Seasons of Change By: Courtney Summary: Bit of a corny fic about they ending of the unit. Only features Oscar and Angie (sorry guys, couldn’t help it). The fic features “Throw Your Arms Around Me” by Hunters and Collectors. Disclaimer: Yes I will come for you at nighttime I will raise you from your sleep Oscar pulled up along side the curb and looked at the small terrace house. He remembered back to the last time he was there. Three months ago. The house stood there, as if nothing had changed. But everything had. His whole life, his whole existence had been turned upside down, that night three months ago. The unit was closed down, he had left the city, but not before making the biggest mistake of his life. Sleeping with Angie. Though actually sleeping with her had not been the biggest mistake, he thought. Leaving before she woke up was. He did not know why he did it. Then he realized, sitting outside he house, in the dead of night. He was scared. He was scared by how much he loved her. The way she smiled, her laugh, her compassion. The way she forgave people. The way she had forgiven him. Slowly he opened his car door and made his way to the front gate, pausing, remembering the last time he had been at that gate. Holding it open for Angie. As she went through, she turned and gave him a smile. That smile. The smile that melted his heart every time. The way he upper lip twitched and her eyes sparkled in the moonlight. Oscar remembered the butterflies he had felt. Just like the ones he was feeling now. He had followed he up the path and to the front door, puzzled at why he felt so drunk, but hadn't had a drop to drink. As he reached the door handle he paused. It was eleven o’clock at night, so instead he reached for the doorbell. As he waited he studied the door. Three months ago Angie had stood there, searching he handbag for her keys. It was summer then. A beautiful summer’s night. The air was till warm, and the smell of summer flowers lingered in the air. He had reached down, taking Angie’s bag from he hands, placing it on the deck chair beside the door. He had brushed the back of his hand across Angie’s soft cheek, and slowly lifted he chin, until he lips met his. It had been the most passionate moment of his life. Finally, Oscar heard footsteps coming down the hallway. But they were not hers. The wooden door opened, revealing an attractive middle aged man, in a pair of boxers. Oscar felt his heart fall to his boots, and heard himself say “I was looking for Angie Piper” The man looked at him strangely, as a woman appeared behind him “You obviously don't know, Angie Piper was killed in a car accident, we bought this house as part of her estate” Oscar stood and looked at the couple. He had nothing to say. His mind was numb. It felt like he should have a million things running through his head. But yet he felt nothing. He turned away, and made his way back down the garden path- just like he had done three months ago, at dawn. He was scared then. He felt shattered and empty now. I will kiss your in four places I’ll go running along your street Oscar walked out on to the street. He glanced at his car, but for now he just wanted to walk. He walked through the streets of St Kilda, and found himself on St Kilda beach, just like that night three months ago. He and Angie had met there after they had left the factory for the last time. She had brought a picnic tea. They had sat on the beach for hours, laughing and talking. By seven o’clock they were both playing in the surf like children, kicking up spray. Purely platonic fun. At sunset they sat on the sand, eating tea. It was the most comfortable silence he had ever endured. No words needed to be said. As the sun disappeared beyond the horizon, Angie sat in from of him, leaning into his chest, her head against his shoulder. Her hair had smelt so sweet and clean and as he kissed her head, she had taken his hand. He wanted to stay on that beach forever. I’ll squeeze the life out of you You will make me laugh and make me cry We will never forget it Oscar sat on the beach, and watched the sand fall through his hands under the light of the boardwalk, reminded of a prayer he had learnt at Sunday school. Him and Angie had left their footprints in the very same sand. They wrote their names in the wet sand, only to see them be washed away be the incoming tide. Angie had turned to him and said “We never even existed.” It was true, undercover they hadn't. He had taken her in his arms, as the tears fell from her eyes. It was the end of an era for both of them. A new beginning, this time without each other to lean on. They had begun their time in the undercover unit together as rookies. When times got tough, they always leant on each other. Oscar remembered back to the first time he was nearly shot, a bullet missing his skull by inches. It was Angie he talked to, in the bunkhouse of the factory. She had rolled over, supporting her head with an arm, as they laid on adjacent beds. And there was that smile again. He told her his fears, fears of dying and of his childhood beliefs and how they had changed since his time in the unit. But he knew is Angie was dead she would be in heaven. If there was indeed a heaven, Angie would be there for sure. And as long as he lived on this earth she would be remembered forever. You will make me call your name And I’ll shout it to the blue summer sky Oscar looked up at the park, all the play equipment lying still, waiting for the laughter of children that would no doubt come the next morning. In the street light he could make out the orange leaves of autumn. How different they had looked in summer, green and new. But life was full of change, and no one could escape the change of the seasons. Next summer would come again, but never again would there be a night like the one he had spent with Angie. The sky had been a brilliant blue, and the sun setting turned it a spectacular red, promising yet another perfect summer day to follow. But he left the city before it had the chance to evolve. He left Angie’s house without so much as a note, and made his way to Spencer St station to catch the first train home to the farm. But even at home he could not escape Angie’s influence. Angie had made her way into his family, charming them with her openness and compassion. He only stayed at the farm a week, before leaving to go up north, for the picking season. But even, in the heat of the Queensland summer, he could not escape Angie. When he was least expecting it, memories would come flowing back to him. Not only of the night they had spent together, but the times they had spent undercover together, especially on the SWARM operation, when they had become so close. Finally, he couldn’t handle it anymore. He had to come home. He had to come back to Angie. But now it was too late. Oscar heard footprints coming up behind him and a voice from the grave “Here for the three month anniversary I assume?” Oscar froze, feeling those butterflies return. Slowly he turned around. If it was merely an illusion, he did not want to destroy it with certainty. He looked behind him, and standing in the silhouette of the streetlights was Angie, looking almost angelic. He felt the smile broaden across his face “Angie” We may never meet again So shed your skin and lets get started You will throw your arms around me Oscar scrambled up off the sand and took Angie into his arms. He had a second chance. He never wanted to let go of her again. He picked he up, swinging he across the sand, while she laughed hysterically. Finally they collapsed on to the white sand, out of breath. Finally Oscar said “They told me your were dead.” Angie sighed. How had life become so complicated? “I know they did. They told me. I think my mother’s exact words over the phone were ‘A nice looking young fellow came looking for you tonight darling. Seemed pretty upset you were dead’ Immediately I knew it had to be you, but I had to make sure, so I asked Mum what you looked like and she said ‘Ohh light brown hair, and handsome face and a body to die for.” Oscar laughed, wishing those ever-persistent butterflies would disappear. Angie went on to explain herself further “Ever since I left the safety of the unit I think I’ve had every crim I’ve ever locked up after me. So I decided the only way to escape my past life would be to change my name and move. I leave for Ireland next month.” “Ireland?” Angie laughed “You should know a good catholic girl like me would have family in Ireland.” Oscar laughed, as Angie reached up to run her hand down his upper arm “You know, my Mum isn't the only one who thinks your body is hot.” Oscar laughed, knowing how much courage it would have taken Angie to come out and say that “So that’s all you want me for? My body, as bullet ridden as it is?” “No, I want you, I’ve always wanted you. Even when I was with Rob.” Angie paused “Why did you leave me that night? I have never felt more alone in my entire life.” Oscar looked at the sand, as if it held the answer “I was scared Ange. I’ve never loved anybody the way I love you, and it scared me. Undercover seemed to do a good job of teaching me to be independent, I dunno, it was sort of like a self-preservation mechanism. If it’s any consolation, I havent stopped thinking about you since. Even when I was home on the farm, or up north for the picking season…” Angie looked in to his eyes, full of remorse “You’re forgiven” Oscar looked at her “I haven’t even said sorry yet.” Angie smiled “But I know you are” Angie had forgiven him yet again. He didn’t deserve her, and there was no way he was going to loose her again. As he leant down to kiss her, the heavens opened, and drops of rain pelted down on them. As they broke away from the kiss, Angie looked to the skies “Winter is on its way” Oscar smiled “But it will be summer once more in Ireland” And with that Oscar took Angie’s hand in his as they ran, threw the rain like children, splashing through the puddles to Angie’s temporary home, a motel on St Kilda beach. I dream of you at nighttime And I watched you in your sleep I met you in high places I touched your head and touched your feet If you disappear out of view You know I will never say goodbye Though I try to forget it You will make me call your name And I’ll shout it to the blue summer sky We may never meet again So shed your skin and lets get started You will throw your arms around me "Mac we all live lie's. We're just more honest about it." (Pete, Stingers)