Hey, hey." Rollie raised her face with his finger. "I'm okay, remember."
"I know. It's just...we were just so scared, especially Angie. She wouldn't eat or sleep. I'm so glad you're okay." Lucinda cried as she threw her arms around Rollie. "You and Angie are my best friends."
He hugged her tight and tried to quiet her sobs. "Luce, c'mon now. No more tears. They'll just make your eyes all red and puffy for the shoot tomorrow."
"You're right." Lucinda pulled away as she wiped her tears with a tissue. "I can't have red, puffy, eyes. Do you mind if I throw some water on my face?"
"Be my guest," Rollie replied with his Sean Connery voice.
Angie came over and hugged Rollie from behind. "Lucinda okay?"
Rollie looked down at Angie and put his arm around her shoulder. "She's fine. She's a trouper."
"She is." Angie looked up at him and caressed his cheek. "Dinner's ready."
"Okay."
After dinner Mangela informed Rollie and Angie that he was leaving for Australia tomorrow.. They were both surprised that his visit was so short but realized that he hadn't exactly planned this visit. He had come because he knew Rollie was in trouble.
"Rollie, I hate to ask you this but my friend Tehotenion is an ironworker and he can't take time off his job. I was wondering if you could give me a lift to the airport tomorrow morning?" Mangela asked.
"Of course, Mangela. You don't have to ask. What time is your flight?"
"It's at 8:00 a.m. You will have to pick me up in Queens."
"I've got a better idea. Why don't we pick up your stuff tonight and bring it back here? I can give Lucinda a ride back at the same time. That way we can leave straight for the airport from here. How's that sound?'
"Sound's like a plan," Mangela agreed. "That will give us a chance to talk before I leave."
"Yeah."
Lucinda and Angie talked about her apartment. Lucinda would be taking over the lease now that she had decided to stay in New York. It was a nice apartment in a good neighborhood and the rent was actually pretty reasonable. She insisted on paying Angie back for all the months she has stayed there so far, since Angie had continued to pay the rent, although Angie had told her not to worry about it.
Angie and Rollie drove Lucinda home and went with Mangela to Queens to pick up his gear. Angie said her goodbyes to Mangela that night since she had the feeling he wanted to spend some time with Rollie before catching his flight.
The next morning Rollie and Mangela left early for Kennedy International Airport. They checked in and sat in the airport restaurant having breakfast before the flight.
"I'm glad for this time Rollie. I was hoping to speak with you before I left."
"Hoping?" Rollie laughed. "You usually don't leave things up to the stars, Mangela."
"No, but even an old man doesn't want to overstep his bounds."
"What are you talking about?" Rollie asked, suddenly concerned. Was there something wrong with the People? Was Mangela all right? His family?
"I've been worried about you, Sonny boy. I know that you've found the happiness I've wanted for you for so long and you deserve it. But...I sense...."
"What?"
"I sense an anger in you that is deepening. A hatred for this man, Loubar." Mangela looked deep into Rollie's eyes before Rollie looked away. "I'm right, aren't I?"
Rollie's jaw tightened as he stared into his cup of coffee. He refused to look at Mangela just then.
"Rollie—"
"He's hurt Angie so much." Rollie growled through clenched teeth. He was so angry his eyes were rimmed in red. "He has caused her—us, so much pain. I hate him Mangela. I do. I have every right to hate him and don't you dare try and tell me to turn the other cheek or to be grateful for what I have, because I have and I am and I still hate him!" Rollie brushed away the tears that came from his eyes and he looked outside. "Angie is so scared of him. Whenever something happens the first thing she thinks is that he's behind it. He may be in another country or half way around the world but he's right here for her. I hate seeing her so scared. I don't doubt that one of these days, if he's allowed to go on the way he has, he will kill her as his final ultimate revenge against me. I can't wait for that to happen, Mangela. I won't!"
There was a long pause and then Rollie looked back at Mangela, his eyes showing conflict and pain, a testament to the war waging inside his mind and soul. "Do you know that Angie doesn't want us to have children?" Rollie's jaw tightened as he choked back tears. "It's true. She's afraid that Loubar would use our children as weapons against us and I've tried to assure her that that won't happen but...can I? Can I really assure her? I would give my life for her or our children." Rollie's voice choked with emotion. "But the simple truth of the matter is that as long as Loubar is alive he will be a threat to her and everyone else I hold dear."
Mangela studied his Sonny boy's face. What he saw pained him. It made his heart ache for him. "Angela could change her mind...."
Rollie laughed, a sarcastic kind of laugh, and shook his head. "She said that as well. But I know all too well the fear that courses through her veins because of Loubar. He's not going to go away just because we want him to and neither will the danger. He's cost us our family before we've even begun."
"I can see how much Angela's decision pains you." Mangela touched Rollie's hand, "Take an old man's advice and don't make any decisions out of anger and pain. Come back home Rollie. You can get strong there. You can refresh your teachings and continue with new ones. Your spirit and your mind can be rejuvenated and cleansed." He patted his hand on Rollie's. "Bring the little rabbit. It would do her some good as well. Come home, Rollie."
Rollie ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "Thank you, Mangela, but I am home. This is where I belong, with Angie."
Mangela sighed. His Sonny boy could be very stubborn. "Very well. Be careful, Rollie. I can see the hatred you feel for Loubar runs deep. I'm afraid of what you might do with it. I worry that by letting this hatred rule your mind and passions that you will lose the very thing that is closest to your heart."
Rollie looked at Mangela. Did he know? How could he know? What did he mean? "I have to do this Mangela. It's time to put Victor Loubar on the defensive for a change. I won't wait for him to go after Angie again. He's cost us too much as it is." Rollie's eyes showed coldness and determination that Mangela had never seen before.
There was a long pause as the two eyed each other. Then, Mangela broke the silence as he rose out of his seat.
"If you need me Sonny boy—"
"I know you'll know." Rollie smiled as he hugged him tightly. "You always do."
Mangela left his Sonny boy. He waved to him as he boarded his plane, his heart heavy with troubled thoughts and fears for his young charge. He worried about the decisions he was making and prayed for things to work out for him and Angela. For the first time in a long time, Mangela cried for his Sonny boy and he quietly sang a song of lament for him and Angela.
"Oh my boy," he cried.
The End.