Ryan's Redemption....The Final Chapter......(well there's this whole epilogue thingie...)

[the-empressar.livejournal.com]

Title: Ryan's Redemption Chapter 22/Epilogue to follow
Author:  The Empress of bring it on home already!!!
Paring: Ry/Col
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Letting go and moving on....
Disclaimer:  I often wonder about re-incarnation...wouldn't it be weird to know that this actually happened?  My apologies for taking liberties with the past, present and future...but it sure was a hellova ride:)!!

 

Well this is it guys…the end. I have an epilogue to wrap up all the danglie bits, but Ryan’s Redemption has come to a close. I hope this brings a few smiles and a few warm fuzzies. I’ve enjoyed writing this and hearing all the WONDERFUL feedback!!! I hope to continue to write great stories and bring you and me to places in our imaginations. I can only get better with practice!! Thanks for allowing me to bring this story to you, it is and forever will be an honor!!! 

MANY MANY MANY THANKS AGAIN TO SNARRY_FAN and KATRI_KATRI for being such wonderful supporters and helpers in this endeavor!!  Without whom, this would have not come out even remotely coherent...LOL!!

 

Chapter 22

 

Colin had been enveloped in blackness, darkness surrounding him and he was fighting hard, trying hard to re-surface to come back to reality. He had no dreams, only the vague memories of escaping, of being a free man, of pain, of fear of relief.   He resisted the siren sweet call of death, pulling at him lulling him away before he had a chance to live one day, to taste the bittersweet memories of a freedom he had so foolishly squandered in a past he never wanted to return to.

 

The sound of Ryan’s scream was enough to shake him from his unconscious state. The unfamiliar surroundings caused a major panic attack to settle into his heart. Blurrily blinking, he didn’t see the bars, didn’t feel the familiar mattress springs of his worn-out cot poking him in the back and for a brief moment didn’t reach out his hand to grasp an accustomed hand of an old friend long gone.

 

He shot up and fluttered his arms around trying to ward off whatever may have decided to attack him in his defenseless state. There was enough light in the room to see the foreign furniture, the open non-confining space and the agitated body beside him. The sunlight was doing its best to seep in around the corners of the blinds, but it was dark enough to give Colin pause for a moment. ‘Who was this?’ ‘Why am I here with him naked in this bed?’ Then memories of the last days flooded his brain instantly, almost overwhelming him. They pounded their way into his already throbbing head.

 

   “Ryan…what…where…how?” Was all he could think to say.

 

Ryan brought his hands down from his face, after vigorously trying to scrub the images from his mind once again. He looked over at the shaking form beside him on the bed. He looked into the eyes of confusion. His hair sleep mussed and lips trembling, his pale furred chest rising and falling quickly, Colin looked helplessly to Ryan for some kind of answers.  

 

Ryan placed a warm, comforting hand on Colin’s bare shoulder and simply said. “Welcome back.” He smiled at Colin a reassuring smile, putting off his own fear for the moment. It had after all, just been another dream. He was much more concerned for Colin’s well being.

 

Colin looked back at Ryan and shook his head, disbelieving. He put a palm to his forehead and gingerly fingered the wrapping of his wound. Ryan’s hand remained on his shoulder, the heat of his skin searing him, and warming him. Ryan looked so pained and lost at the moment. This was far from the man of self-confidence and courage he had come to know and fall in love with. Colin looked into Ryan’s eyes for a long time, before Ryan pulled away, breaking the connection. Ryan brought his knees up to his chest and rested his elbows on them, hands in his hair, lost in thought, unsure of what to do next.

 

Colin touched Ryan’s shoulder tentatively, and with that slight brush of his fingertips turning the man to him, was enough for Ryan to break and grab Colin forcefully holding him close to his body. He held on for dear life trying to block out the pain, block out the fear and trying to soak up every inch of calm and quiet strength he could get from the man in his arms. Colin gasped at the sudden rush of emotions for one hesitating second before giving as well as he was getting. He held Ryan pressing his face into the hollow of his neck stroking the nape, his fingers curling through his hair.  

 

They sat there rocking one another, crying and laughing. Happy to be here, happy to be free, unhappy at what the cost of freedom was, wondering if they would ever truly be free. Ryan’s hands roamed the smooth planes of Colin’s back. He reveled in the feel of the soft, silken skin. He didn’t want to let go. He brushed his nose against Colin’s neck and breathed him in. He was so relieved that Colin had pulled through he gave little thought to the man’s comfort as he pulled him even closer. Colin resituated himself on the bed to pull Ryan closer to him and the sheet slipped from his lap.

 

Ryan had completely forgotten that Colin had been left naked after Karen’s departure. He stopped breathing, his hands ceasing their movements along Colin’s back. He let his eyes travel down past Colin’s navel, to the curve of his bare hip brushing against the denim of Ryan’s jeans. His forehead was resting on Colin’s shoulder affording him a nice view of what Colin’s hip barely shielded. 

 

Colin’s hands trembled on Ryan’s shoulders. He had had his eyes closed just feeling, just being in the sensations of Ryan’s comfort, Ryan’s touch, that he lost all thoughts of what or how his body might betray him. He hadn’t even felt Ryan’s lips on his skin, before he knew he was responding in a way that with past experiences he knew Ryan might not be comfortable with. He was hard with need and desire. He opened his eyes and looked down at the top of Ryan’s head, fear again gripping his heart when Ryan refused to move.

 

Ryan exhaled, his warm breath sending heady sensations throughout Colin’s body. Colin continued to let him look, but did not move. Ryan’s hands were on fire. Hot and perspiring against Colin’s back, clearly unsure of what to do next. One hot hand trailed down his back slowly, hesitantly, coming to rest on Colin’s exposed hip. Colin crooked an index finger under Ryan’s chin and brought him up to look into his eyes. 

 

“We don’t have to do this.” He said his lips inches away from Ryan’s. Ryan looked at him spellbound. His green eyes half –lidded looking into Colin’s deep brown depths. 

 

“I don’t want to be afraid anymore.” Ryan said looking down, studying Colin’s full, pouting lips wanting to trace a finger over them, needing to feel them once again. “I’m tired of bein’ scared and I’m tired of allowing what happened to me get in the way of what will happen to us.” He rubbed his nose alongside Colin’s and Colin’s head swam again, dizzy from his touch.

 

“Ryan…” He breathed. 

 

“You’re somethin’ special to me. You always have been since that first day I saw you, squinting up at me in the sunlight. I knew that we had a connection then just as sure as I know it now. I don’t want to give that up or lose it, Col. I’m so glad that I’m here with you now. Just please, don’t let me fall.”

 

Colin closed his eyes to the words and sighed deeply.  All of his life he catered to the needs of others. To Richard, and even to Greg, he had been the follower. He had done what they said was best for him. He had lived how they wanted him to. No one had ever put their life in his hands. He was over come with a deep and strong love that he felt achingly in his heart. He looked in Ryan’s eyes once more for confirmation, and seeing nothing but the same love shining through, smiled, a true genuine, full of love smile, and gave his heart completely. 

 

“Kiss me.” He whispered desperately to Ryan not wanting to waste another second without his touch. 

 

Ryan returned Colin’s smile with as much warmth, and pressed his lips to Colin’s, his head reeling with the sweet taste of his lips on his own. He brought his hands back up around Colin’s back and urged him deeper into his kiss.

 

“Ryan…” Colin said louder against Ryan’s mouth. He brought his hands up to Ryan’s head running his fingers through the silken locks, pulling him closer needing inside. 

 

“Colin…you taste so…” Ryan said a loss for words. He kissed his way down Colin’s chin and neck needing to taste every inch, needing to feel. He touched Colin’s face and laughed against his mouth. Ryan was happy. He was finally home. 

 

Colin reached down and tugged Ryan’s shirt lifting it over his head needing to feel Ryan’s skin on his own. He was desperate for it. Ryan allowed him to take it off momentarily disconnecting themselves. They felt the loss instantly. Barely tugging the shirt from his head, Ryan hurriedly reattached himself to Colin’s clavicle working his way down his bruised chest. He paid special attention to the angry purple and red marks kissing them gently and reverently. A well fought battle, that was to be respected, Ryan gingerly touched a spot here and there slowing down his movements and driving Colin desperate with want. 

 

“Ryan…don’t stop, please.” Colin begged, kissing the top of his head, his forehead and running his hands down Ryan’s bare shoulder. At these words, Ryan melted further and continued his hand exploration further south. He eased Colin back onto the mattress and traveled his hand down Colin’s side to his hip where it strayed once again. Colin moaned. 

 

Ryan was brushing his jeans deliciously alongside Colin’s hip, but Colin was anxious to feel more. It was an exquisite torture and Colin was beyond the need to wait any longer. “Ryan I need to feel you now!” He cried, turning to the side and rubbing himself against Ryan’s jeans. He whimpered and tugged at Ryan’s pants. 

 

Ryan hesitated once more, battling with his mind then and there that he could and would do this with no regrets. He loved this man, wanton and urgent beneath him. Colin lay open and pure before him. He wanted to have him all without looking back. He needed a new story and what better one to write than with the man you love?

 

Ryan nodded once and quickly undid his pants and brought the zipper down. Colin bit his lower lip, holding back his desire, wanting Ryan to take it at his own pace. He just didn’t know how much longer he could hold back. Ryan tugged down his pants and underwear, his erection springing forth causing a combined gasp when it bumped Colin against his leg. They both laughed at how intense the situation was becoming. Ryan wrapped his arms around Colin and looked at him with adoration. Their bodies were close together and they just spent a few moments basking in the warmth and security. 

 

“God, I love you.” Ryan said looking down at Colin who was looking up at him. Colin trailed his fingers down Ryan’s smooth chest causing him to suck in a breath. 

 

“Show me.” Colin said with meaning, bringing his hand to Ryan’s hip and pulling it across his own. Ryan’s cock was so hard, but swelled harder as it rubbed up against the waiting firm flesh of Colin’s. Colin threw his head back at the touch and thrust against Ryan almost involuntary. Ryan’s nails dug into the skin of Colin’s shoulders as he moaned out his name. “Colllllin…”

 

They made love for hours, that day. Kissing and touching and tasting and feeling and kneading and teasing and giving each other everything they had been denied, they were denying themselves. Colin took expert, patient care with Ryan, waiting and encouraging, allowing Ryan to explore his feelings his sensations his desires. They had moments where lights were blinding, flashing behind their eyes in extreme ecstasy, and moments where they just simply focused on the beauty of kissing and the wonder of being in love. Moments so intense they cried together, and moments so passionate they could do nothing but hold on for dear life. Ryan professed his love to Colin a million ways that day and Colin returned each and every one of them with his own professions. 

 

After another dizzying spiral come down, the pair found themselves wrapped snuggly together in each others arms, with the heady pull of sleep tugging at their tired muscles and bodies. Ryan sighed and brushed his nose in the hair along Colin’s temple. He had pulled Colin tightly against him and Colin thought he could get used to this, just nicely. He had eaten and regained his strength and they had even thankfully decided on a shower, with Colin showing Ryan all of the guilty pleasures that could be attained with slippery, wet skin on skin. Water cascading over them both, Colin proved an excellent student as well as teacher.  

 

 Colin lightly feathered his fingertips over Ryan’s nipple and watched as it peaked and smoothed under his hand. He was thinking. “Where do we go from here?” He said softly into the darkness. Night had fallen once again, and neither really knew what to do next. 

 

Ryan studied the top of Colin’s balding head and sighed. Colin’s ministrations were starting his body tingling again, and he knew it would only be a matter of a short while before he would claim his body once again for his own. He didn’t think he’d ever get enough of it. But Colin was right. ‘Where do they go now?’   “Well,” Ryan said his lips mouthing the words on Colin’s scalp. “That’s really up to us, isn’t it?”   Colin looked up at him and smiled serenely. A happy warmth settled over him, as he snuggled into slumber. “We’ve got a new day, a new life and a new chapter in a new book. Let’s write a happy ending to this one and let tomorrow take care of itself.”

 

Colin closed his eyes and drifted into sleep. A small smile played across his lips. He may have been Ryan’s Redemption, but Ryan had saved him in more ways than he would ever know. And for that, Colin could see the pages of a whole new book before him.

 

Comments

[katri-katri.livejournal.com]

Sigh*
Sad for the story to end.Luckily we have still epilogue...
This was very beautiful chapter*sigh*awwww,i`m all smushy now*sigh*I cant speak right now*sigh*blank*sigh*blank*sigh*I`m so glad they found love and peace*sigh*

You are so awesome!Thank you for this story, this world you created.*sigh*I think I have to cry now a bit so see u later...*sigh*

I can as well quota the whole story here...

.... He had lived how they wanted him to. No one had ever put their life in his hands. He was over come with a deep and strong love that he felt achingly in his heart. He looked in Ryan’s eyes once more for confirmation, and seeing nothing but the same love shining through, smiled, a true genuine, full of love smile, and gave his heart completely.

*sigh*

*sigh*

[the-empressar.livejournal.com]

I'm glad this is such an emotion evoking chapter!! All of these comments have made me cry so many tears today...I just am at a loss for words at how much this story has meant. I do so much appreciate the kindness, and I remember that it is my readers who make me who I am...without them I'd be just some random words on a page....I'm glad I mean so much more!!

(http://photobucket.com)

[the-empressar.livejournal.com]

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY<---*cough when did HE get here?? *cough*

WHEW...yes I did...and I'm skippity skippity hop hop awwwwwed at the knowledge that they will live happily ever after...squeee:)

(http://photobucket.com)

Awwwwww

[chickabud.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow..... totally amazing chapter!!!! Can't believe it's over. *NO!!!* I really and truly loved every minute of this story, the highs and lows and just every single word of it!!! You are such a talented writer. I could only ever hope to create such a magnificant world that you have with Ryan's Redemption!! *SIGH*
I look forward to the epilogue. This last chapter has just left me full of warm fuzzies, I really can't think straight!! Such a beautiful story! Well done, just amazing..... *wow.......sigh.....ohhhhhh*

Thank you soooooo much for giving us all such a wonderful story!!!!

Wow..... gonna go off and cry a little...... wow!!

Re: Awwwwww

[the-empressar.livejournal.com]

AWWWW SHUCKER GEEZE...*grabs her tissue* I'll cry with you my friend. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH from the bottom of my pea pickin lil ole heart. I'm still thankful that you enjoyed yourself. This was my opus...the only real long story I ever started and completed. It helps to be pokied just right...LOL.

Thanks again!!! Warm fuzzies all around!!!

(http://photobucket.com)

Re: Awwwwww

[chickabud.livejournal.com]

To say I only enjoyed myself would be a complete understatement.... not to mention an insult to your great work!! Okay, we shall cry toegether *grabs box of tissues* lamenting the end of your awe-striking opus, savouring each moment created by your talented hand!!! Well done..... *YAY WARM FUZZIES!!! JUMPS FOR JOY*

[kekona-iolana.livejournal.com]

Colin closed his eyes and drifted into sleep. A small smile played across his lips. He may have been Ryan’s Redemption, but Ryan had saved him in more ways than he would ever know. And for that, Colin could see the pages of a whole new book before him. - That was amazing!

I loved this I really, really, really did. I am very much speechless right now. And, if you didn't know getting me speechless takes a lot of effort.

I laughed, I cried, I went awwww, I also did lots of cursing at my computer screen. Such a wide range of emotions I went through with this story, and to me, that's briliant writing.

Thank you, thank you so much for writing this! You've brightened my little world today! And I am very excited fro the epilogue.

[the-empressar.livejournal.com]

SQUEEBIES And HUGS TO YOU MY FRIEND!!! You make me proud to be a writer:) If I can get all those reactions, I must be doing something right!!! I have so much enjoyed your feedback throughout!! It helped me get through some rough chapters so all I can do is say THANK YOU!!!!

(http://photobucket.com)

[kekona-iolana.livejournal.com]

awwww *hugs back* I love hugs!!! They're all warm and squishy....Anyway, I'm glad I could help in my own little way. Twas the least I could do while you were producing such a wonderful piece of art.

And I absolutely adore that Moving People moment. Tis a very sweet moment, and it always makes me all mushy!

[hammerofgold.livejournal.com]

Masterful story. The ending is so beautiful and so... fitting, I guess would be the word. And it it's not, then you can see why I'm not a writer. ;)

"Colin lay open and pure before him." That line's gonna be echoing through my head for a while- I just love it to pieces.

Thank you for sharing this story (and I'm all aquiver for the epilogue)!

[the-empressar.livejournal.com]

Nice to meet you Hammer and thanks SO MUCH for reading my "happy" lil drama!!! (HA...I said lil...) Thankies for your WONDERFUL comment!!! All writers need readers so you are VERY important to me!!!

I love your Greg/Col icon *dreamy sigh*

Thanks again for reading and hope to see you more!!

(http://photobucket.com)

[hammerofgold.livejournal.com]

*chuckle* As long as you keep writing 'em, I'll be reading 'em. And I'll try to be a bit more vocal- not used to this whole bulletin board commenting thing (Heh, when I first joined up I was like, OMG, everyone has personal icons- gotta do something!). And thanks for the icon compliment, it was definitely a learning experience. :)

[sess-satan.livejournal.com]

I absolutely LOVED the opening to this chapter. Kinda glazed over the romantic-y stuff, but that opening is masterful.

They sat there rocking one another, crying and laughing. Happy to be here, happy to be free, unhappy at what the cost of freedom was, wondering if they would ever truly be free.
That line made me cry, because it got me thinking of everyone else - Jeff still stuck at the jail, Brad stuck in a job he hates and being someone he hates, and poor Greg and Wayne, of course.

God. This has been one heckuva journey, I feel a bit drained...
Can't wait for the epilogue!
.x.Sess.x.

[the-empressar.livejournal.com]

You made me re-evaluate that line...and I went...WHOA!! I was really thinking more of the cost of freedom that Colin had to go through with this battle with Chip and the knowledge that he could have been free a long time ago, but was still forced to endure, and the fact that Ryan knows that they will always need to look over their shoulders for the rest of their lives...but now it opens up even further to include everyone else!!...deep. THANK YOU SESS!!

Thankies for being who you are!! I'm sooo GLAD I know you!!!

(grrr...I'm trying to stick with a Ry/Col theme here...indulge me will ya?)

OH what the heck...Here's the Kiss that Karen planted on him in the motel bed to bring him back around...lol...(whoops...must have deleted that paragraph...hahaha) It goes on the DVD...

(http://photobucket.com)

[sess-satan.livejournal.com]

Told you I overanalyse everything :P
*licks pic*
.x.Sess.x.

[ohbrie.livejournal.com]

:) Did you hear the collective sigh and 'awwww'? Did you see the collective happy smile?
What a heartwarming closing chapter.

But LOL at this: You’re somethin’ special to me., Ryan says to Col. So here's this tender romantic moment and I'm trying to shake Ryan's LMAD badass prison inmate voice out of my head... (where he says to col 'Let me tell ya you're a piece of something special' and blows kisses, :D) But that's just me... :)

[the-empressar.livejournal.com]

HAHAHAHAHAA...SOOOO GLAD YOU CAUGHT THAT!!! Gotta watch them "plants" LOL. That must have been subliminal coming out of me...because I heard that voice but I didn't assoicate it with what I was writing..LOL. WL in the mind body and brain will do that!!!

I hope you enjoyed it my dear!!!!!!! The sighs and awwws are still pouring in as we speak....THANKS AGAIN!!!!

(http://photobucket.com)

[ohbrie.livejournal.com]

I hope you enjoyed it my dear!!!!!!! Hahaha, are you kidding? I loved it and couldn't wait for the updates! Thank you for giving us this wonderful story.

[the-empressar.livejournal.com]

AWWW SHUCKER GEEEZE!!! Again I thank you for reading it!!! (And loving it!!!) I've currently got an add for stray plot bunnies in the paper...

[pdglyph.livejournal.com]

*both of us is comatose with happiness*
Have I told you lately that I love you? Well, I do!!!!!!!! Now all we need is a hero shot of everyone like what they have in the movies or something. *brains explodes from Empress inflicted creativity*

[the-empressar.livejournal.com]

You ladies always bring and leave a smile to my face:) I'm comatose with Oracle induced glee:) I love you ladies forever for enjoying this break from reality. What started out as a 2 second brainstorm developed into all of this cheeze ball over the top drama for your mama...LOL...*whew* Trust me it helped fill some lonely hours and it also relieved the incessant babblings of a rambling mind. I only hope to follow it up with something just as spectacular:)!! Thank you for your encouragement and support!!!!

(http://photobucket.com)

[pdglyph.livejournal.com]

That smile? It's just gas.

Now, where's that epilogue you promised up peeps? *PD taps her feline foot* <--don't ask

[leneebear.livejournal.com]

Wow. Simply wow. I absolutely adore that ending. I absolutely adore everything about this story. It is simply amazing and I'm really sad to see it go. It has made me laugh and made me cry and made me extremely angry and then all fuzzy and I love the way you portrayed all the characters (although Chip and Drew should die). I can't wait for the epilogue to see what happens to everyone. I'm so glad that Ryan and Colin are free and happy and together but I feel so bad for poor Jeff and Brad stuck back at the prison.

You really are amazingly talented, my friend and I look forward to much much more from you. You're one of the only writers that can make me cry!! (The chapter where Greg died made me cry so so much. Oh and rather irrelevant to this story but the fic you wrote to the song Faraway very nearly killed me I cried so much!)

Well done again for writing such spectabulous amazingness. And sorry for rambling!! :)

AWWWWW THANKIES!!!

[the-empressar.livejournal.com]

Hopefully all mysteries will be answered in the epilogue...I know everyone wants to know the fates of these individuals...did their lives get easier? Are they truly happily ever after??!! I'm soooo happy that you read my work and that it brought those emotions from you. It is my true reward!

Thank you for being a reader!! I love to read and I love to write, and Whose Line has given me the outlet I need to stretch my creative legs and see where I can take it. I appreciate you! And you can ramble at me anytime:) It makes me very very happy:)!!!

(http://photobucket.com)