Rollie moved restlessly through his home. Tomorrow was Valentine's Day and he wanted to get something special for Angie. He just didn't know what though and he had been searching for weeks. He sighed as he explored his fridge, looking for breakfast. Disinterested, he shut the door and went to pour a cup of coffee. Angie would throw a fit if she knew he was skipping breakfast. He frowned thoughtfully at his cup. All right, he'd make it look like he had eaten. He pulled out a plate and the bread loaf. There were always a few crumbs and he sighed as he sprinkled them artfully over his plate. He opened the refrigerator, pulled out the margarine and getting just the tiniest bit of it and some cheese, he spread those as well, smearing the butter substitute thoughtfully. He hated pretending, basically lying to Angie, but he was tired of her fretting over him - over every little sniffle, cough and change of appetite. She'd been doing that ever since... Ever since Loubar. Not even that lovely warm, vacation holiday they'd shared, courtesy of Interpol, had slowed his Angel of Mercy down. He still had the light tan he'd acquired from their visit to the Gold Coast of Australia. Their stay at the Hope Island Resort had been just what the doctor ordered (Literally!) for him. You'd think he was pale as a ghost and skin and bones the way Angie Ramirez acted though. He tilted his head to one side and considered his 'masterpiece'. Was it good enough? Satisfied, he put the plate beside the sink. There! Now, with any luck, she wouldn't suspect. He leaned against the counter, crossing his long legs as he went back to sipping his coffee and considering his real problem - what to get Angie for Valentine's Day!

Angie sighed and dumped the can of cat food into Chiop's bowl. The next day was Valentine's and she still didn't have anything for Rollie. She just didn't know what to get him! All she knew was she wanted something special, something to show how very much he and his love meant to her. Candy? Well, Rollie enjoyed candy, especially chocolate, but that simply wasn't enough. Clothes? He couldn't care less about clothes, but he would be properly grateful and appreciative. Maybe that was the problem! Rollie would love anything she gave him. She never considered the fact that it might be simply because she gave it. Somewhere, she had the suspicion that Rollie hadn't received many presents. She wanted this one to be very, very special! After all, it was their first Valentine, not literally, but it was - as a couple. The rest of the world might not know, though a few suspected, but they were a couple. She wasn't sure if it would lead to where she wanted, but she wanted every moment to be special. Especially after almost losing Rollie. Loubar had nearly killed the love of her life and she was going to show him how great that love was and how important he was to her. She hoped he was eating. Rollie had always been thin and he had seemed even thinner after his illness. So fragile and yet... so very strong! It was a contradiction and she knew she was starting to bug Rollie with her mothering. She just couldn't stop herself. She had come so close to losing him! Too close!!!

A knock on the door brought Rollie from his reverie. "Come in!"

Francis Gatti came in, looking very serious and uptight. "Hi Rollie," he said in a subdued tone

Rollie didn't like the look of this at all. He felt his stomach tense as he considered what could be bothering Frank so deeply. He didn't want to get involved in a case with the police right now. That was the last thing to do right before Valentine's! Angie would kill him if he got hurt or killed instead of getting her a gift. He just knew it! He felt torn in two pieces. Desire to please Angie warred with the need to help his friend. Oh well, it was best to find out and maybe it wouldn't be too bad. "What's up, Frankie?"

Francis sighed and looked up at the tall Aussie. "It's almost Valentine's."

"Yeah," Rollie offered, surprised by the statement being made to him.

"I want to get something special for Sarah, but I don't know what."

Oh! This sounded like him and Angie. All right, he could relate to how Frank felt, but... Why was he here? "Really?" Rollie responded, not sure what to say or where this was going.

"We're going to have our ten year anniversary this year." Dark eyes looked up into Rollie's warm brown eyes. "I want it to be really special, Rollie. Sarah is... Sarah is the most important person in my life! I want..." He trailed off helplessly.

"Ten years?  Your tenth wedding anniversary?" When the other man nodded, Rollie's eyes widened in shock. Frank and Sarah had been married for ten years, or almost! Suddenly, Rollie felt like he'd been wasting his life. He and Frank were of an age and what did he have to show for the last ten years? Certainly not a wife and not three beautiful girls like Francis had. Why had he wasted so much time? Why...? He felt like he'd let Angie down, like he'd... Oh! He blushed faintly as he remembered Angie, the light of his life, would have been a teenager ten years ago and much, much too young to be marrying him. Okay, so maybe part of him had been waiting for Angie to come of an age for such things. He shifted uncertainly. Did he want to marry Angie? Yes! His heart thrummed excitedly over the thought. But did he want to do it now? Or... He didn't feel like he'd finished his courting. They hadn't been on that many dates, not yet. So... Okay, he wanted to marry Angie, but he wanted the courtship to continue. Were they mutually exclusive? The sound of Frank's voice distracted him from his thoughts. "What?"

Frank glared at his friend. "I said would you come with me to find a Valentine's gift for Sarah?"

Rollie goggled at Francis, at his question. Him?!? Why would Frank ask him? "Um, shouldn't you ask ... well Angie or another woman? I... Frank, I don't know what to get!" He looked hopelessly at his friend, feeling very confused.

Frank looked down at his shoes. "You don't have to come. Not if you don't want to."

Oh, well. He could look for something for Angie at the same time. If Francis wanted his help in this, well, he was going to give it for whatever good it did. "All right, Frankie. I'll try to help. Let me finish dressing." He gestured at his T-shirt and jeans. It was cold outside. There was no way he was going out like this!

Frank beamed happily at the lanky man. "Sure thing, Rollie!"

"Help yourself to some coffee. I'll be ready in a mo'." Rollie headed upstairs to his bedroom to finish dressing.

Frank poured himself a cup and sipped it. He glanced around the loft, looking for changes to the haphazard and eclectic collection of movie memorabilia and props. He wasn't really sure why he was asking Rollie to help him with his search. But when he'd gotten up this morning and thought about it while he scanned the morning paper, the tall, friendly Aussie had immediately popped into his mind. He wanted something special, something different. If anyone could find that, it was Rollie Tyler. Rollie saw and understood things that others didn't. It just felt right to seek his advice and opinion. Logic said to ask his sisters or sisters-in-law, his mother, Mira or Angie. His heart said to ask Rollie Tyler. He listened to his heart. After all, he wanted a gift from the heart.

Rollie clattered down the steps, his leather coat in one hand. "All set, Frank."

Francis stood up from the kitchen chair. "Great! I appreciate your helping, Rollie."

Angie walked in through the door in time to hear the detective's words and she looked at the two men with worried eyes. "Rollie?" Please, she thought, please don't be getting caught up in a police case now. She started to protest, still remembering how very still and pale he'd been on that awful December day.

As if he knew where the blonde's thoughts were taking her, Rollie spoke up hastily. "I'm going shopping with Frank, sweetie. I'll be back in a few." He waited a bit anxiously for her response. Surely, Angie couldn't object to a shopping trip with Frank Gatti!

"Oh, um, okay." Shopping? She wondered what that was about as the two men left. She closed the door behind them and wandered over to the sink. She was pleased to see the dirty plate with the two cups. She wrinkled her nose as she wished Rollie would eat more, then she shook herself. Rollie was a grown man. He was not wasting away! He was perfectly healthy, completely recovered. If she didn't stop her fretting, Rollie was going to start screaming and running in the opposite direction every time she showed up. Her lips curved into a smile at the mental image that brought up. She snickered and shook her head in amusement. Angie headed toward the clean room just as the phone rang. With a groan, she spoke. "Speaker phone, Blue." The little robot dog barked once as he complied. "Tyler FX," she spoke crisply and professionally.

"Hi Angie."

Angie smiled. "Hi Sarah. You just missed Frankie."

"Frank? Is that where he disappeared to this morning?"

"Well, yeah." Her brow puckered slightly. "If you weren't calling for Frank, why are you calling, Sarah?"

"Oh, well, I thought you might go shopping with me."

"Shopping?" Rollie was going shopping with Frank Gatti and now Sarah wanted to go shopping with her. What was going on?

"Yeah, it's almost Valentine's and I want something special for Frank. We're going to have our tenth wedding anniversary this year."

Angie could hear the smile and pleasure in her friend's voice at the declaration. Ten years! And she hadn't even one... Oh! But that shouldn't matter! After all, she was finally dating someone who wasn't a loser - someone who was very, very, very special and well and truly loved her! She almost giggled as she thought about it, and Sarah didn't know! "All right. Sounds good to me. Shall I meet you there or...?" And while they were at it, maybe, maybe she could find something for her special someone too.

"Could you pick me up? We can go to that new mall. They're supposed to have some pretty unique specialty shops and I really want to get Francis something... extra special."

"Sure thing. I should be there in twenty minutes." Disconnecting the call, she whistled softly as she collected the keys to the pickup. She wasn't sure why she persisted in taking Rollie's pickup instead of his sports car. Rollie certainly didn't mind and he had her on the insurance for all of his vehicles. He'd even offered to get her own sets of keys to them. Her friends thought her rather strange for it, but she liked the pickup! She liked its power and she liked sitting higher than the cars. She liked the feel and the way it handled. The sportscar felt like a light weight in comparison. She grinned. Well, duh! Of course it did. It was a little sportscar and the other was full size pickup truck. It was a light weight. Maybe she'd been driving the FX van for too long. With that crazy thought, she grabbed her jacket and headed out the door. It was a great day for shopping and she intended to enjoy it to the fullest. Tenth anniversary! Maybe that was what Frank was doing. Yeah, right! Like Rollie could help him with that! He was probably after a new VCR or television or some such and wanted Rollie's expert and high-tech opinion. Come to think of it, maybe it was going to be his present to Sarah. Just like a man!

Francis sank on to the bench with an unhappy sigh. Five hours and too many shops to count and he still hadn't found anything for his wife and the mother of his children. To top it off, now his feet hurt too. He glanced over at his long legged friend. Rollie looked like he could walk forever. Frank wasn't sure if it was because of his long legs or if it was because he really could walk for that long.

Rollie sat beside his friend, waiting patiently, watching the shoppers bustle past them. His mind was whirling with all the things that they'd looked at. He had never really considered all of the possible presents for Valentine's. And most of them came up short. They'd looked at candy, a staple of the holiday, and quickly discarded that idea. They'd looked at flowers. They had spent a long time looking at flowers and plants. Sarah was particularly fond of flowers. She had quite the green thumb. Unfortunately, none of the ones they'd looked at had satisfied Frank, so then they looked at jewelry. They'd looked at yellow gold and white gold. They'd looked at jewelry with gemstones and without gemstones. They'd looked at it until Rollie was sick of it. He happened to look at engagement rings in one jewelry store, but had turned away blushing when a young woman had bounced over to help him pick out the perfect ring for the lucky woman in his life. He'd caught Frank hiding a huge smile and covering his laughter with a coughing fit. Rollie fled the shop and pulled himself up short to wait outside as Francis followed at a more sedate pace.

Remembering Rollie's flight from the jewelry store, Francis cleared his throat. "Rollie?"

The man froze and then looked over at his friend. "Yeah, Frank."

"You know you can talk to me... Don't you?"

"Yeah, I know." Rollie sighed softly. Sorry luv! I think I let that secret out of the bag. It looked like he might not be able to hide things much longer. Francis had clearly guessed a lot earlier. Looking at the engagement rings while the detective was right there was a huge mistake. He hoped Angie could forgive him.

"So... I guess you and Angie are getting really serious finally." The Italian American asked with a small, but goofy grin.

Yep. Definitely not a secret. The Aussie shrugged, his eyes focused on his large hands. He forced himself to stop as he realized he was practically wringing them. "Yeah, you could say that." He looked at his friend out of the corner of his eye. Just how long had the cat been out of this particular bag? Francis certainly didn't seem the least bit surprised.

"So..."

Rollie nudged Frank's side. "You're repeating yourself, mate."

Frank's grin got wider. "When are you going to ask her?"

"Ask what?" Rollie fought to hide the panic he felt welling up inside him.

"You know what, Rollie Tyler! So, give!"

"I... I don't know, Frank." Rollie pulled a face at Frank's glare. "No, I don't. Yes, I love Angie and want to marry her, but... I don't know when yet. Dinkum?"

Frank shook his head. "No, not... dinkum? What is dinkum anyway? Never mind, I don't really want to know. No, I don't understand. If you love her and want to marry her, why not just... do it?!" He waved his hands in exasperated confusion.

"I'm not done courting her," Rollie mumbled to his hands.

"What? I didn't hear you, Rollie." Frank's attention was now fully focused on the tall, lean man sitting beside him.

"I said I'm not done courting Angie, Frank! That's why I haven't asked her to marry me yet." Rollie said, loudly and clearly. He looked away to find himself staring into the startled blue eyes of the love and light of his life. "Angie?" He watched numbly as the blonde turned and started to walk swiftly away. He got up and darted after her, only noting in passing Sarah was watching them in good natured surprise.

She turned back to glare at her husband. "That was brilliant, Frank," she said drily.

"Oops," Frank shot back, totally unrepentant. "At least now, they'll stop pretending."

"Yeah, I guess so," Sarah answered with a crooked grin. "So, what are you doing here, my love?"

Frank considered lying, then realizing she would spot it right off, decided to surrender gracefully. "Looking for a Valentine's present for you. I thought Rollie could help me." He stood up and walked to stand beside her, straining to see if he could spot their friends.

Sarah slipped her arms around his waist. "That's sweet of you, Frank, but why Rollie of all people?"

"I wanted something special and I thought Rollie could think of something... different, you know?"

She kissed his ear, then tugged gently at his ear lobe with her teeth. "Yeah, I know. How about we cut the crap and just go straight to a romantic weekend? You, me, no girls." She blew in his ear and he shivered.

"Sounds good to me, Sarah. Sounds great actually!" Frank smiled happily.

"So... When's your next free weekend?" Sarah purred.

"Um..." Francis gulped. His wife was doing things to him that, well, somehow he hadn't expected to feel this way after ten years of marriage and three children. It was... amazing! It was wonderful! "Next weekend, actually. Where do we get a baby-sitter for a whole weekend? I don't think Rollie or Angie will be available."

"How about Mira?" Sarah snuggled against her husband's side.

Frank almost choked on that one.

"Oh, all right. Your parents or mine?"

"Let's call and ask. Maybe they can split it."

"Perfect!"

The loving couple started walking arm in arm through the mall, going the same way as their friends.

Rollie walked as fast as his long legs would carry him, following Angie as she wove her way through the crowded mall. She had him on physical condition, but he had the legs to get there fast. It was a toss up who would win. Fortunately or unfortunately for his peace of mind, his childhood of walking great distances stood him in good stead. He caught up to her and gently wrapped one hand about her wrist. He tugged, pulling her to a stop. "Angie? Angela! Please!" He pleaded desperately, almost afraid.

She couldn't resist him. Never! Especially when he used that tone of voice and she turned, knowing that victory would be his, won by the look in those warm, loving eyes. "Rollie." She stopped, not sure what to say. She still couldn't believe what she had heard and she couldn't believe he'd been talking to Francis! They were suppose to be keeping it a secret and there Rollie was, in the middle of a crowded mall, talking to Francis Gatti about them... About marrying her!? Wasn't she suppose to find that out first? She felt the fires of anger start to burn and glared at Rollie, her eyes spitting cold fire, immunizing her against the depths of his warm, brown eyes.

"Angie?" Rollie felt his heart dropping at that look in her eyes. "Please!" He whispered desperately, not knowing how to quench her righteous anger. He looked at her miserably.

The blonde looked coolly at his hand wrapped around her wrist, then up at him. He immediately released his grip as if stung.

"Angie?" The Aussie whispered in anguish as she walked away, her head held proudly high. He turned away, his heart full of pain. Angie had every right to be mad. He'd given their secret away. He should have thought of something, anything to throw Francis off the scent!

Frank and Sarah exchanged concerned glances as they caught up with the upset Aussie.

Sarah reached out to touch him, then dropped her hand. "Rollie?"

Rollie turned to look at the couple with huge, sad eyes.

"I'm sorry, Rollie. I didn't mean to make Angie mad at you. I just..." Frank trailed off and shrugged unhappily. He hoped he hadn't messed things up. Surely, Angie would forgive Rollie! If anything, she ought to be  mad at him. He was the one who'd pushed his nose in where it didn't belong.

Rollie nodded silently. He turned to look the way Angie had disappeared. Now what? He didn't know what to do.

"Rollie? I... We'll drop you off at home." Frank offered tentatively, his previous happiness vanishing in the face of his friend's distress. Sarah nodded as the special effects expert looked back at them.

Rollie shook his head silently. Somehow, he found his voice. "I... No thanks, Frank. I'll ... I'm ... " He shrugged apologetically, tried to pull up a smile. Failing, he dropped his head as if it was too heavy to hold up. "See you later. Okay?" He turned and walked toward an exit, not waiting for a response.

"Damn!" Frank said out loud to no one. "Damn!"

"It's not your fault," Sarah said, tugging at his hand.

"Yes, it is. We both knew they wanted to keep it quiet and then I had to go and push. Damn!"

"Frank, they'll work it out," Sarah told him firmly. "You'll see. This is just a bump in the road. We've had them too and you know it! Rollie and Angie will work it out. They love each other too much for it to last long."

Frank sighed. "I sure hope you're right, Sarah."

"I am. You'll see." Please let it be all right, she whispered silently. They left, feeling subdued, plans forgotten in the wake of their friends' ... fight? Could you really call it a fight? There had been no shouts, no words spoken in anger. They'd hardly said anything to each other, but... Angie was hurt and Rollie was being hurt by that hurt. They hoped it healed quickly.

Still numb, his heart aching, the tall Aussie started walking and just kept walking. Hours later, chilled to the bone, he finally reached home and going inside, looked around full of misery, not acknowledging Blue's welcome home bark. Everything had been going so well! Perhaps too well? He considered the thought bleakly. Remembering other relationships, he wondered if he hadn't doomed his friendship with Angie. Maybe he was cursed... Maybe... Maybe he wasn't ever going to have a successful relationship. Maybe he couldn't. After all, look at his Dad. He had never been home when Mum wanted him. Had he been about to doom Angie to the same thing? He didn't know. He climbed the stairs to his bedroom slowly. Stripping his clothes off, he crept wearily into his bed. He wouldn't sleep, he couldn't! Besides it was too early to sleep, but... Wishing today had never started, that he could do it all over, he closed his eyes. Exhausted, he slipped into sleep, even as he thought he never would. It didn't bring peace or rest as his active imagination brought Manny back to life in front of him, a very disappointed and angry Manny Ramirez. It became a full blown nightmare as he changed into ... what had been left after the explosion that had claimed his life. Still cold from his long walk, he felt frozen solid as the chill of the grave combined with the chill of winter. Rollie shivered and didn't wake.

Angie walked swiftly, letting her anger give her speed. No one really looked at the blonde woman with her head held high. She only stopped when a cluster of people blocked her path. She looked around briefly, seeking a way around them. She didn't want to look back for fear he had followed her. She couldn't deal with him right now. She... She remembered the anguish in his eyes, the pain as she glared at him. Her fury vanished as swiftly as it had appeared. They had both known their relationship could not remain hidden. She suddenly felt as if she had stabbed him deep in his heart. It wasn't his fault, her heart cried. Where were you when I got so mad at him, she thought furiously, mad again, this time at herself. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She sat down on a nearby bench to assess things, most importantly her own feelings. All right, it wasn't his fault. They'd known this day would come, it was just... She'd been surprised to see him, to hear him say... He was going to ask her to marry him! Oh! She felt tears sting her eyes. He wanted to marry her and ... She suddenly felt ashamed of herself. Somehow Frank had uncovered their secret and gone one step more. Rollie Tyler wanted to marry her, Angela Ramirez! After he finished courting her, whatever that meant, but still - he wanted to marry her! She stood abruptly, startling a teenage boy with the sudden movement. Maybe he had changed his mind! Maybe he wouldn't want her now! She had to find him! She had to apologize! She... She froze as she stared at the contents of the store display case. A small, bittersweet smile touched her lips. It was perfect! She went into the store, determined to make her purchase, no matter what it did to her bank account.

Getting ready to leave, Angie suddenly remembered that Sarah had come with her. She looked around anxiously, hoping that Frank had taken her and Rollie home. Backtracking found no signs of her friends. She headed for the exit with a sigh. Starting the pickup, she considered just going home. She was tired and wanted nothing more than a hot bath and a warm, comfortable bed. She headed for the loft, determined to not allow the day to end with her anger still hanging between her and Rollie.

Reaching 256 Brewery Lane, she felt shy as she slipped inside the loft. It was dark and quiet. Blue made a quiet whimpering sound and that was it. She wondered where Rollie was. Had he come home? Or was he out somewhere, still mad or hurting? She hoped not as she turned to leave. She stopped and looked thoughtfully at the little robot as he whined pitifully at her. Something was bothering the robotic dog, but what? She decided to check upstairs. If Rollie was there, well, she would apologize. If he wasn't or if he was asleep, she'd have to wait. She moved silently on sneaker clad feet, pausing at the foot of the stairs. Slowly, she climbed them, almost afraid to look. What if... What if Rollie wasn't here? What would she do? What should she do? Should she wait for him to come home or...? She moved with the sureness of familiarity to Rollie's bedroom and slipped inside. Her eyes widened and she felt a surge of relief as she saw tousled brown hair peeking from under the huddle of blankets. He was home. Somehow that alone made her feel better. She turned to go as silently as she had come, when some instinct or feeling made her turn back. Quietly, cautiously, she moved closer, then froze as if turned to ice. Rollie was shaking violently as if he was freezing. It didn't make sense, the loft was toasty warm, just the way he liked it. And he was covered by several blankets. And still he shivered as if outside in a blizzard. She looked toward his closet, thinking to get his doona. That would help him stay warm. A soft whimper reached her ear. Blue? ... No. Rollie! Suddenly scared, she flung herself at the bed. What if he was sick? What if he was having a relapse? What if...? She would hate herself forever if...

Her hand shook as Angie pushed the covers back and touched Rollie's cheek. It was cold, so very cold. As if winter had turned warm flesh and blood to ice.

Rollie flinched as if burned, suddenly jerking awake and bolting straight up. He looked around the dark loft wildly, his heart pounding. An echoing pain throbbed in his temples. He blinked owlishly in the dark, unable to see clearly. His sleep drugged mind scattered in confusion. What? What?! Something was wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! He shook and his teeth chattered.

Angie reached for Rollie, wondering what was wrong. He flinched again. "Rollie?"

"An--An--Angie?" Rollie stuttered and squinted, trying to see in the dark. Suddenly tired of the dark, of not knowing, he called out. "Lights, Bluey!"

Light flooded the loft as the robot gave a happy little bark. His antenna tail was wagging. His master was speaking to him again.

Pain flared once more in his head and Rollie was suddenly uncertain of the wisdom of the light he'd requested. He shivered, clutching his blankets in both hands. His chest was bare, goose bumps clearly visible. He blinked again and stared at Angie. What? Oh! Memory flooded his mind and he hung his head. He waited for Angie to yell at him, for her to tell him she no longer loved him. That she could not love someone as worthless as he was.

"Rollie?" She touched his cold hands and wrapped her arms around him, her heart aching at his unnatural submissiveness. She wasn't sure what was wrong, but at least he didn't seem to be having a relapse. Relieved, she pulled him close, unmindful of his state of undress. She kissed one temple and started to rain little kisses all over that beloved face. As she kissed his scarred cheek, she tasted a single tear that had been threading its way down. Memory of the pain in his eyes, pain she had placed there filled her mind. "Oh, I'm sorry, Rollie! I'm so, so sorry! Can you ever forgive me?"

"For--forgive you? You aren't mad at me? I... I'm sorry, Angie! I didn't mean to let--let Frankie find out. It--it... I know you didn't want anyone to know yet, but..."

Angie stilled the sudden flow of words the best way she knew how, she kissed him firmly on the lips. They felt cold at first, as all of him did. However, as the kiss deepened and grew wildly in passion, she felt Rollie's flesh warming under her fingers, under her lips. She started to explore him with her mouth and hands, eagerly seeking places to bring a loving fire to burn away the ice that seemed to have captured him. Rollie groaned as the fire built and built, his body responding to the soft caresses, the tender touches that seemed to naturally know where to go for the best effect. As her lips closed over the hard nub of one nipple, his body bucked instinctively. Never had he felt such a passionate fire before. It was as if the sun was pouring liquid fire into his veins. He moaned, his head tossing from side to side. He bucked again, his body seeking more, needing more. Angie left a trail of blazing kisses as she moved to his other nipple. She bit it tenderly and began to suck. His hands reached out, seeking her, wanting, needing to return the touches. She caught them, wrapping her hands around his wrists and gently pressed them over his head, pinning them to the mattress in a silent command. This was for Rollie. She needed to concentrate on him. Rollie moaned in wordless protest, but forced himself to follow what she wanted. Mindlessly, his hands clasped the slats of the headboard. Satisfied that Rollie would remain obediently in place, Angie's hands returned to exploring his body. Her mouth trailed back up, lighting new fires as she wetly kissed one ear and blew in it. She felt him fall into a slight rhythmic, rocking motion under the covers as she knelt above him. She let her fingers follow the trail to his nipples and scratched him there ever so gently. Her mouth captured his, her tongue exploring the sweet taste of his lips and tongue. She caught his soft moans in her own mouth, felt an echo come up from the bottom of her soul. The blankets slipped down slightly and her hands went to explore this new territory, her mouth followed, trailing kisses down his chest, toward his belly button. She loved the feel of him, the taste of him, the scent of him. He was her universe! He was her eternity! He was her heaven!

Rollie whimpered. The fire felt so good! So very, very good. He wanted it! He wanted it to flare into a conflagration that would burn away every ounce of anger and pain, every sliver of ice in his heart and soul. He... He was suppose to wait. He... This wasn't right! He wanted the first time to be their wedding night! He... "Noooo," he groaned helplessly.

The words seeped slowly past the blaze in Angie's mind. No? Why? It felt so good, so right! Why no? Memories of the first time he asked her out rose to the surface. She rose with them, reclaiming his lips, whispering. "Why? What's wrong, love?" Was Rollie mad at her? He had every right, but every movement he made, every sound said he was enjoying this as much as she. As if piercing a veil, she remembered a thought that had come as she fell asleep after their first date. Courting... Rollie was courting her. He didn't want to just jump into bed. He wanted to court her. He wanted... She suddenly wanted their first time to be their wedding night. With a soft, gentle kiss she withdrew from the field, leaving Rollie panting, his chest heaving as he pulled in oxygen. "Sorry, love, you're irresistible."

"Angie," Rollie whispered as he drew a shuddering breath, suddenly bereft as Angie stopped raining fire on his cold body. Well, it certainly wasn't cold anymore, he wasn't cold. His toes curled, then uncurled as he forced controls back into place. Once he was sure he wouldn't grab her, his hands released their hold on his bed. "Angel..."

"Angel? No, Rollie, you have that wrong. I'm no angel, you are!" She kissed him lightly on the lips again. "My very, very special angel. I'm sorry I was so mad before! I am sorry I hurt you."

"I love you," he whispered huskily as he wrapped his arms loosely around her waist.

"I love you," she echoed softly. "I love you! I love you! I love you!" Each declaration was followed with a small kiss, on his eyes, his lips, his nose.

Rollie smiled a warm smile full of love at her claiming of his heart and his very self. He chuckled throatily. "Now what, luv?" Suddenly, he felt very curious. Why was she here? How had she known how much he needed her at this moment?

"A promise, my angel, that we never go to bed angry with each other. Ever!" Angie declared firmly. She never wanted to find Rollie in that cold, miserable huddle ever, ever again.

"Never," he promised faithfully. He liked the sound of that, they would never fall asleep angry with each other. Remembering a few occasions in the past, he thought they might have a few long nights, but... If now was any indication, they would also be very... interesting. His lips closed softly on hers as he staked his own claims on his love. He kissed her gently in echo of hers, kissing her eyes, her lips and ever so tenderly, her nose. Suddenly mindful of his unclad state under the covers and his body's responses, he withdrew from that beloved field, blushing deeply.

Angie watched him in amazement, wondering. "Rollie?" She started to bend down to kiss him passionately again when she remembered the way his body had rose and fell under her. Oh! She blushed slightly even as part of her was deeply pleased by Rollie's passionate responses to her touches. Seeking a distraction from her own  responses to the memory, she spoke again, her voice full of curiosity. "So... You want to marry me?" Her fingers circled the pulse point on his neck with a feather light touch.

Rollie gulped as flames rose again. What? What had Angie said? His mind didn't want to concentrate on words, it wanted to feel that fire burning through his body. He would never be cold again! Every time he felt it, he would just have to think of this moment, of Angie and it would feel like a hot summer's day in his beloved Bush. His large hands closed convulsively around her waist. Such a small waist, such a perfect waist! Everything about Angie was perfect, her eyes, her lips, every plane of her face, every curve of her body. Part of him wondered how he had gotten so lucky, why she was still available for a slow Aussie boy to have, why someone else hadn't stolen her away from him a long, long time ago.

"Hmm," Angie purred in his ear. "Maybe I should be asking you." How had she gotten so lucky? Why hadn't some beautiful woman walked away with this wonderful man, stealing him before she was old enough to stake her own claim? Every inch of him was... Rollie! She knew that some might not like the scars he bore on his body. Would they make him get plastic surgery to remove the mark on his cheek? She traced it lightly with one finger, remembering. She'd thought she had lost him then too. Maybe they had Death wrong, maybe Death wasn't a skeletal man in a dark hooded cloak with a scythe, but a beautiful woman, jealously stealing the good ones away. She loved him! She loved every single inch of him just the way he was. Rollie hadn't said a word. She caught his face in her hands, marveling at the feel of his skin. Before she could get distracted by this man again, she caught his warm brown eyes with her own.

Rollie felt like he was drowning in the depths of Angie's loving blue-gray eyes. They looked the colour of the ocean on a perfect day and he was drowning in that ocean. But oh, what a way to go!

When Angie was positive she had his attention, she took a deep breath. She released it slowly. "Roland David Tyler, will you marry me?" Her voice was clear and ringing with love and conviction. This was right! She didn't want to wait. She wanted to world to know that Rollie Tyler belonged to her and her alone, that she, Angie Ramirez, belonged to him and him alone.

Rollie felt his head spin. Was he dreaming? He shivered and caught a soft sob in the back of his throat. It was suddenly full, too full to talk, too full to breath. His heart was beating in his throat and... A warmth flooded him from head to toe. He wanted this! He wanted... "Yes," Rollie exclaimed in a hoarse squeak, unsure how he had gotten the word past his heart to answer vocally. "YES! Angela Catherine Ramirez, I will marry you."

With a sob, Angie leaned forward again, blindly reaching for him through her joyful tears. Equally blinded, Rollie closed his mouth over hers and they kissed deeply, passionately. They tasted the salt of their mingled tears, their hearts full to overflowing, beating wildly together in synchronization. Married! They were going to get married!