"Cut! Print! That's a wrap, people!" Tim Hailer was a middle-aged man of average height and red hair. His face was plain, but full of character and energy. "Good work, guys! You were perfect Lucinda!" This last was directed at the actor of this scene, the woman who had so convincingly screamed in terror. "Rollie, Angie, you guys are the best!"

Rollie Tyler unfolded his six foot two length from the cramped crate where he had hidden, remotely controlling the "monster" that had attacked Lucinda, stretched stiff muscles and grinned tiredly at the director. It had been a long "day" for the movie crew, and an even longer week. Each night's shoot had developed problems, nothing major, just little things that had extended an already hectic schedule. Not a single night had been less than fourteen hours, and tonight had been no exception, having lasted a full sixteen. Dawn was beckoning and they still had to pack up the gear they didn't dare leave at the warehouse.

"Hey, Rollie, I've got some changes I'm thinking about for the scene next Wednesday. Could you look them over and let me know what you think tonight?" Hailer smiled at the lanky special effects man.

Rollie glanced at his assistant, Angie Ramirez, and gave a silent sigh. He turned to the director. "Sure, what ever you say, Tim." His smile was slightly strained, but Hailer didn't seem to notice.

"Great, if you think we can pull it off and stay in budget, it'll really help the story!" The director handed a sheath of papers to the tall Aussie and bustled away to talk to others in the crew.

Rollie sighed again and ran his hand over his face, feeling the roughness of the five o'clock shadow that had formed there. He pushed sweaty, brown hair from his eyes and turned toward Angie and the gear they had to pack up and load, before they could leave.

"Sure, what ever you say, Tim," Angie mocked, angry at her boss for agreeing to look at the changes. "Rollie, we don't need this. You know that!"

"Yeah, well, he's the director, now isn't he and it doesn't hurt to look. Maybe it won't be too bad." Rollie sounded faintly dubious, they both knew the type of ideas directors and producers got in the middle of shoots. "And if it is, we'll just tell him... it'll cost too much."

"Yeah, right. Boss, you need sleep, I need sleep. That's what I know." Angie picked up a stack of four heavy gear boxes and headed outside.

"Yeah, we all need some sleep. Not just you and me." Rollie muttered the words to himself and grabbed another stack of boxes, following Angie out to their van. The relative coolness of the early morning was a welcome change to the heat in the old building. Even working with the ease of long practice, it still took the pair over an hour to store the gear and leave the site of their latest shoot. Rollie stopped in front of Angie's apartment building. "Don't forget, we need to get there by four o'clock this afternoon to set up tonight's effects." Rollie reminded Angie as she started to head up to get some sleep.

"Don't you forget to get some sleep, boss," Angie fired back. "Caffeine will only keep you going for so long. We can't afford for you to crash and burn."

"Yeah, yeah. Right. Later, Ang."

With that, the pair parted. Angie heading up to her cat, Chiops, who'd demand to be fed before allowing the blonde effects expert, her much needed sleep. Rollie headed home to the converted brewery that served as special effects workshop and loft apartment. His bed would just have to wait, HE had to review the changes and check the gear for the night's shoot. This time, instead of the warehouse, they would be back to the brownstone that was home/laboratory to the scientist hero of the film. The electronic control panel mockup for the lab had given them fits the last time they filmed there and Rollie wanted to give it one more check to make sure all was perfect. They couldn't afford any more delays.

That afternoon, at half past three, the blonde effects expert was outside, waiting for her partner to arrive. It was a blazing, clear summer day, the type of day you just wanted to play hooky on and head for a beach or pool, but all Angie could think about was the work ahead. When Rollie still hadn't shown up ten minutes later, she headed upstairs to call and see what was taking so long. As she listened to the phone ring, she walked over to the window, and stroking Chiops, looked outside to see if their rolling workshop was coming. When she got the answering machine at the loft, she left a message and started dialing Rollie's cell phone. After listening to the phone ring for five minutes, she began to get worried. Finally, with a muttered "He's probably still asleep", Angie hung up the phone and grabbed her bicycle. If Rollie wasn't answering the phone, she would just go over there and see what was going on for herself. He was the one who was late and if they missed each other because of it, HE would just have to deal with the consequences. After all, it wasn't her fault, Rollie hadn't shown up on time.

As the slender blonde pumped away, riding swiftly toward Brewery Lane, she tried to convince herself that everything was okay and Rollie had just overslept, the long work hours finally using up even Rollie's boundless energy. Arriving at the familiar building, she let herself in and looked around. Well, it seemed she had missed her boss after all, even though she'd taken the route he normally took to her apartment. There was no sign of the large van in it's usual parking space inside. That was when something else nagged at her and taking another, longer look around the cluttered work area, Angie suddenly found herself very disturbed indeed. The panel they were suppose to be using during tonight's shoot was in the same place they had left it the day before. Untouched. Frantic now, Angie tore up the steps leading to the apartment loft, calling for Rollie. And found his bed still neatly made. Which meant, probably meant, Rollie had never made it home! Knowing that if something had changed the day's plans, Rollie would have called her, Angie rushed over to the upstairs phone. Her hands were shaking as she dialed another number from memory. She took a deep breath as a familiar voice answered. "Francis, this is Angie. I think... I think something's happened to Rollie."

"Angie, what's wrong? Why do you think something's happened to Rollie?" Detective Francis Gatti knew that if Angie thought something was wrong, then something probably was. The younger woman had a level head and wasn't prone to jumping to conclusions. And if something had happened to Rollie Tyler... That thought was painful indeed, rubbing as it did against the still raw loss of their friend, Leo McCarthy. Leo had died a couple of months ago, brutally murdered in an explosion, but all three friends still felt it. Especially Rollie, who had known the older detective longer than the other two had.

"He was suppose to pick me up over half an hour ago," Angie swallowed hard, "but he never showed up. I decided to bike over to the loft. I thought maybe he'd overslept, you know. We've been working so hard lately. He's not here and... I don't think he's been here. Frank, you know Rollie! If something had changed, he would have called me. He...." Angie choked on the painful words.

"Easy, Angie, easy. I'll come right over. It's probably nothing. Maybe he got tied up, taking care of some business. We'll find him." The short detective tried to reassure his friend, even as the knot of worry began to take form. He grabbed his jacket as he hung up the cell phone and headed out of the Mid-Town South precinct.

The woman finished rinsing the still form's blond hair and briskly rubbed a towel over it to remove the excess water. The tall, slender figure stirred briefly in the dank, stuffy air of the abandoned building, pain, aggravated by the brisk movements, and the uncomfortable feel of damp hair disturbing him. A pair of large men, both fair and so similar they could have been brothers, looked up from their nearby card game and smiled in cold satisfaction as the man lapsed back into unconsciousness. The handsome, blonde, middle-aged woman stepped back. She nodded to the pudgy, bald man hovering anxiously nearby. He moved closer and reached into a pouch to remove several filled syringes.

The man gestured to the large flunkies. "Hold him still. I don't want him moving while I do this." The two men jumped to obey. Knowing exactly what was needed, they held the blond man's head and shoulders so he couldn't move away if he woke. The bald man expertly injected him in both sides of his throat. "There, now he won't make a sound. No matter what happens."

"Is the room ready?" The middle aged woman asked.

"Yes." The larger of the two men turned toward the woman.

"Show me."

The man nodded, picked up a large flashlight from the card table and lead the way down the nearby rickety stairs, into a dark basement. Throwing open a large, obviously new bolt on a heavy metal door, he revealed a small room. A room that had once been a meat locker and walk-in freezer. It would now serve as a cell. A bare cell with metal walls and no windows, with a concrete floor, with no way out save the metal door. He flicked a switch outside the room. A prison with blinding light, thanks to the strong bank of lighting that glared down.

"Excellent. It's perfect." The woman practically purred the words. "Let's move our guest to his new quarters." The man grinned ruthlessly and led the way back up the stairs.

The pudgy man looked up from where he had just finished another injection, as the man and woman returned. "He has a concussion. All the better for us, the drugs will have him that much more confused and... controllable." He smiled cruelly. "Is it ready?"

"Oh yes! I suggest we move him to his new home immediately. No one will find him there and there is absolutely no way he can escape. Then we simply have to get to work. Mustn't be missed, you know." The woman answered brightly.

The two husky men easily lifted the unconscious man and carried him downstairs. The bald man bustled ahead, placed a plastic pitcher of water to one side of the door, then stepped aside. The husky men tossed their burden into the room, the blond man's body catching hard against the rear wall. They laughed forbiddingly as the door was shut on the glaring lights and still figure, the bolt sliding shut with a solid snick.

Angie frowned for a moment in thought, then shook her head. At five foot six, Angie was almost the same height as Francis, it was easy for her blue-green eyes to meet his dark ones. The worry and confusion were obvious. Why, those eyes asked his, why is this happening? The only answer she received was the worry and concern Francis shared with her.

"Okay then, we'll have to figure out what's happened. We need to check with anyone he might've gone to see. Business, friends, acquaintances. That's one thing..." Francis looked at Angie and swallowed. He knew she wouldn't like what he said next, but it was something that had to be done. "And we'll have to call the hospitals, see if he was admitted without any identification... and the morgues."

"Morgues, Francis?!?" Angie's voice surged with anger. How could he suggest? "Are you giving up on him already? Well, Rollie isn't in any morgue!" Her voice faltered as the anger washed away and her eyes filled with tears. "I'd know if he was... was dead. I'd know." The latter was an almost soundless whisper. And a prayer.

"I don't think he's dead, but we have to check. We have to eliminate every possibility and that one is standard procedure with a missing person." Francis kept his voice firm and certain. He refused to communicate any doubts to Angie, he couldn't crush her hope Rollie was alive.
 

Angie stared at Francis for a long moment, then nodded once, hard. She went to Rollie's business PC and pulled up his address book, business and personal. Then she pulled up the New York City area yellow pages. Verifying the printer was turned on and had enough paper, she printed out the phone numbers. Every number from his address book for the area. Every number for the area's hospitals. And for the morgues. Francis took the pages as they came out and divided them into two stacks, making very sure he kept the morgue numbers. He gave the other stack, which included Rollie's business and personal contacts to Angie. The pair began the long, tedious process of calling and asking about Rollie or about a John Doe fitting the Aussie's description. A knock on the double doors to the studio disturbed the friends over an hour later and they both looked up startled.

"Angie, it's Lucinda." The voice that came over the intercom was worried. It was also the welcome sound of a friend. Lucinda Scott had made friends with the special effects team and the detective, when she had been tricked into helping frame Rollie. It had been a dangerous, scary time, but the result had been a solid friendship.

"Open, Blue." Angie tried to keep her voice steady as she gave the command and stood up from where she had been making her share of the necessary calls. Rollie's robot dog barked once and released the lock on the doors.

Lucinda slipped inside and immediately went over to the younger woman, hugging her hard. "I came as soon as I heard. Tim told us Rollie was missing." She licked her lips nervously and looked over to Francis, then back to Angie. "What can I do to help?"

"We've been calling people Rollie might have gone to see and checking the hospitals." Francis hesitated a moment and decided not to mention the dreaded morgues. It had been a relief when those calls were unsuccessful in locating their missing friend. "Could you take over calling for Angie? I've thought of something else we need to research."

Lucinda nodded promptly and took the pages from the shorter woman.

Angie looked over to Francis. "What do you want me to check, Frank?"

"We need to find out if any of the bad guys Rollie helped Leo bust are out." Francis looked at the two women, clearly disturbed. "It's possible one of them grabbed him. It's the only thing that makes any real sense at the moment."

Angie hated that thought, but she had to agree it made sense. Revenge on the special effects expert would be at the top of their wish list. She immediately went up to the clean room and accessed the internet, searching for information about one of them being released... or escaping.

Francis had just reached the end of his list of phone numbers, when his cell phone rang. He pulled it out and answered, "Gatti." Angie came to the head of the stairs to the clean room and looked down anxiously. Lucinda looked up from where she was talking to one of the hospitals. "Where?" The detective listened intently, then nodded. "Okay, I'll be right there."

"Francis?" Angie was hesitant, the call could have nothing to do with Rollie, it could be some other case. After all, Frank was suppose to be working, not helping her look for her partner. But she couldn't help feeling, this call was about Rollie. She only hoped the news was good.

The detective walked over to where he could see Angie. "They found the van." He told her. "There's no sign of Rollie. I'm going and check it out. I'll call you as soon as I find out anything." Angie stared at him silently, clearly worried.

Francis had put on his jacket and was heading out the door, when Angie darted down the steps. "Wait a minute, Francis." She reached in her pocket and pulled out a set of keys. "Here, these are the spare keys to the van. You... you may need them."

Frank reached out and took the keys, then pulled Angie into a hard hug. "We'll find him, Angie. He'll be okay. You'll see." He gave both women a slight smile, then rushed out the door. The sooner he got there, the sooner he'd know whatever there was to know.

While Francis waited for the forensics team, he called Angie. "Angie? It's Francis."

"Francis, any sign of what happened to Rollie?" Angie asked anxiously from the wireless phone in the clean room.

"No, I'm afraid not. I'm waiting for forensics now." The detective told his friend.

"Forensics? Frank, what aren't you telling me?" Angie asked, alarmed by the detective's words.

"I don't want to worry you." Francis laughed tightly at that statement. Worry her? Angie was already about as worried as she could get. "I found what might be blood in the van. Before you get too upset, it's not a lot. And it might not be Rollie's. We'll know more after the lab checks it out."

"Oookaay," Angie drew the word out, responding carefully, "but the odds are kinda in favor of it being Rollie's, right?"

"Well, yeah, I guess. Unless one of you spilled some of that fake movie blood?" He asked hopefully.

"Nice try, Frankie." Angie actually managed to sound amused. She appreciated her friend's effort to defuse the worry she felt. A worry that had just gotten a whole lot bigger.

"Uh, Angie. I found Rollie's wallet and cell phone. And that pendant he always wears."

"Damn. That's bad, isn't it?"

"I'm afraid so, Ang. Look, I gotta go. Forensics just got here... and the captain and Mira. I'll call you later, when we find out some more."

"Thanks, Francis."

"It'll be okay, Angie. We'll find Rollie." If I keep saying that, maybe I can believe it and make it happen, Francis thought. Then, he turned to face Captain Vanduran and his fellow detective, Palmira Sanchez. Palmira Sanchez had been the Internal Affairs officer who had investigated when Leo died. He and Leo had been accused of being crooked, of selling weapons from evidence to the mob. Rollie had been suspected of helping them. At first, it seemed Mira had only wanted to convict them and Rollie, but with Rollie's help, she had cleared all of them. And she helped them get the man who'd ordered Leo's death. Since then, the petite dark-haired detective had been transferred from IAD (too "independent") and seemed perfectly happy to be working at Mid-Town South, partnered with Francis. "Captain, Mira."

"Okay, Gatti. What's going on here?"

"Officer Anderson called me when he found the FX van apparently abandoned here. I checked it out. There's what looks like blood just inside near the driver's seat, Rollie's wallet and cell phone. I called the workshop and talked to Angie." Well, that's true, I did just call and talk to Angie. "She hasn't heard from Rollie, since he dropped her off at her apartment this morning. He was suppose to pick her up for work around three thirty, but he didn't show up. She's been trying to track him down ever since." That was true, too.

"I see. Well, we'll let the forensics team check things out and I'll assign someone to check on Tyler. It definitely looks suspicious." Captain Marvin Vanduran looked at the shorter man with an absolutely straight face, waiting for the protest he knew would come. Not just from Gatti, but Sanchez as well. He wasn't sure what it was about Tyler, but somehow he seemed to win over most of the officers that came into contact with him. An assessment, that if he was being honest, included himself. Perhaps, it was because in a world where more and more people didn't want to be bothered, to be involved, Tyler not only cared, but actively got involved, helping those who needed it. That was also part of the reason, of course, that Tyler was always getting into trouble. Rollie Tyler was a walking magnet for trouble. Ah, here it came...

"Captain, I think Detective Sanchez and I should handle this!"

"You're too close to the case, Detective. Both of you are friends with the victim. That is definitely against procedure."

"But, Captain! We have an inside edge, knowing Tyler," Mira countered, in support of Gatti. This was something she couldn't walk away from, and she knew neither could Gatti. The "book" be damned. "And Ramirez will cooperate better with us. She knows us. She knows we'll do everything it takes to find Tyler."

"You both already have full caseloads. Gatti, you've been out of the precinct since what? Around four?" He had to get that one in, he couldn't have his detectives think they could put one over on him. Gatti had the grace to look embarrassed, but he was also getting that stubborn look. Sanchez was as well. Oh well, he had known he would give them the case before he had opened his mouth to say someone else would handle it. The minute he heard something had happened to Tyler, he had known he'd have to give them the case. If he didn't, they would investigate anyway, orders not withstanding. At least this way, he retained a modicum of control.

"We can handle it, Captain. You have to give this case to us." Gatti was wisely keeping silent now, allowing Sanchez to push the point. Sanchez was very good at pushing. "You can't give it to someone who won't make that much of an effort."

That brought a frown and glare, from the stone faced man. "Are you saying your fellow detectives won't handle the investigation properly, Sanchez?"

"No, sir!" Mira realized that last remark was a mistake, you didn't imply that a detective under VanDuran's command wouldn't make their best effort... not without solid proof anyway. "Just that we have stronger reasons to give two hundred percent, sir!"

"Very well, you can investigate. But, I expect daily reports," Vanduran focused an intense stare on both detectives, "and if I hear one word about either of you getting out of line, you are both off the case! Do you read me?"

"Yes sir, loud and clear, sir!" Sanchez barked back promptly.

"Yes, sir. Captain, you won't regret this," Gatti replied right on the heels of Sanchez.

"I better not. Now get busy and find Tyler." With a last glance at the FX van and the swarm of forensics personnel, Vanduran turned away from the crime scene. He had work to do and he'd done the best he could for the missing special effects expert by putting his friends on the case. Hopefully, they would find Tyler quickly. If they didn't, he had a feeling Leo McCarthy's ghost would come back to haunt all of them.

The two detectives had gotten promptly to work trying to discover what had happened to their missing friend. Leaving the forensics team to complete their work in peace, Mira called in a request for an APB on Rollie Tyler as a missing person with suspected foul play. Then, she and Francis began the time consuming process of looking for witnesses by checking with the shop owners and employees who worked near the alley. They graduated from that to the homeless, drunks, unemployed and the kids who always seemed to hang out in any neighborhood.

Naturally, everyone claimed they had seen absolutely nothing, to know nothing about the huge black van parked in the back of the alley. Even when offered a "reward", the response had been negative. The detectives became more and more frustrated. The apathy that seemed to infect the world was in full force and they couldn't find a single person who had seen or even heard anything. The van might as well have appeared out of thin air. It was late by the time the pair returned to the alley and the FX van. Forensics had completed their work and the detectives had permission to return the van to its home on Brewery Lane. Francis drove the huge van, with Mira following in his unmarked police car. Both were wrapped in worry for Rollie and what they would tell Angie.

Angie took the lack of news hard. The friends continued to search for some trace of the missing special effects expert. Unfortunately, forensics had come up with nothing useful, only confirming that the blood was Rollie's type. There were no fingerprints or traces of anything else in the van that should not have been there. Angie hacked into the Pentagon computers and tried satellite pictures from the time Rollie had dropped her off and the FX van was discovered by the police. There was nothing to tell where the Aussie had gone. Rollie had vanished as neatly as the van had appeared in the alley. Angie contacted FBI agent Elena Serrano to find out if Victor Loubar could have anything to do with Rollie's disappearance. Another dead end, Loubar was reportedly working in the Far East at the moment. Elena promised Angie that the FBI would keep an eye out for any leads to the missing man. Unfortunately, since that's all Rollie was - missing. With no proof of kidnapping, she could not take a direct hand in the search.

After a night and another day, with no luck in tracing Rollie, Angie moved into his loft with her cat, Chiops. If anyone called the workshop, if any messages came through on the computers, she would be there to receive them. Angie was determined Rollie would return and she would be there to welcome him home, after she killed him for worrying her so much. Angie slept restlessly, her only comfort was the scent of Rollie's shampoo from his pillow. Chiops followed Angie everywhere in the unfamiliar building, sensing her anguish, offering what comfort he could with his warm presence.

Francis and Mira, unable to find any answers where the FX van had been found, decided to question the movie cast and crew to see if they had seen any thing suspicious around the film locations. The director was warm, friendly and desperately worried. Tim Hailer willingly shut down the current scene to allow the detectives to question everyone. Most of the cast and crew were eager to answer the detectives' questions for Rollie and Angie were well liked by them. Almost everyone was concerned about the missing special effects expert, both for his own sake and for the impact his disappearance had on the filming. Francis realized why Rollie had been so happy about working on this film the last time he had seen him. It had been a good shoot, despite the movie's grueling schedule and multitude of small problems, prior to Rollie Tyler's disappearance. Unfortunately, no one seemed to have seen anything out of the ordinary. There were no hints about what could have happened to Rollie.

Shooting had resumed and the detectives were leaving when the star of the movie, Justin Madigan, called out to them. Tim Hailer looked both disgusted and amused at the star for ruining the scene. Justin, a tall, dark-haired man with deep brown eyes, looked at his director in apology, but was unrepentant about ruining yet another scene.

"Yes, Mr. Madigan?" Mira as she turned back with Francis at her side.

"I just remembered something." The actor told the detectives in a soft drawl. "It's probably got nothing to do with Rollie disappearing. But..." The handsome man shrugged eloquently. This was the first feature film for the actor. Justin was mildly popular from his television appearances in family oriented comedies, both series and movies. He had eagerly jumped at the opportunity to handle a more exciting role on the big screen. This movie could be a big break for him and release him from the type-casting of a funny "Mr. Nice Guy". Justin Madigan genuinely liked Rollie Tyler. When the actor, uncertain about how the stunts and effects the movie required worked, had asked questions, Angie had just muttered something about actors, but the friendly Australian had willingly and patiently answered all of them. It had been a relief to the nervous man that the special effects man had not laughed at him for his ignorance.

"We'll be the judge of that, Mr. Madigan," Francis said. "Right now, anything that might help us find Rollie Tyler will be more than welcome."

"Well, right before we started filming I received a letter. It was vaguely threatening about me 'tarnishing' my, uh, image. Something about the need for wholesome entertainment and not joining into the 'muck and mire of Hollywood evil that fills the world with violence'." He pulled an expressive face as he said that. "Total crap, but that's what it said. They told me that I would regret my actions and that I should immediately return to my 'God given proper work and image'."

"What makes you think this could have something to do with Tyler's disappearance?" Mira asked, curious about the actor's reasoning.

"If I remember right there was some lines in there about the evil of special effects. That they were a major source of the violence in movies and on television." Madigan shrugged again. "The letter ranted and rambled a lot. I really didn't think much of it at the time, everybody in the business occasionally gets oddball letters like that. But... with Rollie just... vanishing like this, I can't help wondering if maybe... maybe they're trying to stop the movie by grabbing Rollie. Especially since they seemed to think special effects were so, well, so sinful."

Francis and Mira exchanged a telling look. It wasn't much, but there was a chance and right now they were willing to tackle anything that looked like it might supply some answers.

"Mr. Madigan," Francis asked, "do you still have the letter?"

"No, my agent does. I can get her to fax a copy to you immediately and to overnight the original. Do you think it can help?" The actor asked eagerly.

"No telling right now, but we'll check it out." Mira assured him. "You wouldn't happen to remember how it was signed?"

"Oh yeah, I remember that because I thought it was odd."

"Odd?" Mira asked puzzled.

"They signed it 'Coalition Against Violent Entertainment'." Justin Madigan told her. "I wonder if they realize their acronym is CAVE. Sounds about right for their attitude."

Mira laughed without amusement. "Yeah, it does, doesn't it?" She gave the actor a card with the fax number and an address for his agent to send the letter to.

"I'll call her right now and get that handled. Good luck finding Rollie, Detective Sanchez, Detective Gatti." Justin told them sincerely.

"Thank you, Mr. Madigan." Mira responded. Francis and Mira moved away from the hectic film set. "Well, Francis, it's not much."

"No, but it's more than we had. Maybe... maybe we'll find some answers." Francis told her as he opened the driver's door on their unmarked police car. As the detectives drove away from the movie site, he continued. "You know that Justin Madigan and Tim Hailer seem like nice guys. But some of those people gave me the creeps."

"Yeah, me too. Which ones got to you?" Mira asked, curious to see if the same ones that had affected her had bothered her partner.

"That hair dresser, the blonde? What was her name? Beth Elliot. Now, that's what I call a cool customer. And Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum, the pair of set workers that looked like brothers, but weren't. Bob Trask and Vince Langley."

Mira nodded in total agreement. "Cool? Try cold, Francis. Ms. Elliot reminded me of the way I felt the first time I saw piranha. Those men were weird, too. They were too, I don't know, too contained. None of them were worried about Rollie or the movie!"

"Yeah, well we can't expect everybody to be upset about Rollie disappearing." Francis pointed out reasonably.

"No, but I would sure expect someone to worry about maybe losing their jobs though! And you would expect them to express at least a little concern or fear about a person they had worked with just vanishing. After all, it's hitting pretty close to home."

"True. But the world is filled with all types." Francis answered. "I just hope this letter gives us some clues. Because so far, it's been like running blind. I hate not being able to find any traces of Rollie." Francis slammed his fist hard on the steering wheel. The thought of failing Rollie and, by extension, Leo, hurt.

"Easy, Frank." Mira looked concerned at her partner. She knew what he was feeling. "We'll find him and when we get the scum that grabbed him..." She trailed off, it would feel good to lock away who ever had taken Rollie. But if they had hurt him or... No, don't think that one.

"Mira, we have to stay cool. If Captain Vanduran sees us anything less than professional, he'll pull us off so fast."

Mira nodded, they couldn't risk letting the captain yank them off the case. They had to find Rollie, that's all there was to it.
 
 

The worse of his thirst slaked, Rollie laid back down and took an assessment of how he felt. His head hurt, a dull throbbing pain that seemed concentrated on the left side. He thought he had, or rather had had, a concussion, because the little drink of water he allowed himself seemed to ease that pain, just a bit. Actually, his left side hurt, period. It felt bruised, and as he shifted a bit, scraped on his back and shoulder. As he pushed himself back up and propped his back against the wall, he thought, yes, definitely scrapes and bruises on his back. Rollie reached up carefully and touched the left side of his face. He hissed, again silently, at the pain. His left eye was swollen shut and his cheek was badly scraped and bruised. His hand also found a large, painful lump above and behind his ear. Whatever had happened to him had hurt. Bad. But what had happened? How had he gotten to here, wherever here was? And why was it so bloody hard to just think? Rollie opened his mouth and said "Bloody hell" or rather tried to say it, he went through the motions, but there wasn't any sound. None whatsoever. That scared him, why couldn't he speak? He had expected a croak or something, but not... nothing. Silence. Total silence. Was there something wrong with his hearing? To check, he made a fist with his right hand and hit the metal wall. There, there was a thud of flesh on metal. So it wasn't his hearing, could it be the thirst? That it was still so bad, he couldn't make a sound? He reached for the pitcher and sipped again. He took another mouthful and gargled it a bit, then swallowed. Licking his dry lips, he spoke again. "Hello?" Again, silence. Rollie shivered, despite the sweltering heat in the little room. He sighed and heard just a tiny wisp of the sigh and that was it. No matter what he tried he couldn't make a louder sound with his voice. And for some reason, he just couldn't seem to think. Rollie was getting more and more scared. This wasn't right. This was wrong, badly, horribly wrong!

Just before, Rollie went into a complete panic attack, a strand of hair dropped into his right eye. He reached up to push it out of the way, then froze. Wait a minute, his hair was brown, not blond! Why was his hair blond?!? Rollie stared at the blond strand, his right hand carefully touched the hair. It was definitely his hair, but it felt as wrong as it looked. It was a little... stiff. As if? Could it be? Someone, for some reason Rollie couldn't comprehend, had dyed his hair blond! They had used a cheap dye doing it, too. That was the only explanation for the stiffness of the normally soft locks. Rollie took several deep breaths. There had to be a reason for what was happening to him. He didn't know what it was, but there was a reason. Panic and fear would only help whoever had done this. He had to stay calm and find a way out... A way out and a way home... to the loft, to... to Angie. Yes, he had to do that... he had to find Angie!
 
Rollie took more deep breaths, trying to remember. The last thing that came clearly to mind was dropping Angie off at her apartment. After that was either blank or extremely fuzzy. He thought he remembered stopping somewhere else and someone hitting him. Rollie tried to puzzle that one out, why had someone hit him? Then, there was a vague nightmarish image of someone... someone vaguely familiar?, larger?, dragging him to his feet and slamming him against a hard wall, of a sharp sting in his arm? Had he been drugged? Was that why he couldn't think clearly? Rollie shivered again, despite the heat. Getting drugged with a head injury was not a welcome thought. It would be too easy to just not... wake up. And why couldn't he talk? His dulled mind kept circling back to that one thing. Rollie gave himself a mental shake, "Stop that! You don't have time for that... Right now, concentrate on getting out and finding Angie, everything else can wait. Find a way out!" Rollie Tyler raised his head and really looked at his surroundings - Find a way out! Find Angie!
 

The door to the small metal room opened to the sight of the still blond body, huddled in the far corner. The large man moved briskly to the figure. A hypodermic in his hand, the man turned the slender figure away from the wall. The still form exploded out, his long legs shoving the man toward the other wall next to the door. The husky man landed in the puddle of water on the floor, his hand connected with the metal wall and he started jerking as electricity coursed through his body. Rollie didn't hesitate, but darted out the open door which he quickly slammed shut and jammed the bolt home. Rollie sagged to the floor, panting. He had sacrificed most of the precious water in his escape plan, but he figured freedom was worth it. The shock was not strong enough to seriously harm his captor, unless he had a heart condition, so Rollie did not feel in the least bit guilty about locking him away in his former prison. Looking at the rickety stairs leading up and hopefully out, the Aussie wondered how many more people he would have to avoid to get fully away. Rollie staggered to his feet and cautiously approached the stairs. It had taken time, to check every door and room on the way out, but there had been no one else in the way of his escape outside. He stood swaying in the hot afternoon sun, blinking dazed eyes. Looking around, Rollie identified the direction toward Brewery Lane and turned to wobble his way to home and Angie.

No one paid any attention to the unsteady figure with dark beard and dirty blond hair. He looked like a homeless bum, a drunk or drug addict and was readily dismissed from most people's awareness. Unfortunately, half way home, Rollie also gave the appearance of an easy target to the gang of young toughs hanging out at one street corner. The leader, bored, decided to have some fun by having his rowdy crew circle the battered Aussie. Rollie was easily shoved into an empty alley, no one paying any attention to his plight. The exhausted Australian watched his tormentors with wary eyes, he knew he was in no condition to fight off the gang. He would have to watch carefully and take his moment, if he was going to get away.

The large teen eyed the man they had cornered in the dead end alley with expert eyes, his toughs shoving Rollie back and forth. Seeing the sturdy hiking boots Rollie wore, he spoke. "Those look like real nice boots, man. I really like those boots." He grinned nastily at the shaken man. "Even look like just my size. Too good for a bum like you, take 'em off him, boys." Two of the teens held Rollie's arms pinned painfully behind his back, as more raised his legs so that they could remove the shoes. Rollie waited as the teens untied his boots, then pulled them off. The left boot came off easily, but the teen working on his right one had troubled. As some of the others jeered at the youth's difficulties, Rollie tensed and kicked hard, the right shoe flying. The rowdies holding him, not expecting resistance from their submissive victim, released their grip in surprise. Rollie rolled as he hit the pavement and came up running. He sprinted as fast as he could down the street, the gang pursuing him. Rounding a corner, he ducked into a dank, smelly alley full of trash, burrowing into a pile of old cardboard boxes. Rollie froze in his hiding place and listened as the teens pounded past, calling back and forth, looking for him. He reluctantly settled down in his hiding place, determined to wait out the gang now hunting him.

Fortunately, Justin, Lucinda and Tim had intervened. Luce dragged the woman off to get her hair touched up. Justin's humorously sarcastic comments about the hairdresser had eased some of Angie's anxiety and anger. Tim's compassion and his 'let's get this work done and over with' attitude also helped. Just working helped more than Angie thought possible. The complicated effects, designed to be handled by two people not one, both reminded her painfully of Rollie's absence and distracted her from her worry. Angie found comfort in handling the effects designed by the Australian special effects expert, it made her feel oddly close to him, closer than she had felt since the nightmare had begun.
 

Rollie stirred uneasily as the day darkened toward night. One of the toughs looking for him neared the pile of boxes he hid under. Rollie tensed as the boxes shifted. He leaped up and away, just dodging the grasping hands. Rollie ran as fast as he could, other members of the gang taking up the chase. The streets were almost empty now, the busy day crowd gone home. No one made a move to help the fleeing man, most hurried inside away for the chase and the gang. Rollie darted into another alley. Cornered! Two more gang members sealed the other end. Rollie searched frantically, seeking a way out. Spotting a fire escape, Rollie took a running leap and grabbed the end of the ladder. He climbed up, panting, his pursuers on his heels. On the roof, Rollie ran to the other side of the building and froze. The next building was on the other side of an alley and a story lower.

The gang leader chuckled ominously behind Rollie. "Looks like you got no where to go but down, man," the youth sneered as his followers spread out and approached their prey.
 

Rollie took a long, measuring look at the gap in front of him, he looked over his shoulder at the gang. Rollie's face calmed, he took a deep breath and sprinted toward the leader. At the last possible second, Rollie turned on his heel and ran head long toward the edge of the building.

The gang watched in astonishment as their victim leapt for the other building. They reached the edge just in time to see Rollie untuck from his roll and spring to his feet, running for the fire escape. Several toughs turned to continue the pursuit, when their leader spoke. "Hold it! Let him go."
 

"Let him go?!? Are you crazy, Jake?"

Jake laughed and shook his head in admiration. "Yeah, let him go. That is either the craziest or the bravest dude I ever saw. Don't know which. Don't matter, either way he earned his way out."

The Aussie continued running unaware that pursuit had been stopped. Finally, unable to run any longer, Rollie slowed and stopped, his lungs desperately gulped in air. He looked around cautiously. No one around, Rollie slowly made his quiet way, he slipped from shadow to shadow on bare feet. It was late when Rollie Tyler stumbled, spent, to the old brewery he now called home. He limped heavily to the door and opened it with shaking hands. Blue barked a welcome to his master, but Rollie paid no attention to his mechanical pet. He stared at the familiar loft, then shuffled to the nearest couch. Rollie sank down exhausted, he would email a message to Angie in a minute, in just a minute...
 

Blue barked urgently at Angie as she left the FX van. She looked at the small, bug like robot, surprised. "Now, what's gotten into you? Lights, Blue." Angie gasped at sight of the tall blond figure huddled asleep on the couch. Chiops was purring, tucked between the man and the back of the couch.

"Who's that, Angie?" Justin asked in his Texas drawl, curious.

"I... I don't know." Angie answered, uncertain.

"Careful," Tim cautioned. "How'd he get in here?"

"I think I'll call Francis and Mira," Lucinda told Angie, reaching for the cell phone in the van.

"You do that," Angie responded, not really listening. There was something familiar about the line of the figure's back, the only thing they could really see. She moved carefully closer. Justin reached out to stop her, but she shook off his hand. Something familiar... Angie felt drawn to the blond stranger, like a moth to a flame. Something. Angie held her breath as she reached to touch the sleeper. She gently pushed a strand of blond hair from the battered cheek, "Rollie." The name was whispered in wonder.

"Rollie?!?" The others echoed, stunned. They exchanged concerned looks, had Angie finally gone crazy with grief and worry?

Angie gently shook Rollie's shoulder. He woke startled and scrambled away, frightened by the touch. Chiops spooked, darted away to hide in the shadows. Rollie Tyler's scared brown eyes stared into Angie's startled blue green ones. He panted heavily, shaking, as he pressed against the back of the couch, as far from her and the others as he could get.

"Rollie?" Angie reached for her best friend.

Rollie cringed silently away, terrified, as Lucinda, Tim and Justin drew closer, realizing the blond man really was the missing special effects expert.

Angie, frightened by the Aussie's reaction and silence, waved at them to stay back. "Rollie, it's Angie." She spoke quietly, soothingly, as if speaking to a wild animal. She reached one hand out to him. "Rollie, please. Say something, you're scaring me." She pleaded, trying to reach her friend.

Rollie stared at Angie's hand and then her face. Recognition crept into his dazed eyes. With a mute cry, he lunged forward and grabbed Angie, pulling her close. He sat there, shaking and holding tight to his partner and friend, his face buried against her shoulder. Angie held him equally tight, stroking his back and hair. She sent an anguished look at the others.

"Francis?" Lucinda said, having reached the detective. "I think you better get over here, Rollie's back. And maybe you better send an ambulance, too." She hung up the phone absently, ignoring the detective's questions as she moved over to gently touch Rollie's hair. "How'd you end up with blond hair?"

Angie shook her head, "Rollie? Rollie, are you okay? What's wrong? Where were you?" When Rollie still didn't answer, Angie became more agitated. "Rollie, please say something. You really are scaring me here, Rol. Rollie?"

Rollie lifted his head and looked at Angie with dazed, confused eyes. To Angie's anguish, Rollie tried to speak, but didn't make a sound. The confusion was replaced by frustration. Rollie moved to hit the back of the couch, but Angie caught his hand in both of hers.

"Rollie? I don't know what's wrong, but it'll be okay. You'll see." Angie kissed his fist. "An ambulance is on the way and so are Francis and Mira." As Angie stroked Rollie's hair, he winced as her fingers touched the lump behind his ear. "Well, that seemed to hurt. Let me see." Angie carefully parted his hair and saw the deep bruise and swelling hidden by the dirty hair. Was this the reason Rollie couldn't talk? There had to be a reason and his neck looked okay. Angie didn't think it could be laryngitis. The Aussie didn't show signs of illness, just exhaustion and maybe some exposure, with the visible scrapes and bruising. He also appeared dehydrated, but Angie wasn't sure if they should give him water. It might be bad for him, best to wait for the ambulance and the doctors.

Angie heard the sound of a siren in the distance, probably the ambulance Lucinda asked Francis to send. "Ambulance is almost here." Rollie made a face at her and she almost laughed. Rollie Tyler hated seeing doctors and staying in hospitals, but Angie could tell he would accept it this time. It was so good to have Rollie back, even hurt and silent. Angie hugged him carefully as Tim went outside to guide the EMTs in to tend to Rollie. He told the EMTs that Rollie had been missing for several days, apparently kidnapped. Angie tried to move out of their way, but Rollie stubbornly held on to her hand. After several futile attempts to get the injured man to let her go, the EMTs accepted it since he didn't appear seriously injured and worked around her, amused.

"Guess you'll have to come with Ms. Ramirez," Erik, the tall blond medical technician, stated as they prepared to load Rollie on the stretcher and into the ambulance.

"I don't suppose you're listed as next of kin," Dirk, the equally tall dark haired EMT, continued for his partner, "it would make things sooo much easier for us."

"Actually, I am listed as one of Rollie's next of kin and I think I'm the primary emergency contact." Angie assured the EMTs. Rollie nodded in confirmation. "His father's difficult to reach most of the time. So, I'm it usually." She grinned as Rollie enthusiastically indicated agreement with the last statement.

"That's a relief," Erik teased and mimed wiping his brow, "it'd be difficult to explain you being in the ambulance otherwise, it's against policy if you're not listed next of kin, injured or there are really strong mitigating circumstances."

"Now," Dirk spoke up, "we won't have to explain to our supervisor or the hospital. Lucky for you, Mr. Tyler, hard to explain your girl friend being in the ambulance, might be some hanky panky going on." He waggled his eyebrows and leered mockingly, expertly distracting Angie from her worry.

"Oh, I'm not his girl friend," Angie wanted to make that real clear, these guys were almost as tall as Rollie, broad shouldered, narrow waists and cute, "we're partners. We do special effects."
 

"Well, now, I'd certainly say you're special all right," Erik started flirting with the pretty blonde.
His partner rolled his eyes expressively. "Too special for you, partner." Erik might have gotten off the opening round in their constant competition, but Dirk was no slouch in the compliment department either. They expertly loaded the stretcher in the back of the ambulance, just as Francis and Mira drove up.

"Rollie, are you okay?" Francis asked anxiously as he climbed out of the car. He was surprised when Rollie just let go of Angie's hand for a second to wave at him, before grabbing it again. Francis looked at Angie concerned.

"He can't talk," Angie told the detectives, clearly upset, "I don't know why... I don't... I don't think Rollie knows why."

Dirk smiled gently at her, "Well then, let's just get Rollie to the hospital and let the doctors find out why. Okay?"

"Go on," Mira told them, "we'll meet you there."

"Can we ride with you guys, Mira?" Lucinda asked for herself, Justin and Tim, as the ambulance left with Rollie and Angie.

"Sure," Mira told them, "climb in."

The threesome quickly accepted the offer, Francis didn't look like he was willing to wait that long. It was a tight squeeze in the back seat, but Lucinda, in the middle, didn't mind snuggling up against the handsome Justin. He smiled at her and reached a strong, comforting arm around her shoulders. This would be just perfect, Lucinda thought, if Rollie were okay. She shivered and moved closer to the warm bulk of her fellow actor's body as she remembered how Rollie had acted. Definitely not like Rollie at all. He had been scared and confused and silent. Lucinda didn't like it, Rollie wasn't suppose to be silent or confused. Rollie always knew what he was doing and how to handle a situation, no matter how tight. She said a silent prayer as they followed the ambulance's path to the hospital.
 
 

Rollie was quickly moved to an examination room for treatment. The doctor assigned to his case, a sturdy figure with short, iron gray hair, accepted Angie's presence without argument after listening to the EMTs. Doctor Bill Russell was no fool, he had been treating emergency cases for over twenty years and could see separating the blonde from his patient would be time consuming and counter productive. Besides, it looked like the man had been drugged to the gills and removing the comfort of her presence would send him into a panic. Bill hated to have his patient's panicked if he could avoid it. Doctor Russell spoke soothingly to his patient, "I'm Doctor Bill Russell. Now, let me just take a look here and see what all is wrong. Okay?" He waited for Rollie to nod acceptance. The doctor made sure he moved carefully and deliberately, he explained each time and did everything he could to avoid upsetting Rollie. The more he examined Rollie Tyler the more angry he became. Whoever had done this to his patient had been ruthless and uncaring. The man had bruises and scrapes all over his left side and back. And his feet were positively raw! He had been drugged and had a concussion, a very dangerous combination. What's more, with who knew what types of drugs in him, Doctor Russell didn't dare give Rollie any pain killers or sedatives, not even antibiotics, not until he knew exactly what was already in his patient's system. Doctor Russell carefully cleaned Rollie's injuries and rubbed ointment into the bruises. He placed light bandages on his feet to keep the wounds clean. "All right, Mr. Tyler, we're going to get a full set of x-rays and some scans done. Okay? I want to make sure nothings broken and that you don't have anything worse than the remnants of a concussion."

Rollie pulled at face, Angie couldn't decide if it was the "Mr. Tyler" or the x-rays and scans. Going with the easier option, she spoke up. "Call him Rollie."

"Okay, I can do that, Rollie. Angie, why don't you go finish filling out those nasty forms for admittance and the nurses will take Rollie for those tests." Rollie's shoulders sagged some more at the word admittance. He really had no desire to stay in a hospital, he just wanted to go home. Angie patted his hand in sympathy, she would have preferred keeping Rollie close at hand. That wouldn't be possible, the hospital would kick her out until visiting hours as soon as they had Rollie settled.

The doctor chuckled and gave the pair a knowing look. "If the tests give me the results I expect, it will only be until we get all those nasty drugs out of your system, Rollie." The Aussie nodded reluctant acknowledgment of that statement. Doctor Russell smiled gently at the downcast man. "And to help make your stay shorter, I need to take some blood for tests."

That got a definite reaction, the wrong type. Rollie felt panicked, he was willing to accept a hospital stay, but he'd had enough of needles. The very thought of another one made him feel sick.

The doctor frowned at his patient's response, Rollie was considerably paler than he had been. He supposed he should have expected it, but the tests were necessary. They needed to find out what exactly had been used on Rollie Tyler by his kidnappers. Knowing the comfort the man received from the pretty blonde's presence, he turned to her. "Angie, you just stay here until I'm done."

Angie agreed readily and grabbed hold of Rollie's hand, reassuring him. She said a silent prayer of thanks for such a patient and understanding doctor. Rollie was staring at her face like it was life or death to memorize all the details. He refused to look at the doctor with the needle. Angie felt herself flinch with Rollie when the needle slid into his flesh. His hand tightened in a painful grip, but she didn't complain, just held on, giving Rollie an anchor against the needles and his memories.

"There, that wasn't too bad, now was it, Rollie?" Doctor Russell almost laughed at the dirty look Rollie gave him, he supposed he deserved it. "Now, the nurses are going to take you for those tests. Angie's going to fill out those forms. All right?" Rollie considered objecting, but knowing it wouldn't accomplish anything, indicated acceptance. He reluctantly released Angie's hand, and placed his hand over the spot where the doctor had drawn the blood from his arm. "After you're done with those tests, I want another doctor to examine you." Seeing the objection in Rollie's eyes, Bill Russell hurried on. "She's a throat specialist. If anyone can find out why you can't talk, Emma Brown can. She has a reputation as one of the best in the world." He sighed with relief as his patient relaxed again. "I'll get this sample down to the labs and contact Emma. The sooner she checks you out, the quicker we find out why you can't talk." He smiled gently at his nervous patient and left him to the tender mercies of the nurses.

As Angie and Doctor Russell walked out to the waiting room, they were surrounded by Rollie's worried friends. Doctor Russell attempted to sort out the questions thrown at him. With everyone talking at the same time, it was very near impossible. He decided to simply say the things he would want to know if it was his friend being treated. "I'm Doctor Bill Russell. First, Rollie is not seriously injured. He had a concussion, but that's healing nicely. I don't know why he can't talk... yet. I'm going to have a specialist check him. Doctor Emma Brown is one of the best in the world. She'll figure it out."

Mira and Francis exchanged concerned looks. Mira spoke to the doctor. "Doctor, I'm Detective Mira Sanchez, Mid-Town South. This is my partner, Detective Francis Gatti. Can you tell us anything to indicate who might have done this to Rollie?"

Doctor Russell frowned for a moment, he'd thought these were Rollie's friends, not police investigating the kidnapping. But, Detective Sanchez had called him Rollie, perhaps they were both. "Whoever kidnapped Rollie drugged him very heavily. I'm not sure what drugs were given to him, detectives. But once we know that, it may give you a clue. I have a sinking suspicion someone involved has easy access to a pharmacy or a medical supply like at a hospital. I hate to think someone in the medical profession would be involved in this cruelty, but there you have it. Hopefully, once we get the drugs out of his system, Rollie can tell you more."

"Thanks, Doc," Francis said, still worried. "How soon can you get that specialist here? And when can we talk to Rollie?"

"I'm going to call Doctor Brown as soon as I get this blood sample off to the lab. As to you seeing Rollie, I expect it will be late tomorrow morning before he'll be able think clearly enough to answer your questions." Doctor Russell saw that they still had some questions, questions they were reluctant to ask in front of the others. He gestured to the front desk. "If Angie will get the paperwork done..." Angie smiled wanly and headed in that direction to fill it out. The doctor smiled at the others, "Why don't you keep Angie company? This is obviously very hard for her." Lucinda, Tim and Justin understood that the doctor and detectives wanted to speak privately and went to join Angie. "Now, what else do you want to know Detective Gatti?"

"Could Rollie's muteness be psychological? Due to trauma or..." Francis swallowed hard, he really didn't want to ask this, the type of trauma to affect Rollie Tyler this way would be bad... extremely bad.

"No," Doctor Russell answered firmly, he had no doubts these were Rollie's friends now. "There simply isn't any sign of that level of trauma. His injuries are really relatively minor. The worse was that concussion and it is healing quite well, despite the added abuse. If it wasn't for the drugs, I'd let him go home right now."

"Then why can't he speak, Doctor Russell?" Mira asked, her dark eyes troubled.

"I have no idea, Detective Sanchez. Doctor Brown will probably be able to tell us more. Emma really is very good at her job." He smiled at the detectives. "Let's not borrow trouble, it may be a combination of the concussion and the drugs. If it is, it should wear off with the drugs' side effects. They're what are making him so nervous and... frightened. Not the injuries. I'm sure he'll be more like himself, once all of that is out of his system."

"Thank you, Doctor," the detectives chorused at the same time.

"We'll let you get back to work now," Mira told him and the pair went to join their friends where Angie was completing the forms to admit Rollie into the hospital.

Doctor Russell sighed silently, he hoped he was right and it was the drugs causing Rollie's muteness. Emma would be able to figure it out. He went to find someone to deliver the blood sample to the labs with a 'Urgent - Needed Yesterday' note attached to it and to call Emma. It wouldn't take her long to get there and examine his patient. And he was certain the lab would get right on the blood tests, unlike some physicians he didn't put that note on a request unless it really was urgent and the lab crew knew that.
 

Doctor Emma Brown was a tall, handsome, middle-aged woman with pepper hair and a peppery disposition with everybody except her patients. With them, she was whatever was needed for their well-being. With Rollie Tyler, she was patience and gentleness personified. Emma smiled gently at the drug dazed man. She had checked his throat inside and out and found nothing to really cause his silence. Emma turned to look at Bill Russell who was hovering nearby, waiting for her diagnosis. "You sent blood to the lab for tests?" She knew the answer, but had to ask anyway.

"You know I did, Emma. What have you found?" Bill smiled back at his lovely colleague. A lot of men were put off by Emma Brown's disposition, not Bill Russell. He enjoyed the smart remarks and her dry humor. That was why they had been dating for two years as much as their mutually heavy work loads allowed.

Emma sighed and shook her head as she looked at their patient. Rollie was looking back, nervous and jumpy. She found herself gently stroking one hand, trying to calm the man down. "Nothing much," she sighed again. Doctor Brown had never been able to lie to her patients and Rollie was no exception. She smiled gently at him, "But we'll figure it out." She patted his hand and stood. "Get some rest. We'll be back later."

"I'm afraid I'll be back sooner, Rollie." Doctor Russell said and sighed deeply. "You're going to hate me for this but I'm going to hook you up to an IV to get your fluid levels back up."
Rollie just looked at him with sad eyes full of resignation.

"I'm sorry," Bill Russell said gently, "but, you really do need the fluids and some nourishment. This is the fastest way to do that." Then firmly inserting his tongue in cheek, he spoke like a used car salesman. "And you get to sleep while feeding yourself." His effort was rewarded by a tiny smile from the exhausted man.

The doctors left Rollie to rest in the private room he had been assigned. Doctor Russell smiled when he saw Angie and the others still in the waiting room. "Angie, this is Doctor Brown. She's going to help Rollie. He's resting now. You should all go home and get some rest, too."

"You guys go," Angie responded stubbornly. "I'll just wait here."

"Angie, you need to get some sleep," Francis gently touched Angie's shoulder. "You were up all last night."

"No, I'm staying here. Rollie might cause trouble. He gets stubborn sometimes."

"Rollie gets stubborn?" Mira was exasperated. "Angie!"

"No! Mira, Francis, don't you have to fill out some reports and cancel that APB?" Angie knew how to distract the detectives from her. "Captain VanDuran's waiting."

"Damn," Francis muttered, "she's right, Mira. The captain will be waiting and if we don't file a report soon..."

"Don't worry," Lucinda assured the detectives, "we'll wait here with Angie."

"No, Luce," Angie spoke, "you have a movie to make. The studio will be really unhappy with Tyler FX if we slow the shooting down anymore."

"When she's right, she's right." Tim told his two stars. "Angie, if you or Rollie need anything, anything at all, you call me, okay? I'll deal with the studio and producers!"

Justin and Lucinda looked stubborn for a moment, but the thought that the "powers that be" would blame Tyler FX, whether it was their fault or not, made them concede the point. Lucinda hugged the smaller blonde. "You call me if you need anything, Angie. That's what friends are for."

"I will," Angie smiled, it was a bit strained, but genuine. "You go make that movie, I'll take care of Rollie. Thanks, Tim, Luce, Justin. Rollie and I appreciate your support."

"Okay, Angie," Francis admonished her, "but you get some rest. You won't do Rollie any good if you collapse or get sick."

"I will, Francis. I promise." Angie smiled at the New Yorker as she crossed her heart.

"Okay," Francis said, "if you guys need a lift somewhere, you better get moving. This bus is leaving now." The detectives and movie people left, not without concerned glances back at the pretty blonde special effects expert.

Bill and Emma watched Angie, faintly amused by her manipulations.

"You really should get some sleep." Doctor Russell spoke firmly.

"Rollie may need me." Angie had a stubborn look set on her face. "I'll be okay." She might not be able to see her best friend again until visiting hours, but she wasn't about to move any farther away from him than she absolutely had to. Not after Rollie had been gone so long and not while they still didn't know who had kidnapped him or why.

"Well, you're right," Bill told Angie. She looked up surprised, she hadn't expected that response. "Rollie just might need you, especially since I'm going to start an IV on him soon. So, why don't you wait in his room." He smiled at the relieved look of total gratitude Angie Ramirez gave him.

"You're sure?" Angie asked, unable to believe her good fortune.

"Positive." Bill answered firmly. "I'll let the duty nurse know you're staying."

"Thank you, Doctor Russell!" Angie hurried toward Rollie's room, afraid he might change his mind.

"You're welcome," Bill called after her, then turned to Emma. He recognized the look on her face. "You suspect something." It was both a statement and a question.

Emma looked at her colleague. This man knew her too well. "Yes, I do. I want to add some instructions to those blood tests. There are some things I want them to test for specifically."

"I knew it!" Bill crowed triumphantly. "It's in the drugs! What do you suspect?"

Emma smiled, "I'd rather not say until the lab confirms or disproves my theory." Her face hardened suddenly with a look that made brash young interns and experienced scrub nurses jump to obey. "But, if I'm right, there's a doctor somewhere who is going to have his medical license revoked!"

"Well, you go give your instructions to the lab and I'll go give my extremely reluctant patient his IV. Then we can meet for dinner in the cafeteria. How's that?"

"Bill," Emma fluttered her hand over her heart, acting flattered, "you overwhelm me with your generosity for such a fine dinner offer." They both laughed, knowing what the food tasted like in the cafeteria. "Rollie should be grateful for that IV if it keeps him from tasting our food."

The man that Rollie had shocked and locked in his prison was sheepishly facing the tall beautiful blonde. She stared at him coldly. "You IDIOT! How could you let him get away? He was in no condition to escape. He was drugged and hurt and YOU let him get the best of you?!?" She fumed furiously, this could ruin all their plans. Even though Tyler hadn't really seen any of them well of enough to identify them, he might remember something. Their plans had to work! "You're just lucky your cell phone worked or you might still be there waiting for Tyler to lead the police to you. You've jeopardized everything we've been working for!" The cold blonde took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself. "Is there anything there that could lead the police to us?"

"No, ma'am." He shook his head. "We were real careful to make sure we left nothing traceable. There's no way to link that place or Tyler to us."

"You better be right! We can't afford any interference. We will stop this so-called entertainment, no matter what it takes! It's why things are so wrong now! Why society has gotten so violent! And Justin Madigan will return to the work he should be doing." The woman purred, deadly calm now. "Or he'll suffer the consequences. And so will Tyler and that Ramirez woman, without people like them there wouldn't be any violence!"

Doctor Russell left instructions with the nurses not to disturb Rollie if he was asleep. He knew the best thing for Rollie Tyler was to sleep off the drugs he had been given. Rollie slept deeply after he was given the IV, comforted by Angie's hand wrapped in his own. Her free hand occasionally stroked his hair. Angie wondered why the kidnappers had dyed Rollie's hair blond. It didn't make sense. She decided Rollie looked weird with blond hair and she knew he must hate it. When he was released from the hospital, they would have to find a way to remove the dye and return the soft brown locks. She wondered if they should enlist the aid of one of the hair dressers they knew. Angie was certain of one thing though. She would keep Beth Elliott as far away from her partner as possible. There was something about that woman that was positively poisonous. Rollie wouldn't notice it probably, but she certainly did. Angie yawned and blinked her eyes. It was so good to have Rollie back in one piece, relatively speaking. His not being able to speak was scary, but she was sure they could handle it. Together they could handle anything, even the impossible. She smiled and yawned again. The days and nights of worry were finally catching up to Angie Ramirez and she relaxed in the chair next to Rollie's bed. Her eyes drooped and her head nodded. She'd just rest her eyes for a moment.
 

When Doctor Bill Russell returned the next morning to check on his patient, he was startled to find Angie Ramirez sleeping in Rollie Tyler's bed. He moved forward, wondering where his patient was. It took every bit of control he had not to laugh out loud when he found Rollie asleep in the chair on the other side of the bed, still holding Angie's hand. As he considered his options in dealing with the situation, Rollie's eyes blinked. Rollie squinted with his right eye at the doctor in the bright sunlight and yawned. He carefully placed Angie's hand on the sheets and patted it. Rollie yawned again, stretched and blinked up at the man staring down at him. Rollie gave Doctor Russell a sheepish grin. Bill Russell chuckled, relieved to see Rollie's eyes, what he could see of them, were bright and clear, the drug induced glaze and confusion gone. "You know you're the patient, Rollie. You are the one that's suppose to be sleeping in the bed." Rollie shrugged, it was obvious he wanted to speak, but he had resigned himself to his inability... for now.

Angie woke to the sound of talking, great she'd left the TV on, again. Then, she opened her eyes and blinked, this wasn't her bedroom. Memory flooded back... Rollie! Had his return been a dream or had the whole thing been a nightmare? Where was she? She didn't recognize the ceiling or what she could see of the room. As adrenaline surged into her system, Angie recognized the voice as Doctor Bill Russell, the man who had tended Rollie the morning before. Confused by the fact she was in bed, Angie sat up abruptly. How had she gotten in a bed? Seeing Rollie seated next to the bed, she knew the answer. Angie gave an exasperated sigh as she stared at her boss and partner.

Rollie looked back with innocent eyes. The black eye was no longer as swollen and he could open it part way. Rollie gave Angie a smile, trying to deflect her anger at his changing places with her.

"Rollie! How could you? You're suppose to be resting in bed! Not me!" Bill Russell decided to be silent and allow Angie Ramirez to deal with this little delinquency.

Rollie, realizing the innocent act wasn't working, switched to a guilty "little boy" look.

"Don't try that on me, Rollie Tyler! You know better! I grew up watching you pull these tricks."

Rollie heaved a silent, put upon sigh and looked hurt. He had just been trying to take care of Angie, she had looked so tired when he woke up earlier and he had felt so much better. He really didn't see anything wrong with letting Angie have the bed, he had slept himself out and was ready to get up anyway. Rollie looked down at his hands at a loss, he couldn't speak up and say these things. It was so frustrating and it wasn't fair. Angie was yelling at him and he couldn't defend himself. Rollie blinked and sighed silently, suddenly he felt tired again. It wasn't fair, but then life wasn't like that, wasn't it? Fair was a human concept, not a life concept. Rollie Tyler knew that better than most. Life seemed to have a knack of kicking him, but he had always stood up to it. Taken it and rolled with it. But this wasn't life, this was Angie yelling and that was something he could normally handle, either by just letting it flow over him or yelling back or talking about it. Well, right now he couldn't yell or talk back and he didn't want to let it go. So Rollie did the only thing he could think up, he lifted his head and glared at Angie... hard.

Angie stammered to a halt and gulped at the look in Rollie's eyes. She had seldom seen Rollie use that look on a person and it had never been directed at her before. Usually, it was directed at a situation, mostly ones where everybody else thought nothing could be done about it. Rollie almost never thought like that, he always thought something could be done and did it. It was why Leo had turned to Rollie for help so frequently after they met. Rollie never gave in or up, and right now that determination was directed at her, along with some righteous anger. "Rollie, you know I'm right." She offered it, tentatively.

Rollie shook his head once and his hands made a cutting motion, silencing Angie. He reached out a hand and gently brushed the hair back from her face. The action said more clearly than words "I'm not mad at you. I care about you. I was worried." Rollie's expressive eyes eloquently spoke to Angie of his worry and concern for her.

Angie felt the anger melt away. How like Rollie to be worrying about her when he was the one who was hurt. She shook her head ruefully. Rollie didn't have a selfish bone in his body. He was forgetful sometimes and totally exasperating. He went through life with a little boy's curiosity and excitement mostly. But selfish... the word was not in Rollie Tyler's vocabulary. Everybody came before him as far as he was concerned, but most especially his family and friends. Angie was both, so naturally he gave his bed up to her. How could she stay mad at Rollie for being Rollie? Angie couldn't do that so she smiled and asked brightly, "Feeling better, boss?"

Relief filled Rollie's expressive face and he smiled back at his partner and nodded. Rollie was glad Angie was willing to let go of her anger. He really didn't feel up to dealing with an angry Angie Ramirez. That was a terrifying sight on a good day, never mind a bad one.

Bill Russell watched the exchange with amusement. The fact that Angie understood so much in spite of Rollie's enforced silence was nothing short of amazing. It just showed how close the man and woman were to each other. Feeling somewhat like a peeping tom watching the pair, he cleared his throat reminding them of his presence. "So, Ms. Ramirez, if you'll excuse us for a few moments, I'd like to check Mr. Tyler's condition." He was careful to keep the words formal, hoping to get a rise from Rollie. He wasn't disappointed as Rollie turned his attention to the doctor and gave him a disgusted look. It was amazing how much Rollie could communicate with a look, Bill thought. Bill grinned at him and responded. "All right, Angie get out of here so I can check this rapscallion out."

Angie laughed, "See you later, Rol." She left the room, giving the doctor and patient their privacy.

"Okay, let get this exam out of the way, Rollie. I assume you want to be decent when Doctor Brown gets here to give her exam." Doctor Russell laughed as Rollie blushed. "Don't worry, I'll be quick."

Doctor Bill Russell was true to his word, he quickly checked Rollie's scrapes and contusions. He was pleased with the results, Rollie was healing nicely. Doctor Russell helped Rollie back into the hospital gown, then checked his feet. Replacing the light bandaging, Bill told Rollie that he was healing with no sign of infection and that he should stay off his battered feet as much as possible. The doctor was even more pleased when he went to take more blood for tests and Rollie simply watched with bright-eyed curiosity. There was no sign of the fear and confusion from the day before. Bill was certain the lab would find Rollie clear of the drugs given to him by his captors. The only bar to his patient's release was his continued silence. Hopefully, Emma Brown would know how to deal with that and Rollie Tyler could go home.

A soft tap sounded on the closed door, "Everybody decent in there?" Emma called cheerfully from the hallway.

Bill patted Rollie's right shoulder and answered, "All clear, Emma. I just finished with this rascal."

"Bill Russell, you stop calling this young man a rascal." Emma said firmly as she stepped into the room. "Rollie's a nice man."

"And how would you know?" Bill shot back.

"I can tell," Emma answered as she smiled at Rollie's bemused look. Rollie Tyler was obviously feeling much better, his gaze was steady and clear. "Well, you're obviously feeling better and I bet you're starting to get restless, too. Want to get out of this stuffy old hospital today?"

Emma's pleasing laugh sounded as Rollie nodded enthusiastically. Yes, Rollie Tyler did most definitely want to get out and the sooner, the better!

"Well, I have good news and bad news. Shall I tell the good news first?"

Suddenly wary, Rollie nodded carefully, uncertain about what Doctor Brown was going to say. What if he couldn't talk ever again? That would be... Rollie shivered as he considered the possibility. If he couldn't talk, it would be hard, if not impossible, to continue working in special effects. And if he couldn't do special effects, just what would he do? Rollie knew rationally that he and Angie could and would handle the problem if it was... real. They would decide and do what was needed, that special effects wasn't the only thing he could do and they might even find ways around his silent voice. But would anyone hire a mute special effects man?

Before Rollie could completely give in to a rising panic, Emma hurried to continue. "The reason you can't talk is because of certain drugs you were given." Making sure she had his full attention, she smiled at Rollie. "They're very specialized and take a very specialized knowledge to use. Normally, they're used to help people with a rare disability to talk. In your case unfortunately, they were used for just the opposite effect. The good news is that they will wear off... eventually." Doctor Brown watched the relief fill Rollie's expressive face. "The bad news is it may be several weeks before you can talk again."

Rollie's face fell at that, it would be hard to not talk for weeks, the past day had been bad enough. A look of determination replaced the crestfallen one, as Rollie decided he could handle it. Okay, so he couldn't talk, but it was temporary and not the end of the world. Angie would help him, maybe they could adapt one of the PDAs to... Rollie was startled out of his thoughts by a small hand lifting his chin up.

"You'll be fine, Rollie. It will just take time. It may be weeks or just a few days. It's hard to tell, because the lab couldn't give me the precise dosage used on you. But, you will be fine and there's no reason for you to stay at the hospital. Unless Bill has one?" Emma looked questioningly at her colleague and friend. After all, Rollie Tyler was primarily his patient, not hers.

"I doubt we'll keep him, if you don't have a reason. I won't know for sure until I get the results of the latest blood tests." Bill smiled at Emma, pleased by her diagnosis. He could see in the back of her eyes, that Emma was very bothered by something, but he knew she wouldn't give a patient a clean bill of health unless they really were fine. He gave Emma a small nod, indicating they would talk later. "And speaking of blood tests, let me get this sample to the lab. The sooner they start, the quicker you're out of here, Rollie. I'll let Angie know she can come back in. You just hang in there. I should get the results in a few hours."

Rollie nodded and smiled, relieved at the thought of leaving the hospital in a few hours. As the doctors left the room, his thoughts returned to the problem of communication.

Rollie was deep into contemplating solutions when Angie rushed into the room. The doctors had told her the results of their diagnosis and she was afraid of Rollie's reaction to being mute for such a long time period. He'd been impossible that one time when he had gotten a bad case of laryngitis. Rollie had driven both her and Leo crazy then and that had been just a couple of days. This looked like it would be a much longer time frame and Rollie would be desperate for an easier way to communicate than pen and paper or keyboard and monitor. Angie was relieved to see Rollie wasn't depressed, she recognized the signs of her boss in the throws of creating. Good, he was considering options and if anybody could find an answer, it was Rollie Tyler. Angie gave her boss a hug, it was so good to have him back.

Rollie looked startled at the hug. He hadn't heard Angie's return. He smiled at his partner. Rollie hoped that they would release him soon. Remembering the day before, Rollie knew he would need clothes if he was going to leave. How could he tell Angie that? He looked around for a pen and paper.

Angie watched Rollie look around the room, slightly bewildered, wondering what he was looking for. Then, remembering Doctor Russell saying Rollie would probably be released later, she realized what he probably wanted. "Rollie, want me to get you some more clothes?"

Rollie nodded eagerly. The clothes he had been wearing when he was admitted were entirely too dirty and ripe for his taste. He wasn't certain how long he had been a prisoner, but it was long enough for his jeans and T-shirt to be filthy. Add the chase and hiding in an alley, well the thought of putting them back on was definitely unappealing. From the haunted look in Angie's eyes, Rollie knew it had been too long for her as well. He hugged her gently. They would have to be careful. Rollie didn't remember much about being grabbed, but whoever had done it surely weren't through with him. They might come looking for him again. He frowned as he thought of the danger Angie would be in if she stayed with him.

"Don't worry, Rol," Angie assured him. "We'll figure it out. I'll..."

Angie was interrupted by the arrival of Francis and Mira. The detectives were smiling as they came into the room.

Francis was carrying a small duffel bag with the FX logo embroidered on it. "Hey, Rollie, how's it going? I figured you might like some things so I stopped by the loft on the way in this morning." He passed the bag to the special effect expert. "Angie, I fed your cat while I was there. I think he was hungry enough to chew on Blue."

Rollie looked anxious at the last comment. Chiops chewing on his Bluey? That furball better not or Rollie might just make Chiops the first cat on the moon. Or... probably not, Angie would never forgive him if he hurt her pet. Truthfully, he liked cat, he always had fun playing with the little beast. Somehow, Angie had gotten it in her head that he didn't like cats and somehow Rollie had never been able to eliminate that notion.

Angie gave a guilty start. She had been so worried about Rollie she had never even thought about Chiops. The poor thing must have been so hungry. And chewing on Blue, Rollie would want to kill her pet if he did that and Angie really couldn't blame him. Rollie had put a lot of time and effort into Bluey, a lifetime of dreams had built the little robot dog. "Sorry, boss. It didn't occur to me that Chiops might go after Blue."

Rollie stared at Angie, wondering why she was apologizing for a hungry cat. Then, he wondered what was Chiops doing at his place anyway. Angie had never brought the cat there before. If she was out of town and had asked Rollie to tend to her cat, he had always gone over to her place. There he would feed him, give him clean water, clear out his litter box and play with him.

Sometimes, Rollie thought, Angie was so dense. It was obvious anytime he got near Chiops that they had fun together, but Angie had never questioned her pet's eagerly greeting her partner. Rollie grinned at her and shook his finger at her in a mock threat.

Angie laughed, relieved Rollie wasn't angry about Blue and Chiops. Seeing the question in Rollie's expressive brown eyes, she explained. "I, uh, sort of moved into the loft after you disappeared." Angie looked down, embarrassed. "I was afraid I might miss something if I wasn't there. That someone might call or send an email..." Angie trailed off and looked back up as she was gathered close into Rollie's strong arms. She saw the gratitude in Rollie's eyes and knew he understood. Relieved, she held onto her best friend for all she was worth, glad to have her world right side up again.

Francis cleared his throat, reminding the partners that he and Mira were still there. "So, how long does Rollie have to stay in the hospital? And have the doctors said why he can't talk?" He looked apologetically at his tall friend, he hated talking like Rollie wasn't there, but he hated not knowing more.

Angie drew away from Rollie. "Doctor Russell said Rollie could leave today, if his blood tests are clear. Doctor Brown said it was drugs keeping Rollie from talking." Angie frowned thoughtfully. "She didn't say what type and she said it might be weeks before he got his voice back." She looked anxiously up into the Aussie's face, but read a sort of resigned acceptance there and a determination. A look that said they would handle it, just like always. She nodded silent agreement. "Doctor Brown said it depended on how much Rollie was given and that the lab couldn't tell her..." She shrugged. "So, we wait and see basically."

"That's a relief," Francis said. "You had me scared Rollie." That was an understatement, the thought of what had made Rollie mute had given him more than one nightmare last night. He exchanged a look with Mira.

"So, do you think you can tell us anything about the people who grabbed you?" Mira asked. "Like who or why?"

Rollie looked thoughtful, then shook his head. He had only the vaguest memories of being attacked and all he had really seen of his captors had been that one when he had escaped. It had been so brief and he had been so dazed and confused, he didn't think he could remember enough to be of use.

Francis frowned, "Can you give us anything to go on, Rollie?" He hesitated, then continued. "You know they're not going to just go away on their own."

Rollie looked at his friends and thought hard. He slowly nodded. He knew Francis was right, whoever had attacked him would not just go away and leave him alone. If they hurt Angie the next time... He didn't want to think about that. Rollie made a gesture, trying to communicate.

Francis and Mira looked stumped for a moment. It was obvious Rollie wanted to tell them something. But what? Francis dug into his coat pocket and brought out a pad and pen. He gave them to Rollie.

Rollie eagerly accepted the pad and began writing in his left-handed scrawl.  I think I can find where they were holding me again. I locked one up when I escaped. You'll have to be careful. The walls were metal and I wired them to shock anyone touching one.  He handed the pad back to Francis.

Francis read the note, with Angie and Mira looking over his shoulders. He smiled at the last. Just like Rollie to turn the tables on one of his captors.

Mira looked at the tall FX man, "Could you give us directions or something so we could find it? The sooner we get there, the more likely there'll be something there to find."

Rollie shook his head thoughtfully and looked unhappy. He hadn't exactly been coherent when he made his way home. He couldn't tell the way, but he was pretty sure he remembered enough to find it if he saw things again.

"Damn," Mira muttered softly, then looked up at Rollie. "Sorry, I know you're doing the best you can. We'll just have to wait until the doctor releases you."

Rollie nodded sadly. He hated not being able to help more. These people were dangerous, someone else might get hurt or worse because he couldn't remember better.

Angie felt angry as Rollie's shoulders drooped in dejection. She grabbed him and shook him slightly. "Rollie, look at me. It's not your fault. You didn't cause this, you have no control over it. It's a miracle you made it this far and remember as much as you do!" Angie looked anxiously into Rollie's sad eyes. Rollie had a habit, one he had acquired when he was just a young boy, a habit of blaming himself when things went wrong, even when he had no control over it. It wasn't a rational response, but an emotional one. One that had it's beginnings in his mother's death. Angie had fought Rollie's habit for over half of her life. She wasn't about to let it get out of control now. "Rollie, you're doing the best you can. You'll be released soon and then you can show Francis and Mira where the bad guys had you. They'll take it from there. That's more than most would do. Hell, most people would still be blithering idiots right now after what you've been through."

Rollie knew what Angie was doing, she was trying to derail his guilt. He knew in his head that he was doing everything he could, he just hoped Angie could get his heart to know. Angie, and sometimes Leo, were the only ones who ever recognized his guilt trips. Mangela and Manny had never known when he started one until it was almost too late to do anything. His dad, Dingo, didn't have a clue. Sometimes, even he didn't know he was doing it until it knocked him down.

Rollie looked puzzled when Angie said "blithering idiots" though, that sounded just a bit... insulting. He wasn't a blithering idiot, at least he didn't think so. Had he acted like one yesterday? He knew he hadn't been himself, but he hadn't been that bad. Had he?

Angie watched Rollie get an indignant look in his eyes and knew she had said something wrong. Of course, blithering idiot. Dumb, Angie, real dumb. "Rollie, you're not a blithering idiot, you... you idiot!" Rollie's eyes laughed then and she had to laugh, too. "Okay, you got me, boss. Now, why don't you get dressed, so you'll be ready when they let you out of here."

Rollie nodded and moved to the bathroom attached to his room with the duffel. Once in the privacy of the small bathroom, Rollie's shoulders slumped again. Rollie took a good look at himself in the mirror. Damn, he looked awful! Not just the bruises and scrapes either, that blond hair was the worst, his dark beard made it look particularly horrible. He contemplated his reflection sadly. Whoever had done this, he had to keep them away from Angie. Rollie knew he wouldn't be able to get Angie to stay away from him until it was over, she wouldn't go. So, he would have to be extra careful and keep a close eye on her. Looking at his swollen black eye, he sighed deeply, as close as he could anyway. Rollie just hoped he could keep Angie safe. If these maniacs got their hands on her... He gave himself a shake and checked to see what Francis had brought him. Finding his razor, he pulled it out and shaved. Finished, he pulled the clothes Francis had brought him out of the bag. Rollie smiled a bit when he found the tan shearling boots. Frank had thoughtfully taken Rollie's poor aching feet into consideration and brought the best cushioning and protection he could find in the Aussie's closet. Rollie dressed as quickly as possible in the soft gray sweat pants and T-shirt. He tied the strings on the sweat pants to keep them from sliding off his hips. Pulling on the boots, he wiggled his toes in the soft pile of the boots and sighed silently. It was a relief to have something soft between his raw feet and the hard floor. Rollie took another good look at himself in the mirror. He ran his fingers through his hair and frowned. He couldn't go out there acting like this, it would only upset Angie more. She had been through enough, worrying about him. He straightened his shoulders and tried a smile. Okay, it wasn't the best smile, but it was a smile. Hopefully, it would work. At least he was free, clean, wearing clean clothes and hmmm... starving! Rollie wondered if they could order take-out while he waited to be release. He smiled at the thought, well why not? He was hungry and there wasn't any medical reason for him to eat hospital food. He'd have to take it easy for a couple of days, until his stomach got used to food again, but it didn't have to be the bland stuff hospitals served.

Rollie was smiling as he rejoined his friends in the private hospital room. He gestured to Francis, indicating he wanted the pad and pen back. Francis happily obliged his lanky friend. They watched as Rollie scrawled another quick note and passed the pad to Angie.

"Take-out food?" Angie looked thoughtful. "I know you're hungry, boss, but I'm not sure about take-out. I think we better ask Doctor Russell first. Let me find him and I'll ask, okay?"

Rollie nodded amenably.

Francis spoke up, "Why don't you wait here with Rollie, Angie? Mira and I can find Doctor Russell and ask for you. What type of take-out were you thinking about, Rollie? If the doc gives the okay, I can run out and bring it back. It'd be quicker that way, anyway."

Rollie took the pad back from Angie and wrote his suggestion - Baker Street Deli, a small deli located half-way between the workshop and Mid-Town South. It had been a convient place for him and Leo with the added advantage of having some of the best soups and sandwiches in the area. Rollie frowned for a moment, thinking about what he wanted, then added a scrawled request for a large bowl of chicken noodle soup, a small loaf of fresh bread and a bottle of water. Rollie tore the page off the pad and gave it to Francis.

Francis read the note, "Okay, Baker Street is fine with me. How about it, ladies?"

"Sounds good to me, Frank." Mira agreed. "Angie?"

"Hmm. Been a while since I ate a Baker Street sandwich. Okay, I want a tuna melt on... marbled rye and a large lemonade."

Francis nodded his head, "Okay, got it! Let us find the doctor and we'll see about lunch. You stay out of trouble while we're gone, Rollie!"

Rollie made a "who me?" face at his detective friends as they left and went to stretch out on his bed. He looked thoughtfully at the TV, then shrugged, not really interested in daytime television. Angie went over to sit in the chair next to Rollie's bed, but he grabbed her wrist and shifting over to make room, pulled her to sit beside him on the bed. Rollie looked up hopefully at Angie with questions in his eyes. Realizing Rollie wanted to know what had happened while he was missing, Angie started filling her partner in on events.

Francis and Mira checked with the nurses and quickly located the doctors. Doctor Russell looked grim when he saw the detectives. Seeing the look, they immediately tensed.

"Detectives, good. We need to talk." With a gesture, Bill Russell brought his colleague and the detectives into the privacy of his office.

"What's up, Doctor Russell? Is it Rollie?" Mira watched the doctors closely, her expression closed.

"Yes, you need to know this, it could be important." Doctor Russell gestured to his companion. "Emma tell them what you just told me."

The detectives turned their attention to Doctor Brown. She nodded to the partners. "Whoever gave the drugs to mute Rollie is a specialist. There simply aren't that many doctors in the world with the necessary knowledge."

"A doctor? A specialist? You're saying a doctor did this to Rollie?" Francis asked indignantly.

"Yes, I'll make a list of names for the New York City area. One of them definitely had a hand in hurting Rollie Tyler. Whoever did this deserves to lose their license and to be put away in jail for a good, long time. To use knowledge designed to help people to hurt someone, it's worse than criminal!" Emma wrote the names on a pad on Bill's desk and passed it to Mira.

Mira checked the list carefully, four people... "Your name is on this list, Doctor Brown." Her look queried the older woman.

"Your name, Emma?" Bill Russell looked surprised.

"Of course, my name, Bill." She punched Bill's arm. "I'm one of four doctors with the knowledge in this area. I know I didn't do this to Rollie, but the detectives don't. They have to check everyone out." Her smile disarmed the detectives and said I know it's not personal.

"Thank you, Doctor Brown." Francis responded, grateful for her understanding. "You're right, we do have to investigate every one."

"Emma would never...!" Bill exclaimed, horrified at the very thought!

"I'm sure you're right, Doctor Russell." Mira said, amused. "But we wouldn't be doing our job if we didn't investigate all the doctors with the necessary knowledge. Now, what exactly are we looking for, Doctor Brown?"

Doctor Brown gave them a list of the drugs used on Rollie. Francis paled when he saw one was curare. He swallowed hard as the doctor quickly reassured him that Rollie Tyler really was all right and would recover. Finished with the briefing, the detectives were about to leave, when Mira poked her partner in the arm.

"What?" Francis asked, distracted.

"The reason we were looking for Doctor Russell, Frank." Mira tapped Francis on the back of his head. "Remember."

"Oh! Oh yeah!" Francis pulled himself together. "Rollie was hungry, Doctor Russell, and he wondered if it was okay if we brought him some takeout."

"What did he want to have, Detective Gatti?" Bill asked concerned, it was good Rollie had an appetite, but...

"Uh, chicken noodle soup, fresh bread and bottled water." Francis looked sharply at Doctor Russell. "Is it okay?"

Bill nodded, pleased by the selection. "That's quite all right. You better hurry up and feed him. I don't think I want him eating hospital food. It might make me keep him here longer."

Mira grinned, "Can't have that! Rollie Tyler would never forgive us."

"Worse! Angie Ramirez would never forgive us!" Francis replied. They all laughed.
 

Francis and Mira returned to the hospital room with Rollie's and Angie's order from the deli. They smiled when they found the partners asleep in the hospital bed. Angie was snuggled tight to Rollie, his chest was her pillow.

"I don't know, Mira. You think we should wake 'em?"

Mira laughed softly. "If we don't the hospital might decide to charge Angie for the room, too."

Rollie stirred and looked at the detectives with sleepy eyes. Realizing Frank and Mira had brought food, he brightened and nudged Angie to wake her up.

"Huh? What?" Angie mumbled.

Rollie nudged her again and pointed to their amused friends.

"Great! Food!" The prospect of eating woke Angie completely. She hadn't eaten properly since Rollie had disappeared. The thought of her missing partner had completely killed her appetite. Now, with Rollie safely nearby, she found herself ravenous. Angie stretched like a cat. "What took you so long? We're starving!"

"Keep this up, Ramirez and I'm going to wonder what you two have been up to while we were gone." Mira said seriously.

Angie looked sharply at the detective, then recognizing the amusement in Mira's dark eyes, relaxed. "Yeah, you wish! Hurry up, before Rollie starts chewing on the woodwork."

"Rollie chewing on the woodwork? Sounds more like you're the one ready to do that, Angie." Francis teased, happy to see his friends doing better. He quickly passed their orders to FX team and they settled down to the serious business of eating.

Most of them were finished by the time Doctor Russell returned. Rollie was picking bread crumbs out of his napkin, eating them. He looked eagerly up at the doctor's arrival. His question burned bright in his eyes and face.

Bill Russell laughed, "Yes, Rollie you can go. Finish up the paperwork for the hospital and you are out of here." He smiled at the delight in Rollie's face. Bill patted Rollie's knee, "come back and see me and Doctor Brown in... oh, three days at two P.M. so we can check you again. Okay?"

"Don't worry, Doctor Russell. He'll be here." Angie looked Rollie firmly in the eye. "Won't you?"

Rollie meekly nodded agreement.

Doctor Russell laughed and ruffled Rollie's hair. "You take it easy and stay off your feet as much as possible. Wear light bandages on your feet when you're up, uncovered when you're in bed. Here's a prescription for something to fight infection. Take it, Rollie. Tylenol should be enough for any pain. Angie, if it isn't, call me and I'll prescribe something stronger. Now, you both got all that, right?"

Rollie nodded, slightly bemused by the flurry of instructions.

"Got it, Doc." Angie answered as she plucked the prescription from Rollie's hand.

Bill Russell stood for a moment, staring thoughtfully at Rollie. "Do I need to prescribe an antibiotic ointment as well, Rollie? Or do you already have something?"

Rollie shook his head, then nodded.

"Uh, now what does that mean?" The doctor turned to Angie for an answer.

Angie laughed. "It means, no, you don't have to prescribe something, I have just the thing."

"Good enough," Doctor Russell laughed. "Angie try to come with Rollie, I think I might need an interpreter."

Angie smiled warmly as Rollie threw his pillow at the doctor. Francis and Mira laughed as Rollie pretended to be offended. The doctor left the four friends to it. Fortunately, checking Rollie out of the hospital didn't take long and they were soon on their way.

Francis glanced in the rear-view mirror, sharing a significant look with Mira who was sitting behind him. He looked over to Rollie and cleared his throat. "Um, Rollie?" Rollie turned to look at Frank, one brow raised in question. "Do you think you could show us where you were held now? Or would you rather wait?"

Both detectives tensed as they waited for Rollie's answer. Now was the best shot they had at getting anything probably, but if Rollie wasn't up to it they simply couldn't push the issue.

Angie froze at the question, then reached forward and placed her hand on Rollie's right shoulder. Couldn't they have waited? Rollie had just gotten out of the hospital! But she didn't say anything she was thinking, she knew as well as anyone, this might be the only chance to find the people who had done this to her partner.

Rollie frowned for a minute, then nodded slowly. His eyes were serious as he directed Francis to the neighborhood where the gang had chased him. The Aussie saw no sign of the gang and he didn't try to mention them. They were after more dangerous game. Once, Rollie hesitated and his three friends held their breaths, afraid he couldn't remember the way. Finally, he gestured for Francis to pull over.

Francis had stopped the car and looked over at Rollie, worried. The FX man's face had been pale, now it was ashen. "Rollie, you don't have to do this right now. I think we better get you home."

Rollie shook his head and climbed out of the car. He took a deep breath and started walking down the block of run-down buildings. The others scrambled to follow. Angie rushed up and grabbed one of Rollie's hands. Together, they walked on, only Angie aware of the slight trembling, feeling it through Rollie's hand. No one else was around to see the four friends. Rollie paused in front of an old building in the middle of the block. Once it had been beautiful and proud, now it was just dirty and run-down.

"Is this it, Rollie?" Mira asked cautiously.

Rollie nodded and made a move as if to enter the building. Angie stopped, refusing to budge or release Rollie's hand. Startled, Rollie turned to look at his partner.

Francis put a hand on Rollie's arm, "I don't think going in there is a good idea, Rollie. You wait here, Mira and I will check it out. If it's clear, we'll call a squad to seal the scene and get a forensics team out here. You are going home!" As Rollie stared at him, resentment in his eyes, Francis paused to consider. "On second thought, you and Angie better go wait in the car." Francis continued when Rollie didn't move. "Damn it, Rollie! It could be dangerous here, I want you and Angie safe! Do you want something to happen to Angie?" That shook Rollie out of his stubbornness and he moved to pull Angie back toward the car.

"Be careful," Angie called to the detectives as she went with Rollie, relieved he wasn't going to try and go back into the building.

Francis and Mira nodded to her and moved toward the building with their guns drawn and ready. Mira cautiously pushed open the door that was swinging slightly in a hot breeze. Carefully, room by room, the detectives checked the building. Francis tasted bile when they got to the basement and found the open door leading to a small metal room. "This must be where they held Rollie. Damn it, Mira, Rollie didn't deserve this. Nobody does."

"You're right, Frank. We're going to get the people who did this, but first let's get Rollie home." Mira tugged her partner's arm and they moved out.

As Francis and Mira returned to the car, they were surprised to find Angie and Rollie in the back seat. Francis tried to decide who was comforting and taking care of who. Rollie occasionally glanced out the rear window, obviously watching for his police friends. The Aussie relaxed a bit when he spotted them. Mira paused outside the car and pulled out her cellphone.

Francis climbed behind the wheel and looked back at his friends. "Well, like we expected there wasn't anybody there. Mira's calling a squad to seal off the, uh, crime scene. We'll wait until they get here and then I'll take you home. I hope the forensics team finds something. How you guys holding up?"

"We're doing okay, Frankie. But, I think Rollie is getting tired."

Even as Rollie shook his head in denial, Francis could see it was true. Rollie looked worn. "It won't be long." True to his words, it didn't take long for a squad to get there.

While Mira was briefing the officers, they were startled to see Marvin Vanduran pull up. Captain Vanduran climbed out of his car, nodded to Sanchez and walked over to speak to the others. "What do you have, Gatti?"

"Well, this is where they held Rollie. We checked it out, but didn't find anything. Hopefully, forensics will be able to tell us something once they go over it." Francis reported crisply.

"Good." Vanduran looked in the back seat. "Tyler, you look exhausted. Go home and rest. Leave this one to us."

Rollie nodded, a bit surprised by VanDuran's concern.

"On our way, Captain." Francis replied as Mira climbed into the front passenger seat. "We'll be back after we get Rollie and Angie back to the loft."

"No, stay with them." Vanduran ordered. "Whoever grabbed Tyler before may try again. I want him and Ramirez protected. I'll assign others to investigate here."

"Yes sir," the detectives answered reluctantly. They didn't want to let this one go, but the captain was right. Rollie and Angie had to be protected. At least this way, they could make sure their friends were kept safe. This wasn't over yet, not by a long shot.
 
 

Back at the loft, the detectives tried to decide how best to protect their friends. After much discussion in a quiet corner well away from the FX team, they decided that Mira would sleep at the loft with Angie and Rollie. Francis would be there with Rollie or with Angie on the set when she was working. And since work currently consisted of night scenes, he would be there tonight. That way neither one would be unprotected. Francis told them a quick good-bye and headed home to his family and a nap. After a great deal of argument, Angie and Mira got Rollie to go nap in his own bed. He had tried to give it to both women and neither would have anything to do with that idea. Chiops however joined him, purring on the pillow next to his head. Rollie quickly fell asleep. Too quickly for Angie's peace of mind. She was still trying to figure out how Rollie had managed to argue so much when he couldn't even talk as she laid down for a nap on one of the couches. She hoped she could slip out later to go to work. Rollie would want to go with her and he still needed to rest. Mira after making sure all was secure, stretched out for a nap in one of the chairs.

Angie and Mira woke abruptly over two hours later, startled by the sound of a loud thud. Angie realized immediately what had happened when she heard Chiop's yeow. She ran upstairs while Mira was busy checking the first level. "Rollie?" Angie called as she reached the top of the stairs. "Oh, Rol." She ran over to where Rollie was trying to untangle himself from a knot of bed clothes on the floor. "Rollie? Are you okay?" She gently touched his face and stilled his thrashing movements. Angie helped Rollie get free and sat next to him on the bed. His face was flushed and he looked panicked. "Nightmare?" came the casual question. After all, Angie thought Rollie had been through enough to give anyone bad dreams.

Rollie stared at Angie, yeah he'd a nightmare, a real doozie! He wasn't about tell Angie he'd had a nightmare about her getting killed! There was also no way in hell, Rollie Tyler was letting Angie Ramirez out of his sight! Rollie shivered in the warm air. It had seem so real, just like... like when he had dreamt about the Soul Stones. Rollie seldom had that type of dream, but he was not going to risk Angie's safety, Angie's very life by ignoring it! Rollie patted Angie's hand where it rested on his arm and smiled sheepishly. He just hoped she didn't realize how hard it was for him to do it. And it was somewhat genuine, it was embarrassing to fall out of your own bed in front of a woman. As Mira appeared on the top landing, Rollie amended that thought, make that two women.

"Rollie? Angie? What happened?" Mira called.

Angie patted Rollie's hand and answered. "Rollie had a nightmare and fell out of bed. It's okay, now though. Right, Rol?"

Rollie nodded slowly in agreement, his face slightly flushed. Hopefully, they wouldn't notice he was blushing too.

"I don't blame you for having nightmares, Rollie." Mira assured the embarrassed man. "Anyone would have them after what you've been through."

"Think you can go back to sleep now, boss?" Angie asked hopefully. She knew Rollie still needed the rest and she wanted him to be sleeping when she left. Otherwise, they were going to have a huge battle trying to get Rollie Tyler to stay put!

Rollie shook his head and looked hopefully at Angie. He made eating motions with his hands and looked at her with puppy dog eyes.

"You're hungry? Again?" Angie laughed. "Okay, but I'll probably have to order delivery. I don't think you've got much here."

Rollie gestured impatiently and stood up. He moved on quiet bare feet to the kitchen area.

Angie and Mira watched Rollie rattle through a couple of cabinets and pull out a soup pan. Mira looked questioningly at Angie.

"Don't ask me," Angie told her. "I'm just glad he didn't undress when he went to bed." Angie laughed when Rollie threw her a "I heard that look" as he padded downstairs.

They watched with interest as Rollie returned carrying two small cans. That was when Angie realized Rollie intended to make tomato soup. He had gotten the soup from their effects stock. She jumped up to join him. "How about cheese sandwiches to go with that?"

Rollie nodded and the pair worked together in companionable silence making the meal.
 

Mira watched the domestic scene wistfully. She knew if she had tried to make lunch with one of her friends they would only get in each others way. Angie and Rollie worked without fuss or effort, neither interfering with the other one's preparations. Even with Michael, her ex-husband, and all of the partners she had worked with over her years on the force, Mira had never been that... in sync with any of them. It must be nice to know someone that well. "So, Angie," Mira hesitated. Maybe she shouldn't ask, it might seem like prying. Hell, it was prying.

"Yes, Mira?" Angie glanced over at the detective.

Oh well, Mira thought, might as well. "How long have you and Rollie known each other?"

"About thirteen years, now." Angie shared a smile with her partner.

"Thirteen years!" Mira echoed in surprise. "How in the world did you meet? You would have been just a kid and Rollie can't be that much older."

Angie watched Mira out of the corner of her eye. She knew the woman was dying of curiosity now. "It was on a movie my dad was working on. Rollie was stunt driving. My dad, Manny, talked Rollie into joining him in the F/X biz. The rest as they say is history."

Rollie smiled at Angie, he knew perfectly well Angie wasn't going into the depths of that early time. She tended to get embarrassed about her behavior. And yet, he knew she cherished the memories as much as he did. Setting the burner on low and leaving the soup simmering, Rollie went over to his closet and rummaged around. He returned to where Mira was sitting at the kitchen table with a large scrap book. Rollie carefully opened the book to a page and showed the picture to Mira.

Angie finished grilling the cheese sandwiches and moved to look over Mira's shoulder. "That's us on 'Gangster Alley'. That was the movie where we met." She smiled at her eleven year old self and Rollie's gangly form, he hadn't quite finished growing at that point. He had been so uncertain and eager to please. Manny looked proud and pleased with himself. "That's my dad, Manny." She grinned up at her best friend. "Dad was positive he had pulled off the coupe of a lifetime getting Rollie to agree to apprentice to him learning F/X." She nodded thoughtfully. "He was right."

Rollie looked startled, then blushed slightly. He hurried to set the table and serve the food and drink. Angie usually didn't say things like that, claiming he would get a swelled head.

Angie laughed softly and sat down next to Mira. She decided to tease Rollie - by telling the truth. "Rollie, you are acknowledged as one of the best, if not the best, independent F/X experts in the business. You have a bigger reputation than Manny, at a younger age too. Face it, my friend. You are the biggest contribution Manny made to the highly competitive special effects field."

Rollie sat down on the other side of Mira and looked across at Angie. He shook his head firmly.

"What? You don't agree with me?" Angie challenged. "Okay, just what is Manny's biggest contribution to F/X then?"

Rollie smiled and pointed at her.

Now it was Angie's turn to blush. Then her grin widened, "All right, then we are Manny's biggest contribution to special effects. Satisfied?"

Rollie nodded agreement and eagerly dug into the food. Angie and Mira smiled and joined him in the simple, but delicious meal.

Angie's hope that Rollie would fall asleep after he ate proved to be in vain. Rollie Tyler was wide awake and restless. There was no way she and Mira would be able to slip away. Angie realized that she would be fighting a losing battle to try and get Rollie to stay home with Francis. But if she played her cards right, Rollie would promise to not work and with help from everyone else, Angie would be able to enforce that pledge. It was the best she could hope for and Angie intended to take it. Francis arrived half an hour later to find Angie and Rollie arguing. Angie was shouting, Rollie was gesturing wildly.

Mira watched the pair bemused. She looked at her own partner and shrugged. "They've been going at it for a good ten minutes, Frank. I can't figure out which one's winning. Hell, I don't know how Angie knows what Rollie is saying!"

"Yeah, well they have a pretty good system to communicate with each other when they can't use the headsets when they're working." Francis watched the FX partners for a moment. "I guess that's what Rollie is using. Why are they arguing anyway?"

"Rollie wants to go to work with Angie. Angie thinks he should stay home and rest."

"I have to go with Angie on this one then," Francis said. "Rollie's been through a lot the last few days and we only have a slight idea of exactly what happened to him!"

"Whoa, partner!" Mira defended herself. "I didn't say I thought he should go. I agree with Angie too. He just got out of the hospital." She raised her voice, just enough to be heard over Angie. "After all, Doctor Russell told Rollie to rest! I bet if he knew what Rollie was doing, he never would have released him."

"Yeah, you're right Mira. The doctor did tell Rollie to rest!" Francis agreed.

Rollie glared at the detectives, angry with them. But he also realized they were right, he had been told to rest. How could he explain he just couldn't allow Angie to go without him? His dream was still fresh in his mind. While part of him knew Mira and Francis would take care of her, the rest of him had a sick feeling that the dream would come true if he wasn't there! Rollie Tyler knew that he couldn't take Angie's loss. He had lost too many already. He had to go with her! Angie, Francis and Mira were so worried about him, they might miss the threat to Angie! He couldn't tell his dream, they would never believe him if he insisted it was true. He threw up his hands and stalked over to the P.C. on his desk. I have to go! I just want to be there! He typed the words and looked hopefully up at his friends. Seeing the stubborn, determination on their faces, his own expression fell and he ducked his head down. Thinking furiously, he made a tentative offer. I promise I won't try to work! I just have to be with Angie!

The three friends exchanged a look. Angie sighed in relief, and gave the slightest nod to the detectives. It was the best they could hope for from a stubborn Rollie Tyler. The Aussie would follow one way or the other, this way his promise would keep him in line. Apparently, Rollie wasn't as recovered from the drugs and ordeal as he wanted them to believe. It seemed he had fixated on reaching Angie while he was a captive and that fixation was still in full force.

Angie didn't want Rollie to know how easily they were giving in to his promise. Rollie had to know he couldn't work, that he had to keep his promise to them. "I don't know, Rollie. You really should rest and I know you, you won't be able to resist sticking your fingers into the effects."

Rollie stared solemnly up at Angie. He glanced briefly to Mira and Francis. They seemed willing to take their lead from Ange. Good, now he just had to convince her! Please! Brown eyes pleaded with concerned blue ones. He turned to the keyboard again, careful to keep his head down. Rollie felt the sting of tears forming. He couldn't allow them to fall, if he did Angie would never agree! "Please!!! I promise!"  Not looking at her, he made the solemn childhood gesture of cross my heart.

Angie looked at Rollie uncertainly. God, he was so desperate! Why? Angie looked at Mira and Francis. "You guys are witnesses, Rollie promised he will not work!" They nodded agreement. "Will you help me make sure he doesn't break it? Sometimes Rollie has trouble with temptation." She said drily, hoping Rollie would look back up at her. What was wrong? Why was the Aussie so determined to remain close? What had those... those bastards done to him?!?

Rollie took a deep breath and held it a second. He couldn't let Ange see how close he had come to crying. It might make her change her mind and he would not allow that to happen. He closed his eyes and focused, the way Mangela had taught him. He listened for a sound that could only be heard with the heart and the soul and found it - the songline that joined his life to Angie's. He listened carefully for a couple of moments, then looked up at Angie. The only thing in his eyes now was relief and gladness. He smiled happily and shook his finger at her. I do not have trouble with temptation! He typed it quickly. I will keep my promise! Honest!

"Uh uh. Sure. If we don't get moving we'll be late.. I'll be late." Angie corrected herself swiftly, Rollie was on sick leave - period. "There have been enough delays on this movie, so let's roll!"

The four friends climbed into the FX van and Angie drove across town to the wharf where they were filming tonight. Their tentacled monster was going to be threatening more innocents tonight. The movie was a fun one, it was closer to the "B" movies from the fifties than the special effects extravaganzas of the eighties and nineties. But this "B" movie was getting the very best effects that money could buy from Tyler FX. Tim Hailer had insisted on the independent special effects company. After a long fight with his backers who had wanted the prestige of Industrial Light and Magic's name on the movie, they had finally agreed. Especially after they had seen what Rollie and Angie could do and how much money it would save. By giving Tyler FX the biggest effects budget it had ever used, Tim had guaranteed his movie the best possible effects without breaking his budget. Tyler FX was doing more for the movie at a cost that would have gotten a fraction of the effects from the giant, much in demand, ILM. Tim had also gotten the added bonus of special effects experts who agreed with him. This movie was a tribute to the "B" movies Tim had loved growing up and so it was with Rollie and Angie. Now if Tim could just find the perfect title! Rollie had suggested several, but they were still looking.

Tim watched Angie park the van behind the wall that would hid the large black vehicle from the cameras. Angie had called earlier saying she would be there on time and that Rollie was still asleep. He wished this hadn't happened to Rollie. He was one of the most easygoing guys Tim had ever met, especially in the movie business where people were so focused on themselves. Everyone seemed to like the friendly Aussie, so who had kidnapped him and hurt him? It was causing a lot of unease among the formerly cheerful atmosphere of the film. He watched idly as Angie, Mira and Francis exited the van. He had expected this and approved, until the police knew what was going on, Tyler FX would be protected. The director did a double take when he saw Rollie step off the van. What? Surely Rollie wasn't up to working? He hurried to intercept his FX crew. "Rollie? What are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to be resting?" He looked from Rollie to Angie, clearly uncertain.

"Rollie is just visiting, Tim." Angie said firmly, more to her boss and partner, than the director. "He's promised not to work."

The lanky, silent Aussie nodded his head in amiable agreement.

"Okay. Good." Tim smiled, relieved. "I'm glad you're back, Rollie." He gently touched his chief FX expert's shoulder then turned to Angie. "We're about set up for the next shot, Angie. I want to try something different tonight." Director and the blonde special effects expert moved away from the detectives and Rollie, leaving them to their own devices.

Rollie led Mira and Francis to where the snacks and drinks were. It was too early for a meal, but Rollie grabbed a bottle of cold water and looked around. Cast and crew greeted the Aussie, relieved he was back, safe and relatively sound, and sorry for his silence.

Following Rollie's lead, Mira picked up a diet soda and Francis got a cup of coffee. Trying to watch everything at once, it didn't take long for the detectives to realize almost everyone had spoken to Rollie at least once, by the time the next scene was set up and ready to film. Rollie led them to some canvas chairs and sat down, sprawled in his seat, sharp eyes watching everything. Relieved, they sat beside him. Rollie had picked a spot where they could watch Angie, Rollie and the filming with no trouble at all.

Mira and Francis didn't pay much attention to Rollie, they were watching their surroundings, looking for potential threats. They weren't seeing anything that seemed out of place, though Mira wondered idly about the video camera people off to one side. Maybe they used them to back up the film camera crews? To tape rehearsals... did movie people rehearse?

Neither noticed as Rollie stiffened and focused on one of the set workers. He didn't really know Langley, they had barely spoken two words to each other in the past. But there was something... something niggled in the back of his mind, trying to come out. However hard the Aussie tried, he couldn't bring it out. He just couldn't remember.

Vince Langley spotted Tyler watching him. He grew nervous under that steady regard. Langley glanced over to where his roommate, Bob Trask worked.

Trask returned the glance and followed Langley's eyes to the special effects expert. "Get out of sight, idiot. Don't worry, he doesn't remember anything and he won't."

Langley nodded and moved away, quickly disappearing among the maze of equipment trucks and trailers. He hurried over to the make-up trailers. Beth Elliot stared past the set man. He gestured to where Rollie sat, barely visible between two vans. She nodded coldly and imperiously waved the man away. The tall blonde entered the make-up trailer.

Mira looked apologetically over at the director, when her phone interrupted the scene. She muted the ring and answered. "Sanchez." Mira stood up and moved a few feet away from Rollie. Her glance brought Francis to her side. "They did?... You're sure?... That's great. Okay, keep us informed." She hung up the phone and put it away.

"What is it, Mira? Have they found something?" Francis asked impatiently as he continued to scan the area.

"Yeah, seems they found the doctor that drugged Rollie."

Francis brought his attention to his partner. "They did? Great! Which one is it?" He remembered the short list of names Emma Brown had handed to them.

"Doctor Victor Reville." Mira answered. "The captain called him a pudgy weasel. He hasn't told them much yet, but they're working on it."

The detectives didn't see Rollie abruptly stand up and move away.

What was that? Rollie strained to get a better look. Recognizing the hair dresser, Beth Elliot, Rollie almost relaxed, but then he got a good look at what she held. He froze and followed her line of sight to Tim, Justin... and Angie! NO!!! He screamed silently as he threw himself forward, using his body to knock the three away from Elliot's aim just as she fired the gun in her hand several times! Rollie's body jerked and he felt fire fill his side as a blinding pain exploded in his head.

Mira and Francis ran over. Mira focused her gun on the hairdresser. "FREEZE! POLICE!" The cold blonde, now afire with fury, stopped her struggles to escape.

Francis dropped to his knees at Rollie's side. He reached for his friend with a shaking hand. He found a pulse point and sighed in relief. Thank God! Rollie was still alive.

"NO!" Angie screamed as she saw Rollie laying in a growing pool of blood. Rollie had to be all right! He couldn't... Angie moved, stunned, to drop next to Francis beside her best friend's still form. She couldn't have just got him back to lose him this way. "Francis?" She whispered.

"He's alive, Angie." Francis quickly offered the hope. "Rollie is still alive." He pressed his hands tightly against Rollie's side, trying to halt the blood loss.

"An ambulance is on the way." Tim Hailer assured Francis and Angie as he spread a blanket over the still form. His voice and hands shook with shock. Beth Elliot had been aiming at them, if Rollie hadn't... He swallowed hard. Rollie had saved their lives, he just prayed it hadn't come at the cost of the Aussie's own. He wrapped an arm around Angie's shaking shoulders as he sat on the ground beside her.

Mira spared a glance toward her partner and friends. Her face hardened and she turned her attention back to her prisoner. Mira began reading Beth Elliott her rights. There was no way she was going to lose this one to a technicality.

Justin was quick to direct the EMTs to where Rollie lay when they got there. "Boy, am I glad to see you guys! This way! Hurry!!!"

The EMTs were startled to see their patient. Dirk and Erik shared a glance that said it all. Again? Tyler had just gotten out the hospital and now he had been shot?!? They quickly set to work, there was no time for friendly banter now.

Francis and Tim pulled Angie away, giving them more room to work.

"Angie." Francis tried to get the blonde effects expert's attention. "Angie!" He called more sharply.

"What?" Angie asked, her stunned eyes locked on Rollie.

"Could you free Elliot from those tentacles?"

Angie started and glared furiously at the detective. How could he?

"Please. We have to book her. We can't do that if she's stuck in that thing." Frank's eyes begged her understanding. This one had to be done just right, they couldn't risk loosing this arrest.

Angie took a deep breath and nodded. She touched another icon on the PDA and the tentacles released their grip on the hard blonde. Her attention focused back on Rollie, Beth Elliot dismissed from her mind. Rollie was the important one now!

With efficient movements, the EMTs applied a pressure bandage to the wound in Rollie's side. They placed a collar around his neck to immobilize his head and bandaged the heavily bleeding head injury. Speaking urgently with doctors at the hospital, Dirk reported Rollie's vitals, while Erik started an IV. There was no friendly invitation to ride in the ambulance with Rollie this time. His still form was carefully placed on a gurney and loaded into the ambulance.

Angie shivered with shock. Rollie had remained deathly still and pale the entire time. She was terrified she would lose him. Oh Rollie! If only he could have shouted, he wouldn't have had to throw himself in the way of the bullets. Angie prayed harder than she ever had before. Rollie had risked his life to save her. He had to make it! He just had to...

Francis looked to where Mira had the cuffed Elliot. Her nod told him she had things under control. Good, he could focus on more important things. "Come on, Angie." Francis tugged gently at the distraught woman. "Let's get to the hospital. Rollie's alive. He's too stubborn not to make it." The dark haired detective prayed it was the truth. Rollie had to pull through. If only they had noticed, Rollie wouldn't have risked himself. Damn it, why hadn't they seen her? Angie, Francis and Tim climbed into the car.

Justin paused as he followed them. "I'll meet you at the hospital. I better call Lucinda and let her know what's happened. Angie, Rollie'll be all right. You have to believe that."

Angie nodded numbly as Frank pulled away, once more following the ambulance.

Justin jumped when a hand touched his shoulder. He turned around to see Mira's dark eyes regarding him seriously. "Detective."

"Mira," she said, "I think we have enough friends in common, that you can call me Mira." She licked her lips nervously and gestured to where Beth Elliot was being held by two uniformed police officers. "I have to go in and take care of... business. Did the EMTs say how Rollie was doing?"

"No, at least nothing this poor Texas boy could understand," Justin hesitated, then added. "Mira." He smiled gently at the detective. "I know it looks bad, but Rollie'll make it! Aussies are like Texans, we're tough. Comes with the territory."

"Well, Mister Madigan, tell Francis I'll be there as soon as Ms. Elliot is processed and booked."

"Justin." Laugh lines crinkled around his eyes as his grin widened. "If I can call you Mira, you can call me Justin." He sobered up immediately. "I'll tell them. Rollie will make it, you know that, Mira. Now, you go get your business over and done with and I'll go collect Lucinda. See you at the hospital!"

Mira nodded agreement and went to join the waiting officers. She wanted to get to the hospital, but she had to make sure Beth Elliot was handled by the book and report to the captain. Captain Vanduran would want to know just what had happened and how Rollie Tyler had gotten shot while they were supposed to be protecting him. She couldn't blame him either, she wanted to know the same thing! Why hadn't they seen her?!?

"Not yet. Rollie's still in surgery." Francis replied quietly. He stood up and lead Mira over to one corner. "Did Elliot or Reville give any reason as to why they did this? What did Rollie ever do to them?"

"Reville isn't talking. Not beyond his initial statement. Elliot is... she's raving. About movie and television violence being the cause of so much violence in the world. She's not making any sense." Mira shook her head sadly. "I got a feeling, her lawyer will cop an insanity plea for her."

"Damn it! It's not right! It's not Rollie's fault! If more people were like Rollie there would be less violence not more! Movies and tv shows don't cause violence, people do. By the choices they make." Frank's words were bitter. Why did people look for the easy answers instead of real solutions?

"Easy, Frank. I couldn't agree more." Mira sighed deeply. "Elliot really believes what she's ranting. She doesn't see she is part of the problem. The ends justifies the means in her mind. Only her solution doesn't solve a thing. It makes it worse!"

"And Rollie pays the price. God Mira, I'd like to put Elliot and Reville under the jail or lock them up with the real source of violence." Francis breathed deeply, trying to regain control. "Any indication who helped them? It can't have just been the two of them."

Mira shook her head. "The captain wants to know how we let Rollie get shot. I can't figure it out! Why didn't we see Elliot had a gun?"

Justin had drifted over and was near enough to hear Mira's last question. "Maybe because she had it out of your line of sight. Behind some of the equipment."

Mira and Francis looked at the actor in astonishment.

Justin nodded. "I've been thinking about what happened. About how come no one noticed her except Rollie. He was looking awful sharp for some reason ever since ya'll got to the set. Something tensed him up, about the same time you got that phone call. Don't know what exactly. But when she came up between the equipment, most of us just dismissed her as normal. She's a hairdresser, she belonged, sure don't look like a kidnapper or a murderer. Rollie didn't and I think when he stood up he was looking for that gun." He hesitated. "I... it was like he was expecting it. Do you see what I mean?" He shrugged, "I don't think I can explain any clearer. I'm not sure I know what I'm saying."

"You... you might be right, Justin." Mira replied hesitantly. "I wonder if we'll ever really know. Rollie was... watchful, especially of Angie ever since that nightmare he had this afternoon."

Angie, in dire need of a distraction, had joined the detectives and actor unnoticed. "The tapes might show. We can... we can check later, after we know Rollie's okay."

"Tapes, Angie?" Francis asked puzzled. Rollie and Elliot wouldn't show up in the movie film. They would have been out of shot, because they didn't belong in the movie. And he didn't think they had been filming a scene when... when Rollie was shot.

"Yeah, the publicity tapes. Didn't you notice? There was a crew doing some behind the scenes footage... to show at science fiction conventions."

"Is that what those video cameras were for?" Mira asked. "I didn't know that."

Angie started to answer when Francis looked toward the door. She turned to see a tired Doctor Russell, still attired in bloody scrubs. Rollie's blood. She hurried to face him. "Doctor Russell? Rollie? Is he?"

Bill Russell reached out to grasp Angie's shoulders. "Rollie's doing well. Better than I expected, to tell you the truth. He was extremely lucky. By some miracle, the bullet that hit his side missed all the vital organs. The bullet that hit his head just," he paused to consider his choice of words, "clipped him. He does have a bruised lung and a severe concussion. We also found a small brain contusion in the CT scan. Right now, the surgeon and nurses are transferring him to post-op."

Angie closed her eyes and breathed a prayer of thanks. "Thank you, Doctor Russell! When can I..."

Bill waved Angie to a halt. "We have Rollie in a drug induced coma." Angie paled at the word coma. "I'm going to keep him there for at least two days. I want his body to get a head start healing. Therefore, young lady, I want you to go home and rest." Angie started to object, but he plowed on. "As soon as he's settled, you can see him for five minutes. Five minutes, no more. Then you will go home and rest. I don't want Rollie waking up and having to worry about you keeling over on him. He has enough to deal with right now."

Angie nodded reluctant agreement.

"Angie, Rollie has been concussed twice in less than a week! He's been beaten, drugged, and shot. That's enough for six men, never mind one. He needs you to be okay for him! You can stay with him during the day, but you will rest at night." Doctor Russell looked seriously at the young blonde. "If you think you'll have trouble going to sleep, I could prescribe something." He offered gently.

"No, no, I think I can sleep. After I've seen Rollie and if you're sure he'll be okay?" Blue green eyes pleaded for reassurance.

Doctor Russell smiled sadly at her, he could wish some blood families were this loving and concerned. "I can't promise that Angie. Not until he wakes up and we know more. I'm sorry, but the brain is a very tricky part of a human. Rollie will live." He assured his distressed friends. "But, he will have problems. It may be minor things, confusion, memory loss about what happened, headaches. That's best case. There may be other problems, more long term ones. We can't determine the extent until he wakes up and we can examine him more carefully." He waved a nurse over. "This is Belinda, she'll take you to see Rollie. Remember what I said, five minutes and then you go home and get some sleep."

Angie nodded, scared and unhappy. "I promise, Doctor Russell. I just... Rollie's all I've got, if he were to..."

"Rollie will recover, he just needs time and care. How much time and care, we don't know yet. Now go visit and see he's still here. I'll be there when your time's up." He smiled until Angie and the nurse were out of sight. He sighed deeply and rubbed his tired eyes. "Okay, does some one want to explain to me how my patient got shot about eight hours after I released him from the hospital."

Francis and Mira exchanged uncomfortable looks. They began to explain what had happened to the doctor or at least as much as they knew. Bill Russell listened carefully to the story, "So Rollie saved Angie, Tim and Justin from getting shot." Tim and Justin nodded in sad agreement. "Well, seems my quiet patient is quite a hero. I wish he had ducked better, but... It could have been worse, a lot worse." He gave the others a shrewd look. "It's not your fault, any of you. Detectives, hindsight is twenty-twenty, not foresight. You were distracted by that call. Tim, Justin, both you and Angie were distracted by work. Rollie wasn't distracted... by anything and I can tell he's a brave man and he would do anything to protect... a stranger, not just friends or someone as important to him as Angie obviously is. What it really boils down to, is that it's the fault of the shooter, not the victim or the bystanders. No one made that woman pull the trigger except herself. It's her fault, not any of yours or Rollie's. And if you don't know that, then this Beth Elliot and her 'friends' win, because they want to put responsibility for their actions on others. They want an easy solution, not a personal, moral one." The words came out with firm quiet conviction.

Mira, Francis, Tim and Justin exchanged slightly sheepish looks. They had blamed themselves for what happened to Rollie.

Lucinda smiled sadly from where she stood listening a little behind the chastised group. "They don't blame Rollie, they can't do that. Rollie was just being Rollie. We all know that one."

"I realize that, Lucinda," Bill answered. "But all too often, I've seen the victim blamed. I can't help it. It makes me so mad to see family and friends tell my patient they shouldn't have done this or that! If they had done what they were suppose to, none of it would have happened." He snorted derisively. "Yeah, right! The assailant makes the choice. Yes, there are times when my patients made a stupid decision, but... the attacker is the one who's really responsible." Francis and Mira nodded, they had seen too much of that themselves. Like the victim would choose to be a victim.
 

Francis answered gently, "Doctor Russell, Rollie did make a choice, a very brave choice. We just have to live with the fact Rollie Tyler will risk himself for others. I found that out a long time ago. But he wouldn't have to make that choice, if people like Elliot didn't make theirs. For that matter, Mira and I, most police officers have made the same choice Rollie did. To protect."

"I know, I'm preaching to the choir and not the offenders." The doctor smiled at the others. "Now, I have to tell Angie to go home and rest... probably after she makes me explain all of the equipment in Rollie's room and tell her he will be all right tonight without her."

Doctor Russell looked quietly into Rollie's room and sighed at the sight. Angie was holding Rollie's left hand in both of hers, silent tears rolling down her face. She was quietly telling her partner over and over again, "I'm okay, Rollie. It's okay. You saved our lives and they caught Elliot. Now you just have to get better. Please Rollie, get better." He nodded satisfied, with friends like these Rollie would handle whatever happened better than most. He was sure of that.

At the third repetition of her litany started, Bill cleared his throat. "Angie, you have to go now."

Angie shivered, reluctantly released Rollie's hand and wrapped her arms around herself. "He's so... still and pale." Rollie's stillness was scary. He was as white as the sheets in the subdued lighting. There were IVs and wires and quiet beeps from the machines hooked to him. A thick swath of bandages covered his head, and his waist was thicker than normal under the sheets. More bandages, Angie knew.

Doctor Russell wrapped a friendly arm around the blonde's shoulders. "Rollie won't be so pale once we get his levels back to normal and he's so still because we put him in a drug induced coma. That's why we did that, to keep him quiet so he can heal." He squeezed once, then pointed to one of the machines. "Look, see that's his heart beat. Nice and steady. Strong." Angie nodded, reassured by the regular pulse of sound. "This one's his respiration. It's slow, but even. Remember, he has a bruised lung, so it might not stay even if it hurts. The slow breathing helps keep it from hurting." Angie nodded her understanding and smiled gratefully at the doctor. She tried to remember if any of the other doctors had ever explained things like this and couldn't think of a one. Maybe she'd suggest Rollie make Doctor Russell his regular doctor. He was good, he cared and better yet he explained things. Rollie would like that. One of his complaints about doctors was that they never explained things enough. He smiled back, "One last lesson, then you're gone for the night. This one is monitoring his brain waves. Pretty quiet right now. He's too deep to have dreams or anything right now. When the activity starts building, he'll be waking up. But that won't be for a couple of days yet."

Angie swallowed hard. She remembered what the doctor had said in the waiting room. She knew about concussions. They had both had them before, but brain contusion? "Will Rollie be okay? I mean, what's a brain contusion?"

Doctor Russell gently guided her into the hall, away from his patient's hearing, "A contusion is a bruise, you know that." Angie nodded. "Well, that bullet clipped him hard. It's knocked his brain around a bit. That caused some bruising. There is no sign of hematoma. That's a blood clot caused by ruptured blood vessels. There is some swelling. We using drugs to help control that and will be keeping a very close eye on him. Angie, go home and rest. Rollie is going to need help when he wakes up. He'll be confused and probably have some memory loss. How much we don't know yet. There may be other issues to deal with as well, I'm afraid." He looked into her frightened eyes. "I don't want to scare you, Angie. But I want you prepared to help him. There may be worse results to deal with, he may need extensive rehabilitation, there may be... personality changes or he may recover completely except for memory loss around the shooting." He wished he could just tell her Rollie would be fine, but he couldn't lie and that's what it would be - a lie. Because, they didn't know and wouldn't know until Rollie woke up. "What you were doing before, talking like that, reassuring him that you are all right and asking him to get better. That was good, that's what Rollie needs right now. If he does remember anything, he needs to have that reassurance. Now, go let your friends take you home. You can visit Rollie again tomorrow. Come to my office at around nine and I'll tell you how he did during the night. Okay?"

Angie nodded and after casting a last longing and worried look at Rollie's room, turned to join the others in the waiting room. It a subdued, worried group of friends that escorted Angie back to the loft. Angie thanked Francis for the ride and turned to enter Rollie's home.

"Angie?" Francis spoke softly. "Are you sure you want to stay here alone? Sarah would love to have you at our place."

"No, Francis." Angie gave him a slight smile. "I'd... I'd rather be here. Thank you for asking though."

"Angie, I could stay with you." Lucinda told her friend.

"I could stay too, Ange." Mira added to Lucinda's offer.

"No, thank you, but no. That's okay. I'll be okay. I can handle it. I want... to be alone for a little while." Angie looked at them with sad eyes. She shook her head, fighting back the tears. "I have to think. I can do that better alone."

Lucinda and Mira exchanged unhappy looks. They didn't like leaving Angie alone like this, worrying about Rollie. So much had happened to Angie and Rollie in the last week. Between Rollie's kidnapping and imprisonment, and now his getting shot, Angie had to be at the end of her emotional rope.

Francis sighed softly. "All right, Angie. But if you need anything or if you need to just... talk. You call one of us. Okay?"

Angie nodded her agreement. And started to enter the workshop again.

"Angie." Francis called out again. "You get some rest and I'll pick you up in the morning. Okay?"

He honestly doubted Angie would be able to sleep very much. She was too stressed. He wished briefly that Angie had accepted Doctor Russell's offer of something to help her sleep.

"Thanks, Frankie. I appreciate it." Angie gave him a grateful look. "Good night." She hurried inside, to the warmth of a pet that wouldn't ask questions or make comments and the memories of her best friend and boss, happy and healthy. Angie knew Rollie would need them to think positively about his condition and she wanted to wrap herself in the memories of the good times, to draw strength from the knowledge that Rollie was strong and capable of fighting his way back to a full recovery.

"Vinnie, I told you." Trask lightly slapped the side of Langley's face. "Ms. Elliot ain't gonna say a word. She holds with her promises! As for the Doc, all he could do is give 'em a description, he don't know our names or anything else. And his descriptions ain't gonna be worth shit! We were just hired bodies to him, he only notices 'important' folk."

"Yeah, well what about Tyler? He remembers me, I know it. And he knows who we are. Everybody says Tyler's got a sharp eye and call him a genius."

"Ms. Elliot hurt Tyler, bad. He's still out and if he wakes up... Well, maybe Mister Rollie Tyler won't make a full recovery."

"How? There's nothing to stop him from recovering. And how're we goin' to know if he wakes up?"

"We'll know, they'll report his condition on the set. That's how we'll know. And as to his recovery, why we may just have to pay him a little visit." Trask thought for a few minutes. "Cops won't have him covered anymore, not after arresting Ms. Elliot and the Doc. He wakes up, we go pay a little visit to the hospital. We can follow that pretty little partner of his to find his room. Then when he's alone, we'll take care of it. No muss, no fuss, no bother at all. Don't worry so much, Vin, I've got a real good handle on this."

"Better have, Bob. I don't fancy going to jail."
 

"What was that all about?" Francis asked curiously.

"They gave me a get well card for Rollie. They heard about what happened on the news... about the shooting." They had managed to keep Rollie's disappearance quiet, but it had been impossible to hide the shooting.

"That's nice. That's really nice." Francis nodded. "Sarah sent a plant and the girls sent Rollie a present, too. I don't know what it is, they wouldn't let me look." He pointed to the small, package on the back seat, next to a pot of African violets. "She wanted to give him something from Australia, but she didn't know what to get. I think Sarah will be doing some heavy duty research at the library now. She just realized there's a whole world of house plants she knows nothing about."

"Tell her that's okay, Frank. Rollie will like the African violets just fine. I don't know how he does it. He only keeps a few plants, but he manages to keep them in good condition, even when he's hardly there, they thrive." She thought about the little tree he kept on the first floor, of the panel he had set up to reflect the light from the high windows so it would receive enough natural light for it to grow and be healthy.

"Yeah, that's what I told Sarah. I think she believed me." He grinned at the pretty blonde. "Won't stop her from learning about Australian house plants though."

"Maybe Rollie can help her when he's feeling better. It might keep him out of trouble."

"Angie, I hate to tell you this, but nothing can keep Rollie Tyler out of trouble."

Angie thought for a second. "You're right. Rollie would walk into a flower shop and find a smuggling ring or a robbery."

"Or something." Francis nodded.

Francis pulled the car into the hospital parking lot and the friends headed inside. Francis lead the way to Doctor Russell's office. "Doctor Russell?"

Bill Russell smiled at the two friends as they peered into his office. "Angie, Francis. Good morning. I'm pleased to say, Rollie did very well last night. The swelling has gone down and he's doing much better than we hoped at this stage. Come on, I'll walk with you to his room."

Angie looked at Rollie's still form lying in the hospital bed. He wasn't as pale as the sheets anymore and all the machines monitoring his condition were reassuringly steady in their beat. "Hey Rollie. Good morning." She spoke quietly as she moved to set in the chair next to his bed. Angie picked up his hand and held it. "Everyone's worrying about you. I brought a card from the neighborhood kids and Francis brought you something from Sarah and his girls too."

Doctor Russell nodded encouragingly at her and left them alone. Francis put the plant over on the small bedside table with the little package. "Hi Rollie. I wish I could stay and talk, but Mira and I are still tying up some loose ends. You take it easy and get better. I'll be back this afternoon. Okay Angie?" He patted her on the shoulder. God, it was awful seeing Rollie this still, but at least he was alive and getting better.

"See you later, Frankie." Angie smiled at the detective, then turned back to her partner. "Tim's raising hell with the big shots at the studio, he wants to know how they could hire Beth Elliot when she had that attitude of hers about violence. Seems a lot of people knew how she felt, but they hired her anyway." She settled in to tell Rollie what was happening and make small talk about their work and people they knew. Thus she set the pattern for the next two days.

Rollie's hospital room filled with get well cards, more plants and flowers, and a big bunch of balloons from the cast and crew of the movie set. There was even a large stuffed kangaroo from Lucinda and Justin. Angie told Rollie after they left, that Luce seemed very taken with the handsome Texan and they were becoming quite an item.

The two days seemed to take forever, but finally, Doctor Russell said it was time to allow Rollie to wake up from his coma. They reduced the drugs feeding in his system and waited. Slowly, Rollie moved from coma to unconsciousness to sleep.

"Rollie. Rollie?" Angie called softly. "It's okay, boss. Come on, Rol, it's time to wake up."

Finally, at long last, Rollie squeezed the small hand holding his left hand so tightly, his eyes blinked and opened to squint in the dim light of his hospital room. He looked puzzled as he stared at the ceiling and licked dry lips. Angie was right there, offering him a sip of water through a straw. Rollie blinked and smiled slightly at her anxious look. He started to say something, then stopped and shook his head slightly. He winced at the pain the motion caused. His eyes questioned Angie's about what was wrong.

A nurse gently pulled Angie away and out of the room. Doctor Russell and another doctor, Jalen Simon, a specialist in head injuries, moved to examine Rollie. Angie waited and worried in the hallway. Fretting and concerned about Rollie. Be all right, she thought. Just be all right.

"Rollie? Do you remember me?" Bill Russell asked his patient quietly.

Rollie squinted at the doctor, then nodded his head carefully. He didn't know why his head hurt so much or why his side hurt, but he remembered this man. Doctor Russell at the hospital, he had treated him after he had escaped his kidnappers, drugged and hurt. But hadn't he been released? How had he gotten back to the hospital? His head ached and he just couldn't seem to remember.

Doctor Russell smiled and patted Rollie's arm gently. "It's okay. You're doing fine. This is Doctor Jalen Simon." He gestured to the tall black man, he was taller and thinner than Rollie himself was. "He's going to examine you. When he's done, I'll explain everything. Okay?"

Rollie nodded slightly, still puzzled and tried to be patient. After all, there wasn't much else he could do, now was there. He hurt! He didn't think he wanted to try and move much.

Doctor Simon examined Rollie quickly and efficiently. Rollie tried to answer his questions as best he could without his voice. Fortunately, most of what he asked were simple yes and no questions. Rollie didn't think he could handle anything more at the moment. The thought of trying to write something made his headache worse. The doctor seemed satisfied when he was done. He and Doctor Russell moved away and talked in quiet tones.

Rollie didn't even try to listen, his head hurt too much. He had closed his eyes and actually almost dozed off, when a touch on his shoulder woke him up. He blinked up at Doctor Russell with sleepy, pain filled eyes.

"Okay, I'm going to explain what happened and how you're doing. Do you want Angie in here?" The doctor asked carefully. There was no sign of the other doctor or any nurses.

Rollie tried to think, but finally gave it up. He nodded carefully, wincing again as the pain flared.
Bill moved to the doorway and called softly, "Angie, you can come in now."

Angie couldn't have been far away, because she seemed to just appear in the door. She moved immediately to Rollie and grasped his hand again. He squeezed it gratefully, glad she was there.

"Okay, I'm going to give you the abridged version, so Rollie can go back to sleep." Bill took a deep breath. "Rollie you were shot, once in the side and one bullet clipped your head. That's why it hurts so much and you are having trouble remembering some things." He waited patiently for Rollie to absorb the information.

Rollie looked surprised and glanced at Angie, then back the doctor. Shot? How? When? Well, it certainly explained why his head hurt so much, he guessed.

Seeing the understanding enter Rollie's eyes, Doctor Russell continued. "Okay, Rollie you've been here almost three days now."

Rollie stared at them, shocked. Three days? It had been three days?!? Angie tightened her hold on his hand.

Bill hastened to reassure Rollie. "You're doing very well, much better than we expected actually. The bullet in your side has been removed, it missed all the vital organs. You do have a bruised lung, so no deep breathing exercises." That earned him a slight smile. "You're going to be just fine, but I'm afraid you'll be staying with us for a while." He smiled apologetically at his patient. "At least three, maybe four more days and I'm sorry to say you're going to be subjected to our food." Bill Russell almost laughed at Rollie's grimace at that particular statement. Obviously, Rollie didn't have a very high opinion of hospital food. Not that he could blame Rollie, he worked there and he didn't have a good opinion of it! "Now, I'd nap whenever possible, if I were you Rollie. The nurses are going to be in here, waking you up to see how you're sleeping. And Rollie," Doctor Russell waited until he was certain he had his patient's full attention, "this time, when I send you home and tell you to rest. Stay home and rest! No more heroics, at least not until you're healed."

Rollie gave the doctor a puzzled look. Heroics? What heroics? Just what had happened? He looked over at Angie, but could see she didn't want to give him any answers. At least not at the moment. Well, he'd find out what had happened sooner or later, everybody couldn't hide it from him forever.

Doctor Russell left the friends alone and Rollie drifted off to sleep a short time later. Angie just sat and watched, relieved that he was doing well. Since the doctor hadn't mentioned complications, Angie didn't expect any. She knew he would have told her, if there were... problems. It looked like Rollie's luck had held and he would be just fine.

Later that afternoon, watching Rollie take another nap, Angie called Tim and told him the FX expert had woken up from his drug induced coma and was doing fine. Tim sighed with relief and told her he would pass it on to the movie cast and crew. He also gave her the welcome news that the studio would now do anything to continue using Tyler FX on the movie, including delaying the filming! Seemed they were afraid of a law suit for some odd reason. Angie laughed softly at that one. Like Rollie would actually sue somebody! Unless they did something to his equipment, his partner or something seriously impacting Tyler FX, Rollie was remarkably amenable to the vagaries of show business.

Telling the story to Rollie later brought a smile to his face. It was a welcome sight to Angie, since Rollie obviously still felt very bad. She showed him some of the cards he had received and read the inscriptions.

Francis arrived just in time to see Angie give Rollie the present from the detective's daughters. "Hey Rollie! How you doing?"

Rollie smiled at his friend and waved a greeting.

"So, what did my lovely girls give you? I think I'm getting jealous here." Francis grinned at the small joke.

Rollie fidgeted with the package, turning it this way and that and shaking it slightly. When that elicited no clues, the Aussie carefully unwrapped the small gift. Angie and Francis knew that the abnormally sedate pace was because of his injuries, not consideration for the paper. Normally, Rollie would rip the paper off swiftly and then slowly open the box. It was a contradiction they both expected from their friend. What he found in the box, brought a big grin to Rollie's tired face. Angie and Francis moved closer to see the small object Rollie held in his hand.

Angie asked, puzzled. "What is it?"

"It's a Beanie Baby!" Francis grinned at the small soft toy that Rollie was now rolling around in his hands. The special effects expert was obviously taken with his new "friend". "Which one is it, Rollie?"

"A Beanie Baby?" Angie mouthed the words, amused by the delighted look on Rollie's face.

Rollie lifted up the soft toy for his friends to get a better look.

"So, what is it? Doesn't look like any babies I've ever seen." Angie grumbled.

Francis took a look at the heart shape tag attached to the toy. "Patti Platypus." Obviously, his girls had picked it out especially for their Aussie friend. Francis wondered if it had come from the girls' growing collection. If it had, it showed a great deal of generosity. They were very possessive of their Beanie Babies. "That's great, Rollie! Do you like it? My girls will want to know."

Rollie started to nod enthusiastically, then winced. That hurt! He looked up at them sheepishly, he had forgotten his headache for a moment.

"Take it easy, Rollie." Frank patted Rollie's leg. "I get the idea. I'll let them know you really like it." He smiled gently at his taller friend. "Now, you get some rest and work on getting better. It's time I took Angie home."

Angie glanced at her watch and sighed. Francis was right, visiting hours were pretty much over and it was time for her to go. She leaned over and kissed Rollie's cheek. "You be good." Like she was talking to a little child. "I'll be back in the morning. Good night, Rollie. Sweet dreams."

Rollie frowned slightly, but grabbed Angie's hand before she could move away. He gave it a gentle squeeze. then released it. With his friends looking on, Rollie carefully placed his new toy on the pillow next to his head and settled down to go back to sleep. He gave them a wistful look and a small wave, then closed his eyes.

Francis and Angie whispered soft "Good night"s and left Rollie to sleep. However long the doctors and nurses allowed the man to rest.

Francis dropped Angie off at her "home away from home", Rollie's loft, after his failure to convince the blonde to join his family for dinner. With a promise to pick her up, "Same time tomorrow", he headed home.

Angie stretched and rewarmed some of the tomato soup. After a quick supper of soup and crackers, she headed for Rollie's bed. She slept peacefully with Chiop's curled against the back of her knees, unaware of the eyes that intently watched the workshop.

"What's the rush? There's plenty of time to get to the hospital before visiting hours start." Francis looked at his passenger, confused and alarmed. "Did something happen to Rollie?"

Angie realized how her actions could be interpreted and apologized. "Sorry, Frankie. I didn't mean to scare you. No, Rollie's fine as far as I know. I'm... I'm just anxious, you know?"

Francis pulled over and turned to look at the blonde. "No, I don't know. What's wrong?"

"I'm not sure. I just woke up... restless. It's probably nothing, just nerves."

"Well, you've earned the right to some nerves, Angie! After the last week..." Francis shook his head. Rollie and Angie had both been through a lot. They should take a vacation, he thought, a really nice one. They had earned it. He hoped his friends would do something to relax once Rollie was better and out of the hospital.

"So, how's the investigation coming? Did you learn anything new from Elliot or that doctor?"

Francis knew Angie was trying to distract him, but he answered anyway. "No, Elliot has clamed up and Reville won't talk except to his lawyer now. Mira and I think they had help though. Someone had to have helped them grab Rollie! Elliot and Reville couldn't have done that to him on their on.  Angie, you be careful. Keep your eyes open. I... I don't want to scare you and there may be nothing to worry about, but... but some one else is involved. They might just be hired help, in which case, we have nothing to worry about. But, if they believe in Elliot's 'cause', they might take another crack at Rollie." Francis looked at her, his eyes sad and serious. "Or you."

"Me?" Angie shivered. If someone else was out there! She had hoped it was over, that all they had to worry about was Rollie getting better. The way Francis was talking though. "If you think there's someone else involved... why isn't someone guarding Rollie?"

 Francis chuckled softly. "He is guarded, Angie. We've had someone guarding him since yesterday afternoon."

Angie looked at Francis strangely. "Francis, we were there yesterday afternoon and no one was guarding Rollie!"

"Yes, they are, Angie. It just looks like no one is guarding Rollie, but we have him covered."

"Francis, are you humoring me?" Angie asked, suspicious.

"No, Angie. I'm sorry." Francis answered, apologetically. "We have two people on Rollie's floor watching his door at all times. The captain is hoping someone will get... careless."

"Uh, Francis, I don't think I like playing games like this. This is Rollie's life we're talking about!" Angie was agitated now.

"Believe me, Angie. We know and we're going to be very careful to protect Rollie. I promise." Francis pulled back out into traffic. "He's my friend too. I don't want anything else to happen to him either. But until we catch the rest, Rollie is in danger. This is our best chance. Reville might cut a deal, but we don't think he knows much. Elliot is a total nut case and won't tell us anything."

A little while later, Angie noticed Francis kept glancing at his rearview mirror. "What's up? What do you see?" Angie started to turn around and look.

"No!" Francis spoke quickly. "Don't look back, Angie. I think someone is following us. There's a silver pickup about three cars back. I think I saw it right after we left the loft. These might be the guys that helped Elliot and Reville." He gave her a sharp look. "If it is, we can't risk spooking them. We have to be careful."

Angie gulped and nodded. "Do you think they'll follow us to the hospital? What do we do, Frankie?" If the pickup was following them and whoever was in it had a hand in hurting Rollie... Angie wanted them caught! The sooner, the better!

"We act like everything is normal. I wish there was some way to call this in without alerting our 'company'."

"Maybe I can do it without getting them suspicious." Angie offered.

"How?" Francis asked eagerly. If they could warn the guards, they could set a trap. They had to catch these guys.

Angie reached into her bag and pulled out her PDA, placing it in her lap. She acted like she was checking her make-up and fiddled with her earrings. She removed the set she wore and put on a different pair she had in her bag. Angie looked at the PDA carefully and changed some of the settings. "These are Rollie's newest toys. I can use the earrings as head phones." Angie reached into her bag and pulled out a short, silver omega necklace with a slide on it. She put the choker length chain around her neck. "And that slide acts as the microphone." Angie grinned mischievously at Frank. "So who do you want me to call?"

"Mira. She can set up what we need at the hospital." Francis grinned back. This was so cool!

Angie quickly dialed Mira's number on the PDA. "Mira," Angie spoke. She acted like she was talking to Francis.

"Angie? What's up?" Mira answered. "Is Rollie okay?"

"Why does everybody think something's happened to Rollie?" Angie complained.

"What?" Mira asked, surprised.

"Never mind. Francis thinks someone is following us." Angie told her, crisply.

"Tell her we need to set up a trap at the hospital." Francis told Angie, who relayed the information.

"Okay, I'll get right on it. Ask Francis what your E.T.A. is." Mira spoke quickly as she gestured frantically to Captain Vanduran in his office. The captain moved quickly to join his detective.

Angie asked Francis, and passed on his reply. "Fifteen minutes, Mira."

"Good enough. We'll be waiting." Mira assured her.

"Angie!" Francis spoke urgently. "Tell Mira to be sure Rollie is moved to another room. We can't risk catching him in a cross-fire."

Angie shivered and hurried to pass the words on.

"Don't worry, Angie. Consider Rollie moved." Mira said and hung up the phone.

"Tyler? What now, Detective?" Captain Marvin Vanduran glared down at the shorter woman.

"Captain, that was Angie. Francis thinks they're being followed. He wants a trap set at the hospital."

"And Tyler moved to another room where he'll be safe. Well, don't just stand there! Get on it!" The captain barked. "I'll notify Romano and Bowen."

"Yes sir! I'm on my way." Mira dashed out of the squad room, dialing the hospital on her cell phone. "Yes, Doctor Bill Russell, please." Mira ran out of the precinct and headed for her car. "Doctor Russell, we think Rollie maybe in for some... 'uninvited' visitors. Could you move him, please? Quietly, so no one knows he's not in his room."

"Detective Sanchez? Yes, I suppose so, but I thought that's what those men were here for?" Bill Russell asked, startled.

"Yes, they are, but we don't want to take any chances." Mira pulled into traffic. She had to hurry to get to the hospital ahead of Frank and Angie.

"I can certainly agree with that sentiment, Detective. I don't want to have to patch Rollie up again. I'll have him moved immediately."

"Good. I should be there in a few minutes. Hopefully ahead of our uninvited guests." Mira expertly maneuvered her way through the traffic. It took the detective ten of the fifteen minutes to reach the hospital and park. She quickly ran inside. After a glance at the elevators, Mira headed for the stairs, she ran up them as swiftly as possible. If she could reach Rollie's floor, she would have a good view of his room from the stairwell. She stopped at the door and panted. A quick peek and wave to Bowen assured her that she was ahead of Francis and Angie, and more importantly their prey. Mira settled in to wait, now maybe they could get this over with and Rollie would finally be safe.

Mira watched Francis and Angie exit the elevator a few minutes later, talking casually as they approached Rollie's hospital room. She re-focused her attention on the elevators. That was probably where the expected company would appear. She knew that if they, whoever they were, tried to use the stairs she would hear them easily.

Ten minutes later, the elevator doors opened and Mira watched two large, husky blond men come out. They glanced around casually and entered the men's room a few doors down. Vince Langley and Bob Trask! Mira wondered if they believed the crap Elliot had been spouting or if they were in it for some quick cash. She didn't think they had just dropped by to see the hospitalized special effects expert. Thinking about it, she remembered that they and Elliot had been the only ones on the movie crew who hadn't spoken to Rollie on his return to the set. Right now, she was very grateful she had the doctor move Rollie. Unfortunately, they couldn't make a move until the men did something indicating intent. She tried to wait patiently as Francis told Angie good bye and indicated he would pick her up that evening. Frank left on the elevator and still the two men remained in the rest room.

The sound of the stairwell door opening and footsteps echoed up to where Mira was waiting. Francis moved quickly to her side. "Anything yet?"

"Langley and Trask are in the men's room. I don't know how long they'll wait. Where's Angie?" Mira asked, concerned about the blonde effects expert. Rollie would be furious if they let something happen to his partner.

"We think they won't make a move until Angie leaves. She's going for a cup of coffee in a few minutes. The doc set up a medical dummy to look like it's Rollie. Smart move, I didn't even think about that."

Mira nodded, "I just hope we get Angie out of the way before they make their move."

Francis nodded agreement, if anything happened to Angie, Rollie just might kill them and save Vanduran the trouble. "Look, there she goes."

Angie left the room and headed for a small vending area. The detectives held their breath as they waited for Langley and Trask to make a move. A moment later, Trask left the men's room and entered Rollie's room. Damn, looked like they would have to take the two men separately. There was a commotion in Rollie's old room as Romano grabbed Trask. Langley exploded from the men's room a second before Mira and Francis came out of the stairwell.

Vince Langley pointed a gun at the detectives and looked around wildly. Before Francis or Mira could act, he darted into the vending area and dragged Angie out, the gun pointed at her head. "All right, detectives!" He snarled in fury. "I want Bob out here, now! Or this pretty little blonde's brains are going bye bye!"

"Okay, take it easy, Mister Langley. Frank, go get Mister Trask." Mira tried to soothe the man holding their friend.

Francis nodded and quickly went to get Trask. He brought him out, Romano's handcuffs still on him. Romano stood in the doorway of the room, watching and waiting. They couldn't act with a hostage in danger, not yet.

"Get those cuffs off of him now!" For emphasis, he dug the gun barrel harder against Angie's temple.

Angie's eyes were wide with fear and fury. These men had hurt Rollie and were using her to get away. Well, she would have to see about that, the blonde concentrated on finding a way to get loose and stop their escape.

Francis hastened to remove the cuffs and Trask moved beside Langley. "Games up, let's get out of here, Vin."

"What about Tyler?" Langley growled.

"He wasn't in there, it was just a dummy." Trask growled in frustration. How had the cops known? "Forget Tyler. It's too late. Let's get."

Langley nodded and pushed Angie toward the stairwell.

Mira backed up cautiously from the two men. Somehow, they had to get Angie away so they could get these guys. Damn, why hadn't Angie gone downstairs instead!

Trask held the door open as Langley backed up through the door, Angie in front of him. Angie put one leg against the side of the door and pushed hard! The two men and their hostage stumbled backwards, falling down the stairs. The gun exploded when Langley's finger reflexively pulled the trigger.

"Angie, are you okay?" Mira asked anxiously. She frowned when Angie didn't seem to hear her.

"Angie? Angie!" Francis sidled over to where Angie was and gently touched her shoulder. "Angie?" he asked when she looked at him.

"Damn, that gun was loud!" Angie muttered and shook her head. "My ears are still ringing."

"Are you all right?" Francis asked, worried.

Angie looked at him. "My head hurts and I've got a lovely collection of bruises I expect. But I'm okay, Frankie."

Francis sighed in relief and guided Angie away from Langley and Trask. Medical personnel approached the men cautiously, but it wasn't necessary. The men hadn't faired as well as Angie. Langley was out cold and Trask had a broken leg and was stunned. Neither were going anywhere without help anytime soon.

Doctor Russell peered down the stairwell and reached for Angie's arm. "When I said I didn't want to patch Rollie up again, I didn't mean I wanted to patch you up, Angie." The words were rueful and a trifle amused. How much trouble could two people get into in just a few days?

Angie shrugged sheepishly and winced. Yep, definite bruises. "Sorry, Doctor Russell. I didn't plan for that to happen." But I am glad I stopped those two creeps, she thought gleefully, now maybe Rollie will be left alone.

Doctor Russell steered Angie to an empty room and examined her. When he was done, he spoke. "Well young lady, I'd say you have a mild concussion. I think you better plan on spending the night here."

"Ah, come on, Doctor Russell! It's not that bad." Angie really didn't want to stay. It was bad enough Rollie had to stay.

"You can share a room with Rollie." The doctor promised. "And speaking of Rollie, he's probably frantic by now. Come on, you need to pay him a visit."

"Poor Rollie." Then she groaned. "Don't tell me Rollie knows what happened!?!" Angie knew her partner would be upset if he found out what had happened to her. He would hover like a mother hen for weeks! Please, don't let him know, she prayed silently.

"I'm afraid he knows about his unwanted visitors. And he knows you haven't been to see him yet, Angie." Doctor Russell hid a smile. "It wouldn't take Rollie much effort to put two and two together. Especially with the way you're moving right now."

"Damn." Angie breathed softly. He was right, it wouldn't take much for Rollie to figure out what had happened. He might come up with the wrong answer, but it wouldn't be that far wrong. Damn damn damn damn damn. She hated Rollie hovering, ignoring the fact that she was just as guilty when the roles were reversed. She had been hovering over Rollie ever since he had returned home.

Bill Russell grinned. "Look at it this way, Angie. You can mother each other. And maybe I'll get to treat other patients for a change, not just you and Rollie."

"Hey, no fair! I just got a little banged up. Once! Just once!" Angie protested. "Rollie's the one who's been here twice already."

"True. You're not going to try and break his record, are you?" He teased as he guided her toward Rollie's new room.

"Never!" Angie replied fervently. She knew just how frequently her boss and best friend got hurt and she had no desire to match his record. She also knew that Doctor Russell had no idea about how long Rollie's record really was. As much as she liked Doctor Bill Russell, Angie decided not to enlighten him, he might lengthen Rollie's stay if he found out. Especially after this last time.

And there was Rollie's room, where a pale Aussie stood in the door, stubbornly ignoring one of the nurses trying to get him to lie down again. He saw Angie and reached out one hand toward her. "Angie?" came the hoarse whisper, "Are you all right?"

Bill did a double take as he realized his previously silent patient was speaking. He wanted to dash off and find Emma. He couldn't wait for her to examine Rollie and verify that he was now completely free of the drugs that had kept him mute. But first he had to get the stubborn man back to bed where he belonged. Seeing the frantic look in his patient's eyes, he decided to be gentle about it. Rollie was obviously extremely worried and could be forgiven the lapse. This time.

"Rolllie!" Angie cried softly. She hurried to reassure her best friend. "I'm fine. Honest. Doctor Russell, tell him I'm okay!" Angie helped the nurse guide the pale man back to bed.

Rollie sat on the edge of the bed and searched Angie, anxiously looking for bullet wounds. Seeing none, he started to relax, then stiffened. "Francis? Mira?" Rollie had heard the gun shot and desperately prayed no one had been hurt or...

"They're fine, Rollie. I promise. No one got shot. Angie's fine, just some bruises and a mild concussion." Bill swiftly checked his patient, making sure he hadn't hurt himself. "Don't worry. Angie is spending the night, here with you." He hid a smile at the relief in Rollie's eyes. "I'm sure Francis and Mira will be by as soon as they've taken care of those two men. Right now, I want you to lie back down. I'm going to get Emma up here to examine you... or haven't you two noticed?" He grinned at the twin puzzled looks. "Rollie, you're talking."

"Yes!" Angie cheered as she recognized the good news.

Rollie blinked in disbelief, then broke into a wide grin. Great! Now, if he could just get out of here and get that stupid dye out of his hair...

Doctor Russell patted Rollie's arm and left quickly to find Emma Brown. It didn't take long for him to find Emma and drag her to Rollie's floor. "Come on, Emma!"

"Whoa. Whoa, Bill!" Emma protested in the elevator. "What's the rush? Where are we going?"

"To see Rollie. You need to examine him!"

"Rollie? What now?" Emma looked puzzled. Whatever in the world could have happened to their patient now? She had heard about him being shot. The whole hospital had buzzed with that news. And she had made sure that Bill kept her up to date on the latest news about Rollie Tyler.

"Didn't I tell you?" Bill had the grace to look sheepish as he realized he hadn't. He had just latched on to her and dragged her off. "Rollie's talking!"

"Talking?" Emma's ears perked up at that news. "Well, come on! What are you waiting for?" As the doors opened, she rushed ahead toward Rollie's old room.

"No, not that one, Em. This way." Bill led the way to Rollie's new room. The doctors paused in the door to see Angie sitting on the edge of Rollie's bed. The pair had their heads together and Rollie was listening intently to his partner's soft words.

"Rollie? Angie?" Emma Brown smiled at the friends. "If you'll excuse us for a couple of moments, Angie. I need to examine Rollie."

Angie and Rollie looked up startled. Angie kissed Rollie on his cheek and squeezed his hand. "Sure thing, Doctor Brown. I'll wait outside."

Bill Russell guided Angie over to a nearby alcove that served as a waiting area for that floor. He plopped down into one of the chairs with a sigh of relief. "Well, between the two of you, you certainly keep me jumping, Angie." He smiled at the young blonde to let her know he was just teasing.

"Yeah, I guess we do." Angie answered as she carefully sat in the chair next to Doctor Russell. Her bruises were painful. "I'm sorry, we never..."

"I know, Angie. I know. You and Rollie didn't decide to get up one day and give me a lot of work. It just happened." He gently squeezed her hand. "Now, I owe you an apology."

"An apology?" Angie looked puzzled at the doctor. Doctor Russell had been wonderful and kind to both her and Rollie. What did he have to apologize for?

"I never told you how Rollie was doing after he woke up." Bill looked at Angie and waited.

"No." Angie spoke slowly. "No, you didn't." She looked anxiously at the older man. "I thought... I thought it was because he was okay." Angie realized that wasn't true and shook her head. "No, that's not right. I thought he was okay, because I wanted Rollie to be okay."

Bill smiled gently at her and patted her hand. "Well, I should have talked to you earlier. I just didn't want to because... well, because it was really still too early to tell. Doctor Simon was worried about Rollie's silence. He was concerned that the head injury would have an effect on Rollie's speech. I didn't want to worry you with that too. I had already scared you enough. I told him about Emma's diagnosis from before, but he was still concerned. I was waiting until after he had a chance to consult with her. Then he had an emergency case and another of his cases had a relapse and..." Bill looked apologetically at Angie and shrugged sheepishly. "It snowballed from there."

Angie looked at the doctor with worried eyes. "But Rollie is okay, now. Right? I mean he's even talking." She waited anxiously for the answer.

"Yes, he is talking. Doctor Simon will want to check him again, now that his voice is back. But I think he'll find Rollie is fine. Rollie has lost some memories and he'll probably have some hellish headaches for a while. But I think he'll be okay." Doctor Russell sighed. "Of course, the official word will have to come from Doctor Simon, not me. It's not my area of expertise and Doctor Simon is very good at what he does."

"Thank you, Doctor Russell." Angie spoke softly.

The doctor looked startled at Angie's words. "Why are you...?"

"Why am I thanking you? Because you've been very kind and patient with Rollie and with me. Because Rollie hates being in a hospital and you've made it easier on him and me! And because you've been worrying about us... and so few doctors have cared about how we feel. They just sort of shove us through the system in a hurry to get us healed and out of the way, not about how we're reacting to it."

Bill frowned at the picture her words created. "Angie, there is no excuse for that. Doctors take an oath to heal and that doesn't just apply to the body. The next time a doctor doesn't give you an explanation about their diagnosis... Stop them. Make them explain. Sometimes... sometimes, it's too easy to get caught up in the bustle and miss some important details. Doctors are human and sometimes we need to be reminded about that fact and that our patients are human, too. That our patients are living, thinking, feeling people." He looked appealingly at the blonde. "Promise me you'll do that. It's important."

Angie looked slightly stunned at his words. "Okay," she answered slowly, she had never thought of it that way before, "okay, I'll do that. Promise."

Bill smiled at her and patted her hand. "I have a lot of friends who'll thank you for that reminder, Angie. They're good doctors, but sometimes life sort of... runs over them and they forget." They sat their quietly, wrapped in their thoughts while they waited for Emma Brown to finish. Bill glanced toward the door of Rollie's room and smiled when he saw Emma grinning at them. "Come on, Angie! I think Emma is done. Let's see what she found."

They joined Emma and Rollie in his room. Angie immediately went to sit on the edge of Rollie's bed and took hold of his hand again. Bill and Emma hid their smiles at that action, they exchanged a knowing look.

Emma cleared her throat. "Okay, people. We have some good news here. Rollie's voice is back and he's doing fine. You'll be hoarse for a little while, Rollie, because you haven't been using it, but you'll recover completely. And I get to sign you off as my patient. I believe that just leaves ol' Bill here." Her look asked her friend for confirmation.

Bill frowned and shook his head at her. "That leaves Doctor Simon and me. Do you remember Doctor Simon, Rollie?"

Rollie looked at Bill Russell. "Yeah, he was that tall guy, taller and thinner than me." Rollie seemed amused by that fact. "He asked all those questions. I think he hated the fact I couldn't talk at the time." He fidgeted slightly. "He's going to come and ask more questions, isn't he?" Rollie asked plaintively in a coarse tone.

Bill smiled gently at Rollie. "Yes, I'm afraid he is. But Doctor Simon doesn't bite, I promise." He glanced at his watch and frowned. "But I'm afraid it won't be today. I'll schedule him to examine you sometime tomorrow." He laughed lightly at Rollie's look. "Just think of it this way, Rollie. Doctor Simon has to clear you, before you can check out. The sooner he does that, the closer to your release you are. Okay?"

Rollie nodded agreement just as Francis and Mira appeared in his door. He smiled at them. "Hi Frankie, Mira. Bad guys all put away?" came Rollie's whispery greeting.

The detectives grinned widely at the words, soft and rough though they were.

"Hey, Rollie! You're talking!" Francis enthused. "That's great."

"Yeah, sounds like you're almost back to normal." Mira smiled, then grinned slyly. "Or normal for you anyway, Rollie." She turned serious. "Yeah, the bad guys are all nice and mirandized. They'll spend a couple days in the hospital, then it'll be off to jail. Hopefully for a good long time!" She looked Angie over carefully. "Are you okay Angie? That was quite a tumble."

"Yeah. Just some bruises and a mild concussion." Angie reassured them. "I'm fine. Though the doc is being mean and making me stay tonight."

"Mean sweetie?" Rollie pretended to be hurt. "He's letting you stay here in my room. I thought you liked me." He paused and thought carefully. "Just what did happen anyway? Angie?" His brown eyes pleaded with Angie for an answer.

Angie sighed in resignation. "Langley and Trask were the other two involved in your kidnapping Rollie. They followed us to the hospital. They were going to kill you." She shivered at the thought, if Frankie hadn't noticed them... If the cops hadn't been suspicious and had Rollie covered... She hurried to continue. "Francis and Mira set a trap in your old room. They tried to get away when they realized what was happening. I thought I was safely out of the way, but they decided I'd make a good hostage." Her eyes hardened with cold fury. "They were wrong. I wasn't. I pushed all of us down the stairs." Angie saw the fear return to Rollie's eyes and hastened to add. "I fell just like you taught me, Rol. They didn't stand a chance. I wouldn't have even gotten bruised if they hadn't been so... clumsy!" The protest made the doctors and detectives laugh. "Rollie? Please! I'm okay."

Rollie closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then winced as his bruised lung made it's presence felt. He looked up at Angie with wide eyes. "They had guns, Ange. I heard that shot and I thought... They could have killed you." He started to shake. Angie reached out and hugged Rollie close, murmuring reassurances in his ear.

Doctor Russell quietly shooed the others out of Rollie's and now Angie's room. "Let's give them some privacy. Besides, we have to get Rollie's things together and move them here."

"Yeah," Francis agreed. He remembered just how many get well wishes Rollie had received. "That should give them enough time to... get comfortable."

Mira looked curiously around Rollie's old room. "Boy, Rollie sure got a lot of stuff in just a few days." She examined the kangaroo which now had Patti Platypus resting in its pouch.

Francis nodded agreement. "A lot of people like Rollie." He smiled. "After all, what's not to like? Unless you're a bad guy!" He remembered all the cases Rollie helped them handle. Rollie never asked for recognition or reward. He just wanted to help others. And if he helped his friends at the same time, well all the better to the Aussie's way of thinking. He wandered idly why Rollie was like that, why he seemed to have such a deep seated need to help other people. Pity, they couldn't bottle it and pass some around. It sure would make their job easier.

"That's the truth! Come on, let's get this stuff together and moved." Mira grabbed the balloons that sagged to the floor, the helium no longer lifting them up. She added them to the kangaroo in her arms. "The captain will want our written report soon."

The detectives quickly gathered up the cards, flowers and plants. They borrowed a cart from the nurses station to carry it all. But even with that help, they thought it would take two trips to get all of it to Rollie's new room.

By the time they were done, Rollie had settled back down and was happy to hold his kangaroo and Beanie Baby. He looked thoughtfully at the stuffed animals and silently offered Angie her choice of bed companion. Angie made a show of carefully looking the offerings over, but she knew how taken Rollie was with the Beanie Baby and she solemnly accepted the kangaroo.

Francis and Mira said their good-byes. Mira promised Angie she would drop by later with a small overnight bag for the blonde. They were surprised to meet the doctors outside of the room.

"Doctors?" Francis started cautiously. Please, don't have bad news. Not after all of this.

"Detectives." Doctor Russell spoke for both of them. He cleared his throat and fidgeted. "We, uh, we were wondering..."

Francis and Mira smiled at each other. Good, this didn't sound bad. In fact, it sounded like the good doctors were dying of curiosity.

"Wondering what, Doctor Russell?" Mira asked calmly.

"Why a kangaroo and a platypus?" Emma blurted out the question, then paused embarrassed. "Usually it's a teddy bear or..."

Francis laughed softly. "Because Rollie's Australian." He shrugged as he realized the doctors hadn't had an opportunity to hear Rollie's oz accent. "It's natural!" He grinned at them. "Now, if you'll excuse us, our captain is waiting. Impatiently, I'm sure."

As the detectives left, the last thing they heard before the elevator doors closed was Emma Brown speaking to Bill Russell. "You know Bill, I always wanted to go to Australia. To the land Down Under and..."

 
 
It was a week, before Rollie was declared well enough to return home to the loft. The Aussie was relieved to be safely ensconced in his own bed on the third level and to no longer be eating hospital food. Angie left Rollie alone only to work and even then Chiops kept him company. Sarah or Francis or Mira constantly dropped by to check on him, frequently bringing their recovering friend treats to eat. Rollie had lost weight during his latest stay at the hospital and since everyone was firmly convinced he didn't have any to lose, they worked very hard to put it back on to his lanky frame again. Gradually, Rollie returned to work, first little easy things at the loft, then finally he was allowed to return to the movie set and full duties. Exactly seven weeks after Rollie's release from the hospital, all was ready to shoot the climatic scene of the movie - the death and destruction of the tentacled alien monster as the hero rescued his girlfriend and saved the world.

Tim decided to celebrate the climax and Rollie's return to full duties by throwing a big party. Doctors Bill Russell and Emma Brown, Detectives Francis Gatti and Mira Sanchez, even EMTs Erik and Dirk were all invited to attend. The guests were very excited to be on site for the filming. An area had been roped off for those who were not working to sit and watch the scene. A huge buffet table straining under the load of refreshments was placed at the rear of the area. To one side was a large table, a cloth hid whatever rested on it from view.

Bill and Emma peered around eagerly trying to spot their former patient.

"There's Tim," Emma pointed toward the director. He was intent on something a tall, lanky brown haired man was saying to him.

"Yes, and there's Angie." Bill nodded toward the blonde effects expert standing behind the panels of a piece of computerized equipment. "But where's Rollie?"

Francis laughed behind them and they both jumped. "Talking to Tim."

The doctors looked at the short detective puzzled.

Emma started to protest then took a closer look at the man talking to the director. She chuckled. "You're right. That is Rollie, I didn't recognize him as a brunette. Why did...?"

Mira spoke up from next to her partner. "Rollie's always had brown hair. Those... those," she tried to think of a way to say what she wanted so it was fit for polite company, "bastards dyed his hair blonde! And we still haven't found out why!" The last came out as a lament. Mira hated mysteries and that seemed to be the last mystery concerned with C.A.V.E. and Rollie Tyler.

"Face it Mira," Frank tried to calm his partner, "we'll probably never know why. At least Rollie finally got the dye out of his hair. He hated it blonde."

"That's true! If I heard one more time about how much he hated it, you might have had to arrest me!" Mira grinned as she remembered the almost constant lament from the Aussie. Of course, she couldn't blame him. She would have felt the same way if  it had happened to her. But where she would have been resigned to letting nature take its course, the special effects expert had been able to do something about it, simply by calling some friends in the "business" who did hair styling. They had plenty of experience removing unwanted dyes and changing hair styles for people a lot more demanding than Rollie Tyler ever could be.

"Angie was as bad about it." Frank whispered. "And you weren't much better." And Sarah. Of course, he hadn't liked it either, it was a relief when Rollie got the dye out of his hair. For variety, the women complained about how thin Rollie was and they had to put some weight back on him. Reminded, he observed his friend with a critical eye. Nope, still not back up to full weight, Rollie's jeans were slipping a bit. He glanced back at the overflowing buffet table and smiled. Well, with that much food around, this party thing might help.

Everyone settled down as someone yelled the stereotypical and expected, "QUIET ON THE SET!" Rollie slipped away and folded his long length into yet another impossible position in a crate at the end of the dock. Angie stood poised and ready out of camera shot. Justin and Lucinda found their marks, Lucinda at end where Rollie was hidden, Justin next to Angie at the land end. The spectators held their breath, most of them had no idea what the climax would be.

Tim took one last look and consulted with his camera crew. Everything was ready. "And ACTION!"

Angie pushed a control on the computer. The water began to boil up, higher and higher. Lucinda stared in horror at the water's turmoil. She screamed and ran toward the other end of the dock. Halfway there, she fell sprawling and screamed again as tentacles rose from the water reaching for her. Justin ran desperately forward to where Lucinda lay so vulnerable in the open. He carried a large vaguely gun shaped object, somewhat reminiscent of a rocket launcher. He braced himself protectively in front Lucinda, facing the full horror of the monster as it rose. Justin quickly aimed and fired on the alien! The shot went wide of its mark and Lucinda screamed again. He frantically reloaded the gun with a sphere shaped object from his pocket. The tentacles reached forward to grasp the hero and his lady as Justin fired again! There was a sharp sparking noise and the tentacles began to tremble violently! The monster fell back into the water with a huge splash and a loud horrendous scream. Suddenly the water exploded! It geysered up and rained down with pieces of the monster, drenching Justin and Lucinda. The water stilled, pieces of tentacles, some oozing a sickly yellow substance, lay twitching on the dock. Justin reached down and pulled Lucinda up into his arms. They embraced and kissed passionately.

"CUT AND PRINT!" Tim called out. "That was great! Wonderful! Justin, Lucinda, great work! Rollie! Angie! You two are the absolute best! I can't believe we actually pulled that off in one take!" He frowned when there was no response from his senior special effects man. "Rollie?"

Angie looked at the director and spoke quietly into her headset. "Rol, you okay?"

Rollie leaned his head back against the side of the crate and looked at the sky. Water dripped from his hair, he was soaked through and through and sitting in a couple of inches of water. "Tim can't believe we did it one take, Ange." He spoke sardonically. "Like we could do this more than a couple of times. We lucked out."

"That we did boss," Angie concluded. "Now come on, let's eat!"

"Best proposition all day!" The Aussie answered and moved to extricate himself from his damp hidey hole.

It didn't take long for the hungry movie crew to descend on the food like a ravening hoarde of locusts. Justin and Lucinda briefly disappeared to change into dry clothes.

Rollie decided it was hot enough not to matter and simply exchanged his wet shoes for a pair of thongs from the FX van. As he got in line for the buffet, Rollie noticed Angie was surrounded by the EMTs, Dirk and Erik. He frowned at the sight, then shrugged, resigned. Angie was a big girl and her love life and boy friends were none of his business as she reminded him repeatedly. As soon as he had a plate full of food and a large cup of lemonade, Rollie looked for somewhere to sit down and eat. He spotted Francis, Mira and the doctors on the other side of the crowd and moved to join them.

"Hey Rollie! We saved you a seat." Francis called as the Aussie neared.

"Thanks Frankie." Rollie sat down, relieved to be out of the heart of the rowdy crowd of movie people.

"That was great, Rollie! How in the world did you manage to do that?" Emma asked the special effects expert. "I looked at the tentacle pieces and didn't see any signs of wiring or metal."

"Illusion, Doctor Brown. Plain and simple illusion." Rollie chuckled. He took a big bite of the potato salad and watched the crew jostle for position at the feeding troughs. Tim had out done himself. It was a good graze, Rollie thought with a gratified sigh.

The friends happily applied themselves to the good food and ate in blissful silence.

Rollie felt full and satisfied. He was startled when Angie plopped down on the ground in front of him and leaned against his legs. "Angie? What happened to your... uh friends?" The Aussie leaned forward and asked cautiously.

"They were fighting like two dogs over a bone." Angie answered drily. "I decided I didn't want to be the bone."

Doctor Russell cleared his throat. "Well, I'm glad you joined us, Angie. Emma and I have some news we want to share with all of you."

The special effects artists and detectives looked at the doctors curiously.

Bill Russell smiled and took Emma's hand. "Emma and I have decided to get married."

The friends softly cheered the news and stood to congratulate the happy couple.

"That's great, Doctor Russell, Doctor Brown." Rollie shook their hands. "So when's the wedding?"

"Not for another six months." Emma replied. "But we were hoping you could help us with some advice, Rollie."

"Rollie? Advice on marriage?" Angie laughed. "Not likely." Rollie pretended to be hurt by his partner's words.

"No, Angie. Not on the marriage or the wedding." Emma assured her. "On our honeymoon. We want to go to Australia and we... I was hoping Rollie could give us some pointers on touring parts that the average tourist doesn't normally see."

Rollie immediately brightened. "You won't regret it, Doctor Brown. Australia is a beautiful country, no matter what parts you visit."

They were interrupted by Tim calling out. "Okay, everybody give me your attention!" He waited a moment for the crowd to settle down. "It's time for desert!" And pulled a cord to drop the cloth, revealing an enormous cake. Perched on top of the cake was a replica of the tentacled alien.

"So that's what happened to our model, Ange!" Rollie called out in a loud voice. "Don't let it out of your sight. Someone unscrupulous might walk off with it!" He managed to convey the impression that someone was Tim Hailer, director. The movie crew laughed at the joke.

"Okay, Rollie, okay!" Tim waved his hands as his FX team. "I promise to leave the little monster alone! Now, if Justin and Lucinda would do the honors. First pieces go to Rollie and Angie, then we feed our guests." He gave a graceful bow to where the doctors and detectives stood. "Then the rest of you bums can fend for yourselves!"

"That include you, Tim?" Someone called from the crowd.

Tim grinned hugely. "Me and the stars!"

Everyone cheered and the cake was swiftly cut. Large slices (and the monster cake topper) were delivered to the special effects crew and the guests by the smiling actors and director. The rest swooped in on the now undefended cake.

After passing out the promised cake, the director eyed the mob with an experienced eye. "Well, Just, Luce, if we want any cake, we better get in there and get it!" Tim paused briefly as he turned to plunge into the melee. "Rollie, Angie. Thanks, you are the best!"

"Thanks Tim!" Rollie and Angie called after the director.

Rollie looked at his alien model and with a thoughtful frown, perched it safely on his shoulder. "You stay there." He told it and patted it's head.

"Now about Australia," Emma began.

"I know just the people, Doc." Rollie promised her. "I'll give you their phone number. They're mates of  mine. Remember Toby and Max, Ange?"

"Oh yeah," Angie nodded. "They're a nice couple, a bit eccentric, but nice."

"Eccentric, Ange? Eccentric?" Rollie protested. "They're not eccentric, they're just good Aussies! Anyway, they run a small tour business, show folks the parts not seen by the run of the mill tourist. Just like you want." He beamed happily at the couple.

"Sounds perfect, Rollie." Emma grinned. Oh, this would be a wonderful honeymoon. She snuggled closer to Bill.

The friends happily ate cake and got drink refills. They settled back with contented sighs.

Tim finally managed to get his own cake and drifted back to join them. He sat down cross-legged with a miserable sigh and looked up at Rollie. "You know, we still don't have a title."

 Rollie opened his mouth to speak, but Angie jumped in first. "Oh for crying out loud! Just call it 'Tentacles Of Terror' and be done with it!"

Rollie and Tim looked at each other stunned.

Tim jumped to his feet, cake forgotten. "Perfect! I have to find a phone! I have to let the studio..." He ran off, waving his hands excitedly, still talking.

A huge grin blossomed on Rollie's expressive face. "Sweetie, I knew there was a reason I kept you around." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "That's bloody brilliant!"

Angie just smiled smugly and took another bite of her cake.