You could be Happy Part III

[captanonymus.livejournal.com]

I must apologise most sincerely for my absence from this community. I was struck down by a rather nasty virus which left me feeling less than chipper. I’m pleased to report however, that the tide seems to have turned and I am once again amongst the living. Although not fully recovered (my esteemed doctor informed me it might be another 4 to 6 weeks before that is the case) this is infinitely better than the sorry state I was in not a mere week ago. I will read all the fiction that has been posted in my absence and promise to leave my two cents….. 

As far as my scriblings are concerned, I am severely lacking in inspiration and my latest exploit has been fraught with frustration. I simply cannot  bring this tale to a satisfying conclusion. The writing is poor and so cliché it would make Barbara Cartland look like a Booker Prize winner…. It is hideous but I must post it, simply to get it out of the way. I am currently working on a sequel to Known knowns, which is “flowing” slightly better.  

Title: You could be happy
Author; captanonymus
Rating (G-NC17): G (I think)
Main Character(s) and/or pairings; Ryan/Colin
Summary: The Challenge:  Ryan is desperate to be at Colin's 50th birthday, but his fear of flying is holding him back.  Write a story, as long or as short as you would like about what Ryan does to deal with this problem so that he can be with the man he loves on his very special day. 

Three days after Ryan had left Bellingham, 2700 miles away in Toronto, Colin doubled over in pain. The pressure on his chest and in his head was enormous. He gasped for breath, which alarmed Brad, who immediately rushed to his side.

 

“Colin? Are you alright? What is it?”

 

“pain…..chest”

 

“Oh my god! Do you think you’re having a heart attack? Doesn’t matter, I’m phoning an ambulance!”

 

The pain was so intense, Colin blacked out. When he came to, he was being wheeled into the back of an ambulance, with Brad hovering as close as the paramedics would allow him.

 

He tried to move the oxygen mask that was covering his mouth but one of the paramedics stopped him.

 

“Sir, it’s really important you keep that on for the moment. We’re going to take you to hospital to be checked out”

 

Colin shook his head violently. He didn’t want to go to hospital, he wanted to stay home. His birthday was five days away and he didn’t want his party clothes to be the kind that closed at the back and *still* left your buttocks hanging out. On the other hand, it could make for an interesting party…

 

Brad had noticed Colin was less than keen on going to the hospital and for a moment he was torn between respecting Colin’s wishes and his desire to ensure Colin was alright. In the end, he chose the latter. He sat next to Colin in the ambulance and pressed his friend’s shoulders back onto the gurney.

 

“Col, you’ve got to let them take you to the hospital, you passed out man. They need to make sure you’re OK. I promise I’ll take you home as soon as they let me. “

 

Colin looked up from the stretcher and realised Brad was shaking slightly. He must be really worried. He let himself be pushed back and nodded slightly. Brad sighed in relief. He’d been prepared for Colin to protest and he didn’t know if he could have remained adamant about the hospital visit. Those brown eyes could make him do virtually anything….he sighed again If only he *would* let me do *anything*. 

Brad briefly thought of Ryan. What an idiot that guy had been, to throw away a life with Colin because he had as much control over his emotions as a five year old. He remembered the phone conversation he’d had with the man. Ryan had demanded to speak to Colin but Brad had said Colin didn’t want to speak to him. Occasionally he still felt guilty about that little lie. Colin had said no such thing, in fact, had Colin known Ryan had rung, he probably would have returned his call and they would have gotten back together and that would have been bad for Colin. Brad had known that. Ryan Stiles was bad news. He trampled over people’s emotions like a water buffalo over a rice field and he had the tact of a used cars’ salesman. God knows what Colin sees in him! When Ryan phoned, Colin had just stepped out to get some air, so it had been easy for Brad to delete the rants Ryan had left on the answering machine. He’d also contacted the phone company and had the number changed. When Colin asked why, he’d told him fans had gotten hold of the number and had been ringing it. Colin seemed to believe it. He fully believed Ryan would try harder to get Colin back but when he didn’t try and contact him again, Colin had resigned himself to the fact that they were really over. When Brad suggested packing Ryan’s things and sending them to him, he was a little appalled. It had seemed so final.

 

“Maybe I should speak to him first…”

 

“Oh for god’s sake Colin, talk about being a martyr! Here Ryan, there’s a part of me you haven’t stood on yet! He behaved disgracefully! And it’s not the first time!”

 

“But….. I love him”

 

“I think you’re better off without him, ever since you two got together he’s been a pain. “

 

“He was under a lot of pressure; he did leave his wife for me you know….”

 

“Maybe he’s regretting it…” as soon as the words left his mouth, Brad felt guilty. He saw the hurt flash in Colin’s eyes and he damned himself thrice over.  “I’m sorry, of course he’s not regretting it I..” but Colin had interrupted him.

 

“No, you’re right Brad…. Maybe he is regretting it….In all the years I’ve known him, he’s never behaved like that….I’ve known him for so long, maybe he doesn’t want to tell me he’s made a mistake leaving Pat for me….. Ry’s not very good at admitting mistakes you know….. I love him but if he’d rather be with Pat then….well, I can’t compete, can I? I’ll go pack his things….You’re right, he would have phoned me by now to say he didn’t mean it but he hasn’t even tried, so…. I suppose that’s my answer…..”

 

Soon all reminders of Ryan had gone and Colin had tried to pick up his life again. Brad came over a lot, under the pretence of trying to cheer him up but really he just wanted to be near Colin. He’d fallen for him hard and fast but realised that with Ryan on the scene, he didn’t stand a chance. Now that he was gone however, he reckoned his chances had improved dramatically.   

 

The ambulance came to a stop, which jerked Brad back to the present situation….He looked at Colin who still looked too pale for his liking. The paramedics opened the doors and explained they would be taking Colin to be admitted. Brad would have to remain in the waiting room whilst Colin was undergoing tests.

 

He looked at Colin again and tried his best to sound confident “I’ll wait for you Col, I’m sure we’ll be going home tonight,”

 

Colin didn’t look convinced but nodded anyway. He raised his hand as in a greeting as he was wheeled away and for an insane moment Brad thought that that might be the last time he’d see Colin. Fear gripped him as he sank down in one of the plastic chairs. “What if….what if….”

 

But for a change, luck seemed to be on Colin’s side. He was released the same day and all his tests had come back negative. The doctors couldn’t find anything and they couldn’t explain the sudden onset of pain. They’d let him go the same day under strict instructions to take it easy for the next few days and Colin obeyed it to the letter until his birthday had arrived.

 

Brad had insisted he’d do all the work and to his credit, the place looked magnificent. For the first time since his break-up with Ryan, Colin felt happy. He had thought about Ryan a lot in the days leading up to his birthday. He couldn’t stop the twinge of hope that maybe, just maybe, Ryan would come over for his birthday, they’d talk things over and they’d make up. In your dreams, Mochrie. He doesn’t want you anymore. Not as a lover and not as a friend. Enough of this! Enjoy your party! You only turn 50 once! And with that, he picked up the tray with drinks and mingled with his friends.

 

The party was in full swing when the doorbell rang. Colin opened the door and was surprised when there were two uniformed policemen standing on the other side.

 

“Are we too loud officers?”

 

Unnervingly, the officers didn’t smile.

 

“Mr Mochrie? Is there anywhere we can talk?”

 

“Oh god, is it Luke? Has something happened to him?” Colin had gone from happy to panicked in the space of a heartbeat. Brad had joined him at the door, having heard the commotion.

 

“Colin? What is it?”

 

He turned to Brad “I don’t know, they want to talk to me but they haven’t said anything yet..”

 

“If we could just have somewhere to talk..” the officers tried again.

 

“Of course, of course, we can go into the study..” Brad put a hand on Colin’s elbow and guided him to the small room, just off the kitchen.

 

“Please, sit…sit”

 

“Mr Mochrie, you were listed as the next of kin for Mr Ryan Stiles and..”

 

“Ryan? What’s happened to him, is he alright? Is he in trouble?”

 

“I’m afraid he’s been in an accident sir…”

 

“Accident? Is he alright? Is he in hospital, can I see him?” Colin’s voice wavered when he saw the look on the officers’ faces.

 

“His car was found abandoned. It appears he had to swerve and the car skidded off the road. There was early snow and…”

 

“Early snow? Where the hell was his car found? It hasn’t snowed in Washington yet, has it?” Brad interrupted.

“We found a map book and an itinerary in his car. It seems he was driving to Toronto sir.”

 

“For my birthday, he was coming to my birthday..” Colin whispered “where is he now?”

 

“We don’t know sir. We haven’t found a body yet”

 

“A body? How do you know he’s dead, he could be alive somewhere! Did you search for him?” Colin sounded desperate. The idea of Ryan being out in the snow, wounded made his heart twist.

 

“There was evidence to suggest the impact was severe. His car wasn’t found until two day after the accident sir. The conditions were harsh. We have searched the area around the scene of the accident but we haven’t found anything. There is a river near where the car was found. It is possible that Mr Stiles was thrown from the vehicle and…” the officer didn’t finish his sentence but Colin understood.

 

“Where was the car found? I want to go there myself. He’s alive, I know it”

 

“Colin, you can’t…..” Brad tried but he knew it was hopeless.

 

“There is something else sir, we found this in the car “ The officer handed Colin a small box and an envelope with his name on it. The envelope was stained with blood. Ryan’s…. Colin swallowed.

 

“Where was the car found?” Colin repeated again, determination in his voice.

 

“Sir…we can’t….”

 

“Give me the damned location or get out of my house….”

 

“Sir, we understand it is….”

 

“Understand?!?! Understand??!!! You understand nothing!! He might be out there, alone, hurt! Tell me where the accident was or I’ll…….!!” Colin was shouting but he didn’t care.

 

Brad tentatively put a hand on his arm, only for it to be shaken off violently. “Get them out of my house, get everybody out of my house. I’ve got to pack! I’ve got to find Ryan!”

 

Brad ushered the officers and the stunned guests out. He said Colin had had some bad news and that he’d ring them later to explain. The guests had heard the shouting and understood something was wrong. Some offered to help but that was politely declined by Brad.

After everybody had left, he went back into the study. Colin was on the floor, sobbing. In his hand was the letter.

 

“Colin….?”

“He loves me, he was coming for my birthday, he was going to ask me to marry him…. Ryan…. .Ryan”  All Brad could do was sink to his knees and wrap his arms around Colin and try to console the inconsolable