Angelo, Paige and some pamphlets (Sunday evening)

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Angelo is brooding. Paige decides to let him know that she's been doing research on more than just Haroun's mechanics...


Angelo was on the roof again, alone this time. He'd retreated up there as he often did before curfew, and was currently lying back, propped on his elbows, smoking and stargazing.

It was soon enough that a beam of light from behind him caught his attention, and he half turned to see what it was, only to be met with a silhouette. "a voice said, wryly amused and obviously belonging to Paige.

He laughed a little and beckoned her over. "It's nice up here. D'you know, I never saw the stars once before I came here? City lights get in the way..."

"You would love it on my farm. We have a rock outcropping over the pond that you can lay on and at night, looking at the sky, it honestly feels like you could reach up and touch God," Paige replied softly, coming over to carefully sit beside him. Her flashlight she tucked away in her jacket after turning it off with a solid click.

He reached for her hand automatically with the hand not holding the cigarette. "I'd like to see it sometime", he answered just as quietly.

Paige smiled, not really looking at the stars, but not really looking at anything else either. There was obviously something on her mind, spinning, and she was calculating how exactly she was going to go about this. In the meantime, it was more than easy to stall. "That can be arranged."

He squeezed her hand, still looking up at the sky. "Good."

"So," Paige tried, drawing out the vowel. She reached into her jacket, fumbling with something, before pulling out a stack of what appeared to be pamphlets. "These are... these are for you. Um," she continued finally, shoving the papers at him. "Oh, and I guess you'll need the flashlight too..."

He took them all, glancing at her in slight confusion, and turned on the flashlight. There was a moment's silence as he scanned through them - prospectuses for law enforcement academies, all over the country. "Paige - "

"You totally don't have to go to one of these," Paige said hurriedly. "I just thought that I'd narrow down the search for you, so you could choose from the best. There are a couple in New York, and some in LA even if you want to go that route. Pretty much every state has one fairly decent one. I've ordered them according to my grade, and put notes on all of them –"

He smiled over at her warmly. "Sssh, mouse. Thanks for doing this."

Paige tried to smile a little, grateful that the light wasn't on her as it came out a little watery. "I just don't want you to be stuck here, unhappy and feeling useless, because of me. I don't want you to ignore your dreams because of mine."

He stubbed out his cigarette on a stone support and reached over to pull her into his arms. "I love you, you know that. But... you're right. I couldn't stay here doing nothing. And I'm not team material..."

"I know, puppy," Paige replied, turning and snuggling in until she fit into his lap, legs dropped over one of his and cheek resting on his collar. "All of it. I know. I guess I'm just trying to say that... well. That's okay. And that I'm okay with it too."

He nodded quietly. "Thank you for that, too. I'll come back. Whatever happens."

Laughing, Paige poked him. "Yeahyeah. You say that now, but I hear there are a lot of hot girls at the academy. Brunettes even."

"And who says I want a brunette?" he answered cheerfully, wrapping his arms around her more closely. "Evidence says I like blondes."

"Look at you. You sound like an officer already. Promise to bring home the handcuffs?" Paige bantered back, easily falling into the embrace. "Actually, bring home the entire uniform."

He laughed. "When they let me have one, that can be arranged."

Paige took one look at his amused expression and fixed hers to one of innocence. "What? You get to see me in my leathers. And out of my leathers, as my mutation asks. It's really only fair. Just be glad I'm not asking for a naughty officer strip tease."

He nodded, forcing his expression back to deadpan. "Sounds absolutely fair to me." His hand came up to run through her hair.

There was a moment of silence, as the two of them let go of their fake faces, softening to small smiles. "I'm even throwing in my expert advice on this whole school decision, you know. Or just someone to throw your ideas at. Or someone who will just watch a movie with you when you're eyes go cross from reading so many pamphlets on your own, whatever."

"'preciate it. Thanks. I might need all of those." He turned to kiss her quickly.

"Good," Paige said with an air of finality as their lips parted. "We are so darn cool and mature."

He gave her a half-smile. "I try. If I go further than New York... I'll call you. Every weekend, or more. Maybe I'll even get Clarice to bring me home."

"Shush. This will work. We'll make it work."