FX: The Series does not belong to me, and I'm in no way profiting financially from this fanfic. FX is
a
Fireworks Entertainment Inc. and Winterset Productions Inc. Also produced in association with
Rysher
Entertainment and Hallmark Entertainment.
Written by David Powell
Paradise or Paradise Lost? AN FX: THE SERIES FANFIC
PROLOGUE
Angela awoke, rolling from her bed she looked at the clock. ' Oh no, I'm going to be late.' She said,
seeing
the time. She had promised to meet Rollie for breakfast at a small café nearby. Hoping that he was
running
late as well, Angie threw on her clothes. Grabbing her shoes she tossed them in her bag and pulled
on her
rollerblades.
Rollie sat at the outdoor table, looking for the umpteenth time at his watch. Where was she he
wondered?
She's always on time unless something's happened. Maybe this is a message, her being late.
Angie turned the corner and headed for the café, hoping to get there as soon as possible. Rollie had
mentioned having something important to tell her. She saw Rollie's back at one of the tables with a
small
gap between it and the road and bladed towards him.
Rollie looked up seeing a cyclist and thinking it might be Angie he stood up waiting for the cyclist to
stop.
Standing between the cyclist and the road, Rollie moved over as the cyclist headed for the small
gap. Rollie stopped as he saw Angela blading up to the table. The cyclist saw Rollie and turned to
look at him, not
noticing Angela.
Angie saw Rollie, and the cyclist coming through the small gap, leaving her no where to go but onto
the
street.
Rollie saw Angie swerve onto the street to miss the cyclist, and in the corner of his eye saw a large
truck
bearing down on her. Shouting he tried to reach her.
The truck driver saw the rollerblader swerve onto the street, slammed on the brakes and tried to
veer
away, knowing he couldn't stop in time.
Angela didn't see the truck as it smashed into her from behind, sending her flying through the air and
into a parked car. Blackness enveloped her vision and all pain fled.
' Angiiieee.' Rollie shouted staring in horror as the truck hit her. Running to her side, Rollie knew in
his
heart that she was gone from his life forever. Checking her pulse anyway he found nothing, her neck
bent
at an impossible angle.
Lifting her shattered body in his arms, Rollie moved over and sat on the pavement, cradling the only
person who had been left in this world that he still loved.
An ambulance arrived almost immediately at the scene, and with it came the police. The paramedics
immediately took a look at Angela's body and shook their heads.
Detective Tony Rizzo was first on the scene, getting some of the uniforms to secure the area he
hesitantly
walked over to where Tyler sat. He had known Tyler for a while now, but it was usually Frank or
Mira
that dealt with the Aussie. Looking at the paramedics he saw them shake their heads, she was gone.
Putting through a quick call to the station, Tony looked back at Rollie.
The FX artist refused to allow Angela to be taken from him. Tears streaming down his face he
asked over
and over ' Why Angie? Why now? Couldn't it have been me instead?'
' Rollie. Come on, there's nothing you can do.' Tony said, trying to catch Tyler's attention.
' What? No, I'm staying with her.' Rollie answered, his gaze never leaving Angie's beautiful face.
' You've got to let her go. Come on, tell me what happened.' Tony replied.
Rollie's head flashed up, the burning gaze causing the detective to take a step back. ' I'm never ever
going
to let her go, she'll be with me always.' Rollie answered hotly, turning back to Angela's still form.
Mira pulled up at the scene, jumping from her car she quickly made her way to where the
heartbroken FX
artist sat. Seeing Angie's still form in Rollie's arms, Mira said in a sorrowful voice ' Oh Rollie, not
Angie'.
Rollie turned his red eyed face up to the detective. Staring at Mira for several seconds, Rollie
bowed his
head.
Seeing the insurmountable pain locked in his eyes, Mira silently lay a hand on Rollie's shoulder.
Shortly,
Mira looked at Tony and nodded ' Rollie, you can't sit here forever, Angie wouldn't want that.' She
said
softly. Swinging his head towards her again, a grief stricken look on his face, Rollie slowly nodded.
Lifting Angie's lifeless body, Rollie carried her most gently to the ambulance. Stepping inside, he
gently laid her on the bed. She looked almost as if she was sleeping he thought.
Rollie was ordered from the ambulance and Mira drove the stricken man back to the loft. Frank
arrived at
the loft shortly and looked Rollie in the eyes. A communication flashed between them and Rollie
nodded '
Thanks Frank.' He said.
Mira watched as Rollie moved over to a bookshelf, most of it was filled with technical data books
and
reference material. Selecting a thick book he started to remove it from the shelf then hesitated.
Turning he
looked at the two detectives… and pulled the book out.
Heading over to the couch Rollie waited until the detectives had sat down and opened the book. It
was a
photo album, every picture inside was either of Angie or Angie was at least in it.
Mira and Frank exchanged a glance. Rollie was obviously showing them this for a purpose. They
knew
Angie had meant the world to him, but he wasn't in any of these shots and he seemed to have taken
a grip
of himself.
' I took every one of these pictures. I started this album the day Manny died, updating it as if he
could
browse through it and see how Angela was doing. I was wondering whether to get another album, I
guess
it doesn't matter now.' Rollie explained sadly.
' Do you have any of the two of you?' Mira asked, adding ' I'd like to see them if you wouldn't mind.
How
about you Frankie?'
' Yeah, sure I'd love to see them. I bet you've got some real good ones huh Rol.' Frank answered.
Looking at the two detectives, Rollie sighed and stood up. Moving back to the bookshelf he pulled
down
another thick book. Moving back to the couch he opened the book. Flipping through the pages, he
didn't
see the pages only the moments before the crash flashing over and over in his mind.
Placing the photo album on the table, Rollie stood and without a word walked up the stairs to his
apartment.
Looking at where Rollie had disappeared, Frank shrugged ' You can't blame him. I remember how
hard he
took Leo's death. It was Angie that helped him through, just as he helped her when Manny died.
Now he
doesn't have anyone close to help him. He knows a lot of people, but Angie and Leo were his only
really
close friends and I can tell you Angie's death has hurt him a great deal more than Leo's.' Frank said
with
understanding.
' I know he's hurting, we all are but what will he do?' Mira asked.
' I don't know. All I know is that he'll never be the same again. Every thing that was important to him
revolved around Angie, his work, his relationships and his life. Have you ever wondered why such a
successful, good looking, polite, well off guy like Tyler has so few dates and relationships with other
women?' Frank asked shaking his head.
' I never really thought about it' Mira replied ' He just seems to always be busy.'
' That's his cover. It gave him an excuse to use when Angela asked how he was doing. You know
how
Rollie was always keeping a close eye on what Angie was doing and whom she was going out with.
Why
do you think he'd do that? It was more than just looking out for her although that would be no small
thing
to him.' Frank answered.
' He was hoping they would get together?' Mira responded.
' Exactly. Every one he went out with got compared to Angie and there was no one Rollie loved as
much
as he loved her. Sometimes I think he went out with them just to allay Angie's suspicions.' Frank
answered positively.
Both detectives knew that even though it was early, they would be unlikely to see Rollie again today.
Quietly leaving the loft they headed for the station to report in with Tyler's statement.
The two detectives made sure that one of them dropped by everyday while they waited for the
funeral to
be arranged, trying to distract Rollie from his bottomless depression.
The day of the funeral finally arrived and Frank headed to the loft to pick up Rollie, he couldn't let
his
friend drive today, Rollie would be in pieces.
' Hey Rol. It's Frank, open the door.' Frank shouted from just outside the loft. A click from the door
told
Frank it had been opened and he headed inside. Sitting down on the couch he waited for Rollie to
come
down from the apartment space above.
Rollie slowly finished doing his tie and taking one last look in the mirror headed downstairs.
Frank looked up with a sympathetic smile as Rollie came down the stairs, he noticed the redness of
Rollie's eyes and said ' Are you ready?' Nodding his reply, Rollie picked up a small box from the
table and dropped
into his jacket pocket.
Rollie was a dejected figure walking from the loft, shoulders slumped and face staring at the ground.
Rollie stood with Frank and Mira on the grassy lawn covering the hill where Angela would be
buried.
Rollie, Frank, Tony and Mira had carried the coffin from the hearse, honouring the dead in a
ceremony as
old as time. Rollie had eyes only for the casket as the priest proceeded to read the eulogy.
Scenes flashed before his eyes, Angela as a young girl, Angela when she returned from college,
Angela his
assistant, Angela his partner. Always smiling, always enjoying life despite the tragedies of her youth.
First
having to leave her mother in Cuba and then the death of her father Manny Ramirez, Rollie's mentor
and
friend.
Rollie smiled a sad smile as he remembered the warmth of their relationship, beyond friendship but
not
physically based, together they just seemed to be. Looking up Rollie covered his face with a hand,
and now she was gone.
Frank listened as the priest came to the end of the eulogy and looked towards Rollie, for the tall
man had
told him he wanted to say something. Frank noticed Rollie was lost in his memories and gave him a
slight
nudge with his elbow.
Rollie looked up, seeing the priest had finished. Walking carefully out to stand before the casket he
bowed
his head, trying to control his turbulent emotions.
Angela Ramirez shared my life for thirteen years. She was a part of my life, the best part. Through
the
highs and the lows she stayed by my side, lending her support for any endeavour I undertook. Over
the
years we became as close as two people could be.
I came up here with an idea of what I wanted to say; though no mere words could explain my
feelings for
Angela. I never believed it would happen, I certainly never thought it would happen to her first.
Angela
lived for the moment, despite the loss of some of our closest friends she never lost her warm, fun
loving
attitude towards life. It's one of the things about her I'll miss the most.
After a brief pause Rollie continued
I still can't believe that she's gone. I know that we all have to go sometime, it's just that it was way
too
soon for her. Angela would be the first to tell us that despite her passing we need to carry on, not to
live in the past. I for one am going to do so.
Taking the box from his pocket Rollie lay it gently upon the casket lid and continued in a tear filled
voice.
We're going to miss you Angie.
Looking around he watched while the casket was lowered into the ground. When the grave had
finally
been filled he took one last look and turned on his heals headed for the car. He was the last one to
leave.
Frank stood watching as Rollie delivered his heart-felt speech, tears gathering in his and almost
everyone's
eyes. He waited until most of the guests had left and then headed for his car. He waited, watching
while
Rollie stood, watching the last of the work be completed. Frank waited for Rollie to join him in the
car.
The pair of them left the cemetery and silence reigned.
Rollie pulled open the door to the loft, looking around. Walking inside he was assaulted by
memories of
Angela. Making tea in the kitchen, working at her workstation, sitting on the couch talking.
Rollie dropped to his knees, his head buried in his hands, his heart breaking ' Why her, why not me
instead.' He cried out, finally letting his pent up emotions loose from where he had chained them.
Everywhere he looked he was reminded of her, the intoxicating way she moved, the melodious
sound of
her voice, the brilliance of her smile, her loving, caring attitude, especially for him.
After some time he finally managed to stand up. Looking around he still couldn't believe she would
never
be walking through that door again. His life had changed forever.
' I can't do it, no matter what I say it will never be enough to convince me.' Rollie said quietly.
Walking
over he picked up the phone.
Frank looked at Mira across the small table.
' So, what did you think of Rollie's speech?' Mira asked.
' I thought he handled it well, maybe too well if you know what I mean.' Frank responded.
' Yeah, he seemed to be handling it well. We'd better keep an eye on him, we don't know what he
might
do.' Mira said.
' He's holding it in, you can tell. What he really needs is a good friend to talk to.' Frank answered,
nodding.
' So, when are you going?' Mira asked.
Frank looked at Mira thinking. ' I suppose I am the closest person to him now. It's funny how he
has so
many acquaintances but so few real friends. He's still missing Leo and Rick and now with Angie…
it's
going to be so hard on him.' Mira agreed, saying ' He's a good person but he's had so many horrible
things
happen in his life, Angie really kept him together.'
' More than you know. He let slip to me once that he promised Manny he'd look after her. I think
Manny
planned long ago that if Rollie kept his word they would end up getting together. You know how
Rollie
always kept an eye on her, he kept focused on her when Leo died but now….' Frank answered.
' I think you'd better hustle over there fairly soon.' Mira said.
Frank turned up at the loft the day after the funeral. He wanted to give Rollie a little while to get
used to it
before he intruded. Knocking on the door he waited for Rollie to answer.
' Come on in Frank.' A voice called out. Frank walked in on a scene from a bomb blast. Things
were
scattered all over the loft, unusual for Tyler's normally neat workshop.
' What are you doing Rol.' Frank asked.
' Just packing up some of Angie's things. You know she had a lot of stuff stored around here that I
didn't
even realise.' Rollie said with a sigh, looking around.
' Yeah, guess she didn't have too much at her apartment.' Frank replied watching Rollie closely.
Rollie turned and looked at Frank ' Her apartment, oh dear. We sort of forgot about Chiops didn't
we.'
Rollie said.
' Oh yeah, you want to come around and help me get him, you two get on ok.' Frank asked, hoping
he
could get Rollie out of the loft.
' I suppose I better had. The landlord knows me. He'll let me in.' Rollie said.
Together the two men drove over to the apartment complex. The landlord let Rollie into Angie's
apartment
and he quickly grabbed the cat. Looking around, the same feeling came over him as at loft. Feeling
tears
spring into being, he looked at Frank.
' It's ok Rol. You wouldn't be human if you didn't miss her, but you've got to let her go.'
Frank slammed into the wall, Rollie's eyes hard as diamond. ' She's not gone Frank, she's in here,
and here. She will always be with me.' Rollie said in a low growl letting go of Frank and touching his
head and his
heart.
' Sorry Rol. I know you miss her. I think we should go.' Frank said straightening up.
Rollie took one last look around, promising himself he'd come by to get all her stuff tomorrow and
walked
out the door. ' I'm sorry about before Frank, it's just hard for me to… you know' Rollie said,
looking at the floor.
' I understand Rol, we all let go sometimes.' Frank replied with a smile.
Frank dropped Rollie off at the loft and suggested a night out in Angie's memory. Rollie said ' I'll
think
about it.' and headed inside.
Rollie packed the FX van with the gear he couldn't leave. Bluey sat on the floor, he seemed
depressed as
well, as if he could tell Angie was gone. Lifting the last item into the trailer attached to the van, Rollie
took
a last look at the place he'd called home since Manny had died.
Driving the van into the street he stopped and moved back to the loft. Picking up the sign he hung it
on the door and stepping up into the van drove off.
' We were right, he's taking it hard, real hard.' Frank said to Mira.
' I can't think of what it must be like for him, to know and care for someone that long then to
suddenly
have them leave. It would break most people.' Mira answered.
' I know. I can't think of how I'd feel if something happened to Sarah.' Frank replied.
Nodding, Mira responded ' I felt the same way about Michael even though we were both in
dangerous jobs when we met.'
Rollie stopped at Angela's apartment and picked up the things she had kept there. He had sold a
great deal
of his stuff, which was the only reason he could fit Angie's stuff in the trailer as well.
Driving to the small, house like apartment he had bought, Rollie noticed a small church nearby.
Pulling into
the driveway, Rollie turned off the engine and walked to the back of the van. Finding what he was
looking
for he cut it to the size he wanted and stepped from the van.
Frank drove up to the loft to see the for sale sign hanging on the door. Looking at the sign for a
minute he
sighed and headed back to the precinct.
' He's gone Mira. He sold most of his FX gear and put the loft up for sale. I knew he couldn't get
over it
that quickly, I guess after seeing his reaction at the apartment it would have been worse at the loft.
He
couldn't live with the memories. That speech he gave was for our benefit.' Frank said, walking up to
Mira's desk.
' They were so close, we should have expected this. Where is he?' Mira said.
' I don't know, the agent wouldn't release his details. He demanded a warrant.' Frank answered.
Looking at Frank, Mira picked up the phone ' Detective Sanchez, I'd like a city wide on one Rollie
Tyler.'
She responded.
Rollie stood in the church, the one centimetre candle burned for a short time. He had promised to
light a
candle every year, adding a centimetre for every year he did so, until his own time came.
' I miss you so much Angela, I wish you could hear me.' He said quietly. Staring until the candle
went out
he turned and walked back to the small apartment.
Mira quickly had a location on Rollie's whereabouts. Frank had the car ready and Mira quickly
jumped in
the passenger side. Heading across the island they worried at Rollie's actions. Both detectives knew
that he
was missing Angela acutely, but his seemed harsh even for the relationship that Rollie and Angie had
shared.
Seeing the FX van without its sign parked in the driveway, Frank pulled up to the curb. The two
detectives looked at each other and headed for the door.
Rollie looked up from his computer as the doorbell rang. ' Come on in Mira, Frank you too.' Rollie
shouted.
The two detectives looked surprised when they walked in.
' How did you know it was us Rol?' Frank asked ' We're meant to be the detectives.'
' Who else would try and find me?' Rollie answered sombrely.
' What's going on Rol, I dropped by the loft and it's "for sale". I also heard you've sold all your stuff.'
Frank said looking at the laptop Rollie had by his side.
Rollie turned to the computer then looked up at the detectives. ' Every single thing in the loft as well
as the
loft itself reminds me of what I've lost. The same thing happened at Angela's apartment, I guess
Frank told you what happened.
Every movie I've made or was going to make, every FX I put together I either learned from Manny
or
worked out with Angie. I couldn't keep working there, or anywhere. If I hadn't left I'd have gone
insane or ended up killing myself. I know Angie wouldn't have wanted that so I chose the lesser of
two evils, giving
up my career for her.' Rollie said ending in a softly sobbing voice. Frank looked back at Mira.
' Rol, you can't just leave all the people who care about you without telling us where you're going.
Even if
you're out of the business and don't want to help us, we still count you our friend. Friends stick
together
Rollie.' Mira answered.
' Thanks Mira, you're right. I just needed some time alone. Besides I knew you'd find me anyway. I
don't
know what I'm going to do but I just couldn't stay there any longer. It's not like I could run from my
memories of her anyway, way, way too many.' Rollie finished with a small smile.
' Say Rol, I got off duty ten minutes ago, want to grab that drink?' Frank asked.
Rollie stood up and walked into the kitchen, returning with a six pack of beer. Handing the two
detectives a can each he sat down in the chair once more. ' Pull up a seat, oh and watch out for
Chiops he's around
here somewhere.' Rollie said.
The two detectives stayed with their friend for most of the evening, the alcohol mellowing Rollie out.
He
showed them the book he'd been working on, a guide to practical FX applications.
' Working with you guys gave me the idea, gadgets that we used and so forth.' Rollie explained.
' That's great Rol, I'll have to get a copy.' Frank said, his voice slightly slurred.
Pretty soon everyone was asleep and Chiops was snuggled down in Rollie's lap.
The three friends kept in close contact throughout the years, Rollie watching as Frank took
Vanduran's
position and slowly climbed to chief of police. Mira made her way up the ladder and held the
position of
Inspector for the New York area. Rollie was a mess for a long time, even ages later he'd find tears
coming
to his eyes when he thought of her. The others kept a close watch on him, not knowing what he was
thinking. Rollie continued passing the days using his computer, putting his knowledge down for
others to
make use of. Not a day went by that he didn't think of Angela.
part 1
Email: irvinnd@michiana.org
