Manuel

For Tina's Challenge

Summary: Angel gets an unexpected visit from someone from her past.

Disclaimer: Writing it for Tina's Challenge. I don't own emotion, I rent.

Thank you, Jonathan Larson

Chapter 1: The Call

There was a loud nock from the door. Collins sat for a moment, not wanting to get up. The knock came again moments later. He stood up with a grunt. Moving towards the large metal door, he realized how cold the floor got at night.

As he pulled it open, he saw a familiar face looking back at him. He sighed, knowing that he didn't have to get up after all.

"You can let yourself in, Mimi," he told the girl. Mimi just grinned at him.

"Nice to see you, too, Collins," she laughed, joining him at his place on the sofa. He moved the papers he was grading to reveal a cushion. "I take it that Angel's not back, yet?" She asked, letting her eyes wander around the familiar apartment.

"Nope," the man said, drawing a large, red 'F' on the top of an assignment. "Went out," he paused in thought, "about an hour and a half ago."

"Oh," Mimi responded from her new place in the kitchen. She wandered around for a few minutes, driving Collins mad.

"Alright, I'll stop doing my job," he sighed, and she laughed.

"Thanks," she told him, "I came here because I was bored."

"I thought you two had plans," he said with a skeptical stare. Mimi couldn't help but giggle at his goofiness.

"We do," she said, sitting back down with him, "later. But Roger was just plating his guitar, and Mark was having a telephone argument with Alexi Darling about his new piece. Guys are so…"

"Boring?" Collins finished, laughing, "And so you came here to find only me grading papers."

"Angel always had something to do," Mimi sighed, flopping over dramatically, "when she's not drumming."

"I don't know if you realize," he said to her, "but almost all of your friends are men. Even Angel."

"Angel's not a man," Mimi laughed, "Angel's an…angel!" she laughed at her own words. Collins smiled slightly, and she rolled over onto the floor. She pretended to choke. "So…" she gasped, "…bored!"

Collins lifted a pillow off of the couch and tossed at the girl sprawled on the hardwood. She snatched it, and as she was about to hit him back, the phone rang.

Riiiing! The sound filled the loft. Riiing! It rang again. Click! The answering machine picked up. "You've reached Angel and Collins. Talk to us!" said the all-too familiar, feminine voice.

There was a long beep, and then heavy breathing. Then, a deep masculine voice spoke up. "Angel," the man said, "its Manuel. I've finally got a hold of you!"

Mimi gasped, and raced over to the phone. She picked it up quickly. "Um," she said into the receiver, now knowing what to say. "No, no, Angel's not here," she answered the man. After a look of panic crossed her face, she spurted, "Ok, bye!" and hung up quickly.

Collins watched her closely. Who was Manuel?