wl_fanfiction | Choices - Part Five (Reply)

Title - Choices
Rating - NC-17
Pairing - Colin/Ryan, Greg/Ryan, mentions of Colin/Deb and Pat/Ryan.
Summary - Life is full of difficult choices, sometimes it's hard to know whether to follow your head or your heart....
Disclaimer - I only own the story...blah blah blah!
Feedback - is fabulous! :o)

You see? I didn't keep you waiting long did I? This part was difficult to write but I'm hoping I managed to pull it off okay. Your support and encouragement is always appreciated and never taken for granted - I love you all. Enjoy! (Oh, and happy fourth of July to those of you in the US!)

Part Five

Calling the atmosphere in the studio uncomfortable would have been a massive understatement. The chill emanating off Colin would have given anyone who got too close frost-bite. He sat in his usual seat, his whole body angled away from Ryan, only occasionally exchanging a few words with Wayne who seemed concerned about him.

The quiet words, smiles, and laughter between games that Ryan and Colin usually shared was absent, Colin ruthlessly cutting off any attempt at conversation by Ryan. Greg sat silently in the fourth chair feeling the guilt weighing heavily on his shoulders.

The games they'd played so far had been average at best with three of the four performers not up to their usual standard. Wayne had been forced to carry a lot of the scenes, jumping in whenever there was an awkward moment. It was obvious to everyone in the studio that something wasn't right and consequently the laughter was a little subdued.

Dan stood off to one side of the stage looking increasingly agitated and finally called a halt to proceedings, gathering the performers around him as the audience murmured behind him.

"Look," he said in a low voice, "I don't know what's going on between all of you, and quite frankly I don't give a shit, but you'd better fucking pull yourselves together."

As Dan spoke, Ryan stood with his arms crossed, glaring at him, while Colin's face remained blank. Greg kept shooting furtive looks at the others and Wayne just looked uncomfortable.

"You're supposed to be professionals for christ's sake," Dan continued. "If you carry like this we're not gonna have anything useable."

Ryan opened his mouth, probably to tell Dan where to shove it, and Greg quickly interceeded. "Okay man, we'll do better."

"You'd better," Dan warned and stalked off.

"Asshole," Ryan muttered, turning back to take his seat.

The games went a little better from then on but they still weren't anywhere near as good as the previous day. Colin seemed to be having the most trouble, losing his concentration easily and regularly failing to come up with funny ideas. It was like the first whose line episode he'd taped in the UK when Ryan wasn't there and, although the audience laughed to support him, it was painful to watch.

The final straw came near the end of the taping.

"Okay," Drew grinned, "let's move on to a game called film, tv and theatre styles. This is for Ryan, Greg, and Colin."

As Drew explained the game and wrote down the audience's suggestions Greg, Colin, and Ryan slowly made their way down the steps and waited silently, Colin standing away from the other two.

"Okay, that's enough," Drew called to the audience as he finished writing and picked up his card. "Right, your scene is; hunky high school football player Ryan, is making out with cheerleader Greg behind the bleachers when his girlfriend Colin arrives and confronts them."

The audience laughed, oblivious to the horrified looks from the performers. The colour had drained from the faces of all three as they listened to the scene description and Drew gave them only a slightly apologetic look, not knowing just how close to the mark he'd hit. "So, whenever you're ready, start off as normal and I'll buzz in with different styles in a minute."

Colin clenched his jaw and stepped off the stage while Greg and Ryan shared an apprehensive glance before pretending to make out. The audience screamed and laughed appreciatively.

"Oh Johnny," Greg said in a fake high voice, "you're so big and strong."

"You aint seen nothing yet," Ryan replied seductively and Greg let out a high pitched giggle.

"But what about your girlfriend?" Greg asked, batting his eyelashes.

"Hey, there's plenty of me to go round," Ryan smirked. "Now where were we?" He moved to embrace Greg when Colin stepped onto the stage.

"What the hell is this?" Colin said, putting his hands on his hips. Greg jumped melodramatically and hid behind Ryan, the audience laughing and whistling in the background.

Drew buzzed and shouted, "Horror."

Greg immediately grabbed hold of Ryan, baring his teeth and hissing at Colin. "He's mine now. Just one bite and he'll live forever by my side." With that he pretended to sink his fangs into Ryan's neck.

"Oh that feels good," Ryan quipped and the audience roared with laughter.

Colin faltered a little before stepping forward and raising an imaginary stake. "Back off spawn of satan."

Drew buzzed again and they froze. "Soap opera."

"I'm sorry you had to see that," Ryan said dramatically, moving to face the cameras with an exaggerated expression of remorse.

"How could you Johnny?" Colin cried, moving across the stage. "I'm carrying your baby."

"So am I," Greg stated, moving to stand beside Ryan and hold him possessively, "and I'm carrying twins."

"I can't believe you'd do this to me after I saved you from that freak chipmunk attack," Colin said emotionally, turning away from them.

Ryan moved towards Colin as the audience laughed and turned him around. "Don't say that baby, she means nothing to me. You're the one I want."

"I wish I could believe that," Colin said sadly, and Ryan was suddenly unsure whether he was still acting. Before he could respond, Drew buzzed and said, "Western."

Greg immediately stepped forward and raised an imaginary gun. "This town aint big enough for the three of us."

Ryan turned to face him. "Why you double-crossing...."

"Hey," Greg interrupted, "I'm just thinking of my babies. Come back to me Johnny and I'll forget this ever happened."

Ryan circled Greg, making a "Kerchink" sound with each step, and drew his gun. "I don't think so missy. Why don't you just get on your horse and ride on outta here."

"Oh come on Johnny," Greg said seductively as he walked towards him, "you know we were good together."

As Greg reached Ryan, Drew buzzed again. "Porn."

Ryan cursed silently. Colin showed no signs of moving so Greg reluctantly began rubbing himself up and down Ryan's body, throwing his head back, and Ryan pretended to join in. Colin stood and stared at them, the scene completely forgotten, as the crowd went wild.

Drew noticed Colin's expression and quickly buzzed repeatedly to signal the end of the game. As the crowd applauded and cheered loudly Colin hastily walked off the set, ignoring Dan's irate calls.

Ryan, who had been heading back to his chair, turned and realized Colin wasn't behind him. The audience were muttering loudly and Ryan swore as he quickly made to follow him, only to have his path blocked by Dan.

"Oh no you don't," Dan said firmly. "Go back to your chair Ryan. If Colin doesn't want this job, that's his problem. It wouldn't be a great loss, if today's performance is anything to go by."

Ryan clenched his fists; it took all of his willpower not to punch Dan hard in the face. "Dan," he said steadily, "go fuck yourself."

With that, he pushed past a gobsmacked Dan and headed for the exit.