Heat of the Moment

[rycolfan.livejournal.com]

Title - Heat of the Moment   
Author - Rycolfan
Rating - NC-17 (For language)
Pairings - Ryan/Colin, Greg/Jen
Summary - A celebration ends badly... 
Disclaimer - Not real, peeps.
Feedback - Is adored, as always!
 

I've been digging through my files, and have found this fic which I never posted.  There you go, Clay....I made it to 50!  XP  I wrote this a long time ago, so please don't expect too much.  Tis not very good.  ^_^
 

 

It was the Whose Line end of season wrap party and Greg sat at the bar, as everyone else enjoyed themselves, trying to get drunk as quickly as possible. The other cast and crew members occasionally glanced in his direction worriedly, muttering to each other. Everyone had noticed him getting increasingly irritable over the season, frequently biting their heads off at the slightest thing and drinking more than usual. Consequently his performance on the show had been getting worse and worse. When confronted he had refused to talk about it but there were rumors circulating about problems with his marriage.

Greg downed another drink and looked bitterly at Ryan and Colin across the room who were chatting and laughing with Drew, their arms around each other's waists. They had officially been a couple for the last six months and, although Greg had supported them when he found out, he was getting tired of having their happiness rubbed in his face constantly as his life fell apart. If he was being honest he was also feeling jealous of the bond they shared, having never had that with anyone...even his wife.

His gaze moved to Brad, Chip, and Wayne who were all trying to out-do each other with increasingly flamboyant dance moves as Jeff and Kathy watched, laughing. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely which only served to make him feel worse.

He turned back to the barman and ordered another drink. A minute or so later he heard someone coming up behind him and instinctively knew who it was before they spoke.

"Hey, Greg," Ryan said, patting his back, "stop moping at the bar and come and join the party."

"I don't feel like it," Greg replied stiffly, refusing to turn around.

"So...what? You're gonna sit here all night by yourself?"

"Pretty much," Greg muttered, downing his eighth drink and raising his hand for another.

Ryan waved the barman away. "I think you've had enough Greg." 

"Who the fuck do you think you are? My mother?" Greg replied loudly as he turned, causing several people to look around.

"No, I'm your friend," Ryan said patiently, putting a hand on his arm, "Come on, come and join us. Col and I will cheer you up."

"No, you won't," Greg said angrily, shaking him off. "I have no intention of going over to watch you and Colin act like you've just walked out of a hallmark card, it's sickening."

Ryan's temper flared at Greg's words. "What the fuck do you mean by that?"

"I mean I'm sick of seeing your love-sick puppy act all the time when I'm trying to save my marriage," Greg shouted, getting up and standing nose to nose with Ryan.

Colin noticed things getting out of hand and rushed over to stand between the two, pushing them apart and resting a hand on each chest. More people were starting to notice the argument and Drew, Brad, Jeff, Wayne, and Chip quickly came over to see what all the commotion was about.

"Hey, come on, stop it; both of you," Colin said loudly but Ryan cut him off.

"Oh stop acting like a fucking martyr Greg," he yelled, "you don't have the monopoly on marriage problems. Quit being an asshole."

"Fuck you, Ryan," Greg shouted, stumbling as he tried to push Colin out of the way. "Unlike you, some of us are trying to save our marriages rather than just walk away."

"Ouch," Brad muttered under his breath.

"You son of a bitch," Ryan swore and Colin had to use all his strength to hold him back. "Don't talk about things you don't understand."

"Leave it, Ry," Colin said forcefully, still struggling to restrain him, "he's drunk."

"No, Col, I'm fed up with this shit," Ryan shouted, eyes never leaving Greg's face. "You think this is the way to save your marriage Greg? Acting like an asshole and drinking yourself into a coma? Jesus, no wonder she wants to leave."

Greg roared and threw a punch at Ryan. Unfortunately his fury and the booze in his bloodstream affected his aim and his fist collided with Colin's chin instead, sending him sprawling into a table.

Ryan saw red at that point and punched Greg as hard as he could, knocking him to the ground. Drew and Wayne quickly stepped forward and grabbed Ryan's arms, struggling to hold him back as he surged forward to finish the job. 

Ryan distantly heard his name being called but couldn't think straight through his fury, fighting to get to Greg who had jumped up with a bloody nose and was being restrained by Chip and Jeff.

"RYAN!" Brad shouted from behind him, drawing everyone's attention away from the fight. Ryan turned and glared at him before noticing Colin on the floor beside him.

"Oh God....Col," he said, immediately stopping his struggle and throwing off Drew and Wayne as he rushed to Colin's side. Everyone else gathered around, unsure of what to do.

Colin was out cold, a pool of blood forming on the floor from a nasty gash on the back of his head where he'd hit the edge of the table as he fell. Brad quickly took off his shirt, scrunching it up and pressing it firmly over the wound to stem the bleeding.

"Someone call 911," Ryan shouted as the music suddenly stopped. He felt for a pulse and was relieved to find it steady and strong as Drew pulled out his phone.

"They're on their way," Drew said a minute later.

Ryan blinked back tears as he held Colin's hand and stroked his pale face gently. Greg, who seemed to have sobered up in an instant, moved out of Chip's grasp and crouched down to help but Ryan pushed him away furiously.

"Don't you fucking touch him," Ryan spat, eyes flashing as Greg recoiled. "You'd better pray he's alright Greg," he warned in a low voice, "because, if he isn't, I swear to God I'll tear you apart."

No-one in the room doubted the sincerity of his words as he turned back to Colin and silence fell. As the sound of sirens got louder, Colin let out a groan.

"Col? Can you hear me?" Ryan asked worriedly, leaning over him.

Colin's eyelids fluttered open and he tried to focus on Ryan's face.

"Hey," he croaked before wincing. "Head hurts....what happened?"

Ryan glanced at Greg quickly before answering, "You fell and hit your head on the table. Just stay still, the ambulance will be here in a minute."

Colin mumbled something as his eyes drifted shut.

"Col? You have to stay awake for me ok?" Ryan said loudly.

Colin opened his eyes again and murmured, "I'm tired Ry," his eyelids drooping.

"I know you are," Ryan replied, squeezing his hand, "but you have to stay awake. Focus on my face."

"There's got to be something nicer to look at," Colin joked feebly and Ryan smiled.

The ambulance arrived at that moment and the EMTs took over. Several minutes later Greg watched as Colin was lifted gently into the back of the ambulance, Ryan climbing in after him.

"We'll meet you at the hospital," Drew shouted to him as everyone started gathered their things.

Greg slumped down onto a stool, wiping the blood from his nose, as Drew came over.

"Come on, Greg," he said gently, "let's get to the hospital."

"Ryan won't want me there," Greg mumbled, looking up. He suddenly felt the need to defend his actions. "It was an accident, Drew. I would never hurt Colin on purpose."

"I know that," Drew said reassuringly, "and so does Ryan. He just needs time to calm down."

"But what if Colin's seriously hurt?" Greg asked. "Ryan would never forgive me."

"I'm sure Colin will be fine," Drew said, helping Greg to his feet. "Come on, I'll drive."



When they arrived at the hospital Ryan was sitting in the waiting room, staring into space.

"Hey buddy," Drew said as he and Greg walked up to him.

Ryan's jaw clenched when he saw Greg but he didn't say anything.

"Any news?" Drew asked, sitting down.

"Not yet," Ryan replied quietly. "They've taken him for a scan to check he hasn't got a fracture or internal bleeding."

"I'm sure that's just routine for a head injury," Drew said reassuringly, patting him on the back.

As the minutes passed Kathy and the rest of the guys started to arrive, all asking about Colin. Ryan sat quietly letting Drew answer any questions. His anger was slowly fading, replaced by worry and a creeping feeling of guilt. He knew Greg wasn't the only one to blame for this. If he'd stepped back when Colin had told him to this would never have happened, but he hadn't. He'd let his temper get the better of him and Colin had paid the price. He glanced over at Greg who was sitting away from everyone else with a cup of coffee, his face a picture of misery and remorse.

"Mr Stiles?"

Ryan looked around to see the doctor approaching and quickly got to his feet, everyone else following suit.

"How is he?" Ryan asked worriedly.

"He's resting comfortably," the doctor said, stopping and crossing his arms. "His scan showed no signs of a skull fracture or bleeding which is good news, but he does have a bad concussion so we'd like to keep him in overnight for observation."

"Can we see him?" Brad asked hopefully.

"Of course," the doctor replied, "but only a few of you at a time please and, just to warn you, he will be very sleepy for a while. You'll find him down the hall, fourth door on the left."

Ryan thanked him and turned to Greg as the doctor moved away.

"You coming?"

Greg looked shocked for a moment before nodding gratefully as the rest of the guys sat back down to wait their turn. As Ryan began to walk down the corridor Greg reached out and stopped him, Ryan turning to him questioningly.

"I'm sorry, Ryan," Greg began earnestly. "I swear I never meant to hurt Colin. I know there's no excuse for my behaviour and I don't expect you to forgive me."

Ryan looked down and sighed before looking back up at Greg.

"Look Greg," he said quietly, "we both said and did some things back there which we regret and we're both to blame for what happened. Let's just put it behind us and move on, okay?"

Greg smiled slightly and nodded. "Thanks, man."

As they entered Colin's room they saw him propped up on pillows with his eyes closed and a large bandage around his head. Ryan walked quietly to Colin's side and bent down to give him a gentle kiss on the lips.

"Mmmm, I know your lips," Colin said, opening his eyes and smiling sleepily at Ryan.

Ryan grinned and sat down in the chair next to his bed. "How are you feeling?" he asked as Colin noticed Greg standing in the doorway.

"A bit groggy but I'll live. They've given me strong painkillers," Colin replied. He paused for a moment, then said "You two stopped fighting then?" as he looked between Greg and Ryan with a smirk.

"Yeah," Ryan replied, taking Colin's hand and kissing it, "your melodramatics put an end to that."

"Glad to hear I can be of use," Colin grinned before turning to Greg. "Are you going to loiter in the doorway all day, or are you coming in?" he asked.

Ryan chuckled as Greg shuffled into the room, his gaze on the floor.

"I'm so sorry, Col," he said sorrowfully, looking up at Colin.

"Hey, it was an accident," Colin said firmly, holding out his free hand which Greg moved to take. "Listen, I realize you're having a rough time at the moment and I want you to know that, if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here. Okay?"

Greg swallowed the lump in his throat and said, "Thanks Col. I don't deserve such good friends, and I want you to know that I really am happy for you two."

Colin smiled and squeezed his hand before resting his head back on the pillow and closing his eyes. Greg decided to give them some time alone and he nodded to Ryan before moving away. He caught a last glimpse of Ryan lovingly stroking the back of Colin's hand before quietly closing the door behind him, wondering to himself if they knew just how lucky they were.