As The Pages Burn

Chapter 12

After hours of having to repeat the same answers over and over again, Lucas and Angela finally walked out of the police station. The police had found that although Roger had been the only person there, they couldn't find enough evidence that he had, indeed, been the arsonist.

"I wonder who he pissed off this time," Lucas remarked as they walked back to his car.

Angela shook her head. "I don't know, but they must have been good if the cops can't even pick up their trail. Can we please go home now?" She asked, her voice breaking.

"Oh, of course, honey," Lucas said as he pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly. "And don't you worry about where you're going to live; you can live with me until you get your affairs sorted out. Or even longer, if you'd like."

Angela looked at him speculatively. "Would you have said that if the situation was different and we weren't sleeping with each other?"

Lucas' eyes softened and he kissed the tip of her nose lightly. "Of course, silly. I'm not a total douchebag, you know."

"No, you're not one at all," Angela remarked as she got into the car, fastening her seatbelt and leaning over to give Lucas a kiss.

Lucas glanced at her lovingly, taking her hand and squeezing it softly. "Well, neither are you," Lucas quipped, satisfied as a smile spread over her face.

They drove in relative silence to Lucas' apartment, where they sat in the living room for a while, not saying anything.

After what felt like a long time, Lucas cleared his throat. "So, are you hungry yet? I could make us something for lunch."

Angela glanced at him, her face still guarded. "Well, sure, what are we having?"

Lucas shrugged, smiling awkwardly. "I could make us some sandwiches. I also have some frozen pizzas, if you're interested."

Angela smiled, relaxing a bit more. "I think pizza sounds like a great idea. Do you need any help?"

Lucas smiled and reached over, stroking her cheek softly. "No, honey, I'm fine, thank you. Why don't you put on some music for us?"

Angela nodded, grinning like a child. "Sure, I'd be happy to," she said as she turned on the stereo and selected a CD from the pile and inserted it.

"I love that album!" Lucas remarked from the kitchen as he put a pizza in the oven.

"I know, so do I," Angela said as she made her way to the kitchen, embracing Lucas as she stood next to him, feeling his arms encircle her as well. "Thank you," she whispered into his chest.

Lucas frowned and took her face into his hands softly, looking into her eyes. "For what?"

"Just everything," she said, her eyes tearing up at the emotions behind them. "You've turned out to be the only person I can count on." She tried hard to hide the emotions in her voice, but the tears streaming down her cheeks gave her away.

Lucas softly wiped her tears away with his thumbs, kissing her on the forehead. "You know I'd do anything for you, right?"

Angela nodded. "I'd do anything for you too," she said, choking back her tears.

Lucas smiled. "You don't have to do anything for me, honey, you just need to be here. That's all I've ever wanted."

"Okay, then I'll always be here," Angela said, smiling. "Whenever you need me, I'll be there."

"Thank you," Lucas sighed as he pulled her into his arms and held her tight. He kissed her hair, inhaling her scent deeply before letting her go once more. "You mean so much to me already, you know," he said as he took her hand and stroked the back of it softly, provoking goose bumps.