A Strange Escape 9/14

[charminglygawky.livejournal.com]

Title – A Strange Escape.
Chapter – 9/14
Author – Charminglygawky
Pairing - Ryan/Colin
Rating – for the most part about a 15 for swearing.
Disclaimer – I own nothing and nobody!
Feedback – Adored - in fact I do believe that it makes the world go round!
 
Part 9 of my insane fic - key point is that Colin is English - did I mention that I have a deranged imagination?
As ever thanks to jerluvsdean for her help and for just being on the other end of msn!  XD 

Oh and my apologies to saiya_tina in advance XP

A/N – Colin is dissatisfied with life, does Greg hold the key? 

I was right, it was fun. The feeling you get when the audience is right there with you is just incredible. The only thing better is when a scene starts to slip away from you and you find yourself running headlong into whatever you can possibly think of in order to rescue it. That adrenaline rush must equal that of jumping out of a plane but comes with the added advantage of never really being in any danger.

Of course my first few shows weren’t brilliant, the others carried me at times, but it was a wonderful way to live. And although the others were happy to let me focus on the acting side of the shows I worked hard on the music side of it, too. I was never going to be able to improvise the music but since I was the only one who could play for Brad and Chip, I really felt like I was beginning to earn my way as a part of the group.

It was about two weeks after my first performance that me and Ryan next shared a room together. We had fallen into an easy and comfortable friendship, full of affectionate moments and touches but we were content with that for now, we were on tour, anything else could wait. Ryan was back sharing with Drew and I was still sharing with Greg, which was always entertaining.

Things ran along smoothly day after day, mile after mile. Ryan and I sharing the driving of the truck, occasionally joined by one of the others it was idyllic.

We were heading towards an overnight stop with no show scheduled until the next night when I started seeing flashing lights in the corners of my eyes. I swore softly to myself trying to blink them away and to ignore the vague annoying headache that had been troubling me for a few miles.

It was about an hour or so after lunch and so I was driving, I recognised the warning signs of a migraine. I’ve had them for years, but they were rare and I had had a couple of false alarms, I was hoping that this was one of them.

Ryan, ever observant picked up that there was something wrong almost as soon as I did. I felt his hand on my leg as he looked at me in concern.

“You ok Col?”

“Yeah.” I wanted to leave it at that but if I was going to get a migraine then I really shouldn’t be behind the wheel, I sighed and continued. “Actually, Ry, would you do me a massive favour?”

“Course, what?”

“Would you mind driving again for a bit?”

“Col, are you ok?” He sounded really quite worried, I smiled at his concern but I suppose it came out more as a grimace since he continued with “Col?” as he gripped my leg a bit tighter.

“Yes, I think so. I’ve just got a headache and I think it’s going to develop into a migraine and I don’t want to be driving if my vision goes weird.” His hand was instantly on my forehead and I chuckled. “I don’t think migraines come with temperatures Ry.”

He looked a bit sheepish but instructed me to pull over as soon as I can. Speeding up I soon outstripped the cumbersome motor home. If I was able to put enough distance between us then we could swap drivers without them having to stop. I didn’t fancy any more sympathy.

Ryan wasn’t having any of it though and told me in no uncertain terms to pull over immediately.

“But...”

“It doesn’t matter if they have to stop too, you’ve gone pale. Pull over.”

I did as I was told and watched in bemusement as he hopped out and hurriedly began to wave the motor home past. Drew who was behind the wheel had slowed down to follow us but on seeing Ryan he sped up again and the thing flew past. Job done he came over to the driver’s door and opened it looking down at me.

“I didn’t think of that.”

“I know.”

“Thanks.”

“No problem.”

He helped me out of the car despite my protests and soon we were on our way again. I had shuffled down in my seat and kept my eyes half closed, the somewhat overcast day was suddenly far too bright. Ryan kept sneaking these concerned glances at me and every ten minutes or so would ask.

“How are you doing Col?”

The first two or three times he asked I answered honestly, then I couldn’t be bothered anymore. My vision was gradually reducing and the flashes in my eyes were getting downright painful. I felt like crap, I just couldn’t be bothered to reassure him anymore. Eventually I slipped into sleep.

Ryan says I didn’t sleep for more that about an hour before a set of road works complete with pneumatic drill woke me up again. I returned to consciousness with a groan, the light filtering through my eyelids being more than enough to stop me from trying to actually open them.

“Col?” Ryan’s voice was teeming with concern and I felt his hand on my shoulder. “Jesus Colin, you’re shaking. How do you feel?”

“Owww.” I groaned in a vague sort of answer.

“Col?”                                                                      

“When did it get so bloody bright?”

“Right, as soon as we get through these fucking road works I’m having you put in the motor home. You need to lie down.” He said firmly and caringly.

I nodded very slightly, trying not to jar my head and failing miserably. I heard a gentle clucking noise and he squeezed my hand pulling me towards him slightly I obeyed without thinking and sank gratefully into his shoulder as he met me half way and pulled me into a loose hug.

“I hope we aren’t moving.” I muttered into his neck.

“No dear. We’re stuck in traffic.” He murmured back laughing quietly.

I smiled and snuggled into his neck a bit more, he was warm and strong and smelled clean and he was blocking the light and with one of my ears up against his neck even the drill sounded muted. I was slowly dropping back into sleep when what sounded like a fog horn sounded out a few feet behind us. We leapt apart in shock, my eyes flying open, and then I curled into myself my head reeling from the combined effect of noise, light and movement.

“Shit!” Ryan muttered looking behind us at the motor home. “It’s fucking Chip, I might have known. Are you alright Col?”

But my world had gone all blurry and I couldn’t respond.

“Col? Come on Colin, wake up, it’s ok you can open your eyes, you’re in the shade come on.”

I slowly blinked myself awake glancing around a bit before trying to focus on Ryan’s face. We weren’t in the traffic jam anymore. It was quiet, and green, and shady. “Ry?” I croaked.

“Hey there buddy. Come on, will you let me help you out of the car now? We’ve stopped; you can go and lie down.”

That sounded good so I took his proffered arm and let him pull me out of the car, I did not however allow him to help me walk, I had a headache, my legs still worked fine. I was grateful when he stopped me from walking plum into the side of the motor home though. I missed the door a bit.

The guys all stayed out of my way as Ryan led me to one of the cots placed along one of the walls of the living area and settled me down in it. Lying down was bliss, I stretched out and snuggled into the pillow. I felt a hand on my face and opened my eyes slightly to look into his face as he crouched down next to me.

“Better?”

“Mmhmm.” I reached for his hand and interlocked our fingers as my eyes slipped shut again. I felt the thin mattress dip a bit as he sat next to me.

Suddenly the engine of the motor home sprang to life again, I jumped violently and felt hands on my shoulders calming me.

“Shh Col, it’s’okay.”

I jumped again as we started moving. “But... the truck?”

“Greg and Brad are going to drive it the rest of the way. It’s ok, go to sleep.”

I nodded and settled again looking longingly at the curtains which surrounded the cot.

“Do you want me to go?” He asked moving to pull the curtains.

I grabbed at him “No.” He smiled back at me and shuffling me over a bit he swung his legs up and pulled the curtains together behind him. Then, lying down next to me he gathered me into his arms with my face once again resting in his neck I sighed happily and drifted back to sleep.

He was still there when I woke up; I had that slightly groggy feeling that always follows being ill. I was glad that the curtains were still pulled around the cot. I doubt that my head would have coped with much light. So ignoring the outside world for just a bit longer I focused on the man lying in front of me.

He was facing me with his features relaxed in sleep. His arms were still wrapped around me, but in a lazy way now, they were just resting on my sides really. I could feel his breath against my neck and I had absolutely no control as my arms raised themselves of their own accord and wrapped themselves around him in return.

He snuffled slightly and his face puckered adorably, I froze, waiting to see whether he would settle or wake. He settled, but only after his arms tightened slightly drawing me in closer. Smiling I returned the gentle hug and, raising my head, I placed a kiss on his forehead.

His eyes were open when I lay back down. I flushed slightly in embarrassment for being caught, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his gaze, his green eyes were full of an intensity that was just compelling. And like a rabbit in headlights I was frozen in place, just watching him as he inched closer and closer only ducking his head for the kiss at the last moment.

The spell was broken the moment our lips touched and I was kissing him back with equal if not more passion. Moaning slightly he responded to my willingness before pulling back with a smirk.

“Feeling better Col?”

“Mmhmm.” I murmured trying to pull him back in for another kiss. He met me willingly but pulled back again when I tried to deepen it. “Ry?”

He chuckled slightly. “Col, you’ve been sick and we’re in the motor home. Let’s not start anything.”

I sighed and nodded, still pulling him in for another kiss, he laughed against my mouth. “Col.”

“Yeah?”

“The engine’s off”

“So?”

“So that means we’re probably at the motel.” He explained patiently.

“So?”

“So, there is no-one driving and you have no idea where anyone is.” I groaned as Greg’s sarcastic voice floated in through the curtains.

“How many of you heard that?” I sighed in resignation as Ryan buried his head in the pillow to muffle his giggles.

“Errm...” Greg sounded unsure, I frowned in the general direction of his voice, Greg never sounded unsure. “Just me guys, and it’s ok, I won’t bring it up on stage.” He joked in a poor imitation of his usual himour.

“Greg?” I asked in confusion, then I noticed that Ryan was no longer laughing and had gone tense. “Ry, what?”

“Brad.” He groaned. “Brad heard that.”

“Got it in one.” Brad’s voice was so bitter I could barely recognise it. “So you do think of me occasionally. I’m touched.”

We heard heavy footsteps across the floor and then the door slammed.

“Shit!” Swore Ryan loudly. I repressed my wince, my head was still very delicate, and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “I have to go after him.” He muttered.

“But...” I started, he ignored me and throwing the curtains open he raced across the small living area and out of the door.

I did wince at the sudden onslaught of light, but it wasn’t as painful as I thought it would be, I just looked in Ryan’s wake in utter disbelief. I didn’t even notice Greg as he sat next to me.

“Col?” I jumped at the careful tone and swung round to look at him. “Are you ok?”

“Greg, were those two ever together?” I asked desperately.

Greg sighed and looked at me sadly. “Colin they have been friends for years, they are, were, very close....”

I felt my world crumble as he spoke.