The darkness threatened to swallow Rollie Tyler.  He was tired, but it wasn't sleep.  It was night but he sat amongst a pool of lights and sirens.  The darkness ebbing and rolling over Tyler's weary body was an emotional fear that sunk to his very core.  What had happened to his world?

    Victor Loubar had happened.

    And more than likely would continue to happen until he was stopped.  Yet, despite his vanishing, Loubar was not what consumed Rollie's thoughts.  It was Angie.  Dear, sweet Angie whom had invested her life in him.  She had seemingly always been at his side and now...

    Now, Angie walked quietly through the park.  Tears slowly rolled down her face and she sniffed her nose and blinked them away.  Time after time she repeated in her head all the things she could have said to Rollie just now.  She might have said they should take time to sort out their emotions.  She might have told him that her loved could overcome any barrier, no matter how twisted.  Instead she said:

    "As far as she was concerned, nothing had changed,"  Rollie just shook his head.  Oh, God how blind had he been.  Thinking of Angie, when she would smile warmly at his touch, no matter how brief.  How her jealousy would flare when he dated, though she kept it carefully in check..  She cared about him so deeply and he... Oh what a fool!

    Nothing had changed.  But it wasn't true!  It had changed and changed for good.  He just couldn't figure what would come next.  Looking about the park, he suddenly felt cold.  He had never been very good with his emotions.  Not since his mother had passed.

    And now that had to change.  If it didn't he would lose the single most important person in his life.  This thought snapped him back to reality.  Standing here, feeling sorry for himself wouldn't solve anything.  Neither would pussyfooting around with his emotions.  He had to help Angie, if that meant they needed time to talk they would.  If it meant she needed time away from F/X, that was fine too.  If it meant he had to track down Loubar and skin him alive, well then, that would be all the better.

    Angie continued to drift through the park, heading vaguely in the direction of home.  She knew it wasn't safe, that accepting a ride from Mira or one of the other officers was the smart thing to do.  But at the moment, she felt anything but smart.  She hurt in places that could never be named.  In her most intimate thoughts and her fantasies.  She suddenly just stopped and collapsed.  Tears erupting to the surface, oh Rollie, what's going to happen to me?

    As she knelt in the grass, a row of trees filtering the sounds of the nearby street.  The sky was dark, reflecting her mood.  She briefly pondered why there was no moon.  Her sobs drifted into the air as she wondered what Rollie was doing now.

    As it turned out, Rollie was clenching his fists in frustration.  The paramedics refused to allow him to leave, claiming a hospital visit was necessary.  Mira too, was no help.  He needed to find Angie, to make things all right.  She needed him, he knew.  Somehow he knew.

    He seethed on the ride to the hospital.  He didn't need medical attention, the medics said the bullet passed clean through.  They could just patch him up and send him home.  And yet as the adrenaline seeped from his system and his heart rate slowed an ache crept into his body.  He winced as a pothole jostled the ambulance.  Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea, after all.  It might give him time to collect himself and Angie could... well maybe she could too.

    Throughout the ride and subsequent check-up he elected to ignore the nagging urge to examine his feelings.  And this scared him.  What could he be afraid of?  That he didn't love Angie, or maybe that he did.  His thoughts skirted important issues and settled comfortably on trivialities.  He should probably cancel their next job, Cold Wind Blowing.  Red Storm paid a handsome amount, it could tide them over for a while.  In the meantime, he should definitely see about restocking the loft.

    With these simple thoughts occupying his mind, he could avoid the complicated issues that would soon be forced upon him.  Shaking his head, he ran his hand through his hair and sulked.  Suddenly he felt alone.

    "So do I," Angie muttered.  She still knelt in the park, though the weeping had slowed to stray tears.

    She mulled over the turn of events that lead to this hopeless moment.  For all her strength, she still hurt beyond her imagination.  She had told Rollie she was her mother's daughter.  And as true as that might be, no one was impervious.  What could she have been thinking?  Why did she really think Rollie would... She was practically his little sister, she was his employee.  Why would he want her?

    These thoughts of self doubt and hopelessness swirled around her.  Could he still work with her, look at her knowing how she felt.  She had seen time after time how Rollie reacted to commitment.  If his relationships even lasted that long.  Suppose they did... suppose they did date.  How long before he grew restless and, God, he wouldn't have any way to leave her.  He would be trapped, either with a girlfriend he didn't love or a partner whose love went unrequited.  She didn't think he would take that chance, she hoped he wouldn't.

    If they did, after all, if they did date.  Make love.  There would never be any going back.  So they could never return to that warm place of mutual respect and emotional stability.

    It was this thought that she remembered that had been left behind anyway.  Their relationship had changed without even being given the chance of more.  Loubar not only took away what they had... but... what she had... what she wished could be.  He had taken so much.  He had taken so much from her.  What could possibly be left behind?

    "Lights Bluey," Rollie croaked.  He shuffled wearily into the loft and looked about.  It wasn't home.  He could feel an air of betrayal hanging over it.  He looked at the stairs to his bedroom.  Suddenly he shuddered and fell to his knees.  How could he sleep there, how could he sleep where Angie had been... Oh Angie, where are you?

    Rollie shook his head and wished for the this nightmare to end.  He wanted to shake himself awake and end all this.  Then all that had happened wouldn't be and he could tell Angie... Tell her what?  That he loved her?  Did he?  The question gave him a headache and in a flash he knew why he had been avoiding it.  He didn't want to know the truth.  He didn't want to know for sure how he felt about her.

    A memory flashed through his mind.  Angie turning to him, smiling brightly.  They were working, it could have been almost any time.  All he knew was what she looked like.  For the first time, well... maybe not really the first time, he looked at Angie as she was.

    They sat in the van, Rollie toying with the electronics of an animatronic mask.  They were passing witty banter back and forth.  Teasing each other, playing off one another.  It was a good feeling to be with her.  He didn't remember what he had said, but he looked up sideways and she spun in her chair.  Her hair catching the setting sun through the windshield, the golden tresses exploded into a fiery halo.  A fitting term for the angel laughing across from him.

    Why had he not see that before?  His brow furrowed as he wondered how he never noticed the stark beauty of Angela Ramirez.  Her soft skin, radiant smile and those bewitching eyes.  Eyes he had always appreciated, even since she was small.  Those glorious blue eyes, "will capture a man's soul one day."  He had told her that when she returned from a miserable day at school.  He was then struck by another glorious contradiction in Angela's character.  For all her strength, she was still fragile.  Such a complicated package, such a unique girl... No, not girl anymore.  'That's your problem Tyler, you still think of her as Manny's little girl.'  That would have to change if you are going to salvage the train wreck that was their relationship.

    While Rollie Tyler, conflicted friend of Angela Ramirez knelt pondering his now exposed emotions.  A darkness crept out of the pond in central park.  He looked at the useless mass of electronics in his left hand.  A once magnificent marvel of technical skill, a one of a kind device that even he would be hard pressed to recreate.  Victor Loubar clenched his fist and cursed Rollie Tyler.  If it claimed his life, if it destroyed his reputation.  He would end this sparring.  The final conflict would come soon, he was sure of that.

Chapter 2

    As the golden light of the morning poured through the window, Angie slowly opened her eyes.  She had arrived home late last night.  Her breakdown in the park now in the past, she slowly set about re-entering her life.  Or what remained of it.

    She showered and made a light breakfast, eyes darting around her apartment.  She basked in the light of the morning but still felt cold.  For sometime, she didn't think at all.  Just sat and stirred coffee that grew cooler by the minute.  She slowly emerged from her cocoon to discover they day rapidly moving along with out her.

    Wiping her dry eyes and sniffling, she stood and went to her room to get dressed.  She was already late for work... Somehow, for one brief moment in time she had forgotten the paradox she languished in.  Would Rollie even want her to come in today?  He would most assuredly tell her to take some time off, but how many times can they afford to avoid each other?  This would have to happen sooner or later, she would make it sooner.

    Rollie sat thoughtfully brooding at the workbench.  His face reflecting the complexity of his thoughts.  Around him, the loft was undergoing changes.  All the windows had been flung open and incense burned is several places.  A new mattress and bed frame sat quietly at the foot of the stairs.  He would install them later, but for now he was content to whittle away slowly at the emotional block around his heart.

    He had not changed since last night, his left arm in a sling and coat draped around his shoulders.  His thoughts bouncing from Angie to Loubar and many other people.  Such a complicated life he had lead.  So many enemies and relationships.  When does a man take a stand?  He had done so on many occasions, as this most recent melodrama attested to.  Well then, when can a man say enough is enough?  Where does Rollie Tyler's responsibilities end?  And what does his oath mean for the future?

    Rollie's fertile imagination sculpted new and horrifying scenarios about what his life could become.  As he dwelt more and more on the dark side of his destiny, the images became more graphic and disturbing.  It was with a start that the final picture crashed him back to reality.  He looked around shakily and realized there was something happening.  Emerging further from his stupor he heard the phone.

    "Bluey, speakerphone."

    But as the robot dog and personal assistant open the line, all Rollie heard was a dial tone.  He missed the call.  Calling out to playback his messages he heard several from last night but none recent.  He sighed, his revelry cut he would have to face the day.  Whatever that meant.

    Detective Mira Sanchez shook her head as she pulled into Brewery Lane.  Still in the same clothes as yesterday, she had been up all night filling out reports and debriefing the Captain as to yesterday's activities.  The press, which had been filming the entire fiasco with the Chinese Ambassador, had elected to lionize Mira as the hero of the hour.  Their request for interviews and hounding for comments drew the night out even longer.  She still hadn't had time to get breakfast as she parked in front of the loft.

    It was then she noticed that the door was wide open, as were all the windows.  With a quizzical expression she walked carefully to the door.  Inside, she noticed Rollie fumbling around the kitchen his arm in a sling and his technique no better than before.  She shook her head and knocked lightly.

    Bluey barked and Rollie turned quickly, her name on his tongue he expected it to be Angie.  Seeing Mira peeking in softly, he grinned and invited her in.  He poured a second cup of coffee and turned down the burners.

    "So, Mira.  I hear your the super cop that saved the world," he smiled carefully.  They joked but he didn't feel very happy.

    "Quit it Rollie, I get enough of the garbage at the station.  Um, I just stopped by on my way home.  I thought you might want to talk," she spoke hesitantly.  Unsure of what he was thinking, she only hoped her friends could work everything out.

    "I will, but not quiet yet," Rollie said distantly.  He was watching the door, speaking to her almost subconsciously.  She knew why.

    "She'll be here when she's ready, Rollie."

    "I know, I just hoped we could spend the day... I don't know," he set his forehead on his hand and breathed deeply.

    "Rollie... I don't want to overstep my bounds.  I know you two have... a complicated relationship," she paused, waiting for an interruption. "But I've gotten to know both of you pretty well.  Since I sort of fell into your life, I've seen you two overcome more than your fare share of crisis'."  Again she waited for a response.  Rollie just seemed to be listening.

    "I don't think I can tell you what you should do, but I'm sure that whatever it is you already know.  Your closer to her than you think Rol, just don't give up on her.  She'll be there when the smoke clears."

    He wiped his face sighing heavily.  She patted his knee and started to get up when his hand found hers.  He looked up with his warm, brown eyes and she quivered.  Those eyes can look right through you.

    "Mira, we've never really talked about our own... feelings," he stuttered.  This might be a little touchy.  He was holding her hand, and it was soft and delicate.  She looked at him, smiling quietly she sat back down.

    "No Rol, we never really have."  He paused, not sure of how to continue.

    "I know that before I can talk to Ang, before we can sort out our feelings... I need to know where we stand.  Am I wrong, I mean, there was something... right," he raised an eyebrow.

    "Rollie," she touched his face softly, a few bruises standing out from his fight the other night.  "I felt it too, but it wasn't right.  I think you know that.  We, we are friends.  That's all."

    "But it's enough," he said with confidence.  This emotional stuff was draining.  He never thought stunt work would look easy compared to anything, but this took the cake.

    "I'll see ya' around Tyler," she smiled.  They had finally defined what was so ethereal.  Yes, there were sparks, but it wasn't the way it should be.

    "I'll call you tonight," he watched her leave.  As she stepped outside, he called out, "I love you, Mira."

    She turned and looked him in his eyes, his beautiful eyes.  "I love you too, Tyler."

    Smiling, he turned back to his coffee.  That had worked out better than he could've hoped.  Too himself he muttered, "One down, a heart full to go."

Chapter 3

    Angie paced by the front door to her apartment.  She couldn't seem to convince her body to leave.  Since her resolution to get to work, to get to Rollie, she had shuffled around dressing and changing.  She showered again and brushed her teeth twice.  Tidying up and stroking her cat.  Anything but walking out that damn door.

    Why couldn't she do it?  It was nearing 10 o'clock and she hadn't even called him.  She just paced and turned, wearing away at her rug.  Swallowing deeply, Angie stopped walking.  It was the first she stopped moving since she awoke.  Closing her eyes and breathing deeply, her hand reached out for the doorknob.

    She jumped as there was a knock on the door.  Drawing back her hand, her chin quivered and she froze.  Whoever that was is already in the building.  The knock repeated and she quietly slid the chain into place.  Checking the peephole, she saw Matty, her downstairs neighbor.  Sighing and laughing at her own paranoia she undid all the locks.

   Cracking the door and smiling, Angie saw the pretty but plump face of Mattise Ann Caurve.  On seeing her, Matty smiled a winning smile and greeted her.

    "Angie, my friend!  It's been far too long, we've not spoken for ages," Matty said.

    "Hey Matty, how is everything?  Oh, would you like to come in?" she stuttered as her expectant neighbor stood by.

    "Oh thank you so much, I really need to speak with you."  She stepped inside and Angie offered her a seat and some coffee.

    "No, my dear.  I'm afraid I can't except your hospitality.  You see I'm to leave today for Nice, oh I did tell you about Roger and our trip to Nice did I.  Oh it's sure to be wonderful, anyway, the reason I'm here to ask you for a small favor."

    Angie nodded, she might have expected this.  Matty was a nice person but she was also self centered.  They've know each other for a while, since Matty first asked for a 'small' favor.  One that almost lead Rollie to a nervous breakdown.  She smiled weakly at the memory.

    "Matty, I'd be happy to look out for Sinky.  She and Chiopes get along fine."  Angie smiled as Matty thanked her profusely and inched towards the door.

    "Incidentally, how is your Rollie?  He has such a gorgeous smile," Matty asked, patting her on the shoulder.  Angie smiled uncomfortably, she wasn't really sure.

    "He's fine," she finally stammered.  As quickly as she appeared, Matty was gone.  And Angie was once again starring at the close door, breathing deeply.  She suddenly smiled broadly, that was a big step.  She had just passed a moment, brief as it was, like a normal woman.  She could get used to those trivialities.

    Sitting quietly in a small apartment on the North side, Victor Loubar worked diligently re-programming six laptops to meet his needs.  Elsewhere in the apartment, various surveillance and high end security devices sat half out of their packaging.  Even now, there was a cruel smile curling on his lips.  His venomous heart shaping the plan to come.

    He was preparing to focus his total attention upon the unsuspecting, well not wholly unsuspecting, Rollie Tyler.  Already he had canceled all his outstanding contracts.  Cash advances had been returned and any merchandise that was pending would be delivered.  He was taking himself off the market.  No bombings, assassinations or shipments until he had rid his world of Tyler for good.

    Thoughts of Tyler swam through his head.  The gunshot and fall shocked his pride and pushed his vengeance.  He would destroy the F/X man, end their cat and mouse game and take what he desired right from under Tyler's nose.

    Rollie Tyler was furious.  Where in the name of God is she?  Angie should have called, to let him know she was all right.  She should be here, if not to talk, than at the very least to work.  She never missed a day and he hadn't told her about the canceled job.  To release some anxious energy, Tyler had disassembled his old bed and tossed into the alley.  Slapping together the new frame and making up the mattress seem to take forever, with his injured arm, yet it was done in ten minutes.

    Four times he found himself dialing her number, and four times he stopped himself.  She had to
come to him.  If he pushed her, if he approached her she might recoil.  Then this all would be even harder.

   While he refitted the hydraulics on the werewolf, Rollie considered what might happen between Angie and himself.  He could see several different possibilities.  One, nothing changes, he and Ang remain friends and work together.  This didn't seem too likely, considering what he knew about Angie... and himself.  Another, they do... Christ he can't even think it.  Say they... begin to date, that might be the worst thing possible.  Their working relationship would suffer, and if things didn't work out... he didn't even want to know.  Then there was something that nagged him.  Maybe the only answer was to put a little space between them.  If this were true, she might leave him... and again he shuddered to think about life without her.

    It was with these thoughts that he consumed the time until she appeared.  If she appeared.  God he hoped she'd appear.  He need for her to...

    Mira Sanchez stretched lazily in the tub of bubbles, sighing she sunk beneath the warm water.  She deserved this with all that had happened in the last few days, hell, in the last few months.  As she quietly lounged with soft music playing in the other room, she smiled broadly.  As she rinsed her arm, her thoughts turned to Rollie.

    Their conversation had been short, but pointed.  Just friends... even that left a warm feeling within her.  Mira had lead an eclectic life to say the least, but her time with Tyler F/X sure blew it all away.  Her thoughts danced around their first adventure, finding him crouched in her back seat was memorable.  He was such a charmer, and those deep, warm brown eyes.  More than once she found herself wistfully looking into them as their owner described some insane plan.

    Rollie loved her, and she loved him.  It made her feel... safe.  Like a shield had been posted around her.  Knowing she could depend on him, her smile faded as her train of thought continued.  Of course, the problems with Angie are going to take time to reconcile.  If it's possible at all.  Mira could physically feel the sorrow in them both.  Angie for the turmoil Rollie's face evokes, and Rollie for the guilt and empathy.  They were so close, so united in a way.  If they could see that, everything else might fall into place.

    Sighing, she allowed the warm water and mellow music to soothe her frazzled nerves.  Her phone off the hook and cellular charging she was disconnected from the rest of the world.  A luxury she couldn't afford often enough.  Smiling again, her breath sent bubbles rising into the air.  This moment would have to suffice for a while.  Her brownie points with the Captain were wearing thin, and even the positive exposure wouldn't safeguard her.  She might have to walk on eggshells for a bit.  Just a little while.

Chapter 4

    Through rows and rows of groceries, Angie wandered with a soft smile.  She had decided to shop for Rollie seeing as he rarely does so himself.  As she chose a loaf of rye bread and set it in the cart, she glanced about the supermarket.  Such a mundane place, so unremarkable in almost every way.  It seemed impossible to her that a person could lurch from extraordinary experiences to everyday ones over night, literally.  She checked her watch and noticed it was less than twenty-four hours past that she leapt from the threshold of an exploding building.

    Slowly walking the cart about, she noticed with no small amount of pride, that several men had been looking her over.  And while this seemed like an invasive act, it was one of innocence and levity.  One man in particular, ran his cart into a shelf of chips, crushing several of them.  She smiled completely now, teeth and all.  She had changed so many times, completely unsure of what she should look like.  As she picked up the last few items, it occurred to her that she was dressed rather nicely to be shopping.  Casual sneakers, as usual, with a pair of black ski pants and a simple sweater that hugged her ideally..

    She hummed quietly to herself, doting over ingredients and choosing the richest ice cream.  When she closed the freezer door, she glimpsed the bruise still marring her delicate reflection.  It snapped her away from the carefree mood swirling about her.  The smile faded and as her face fell, a placid but unhappy expression rose.  Finishing her shopping, she walked briskly to the check out and paid with a credit card.

    Once her car was packed, she again found it difficult to head toward Rollie's.  Sitting behind the wheel, she spent several minutes staring ahead.  She considered her hesitation carefully.  It was obviously connected in some way to her experiences, she couldn't understand why.  She so desperately wanted to speak with, even just look in his eyes and see...

    No, there had to be a reason and before she went by she would root it out.  The only problem was her mind hemorrhaged with thoughts, she just couldn't sort them out.  With a roar she started the engine and left the parking lot.  Angie knew just what she needed to do.  She needed to talk to someone.  And there was really only one person she could trust right now.

    Rollie Tyler dropped the pizza in disgust.  They got the order wrong and he was furious to see mushrooms and green peppers in place of sausage and pepperoni.  Christ!  Can't they do anything right.  His anger, clearly misplaced, peaked when a squeal of tires and backfire splits the air.  Charging outside, he screams at the top of his lungs, "God Damn You!  Stop toying with people like this!"

    With a splash of color to his cheeks, he looks about embarrassed.  Why on earth was he so rattled?  He could only think of one reason.  And it was one that was so obvious it almost choked him.  He just wanted to see Angie.  To see that she's all right and had forgiven him.  He felt groggy again, a weight settling upon his shoulders.

    Fumbling back inside, he started to close the windows.  It was closing on One Thirty, and he had yet to hear from Angie.  He was working himself into a furry over all this.  With a grimace, he choked down a few slices of the pizza.  Forcing himself to sit, he elected to occupy his time with his thoughts.

    Closing his eyes, he called up a memory of himself and Angie.  Seeing her face in his minds eye was a comfort he wanted to luxuriate in.  Again he saw the scene in the van.  His hands tweaking a mask... the Birdman from "Gladiator Planet"!  Now he could see everything in much greater detail.  Outside the van, the vista was a hilltop on location in... Tennessee.  The picture was a large production and Tyler F/X had been brought in as primary to head the F/X department.

    Tyler smile, it had been a good experience.  Several months without police or crooks.  He and Angie spent the time just focusing on their craft.  That's what they joked about, he was being a wise ass about the upcoming gag.  She laughed so readily then, as innocent as a babe.  As the memories fleshed out he could hear their conversation.  He could almost hear the contentment in her voice, probably because of the private time they had together.

    Then, his smile faltered as the rest of the scene passed before his eyes.  As an observer he felt helpless, watching as the man playing Rollie hurt the character of Angie.  The movie in his mind was shot and edited, completely beyond his control but he still ached as it played out.  Angie was smiling broadly and looking deeply into Rollie's eyes.  You could almost feel the emotion passing between the two, as if she mental encouraged him to see her differently.  For the briefest of moments, Rollie did look at Angie differently.  Then Carolina poked her head into the van.

    Carolina Van Saant was a tall brunette starlet whom Rollie dated during the production.  She played a small role as a the princess' handmaiden.  It was just a fling, but a relationship none the less.  Rollie stood, stepping past Angie who was still gazing into his eyes.  As she noticed his gaze pass from her, Rollie winced, she physically recoiled as he greeted the pretty young actress.

    Oh Angie!  I'm so sorry, I just never noticed.  Again and again Rollie watched himself rebuff the delicate ministrations of her sweet, innocent heart.  Angie must be so strong, to have held on to him through all his philandering.  His transitory relationships must have inspired such sorrow in her.  Heartless Bastard, he cried to himself.  If he had watched their relationship from without, he might've kicked his own ass.  Check that, he surely would have.  Why hurt her so?  It couldn't have been just chance, so many moments over such a long time.

    From this time forward, he swore to himself.  She'll come before any of my own needs.  Angie will take her rightful place as the center of his life.  If it meant he would be alone, so be it.  She was all that mattered.  And with these thoughts he pondered romance.  This kind of devotion generally entailed a commitment, marriage and the like.  If she meant so much, why could they not take that step.

    It just didn't seem right.  As beautiful as she was in his eyes, sex was never something that entered it.  He saw her as a painter might view his favorite masterwork.  She was delicate and gentle, so beautiful and strong with such an overpowering spirit.  Angie was truly angelic, but sexy?  He couldn't see it in his mind.  It wasn't an image that came through, probably since he saw her as easily at eleven as twenty-one.

    His reverie was snapped when he heard an engine shut down out front.  Angie!  Rollie's eyes flew open and he leapt from his seat.  Glancing at the clock, it was nearing Three!  He cried out for Blue to open the door as he started at the passage of time.  He must be careful or he'll whittle away his life with these episodes.

    Rollie smiled broadly as the door opened.  His smile faded when he saw who stood there.  No Angie, this was aggravating as all hell.  His demeanor changed as he welcomed his guest inside.  Sighing, he closed the door.

    Francis Gatti could see the change in Rollie when he got to the door.  His faced had beamed, a broad smile lighting up the Aussie's posture.  When Frank saw the change he knew instinctually Angie had not contacted him.  Stepping across the threshold, he shook his head.  Rollie must be going through so much.  He just wanted to touch base, not dash his hopes.

    "Hey Rollie, I was just heading home.  Thought I might drop in, see what's happening," Gatti paused thoughtfully.  I've got to find something to take his mind off this.

    "Thanks Frank, I've just been puttering around the loft today.  Oh, I'm thinking of taking a little time off.  You know, some time off might be good right now," Rollie was trying to be polite, he didn't want Francis to worry about him.

    "That's great!  Tell you what, this Friday.  You, me and Chord will have a guys night out.  What ya' say?"  Frank could sense Rollie's hesitation, so he added, "Come on, as a favor to me.  Sarah doesn't let me off the leash all that often."

    Rollie smiled, a genuine smile, and accepted.  He and Rollie made small talk for a few minutes, words coming much more readily to the Aussie.  And as much as he enjoyed spending time with him, he was glad to see Gatti leave.  When Angie got here, if she did, he was going to focus wholly on her.  He smiled again, wondering if maybe this all might work out for the best after all.

Chapter 5

    Victor Loubar stretched, hearing his back cracking he groaned.  This would be, quite plainly, the single greatest act of revenge since the Greek Gods had their say with the Titans.  Oh how he would enjoy watching Rollie enter this tailspin.  He shuddered as his fertile imagination weaving one devious trick after another.  But no, this plan was a delicate construction.  If it failed, Loubar would have signed his own death warrant.  And if it succeeded... Oh that was to good to be true.

    Sighing, Mira pulled the fluffy, oversized terry cloth bathrobe tighter around her petite frame.  She poured a cup of tea and then another.  Picking up the saucers, she carried them into the softly lit living room of her comfortably furnished apartment.  There sitting huddled on the sofa was a very emotional and very talkative Angela Ramirez.

    "Hey sweetie, here's a cup of Earl Grey.  Now, do you want to tell me or am I going to have to listen to every thought in that pretty head?"  Mira smiled delicately, brushing a stray hair from her face.

    Angie took the cup and sipped softly, she had been talking quite a bit, hadn't she?  Allowing the warm, tangy taste of the tea slide down her throat, Angie smiled at Mira.  She had opened the door flustered and upset, probably for being pulled out of her bath.  But as soon as she saw Angie's face, some innate motherly instinct had swept over her.  The hard as nails detective was fussing like a mother hen, and listening to every convoluted thought in her heart.  Thank God she had such good friends.

    "Well, I don't really know what caused it.  Rollie had been so dashing when I was younger.  I thought it was just, well adolescent infatuation.  But as I got older, he was still so heroic.  He could never turn his back on someone in need.  Do you realize how special that is?"  Angie smiled brightly, just thinking about Rollie could warm her insides.  "I can still remember how Dad would look at him," her voice was growing hushed, "it was as though a bright light had shone into the darkest part of our lives.  No matter how well things had gone, Cuba and... Mom was never far from his mind.  And when Rollie swept into our lives, it was..." she sniffed back a tear, "Dad could finally let go.  He could finally say good-bye.  That means more than you can imagine."

    Mira was hushed through this.  She was probably right.  Rollie was a truly special person, one of a kind really.  Thinking about other men she had known, the best of them shared one or two character traits, but not a single one was a shadow of Rollie Tyler.  For the first time in a long time, Mira could feel a longing for the tall, dark Australian.  She quickly shook it off and turned her attention back to Angie.

    "And the amazing thing about this... the truly amazing thing is that now, Rollie knows.  He knows that I... love...  But he doesn't know how it happened.  And that makes everything so much more complicated.  That's why I need to see him.  He needs to know how this all came about.  Then it will make sense.  For both of us."  This last statement was a mere whisper.  Angie was finally saying all those things pressing on her.

    "Angie, I think I can understand all that.  But it doesn't explain why your not with Rollie right now,"  Mira winced.  That was too harsh, too plain.  To Mira's relief, Angie didn't seem to notice.

    "I'm... afraid," Angie looked up to Mira.  And that is when Mira saw everything in her teary, blue eyes.

    Somehow Mira could understand everything.  Angie was afraid of a thousand different things.  All involved Rollie, and all were completely unreasonable.  She feared he would hate her, for changing their relationship.  That she would be unable to see Rollie, only Loubar.  That Rollie wouldn't acknowledge all that had happened.  That he would try to ignore her feelings pressing against him.  She was afraid for so many things, but it all stemmed from a fear that she would lose Rollie Tyler.  And with this, Mira smiled.

    She smiled because it was impossible.  Rollie needed her as much as she needed him, they were family.  And even if he wanted to leave, to send her away, to never see her again.  He couldn't.  Because they were a part of each other.  Inseparably linked, by their hearts and minds... and very souls.

    And so Mira carefully, gently explained this revelation.  She told the beautiful young woman all that had been communicated through her eyes.  She softly explained why it was foolish and how much they need one another, now more than ever.  She told her that if love would come it would not be at the expense of their friendship.  And she told her that they had a connection deeper than any she had seen before.

    On hearing these words of reassurance, and feeling the soft touch of Mira's hand on her shoulder.  Angie released emotions pent up since her betrayal.  Since long before Leo's death.  Since her childhood.  Angie cried, not heavy sobs but a steady, healing trail of tears that lead her to a safe place.  She could heal now, her fears and demons put to rest, she could heal.  And across town, in a loft once belonging to Manny Ramirez, Rollie Tyler shed a single tear.  Angie was on her way back to him.

Chapter 6

    The light of the day was growing short and a the bustle of the city drawing into the interminable
rush hour.  Ironically, rush hour stretched far longer than its name implied.  Angie sat anxiously behind the wheel, carefully weaving her way to the brewery.  She knew that the day had flown past without
her contacting Rollie, she knew he'd be worried.  And yet all she could think about was the first
moment they would see each other.

    After her talk with Mira, she somehow managed to sort her conflicted thoughts.  She could see
now, with crystal clarity, how foolish it was to be afraid.  Rollie loved her, even if it was as a brother.  She had always felt they were family, so why would he shun her now.  With a wave of relief she
thanked Mira and rushed straight into rush hour traffic.

    She smiled despite herself.  Rollie was probably antsy, pacing about the loft like a caged jungle
cat.  She could remember when he was still dating Dani, one night she had him wait three hours!
Angie's smile faltered, but he was romantically involved with her.  Would he have the same intensity
directed at Angie?  She hoped so.  God, why is this traffic so heavy?

    At the loft, Rollie was doing laps.  He would begin by the front door, wind through the workshop
where he would fiddle with this or that.  Toward the kitchen where he would look for something to
eat.  Then, up the stairs to pace about his apartment.  Finally, he wound up back by the front door.
Waiting.  Waiting for Angie.

    He smiled in anticipation of their quasi reunion, a moment that now carried an almost religious
significance.  He had decided that that first moment, when their eyes met would shape their
relationship.  It would be then that he could find his true feelings, not in memories or pictures, but in
the deep blue eyes of Angela Ramirez.

    Angie was slowly closing on the loft.  She shuddered slightly.  It would take time to build healthy,
happy memories over the painful ones.  Still, she was sure that the epicenter of her world would
remain a place of love.  Nothing could erase the aura of her father, the energy of Rollie Tyler or the
magic of their work together.

    Once again, Angie felt things would work out in the end.  It wasn't going to be easy, or even
enjoyable, but nothing was going to stop their friendship.  With a start she realized she had turned onto Brewery Lane.  She now sat in her idling car, staring at the front door to the loft.  Here goes nothing, or should that be everything.  Angie climbed from the car and softly approached the home of her friend, family, partner and true love.

    Rollie Tyler couldn't move.  He had frozen the instant he heard the car idling softly outside.  Immediately, he knew.  Every one of his senses heightened to a level he never achieved before.  He could hear the blood pulsing in his arteries.  There was a quiet hum emanating from Bluey.  From
somewhere, a draft softly tickled the hair on his arms.  Was that perfume he smelled?  He inched
toward the front door, dazed and excited.

    Angie could feel her pulse quicken.  This would be an important moment in her life.  She knew that when she say those familiar brown eyes, that all she was would be exposed.  It scared her, but in a
way that tingled deep within her.  Soon, she would know if he loved her... rather, if their future lay in
each others arms.

    As the door to the loft opened excruciatingly slowly, Rollie paused.  Just a few feet away, Angie
did the same.  The door turned on its hinge and crashed to a halt against the wall.  For a moment,
neither saw the other.  Then, after what may have been the longest day of their lives, Rollie and Angie looked into each others eyes.

    It is debatable as to whether time actually stood still or if their perception simply ground to a
standstill.  Maybe, the laws of physics waited with baited breath causing the entire universe to slow.
So that what might have taken only seconds across a clock face was an eternity.  Or, a more
plausible but far less romantic a notion, that Rollie and Ang were overtaken by an anticipation that
slowed their thoughts.

    Whatever the explanation, the time they stood gazing into each others souls was not one
measurable by the mind.  This moment was lodge in the heart of two people, two people whose
tragic lives entwined to form a single destiny.  Such a moment should not be trivialized by petty
questions like time or distance.

    When Angie fixed her gaze on Rollie, everything just melted away.  She felt as safe and at home as at any point in her life.  Warmth and kindness emanated from him like a beacon, one that she could
sense in her heart.  It seemed ludicrous now, to have believed Loubar's empty soul could have passed for Rollie.  He had failed to drive a wedge between them for a reason he couldn't understand, Rollie's humanity stemmed from his very soul.  And it could never be tainted from without.  And so with Rollie's goodness shining upon her like the sun, Angie smiled.

    When Angie appeared before Rollie, he saw her for the first time.  Not for that day, or even as a
woman.  He saw her as a human being.  Even when she had been a child, he had always felt her
close to him.  Now, now he saw her as a soul distinct from him.  And she was beautiful.  The
revelation broke something deep within him.  And nothing could be like it was.

    Whatever it was in Rollie that snapped, it flooded him with warmth.  Here was Angie, the only life
that held meaning for him.  It may have been a reservoir of lust, bottled by the filial bond between
Rollie and Manny.  Or possibly the empathic acceptance of her love for him.  Maybe the last of his
reservations about commitment or his innocence concerning their relationship.  Whatever it was, the
glowing creature before him was new, wholly unique in all his experiences and the only thing he
desired.

    Looking at one another for a time unknown, they still had not said a single word.  The perfect
silence that enveloped them was not shattered by phones or horns or the yells of a crowd.  All that
could be heard was the beating of their own heart, and faintly, maybe not at all, the beating of the
others.  It was into this silence that the first words came, soft but with layered emotion.

    "Angie..." Rollie had not realized he was speaking until the words drifted to his own ears.

    "Rol," Angie saw in his eyes, all she needed to continue.  Yet, she couldn't identify his feelings toward her.  All she knew was that love was there, and that was all she needed.

    Slowly at first, but with growing strength and meaning, Angie began to weep.  Somehow she was
in Rollie's arms and they sank to the ground.  And so wrapped in the arms of the man she loved,
Angie wept tears of joy, of pain and loss.  She cried for the rebirth of their connection, for the
conquered fears and the challenges to come.  Her tears raining like a stream, cleansing their souls and leveling the field.

    Together they knelt, in the dying golden light of the afternoon.  The light faded and vanished and
still they knelt together.  The darkness lay upon them unbroken.  Angie's sobs had died to a peaceful
slumber.  Rollie, whose own eyes had wetted, held her in his powerful embrace.  Her head nestled on his chest, body laying at his side.  Her warmth mixed with his own and they slept in a blanket with no
shape.

    Time moved slowly as the pair remained by the open door.  Unstirred by the cool breezes and
drafts, nestled in their own comfortable climate.  The watchful eyes of Bluey protected them as their
very essence lay exposed before the other.  This day drew to a close, with Rollie and Angie sleeping
soundly in one another's arms.  Neither had slept more peacefully in their lives.

Chapter 7

    The world to Angela Ramirez was growing more and more surreal by the minute.  As she walked down the sidewalk, the concrete seemed to shimmer and ripple.  Her steps grew lighter and lighter, and soon she was no longer making contact with the ground.  As quickly as she began to fly, the street vanished below her to be replaced with the broad and complicated grid of the entire five boroughs.  She blinked in amazement as glowing orange plumes grew like mushrooms at random places about the city.  Then, as quickly as the vision began it was over.

    In the darkness, Angie could only hear the voice.  It was the same voice she had heard all her life.  It was the voice of her mother.  And she was warning her, warning her of the dangers that closed like a noose.  Warning her that all she thought she knew was coming apart at the seems.  Warning her most of all that...

    Rollie had been awake since the first strands of light had peeked into the loft.  Angie and he had slept all night on the floor.  Even now, her soft body was cradled by his own.  He inhaled deeply, enjoying the smell of her hair, like a cool morning breeze.  The tickle of her breath against his body steadied his tempest of emotions.  He knew it wouldn't matter any longer, they would be together.  As family, as lovers, as friends;  it didn't matter which.

    A smile graced his lips, one that pushed away the cramps and aches in his legs.  While Angie lay cradled by Rollie, his own body was wrapped upon itself.  There was no sensation in his feet and he was certain that if he stood, he could not walk.  None of that mattered, nor was he aware.  Angie was home.

    Angie was indeed home, but it was far from the comfort of the loft.  In the strange shadow land she wandered, the brewery had become a great mechanical monstrosity.  Pipes and chains jutted and hung closely together.  A loud, repetitive thumping grew from a furnace.  The smell of fire and decay hung heavily in the air.  How could this be the same place she knew?  There could be no doubt, it was the loft in design.  Only the room was filled with cold, dank machinery.

    Then, a shape in the darkness.  It did not climb from the black ink to be shaped by highlight and shadow, rather it was formed from absolute darkness.  The little light in this claustrophobic world just fell into the abyss of the figure.  It was man shaped but it could not be defined.  As it drew closer, she could feel the coldness, drawing away heat.  It sapped warmth from the air, then her body and as it came closer and closer, her very soul.  It would consumer her completely.

    She tried to run but became tangled in the chains.  Struggling, her skin chaffed and bleed.  She was being pulled back toward the void.  Her heart quickened and she feared all was lost as the abyss claimed her life's blood.  The dark shape crept upon her.  It would never be satisfied, drawing more and more from her, the shape would consume all that was.

    Rollie could feel her heart rate quicken.  He knew she must be dreaming, and he wondered what it could be.  With one hand he gently traced her features.  She might tell him, when she awoke.  He smiled touching his head to her own.  They would be together all day, plenty of time to talk.  They could start to explain to each other all the things that crept through their hearts.  It would be good.

    It was terrible.  The Emptiness as she called it was upon her.  Touching, stroking her.  It's touch killed sensation in her body.  When it stroked her face she cried out in anguish only to find her breath was stolen.  The void had claimed her, she would become a part of it.  Then, a light shone.  She couldn't see from where but it was soon everywhere and in everything.  A cry that defied definition called out its pain.  And she was alone in the light.

    It was a warmth she had never understood before.  Now, at this moment it was all so clear.  And she was happy.  Filled with a joy that came with the release of all fear.  Not long after the arrival of the light, she lost all knowledge of the Emptiness that nearly consumed her.  She was soon unaware of anything but the Light and the joy.  As she drifted up into brighter and brighter light, a single word stopped her.  Rollie.

    Shaking her head, her body having regained its form, she looked around.  The Light was solitary, alone with perfect joy.  She was leaving it behind.  The word again called her and she sank into a different place.  One not shaped by darkness or light, but rather by emotion and thought.  She looked and saw that she was now no longer alone.  That here, away from the Light and the Emptiness, she was herself.  And more importantly, she had found Rollie.

    He looked down to see her lips curl into a smile.  She rubbed her head against his chest and slowly, her breathing changed.  Fluttering softly, her eyes open and the world was again as she remembered it.  Looking down at her, those perfect blue eyes shining like perfect blue diamonds.  He smiled, willing all the love and contentment in his heart to pour out through his expression.

    Angie felt it.  He was happy.  They lay there for more than a few moments just looking in each others eyes.  Than, carefully and bashfully Angie and Rollie disentangled their limbs and stood.  Angie, whose body had been in a much more natural position, caught Rollie as he stumbled.  His legs had probably been trapped all night, and he hadn't even moved.  Her heart bounced.

    Rollie felt foolish, leaning heavily on Angie as the blood returned to his legs.  Not the heroic first impression, he admitted.  They had not spoken, but Rollie felt it was not time just yet.  In silence they walked out the pins and needles and awoke completely.  Soon, they stood facing each other shyly.  What now?

    As it turned out, they both had similar ideas.  Angie started some coffee as Rollie showered and shaved.  He came down again, dressed in characteristic dark colors, and Angie took her turn in the bathroom.  Rollie sighed contentedly as he set the thermostat, closed the door and shuffled out for the paper.  Without glancing at it he dropped it on the couch, hearing the shower stop.

    He looked expectantly up the stairs and was greeted by more than he could have hoped.  Standing, wrapped in an absurdly oversized bathrobe, stood the most beautiful woman.  She smiled, slowly descending the stairs with tiny, bare feet.  Rollie reached out and gently took Angie's hand.  Now they could talk.

    Angie had been disappointed to find the only clothing of hers at the loft was a paint splattered overalls and baggy sweatshirt.  She had been about to change into them, when her gaze fell on the bathrobe.  She smiled softly and slipped it on, relishing in the warmth and smelling the faint musk of Rollie Tyler.  This was much better.

    Mira awoke with a start.  She looked around her bedroom and was surprised.  Then it was all just a dream.  She smiled strangely and wondered it that was a good thing.  Feeling the bed beside her, she decided it was not after all.  Sighing, she stretched and climbed out of bed.  Looking out the window, she went to shower and prepare for the day.

    While she shampooed her hair, her mind caught up with realty and she thought of Angie and Tyler.  Surely they must have talked by now.  She smiled, maybe they were already engaged.  Her grin faded slightly, that wasn't as funny as she thought it'd be.  She really need to know what was happening between Rollie and Angie.  Determined to stop by before work, she was startled by her alarm.  Rinsing quickly she rushed through the remainder of her routine.

    Sitting quietly over coffee, Angie and Rollie held hands and spoke in hushed whispers.  Angie opened her fears to him and Rollie in turn opened his revelations to her.  Carefully, and noncommittally, he explained how he remembered her in a dozen different ways, but none as she appeared now.

    "Oh, Rollie..." Angie said, almost inaudibly.

    "I just... I didn't think I could get past what you were.  Manny was so close to a father, but I've had three father figures and no Mother... Not really."

    Angie ruminated on this before responding.  That was true, his mother passed while he was young, just as Angie's had left her life.  That loss, it could explain why he couldn't commit... but should she say these things?  It might hurt him.  She took a deep breath, they couldn't start hiding things from each other, not right now.

    "You were there for me... like a mother I mean.  Do you think... I mean, was I?"  she struggled for the words that just wouldn't come.

    "Yeah," Rollie smiled, reading her thoughts.  "Yeah, I guess you were a little bit mother and a little bit daughter.  That, sort of makes things complicated."

    "I know, and it might be best if this just lay down for a little while."  She smiled, guardedly.  Rollie seemed so uncomfortable.

    "Ang, you should know this... If there is only one thing I say right, it should be this."  Rollie paused, breathing deeply.  Angie froze, was he going to say... what she always hoped he would?

    "Angie, you're all there is for me.  I couldn't work without you at my side, I couldn't laugh without you smiling across from me.  And I couldn't live,  not without you."  Rollie exhaled deeply, that was almost what had been rattling inside his head all morning.  Almost.

    "Rollie, I feel the same.  You're at the heart of my world, and my soul."  This last word was just a soft breeze of air from her mouth.  And as quiet as it was in his ears, it shook him to his core.  It reverberated through his skull, rattling his brain.

    This seemed to close the conversation.  Each knew, that was the last word.  They had spoken for close to two hours.  As the pair of souls quieted, their eyes traced their counterparts face.  Rollie slowly lifted Angie's hand to his face.  She could feel his breath roll across the back of her hand.  He gently placed a kiss just behind her middle finger.

Chapter 8

    A shattering knock burst through the air causing the pair to jump.  Mira stood outside, holding a cup of coffee and a bag of donuts, clichéd but true.  She shook her head as the door opened and expected to find Rollie crawling out of bed.  Instead, Bluey barked a greeting and she saw Rollie and Angie sitting in the kitchen.  For a moment she could see Angie's hand in Rollie's, but with a jerk they sat looking over at her.

    "Morning Mira, you look chipper," Rollie clucked, standing and walking over to her.  She noticed Angie was in Rollie's bathrobe.  Fighting to remain neutral was a challenge.  Had Rollie taken advantage of her last night?  In her condition, did he... Get a grip, sis.

    "I was just dropping by to see if you wanted to get lunch, seeing as how your schedule is now so open."  Mira was battling heroically with herself, somehow she had managed to not even raise an eyebrow.  Her restraint, however, was limited.

    "What are you talking about?  Van Kenton is expecting our prelim for Cold Wind, isn't he Rollie?"  Angie had folded her arms and strolled over to the foyer.

    "She doesn't know?" Mira couldn't help it and a smile crossed her face.  Rollie was looking something like a deer in headlights.  Thank you Francis!

    "Ang, I was going to mention this later today.  I called GVK and pulled out of the picture.  I hope it's okay, I wanted to take a little time off."  Rollie was watching Angie carefully, gauging her reaction.  Here was the acid test, if their relationship had really changed he would know.

    "You canceled a job without even consulting me.  Look Rollie, I know your name is on the door but this was my father's company.  Besides, what are we going to do for the next two months?  I seem to remember something about a partnership, but that only applies to the work not the business."

    Rollie smiled, even though Angie was chewing him and even though she had valid points, he was grateful to hear her.  She was still Ang, and they could still work together.  Angie was pacing now, her lecture reaching a boiling point.  Mira just stood back and smiled, what a pair?

    "And one more thing Rollie..."

    "Ang, stop!  I'm sorry, you're right.  I'll never make a decision like this without speaking with you first," raising his hand, "you have my word.  I was just hoping to have a little down time.  If you want me to find another picture, I'm sure we could schedule something in a couple of weeks.  Satisfied,"  Rollie hoped she would accept this.  He wanted them to go out today, to do something not work related.

    "You promise..."  Angie cocked her head and smiled.

    "I swear it,"  Rollie saw the playful look on her face, he smiled back.

    Mira cleared her throat and the business partners snapped their attention back to her.  She looked from Angie to Rollie then shook her head.  They looked kind of sheepish, like the smallest movement would spook them.

    "I'm going to be late for work, how about lunch?"

    "On you," quizzed Rollie.

    "The way you eat," Mira scoffed.  Angie laughed and the friends made a date for a small bistro in Manhattan.  "I'll see you at lunch," Mira bellowed.  Then quietly to Angie, "I want everything, later."

    Angie smiled as Mira left.  She was a great friend, with a big heart.  The door closing, Angie turned to Rollie.  They smiled for a moment, then like a cloud in the sun, the mood that prevailed all morning dissipated.  They were left to shuffle around the loft, idly filling the time.  With no project ahead of them, there would be a lot of spare time.

    Rollie watched Angie carefully.  They made a lot of progress, but he noticed she was still not at home in the loft.  Something like the rape would take time to heal, but she would have him at her beck and call.  Whistling, he planned to putter around until inspiration caught his heart but the day wore on and nothing captured his attention.  At least, not like Angie had.

    She had changed into her clothes from yesterday and was currently fiddling with the OS of her PDA.  He tried not to stare too often, just a stolen glance here and there.  Rollie was quickly becoming enamored with the beautiful woman he worked with.  So why did that worry him?  Didn't they get through all this?  Wasn't it obvious how they felt about each other?  Rollie dragged his eyes away from Angie in time to miss her stolen glance of him.

    Angie was bored out of her skull.  Why had he canceled the job?  It was good money and they would certainly enjoy the work.  Granted it didn't involve the stock standard alien's or vampire shtick, but F/X was versatile.  It would have been a great showcase for their subtler abilities.  She cleared her throat, it just didn't make any sense.

    Then Angie stopped what she was doing.  Her head turned without her realizing what was happening, she stared at Rollie's face.  He was trying desperately to do something constructive, but wound up just sorting an assortment of spare parts.  She focused on his eyes and saw they were still blood shot.  Looking closer, she could make out dark circles under them and a discoloration in his skin.  He looked pretty bad, now that she concentrated.

    Was he sick?  Maybe he had the flu or something.  Then, like a truck it hit her.  He had been kidnapped, drugged for three days and locked in a dark room.  Feed through an IV and kept alive only to have his life threatened by a madman.  His identity stolen and his personal life raided like no one before.  She might have been raped, but he had been violated too.

    She winced, how selfish she had been!  All this time, he thought of her violations and his heart bleed.  But had she given the same attention to his own trials?  She hadn't even thought of them.  And now, all that Rollie had been through of late caught up with her.  He was so strong.  To think of her, to think nothing of himself.  She had been strong as well, but she also relished a hefty dose of self pity.  Looking at the healing Australian, she felt a wave of love wash over her.

    Rollie looked up to see Angie approaching.  She had a gleam in her eyes and looked on the verge of tears.  She stood right before him and smiled.  He smiled as well, the fatigue of the last few days filling him once more.  He was still exhausted from the past week.  And here was Angie, standing before him like rock.  He was so weak.

    Angie saw the weary look pass across Rollie's face and she swept into action.  Taking his arm and speaking quickly she began to lecture him like a doting mother.  She would nurse him back to health and then they could... that could wait.  Right now, he would take center stage.

    "Angie!  Honestly, I'm fine!"  Rollie's protests went unheard.  Angie was on a rampage.

    "Hush up, Rol!  You have been drugged, beaten, impersonated and... shot," she said this sheepishly, guilt invading her voice.  "I am not going to keep you healthy!  Even if you hate me for it."

    Rollie stopped her as they climbed the stairs to his bed.  He took her shoulder in his good arm and said softly, "Nothing you could do, would make me love you less."

    Angie's heart bounced again.  He was going to give her an arrhythmia.  At the top of the stairs, Angie froze for a second, then like a flag unfurling she coursed with relief.  He had completely re-arranged the bedroom.  A new bed frame and all.  Smiling to herself, she tucked Rollie in and made some soup.  Then, sitting with him, they read together for a while before Rollie drifted off to sleep.

    Angie slipped the book from his hands and smiled.  For the rest of her life, she would be with Rollie Tyler.  She knew it was true, without a doubt in her mind.  Quietly, Angie Ramirez crept out of the loft to get some things from her apartment.  Before leaving, she looked around and decided it was home after all.

Chapter 9

    Rollie dreamed good dreams.  He could feel the spiritual world of his youth crowding around him.  Mangela was there, touching his thoughts briefly before drifting into the golden landscape of the Outback.  Rollie inhaled deeply, tasting the desert air and relishing his homeland.  Maybe it was time to visit home, return to his roots.

    While he was lounging in his dreams, a darkness spread outside his thoughts.  It crept close to him, watching his 'dreaming' carefully.  All the images were delicate constructs, shimmering illusions of light and thought.  And the Emptiness wanted their warmth.

    Rollie felt more than saw the darkness come for him.  He shivered and spun quickly.  What he saw was a shock he could never forget.  His beautiful homeland, a scorched wasteland.  The sky a turmoil of red and purple, violent and angry.  The landscape too, shared in the terror.  Rollie immediately moved on, hoping to find a safer place along his Songline.  Breathing deeply, he searched for a place of security.

    As the events of his life and people of his past spun past him, he could sense a pursuer.  Turning to face the horror, he could never expect what he saw.  It was absolute, craving his warmth and soul.  Terror gripping Rollie, he whipped about, fleeing from the horrible form.  And in blind terror, he flew for the only safe place he was certain of.  And in the blue depths, he was secure.

    Angie shivered.  The feeling passing through her was one of concern.  She knew Rollie was okay, but concern flooded her none the less.  She had packed a duffel and had just called Mira, telling her that Rollie would not be coming.  About to lock the door, she had realized Chiopes and Helsinki hadn't been feed since yesterday.

    "Great, so much for caring for her cat!" Angie stormed back in and set out two bowls of food.  Sinky dove for one bowl, and before Chiopes could even reach the other was eating, finished and starting on the other.

    "Your such a pig!"  Angie took away the bowl and set it in front on Chiopes.  While her cat was eating, Angie was again overtaken with concern.

    And as suddenly as it appeared, it was gone.  She smiled unconsciously as a vision of Rollie, limbs akimbo, sleeping at the loft.  Closing her eyes, his face smiled back at her.  Opening them again, Angie sighed contentedly.  She told herself again, and no matter how many times she said it was still comforting, that Rollie and her would be together forever.  Surfacing from her reflections, she cried out as Sinky was again eating Chiopes' food.

    "Damnit, Helsinki!  I have half a mind to lock you up for the week!"  Shaking her head she again intervened on the side of Chiopes.

    Francis Gatti smiled.  He was good at that, so he did it as often as possible.  Frank, as his friends called him, was sitting at his desk with a pile of paperwork.  That wasn't why he was smiling.  He was safely out of the media tornado enveloping Mira.  That wasn't why either.  Frank was smiling because Mira had told him what she saw this morning.  He was happy for them and wished them luck, he was good at that too.

    Mira Sanchez sighed deeply.  Just getting into Midtown South had been a trial.  The press conference scheduled for eleven should take some of the... Oh crap!  Grabbing the phone, she almost dialed the loft.  Thinking better she called Angie's apartment.  After several rings the line connected and the voice of Angie answered sweetly.

    "Thanks for calling, this is Angie.  I'm not in, you can leave a message or try the loft.  Sorry."  Mira cursed, she left a message explaining and decided to call the loft.

    To her surprise, she did not receive the groggy voice of Rollie or the irate voice of a mothering Angie.  Instead, a computerized voice spoke asking to leave a message.  It told her that the phones were on 'whisper' meaning Tyler F/X was currently out of touch.  Smiling, she realized it was Bluey.  Rollie must have been fiddling around with his functions again.  Leaving a message for Angie, she grinned, 'whisper mode'.

    Angela Ramirez drove patiently back toward the loft.  Sniffing the air, she cocked her head.  What was that smell?  Looking at Chiopes in the pet carrier on the passenger seat, she shook her head.  No, that was a different smell all together.  Slamming the breaks, Angie cursed to herself so creatively Mira would have been proud.  She groaned loudly and pulled over, not relishing what had to be done.  She had left the groceries in the trunk since yesterday afternoon.

    "I'm afraid this is the largest I have available," Carson Quicke explained, "Your certain it's sufficient."

    "Oh, this will be deviously perfect Mr. Quicke.  I only wish all my acquisition were so well suited to my needs."  The man spoke with a soft, southern accent and smiled broadly.

    "I'm sorry, could you remind me your business?" asked the young real estate agent.  This commission was almost too easy.

    "You might say I'm an over achiever, I do a little bit of everything.  Most of all, my friend, I make possible the impossible."  The grin returned, but this time it held a malicious cast.

    "So, shall we get the paper started," Carson was rapidly growing wary of this man.  He shivered and lead the tall man back to his office.

    "I'm curious Mr. Quicke, have you ever wanted something so badly it hurt?"

    "Not that I can remember, Mr. Shale."

    "Oh, well it is a wonderful experience."

    Rollie was happy and safe.  The welcoming world around him was a shade of blue he loved.  It was one he could gaze at for hours.  It was also a shade that could only be found in one place in all the universe.  Only in the eyes of the woman he loved, only in Angie.  As he thought of her, he found desire filling him.

    For the first time ever, Rollie imagined himself and Angie making love.  It appeared to him to be passionate and intense.  A long, languid experience that Rollie longed for.  Their bodies moving as one, he could almost feel her stiffening.  The last moments drew out, playing like a film in slow motion.  And as the lovers looked upon each other, Rollie sprung out of bed gasping for air.

    The evidence of his dream fading, Rollie sat in bed unmoved.  He sat swallowing hard and considering all that was revealed to him.  He sat while his mind was speaking to him, it was his Songline.  Mangela would tell him to trust his instincts but he would be wrong.  Rollie knew it.  They had to be wrong, rising not from his heart but some dark place within him.  He wouldn't trust them this time, because too much hung in the balance.  Because his mind and emotions told him not too.  And because Rollie Tyler's instincts insisted he bed Angela Ramirez.

Chapter 10

    The days of the week passed agonizingly slowly for Tyler F/X.  With no work they were relegated to puttering around the loft.  Angie revamped the computer system and debugged their PDA's to improve communication between the two.  Rollie had been withdrawn lately, so spending day after day with him grew tiring.  She couldn't understand it.

    After she had cleaned out the car, the ice cream had melted and flooded the trunk.  All her groceries were ruined and she was upset to find the message from Mira at the loft.  Sighing, she went up to check on Rollie and he was distant.

    When she appeared in the loft he didn't want to look at her.  When he did, he began to feel flushed and questioned his convictions.  She had changed clothes and looked amazing.  Her lithe body sheathed a soft blue shirt and crisp pair of jeans.  She moved so effortlessly, Rollie imagined what that could mean.

    Shaking his head he shivered.  This wasn't right.  He loved Ang, sure of that, Rollie tried to work out the other emotions he should be feeling.  Surely, if he was in love with her he would be attracted to her.  And there was no doubt she was gorgeous, an angelic face with a soft, warm body.  He again shivered.  Why did it feel so wrong?

    Angie could see he was withdrawing from her, but nothing could bring him back.  When she tried to talk intimately, he pulled away and said, "There are a few things I can't explain to myself, let alone you."  That hurt her, she wanted to be open with him.  So that they could speak honestly about anything.  She gave him his space, working quietly alone.  What's more, when she was close to him he recoiled.  Like he was afraid to be near her... with her.

    Rollie was no stranger to passion.  He had been quite the ladies man, but only rarely had there been any deep emotion behind it.  And never before had the connection been as deep as it is with Angie.  Well, almost never.  Shaking his head, he couldn't believe being attracted to someone would be an obstacle to a relationship.

    He knew it was though.  She was reaching out to him and he couldn't bring himself to make contact.  It was a long day when she was around, but if she wasn't it was even longer.  He couldn't concentrate on anything but her, and he was pushing her away with every passing moment.  Maybe he was wrong, Mangela taught him to trust his instincts.  There may be a reason he had such a powerful compulsion toward her, maybe she was meant to bare his child.

    Shaking his head, that wasn't it.  There was more going on than his own emotional instability.  No, he hadn't looked to progeny when sleeping with Dani.  It was just sex, animalistic sex.  This lead Rollie to understand his hesitation.  He was looking on Angie as another conquest.  An opportunity to notch his bed frame and prove his machismo.  And that was why he couldn't allow it.

    So on Friday morning, Rollie floundered with this revelation.  Could he tell this to Angie?  Let her know she was so special he didn't want to just...  Bloody Hell!  That would be humiliating.  How could she understand?  He didn't even understand.  He decided to work around it, and carefully crafted his speech.

    Angie was growing impatient with Rollie's balking.  She would force the issue, he'd been this way since she began to mother him so she would treat him like her child.  Whatever was weighing on his mind, she'd have on hers by the end of the day.  When she stormed in, he stood waiting for her.

    Even before she was through the door, Rollie was speaking.  It was tumbling out of his mouth like an avalanche and he couldn't stop.  The words he spoke cut him, his mouth seeming to numb from the meaning.  He was losing control and all he tried to keep back flooded forward.  She would know it all, and a weight rose from his heart.

    "Angie, I don't think I can explain what I've been feeling the last few days.  I'm sure you've noticed, how could you not.  I've tried to pull you closer just to push you away.  And as much as I wanted you with me, I was afraid of what that could become.  Oh, Ang," saying this he took her into her arms.  "Of all that's happened to me in my life, you're the best.  You're probably the only thing that has gone right.  And, if I screw this up... it all has to be right.  I'm not the most well adjusted guy... Bloody Hell!  I'm a mess, no woman has lasted in my life.  No woman but you.  So, that's why... right?  I mean... Oh Christ, I don't know.  I don't want to just have sex with you.  And I'm afraid that's all it would be.  No matter how much I care... I've never had more."  His outburst stilled.  The emotional torrent let loose subsided and she just held him close.

    Angie was so overwhelmed by what he was saying.  She almost couldn't follow it, his voice cracking in places.  But when he pulled her close, it all fell together.  Now she knew why.  Now she knew everything.  The last walls were falling and Angie saw behind the swaggering Aussie accent, behind the gruff good looks and behind the rough and tumble reputation was a boy.  Scarred by the death of his mother, his kinship with woman altered somehow.  With all woman but one.

    Rollie was quiet.  She hadn't spoken, just held him back.  If there was anger in Angie, if she was upset or unhappy he was certain he'd have heard it by now.  Swallowing, he put his face in her scalp and inhaled deeply.  His breath trickled through hair, giving her goose bumps.  She cuddled closer and Rollie felt her heartbeat, strong and permanent.  A smile rose slowly over his demeanor, she was flush with his body and he held her closely.  It was so familiar, like they had done it all their lives.

    It was long after the embrace ended and they began to work diligently on their blue screen systems that Rollie stopped.  He looked at Angie and cocked his head.  She looked back, returned his dumbstruck expression and laughed.  He too laughed and she returned to work.  Still watching her, he realized that all he felt now was a comfortable sense of belonging.  The same for the long hug earlier, he was happy to be with Angie and relished their time together, but had not clouded over with lust.  For whatever reason, their relationship was beyond that hurdle.  And Rollie could begin to get to know the magnificent person he helped raise.

    Angie was continuing to mother Rollie, much to his chagrin.  She had brought over some clothes and other things, sleeping at the loft was a gradually more common thing.  Rollie was glad she felt at home, that those harsh memories were not clouding her vision.  But so help him, if she made him chicken soup one more time...

    "Damnit Angie I can do it myself!"  Rollie hollered.  She had plucked a socket wrench from his right hand and was now diligently opening a casing inside the van.

    "Rollie Tyler, you can yell all you want, but until the doctor gives the okay you will not be doing any heavy work."  She didn't even look up.

    "Okay, Angie listen.  I'm sorry I yelled, you can see I'm a little anxious.  I was hoping to take a little breather and work on the coolant system.  No heavy lifting, just mental occupation.  Now, I would appreciate it if you would let... Me... WORK!"  He finished with a scream because Angie had plucked a part from the pumping device and was walking away.

    "I'm not backing down Tyler, you are going to rest and HEAL!  Or so help me God, you will feel my wrath."  Angie turned back and the fire in her eye convinced him.

    "Maybe there's something on TV..." Rollie muttered.  He loved her but this was ridiculous.

    As Rollie cautiously puttered around the loft, Angie was smiling to herself.  If this kept up they might as well be married.  Mrs. Roland Tyler did have a ring to it, shaking the thought off a real smile danced across her face.  This had been a good day.

    'This day is never going to end.'  Rollie told himself.  'She is going to turn me into her dolly.'  Shaking his head he looked at the clock again.  Gatti would be dropping by with Chord, then all three would head out carousing.  Unfortunately, Frank was married and Rollie was... well, indisposed.  But with what he remembered about Chord and some of the stories Frank told him, he could carouse enough for all three of them.

    "I'm thinking of wearing that purple shirt, did I iron that?"  Rollie was searching his closet, hoping to find an outfit that looked right.

    "That!  It was destroyed in October, after you were dunked in the Hudson and dragged by those thugs."  Angie couldn't help but laugh.  This is not a normal conversation.

    "No!  That was my purple dress shirt, I mean the iridescent one.  You know, with the sleeves."  Rollie was still searching.

    "Oh Lord!  Tell me your not going to wear that pirate shirt!"

    Crying victory, Rollie pulled out a purple shirt with ruffles and puffy sleeves.  Holding it up to the light, it shimmered with purple and yellow.  Angie cringed and laughed out loud.  She was really glad they weren't going out just yet.  Sometimes he could be absolutely humiliating.

    Struggling with the sling, Rollie cursed.  Finally, he threw down the shirt and whipped off the sling that held is left arm still.  It had been getting in the way all week, almost as much as Angie had been.  Angie, seeing this bounded up the stairs two by two crying out Rollie's name.  As she reached the top, her foot caught and she began to fall back.

    Rollie's firm grip clamped around her right arm as she tilted back and was jolted upright.  She landed in his soft embrace as both arms pulled her near.  Startled by the quick turn of events, Angie just looked up at the tall man in her life.  He was topless and his strong physique impressed her once again.  He hadn't let go so she was content to be near him.

    "Christ Ang, try to be little more careful.  You almost took half gainer into the workshop," pausing for effect he added, "look ma, both hands.

    Angie smiled, her breath curling across his chest.  She knew better than to encourage this sort of thing.  He needed to keep his arm in the sling.  His body needed time to shore up the damage done.  She winced, shooting him almost seemed comic in retrospect.  Drama and comedy being two sides of the same coin.  Awfully, convenient that he regurgitated what she had told him earlier, though.

    "Okay Rollie, this is nice and all but you better put that sling back on," Angie tried pushing away.

    "Just a few more... hours," Rollie muttered.  He was softly swaying, almost as though they were dancing.  Angie just smiled.

    The two remained together for a while, when Rollie finally pulled away.  He didn't go far.  With his right hand he lifted Angie's chin, stroking her face with his left.  Moving his face close, he pressed his lips lightly against her...

    "I need a shower," Rollie sighed.  Stepping away from Angie he walked to the bathroom and closed the door.  Angie just stood with her eyes closed, head tilted back.

    So close!  What an interminable bastard!  Just for that, Angie elected to harp him like a banshee.  He wouldn't get a moments peace until they were...  Smiling she pictured him stripping down to shower.  Blushing she covered her face, maybe she should creep over and open the door... A laugh erupted from her belly.  She sat heavily on the mattress and giggled relentlessly.

    Rollie leaned his head against the bathroom door.  That little maneuver took all his self control, but it was worth it.  Her beautiful face achingly anticipating his kiss.  It wasn't nice, hell it was a dirty pull.  He just felt Angie deserved a little comeuppance.  Although, she just cared about him and wanted him to be well.  Looking at his shoulder, sighing and the smile fading.  He was a right bastard!

    Angie was still giggling maniacally when the shower started.  She never noticed Rollie crack the door, or his shocked look as she rolled across the bed.  Her laughing was contagious and he began to cackle.  Soon, feeling jovial he stormed into the room crying out.

    "So you think that was funny?  I'll give something to laugh at," Rollie said approaching the bed.

    "No... Pl... keep... pants on," doubling over again she was crying freely, laughing at everything.

    Rollie leapt on her and began to tickle, lightly under the armpits.  He drew soft circles under the arm and down her sides.  Angie fought back, her face turning colors and breaths coming in gasps.  They laughed and wrestled lightly for at least five minutes.  Finally, fatigue claimed them and their giggle fit slowed to broad smiles.

    Rollie looked over at his Angie and she glowed.  Her face was lit with genuine happiness, her smile made of good feelings.  Looking at her judiciously he sucked in a breath.  This would have to be done just right.  If he messed it up, things could go really wrong.

    "I'm... I'm sorry I did that Ang," Rollie stammered.  She looked at him, her eyes dancing with good humor.  "I really to have to shower."

    "I'll pick out something for you to wear... So you don't get shang hied by the Pirates of the Caribbean."  Angie hushed him with her hand and walked to the closet.  He had so many clothes and all he wore were dark T-shirts and jeans.

    Rollie was grinning happily, brushing his teeth when Bluey barked the arrival of Francis and Chord.  Angie called out for the door to open and Rollie heard her descend the stairs.  Then he heard a sharp gasp.  Spitting and rinsing he stepped out into the bedroom and saw Angie halfway down the stairs, gazing at Chorden Wheeler.

    Chord stood about six foot one with broad shoulders and thick musculature.  He had sharp blonde hair sheared into a Caesar cut.  His strong face was as shaped as any greek statue, and had the shimmer of emotion.  He was the blueprint of a hero, and played the part well.  Before joining the police department, he was a firefighter.  Earning praise for his teamwork and initiative, Chord was considered the perfect fireman by The New York Times.  It was a particularly nasty unsolved arson case that lead to joining the police.  The fire of his conviction burned in his hazel eyes, and Rollie knew the guy well enough to like him.  But at the moment...

    Angie hadn't meant to gasp, but the Adonis that walked through the front door of the loft was startling.  Tall and built, he was a dashing figure.  She wasn't looking at that.  His face was as handsome as any she'd ever seen, in film or life.  She wasn't looking at that.  It was his mysterious hazel eyes that caught her attention and forced the breath from her lungs.  Hazel eyes that cut through her from twenty feet away.

    Rollie threw on his shirt as he descended the stairs.  Tapping Angie lightly on the shoulder she stumbled down the rest of the way.  Rollie introduced Angie to Chord and didn't like it at all.  She was staring at the handsome stranger with wide eyes.  No she wasn't staring, she was devouring him.  Rollie didn't like it one bit.

Chapter 11

    Francis Gatti laughed a deep, heartfelt belly laugh that shook the whole room.  He, Rollie and Chord had been sitting around Pagletti's for almost two hours.  After arriving at the loft, Frank had noticed no small amount of tension.  It seemed that Angie was taken with Chord, a not entirely surprising turn.

    When Rollie ushered the officers out, he stayed behind a moment to say something to Angie.  He couldn't make out the response but was afraid it'd break his windshield.  Rollie was white as a sheet after that and it took a little time for him to loosen up.  After he did, there was hardly an awkward moment between the cop and special effects master.

    In time, Chord and Rollie were singing along to the radio.  Cheering and whooping like sports fans at the 'big game'.  The three guys had elected to hit a restaurant for dinner, than go to a couple of clubs.  The entire time, Chord was spinning an endless yarn about his past.  He began by describing a beautiful woman he met and as it grew longer and more outrageous he began to embellish even more.  Soon he had single-handedly stopped a terrorist organization from blowing up Disney World.

    Rollie was laughing uncontrollably.  Chord was absolutely ridiculous.  Disney World?  Where the hell did that come from!  As the the handsome firefighter come cop wound down his yarn, Rollie began to fashion one of his own.  The difference being, his was all true.  Without realizing it, Rollie was describing his tumultuous history with the police and FBI.

    As he began to get wound up, Frank looked at him pointedly.  How far was he going to carry this?  Chord was getting into, recognizing about halfway through these weren't just bar room tall tales.  The three left for a club known as MEZON and on the way, Rollie reached the explosion that killed Leo.

    Rollie slowed his story, this wasn't right.  Here he was bragging about all these incredible things he had done, and Leo... What was he doing?  He never acted like this, it was as though some other person had seized control.  He noticed Frank look at him and a wave of guilt and anger swept over him.

    "What Rollie?  C'mon, you said something about a bomb,"  Chord said haphazardly.  Then, the silence that met him grabbed his attention.  His face falling, he asked, "Did I say something wrong?"

    "No, Chord... It's just that, well, that was the explosion that killed Leo."  Rollie shook his head, Chord hadn't known.  It wasn't his fault.

    "Oh man, oh I'm sorry.  I should have known better," he admonished.  He was always doing that.

    "It's okay Chord, really.  Rollie was talking faster than he was thinking."  Frank looked at the somber Australian.  The whole mood of the car had just changed.

    "Hey now!  If Leo saw us he'd be pissed off!"  Rollie cried out.

    "You're right, hey Chord.  Let me tell you a real story.  About a cop that was tough as nails..." Frank began describing one of Leo McCarthy's crusades.  A case Rollie was wholly unfamiliar with.

    As Frank maneuvered his car through the sparse traffic of a New York Night, he also revealed an epic description of pure deductive reasoning.  Rollie was enthralled by the tale and was soon surprised to find Frank winding the tale up inside MEZON.  They had arrived, entered and found a table without his attention being diverted.

    "Wow!"  It was all that left Chord's mouth.  He was truly astonished by the story Detective Gatti had relayed to him.  Glancing at Rollie he was more than a little surprised to see the same awe struck expression.

    "He never told me about that.  It's amazing, he saves dozens of people and arrests hundreds of crooks.  But a small case about one little girl..."  Rollie just shook his head, trailing off.

    Frank looked across the table at the two handsome men, who at the moment were like school boys seeing a Dinosaur skeleton for the first time.  He couldn't help but smile.  Leo had told him that one night after a particularly frustrating case ended with an unsolved sticker and fifth of gin.  He had said it was what kept him a cop, despite the drugs, corruption and death.

    Rollie smiled, he looked down at the table and saw the first round, still untouched.  He lifted his beer, tilting the bottle slightly.  The two cops quickly followed suit and the clinked the bottles together.

    "To Leo, a man's man..." said Chord.

    "A cop's cop..." said Frank.

    "And a friend."  Finished Rollie.  The all took a swig and looked at one another.  That had been good for them.  They were bonding.

    Angie cuddled up on the sofa, watching a quiet little TV movie about a family learning to be together.  She laughed, ironically to herself.  The family was almost a poster for the American Dream, and they couldn't get things together.  What chance do us mortals have?

    She barely noticed when Rollie ushered Chord Wheeler and Frank Gatti outside.  But there was no way of missing those foul words he sprayed at her.  How dare he!  They had been having so much fun, he had played a little joke on her, okay, ha ha.  Why did he suddenly get so cold?  It's not like she did anything wrong, Hell she hadn't even said a word to Chord before he was gone.  Come to think of it, she never even heard him speak.

    Damn Rollie!  His overprotective brother routine was going!  Or she would.  Pausing, the anger fluttering away she hesitated.  She couldn't really mean that.  It was just an idle threat, which he hadn't heard because she had said it to herself.  So why would she tell herself something like that?  Did she really think leaving was a good idea?  Could she do it?

    Sighing, she realized that maybe she had.  Her feelings for Rollie hadn't changed, despite all that Loubar had done... My God, not even a week ago.  Carefully controlling her breathing, she tried to avoid hyperventilating.  So much... so quickly.  They had expressed so many emotions, opened so many doors.

    She shook her head.  Standing, she began to pace about the loft.  Everything was reminding her of Rollie, no surprise considering where she was.  Then, she felt a twinge of regret.  Even with all the possibilities that lie in the future, she missed the simple past.  A year or two after... Dad passed.  She remembered the easy grins and happy lunch breaks.

    So much time...  Loubar was patient but this plan was mammoth.  It would consume most of his fortune and could even collapse before being sprung.  All that was need was an inopportune visit or a flawed piece of equipment.  So intricate and fragile, Loubar for the first time in his life doubted his abilities.

    That quickly passed, he would pull everything together like a tangle of string into a net.  Then Rollie would be forced deeper in, and Tyler would vanish forever.  Such evil thoughts, Loubar thought, where could they possibly come from?  He briefly touched the memories bottled up since childhood.  A childhood that was robbed, that sparked a hatred and cool flame to burn his whole life.  As quickly as they came, the memories passed.  But Loubar's hands were violently shaking.  This wouldn't do, he would have to calm down before continuing the work.

Chapter 12

    Smiling, Chord and Rollie had managed to ferret out dance partners.  Frank was less... inclined.  He just watched as the new friends kidded and laughed.  Rollie needed a friend like Chord.  Frank sighed, he was always busy with his own life, his own family.  Mira wasn't really a pal around gal, she was a great friend, just not in that way.  And Angie, she was something so unique... Rollie couldn't just hang out with her.  Or maybe he could, Frank wouldn't attempt to guess.

    Thinking of Angie, he wondered what had been happening during the past week.  Mira had told him Loubar had posed as Rollie, to set up the assassination.  It was almost clichéd, how many times could Loubar pretend to be Rollie Tyler?  What he couldn't understand, and what his analytical mind was stilling stirring around with, was what had happened to cause Angie so much pain.

    He had been working closely with Narcotics on a variety of drug related murders.  When he heard about Rollie's supposed killing spree, and finally Mira's big 'dive' he expected Loubar to be involved.  It was really getting tedious, this guy impersonating Tyler!  Yet, when he finally managed to speak with Mira, she warned him to be cautious and tread lightly.  So he dropped in and offered Rollie this night out.

    And still he didn't understand what happened.  No details had been offered, and none demanded.  So Frank just watched as his close friend indulged in a night of distractions.  Shaking his head, Frank realized Rollie wasn't wearing his sling.  Maybe that was what Angie was so upset about?  'Nah', he thought, she must have said something pretty harsh to disturb him so.

    Rollie was having a lot of fun.  And as much as he enjoyed the company of Chord and Frank, as much as he liked dancing with the attractive woman in the club and as hard as he tried, nothing could tear his thoughts far from Angie.  What a set of lungs!  He was almost certain Frank and Chord heard what she said, how could they not?  He was so humiliated walking out to the car.  Surprisingly there wasn't a word said or even a raised eyebrow.

    It was this indulgence, by Frank and Chord, that eased Rollie's mind.  He had met Wheeler a few times, but didn't really know him well.  And yet, the pair were getting along great, despite what had passed in the loft.  Oh, he really stepped in it this time!  And then with it spread all over his shoe, he stuffed his leg down his throat.  Why did he react so badly to Angie's interest?  That question, Rollie decided, was one he had answered so many times these last few days he was tired of it.

    He was sick of the emotional outpourings.  And as much as he enjoyed growing closer to the real Angie, he missed the easy connection of the past.  When she was just Ang, Manny's little girl and Rollie's responsibility.  He had enjoyed looking out for her, being her guardian so to speak.  Why did that have to change?  Shaking off the haze, he noticed his dance partner staring at him strangely.

    Looking about he found himself standing stock still.  The entire floor was paired off as couples moved closely together to a soft serenade.  Looking panicked up at the redhead (natural?), he inched backwards, stumbling into other dancers.  He glanced about nervously and ducked away from the beautiful but befuddled club girl.

    Frank was laughing so hard he was choking on his drink.  A non-alcoholic brew that tasted like the real thing.  Sort of.  Rollie stumbled up the two flights of stairs and wound up collapsing into his seat.  Glancing nervously about the club, the walls and people saturated in violets and blues.  The lighting was dynamic, like a scene from some surreal horror movie.  Rollie calmed himself and pictured a climactic fight scene.  He could see the actors now, diving and leaping from balcony to balcony.  Explosions and gunfire ripping through the club.  Maybe he'd had a few too many.

Chord Wheeler was having the time of his life.  Dancing closely by him was a stunning blonde named Carli.  Up on the third floor were two great guys who were sure to become friends.  He just smiled broadly, Rollie Tyler.  What a great guy!  The first time they met, was just after he had joined the force.  Making his way through the academy was one thing, but watching Tyler work those thugs over was another.

    He had also been surprised to learn Francis Gatti, one of his earliest acquaintances at Midtown South, was good friends with the dashing civilian.  They were first introduced a couple of months ago, a moment Chord would remember.  What really had impressed him about the tall Aussie was the way he carried himself.  It was like he held everyone around him at the same level, looking you in the eyes and saying what he meant.  Chord respected that.

    Dipping his partner, he looked over to check on Rollie.  Seeing the redhead wandering off the floor alone, he figured Rollie went back to sit down.  Spinning the blonde and finishing the dance, he took her offered phone number and worked his way through the crowd.  Chord wanted to hear some more about Tyler F/X.  Well, he wanted to her more about Angie.

    Rollie saw Chord approaching the table, smiling broadly.  He shook his head, trying to clear some cobwebs from the corner.  He had elected to hold off on the booze for a while, just so he didn't over do it.  Granted he didn't get out like this often, but there was no reason to go all out.  The trio made some brief small talk before agreeing to leave.

    As Frank pulled the car around, Rollie noticed Chord delicately steering the conversation toward Tyler F/X.  He smiled, anytime he could talk about his work he did.  And Chord seemed surprisingly eager, not really about the movies or stars, but the specifics of his work.  Pyrotechnics, animatronics, the computer imaging Angie did, that in particular.  Rollie nodded slowly.

    "You know, if you want to know about CG," Rollie said, climbing in the car.  "You should talk to Ang, she's tops in the field.  At least, as far as I can tell."

    "Yeah, I might do that."  Chord smiled carefully.

    Rollie suddenly felt uncomfortable.  He didn't like that, the way Wheeler had said it.  Mentally chastising himself, he reminded himself what Angie had... er, told him earlier.  Looking at Chord carefully, Rollie made a decision.  He was going to make amends to Angie, and test his own patience.  He made the plans carefully in his lightly fogged over mind.  It only seemed fair, and if Angie really had feelings for him... well, he would wait and see.

    Angie grabbed a sweatshirt from underneath the couch.  She then turned to look for a pair of sneakers.  She had decided that she would spend the weekend alone.  Ruminating on the melodrama her life had become.  Turning, she looked at the werewolf.  Suddenly, a shiver ran down her spine and she bolted to the door.

    "Bluey, security!"  she cried.  Her heartbeat suddenly quickening she felt a pressure on her chest.

    Slowly, she became aware of a rhythmic thumping.  It grew louder as the loft was silent and she strained against the sound of her heart.  She looked about with wide eyes and whispered one word that sent shivers down to her soul.  Running deep into the loft, she repeated it again and again.

    "Loubar..."

Chapter 13

    He couldn't help but smile.  Everything was falling into place and all he needed to do now was wait.  Soon enough he could tip the first domino, then like a tidal wave the world Tyler had built around himself would crumble.  Burying him within the walls of illusion he made for himself.

    Rollie, Frank and Chord were pretty much circling around the city.  None had any ideas as to how to spend the rest of the night but no one wanted to suggest going home.  Like Frank said, he doesn't get out often.  Rollie didn't either, from what Chord could see.  Shaking his head he felt fatigue wash over him.  It had been a long week and he was studying for the Lieutenants exam in the Spring.

    Rollie, who was lounging in the back seat, digesting the couple of beers and several shots from the evening.  He sighed contentedly, here he was with his two friends, tooling around late Friday night.  He could fly high as he wanted because he would always have his girl at home.  Grinning, he liked the idea of coming home to Angie every night.  Of course, sometimes she'd want to go out too,  and that would ruin it.  With this he began to laugh uncontrollably.

    Frank looked back at the Aussie and saw this as an opportunity to get home to his wife.  The night could still be salvaged, he might put on an Al Green record and wrap up with Sarah in that comforter from the weekend in New England.

    "You know Chord, I think we should drop Rol off at home.  Friend needs a cup of coffee and a pillow."  Chord nodded his agreement and they headed back to the brewery.

    Rollie laughed almost the whole way there, but grew quiet as he thought about what had happened earlier.  He had been stupid and was just hoping that love was still there so he could apologize.  He just hoped he didn't seem drunk, otherwise she might not accept it.  And besides, he wasn't... a little tipsy but he could manage to ge...

    "...get inside on my own!  Christ, Gatti!  You're acting like I've never been out drinking before.  I was guzzlin' and chunderin' when you were, well, probably doin' the same thing."  Rollie was standing now.

    Frank nodded, the crisp winter air probably brought him around.  It was just, that giggle session was strange.  Rubbing his arms, he noticed his breath was visible.  It was really starting to freeze over in the city.  Frank apologized, Chord smiling the whole time.

    "We'll catch you later... just don't get shot again!"

    "That all depends on the mood Ang is in, I'll call you Sunday!  Alright?"  Rollie waved as the cops drove off.  Approaching the door, he turned his key and entered.  Hearing Bluey's whine, he knew the system was online.

    "Bluey, security off... lights!  Angie, you still around?"  Rollie noticed a bulging bag and a pair of sneakers laying near the door.  She was packing up all her stuff.

    "Oh, Ang, I'm sorry about earlier.  I just wasn't myself."  He closed and locked the door, hanging his coat and walking into the loft.

    "Angie!"  Rollie's heart was beginning to beat faster as he moved systematically through the loft.

    "Ang... Come on, this isn't funny!"  Rollie was beginning to panic.  Then he saw a flash of hair and single beautiful, blue eye.

    "Oh, Ang... what the devil?"  She was crouching behind a crate of equipment heading for storage.  Her pupils wide and she was shaking her head as he approached.

    "No... get away, you're not him!  I know this time!  Go Away!" She was weeping freely, her cries coming out between sobs.

    "Wha... No Ang, really it's me!  It's me sweetie, see, 100% pure Rollie Tyler, c'mon..."  As he tried to pull her close, she begin to hit him.  Hard.

    He winced as she beat him, with fast, defined swings she rained down on his shoulders and body.  He pulled her close, in a tight embrace.  Pinning her arms she just sobbed heavily into his neck.  She wept and cried and screamed but he just held her close, whispering soothing, reassuring words into her ears.  She thrashed about, her powerful body writhing against his, her tormented spirit beating against his heart.

    "Why can't you leave me alone?  Just leave us alone, you bastard!"  She called out to man who was not there.  Rollie just held her close.

    "I know it's you... You won't fool me..." her words hushed, she was calming slowly.  Rollie hugged her closer.

    As her trembling and cries died down, he reassured her time and time again that he was indeed the real Rollie.  Telling her things only Manny and himself might know.  Things Angie had not even told her father.  Angie's relief swept over her but still she cried.  Rollie soon understood that this would not be an event that could be moved beyond so easily.

    And as he held Angela Ramirez in his arms, her cries giving way to sleep, Rollie knew that they could work through it.  What they had was more powerful than all the arms Loubar could muster.  Rollie lifted the woman he loved more than life, and carried her to his bed.  Noting the blood staining his shirt, he sighed and carefully held her.  And so it was that again, in so few days, Angie fell asleep in his arms.  And the world of dreams enveloped them both.

Chapter 14

    The days passed into weeks for Tyler F/X.  Rollie's shoulder healed and they began a new movie.  Christmas was behind them, 'thank God!' Rollie shuddered.  Angie was seeing a therapist and Rollie was glad she had conceded.  After the breakdown, she and he and spoken and elected to move slowly.  His heart ached for her to heal, even as she bullied him about taking it easy.

    Loading the van in preparation for a location shoot, Rollie sighed wistfully.  He had quickly recognized, when Angie returned to sleeping at her apartment, that the only complete nights of sleep he ever had was with her in his arms.  Even when crouched on the floor, it was more restful than any he could remember.  Looking over as she packed the Ambler, Rollie imagined a lifetime of good dreams.

    She was holding herself together better than could be expected.  Angie felt Rollie's gaze, but when her eyes lifted, he was never looking at her.  She smiled softly, Dr. Greer thought her relationship with Rollie was remarkable.  He didn't understand, it was so much more.

    Greer was a gentle psychiatrist, not pushing or delving deeper than she allowed.  He accepted what she offered to him and helped her understand her own feelings.  It had always seemed silly to her, that someone would need help to feel.  Yet there she was, speaking softly in his warm, comfortable office.  The deep greens and soft lighting reflecting her pastoral sessions.

    When Rollie first suggested him, she had almost fired back a string of expletives.  She didn't, not because she felt he was right, but because she knew he wanted it.  And right now, that was more important than her stubborn pride.  He was reaching out to her, and she to him.  Now, with Dr. Greer watching from the wings.

    Rollie slide home a projection system and turned to survey the loft.  He couldn't imagine they would need anything else.  The picture was a cake walk for Tyler F/X, but would be a good first experience for their new relationship.

    It remained as unnamed and ambiguous as ever, but Rollie felt they would have time.  He watched as Angie started the pickup, they would leave the van on site but were close enough to the city to stay at home.  The first smile of the day crossed his lips.

    Over that first weekend, Angie stayed at her apartment.  That was fine with Rollie, because he wanted to make sure his plan was a surprise.  As it turned out it was.  His arrangements made, he called Chord and explained, vaguely, what he was trying to do.  Chord seemed eager, a little too eager for Rollie's tastes.

    The only thing that had remained was to trap Angie, which was no simple feat.  If Rollie exposed his little charade, he would have been busted.  And there was a good chance Ang would've torn him apart.  He had felt guilt after his comments on Friday night, well, guilt and embarrassment.  He must admit, the way she looked at Chord reminded him of how she looked at him, when they were younger.

    Driving to the location, he wondered if he had spoken from jealousy, concern or some mixture of the two.  He was acutely aware of the change in his feelings for Angie.  It was as if his partner of thirteen years had vanished, and a beautiful stranger took her place.  Sometimes the words didn't come to him, so for the first time, he stammered when speaking with her.  She was the same woman, he just never knew her as a woman.

    'And if I keep this up,' thought Rollie, 'I never will.'  His plan had been simple, too simple to be easy.  He would set Chord and Angie up on a date.  Then, he would do his damnedest to stay out of their relationship until it ran its course.

    That Monday, when Angie finally returned to the loft, he had expected her to be talkative.  He almost wanted to say something himself.  Instead, she was quiet and withdrawn.  He spoke to her gently about a movie scheduled for the next week.  Asking her if she was interested in working on it.  She agreed, quietly the day passed.

    As the sun set and golden streams of light strafed the loft, Rollie ordered dinner and planned his proposal.  He decided that it would be best if he wasn't straightforward.  So, taking the tickets that had arrived in the mornings mail, he laid them carefully on the table.  She would see them, but to read them she would have to stand and circle the table.

    Angie smiled softly, following the van she watched as the morning burst from behind her.  She couldn't stop thinking about the past weeks.  Rollie was acting very strange, that whole fiasco with Chord for instance.  She shook her head and allowed herself to chuckle.  And then there was Navidad de Disaster.

    She was sitting and eating, him reading the paper while she quietly watched.  Dr. Greer was happy to hear that the man whose face betrayed her still held her trust.  Amazingly, she admitted, he did.  And as they had sat, she noticed an open envelope by his plate.  Trying to read from across the table and upside down simply didn't work.  So she had crossed to him, reading over his shoulder.

    Rollie fought a smile with all his strength.  She padded quietly to him and his attention seemed focused on the paper.  But every fiber in his being was following her around the table.  Her breath curled softly down his neck as she read the tickets.  He shuddered at the closeness.

    "Who are you taking to the Vermeer exhibit?"  Angie had asked with curling grin on her lips.

    "Oh, the tickets!  No, I'm not taking anyone."  Rollie had almost cried.

    "So who are the tickets for?" she asked delicately.  She loved the calming images of everyday life.  And what's more, Rollie knew she did.

    "I got them for Chord," he had mentioned off-handedly.  Seemingly by destiny, the doorbell had rung.  Rollie marveled at the timing of his new friend.

    "Chord, you old devil!  I thought I was going to have to drop them off at your place."  Rollie let him in and slapped him on the back.  Angie watched with wide, doe eyes as the cop greeted Rollie, and for the first time heard the voice behind the bewitching hazel eyes.

    "Good to see you Rollie, I was held up at the station and I was hoping to be here before dinner.  Guess I interrupted you?"  Chord looked over and Angie felt something go weak.

    "No worries, mate.  Oh, you've never been introduced.  This is Angela Ramirez, the heart and soul of... Tyler F/X."  Rollie looked over at Angie and found her eyes glued to Chord.  He flinched, but recovered without anyone noticing.

    No one had noticed because Chord and Angie were gazing into each others eyes.  Chord was slowly led to the kitchen by Rollie.  The strangers smilingly brightly, Chord reached out his hand.  Taking it, Angie was surprised to find him perform a curt bow.  She responded with a mild curtsy and laughed.

    "Chorden Wheeler, at your service."  Her laugh filling the loft.  Rollie was torn by the joy in her voice and agony that it wasn't for him.

    "So, Chorden, you enjoy Vermeer?"  Angie mentioned playfully.

    "Actually, yes I do.  I attended night classes to get my diploma and one of my absolute favorites was Art History.  When we reached the Baroque, everything exploded into color.  I was startled by it, and than we saw a slide of "The Love Letter"...  I traveled to Amsterdam on my very next vacation.  It just effected me."

    Angie had no words to respond.  She had just looked into those deep hazel eyes and saw, that there was something buried inside.  Something she desperately wanted to understand.  Fortunately for her, Rollie had been making conversation when she didn't respond.  Blushing deeply, she realized she had barely spoken to him.

    "... if you don't mind of course?"  Angie finally looked at Rollie, barely registering him.

    "I said if you didn't mind, Ang?"  Rollie was feeling so much, but he pushed it away.  This would be healthy, Angie getting out with a good guy.

    "Of course not!  Um, mind what?"  She smiled, hoping she didn't look the fool.

    Neither Chord or Rollie noticed, her smile was hypnotic.  Chord looked at her, he smiled back.  Rollie was on the verge of tears, but he kicked himself.  How many times had Angie sat through his own flirtations?  And he couldn't watch her?  Damn, right!  I may be a bloody hypocrite but I love her.

    Rollie didn't hear much of the rest.  Chord and Angie were speaking and laughing but he just stood with a mix of relief and panic on his face.  He did love her, without exception.  Looking up, he realized he had just set up Angie with his friend.  The irony was all it took to knock Rollie Tyler off his feet and into a chair.

    It didn't matter.  Angie and Chord were chatting easily about art and life.  They could speak so easily, even though they had met minutes ago.  Angie was happy about that.  As she spoke with Chord, she could feel something drifting away.  Laughing easily and smiling she only knew a weight was rising from her shoulders.

    "Wow!  You know Angie, I do have two tickets.  Why don't we go together?"  Angie was floored.  Recovering quickly she accepted and rapidly ushered him out of the loft.  Giving her address and phone number they agreed, Wednesday at six.  Dinner than to the museum for the opening.

    Closing the door, Angie had leaned against it to remain standing.  She glowed happily, a date with Chorden Wheeler.  Smiling, she looked back at dinner and wasn't hungry.  Then she noticed Rollie for the first time in a while.  He didn't look very good.

    Rollie had felt like throwing up.  He was nauseous and light-headed with a horrible voice yelling in his head.  He closed his eyes and swallowed carefully, gulping at the air.  What had he done?  For one short week... she had been his.  What had he done?

    At his side, Angie helped him to bed.  He had claimed it was the food, but she felt fine.  Looking at his face, there had been a really painful look on it.  He held her hand for what seemed like hours as she lulled him to sleep with soft words.  Just before drifting off, he whispered to her something she would never forget.

    Rollie steered the van carefully.  After he had introduced Chord and Angie... it had been awful.  He was being torn apart inside.  Taking a deep breath, he thought about the following Wednesday.  He had dreaded it.  Praying something might happen to Chord, or him to stop the date.  Oddly, he never once considered the same for Angie.  Always a broken leg for Chord or a car accident for himself.

    The date had rolled around and Rollie was still sick.  Like he was falling apart or something.  She sighed, her last appointment with Greer had gone really well.  She had talked all about her father, something that she could never do with anyone but Rollie.  Doc Greer brought it out of her.  And she was glad he did.

    Chord had shown up right on time.  If he would have arrived just minutes earlier, he might of found an Angie dressed completely differently with a whole other hair style.  Rollie remembered her scrambling with four outfits and their accessories, trying all day to decide which she should wear.  He kind of hoped she wore the cobalt thing with the straps.  She looked amazing in it.  And he prayed she wouldn't wear that with Chord.

    He was obviously interested, that he could tell from the start.  Rollie didn't like setting Angie up with such... well, good competition.  He considered who else he might of arranged, but had quickly decided that Chord was the one Angie needed to see.  He was important somehow.  Shaking his head, he steered the van down the off ramp and watched closely as Angie followed in the truck.

    Angie was jolted from he memories when Rollie started off the highway.  She followed, almost missing the exit.  The date with Chord, oh lord, what had happened.  It started out so nicely.  Angie frowned, actually, it hadn't.

    Angie had flitted about the apartment, trying to make a last minute decision.  She picked up the black cocktail dress, holding it against her body she checked in the mirror.  Switching it with the blue evening gown, she checked the shoes.  Why was her closet so empty?  She