LATER

Ryan walked back into the reception and was stunned to the spot as she saw Roxie stood before her.

"So its true then?" asked Roxie

"What?"

"I didn't believe him then he got really convincing but I thought no I'll give her the benefit of the doubt and I'll ask her but that nervous demeanor right there told me everything I wanted to know. Why did you tell me who he was?"

"I don't know. No I do know but you'll think I'm crazy"

"That's got to be better than what I'm already thinking about you"

"I wanted some answers from him and I knew if you found who he was you'd run him off. When you hooked up with him I didn't know what to do. I knew if I showed I had a problem with him you'd wanna know why and as people keep telling me I'm not a good liar"

"I don't know you kept the fact you were fucking him quiet"

"Roxie I wish I could get you to understand. It wasn't that I didn't care about you its just he has this…hold…the same hold he had on me before. I never got over him I was biding my time waiting for him to come back. It doesn't mean I didn't love Randy I just had unfinished business with him"

"That included sleeping with him in my bed?"

Ryan hung her head in shame and spoke into her chest.

"I can't explain it to anyone the only way you could understand it is if you felt what I feel when he's around"

"Hold or not you betrayed me"

"I know I was wrong and I know its going to take time for you to forgive me and I'll wait. Just remember that you saw what he did to me…it seemed like I was over him because he wasn't there"

Roxie found herself feeling compassion for her friend but she couldn't help but feel hurt and betrayed by her. Roxie looked at her friend and without saying a word she turned and walked away. This time Ryan stood completely calm as she'd expected a worse reaction than that from Roxie.

LATER

Eliza had left for the day and Ryan was finishing off and getting ready to close up when the door opened. Ryan heard the door and turned to see who it was and she stood frozen to the spot as she saw Sean walking across the room.

"Get out" she screamed

"I can't do that" he said walking behind the desk and standing in front of her

"The secrets out now so there's nothing stopping us both getting what we want"

"You seriously think that you telling Randy and Roxie about us is a turn on? You expect me to jump your bones?"

"Oh don't kid yourself Ry. The scalded little victim doesn't work for you. You knew exactly what you were doing and you could have put a stop to it at anytime and you didn't. Be thankful I didn't tell them about your birthday"

"What about your birthday?"

Sean moved aside and Ryan's heart sank as she saw Randy walking towards them.

"Oh Randy always a pleasure" he said putting his arm around Ryan who pushed him away immediately

"What about your birthday?"

Ryan didn't dare answer him as she knew that look he was giving would soon turn into a look of disappointment.

"Tell him Ryan…" began Sean as she walked out from behind the desk "Tell him how you, Roxie and myself went out to celebrate and we left Roxie to go have a little party of our own in the ladies room"

Randy looked at Sean who stood inches away from him. He then looked back at Ryan with that look of disappointment that she didn't want to see. Suddenly Randy turned around and punched Sean in the face knocking him to the ground he then began to pummel him. Ryan ran from behind the desk and grabbed hold of Randy and pleaded with him to stop.

"Randy stop it please he's not worth it. Randy!" she screeched

Randy pulled away leaving Sean in a bloody mess on the floor. He crawled slowly across the floor and pulled himself up against the couches in the waiting area. Ryan was stood holding Randy back as they both watched on.

"Get out" screamed Randy

Sean stared at them and then directly at Ryan.

"You'll never have it with him" he said before he walked out of the building

Randy pulled away from Ryan's grasp and rubbed his head as he paced around in frustration.

"I'm trying to be supportive and not judge you. I really really am but you are making it so hard" Randy walked up to her and got in her face "You slept with him in the ladies room of a club on your birthday while your best friend waited at the bar?" he screamed

"I'm a whore, I'm a dirty disgusting, betraying whore. I should come with a warning sign 'Lock up all husbands and boyfriends'. Is that what you want? You want me to declare it to the world that I'm a slut?"

"You're not a slut. That's what I don't get. You're not a bad person and you wouldn't hurt Roxie. What did he do to you?"

Ryan looked everywhere she could to avoid looking at Randy but he held her head in his hands and made her look directly at him.

"This what you're doing now being here, trying to be supportive. You're doing it because you love me"

Randy let go of her face and stepped back. He didn't know his own feelings and he couldn't understand how she could make such a declaration.

"Where's you going with this?"

"It scares you, you're the player the guy who has a girl in every city and can get any girl he wants. I knew you when I met you and I expected nothing from you but you kept coming back and you kept treating me like I was the only girl in the room. Your eyes never wandered and even though Roxie kept telling me you were hooking up all over the country and I was just another girl I knew I wasn't. You looked at me the same way I looked at him. And you feel like you have to do anything and everything to keep me even if you don't want to. Like the time I dragged you to the opera you didn't want to go but you didn't want to say no. I was exactly the same way with him. When it was just me and Sean he treated me like a princess and made me feel special and I fell deeper and harder for him with every passing day. I felt I had to work two jobs and pay to keep him because I loved him and didn't want to lose him. When he was treating me like crap hooking up with all these girls I didn't see that he was doing anything wrong I felt it was my fault that I wasn't a good enough girlfriend. And now stood here telling you this I feel like an idiot because I know that's not the way it is or was…I know that now but then I didn't. Then he left and I did hit rock bottom because I couldn't understand what I'd done that was so wrong that he had to pack and leave in the middle of the night. It tortured me and then I met you and I started to feel the same way I had with Sean with you but it was better with you because you treated me right all the time you never hurt me. Then he came back and even though I was in love with you I still had those same feelings for him but this time they were wrapped up in anger. I was angry with him then he started showing interest in me and the anger went away and it was a battle between my head and my heart and I gave in and now I've lost the two people I truly do love. I have to live with that but on the bright side I'll be smarter next time. They'll be no repeat performance of Sean with him or any other jerkoff. I just need to get through this and you shouldn't have to be supportive, I did a bad thing and you have every right to hate me"

"I don't hate you"

"No you love me…but it's wrapped in anger. Be angry Randy shout, kick, scream even throw things but just don't give me sympathy, compassion or support because I deserve it"

Randy looked at Ryan and moved in his lips meshing with hers. He kissed her softly and tugged on her bottom lip as he parted.

"I err…"

"Have to go…I know"

"I'm coming back"

"Don't say it if you don't mean it"

Randy pulled away completely from Ryan and walked away and out of the building leaving Ryan all alone. Something she knew she'd have to get used to.

THE NEXT DAY

Eliza walked into the building carrying her bag and a portfolio.

"Rachel follow me"

"My names Samantha"

Eliza stopped and looked back at the reception desk to find a mousy little girl sat in Ryan's place.

"Who are you?"

"I'm the temp"

"Temp?"

"Yeah Miss McMahon called the agency last night to hire a temp. She also left you this" said the girl walking from behind the desk and handing Eliza an envelope. Eliza looked at the girl and turned to walk away the girl stood and watched.

"This is the part where you follow me with a notepad in hand" said Eliza as she walked out of sight.

A Little While Later

"Is that all?" asked Samantha

"Yes you can go" said Eliza

Samantha left the office and Eliza opened the envelope left by Ryan. She pulled out an A4 piece of paper folded in half as she unfolded it something fell out and onto the desk. Eliza picked it up and saw a picture of herself sat in the studio with her glasses on the end of her nose a pencil in her ear and her shoes off. She turned the picture over to see written on the back:

'You're right reality is more beautiful'

Eliza smiled and placed the picture against a frame on her desk. She then proceeded to read the letter.

Dear Eliza

I would first like to apologise to you for any inconvenience the situation between myself and Sean caused you or the business. Also I apologise for leaving so suddenly. I had to take some time off to get through things. If I'd have stayed it would have affected my work and your business it wasn't fair on you. I also completely understand if there isn't a job there for me when I return. I have booked the temp indefintely it's your choice if you want to make her permanent. They say she's the best a girl named Samantha. I left her a manual on how to work the floor although I am incompetent so I probably forgot something. I also called Listers last night and got them to agree to a meeting and a second shoot I know you'll rock it…you always do. I left the information for Samantha to pass on. And finally please don't be mad but I sent a copy of you 'real' pictures to Mr Donovan and his reply was somewhat pleasing…also with Samantha…it's time you got noticed for the right reasons. You should be happy in what you do. When I come back I'll swing around and see if there's still a place behind the reception desk for me. Until then I hope I covered everything and Samantha works out.

Yours sincerely

Ryan McMahon
a.k.a Rachel

Eliza smiled and placed the letter down on the desk she then stood up and out of her office.

"Sandra bring me the fax from Mr Donovan and the information about the meeting and shoot with Listers…don't take all day about it"

AT RYANS APARTMENT

Ryan stuffed the last of her stuff into her case and squashed it down as much as she could in order to fasten it. She successfully managed to fasten it she then heard the door buzzer. She ran over and held the speech button in.

"Hi come on in" she said releasing the door

She then opened her apartment door and went to retrieve her case and bag she pulled them both into the hall just in time to see the door open.

"There's just these…" Ryan stopped midsentence as she saw Roxie stood before her. "Roxie…I thought you were the taxi"

"You're going somewhere?"

"I'm going home for a little while"

"Wow things must be bad if you have to go home"

"Well I made a stupid ridiculously stupid decision that lost me the guy that I love and my best friend whom I would stop the earth moving for. So yeah it's pretty bad"

"And running aways going to make things better?"

"Not for me but it might make it easier on you. No fear of running into me. No stocking up on insults and ways of non verbally crippling me"

"I understand that he was different but the thing that I can't get out of my head is 'Would she do that to me with any other guy? If she can betray me the best friend who she'd the stop the earth moving for, for him…what would stop her doing it with any other guy?'"

"Roxie you know I'm not that girl. It's just him…him…he makes me that girl"

"Whats to say another guy won't do it?"

"What's to say you won't do the same to me?"

"Haven't yet"

"Doesn't mean you wouldn't. You just got to take some things on faith. I hurt you I know I did but now I'm hurting too because I know that you don't wanna be here and that even if you did forgive me things won't be the same for a very long time. I may have been stupid enough to do it once but I'm not suicidal I wouldn't put you or myself through this twice"

"I can't get past it if you're not here"

Ryan looked at a stern faced Roxie who was looking into the room and not at Ryan.

"What are you trying to say?" asked Ryan

Roxie hesitated for a moment "I don't want to be angry at you"

Ryan smiled at Roxie which melted her cold exterior and she smiled back the two girls then hugged it out until they were disturbed by the door buzzer. Ryan walked over and hit the speech button.

"Hello"

"Hi taxi for McMahon"

"Yeah….." Ryan looked back at Roxie "I don't need it to the airport anymore but can you do a fare downtown?"

"Sure"

"Right we'll be right down"

"Where are we going?" asked Roxie

"To celebrate"

"What?"

"The end of him whose name shall not be spoken and to my best friend"

Roxie smiled and walked out the door and Ryan turned off all the lights and walked out of the apartment. As the door slammed shut behind them the phone began to ring.

'Hi this is Ryan's answering machine. Ryan's too busy answering other peoples phones so please leave a message after the…noisy thing you know what I mean…BEEP'

"Hey…I wasn't prepared for the machine I thought we'd just bounce off each other and get through this. Ok I do love you I probably said it to you a thousand and one times now but this…this is the first time my whole hearts been behind it…That doesn't mean I haven't always loved you it just means that the player in me wouldn't let me feel it. I must sound like a moron…I love you and as soon as the shows over tonight I'm coming back to see you. Lets hope you're home by then. I'll see you later"

LATER

Ryan and Roxie fell back into Ryan's apartment heavily intoxicated they stumbled over to the seats.

"That was fun" laughed Roxie

"We probably should have stopped like three hours ago but we're celebrating. I need a drink" said Ryan struggling to get out of the chair then making her way to the kitchen to retrieve a bottle of wine. As she was getting the glasses a knock came at the door. Ryan tripped over to the door and answered it only to be stunned sober by the presence of Randy.

"Randy what are you doing here?"

"I left you a message"

"We just got back"

Randy looked over to see Roxie asleep on the couch behind Ryan.

"Can I come in?" he asked

"Yeah sure" she said stepping backwards and almost stumbling Randy caught her and pulled her back to her feet. "I'm ok"

"No you're drunk" smiled Randy sweeping her up into his arms and taking her into her room and placing her down on the bed. "Go to sleep"

"You stay with me"

"I'm not going anywhere" he said laying down beside her

THE NEXT MORNING

Ryan woke up to feel Randy's huge arms encircling her and holding her tight. She smiled as she vaguely remembered the night before. She then remembered he said he'd left a message which she'd never picked up. She carefully manoeuvred herself from his arms and walked into the living area where she saw Roxie flat out on the couch. She smiled and walked over to the answer machine.

'You have one message' said the machine before proceeding

"Hey…I wasn't prepared for the machine I thought we'd just bounce off each other and get through this. Ok I do love you I probably said it to you a thousand and one times now but this…this is the first time my whole hearts been behind it…That doesn't mean I haven't always loved you it just means that the player in me wouldn't let me feel it. I must sound like a moron…I love you and as soon as the shows over tonight I'm coming back to see you. Lets hope you're home by then. I'll see you later"

Ryan smiled to herself.

"Well the smiles a good sign" said Randy sauntering tiredly over to Ryan

"Told you that you loved me" she said wrapping her arms around the back of his neck with Randy quickly wrapping his around her waist the duo kissed sweetly and shortly.

"Lets go to bed" suggested Randy

"What about…?" asked Ryan gesturing to Roxie

"We'll be quiet"

"No we won't" smiled Ryan as Randy took her hand and led her into the bedroom.

LATER

Ryan stood and took a huge breath before she opened the door and walked into Eliza's studio.

"Hello welcome to Eliza Duquettes Fine Photography my names Samantha" she said running over to Ryan and shaking her hand vigorously "How can I help you?"

"Too full on"

"Excuse me?" asked Samantha

"You're too full on"

"Thank God somebody told her she's like cheerleader Barbie or something" said Eliza walking down the stairs "Coffees Sandra" Ryan smiled as she realised Rachel didn't mean anything it was just a way of Eliza taking power.

"Yes Eliza" Samantha collected her coat and ran out of the building and Ryan chuckled

"So you're back?" asked Eliza

"I didn't go things somehow worked themselves out. My ballerina boyfriend doesn't hate me and Isabelle" Ryan chuckled to herself again "she forgave me too and best of all Sean seems to have disappeared"

"Wow if that were true it would be great wouldn't it?"

Ryan and Eliza simutaneously looked around to see Sean before them. His face badly bruised and a cut above his eyebrow and on his lip.

"What are you doing here?"

"I've come back to work. I couldn't before as the ballerina boyfriend beat me up"

Sean tried to walk around the back of the desk but Eliza stepped in his way.

"Eliza?" asked Sean

"Mr Slater when you failed to turn up to work I found it necessary to replace you and she's a much more suitable assistant for a start she assists and another she doesn't alienate my staff. So I would appreciate it very much if you would leave the premises. And Mr Slater if you refuse to do so I have no qualms in calling for assistance and I believe we have a panic button that is directly connected to the local police presinct"

Sean looked over at Ryan.

"I'm over this place anyway" he said before walking out of the building

"Thank you so much" said Ryan

"You're welcome"

"So do I still have a seat behind that desk?" asked Ryan in hope

"I'm afraid I'm sorry…" Ryan sighed and shook her head she couldn't believe that one day had cost her, her job "You see I want you to come back as a junior photographer"

Ryan looked up at Eliza in disbelief "What?"

"That shot of me it was amazing. You captured the moment, the lighting was fantastic and you deserve it you have for a long time but I didn't want to lose the best assistant I'd ever had. However I figured by keeping you on you could help Sandra. Also Mr Donovan loved your proposal and I now have a huge account that needs more than one photographer on it"

"Oh my God this is amazing. Thank you" she said hugging Eliza who was thrown for a moment and then smiled and hugged her back. Ryan pulled her away. "I know this is really bad timing and all but could I leave?"

"For?"

"I have two people I need to go and tell"

Eliza smiled and nodded. Ryan walked towards the door.

"But Ryan…" Ryan turned back and smiled as for the first time Eliza called her by her name "I will not tolerate tardiness in the future and you only stop working when I say so"

"Yes Eliza" Ryan smiled again and left the building to go home and tell the man she loved and her best friend the good news.