wl_fanfiction | Choices

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)

Well this is it folks....the conclusion - I hope you enjoy it! I've been overwhelmed by the wonderful comments and support for this fic.....I really can't thank you all enough. It has certainly been challenging at times but you've all pulled me through it. Love you all!

Oh, by the way, there's a major asshole alert for this chapter (gee, can you guess who it is?!!)

Part Eight

Ryan allowed himself to sink back into the embrace, never letting go of the arms which held him. His companion didn't speak; his presence was enough to comfort and reassure Ryan who was clinging to him like a frightened child.

After several minutes Ryan had calmed down enough to raise his head and turn around in the arms which held him, his teary eyes widening in astonished disbelief.

"Col?" he whimpered quietly. "You're really here."

Colin brushed a few tears from Ryan's cheek gently. He'd been taken aback by the state he'd found Ryan in, knowing that it was his fault, and hadn't hesitated to wrap his arms around him protectively. Although he was still mad at Greg, he thanked God he'd talked to him and convinced him to stay. "Yes, I'm here Ry."

"You're not gonna go again are you?" Ryan asked fearfully.

Colin shook his head. "I'm not going anywhere."

"But....what changed your mind?"

"Greg talked to me....made me realise how unfair I've been to you."

Ryan opened his mouth to interrupt but Colin raised a hand to cut him off. "Don't get me wrong, I'm still hurt by what you did but I have to accept some responsibility for it." He shook his head and sighed. "I couldn't see what I was doing to you Ry and I'm sorry. I know that I have to commit to our relationship fully or walk away from it completely because there's no halfway."

There was renewed fear in Ryan's eyes as he whispered, "And?"

Colin took Ryan's hand and dropped something into his palm before closing his fingers over it.

Ryan looked down and slowly opened his hand to see Colin's wedding ring sitting in the centre of it. His shocked eyes immediately flew to the third finger of Colin's left hand where there was nothing to show it had been there but a pale mark. He looked back up into Colin's face, left speechless by the torrent of emotions flooding through him; the overriding one being absolute joy.

"Are you sure?" he finally managed to gasp.

Colin took his hand and squeezed it shut. "I care about Deb a lot......but I gave my heart to you a long time ago."

Ryan pulled him into a fierce kiss, trying to prove to himself that he wasn't dreaming because it all seemed too good to be true. Colin tensed a little at first but slowly relaxed into the kiss and Ryan silently rejoiced at what he'd been missing so much as it began to ease away the heartache of the past few days.

When Ryan finally pulled back, the spark was back in his eyes as he rested his forehead against Colin's.

"You're the only one for me Col," Ryan whispered, "and I swear I'll never hurt you again." Colin closed his eyes and nodded.

They stayed there until the sun had completely disappeared, talking things through and making plans. Colin had already called Deb to let her know he wouldn't be able to get home for the gala but hadn't gone into any detail. He would have to fly home to break the news to her in person; she deserved that much. Ryan would have to do the same with Pat, although he wasn't sure she'd be all that surprised.

They decided to spend the next few days together and enjoy their anniversary before flying back to their respective homes on the Monday; having no tapings scheduled until the following week. Colin wasn't surprised when Ryan told him of Dan's ultimatum but was touched by everyone else's unfailing support. They both knew they'd need it when Dan found out about their relationship.

The moonlight glinted off the water as they lay on the sand together, like they had that very first day, and gazed up at the stars. They'd said everything that needed saying and were now content to just lie in each other's arms, enjoying the warm summer's evening. Ryan felt happier than he had for a long time, his arms tightening involuntarily around Colin as he thought about how much they'd gone through to get to this point. Colin turned his head and looked at him.

"Penny for them."

Ryan smiled and kissed the tip of his nose. "I was just wondering if we could stay here forever."

Colin smiled as he remembered where that question had led last time. "Sounds good to me."

xxxxx

Just over a week later Ryan and Colin arrived at the studio together, fully prepared to face Dan's wrath. They'd both flown home as planned and told their wives about their relationship which had been about as horrific as they'd expected. Pat had apparently suspected it for some time and had reacted angrily, throwing Ryan out of the house, while Deb had listened with a sort of sad resignation which made Colin feel even worse. After several difficult days Ryan and Colin had flown back to LA, physically and emotionally drained, and reunited, immediately falling into each other's arms and drawing immense comfort from each other.

Drew, Greg, and Wayne were already in the green room when they entered holding hands. Drew and Wayne looked thoroughly relieved to see them together but Greg couldn't quite meet their eyes.

"You two crazy kids sorted things out then I take it?" Drew asked with a grin.

Ryan rolled his eyes. "Yes Drew," he said, unable to suppress a smile. "In fact we're now officially together," he added, holding up his left hand which was now ringless.

"Wow....good for you, you deserve to be happy," Drew said, pulling both of them into a hug as Wayne grinned at them from his seat.

"Thanks Drew," Colin replied sincerely, "that really means a lot."

Drew clapped them both on the back. "Listen, I've got a few things to sort out but I'll see you on the set okay?"

"Sure," they replied in unison and grinned at each other as Drew shook his head in amusement.

Once Drew was gone, Colin turned to Wayne. "Can you give us a minute please Wayne?"

Wayne was happy to oblige, shutting the door behind him with a click. Greg was still carefully avoiding their gazes as Colin walked over and shocked him by pulling him into a hug which he hesitantly returned. Ryan stood back and smiled at the pair of them.

"I realize it took a lot for you to talk some sense into me Greg," Colin said softly. "Thank you."

Greg really didn't know how to respond to that. "Er...sure."

Colin pulled back and looked at him steadily. "And I don't want you to leave the show," he said before adding with a smirk, "After all, you're the third best improvisor on it."

Ryan snorted and Greg chuckled. "Gee, thanks Col." He paused for a moment. "Does this mean we're okay?"

"We're okay," Colin nodded resolutely, "but, be warned, if you ever kiss Ryan again there'll be trouble." Ryan smiled and shook his head.

"Fair enough," Greg grinned, holding his hands up as Ryan came forward to hug him and offer his own heartfelt thanks. Colin smiled, no longer bothered by their closeness; he was completely secure in his relationship and the knowledge that Ryan didn't return Greg's feelings.

"Are you gonna be okay?" Ryan asked, studying Greg's face worriedly.

"I'll be fine Ry," Greg reassured him firmly. "I'm happy for you two....honestly."

Ryan smiled in relief as Greg made his way to the door and opened it. "See you in there."

"You bet," Ryan grinned, wrapping his arms around Colin from behind and resting his head on Colin's shoulder. Once Greg had gone, Ryan turned Colin around to face him. "Thank you," he whispered before kissing him tenderly. Colin pulled back and smiled at him.

"Well, well....look who's decided to grace us with his presence."

They both turned to look at Dan who was standing in the doorway and scowling at Colin. Ryan took Colin's hand and moved in front of him protectively, glaring at Dan. Dan was oblivious to Ryan's warning look as he noticed their joined hands.

"Ah...now I know why you were so eager to keep him on the show Ryan," he said maliciously,"I knew it couldn't have been anything to do with talent."

Ryan surged forward, fully intending to punch Dan's lights out, but Colin restrained him. "Leave it Ry," he said firmly. "Don't give him the satisfaction."

Colin was well aware that Dan had been trying to find an excuse to get rid of him for years, thinking he looked too old for television. He was obviously furious that his latest attempt failed and the revelation that they were a couple was the final straw. Ryan looked back into Colin's eyes and stopped struggling but Dan, predictably, didn't know when to shut up.

"That's right Ryan, listen to your bit on the side. Tut, tut...what would your wife think?"

Before he could blink Dan found himself being pinned up against the wall by Colin, shocked by the normally quiet man's anger and impressive strength. Ryan looked almost as astonished as Dan.

"Listen to me Dan 'cause I'm only gonna say this once," Colin hissed dangerously. "Ryan and I have left our wives and we're now together. Now, if you say anything offensive to me or Ryan again or try to make our lives difficult in any way, I'll make damn sure the whole world knows what a worthless piece of shit you really are. Is that understood?"

Dan saw the absolute sincerity in Colin's eyes and nodded slowly.

"I couldn't have put it better myself," Drew said loudly from the doorway and Dan turned to face him, looked mortified that he'd overheard, as Colin released his hold and backed away. Ryan smiled proudly, wrapping his arms around him, and dipped his head to whisper in Colin's ear, "That was so damn hot." Needless to say Colin blushed profusely.

"Okay," Drew said matter-of-factly, "now that's sorted, we've got a show to do."

Ryan took Colin's hand and walked out, brushing past Dan as if he wasn't there. When they reached the set Colin tried to remove his hand, conscious of the audience sitting just beyond the doors, but Ryan tightened his hold.

"Are you sure?" Colin asked softly. "There's no going back."

"I don't want to," Ryan replied firmly, leading a smiling Colin through the doors and towards their chairs to the thunderous applause of the crowd.