Rollie and Angie surveyed the scene on the drive back. It was surreal to say the least. Upon leaving Paul's estate the FX van passed a long line of emergency and government vehicles pouring into the estate followed closely by media satellite trucks. Rollie was grateful that they had left in time. And again, on the way into Manhattan, there was very little traffic and the van was stopped at a few roadblocks along the way. They had to take a detour to get to the loft. That meant that they would arrive much later than he had hoped but they soon realized that these were necessary precautions in the wake of Loubar's threat.
Rollie and Angie arrived at the loft. It was eerie: the quietness on the streets and nary a soul in sight. Rollie opened the door and let Angie in as he called, "lights Blue!"
Angie mouth gaped open, "What happened here?" she asked as she surveyed the mess of furniture, glass, and parts on the floor. It was like whatever chaos had reigned outside had entered the loft as well.
Rollie looked away, "I uh.... had a little meltdown when I saw the video Loubar sent me."
She looked at Rollie now, "Do I want to know what was on the video?"
He looked Angie in the eyes, "I hope not."
She bit her lip as she absorbed the pain in his eyes, "Okay."
Rollie was grateful that she didn't press it. Angie started to pick things up but was stopped when Rollie caught her hand.
"Leave it."
"Why? Do you have a cleaning lady I don't know about?" she smiled crookedly.
"No. It just can wait, that's all," he pulled her close and gazed upon Angie's face. It pained him to see it bruised and cut. He gently caressed it, "I'm sorry Angie --"
"Don't you dare!"
"Ange, what?"
Angie pulled away. "Don't you dare, Rollie! Don't you dare apologize for something that is not your fault. Loubar did this. Not you!"
"But --"
"No buts Rollie! You cannot carry this around with you. The only one responsible for everything that happened is Loubar. You tried to stop him and you saved...I don't how many, lives in the process."
Rollie walked towards the window, "But they wouldn't have been in any danger if it weren't for me."
Angie followed him and crossed her arms, "How can you say that? Do you think Loubar was born overnight? No. It's taken a long time for him to grow hateful and crazy and whose fault is it that he turned out that way? His parents? His teachers? Society? Maybe at one time he could have been turned around, but now, he's the only one that's responsible for his own actions, Rollie. You're not."
"I don't care about the rest of society," Rollie answered, "I mean, I do...but I should have been able to protect you."
Angie caressed his cheek, "You can't protect me all the time Rollie. I can't protect you all the time either. You don't think I feel badly for being used to lure you into Loubar's trap --"
"Angie you couldn't --"
"I know. And neither could you. That's my point. We're not responsible for other people's actions."
Rollie sighed and hugged her tight. Maybe now wasn't a good time to talk about what had happened. He looked down at her, "You look tired. You should get some rest."
"I will," she sighed, knowing he was changing the subject. "I want to take a shower first though. I feel icky," she looked up at him, "you should rest too you know."
"I will. I'm going to unplug the phone and activate Bluey's security and telephone features."
Angie started up the stairs but stopped midway and turned, "Rollie?" she said slowly.
Rollie looked up at her and smiled. "Yessss?" he drew the sound out.
She smiled, "I don't have any clothes here. Can I um... borrow your shirt again?"
Rollie smiled, "Oh sweetie, you can borrow anything you want, a shirt...."
"Gee thanks. You're so generous," she turned on her heels.
"Not my toothbrush though!" he called up after her. He could hear Angie's laughter fade as she went into the bedroom.
After her shower Angie surveyed her face in the bathroom mirror. She winced as she touched the cut on her forehead and the bruise near her eye. Great! I'll have a nice shiner. She also had a bruise already turning purple on her cheek and one near her mouth, which also had a cut on it. Lovely, she thought disgustedly. Her face hurt something awful and she had various cuts and bruises all over the rest of her body. She put on Rollie's t-shirt and combed her damp hair. She was startled to see Rollie sitting on the bed when she exited the bathroom.
"Hi," she said nervously.
Rollie raised his tired eyes slowly from the floor. His eyes moved slowly over Angie's body as she stood a few feet away from him, one knee bent and her hands clasped behind her. His eyes came back up to meet Angie's and he saw that she was nervous.
He got up and came slowly over to her. His finger under her chin, he raised her face as his mouth came down on hers, "Hi," he replied as he kissed her tenderly.
Angie's eyes were wide and dark as she pulled away from the kiss. She bit her lip, "Umm...."
"Ange? You're nervous?"
"Umm, well...." She replied breathlessly as Rollie nibbled on her ear. God! She thought, how is a girl supposed to think!
"Hmmm?" Rollie continued nibbling her ear.
"It's just not," she groaned, "you know, how I pictured us together."
Rollie pulled away puzzled, "what do you mean?"
"Well, I'm not exactly... I mean my face looks like a boxer did a number on me," Rollie started to protest but she continued. "And it's sore you know? And I want to enjoy it, I want to enjoy us, but it's hard with a sore face you know?"
Rollie looked down at her trying not to be disappointed, "You're so beautiful Angie," he caressed her face. "But it's okay. I understand. I'll still be here when you're ready. That is...." he grabbed some clothes, "I will be, after my shower. We can just cuddle if you want. I swear Angie, I will be happy holding you in my arms all night."
She smiled gratefully at him, "I'd like that. Thank you Rollie," it was true she wanted to be with him but she also wanted to enjoy it when they were.
He kissed her on the nose and disappeared into the shower. Angie went downstairs and made herself an icepack and returned upstairs with it. When Rollie came out of the shower he found Angie asleep and curled up on the bed with the ice pack on her face. He crawled into bed behind her, wrapping his body around hers. He took in the smell of her hair and her skin and sighed contentedly. He would be happy with his sweet angel in his arms tonight.
Rollie awoke a few hours later and found he was alone in bed. He looked around and saw Angie standing at the window looking out. She was wrapped in a throw blanket. Rollie walked up behind her, his arms encircling her waist.
"Hey"
"Hey" she answered back.
"Ange? You're crying?"
"I was...it was... it's just hitting me, you know? I guess it's a delayed reaction to everything that Loubar did. Just thinking you were dead for those awful moments. God! I don't know what I would have done...." a shiver went down her spine and Rollie hugged her tighter. "And...and... Paul. He's dead, you know? Loubar killed him," she wiped the tears from her face.
He turned her around to face him, "Angie, I'm so sorry...."
She turned and buried her face in his chest, "I love you Rollie."
"I love you too Angie." He pulled her back to the bed and they lay curled together for a long time. Rollie was stroking Angie's arm and she was drawing circles on his chest. He hoped that she would fall asleep because he knew that she must be exhausted.
But sleep wouldn't come to Angie. When she closed her eyes it all came back. The memories of what Loubar did to her, how he played his mind games with her and Rollie and then there was Paul. Angie shivered as her hand went up under Rollie's shirt and softly traced his stomach muscles. It was mindless action until she noticed Rollie's breath shortened as he responded to her touch. Then, Angie's foot started sliding up and down the length of Rollie's leg, resting occasionally in Rollie's inner thigh. Her foot made its way up Rollie's inner thigh and started rubbing the area. Rollie swallowed.
"Angie, if you keep this up --"
"I want to be with you Rollie," she said softly as she turned and straddled him. "I want...I need... to feel alive," she whispered softly and her eyes showed sadness. She pulled Rollie's shirt off and kissed her way down his chest, lingering at his nipple. Rollie groaned.
His hand cupped her rear as he found the bottom of her shirt and pulled it up over her head. There were different colored bruises all over her body. Rollie closed his eyes briefly and when he opened them his eyes took in the sight of her breasts. He cupped it with his hand and then rose up to take a nipple in his mouth as Angie groaned and arched her back. Rollie rolled over and she was under him now. Angie's hands caressed his back. She reached down to his pants and pulled the drawstring. With Rollie's help she removed his pants and then he removed her panties. They both gasped as the last remaining remnants of clothing that separated them were removed and their flesh connected. Rollie entered her and the two of them felt heat spread throughout their bodies.
They moved together as their bodies rocked and became one. Their hands caressing and searching each other's bodies, finding their pleasure zones. Rollie held Angie's hands in his as their bodies settled into rhythmic rocking which seemed to go on for hours. Sweat drenched their faces as they climaxed together and they held each other breathlessly. A short time later, they made love again only this time more passionate and demanding. They collapsed against each other out of breath and drenched in sweat once again.
Angie curled up against Rollie, content, her head on his chest and her leg wrapped around his thigh. Rollie kissed the top of her head and the two lovers drifted off into a welcoming and peaceful sleep.
Angie awoke the next morning and reached over to the other side of the bed only to find that it was empty. For a moment she remembered that morning many months ago after she thought she had been with Rollie....
"Rollie?" she called hesitantly.
"Hey sleepyhead!" Rollie came in bearing a breakfast tray, "hungry?"
"What's this? Breakfast in bed?" she smiled in relief.
"Yep. Nothing's too good for my sweetie. Shove over," Rollie spread himself out on the bed next to Angie as she pulled the sheet up to cover herself. He placed the tray between their legs.
"Rollie?" she asked tentatively.
Rollie looked at her, "Yeah?"
Angie looked up at him and he thought she looked so small and incredibly vulnerable.
"Are we...okay?" she asked finally, biting her lip and pulling the sheet around her. "Be honest. I know that we've crossed a line...and um, it's okay, you know? If you have regrets...I promise you I can accept anything you say. Just be honest. Please."
Rollie moved the tray to the side. He turned and took Angie's face in his hands, his touch gentle. Her eyes searched his.
"Angie," he shook his head and sighed, hoping he would find the right words. "Angie, we're better than okay. Last night...it's everything I've ever wanted. It's more than I ever could have imagined. You're everything I've ever wanted," he kissed her softly on the lips, "I love you Angie."
"Really?" Angie smiled shyly, "I love you too, Rollie."
Rollie kissed her again. "Good. Now let's eat!" Rollie put the tray back between their legs.
Angie reached over and kissed him, "So? What do you have?"
"Hmm?" Rollie continued to kiss her, "Oh! Strawberries and cream, scrambled eggs, toast, coffee, and orange juice."
"Mmm, strawberries," Angie purred as she reached into the tray. She grabbed a strawberry and dipped it in the cream. Then she dragged it across Rollie's lips and moved over and licked the cream off his lips, "yummy."
Rollie exhaled slowly, "I think I want strawberries for breakfast from now on!"
They finished their breakfast in bed and Angie reached for Rollie's robe, pulling it on. She got out of bed and Rollie looked at her disappointedly.
"Where are you going?"
Angie tried not to smile to broadly as it hurt her face when she did so, "To take a shower. I can't stay in bed all day."
"I guess not," Rollie smiled as he stood. "Your face still hurts?"
"Yeah, just a little. Actually my whole body hurts."
Rollie ran his fingers gently over her bruises on her face. Angie flinched a little.
"I'm so sorry Angie. I wish that I could have stopped that bastard from hurting you," he looked Angie in the eyes, his eyes full of pain.
She sighed. She wished that Rollie wouldn't feel responsible for things that were out of his control. Angie moved closer to Rollie and looked him straight in the eyes.
"What is it going to take for you to realize that you're not responsible for what happens to me Rollie?" she asked, slightly exasperated. The pain in his eyes was almost more than she could bear. She stood on her tiptoes and spoke softly as she brought her lips close to his. "Anymore than I am for you," she kissed him then, soft and gentle, sucking on his bottom lip. "I mean, I love that you want to protect me and all...." she kissed his neck, "but I'm a strong-willed adventurous woman...." she nibbled his ear, "and if you try to protect me all the time...." she kissed his eyelid softly, "you might just...curb my enthusiasm. And you don't want to do that," she kissed him on the mouth this time and her tongue pushed its way into his welcoming mouth. She pulled away, smiled, and turned on her heels as she headed for the bathroom, leaving Rollie stunned and somewhat deflated.
"No. I certainly don't want to curb your enthusiasm," he exclaimed as he chased her into the bathroom.
Angie squealed as he caught her just inside the bathroom. He untied the belt on the robe and slowly spread the material off her shoulders. The robe fell to the floor and she stood naked before him. Angie bit her lip as Rollie's eyes slowly raked over her body. Angie's hands rested on Rollie's stomach. She pulled his shirt off and pulled at his sweatpants. Rollie stepped out of them and as he did so, he began to back Angie towards the shower; all the while they were kissing each other. He reached in and turned the shower on to let it warm up. He backed Angie into the shower, the water raining over them. Rollie backed Angie against the wall of the stall as she wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. They started rocking against each other over and over again. Angie steadied herself by holding onto the top of the shower door and the wall. It hurt a little, her body still very sore, but she didn't care. Rollie and Angie rocked against each other until they were spent. It took some time to recover before they could soap each other and wash each other's hair, leaving only when the water began to get cold.
Angie put on Rollie's bathrobe and watched as he brought out his shaving kit.
"What?" he smiled as he caught her watching him.
Angie jumped up and sat on the counter near him. She grabbed the razor from him.
"C'mere," she ordered softly.
"What?"
She put some shaving cream in her hands and he moved in between her legs, "My father used to let me do this for him when I was a kid...."
Rollie blushed, "Angie. After what we just did, I'm not sure talking about your dad is appropriate just now --"
Angie blushed. "Shut up."
Then she slowly applied the shaving cream to Rollie's face, their faces sometimes so close to each other they could feel each other's breath. Angie smiled sweetly as she slowly and gently used the razor on him. Their faces were at times very close and Rollie found himself wanting her all over again. He was looking into the eyes of the little girl he used to know, the woman he now loved. He almost couldn't believe it. He took some cream off his neck and put it on the tip of Angie's nose. Angie smiled at him as she concentrated on her task and was mostly oblivious to his brown eyes roaming all over her face.
"There. All done," she declared as she wiped the remaining cream off his face. She caressed his face. "Smooth as a baby's b --"
"Don't say it."
"-- butt."
Rollie had her trapped as he remained standing between her legs as she sat on the counter, and he leaned his arms on either side of her.
"Ange that has got to be the most sensual shave I've ever had," he smiled involuntarily, "that's hard to say; sensual shave," he repeated with his best Sean Connery voice.
"My pleasure Mr. Tyler. Just wait until you experience my sensual haircuts. Now, twenty-five cents please," she laughed and held out her hand.
Rollie kissed her neck, "Hmmm, and cheap too."
"Hey! I am not cheap!"
Rollie's hand moved between her thighs eliciting a groan from Angie.
"God, Rollie! Don't you ever stop?" she asked breathlessly.
It was mid-afternoon when the two of them finally emerged from the bedroom. Angie sighed when she saw the mess that still needed to be cleaned up. And since she didn't have any of her own clothes at the loft besides what she was kidnapped in, she wore one of Rollie's sweatpants, which were rolled up at the ankles, and another t-shirt. She and Rollie worked several hours cleaning up the mess and salvaging whatever equipment they could. In fact, before Angie could throw a piece of electronics out it had to pass Rollie's inspection first.
Angie jumped into Rollie's lap as he sat in his office when she finished vacuuming. She twirled the hair that surrounded his ears which was distracting him from his paperwork.
"Rollie?"
"Angie?"
"I don't have any clothes here."
"Hmm. And that's a problem because?"
She slapped his chest. "Because I can't walk around in your baggy clothes all day. I mean, I don't mind being here and all, but I need clothes...."
"I disagree," he kissed her neck, "my clothes have never looked better," he caught her disappointed look. "Okay. How about we go get your clothes tomorrow? It's already after eight and you're only going to take those off soon anyway...."
"Fine," Angie pouted, "I feel like a little girl in your too-big clothes though."
Rollie nibbled her ear, "You are no little girl, Angela," his voice all husky.
Angie smiled. "Glad you finally noticed."
Rollie held onto her with one hand, her head resting on his shoulder, and continued to go through his paperwork with his other hand. Angie looked down at the desk.
"Rollie? Are the phones still blocked?"
"Yes. Why?"
Angie sighed. "Well, I have to try and reach Paul's cousin Gloria to give my condolences and...see if I can help with arrangements."
"Do you want to call her tonight?" Rollie asked as he studied her face.
"M...maybe not tonight. It's probably too late. I'll call her tomorrow."
"Are you Sure?"
"Yeah," Angie rose up from Rollie and walked into the kitchen.
Rollie gave her a few minutes, and then followed her into the kitchen. She was kneeling down looking into the fridge with a carrot in her mouth.
"Ange? You okay?"
"Yeah," she sighed and looked at him. "I'm famished though. You haven't fed me since this morning."
"I apologize," Rollie bowed, "I'm a rotten host. How about pizza?"
"Mmm. I would kill for pizza."
Rollie ordered the pizza and he and Angie ate as they watched the movie channel on TV. They were deliberate in staying away from the news channels. After the movie ended, he and Angie walked arm and arm upstairs to bed. Rollie was beginning to realize how much he enjoyed having Angie around and not just during the working hours.
The next morning Rollie went to Angie's apartment to pick up some clothes and toiletries since she wasn't up to going out with her face still swollen. While he was gone Angie called Paul's cousin Gloria and they discussed the funeral arrangements. Arrangements were already in hand but Gloria was insisting that Angie sit with the family during the funeral. The funeral would be held tomorrow at a church in Long Island. Angie caught Rollie at her apartment before he left and asked him to bring the black outfit in her closet, her black pumps, and her matching purse.
Rollie returned to the loft to find Angie in a blue mood. She was listless and quiet, not even going to her computer. She went to lie down as he told her he had something special planned for dinner. He got busy on the phone making arrangements and around 5:00 pm a package was delivered to the loft. Rollie went upstairs with the package. Angie awoke to see Rollie standing before her with a big white box wrapped with a red ribbon.
"What's this?" she asked as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sat up in bed.
"It's my surprise. You and I have yet to go on a proper date...." he sat down on the bed beside her as she propped herself up on an elbow.
Angie touched his arm, "I hate to break it to you Rollie, but um...we already went past first and second base. In fact, you hit them all out of the park."
Rollie smiled, "That may be so, and you weren't so bad yourself I might add, but I thought we could do something special. Are you going to open this or am I going to have to send it back?" he asked in mock annoyance.
Angie jumped up and grabbed the package, "Don't you dare!" she opened the package, which was from Century 21 and found a beautiful CK beaded wine-red sleeveless dress, with a bateau neckline. There were even shoes in the box. "Rollie! It's beautiful!" she exclaimed with tears in her eyes.
"Put it on. I'll be downstairs waiting," Rollie smiled at Angie's reaction and headed downstairs.
Angie changed into the dress and put the shoes on. She combed her hair and fluffed it up a little to give it life. She was happy with her appearance except for the bruises and cuts on her face, which were now purples and yellows. It was healing but she was still conscious of it. She tried to cover as much as she could with makeup. She tried to do the same with the ones on her arms.
She walked downstairs to a dimly lit loft. Candles were lit all over and an Etta James song just finished on the stereo, to be followed by B.B. King and Van Morrison. Rollie came out of the kitchen to meet her. He smiled broadly as their eyes met. Rollie was wearing a dark suit with a gray tie. He took Angie's breath away. He held out his hand as she reached the landing. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly.
"You look beautiful Angela."
"Rollie," was all she could say. Angie couldn't muster any other words.
Rollie led her to one of the windows where Rollie had set up a small table. It was covered in a tablecloth, two candles, and flowers in the middle. Underneath covered trays lay their dinner of Lobster Thermidor and champagne rested chilled in a nearby decanter. Dessert was Crème Brule. Rollie held out the chair for Angie and then he popped the cork, spilling some down the bottle. He and Angie laughed as the cork flew off somewhere in the loft.
They held hands throughout dinner and talked the stuff of dreams. Then Rollie and Angie danced, held each other, and kissed by the window.
"This is it Ange."
Angie looked up at him, "What's it?"
Rollie looked at her and smiled, "This. You and me. This is it."
The next morning Rollie and Angie readied for Paul's funeral. Angie wore a black linen-blend shift with a matching three-quarter-length jacket. Mira and the Gatti's were planning on attending as well. Angie called Mira in a panic. She told Mira she needed a black hat with a veil because she didn't want to showcase her bruises. Mira promised she would find a hat and bring it to the loft. Rollie was dressed as well, in a black suit, black tie, and crisp white shirt. Angie came quickly down the stairs in her stocking feet carrying her pumps, and then she went halfway back up the stairs, turned, and came down again.
"What am I going to do?" she muttered to herself as she looked around the loft.
"Angie? What is it?' Rollie looked at her worried.
"I can't find it, Rollie," she continued to look around, "the ring! I can't find it. What am I going to do?' she was almost near tears.
Rollie held her hands to steady them, "Think. Was it in your backpack? In your jeans?"
"Um...um," Angie bit her nail as she looked at him with tears rimming her eyes, "my pack I think."
Rollie went to her pack, which had been retrieved from Paul's loft after her abduction. Angie hadn't seen it under the couch. Mira had brought it when she came with news on the fingerprints. He searched it and found the ring in its velvet box.
"Here it is," he said as he held Angie now, who was trying desperately to hold back tears.
Mira showed up with the hat. Mira would be riding with the Gatti's and they waited outside for her. She extended their condolences to Angie, who felt strange receiving it. Mira helped Angie with the hat and veil.
Rollie held the door for Angie as she stepped into the Acura. Rollie wished now that he had something other than a red sports car to show up at the funeral in. But he didn't. The Gatti's and Mira followed them in their car. Throughout the drive to Long Island Rollie reached across to Angie's knee or touched her hand to steady it. She squeezed his hand but continued to look out the window at the scenery. She didn't cry though, her tears were held back by a determination to be strong.
Angie stood with the family greeting mourners and sat with them during the service. She had introduced Rollie, Mira and the Gatti's to them but she only said that Rollie was her best friend and her boss. Rollie and she had talked about it earlier and he assured her he was fine with it that way. He worried though; about the pressure he was sure she must be under by sitting with Paul's family.
After the service the procession went to the cemetery. After the final words were said Angie and Gloria Richter stood alone at the grave. Angie pulled the velvet box out of her purse.
"I...I wanted to give this to you but couldn't figure out the right time," Angie began.
"Angie, no. That belongs to you. Paul wanted you to have it."
Angie shook her head, "I can't. Paul said it was his mother's. It...it belongs in your family. You should have it to hand it down to your children."
Gloria looked at Angie, still hidden behind the veil, "Are you sure?"
"Yes. I am."
The two women hugged and held each other as tears flowed. Then Gloria asked her if she was returning to her house for the reception. Angie said she might for a little while but that she was really tired. Gloria told her that she would understand if she didn't and she left Angie standing at the grave.
Rollie leaned against his car while Angie and Gloria talked. He watched as Gloria left and Angie stayed at the grave. He saw her kneel down and could tell that she was crying but felt that she needed to let some of the grief go. He moved closer though, in case she needed him.
Angie stood and turned to see Rollie nearby. Without saying a word, he was there holding her in his strong arms. He lifted her veil and took out his handkerchief, wiping her tears. Angie pulled away and backed away from him. Rollie could see the anguish in her eyes.
"Angie --"
"Don't! Don't say it!" Angie held up her hand to stop him, "This all my fault. I killed Paul. He would still be alive if not for me!"
"Ange, c'mon. You said it yourself. Loubar alone is responsible for his actions."
"No! No!" Angie shook her head, "I used him Rollie. Can't you see that?" every time Rollie moved closer Angie moved away, "I pushed you away and then I used Paul because I didn't want to be alone. I knew I didn't really love him but...." She sobbed, "I used him anyway. I used him to try and get over you and now he's dead and it's because of me!" she wailed. "I didn't mean it. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry!" she wailed to no one in particular. Angie turned suddenly and ran down the walkway away from Rollie.
Rollie took off after her and caught her in his arms as she collapsed to the ground in uncontrollable grief. At first she fought his arms around her but soon didn't have the strength to continue as Rollie held her tight and tried to sooth her. He told her over and over that it was not her fault. He understood where the guilt was coming from though. He had felt it too when Mira had delivered the news of Paul's murder. But if he were responsible for Paul's death then that would mean that Angie was too, and that was wrong. Angie didn't kill Paul. Loubar did. Angie was right. They couldn't carry this guilt around with them.
Rollie reminded Angie how much Paul had loved her and how happy she had made him and that was what counted. He told her again that it wasn't her fault anymore than it was his and reminded her of what she had told him. They can't be responsible for other people's actions.
"He loved you Angie. He died feeling that kind of love for maybe the first time in is life. You didn't use him, sweetie. You were trying to move on, that's all."
Angie looked up at Rollie as her sobs subsided, "But I was going to break his heart, Rollie. I was going to give him back his ring. I didn't love him the way that he deserved to be loved because I still loved you."
"Shh. You gave him what you could and you made him happy. You can't think of the 'what if's?' I swear, Angie if you do, then you'll go stark raving mad. And if you're responsible for Paul's death then so am I --"
"No, Rollie --"
"Yes I am. I shouldn't have let you push me away. I could have told you how I felt sooner --"
"I'm so sorry Rollie," Angie cried into his shoulder.
"I'm sorry too Angie," Rollie said into her hair and they looked at each in shared grief. Rollie cradled Angie's face in his hands and kissed her softly. He searched her eyes, "You okay?"
Angie didn't say anything. She just nodded her head and bit her lip. She looked worn out.
"Let's go home," he stood and held out his hands to help her up.
Rollie watched Angie as she slept finally. She had fought it at first, too wired to try. She kept insisting that she was fine but she was near collapse. Rollie made her some chamomile tea and he forced her to lie down on the bed. He held her and stroked her hair as they spoke quietly of movies and FX, which seemed to relax her. As Rollie watched her sleep he saw all the worry, guilt and fear slip away and her face reclaimed its innocence and youth, even through the bruises.
Rollie swallowed. What a chance we are taking Angie, in giving our hearts to one another, he thought. What will Loubar do when he realizes how he and Angie feel about each other? He knew they were handing Loubar a weapon to use against them both, because as much as they had cared about each other before it was nowhere near to what they felt now. It would rip each other's hearts out if something was to happen to either one of them and Loubar would take great pride in that.
But he couldn't go back. He couldn't pretend he didn't love Angie or that she didn't feel the same for him. He would find a way to beat Loubar once and for all, he thought as he looked down at Angie as she slept. And Rollie remembered what he had told Angie on the ship. He had told her his heart was fearless now that it knew her love. Mangela had said it too; their love was strength and it will grow. He wondered about their songlines and the connection Mangela spoke of. He wondered what it would mean for them. Rollie curled up next to Angie and felt her body heat. It warmed him all over and he finally let sleep claim him too.
The next morning Rollie left a still sleeping Angie to go out and pick up something for breakfast. He walked several blocks to a nearby market and picked up eggs, bacon, milk and coffee. He also picked up the morning paper and a bouquet of flowers for Angie.
On his way back he was whistling a tune as he turned a corner and ran smack dab into a fist. Rollie went falling to the ground, his groceries flying all over the place. Rollie grabbed his nose in pain. The kid that stood over him was demanding his wallet. He had a knife in his left hand.
"C'mon!" the kid demanded, "hand it over. Now!" the kid kept looking up and down the street.
There were two other guys with him. Rollie was apparently too slow in moving and the other two guys began kicking him. Rollie slumped to the ground. One of the kids was about to reach for Rollie's wallet when he was hit from behind with a garbage can lid. The other kid got the lid into his throat. He fell to the ground holding his throat, choking.
Rollie struggled to get up, his ribs hurting as he gasped for air and he fell back down. He saw the man who came to his rescue then, and was surprised to see that it was a bum, a vagrant; albeit a vagrant with very good fighting skills. He saw the bum dodge the knife the punk was wielding. The bum kicked the punk in the groin and then brought his knee up into his face when the kid doubled over in pain. The kid quickly ran off with the others down the street empty handed.
Rollie rolled over and groaned in pain. The bum 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?
"L...Leo?" Rollie gasped.
The End...or is it?