wl_fanfiction | Obsession - Part Three (Reply)

Title - Obsession
Rating - PG
Pairing - I think you should know by now!
Summary - Ryan discovers the sinister side of fame...
Disclaimer - I only own the story...
Feedback - Pretty please!

Here's part 3 as promised...hope you like it. Always appreciate feedback, love you all! :o) x

Part Three

As it turned out the taping went fairly smoothly. Ryan was slightly off his game, which was to be expected given the situation, but Colin constantly gave him reassuring glances and touches which helped to him get through it without it becoming too noticeable. He couldn't help but scrutinize every woman in the audience though, wondering if Rachel was amongst them, and stare suspiciously at the woman Drew picked to join them onstage. Drew had filled Dan in on the situation and made sure there was security standing by if needed but that didn't make him feel much better.

He sat down in his usual chair next to Colin towards the end of the taping and took a sip of water as Drew made a joke and announced song styles for Wayne. Taking advantage of the break, he sat back and looked across at Colin and Greg. Greg was sitting quietly, watching Wayne make up a song in the style of Michael Jackson for an amused woman from the audience. Ryan had noticed that both he and Wayne had seemed more on edge than usual, no doubt searching the audience as he was for any sign of trouble.

He turned his attention to the man next to him and smiled. Colin seemed completely unaffected by the day's events, but Ryan knew better - he was probably the only person who could see through the mask that Colin put on for the audience's benefit. He was amazed by Colin's ability to push everything else aside and throw himself into the games, making the audience laugh and cheer loudly.

Colin turned his head to Ryan and their eyes met. He leaned across and whispered, "You ok?"

Ryan smiled and nodded, "Yeah, just glad we're almost done," he said quietly so the microphones wouldn't pick it up as he poured them both some more water.

"Me too," Colin replied softly as Wayne finished and the audience broke into applause. He reached to pick up his glass of water, brushing his hand gently against Ryan's with a smile that made Ryan's heart skip a beat.

"Ok, that was great," Drew said loudly. "Now let's move on to everyone's favourite game......hoedown!"

Ryan and Colin groaned simultaneously and grinned at each other as they stood up. The audience was cheering loudly and Ryan took the opportunity to lean towards Colin and whisper, "Love you," in his ear as they moved forward together. Colin turned his head and smiled, mouthing "Love you too," out of shot of the many cameras.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when Dan finally said, "Ok, that's a wrap. Thank you everybody."

The audience cheered and clapped before gathering their belongings and heading towards the exit. A group of excited fans waited next to the stage, grinning at the performers and holding out pads and pens as two burly security men stood barring their way. Greg and Wayne went forward to greet them and give them autographs while Ryan and Colin chatted to Drew. Some of the fans looked hopefully over at them and called their names.

Ryan glanced at them irritably as Drew left and Colin nudged him with his elbow. "Come on, let's go sign a few autographs before we go."

Ryan looked at him doubtfully. "I don't know Col, she could be one of them."

Colin sighed. "Look Ry, there are two guys from security plus you, Greg, and Wayne all there to protect me, I'll be fine. I'm not gonna let this crazy woman dictate what I do, ok?" He turned and walked towards the fans who cheered and shouted as Ryan quickly caught up with him, determined to stay by his side.

Wayne and Greg looked at them, clearly surprised, as they started signing everything offered. The fans were talking excitedly to Ryan as he scribbled his signiature but he wasn't listening, too intent on watching Colin for the slightest sign of trouble. Colin was smiling and chatting politely to the fans as he signed various things.

One enthusiastic fan suddenly lunged forward and threw her arms around Colin, knocking him off-balance. In a matter of seconds, Greg, Wayne, and Ryan had all rushed to pull the woman away, Greg and Wayne forming a protective wall in front of Colin as Ryan held on to him. The security guys restrained the shocked woman and dispersed the crowd before taking her out.

"I just wanted a hug," they heard her say defensively as she was led away to be questioned.

When everyone had gone Greg and Wayne turned around to see Ryan checking if Colin was alright. Greg noticed that Ryan looked more shaken up than Colin, who clearly thought that everyone was over-reacting and was reassuring Ryan firmly. Wayne stepped forward and put a hand on Colin's shoulder, "You ok, man?"

"I'm fine Wayne," Colin replied with a smile as he rubbed Ryan's back comfortingly. "Thanks, both of you," he said looking at Greg as well. "I really don't think she meant any harm, it's just a bad day to try that."

"I'll say," Greg said, shaking his head. "That scared the crap out of me."

"Tell me about it," Ryan said quietly as he put an arm around Colin's waist and they all began to walk back to the green room.

They had almost reached it when they heard a shout behind them and turned to see Drew approaching.

"Hey," Drew said as he caught up with them, "I just heard what happened. Are you ok Colin?"

"Yes, I'm fine," Colin reassured him, "she was just an over-enthusiastic fan. Besides I had my bodyguards here to protect me," he smirked, "I felt like the president."

"Hey, I'm not sure if I'd take a bullet for you buddy," Greg joked as he slung an arm around Colin's neck.

"I would," Ryan mumbled under his breath so no-one heard.

"Well, apparently the police are questioning her now," Drew said as they entered the green room together to get some refreshments.

No sooner had they all sat down than one of the cleaning crew knocked on the open door.

"Excuse me," she said nervously, holding out a folded piece of paper, "but I found this note on one of the seats in the studio."

Drew got up and took it from her. "Thanks....er...?"

"Megan," she said, blushing furiously as everyone looked at her.

"Thank you Megan," Drew said kindly. She smiled shyly at him before leaving as he looked down at the paper in his hand and frowned.

"What is it Drew?" Ryan asked, a bad feeling settling in the pit of his stomach. "Is it from her?"

Everyone knew who Ryan was referring to and an uneasy tension filled the room.

"Yes," Drew replied seriously, looking up at Ryan, "but it's not for you.....it's addressed to Colin."

All eyes fixed on the note as Colin got up and silently reached out to take it from Drew, Ryan getting up and coming to stand beside him. Colin looked down at his name on the front before carefully opening it up. Inside, in the now familiar hand-writing of Rachel, were two words:

He's mine.

To be continued....