This idea came from Erin B. who passed it on to me. I hope I did you proud, Kiwi!

Angie picked up her pace. The wind was really blowing and the temperature was dropping rapidly. She realized the cold drizzle was starting to freeze. It looked like all the weather people had missed it again. That winter storm they swore wasn't going to hit NYC, was. Oh well, it didn't matter. She was almost to the loft and it wasn't like she had a date or anything. Right? Right. Rollie wouldn't mind if she stayed for however long the storm lasted and they'd get a lot of work done... If the power didn't go out. And if it did, well so what? They'd be together and would find something to do. She sighed in relief as she opened the door to the loft and slipped in. At first Angie thought that it must have been colder outside than she originally believed, because it was much, much hotter in the loft. As she shed her coat and bag, she realized it wasn't her - it was hotter in the loft. Had something happened to the heating system? As she turned around she gaped at the sight of the rest of the loft. It was almost unrecognizable, until she noticed the "normal" props and detris of the special effects workshop was under all of the green and yellow streamers and the flags. There were Australian flags and another one she didn't recognize all over the loft. She turned around and almost laughed as she saw the large stuffed kangaroo sitting on the couch, next to an equally large koala with a smaller baby. All three were wearing party hats. Now, where was Rollie?
 
 

Angie grinned as she heard the Aussie singing. Now what was he up to? "Rollie!" She yelled up to the living area above the workshop. "What's wrong with the heat?"

The song halted and Rollie yelled back. "G'day mate! Nothing's wrong with the heat!" He appeared at the top of the stairs, continuing in a normal tone. "Why?"

"Because it's hot in here, that's why! And what's all this?" The blonde waved a hand, indicating the heavily decorated workshop - which had been it's normal (though cluttered) self yesterday.

"What?" Rollie clattered down the stairs in shorts and a T-shirt.

Green and yellow? What was up with all this green and yellow? Angie gawked at the sight of the normally cold natured Australian in summer attire in the middle of winter. "Rollie? What is going on?"

"It's Australia Day!" Rollie answered with a huge grin, acting as if the answer should be perfectly obvious to everyone.

"Australia Day?" Angie blinked. "Is this like the 4th of July or something?"

Rollie sighed a deep, put upon sigh. "Or something." He gave her a slightly hurt look, looking like a little boy who had just been told he couldn't go to a party, the party all of his friends would be at. "Don't you want to celebrate Australia Day with me?"

Angie smiled up at her taller friend and boss. "Sure, Rol! It's just... You never celebrated it before." The question why was obvious in her voice.

"Because we were always working before." Rollie started to hum another song, one that Angie was quite recognizing. It was familiar, but like something she heard rarely.

"Oh, okay. So what do we do for Australia Day? And don't say have a picnic! It's freezing outside and I mean that quite literally. Looks like you'll be stuck with me for a while, boss."

"I'm never stuck with you, sweetie." Rollie gave her a kiss on her temple as he walked by with yet another green streamer. "We'll have it inside. The brewery's big enough. You better get changed before you melt, Ange!"

"Oh yeah," Angie snorted, "what is with this heat?!?" She could feel the perspiration beading on her forehead and swiped a hand across it.

Rollie paused in his decorating efforts and looked at Angie seriously. "I wanted it to feel like it should feel on Australia Day."

Angie blinked at the serious declaration. "Oookay. And that means summer. Right?" At Rollie's solemn nod, she sighed. "Don't you have air conditioning in Australia?" One look at the lanky man's pleading brown eyes and she relented. She always had a hard time saying 'no' to that particular look. "Oh, all right. But I better have something to wear here."

"I think I saw some of your summer clothes in the back of my closet." Rollie beamed at her, then bounced off with his streamer.

So, okay, she could deal with the heat for a little while. And it was better than being outside in the cold. That wind was biting! Besides, the look Rollie had just bestowed on her was worth a lot more discomfort than this heat. She heated upstairs to find something suitable and vanished into Rollie's bedroom. Then almost immediately reappeared. "Does it need to be green and yellow?"

"Well, it'd be nice, but not necessary. Yellow and green are Australia's colors. But if you don't have anything, it's okay. I've got party hats!"

"I noticed," Angie answered drily. She headed back to Rollie's bedroom and closet. The sooner she changed, the happier she would be! A short time later, she came downstairs in short blue jean coveralls and a white T-shirt. At least Australia Day wasn't a formal affair, she thought with a grin. "So now what?" Angie looked to the Australian for answers. "And don't you think you're going a little overboard with that crepe paper?" It was getting hard to see the walls and ceiling, never mind anything else in the converted brewery.

Rollie paused in his decorating and looked around. He smiled a bit sheepishly. (Appropriate, considering the number of sheep in Australia, Angie thought with a smile for her sheepish boss.) "Yeah, I guess so. I guess I got a little carried away." They would have to undo the fridge to get to the food and drink he'd laid in for the holiday.

"So is it just us or are you expecting a few friends for this bash?" Angie asked, remembering the worsening storm outside the overheated building. Angie slipped on the party hat Rollie handed her.

"Just us," Rollie answered with a smile that said that was just fine with him. Considering it was just them, the Aussie had done a lot of work. He headed for the stereo and soon the old brewery was filled with Australian music. Angie immediately recognized the tune Rollie had been humming as the words to "Advance Australia Fair" began. Rollie immediately started singing the athem.
 
 

Now that Angie knew what the song was, she remembered the words and joined Rollie in singing the Australian athem. She figured it was Rollie's day and Australia's. She could sing some of their songs. After all, she'd heard them off and on ever since Rollie had apprenticed to her Dad. The day began to flow by, the partners singing Australian songs, playing games - checkers, gin rummy and a flip game with a board and two coins that Angie thought Rollie might have made himself. Then they had a rousing row at Twister using Rollie's rules combining music with it, similar to Musical Chairs.

Breathless and laughing, they dug out the food Rollie'd prepared and helped themselves. They'd worked up quite an appetite and a thirst, so the sandwiches and soft drinks were very welcome. Stuffed, Angie was happy to sit and listen to Rollie play his didge. The strange music filled the air, making the winter storm seem distant and unreal. Inside, it was the Bush of the Australian Outback. She could almost hear the kookaburra laughing, almost feel the hot wind blow.

The knock on the door shattered the illusion Rollie had created. The friends looked at each other, surprised. Who would be out in this storm? With a shrug, Rollie stood and padded barefoot to answer the door. "G'day mate!" Rollie hailed Francis Gatti, cheerfully. The detective had a coating of snow on his shoulders and head. His companion was in no better shape. "Come on in and warm up a bit." Rollie opened the door wider and stepped aside, allowing the two men to enter.

"Thanks, Rollie! Brrr! Boy, it's really coming down now!" Francis thumped his arms and shivered. He took in the alterations to the loft, the decorations and the party hats, and turned to the taller man. "Having a party?"

Rollie shrugged, "Sort of. It's Australia Day. Angie and I were celebrating."

"Okay." Francis helped his companion remove his coat, then took off his own. "Oh, this is Samuel MacLean. He's a, um..." Frank trailed off, uncertain how to introduce the man. MacLean  was almost as tall as Rollie, but had a broader build. He appeared to be in his middle to late fifties with black hair just going to gray. The special effects expert took in his clothes and instantly recognized money. His suit's price would rival that of some of the big shots they had dealt with in Hollywood.

"Mister MacLean. Welcome to my home and Tyler FX. This is my partner, Angie Ramirez." He indicated the beautiful blonde who smiled at their guests.

"Would you care for something to drink? Something hot perhaps?" Angie could see both men had been out in the cold too long. Despite the temperature inside, they were still shivering.

"That would be wonderful, Ms. Ramirez," Mister MacLean answered.

"Angie. Please."

"Of course, Angie. Coffee?" He bowed slightly and turned to the brown haired man.

"Coffee, it is. Frankie?" Angie moved over to the downstair's kitchen area.

"Coffe would be great, Ange." The short man answered.

"Rollie. If you call me Mister Tyler, I might not know who you're talking to..." Or might think you're a producer or backer, he added mentally.

MacLean smiled, "Rollie." As the heat seeped into his body, he closed his eyes with a sigh of pleasure. "This feels wonderful." He looked around the loft, taking in the decorations. His smile broadened as he took in the stuffed animals with their party hats, sitting on the couch. "Australia Day, uh? You know, I've never been to Australia. I've always wanted to go, too."

"You should go!" Rollie declared firmly as he hung their coats up. "There's no where else like it." He escorted their unexpected guests to the other couch. With a twinkle in his eyes, he offered both of them their own party hats.

Frank took it, looking uncertainly at the other men. Samuel MacLean was a Very Important Person and Van Duran had been very clear in instructions on handling him. This was definitely not included. When the storm had worsened, he'd tried to make it to MacLean's hotel, but then that other car had lost control and slid into them. Instead of stopping, the driver had left as soon as he regained traction. With the car basicly stuck and the storm getting heavier and colder, the New York detective had immediately thought of finding shelter. The closest place was Rollie's home and workshop on Brewery Lane. He hadn't been expecting this though!

The V.I.P. chuckled and put it on, delighted by the warmth and fun that seemed to fill the large building. He smiled warmly at Angie as she served the men. She offered Rollie a bottled water, then sat down next to the koala mother and baby on the other couch. "Rollie's right. You should visit Australia if you get the chance. It's wonderful."

Rollie moved to his striped leather chair and sat, absently picking up his didge.

"Is that a digeridoo?" MacLean asked.

"A didgeridoo," Rollie corrected wit a smile. "Yes it is, Mister MacLean."

"Samuel or Sam," the businessman responded, "please. Detective Gatti..."

"Francis or Frank, Mister MacLean."

"Frank then, but only if you call me Sam."

Francis Gatti took a deep breath, remembered his Captain's painstaking instructions and mentally sighed. "Sam."

"Can you tell me how long it will be before that car Van Duran promised will arrive?"

Frank tilted his head to one side and considered the conditions outside. "It'll be a while, Mister... er, Sam. It's pretty bad out there."

"Yes, it is." Sam sighed as he sipped his coffee.

"Is there something we can do?" Rollie offered.

Angie silently prayed that the man wouldn't ask for transportation somewhere. As good as Rollie was, she didn't relish the thought of him (or anyone!) driving in this weather.

"Well, I would like to make a call to my wife. If you don't mind? She's in Oregon and I was suppose to call her a couple of hours ago." He shrugged. "My cell died earlier today and I was going to call from the hotel. But then this storm got so bad and Frank's cell was damaged when that car hit us." He shrugged.

"Isn't that always the way." Rollie pointed to his desk. "Help yourself."

"Thank you. I'll try to be brief." Sam MacLean moved over and quickly dialed his home.

"Take as much time as you like," Rollie answered. "You want to call somebody, Frankie?"

"Nah, I called the station from the car. They'll let Sarah know where I'm at."

Rollie nodded and took a swallow of his water. The friends relaxed, waiting for MacLean to finish his call.

The man moved to sit back down, a look of interest on his face. "Do you play, Rollie?"

"The didge? Surely." With that the Aussie returned to playing his didgeridoo, his slitted with concentration and pleasure, the toes of his barefeet curling around the other end of the didge.

The others sat back and relaxed, the men shedding their suit coats and ties, letting the strange sounds wash over them and transport them to a land on the other side of the planet. They felt the hot sun and wind, heard the strange animals calling. A while later, none could say if it was minutes or hours, the kookaburra laughed one last time and the sound fell away.

"Wonderful," Sam said with a soft sigh. "You're very good, Rollie."

"Thank you. I had the best teachers." Rollie gave a mysterious smile. "Any one hungry?"

"Starving!" Frank proclaimed. Breakfast was a long time ago and lunch had been small and on the run.

"I believe I could eat something as well."

Angie stood to make more sandwiches.

"Hang on a mo, Ange. Let me do it." Rollie grinned and jumped up, walking over to the kitchen. He opened the door and pulled out the fixings for an Aussie barbie. It didn't take long for him to set up an indoor grill.

Soon delicious smells filled the hot brewery and everyone was salivating by the time he called them to eat. The others eagerly crowded around the table and soon were eating the spread Rollie had made. The hot food and cold beer he served went down nicely.

Mellowed by the food and drink, they returned to the living area and Rollie started his stereo again. Soon as everyone heard the words to one of the songs, they all joined in singing. All of them were having a wonderful time, chatting and singing, laughing when they stumbled over the words of unfamiliar songs. Rollie introduced them to three different variations of "Waltzing Matilda" and this lead to a lively discussion of the song most associated with the Australian people and land.

Interruption came with a knock on the door, loud and authoritive. This time Angie moved to answer the door, stepping aside to allow Captain Van Duran and another man. This man was in a business suit, satoricly perfect and prim.

"G'day mates!" Everyone called in a perfect chorus.

Van Duran blinked and took in the sight before him of the heavily decorated loft. The relaxed Samuel MacLean, Francis Gatti sprawled in one of the comfortable chairs and Rollie Tyler grinning like a fool. He opened his mouth, ready to apologize to MacLean, to chastise his detective, to... He wasn't sure what with Tyler and Ramirez. The man accompanying him beat him to the punch.

"Mister MacLean! I'm so sorry, sir. I knew I should never entrusted your welfare with... with public servents." He spoke this last with a sneer.

"What are you on about, Dickson? Detective Gatti has taken extremely good care of me. And Mister Tyler and Ms. Ramirez have been the perfect hosts." Sam smiled warmly at the three friends. "Relax and join us. It's Australia Day and I'm having the time of my life!" He turned and beamed at Marvin Van Duran. "You have a good man here, Captain. Thank you for his assistance."

Van Duran blinked again and swiftly shifted mental gears. "You're welcome, Mister MacLean."

"Sam! Call me Sam." The billionaire declared heartily.

The Captain took a deep breath and smiled acknowledgement. "Sam. Gatti is a fine detective." He shot the man in question a quick glance. One that said he shouldn't let it go to his head. "If you'd like, we have a car waiting. You can continue to your hotel."

MacLean's brow puckered ever so slightly. He wasn't ready for the party to end. "I... I guess that would be best and get out of our hosts' hair. They must be tired of unexpected guests."

"None of that, mate! The more, the merrier!" Rollie declared cheerfully, "This is a party in honour of Australia Day and I'm enjoying the company. Captain? Care to join us? Mister... Dickson is it?"

Mister Dickson sputtered, his face turning dark red. This just was not done!

However, Sam overruled his employee with a happy grin. "Thank you, Rollie, Angie. I'd love to stay a while longer. Dickson relax for a change. Captain? We have a fine spread."

Captain Marvin Van Duran gave a slight shake of his head, then with a deep sigh and a shrug of one shoulder, capitulated. "I would be delighted."

Rollie grinned hugely and went to fetch more beer and some snacks. Good thing he stocked up for the day. He hadn't planned on so many guests. This was a fine party for Australia Day!