(FIC) You could be Happy Part VI (Ry/Col)

[captanonymus.livejournal.com]

Will he, won't he? that is the question..... I bring you the next installment.....
If anyone has the chance, listen to Josh Groban's "You're still you", it fits this particular story rather well I believe..

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Title: You could be happy VI
Author; captanonymus
Rating (G-NC17): Very mild
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. 
wordcount: 2002

He closed his eyes as the shot rang out. It wasn’t nearly as painful as he thought it would be. Funny that…. He always imagined that getting shot would be like a red hot poker being driven into….

 

“ Come on” Ryan’s voice sounded flat and it took Colin a minute to work out he was being spoken to. He opened his eyes to inspect the damage, fully expecting to see his shirt stained crimson but…not a scratch.

 

“What….”

 

“Come on, I’ve got a pick up truck not far from here”

 

“Where are you taking me? Why didn’t you shoot me?”  Colin was bewildered.

 

“ I’m gonna let you take me in….I’ve had three years grace, I think it’s time I faced up to my crimes” Ryan said, as he put the gun in Colin’s hands. Colin immediately dropped the gun as if he had been burnt by it. Ryan shot him a mildly surprised look.

 

“Not much of a bounty hunter are ya?” Ryan sniggered lightly.

 

“I’m not a bounty hunter” Colin managed to croak.

 

“Look, I’m not gonna  shoot you, you don’t have to pretend anymore” Ryan sounded exasperated.

 

“No, you don’t understand! You’re not a criminal! You’re my..” Colin hesitated “friend. You were in a car crash three years ago and I’ve been looking for you ever since! I thought you were dead!”

 

“Whatever….let’s go”

 

“No! If you weren’t going to shoot me, why all the pretense! I thought I was going to die you bastard!” Colin was getting angry now.

 

Ryan sighed “Yeah, I’m sorry about that but Beth,,,she’s….. well, she can be a bit unstable sometimes.” Colin snorted, which earned him a look “whatever you may think of her, she did take care of me. ”

 

“But she lied to you for three years! There are people waiting for you! How can you defend her?!” Colin was getting increasingly frustrated with Ryan’s attitude.

 

“Why would she lie to me? Why would she make up the fact that I’m a murderer?”

 

“ Oh jeez, I don’t know…maybe because she’s *nuts*!” Colin nearly shouted “Ryan, you’ve never hurt anyone in your life! You’re a comedian! You’re famous!”

 

“And you say Beth is crazy…” Ryan shrugged his shoulders “I don’t remember anything. All I know is what Beth told me. She said she found me near the river, I was wounded and she took care of me. When I recovered enough she told me I am a wanted man. I killed a police officer during a bank robbery and I escaped from prison. I have no reason to doubt her”

 

“Has she ever shown you the wanted posters or any other proof that you’re what she says you are?”

 

“Well no, she doesn’t have a TV or anything..” Colin thought he saw a glimmer of doubt in Ryan’s eyes. “But why should I believe you? If anything, your story is even more unbelievable… Famous? Me? And you’re my friend? I don’t recognise you and I don’t even know your name..”

 

“Colin, it’s Colin and your name is Ryan Lee Stiles. You *are* famous. You’ve been in several very successful comedy shows”

 

“How come I don’t feel “funny”? I know I’ve lost my memory but surely being funny is part of your character?”

 

“ I don’t know Ry, You need to be checked out at the hospital, let me take you”

 

“How long have we been friends?”

 

“Over 30 years…”

 

“Wow…..I’m sorry…”

 

“Sorry for what?”

 

“Sorry for not recognising you…and you say you’ve been looking for me for three years? How about anyone else? Am I married?” Colin hated how Ryan sounded hopeful about that. He knew it was illogical but he felt jealous of Pat.

 

“You’re divorced” He didn’t want to tell Ryan why he got divorced; it might be a little too much information. Ryan didn’t even know who he was and to all of a sudden be confronted with a best friend who had also been his lover *and* the reason why he divorced, was far too much Jerry Springer for Colin’s liking.

 

“Oh…..”

 

Colin shivered “I’ll tell you everything you want to know but can we get out of here? I’m cold”

 

He saw Ryan sighing and a look of hesitation crossed his eyes “Where are we going?”

 

“Toronto. It’s where I live and once we’re there, you can be checked out at hospital and we can tell everybody that you’re back. But first we’ll have to go by the hotel where I’m staying. I need to pick up my things.”

 

“Ok” Ryan agreed but Colin saw he wasn’t convinced. He decided not to press the issue of Ryan’s innocence again. He’d find out soon enough when they were in Toronto.

 

Ryan led the way to the pick up truck “ You better drive, I don’t know the way. I never really ventured very far. Too worried about getting caught”

 

Colin drove back into town and he noticed that, as traffic became heavier and more people were on the roads, Ryan became more nervous. His left leg was constantly jiggling and he was fidgeting in his seat.

 

When they arrived in town, Colin turned to Ryan and said “I’m sorry but we need to go to the police station” A flicker of fear and disappointment crossed Ryan’s features but he quickly schooled it into an expression of boredom. “Sure”

 

“I want to press charges against Beth. She shouldn’t get away with what she’s done to you”

 

“Ok” but Colin knew Ryan didn’t believe him. Well, he’d find out soon enough Colin hadn’t been lying to him

 

When they’d reached the station, both Ryan’s legs were moving uncontrollably. Colin parked the car and turned off the engine.

 

“Look, if it makes you feel any better, I’ll go inside myself and talk to them. You stay in the car”

 

“Ok”

 

So, Colin got out and went inside, in search of an officer on duty. As it happened, the officer behind the desk recognised him immediately. He was a fan and was aware that Colin came on his pilgrimage every year. When Colin told him what happened he promised he’d send a team out to the cabin. He knew Beth and when Ryan had first gone missing, they had gone to her cabin to ask if she had seen or heard anything but when she’d said no, they had taken it at face value. She had never been in trouble with the law and was known for keeping herself to herself. The cabin was a fair trek from the crash site and the officers hadn’t had any reason to request a search warrant so they’d left it. 

 

“How is Mr Stiles?” the officer enquired.

 

“I need to take him to hospital to have him checked out. I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone he’s been found yet. I want to tell his family first”

“Of course, of course, but he will have to make a statement in order for us to get Beth Johnson convicted. Will you be staying here?

 

“No, I was planning on taking him to Toronto. Will that be a problem?”

 

“Well, our witnesses really need to be available but in Mr Stiles’ case, I understand the need to see his family. As long as we can get in touch with him, I will make an exception.”

 

“Thank you, I appreciate that” Colin shook the man’s hand.

 

“It’s an honour Mr Mochrie,” The officer had walked out with him and shook his hand as they were standing in front of the station, in full view of Ryan, who was still in the car. Colin realised his mistake when he glanced over to the car and saw Ryan’s face. It was pale and drawn and it didn’t take a genius to figure out what was going through his mind. Damn, Mochrie, you’re an idiot

The officer had followed Colin’s gaze and when he spotted Ryan in the car, he started walking towards it.

 

“Mr Stiles! I didn’t realise you were here” the man meant well but it had a disastrous effect on Ryan. Colin wanted to stop the officer but it was too late. Ryan saw the officer approaching and shot Colin a look that was a mix between profound hurt, disappointment and raw fear.

Colin shouted for the officer but the man was too caught up in the fact that one of his heroes was sitting in a car not a mere 20 metres away. Colin broke out in a run, trying to stop him when Ryan opened the car door, looking grim and determined in the process and for a moment Colin feared the worst. Only to have his heart broken a little when, in the next instance, Ryan turned his back on the officer, put his hands on the roof of the car and spread his legs in a clear sign of surrender.

 

The officer, however, thought Ryan was joking and laughed heartily.

 

“Oh Mr Stiles, it’s great to see you haven’t lost your touch” He slapped Ryan on the back and Colin saw Ryan cringe. He finally caught up with the two men and gently pulled the officer away from Ryan.

 

“Thank you very much for all your help officer but I’m sure you understand we are eager to get on the road” Colin smiled disarmingly and the policeman returned the smile.

 

“Of course, of course, honoured to have met you both!”

 

Colin put his hand on Ryan’s shoulder and gently pushed him back into the car

 

“Come on Ry, let’s get to the hotel and get some sleep” He waved a greeting to the officer as he walked around the car but as soon as he got in, he exhaled forcefully.

 

“I’m so sorry about that” he shot a look at Ryan who seemed frozen in position.

 

They didn’t talk until they reached Colin’s hotel. The staff knew Colin and why he came to the small town, so they let him keep his key. Colin thanked his lucky stars he didn’t have to shepherd Ryan through reception. He had meant it when he told the police officer he wanted to tell Ryan’s family first. He unlocked the door to his room and guided a silent Ryan inside. He went to the mini-bar and poured them both a drink. As he handed Ryan the glass, Ryan finally spoke.

 

“I believe you…”

 

It took everything in Colin’s power not to hug the stuffing out of his friend. He was so relieved. He knew they had a long way to go but if they could just start building up the trust they’d had so many years ago, it would be something….

 

“I’m glad…I’m sorry for back there, he followed me out and before I could....”

 

Ryan interrupted him “It’s alright, you didn’t mean for it to happen…” Ryan yawned.

 

“I suppose we better get some sleep. You take the bed Ry, I’ll sleep in the chair”

 

Ryan looked at the armchair and then back at Colin.

 

“Aren’t you a bit tall for the chair? You’re never gonna get comfortable in that…”

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll be alright”

 

“We’re friends right? The bed looks big enough, why don’t we share it?” Colin swallowed at Ryan’s suggestion.

 

“Eh…..” Colin couldn’t think of an appropriate answer. Ryan took his hesitation as a rejection for all the wrong reasons.

 

“Oh right…I probably smell, don’t I” He sniffed himself. “Beth didn’t have a washing machine and well, he scratched his beard, it’s been a while since I shaved…. would you feel better if I took a shower?”

 

The images that the words evoked were powerful. Ryan, wet and naked under the spray, rubbing his hands all over himself….Colin swallowed, realising Ryan was waiting for an answer . ..

 

“Eh…..Ok…”

 

“Great, I won’t be long” and Ryan disappeared into the bathroom.

 

Colin stripped down to his undershirt and boxers and crawled into bed, automatically picking the side he used to sleep on when he and Ryan used to share a bed…..