Author’s Note: This is my un-ending to Red Storm, the series finale to FX. I call it an “un-ending” because this, too, is a cliffhanger. But don’t worry, as I am famous for writing cliffhangers, this one will most likely have an ending some day.
By Kimber
Rollie shivered as he pulled the blanket closely around him. His clothes had mostly been wet, and the blanket he’d been issued had been the standard kind: red and scratchy against his skin.
“Hey, Tyler!” Mira called out shortly. She walked over, having seen him shiver. “You
cold?”
Rollie nodded, “A bit,” he
replied. “Any news yet?”
“Nah, my boys are still dragging the
lake for the body. But…”
“Yeah I know,” Rollie sighed. “They aren’t going to find anything.”
“Well … we will keep trying,” Mira
squeezed his shoulder. “You’re free to
go anytime, maybe head to the loft and pick up a change of clothes.”
Rollie nodded. He picked himself up, keeping the blanket
closely to him, and began walking towards the van.
“Tyler…” Mira called after him.
“Yeah?” He turned to her.
“Do me a favor okay? Don’t let Angie be alone tonight. She really needs someone to help her through
this and… I think that person is you.”
“Sure thing,” Rollie replied.
Once he reached the van, he saw that
Angie was seated just behind the driver’s seat; she had a blank stare upon her
face.
“You okay?” He asked, coming to
stand behind her.
“Sure,” she replied, her voice a
hoarse whisper. “We going home?”
“Yup,” Rollie seated himself in the
driver’s seat and started the van.
The drive to the loft was made in
silence. Rollie knew Angie was still
seated in the same spot, he could hear her steady breathing behind him.
Once they reached the loft, Rollie
walked into the back, and put his arm on Angie’s shoulder.
“Ang,” he began, ignoring the fact
that she’d flinched when he first touched her.
“We’re here.”
“I want to go home,” she said, her
voice low.
“Angie … I want you to stay here
tonight. I … I think it would be better
for you.”
“Rollie, I’m not a little girl
anymore.” She said, forcefully.
“I know,” he said, guiding her up
and out of the van. “And I’m trying not
to treat you like one, honey.” He
unlocked the front door, and called to Bluey for the lights.
He seated Angie on the couch and
walked the perimeter of the room slowly.
Once he was sure that the loft was
secure, he made his way up to the loft, giving a glance to Angie before he did
so. She was still seated on the couch,
staring off into space.
When he returned, dry clothes on, he
sat down beside her. “I get concerned
sometimes,” he began. “I worry about you
even when I know I shouldn’t. And I’m
sorry for that, but…” he put his finger under her chin and lifted her face to
meet his. “It’s more than for your
Dad. Angie … part of it is just me being
overprotective.”
Angie began to cry, “I know,” she
replied. “But Rollie, it makes me feel
like a baby. I feel like you see me as a child … as that little twelve year old
you first met.”
“Oh, Angie it’s not that way. I don’t see you as a child! You’re special to me, maybe in a way I’ll
never be able to reveal.” He bent toward
her face, using his hand to bring hers closer.
“No, wait.” Angie said suddenly, pulling away from
him. “I … I can’t, Rollie. It can’t happen like this.”
“Is it Loubar?” He asked.
“Look…” He began pulling at his face. “It’s me. It’s Rollie Tyler, the you know and love.”
“I…” Angie resisted.
Rollie took her hand into his own, and placed hers
on his face. “See?”
She stroked his face, slowly. As she looked into his eyes, a memory flooded
her mind.
Rollie … Loubar. Loubar’s last words to her. “Think of me,
every time you look at Tyler.”
“No!” She shrieked, jumping up from the couch. “No, it can’t … we can’t.”
Rollie got up, too, making his way
to the kitchen.
“Okay, we’ll take our time.”
“You don’t understand,” Angie said,
sullenly. “It can’t. We can’t take our time because we don’t have
time.” She sniffled, her voice suddenly
strong. “It can’t happen … ever.
It’s impossible.” She gave him a
strained smile, and turned on her heel.
Rollie watched as she walked up to
the loft.
His heart felt heavy. He couldn’t
believe what Angie had just told him. That they couldn’t be together. Ever.
As he poured the boiling water into
the teapot, he thought again of how things could have been different. If only…
But he knew that he couldn’t hold back. And he couldn’t have done anything to prevent
what had happened … except to look after her more.
He knew she wouldn’t have appreciated that.
He piled the teapot and the mugs
onto a tray and made his way up to the loft. He drew open the door to his room
slowly and silently made his way in.
Angie was lying on his bed, the
sheets wrapped around her, and pulled up to her chin. He smiled and set the tray next to the bed,
taking a seat next to where Angie lay.
He looked down upon her sleeping
face, and instinctively reached out.
“It’s not impossible,” he said,
stroking her face. “I’m going to find a
way, I won’t give up.
“Angie, I love you.” He kissed her soft cheek, and slowly got up
and walked from the room.
Author’s Ending Note: This fan
fiction is obviously not finished. There will be a sequel some time soon, so
don’t worry, okay?