FX: The Series and its characters are not mine - too bad! :-( I'm borrowed them a bit and promise (solemnly) to return them in good condition to their owners... Rysher, Fireworks, Winterset, etc. No profit, just some good old-fashioned fun. *g*

I'll admit it! This was "inspired" for want of a better term by a poem I read in one of two extremely old poetry books I have here at home. (Copyright 1905) I loved these books as a child, I found some of the best poems in them. :-)  Now, we all know where this is going... there just had to be a FX story here somewhere! So without any further ado, here is the story inspired by this little poem by one of our favorite authors, Anonymous.
 
 

Rollie Tyler stared at the open expanse of land before him. The desert reminded him a great deal of his childhood home in Australia. Unfortunately, this one was firmly situated in the U.S. of A. No friendly kookaburras or roos or any of the animals from his childhood, he sighed briefly at the unexpected flare of homesickness, then turned to help Angie unload the big rental truck. There was a lot of work to be done, before the movie crew could settle down for the night. The cast would arrive in the morning and "Coyote Tricks" would officially begin filming.

Everyone was hot and dusty by the time set up was complete. The tall Aussie wiped the sweat out of his eyes and looked over toward where the canteen had been set up. "Hey Ange, what say we get something cold to drink and sit down a bit. I'm knackered."

Angie Ramirez straightened up and stretched with a groan, "Sounds real good to me, boss."

The FX team drifted over to join the rest of the film crew now lazing around the canteen truck. Theresa, a short young woman with rich black hair and blue eyes, gave a dimpled smile to the pair of special effects experts. "What will you have folks?" This was Theresa Morgansen's first time working on a movie and she hoped it wouldn't be her last. Fresh out of college, she was extremely excited by her new job.

"I'll have a soda." Angie smiled back, Theresa's open smile was contagious. "What about you, Rol?"

"Hmm," Rollie replied, distracted by the flight of a pair of eagles in the distance.

Angie poked him in the side. "What do you want to drink, boss? You know, something cold?"

"Oh, oh yeah, sorry." Rollie smiled at the two shorter women. "Uh, just a bottle of water, please."

Theresa nodded and quickly served the requested drinks. She smiled hopefully at Angie. The blonde special effects expert was the closest person to her age currently on site and Theresa really wanted to make friends. The older crew members were... intimidating, at least to a newcomer like she was. Hoping she wouldn't sound too naive or giddy, she asked, "So, what are you doing on the movie?"

Rollie took a deep and welcome swallow of his water before he answered. "We're the special effects crew. I'm Rollie and this is my assistant and partner, Angie." The lanky Aussie smiled as he said those words - assistant and partner, Angie. He'd waited impatiently for over two years for Angela Ramirez to become his full-time assistant and nine months ago it had finally happened.  Angie had graduated from New York University with honors and Tyler FX was officially complete, in the mind of its senior most member at least. Roland "Rollie" Tyler was determined to keep his pledge to his mentor and friend, Manny Ramirez, to finish teaching his daughter about the special effects business. It had become extremely important to the Australian to keep that promise after Manny's senseless and tragic death almost three years ago. Rollie had made very sure that Angie's tuition, college and living expenses were completely covered and that her part-time assistance did not interfere with her college education. Neither Manny nor Rollie had acquired a college level degree and both had been extremely proud of Angie's ready acceptance and high grades. The Aussie worked hard to make sure nothing stopped Angie from getting her diploma. It was the least he could do for the man who had "rescued" him from stunt work and for the young woman he had come to love as the younger sister he had secretly wished for and never had.

"I'm Theresa, but my friends call me Ter, they say because I'm a terror." She blushed deeply after she said it, embarrassed at blurting out the last bit of information. Ter really hadn't meant to say that! What must these people think of her now?

Rollie laughed softly and smiled at her, "Sounds like you'll fit right in then. First movie?"

Ter nodded and grinned again, relieved at the easy acceptance. "You're not American, are you?"

"No," Angie answered, "Rollie's Australian, but he's been in the U.S. for quite a while now. You've got a good ear, most folks don't even notice his accent now unless he's excited or tired or something."

The two women smiled at each other. Rollie settled down on the ground, in the shade of the canteen truck, his long legs stretched in front of him, his back resting against the side of the truck. He listened idly as Angie and Ter talked of this and that, two people who had just met and hoped they could be friends. Little inconsequential things to get acquainted. He wasn't really paying that much attention to their conversation, so he was surprised when Angie squatted down beside him.

"So, boss." Angie smiled winningly at her best friend.

"Yeah, Ange?" Rollie eyed the pretty blonde warily. He dearly loved her, but he knew the signs, Angela Ramirez was up to something.

"Ter and I were talking about sleeping outside tonight, and, um, we were wondering if you..."

"Would join you." Rollie finished the sentence for Angie and sighed deeply. He really didn't want to sleep on the hard ground. He knew from experience that rocks were not conducive to a good night's sleep.

Angie grinned eagerly, "Yeah, so would you?"

With two pairs of blue eyes pleading for him to agree, Rollie found he couldn't say no. "Again," he muttered under his breath. He bid a mental farewell to the comfort of their double camper and answered. "All right. We'll sleep outside. Tonight. That's it."

Angie nodded her ready acceptance and Rollie sighed softly in relief. Now, hopefully Angie and Ter would hold to that agreement.

Everyone enjoyed the dinner served by the mess crew, though Rollie ate lightly, still bothered by homesickness. Fortunately for his sake, Angie and Ter had been so focused on each other, they hadn't noticed the Aussie's lack of appetite. They helped Ter with the clean up and then went to get the sleeping bags Rollie insisted they use.

"It's too hot for sleeping bags," Angie argued. They'd roast inside the bags, the heat was part of the reason she and Ter had decided to sleep outside.

"No we won't," Rollie responded patiently. "It's hot now, but once the sun's fully set, it'll cool off quick. Then you'll be glad for the warmth."

Angie looked suspiciously at the lanky man. He was kidding her, right? Seeing Rollie's look she began to wonder. "You're sure?" She had visited the desert before with her dad, but had always been safely tucked into a hotel room by the time the sun set. She remembered the stories she had heard about the desert and decided to stop challenging Rollie. Maybe Manny's friends hadn't been teasing a naive city girl after all.

"Yes, Ange. Positive. Now, grab that flashlight and let's go meet Ter."

"Thanks, Rollie." Angie said, her way of apologizing for being suspicious of her friend. At Rollie's puzzled look, she continued. "For agreeing to sleep out with Ter and me. I know you didn't really want to do this."

"Yeah, well it's just one night." Rollie answered, embarrassed. "I can survive one night out on the hard ground... I guess." They laughed and headed out the door. Angie carrying the heavy flashlight he'd insisted they take and Rollie carrying the three bulky sleeping bags.

Ter was waiting impatiently, bouncing gently up and down on her feet. She was carrying water and some snacks. This was going to fun! Almost like a pajama party, but outside. In the lengthening shadows of the setting sun, she guided the FX team over a short ways from the film crew's camp. "I thought we could sleep under this tree." The tree was bare under the desert sun, it's angular limbs had a stark and startling beauty.

Rollie looked around carefully for holes or anything that might indicate snakes or scorpions. He carefully turned over some of the bigger rocks, but found nothing more than a startled lizard that promptly scurried away from the monster that had disturbed it's hiding place.  Satisfied, Rollie nodded. "Yeah, it looks good to me." He changed to a very proper, staid British accent, like a butler serving afternoon tea. "Ladies, how would you like your beds arranged?"

"On either side of you, my good man." Angie answered in a bad imitation of an upper crust accent, getting into the spirit of Rollie's silliness.

Ter giggled as Rollie tried to bow properly, still holding the sleeping bags. He didn't succeed and flopped forward with the bags. She couldn't believe now that she had been nervous about meeting the handsome man. Tall, dark haired and handsome. Just like a storybook, she thought. But none of her storybooks had mentioned a wicked sense of humor.

Rollie came roaring up and tickle attacked the two women who squealed and dodged away from the man. Rollie's long arms grabbed hold and pulled Angie into a warm hug. Ter paused too close and was promptly pulled into the hug as well. "Get a good night's sleep, girls. We've got a long shoot ahead of us." Rollie gave the sage advice from long experience. Angie nodded and unrolled her bag. She knew Rollie was right. Ter decided to take her new friends' advice and followed Angie's example.

Rollie had just started to drift asleep when the first question came from Ter.

"What was that?"

"What was what?" He mumbled.

"That! That sound."

Rollie listened for a moment. "Insects."

"That's insects?" She sounded surprised.

"Yeah. They get loud outside," came the patient response. Obviously Ter had never been camping.

"Oh."

Silence. Wonderful. He snuggled into his bag and tried to regain the sleepy feeling.

"What was that?"

Rollie gave a silent moan. Again?

"An owl." Angie answered, listening to the soft who whooo in the distance.

Oh good, Angie'd take care of it. Rollie tried to go back to sleep.

"Wow! I never heard an owl before."

Silence.

"Angie?"

"Yeah, Ter?"

"Have you camped outside before?"

"A few times." Angie considered her answer, then added, "This is the first time in a desert though."

"Oh."

"Angie, how long have you known Rollie?"

Like he wasn't lying here between them, listening to their conversation, trying to get some sleep. He'd forgotten how bad sleepovers were. Angie hadn't had many and he'd never had any.

"A while. He practically helped raise me. Ten years?" Angie thought about it. "No, it's closer to eleven now."

"Wow."  Ter thought about it, impressed that the friends had known each other for so long.

Has it really been almost eleven years? Rollie counted up the time. Yep. Angie was right, almost eleven. In just a few more months, it would be eleven years. Half of Angie's life. He smiled to himself.

"Angie, how long have you been doing special effects?"

"A long time. My father did special effects. Rollie was his last assistant, except for me."

"Oh." Ter thought for a moment. "Did you always want to do special effects?"

"Yeah. I love it! FX is so cool and you get to do lots of neat stuff. My dad was a good teacher. So's Rollie."

"Why are you Rollie's assistant? Why not your dad's?" Ter asked, puzzled.

Oh no! Rollie winced at the question. Why did she have to ask that one?

"He's dead." Angie answered in a soft, flat tone.

Rollie hated that tone. As hard as it was to do, he kept quiet. He wondered if Angie thought he was asleep now. She'd hate for him to step into the conversation right now.

"I'm sorry." Ter apologized, horrified at the pain her thoughtless question had caused her new friend.

"It's not your fault, Ter." Angie answered, life returning to her voice. "You didn't know."

Ter tried to think of something to say, to get their talk away from the obviously painful topic. "Where'd you meet Rollie? In Australia?"

"Nah. I've never been to Australia. It was here in the U.S., Rollie was doing stunt work on a movie my dad was working. 'Gangster Alley'."

"Oh. I would love to see Australia." Ter responded. "Or anywhere else for that matter. I've never been outside of the U.S. and I haven't seen that much of it!"

"Well, now you're working in the movies you'll get a lot of chances to travel if you want. I've been all over. It's one of the things I love about the business." Angie added. "Rollie keeps saying he wants to show me Australia. We just haven't had a chance yet."

Yeah, we have to do that, Rollie thought. I really want to show Angie parts of Australia. Only fair she know more about me, I watched her grow up. Wonder if I can line up a movie over there. That would be nice. Angie's hand touched him. Oh good, she knew he was awake. He hated eavesdropping on her. Maybe she could keep the conversation from going into the "He's so cute!" parts. Oh and the way those girls had gushed over his accent! What was so special about his accent and the way he talked? He didn't see it. But that'd happened every sleepover she had after he came to stay with Angie and Manny. Angie knew it embarrassed him. She'd apologized the first time, because she knew he'd heard at least part of it. Rollie had to work hard to reassure her that it wasn't her fault.

"I wish someone wanted to show me Australia," Ter said, "or somewhere."

"Sounds like you really want to travel."

"Yeah, I do. I barely got out of my home state until I was eighteen. It got boring."

"Where's home?"

"Des Moines, Illinois. Like I said boring."

"Bet you didn't have to worry about getting mugged going to school."

"No," Ter tried to see the other woman in the dark. She had to be kidding. Right? "Did that happen to you?"

Better believe it happened to her! And the mugger never knew what hit him, Rollie thought proudly. Angie had taken him out like a champ.

"Once. He never mugged again." Angie sounded smug.

Ter giggled. "What did you do?"

"Let's just say his bass voice went soprano and leave it at that."

Rollie sighed silently. He really wished they'd go to sleep. He knew he wouldn't be able to until they settled down. Tomorrow would be a long day. They were always long in the beginning. There was so much work to do, setting up and taking care of the last minute brainstorms the director, actors, producers and writers had.

Ter giggled again. "Where'd ya learn how to do that?"

"Rollie, of course," came Angie's dry answer.

"Sounds like Rollie did a lot."

"Yeah. He did. Like I said, Rollie practically helped raise me." Angie tried to think of something funny. She knew Rollie wanted to go to sleep and wouldn't until they did. She also didn't want Ter to have nightmares about muggers or something. Suddenly she giggled. "You should have seen him when he helped me with the prom stuff! It was so funny!"

Funny? What was funny about that? Rollie pouted silently. He'd thought he'd done good and now Angie was laughing about it.

"Why? What happened?"

"Well. Some of the teachers had a... well, it was almost a class on dressing up for the prom. They suggested we bring our mothers. Well, my mom died when I was younger and my dad just didn't have time. So Rollie said he'd come with me."

Yeah, Rollie remembered that, it had been funny! The ladies really hadn't known what to make of the man in their midst.

"Nobody knew what to say when he showed up. The teacher running the class got really flustered. One of the things they showed us was how to do make-up. The mothers would listen to the teacher, then apply the make-up on their daughters. Well, Rollie did mine without paying any attention to the teacher at all. She saw he wasn't listening to her and stalked over to give him a piece of her mind. After all, what does a man know about make-up? Except when she saw me, she realized he'd done a perfect job!" Angie laughed hard. "The look on her face was absolutely priceless! She just stood there, with no idea of what to say to Rollie. He turned around and gave her this really innocent look. Then he said..."

"What did you expect? Monster make-up?" Rollie laughed.

Angie joined Rollie in laughing at the memory. It had been hard at the time, but Rollie had given her plenty of support. Ter laughed too, but it was slightly nervous. She'd thought he was asleep. She tried to remember what they had said, hoping she hadn't said anything too embarrassing.

"We really need to sleep now. It getting late and will be a long day tomorrow." Rollie spoke after he finished laughing. Ter and Angie mumbled 'Good night's and Rollie relaxed as silence ruled the night once more.

Rollie slept uneasily, bothered by his homesickness. But he didn't move, so the Aussie didn't disturb his companions. He'd already woken up and falling back to sleep several times when something grabbed his arm.  He blinked his eyes open, startled. What? Rollie tried to remember where he was and what was going on.

"What's that?" came a hoarse, panicked whisper from his right.

Rollie tried to identify the young voice. Female, but definitely not Angie. Angie didn't panic. Oh yeah, now he remembered. Their new friend, Ter. "What?" he mumbled, wondering what had disturbed her now.

"That! What is it?"

"Dingo." Rollie answered absently as the call of a wild canine filled the night.

"Dingo?!?" Angie and Ter chorused in surprise.

"What?" Rollie sat up, coming more fully awake at the loud voices. "Oh sorry. Coyote," he continued, somewhat sheepishly. How could he have made that mistake? He knew he was homesick and sleepy, but he hadn't thought it was that bad.

Angie squinted her eyes, trying to get a good look at her best friend and boss. Sounded like Rollie was homesick again. She tried to remember supper and what he had eaten. Now she realized he'd hardly eaten anything. She silently cursed her lack of attention. Okay, so she was making a new friend, that was no excuse to ignore Rollie. The Australian was definitely showing signs of homesickness. She'd have to work on that tomorrow. No, make that today as she realized the sky was lightening with the coming dawn.

"Oh." Ter chuckled at the mix-up. She tried to see out into the distance where the howl had come from. "Is it dangerous?"

"No, not unless it's sick." Rollie answered patiently as he slid back into his sleeping bag. "He's more scared of you than you are of him." He sighed and closed his eyes, once more seeking sleep. A minute later, a soft snore sounded.

"I don't think I can go back to sleep now." Ter spoke quietly, wide awake as she noticed the night was ending.

"Me neither." Angie answered softly. "Want to go for a walk?"

"Okay."

"Take the flashlight with you and shake out your shoes. There might be a scorpion in them." Rollie told them sleepily.

The girls looked surprised at the advice from the snoozing man. They'd both thought he'd fallen back to sleep. "We will, Rol." Angie whispered, not wanting to disturb him anymore than they already had. Poor Rollie. She took the heavy flashlight and turned it on, careful to point the beam away from the Aussie. Ter and Angie picked up their shoes and carefully shook them out. When nothing fell out, they both sighed in relief and pulled them on. As silently as they could, the young women picked their way away from the sleeping man. A few yards away from their "camp", Angie sighed and stretched. Rollie was right, the ground was hard.

They smiled at each other and Ter questioned her more experienced friend. "Do we need to keep the flashlight on? It sort of... spoils the sunrise."

Angie frowned thoughtfully. "No, I think we'll be okay as long as we pay attention to where we're going. Come on. I want to be back before Rollie really wakes up."

"Yeah, I'll have to start working on breakfast soon anyway." Ter responded, squinting at the soft glow of the hands on her watch.

Angie turned off the flashlight and the girls walked further out into the desert away from the film site. Companionably quiet, occasionally one of them would point out something they'd spotted in the growing light.

Rollie jerked awake at the distant scream. What?!? He looked around seeking the source. ANGIE! TER! It had to be them. No one at the film site stirred, it was still too early. Rollie stood and strained to hear. There! Someone was calling his name. Angie? The Aussie sprinted toward the sound. Something was wrong! Rollie slid to a halt as he came to a small ravine. He looked down and saw Angie desperately holding on to a root sticking out of the side. Ter was clinging to her waist. Rollie dropped down and stretched his long arms down toward his partner, hoping she was within reach. If he had to go for a rope...

"Rollie!" Angie gasped, relieved to see him.

"Hang on, Ange. I've got you." Just a few inches short, recklessly Rollie moved closer to the edge. Angie strained to pull herself further up, closer to Rollie's reach. She released one hand and stretched it up. Their hands touched, then Rollie clasped his right hand around her wrist. "I've got you." His left hand reached down, seeking her other hand. Angie let go and desperately grabbed at it. THERE! Rollie grunted at the strain of holding the two young women by himself. He had to pull them up. Angie's hands tightened their holds around Rollie's wrists, even as the man strove to pull them up. Grateful for the strength that toting heavy gear boxes had built, he pulled hard, shifting carefully back. Trying to lift his precious burden to safety. Ter whimpered softly, scared. She clung tightly to Angie's waist, trying to remain still and not add movement to the stress of their combined weight and risk the grips of the two friends. Rollie groaned and pulled harder, muscles taut. They came slowly, oh so slowly up. With a gasp, he pulled Angie up to the edge. She released one hand and scrabbled for another hold. Finding it, Angie added her own strength to Rollie's, trying to finish pulling Ter the rest of the way. Rollie stretched the hand Angie had released down toward the other woman. He caught her belt and pulled, bringing Angie safely over the edge, then Ter. Rollie pushed the two young women away from the ravine, then collapsed, panting heavily. Stressed muscles spasmed in his back and shoulders. Angie and Ter panted beside him, shaking with the adrenalin.

"Ter," Angie panted, "are you okay?"

Ter nodded, her eyes still wide with fear.

Anxiously Angie looked at her partner. His eyes were closed tightly shut, shudders running through his long frame. She scrambled over Ter to his side and gently touched his cheek, then brushed the long hair from his forehead. "Rollie?" She gently patted his cheek. "Rollie? Are you okay?" She examined her companions with a critical eye. Ter was shaken, scraped and undoubtedly bruised. So was she. Rollie though, Angie inhaled sharply and hissed as she saw his bare feet, battered and torn by the sharp rocks. There were scrapes on his chest, visible through his torn shirt. She looked at his wrists and winced. Red marks were visible where her tight grip had been. Seeing them, Angie looked at her own wrists and hissed. Red marks were visible on hers as well. Great. They would have matching bruises to explain to the rest of the film crew.

"Is he okay?" Ter whispered as she sat up.

"I think so." Angie answered and patted his cheek again.

Brown eyes stared up into her blue ones. "So..." Rollie croaked. "Where's the flashlight?" He had a feeling... He groaned and closed his eyes again, as Angie squirmed. Bloody great. Rollie considered giving her a lecture, then with a tired sigh decided the scare would have done a better job then he ever could. With a hiss, Rollie pushed himself up and stood. Angie and Ter scrambled to their feet and followed him anxiously, as he limped silently back toward the film site and their double camper.

Angie followed, full of guilt. Great, Rollie tells you to take the flashlight and you ignore him by turning it off. Now he's hurt and we haven't even started filming yet. Just... great. This was all her fault. Rollie's continued silence weighed heavily on her. Maybe he wouldn't talk to her anymore. Maybe he'd send her back to New York City in shame. Maybe... She winced at the thought. Maybe he'd fire her and call off their partnership. Angie hung her head. There wasn't anything she could say to defend herself. It was her fault. He must be contemplating something bad, otherwise he'd be yelling at her for her stupidity. Of course, Rollie didn't yell often, but he could really get going if it was something he really cared about... like her. Angie licked dry lips and winced as Rollie limped up the steps into their camper.

Ter watched the two friends, with eyes full of misery. This was all her fault... If she hadn't suggested they camp out... If she hadn't asked Angie to turn off the flashlight... They would have seen that damned ravine or canyon or whatever it was and she wouldn't have fallen in. Angie had tried to grab her and fallen in too. So Rollie had heard their screams and calls for help, come running to the rescue and saved them. She looked down at the ground and winced when she noticed the blood trail Rollie's feet had left. With a sob, she ran toward her own tiny camper, unable to accept what she'd done.

Angie watched Ter run away with dull eyes. Poor Ter. She'd really been scared. She would have to check on her later... after she'd helped Rollie get cleaned up and his feet bandaged. Angie sighed deeply and followed him into the camper. She heard the sounds of him scrabbling around in the tiny bath area. Angie moved to where the large first aid kit was stored and pulled it out as the sounds of running water reached her ears.

Angie stood uncertainly in the door leading into the tiny cubicle and watched Rollie clean his feet and chest. He looked up at her and reached for the kit. "Is Ter okay?"

"Yeah, I think so. Just shook up. Scrapes and bruises, of course." Angie shrugged.

"You too, I bet." Rollie eyed his younger partner carefully. He winced at the marks of his hands on her wrists. Oh well, better bruises than going splat, he thought.

"Are you okay, Rollie?" Angie asked, subdued.

"I'll live." Rollie answered dryly and smiled at her. "You can explain it to the rest of the crew. I'm not even going to try."

Angie tried to smile back, strained and awkward. "Okay. Fair enough, since it was my fault."

"Your fault?" Rollie looked sharply up at her. "It was an accident, Angela. Just a stupid accident. We'll look back one day and think it was funny."

Angie looked down him with serious eyes. "What happened to your feet isn't funny!" She moved closer to him and sank to her knees, examining them with worried eyes. "Do you need a doctor?"

"No, I don't need a doctor. I just need to get them clean and keep them that way." He held out the gauze bandages to her. "Help me?" Rollie asked with a little boy grin. Feet were awkward, Angie could do a better job of it.

Angie nodded and took the gauze. She examined his feet critically, trying to make sure all the dirt had been cleaned off. Taking a wash cloth, she carefully wiped them and checked again. Satisfied, she rummaged around in the first aid kit and pulled out the antiseptic. She painted Rollie's torn flesh with it, then got the antibiotic ointment. Angie slathered Rollie's feet with it, thoroughly covering the gashes and cuts. At this rate, they'd need lots more before the shoot was over. She added the ointments and bandages to her mental shopping list.  Angie wrapped Rollie's feet in the sterile gauze, taping it in place. She sat back and eyed the finished job. Angie looked uncertainly up into Rollie's face and winced at the paleness she found there. Foot injuries hurt! The only thing that compared was hand injuries. She knew that from experience, yet Rollie had accepted her attentions and treatment without a sound or a complaint. "Why don't you lie down? I'll go check on Ter and get your boots."

Rollie loosely clasped one hand around one of her wrists. "And yourself, Angie!" He smiled gently at her. "Fine way to start a shoot. Next time you want a sleepover have it at your apartment." His tone was teasing, but there was an anxiety buried in the back of his warm eyes.

Angie mustered up a more genuine smile. "You got it, boss!" She was still worried, but the fear Rollie was going to send her away was fading. He wouldn't tease her if he was that angry. She kissed his cheek. "Thanks for the save. Now lie down and I'll make sure Ter and I are both all right."

Rollie nodded, satisfied, and limped to his bunk. He stretched out with a sigh and closed his eyes.

Angie shook out the light blanket from the foot of his bed and spread it over him. She checked to make sure the blinds were fully closed and leaving, turned off the lights. Hopefully, Rollie would get more sleep than he had last night. She knew Rollie never slept well, but his nights were particularly bad when he was homesick.

Rollie smiled to himself as he felt the blanket settle over him. Good, Angie was mothering him. She'd be okay now. He'd seen the fear in her eyes and he hated it. Rollie didn't want Angie thinking he'd get rid of her over something so stupid. She'd made a mistake, but she wouldn't do it again. That was enough for him. He snuggled into his pillow and drifted toward sleep, despite the pain in his feet. Rollie mentally added Extra strength Tylenol to his shopping list. It was going to be a long shoot.

Angie squinted in the early morning's light. Parts of the film crew were stirring now. Angie went over to their sleeping bags and collected Rollie's boots. She tucked them just inside the camper, then turned toward Ter's trailer. Not finding her there, Angie headed for the canteen. "Ter?" Angie frowned as she heard a smothered sob.

"Angie," came the watery reply.

"Are you okay?" Angie asked as she opened the door and climbed in.

"Am I okay?" Ter gave a choked laugh. "You nearly killed yourself saving me and you want to know if I'm okay? And poor Rollie..."

"Rollie will be fine. It's not the first time he's been hurt. This was minor compared to some of the others."

Ter looked up into her new friend's eyes and finally recognized the worry that was now focused on her. "I'm... I'm sorry, Angie. If I hadn't..."

"It's not your fault." Angie came back, using Rollie's words. "It was an accident. Just a stupid accident." She considered what else to say. "Rollie says we'll look back and laugh one day. I don't know about that, but I do know we were lucky and that we're all going to be fine." She suddenly smiled. "My dad used to say you can't live your life with what ifs and maybes. You have to live it the way it is. We made a mistake. We paid for it. I'm sorry Rollie paid for it too, but he won't complain. That's the way he is. Like Rollie tells me, when you make a stupid mistake, you go on with life. Just don't make it again. That's how people have to learn sometimes."

Ter considered Angie's words as she worked on making breakfast. "You could have been killed..."

"Yeah, so could you. Death is part of life. Rollie and my dad said that one too. We didn't die though." Angie grinned. "I could tell you about some of Rollie's mistakes. He's done some really wild ones!"

Ter smiled tentatively back at the blonde. "Nah. Let him keep some secrets. What does he like for breakfast? I'd like to make something special." She blushed shyly. "To thank him for rescuing us."

Angie's grin widened. Looked like her new friend had a crush on her boss. Oh well, it wasn't the first time. Rollie would know exactly how to handle it. She thought about Rollie's breakfasts. He ate on the run so much. "Make it brunch, Ter. I want him to get some more sleep first. He's homesick for some reason. I wonder if we could come up with something Australian?"

"Like what?" Ter asked curiously.

"Vegemite's out. I know you won't have that." Angie began to rummage through the cupboards looking for ingredients. She muttered to herself. "No rolled oats... No castor sugar... No all-spice... Canned pumpkin? It might work."

"What might work? What are we going to make?" Ter peered over Angie's shoulder as she started to pull out canisters and cans.

"Do you have butter and milk?" Angie asked.

"Yeah. We actually have real butter." Ter responded. She bounced as she went to get the requested items.

"Pumpkin scones. Rollie likes those and we have everything we need." Angie considered the can of pumpkin. "I guess we can use this. It's suppose to be mashed pumpkin. Oh well, beggars can't be choosers." She laughed. "Rollie won't mind. I've done stranger things trying to make something Australian."

"Okay, what do we do?" Ter asked, glad her new friend wasn't angry and that they were going to do something special for Rollie. She giggled as they happily mixed the ingredients. It was fun learning something new and different. She'd never made scones before, never mind pumpkin ones.

Angie hoped she remembered the right way to do it. It'd been a while since Rollie and she had done this one. Unable to find a scone knife, they used a butcher knife instead. Ter and Angie sifted and mixed, kneaded and folded. Angie contemplated the results of their efforts when she removed them from the hot oven. Ter had been dragged off to serve breakfast to the hungry film crew and could only glance over to where Angie stood.

"Well?" Ter asked, anxiously awaiting the verdict.

Angie titled her head to one side. "They look kind of funny." She carefully picked up one, still hot from the oven, blew on it and nibbled a taste. She compared it to her memory. "They're not quite right, but they'll do." She finally answered. Rollie wouldn't mind. He'd appreciate the effort. She smiled at Ter. "They're close enough. Here, have a taste." She tore the scone she'd nibbled in two and offered the other half to Ter.

Ter took the offered piece and contemplated it. She closed her eyes as she hesitantly took a bite. She ate thoughtfully. "Hmm. That's pretty good. What's wrong with it?"

"I think I was a little off on the amounts and we used canned pumpkin instead of mashed." Angie shrugged. "Rollie won't mind. He's used to me doing that. And anyway, it's awful close for somebody working from memory without a recipe. I don't make scones very often."

"I think you did great, Angie!" Ter responded loyally. "Now, what else do we do?"

"Tea... I'll make some tea. We have that in the camper."

"That's all?" Ter asked as she closed up the canteen.

"Yeah," Angie eyed the cooling scones. "Rollie will probably stuff himself on these. That's enough. If he wants something else to go with it, he'll tell us."

The women carefully arranged a tray piled high with scones and hurried over to the FX camper. Angie peeked inside, checking to see if Rollie was still asleep. Finding he was, she motioned Ter inside while she held the door open. Once in, Angie swiftly set about making tea. Ter watched closely. She'd never made anything other than ice tea before.

Angie smiled at her and whispered. "Earl Grey. Rollie and I both like it. He didn't bring any Billy or other Aussie tea with him. He has a hard time getting hold of it, so he saves that for special occasions like his birthday."

Rollie's nose twitched slightly and he smiled at the aroma that reached him. Hmm... smelled good. His eyes slowly opened and he stretched lazily before looking around for the source. Tea - Earl Grey, of course and, his smile widened in recognition.... scones. Angie had made pumpkin scones! "Angie?"

"Here you go, Rollie." Angie handed him a cup of tea and Ter smiled as she positioned the bed tray for him to eat from.

"Scones?" Rollie asked, happy about the treat. It'd been so long...

"Yeah, Ter wanted to make you something special." Angie looked at the other woman and smiled. "I did too."

Rollie smiled and took a bite. "Hmm. Thanks. It's been too long." He cheerfully ate the treat and drank his tea. Angie and Ter both had a cup and ate one scone each. Rollie ate all the rest. The women were pleased. Obviously, even if they weren't "quite right" as Angie had said they were "close enough". Finally finished, Rollie took one last drink of his last cup of tea and sighed, contented. Oh that was good. They were kind of funny, but that was Angie. They were still good and both of them had gone to a lot of effort just for him. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Angie and Ter answered together.

Angie started to say something else, but was interrupted by a bellow outside the camper. "Where's my FX crew? TYLER!"

Rollie and Angie grinned at each other. Ah, the sound of a bellowing director with a deadline. Time to get to work. Angie gave Rollie his hiking boots and went to dig out some thick socks to protect his feet.

"Ter, tell our fearless director, we'll be right there. Okay?"

"Okay, Angie. I've got to get things cleaned up and start setting up for lunch. See you later!" Ter went out to pass on the message and get back to work. Catering film crews was going to be interesting and she'd already made two good friends. What more could she want?