If Only You Were Mine. . .

This is the 5th part in a Stephen and Eloy fanfic I wrote about a year ago (2000) about the beginning of the relationship. As I, and nobody else, knows the 'real' truth about how they first got together, I thought you might like to read this completely fictional piece of work which I would like to think is how they got together. In some instances, real events are portrayed.

* * *

"I can't do it, Stephen. I just CAN'T!"

"There's no such word as CAN'T!" Stephen said sternly. The other voice continued to whine.

"Look, I'm no Olivia Newton-John! Whose idea was this stupid Grease Medley anyway?" Viveen pouted, arms crossed, adamant that she couldn't do the dance moves.

It was the middle of September and Boyzone were rehearsing for their UK tour. Viveen Wray, one of Boyzone's backing singers, was in the middle of a row with Stephen, claiming she couldn't do the dance moves for You're The One That I Want, a duet she and Stephen would be singing as part of the Grease Medley.

Stephen smiled. "Here, let me show you." Viveen watched as Stephen danced, step perfect, to a backing tape of the famous Grease song. Viveen was impressed.

"Wow, Steve, that was great!" Stephen grinned. Suddenly, he pulled her close, and began to teach her the dance moves step by step. Soon, they were dancing in perfect time to each other.

"YOU'RE THE ONE THAT WANT!" As the song finished, Viveen and Stephen collapsed laughing to the ground.

"See? You CAN do it!" Stephen smiled, pleased at how quickly Viveen had learnt the dance routine off him. 'God love her,' Stephen thought affectionately, 'She's a fantastic singer but she sure as hell can't dance!'

Stephen and Viveen sat for a moment, trying to get their breath back. The door to the dance studio opened and Louis Walsh walked in, talking hysterically into his mobile phone.

"I don't care what it is! It's not like they're that big in Germany anyway! No, I'm sorry, they can't do it. They have to promote their new single in the UK instead."

Stephen and the rest of Boyzone looked up intently at Louis as soon as he finished his call.

Louis looked down, smiling. "Just cancelling a gig you were meant to be doing in Germany next month. You can promote the new single instead." There was a look of relief across Ronan's face as Louis gave them the news. None of the band really liked playing in Germany. They loved their German fans, but they had never quite made it over there. That, along with America, was the one market that had so far eluded them. No Matter What had reached number 2 over there, but Ronan doubted whether they'll ever have another single reach that high over there again. Ronan looked over at the rest of the lads. They all seemed to be relieved at the news too. All except for Stephen, that is. Ronan looked over at him with a puzzled look.

"That wouldn't be the Popcorn Live gig, would it?" Stephen questioned, his heart pounding, worried at the answer Louis was going to give him.

"Yep. Why?"

Stephen's face fell. "Oh. . . No reason. I-I-I just wondered, that's all."

Louis laughed. "It's bound to be tacky. After all, they've got some bloke from Caught In The Act presenting it- that'll be his last job. He'll be working at McDonald's next!"

Stephen's face went red with anger. He said, defensively, "Eloy is NOT tacky! He's a wonderful person and I love him to bits!" There was a stunned silence around the room. Stephen felt flushed at the thought of what he just said. Louis, Viveen, Ronan, Shane, Keith and Mikey stared at him. Stephen could feel his face burning up. Standing up, he turned and left the room. "Eloy, I need you," he whispered, staring up at the ceiling. . .

* * *

Eloy stared at the beautiful woman stood before him. "Wow. . ." he whispered. Unable to say anything else, he looked her up and down, gasping in admiration at her stunning beauty.

"Do I look okay? Really? Like a princess?"

Eloy smiled, tears welling up in his eyes. "You look wonderful, Lucienne. My beautiful sister. . ." His voice trailed off as Lucienne left his bedroom to get changed out of her bridal dress. Eloy smiled. In just 2 months, Lucienne would be getting married to Andries. They had picked the beautiful location of Gouda as the place where they'd be getting married. It was just perfect and Eloy really couldn't wait for the big day. He knew his mum was excited too. 'Well, this will be the only time she will be able to see one of her children get married,' he thought wryly. The shrill ring of the telephone suddenly interrupted Eloy's thoughts.

"Hello?" he answered.

The voice at the other end cleared his throat. "Um, hi. Um, this is Ronan Keating."

"Oh. Hi. What do you want?" he asked, sounding surprised at who was phoning him. Although he knew Ronan, he wasn't good friends with him like he was with Stephen. "Stephen. . ." Eloy whispered, almost able to smell his unique scent.

"What?" Ronan asked. Choosing to ignore what Eloy had just said, he explained to him what he wanted. "I just thought you ought to know something. You're really hurting Stephen. He's been so miserable since he left you a month ago. Now, I don't know what happened between you two, but what I do know is that Stephen LOVES you. He said do himself. I've never seen him like this before. He is just so sad without you. He needs to know whether you feel the same and, whether you do or you don't, he certainly doesn't want to lose your friendship. You need to talk to him, okay? Do it for Stephen. Please?"

There was silence. "Eloy? You still there?"

Shaking his head, Eloy replied, "Yeah, I'm still here. Just thinking that's all. Look Ronan. I haven't stopped thinking about Stephen since the night we. . . Well, the night of the last concert, but I'm not sure whether getting into a relationship right now would be such a good idea. I'll speak to him when you guys are down at the Popcorn concert."

"We're not going."

"Oh. . ." Eloy couldn't disguise the disappointment in his voice. Ronan sighed.

"Look, I'll have a word with the manager. See if I can change his mind. In the meantime, think about what I said, okay?"

After Eloy and Ronan finished their conversation, Eloy lay on his bed, confused thoughts running through his mind. Closing his eyes, he could see Stephen's face as they had kissed that night. Eloy smiled, in a way knowing that their kiss that night had been meant to be, and what happened afterwards was also meant to be. Eloy knew that if they could get through this, they could get through anything.

* * *

Stephen looked up at Keith, still embarrassed by his little outburst from earlier on. "Do you want to talk about it?" Keith asked in a kind voice. Stephen nodded, relieved that he was finally able to tell someone about his and Eloy's night together. Taking a deep breath, Stephen slowly began to tell Keith what had happened that night.

"It was absolutely incredible. I mean, one minute we were just friends, the next minute we were waking up together! Neither of us planned it. It just sort of happened. But now I think I've ruined everything! Eloy hasn't called me since that night and I just can't stop thinking about him. It's driving me crazy!"

Keith smiled, sympathetically, although he didn't think he was the right person to be talking to Stephen about this. He had known Lisa since before Boyzone and so he had forgotten what it was like to be in the same predicament as Stephen! Ronan, however, had only gone through the same sort of thing a few months previously. 'He would certainly be the best person for Stephen to talk to,' Keith thought to himself.

Ronan suddenly popped his head around the door. "Everything okay?" he inquired. Keith nodded, signalling for Ronan to speak to Stephen. Getting up, Keith squeezed Stephen's arm, before leaving, closing the door behind him.

Ronan sat, looking expectantly at Stephen. Stephen then began to tell him exactly what he told Keith. Ronan sighed, pausing before giving Stephen some advice; advice which he had learnt from his experience with Yvonne. "You know Steo, sometimes you have to take a chance with these things. Sometimes you have to take a risk. It is scary, but it can really be worth it. Getting into a relationship with a friend can often turn out to be the best thing in the world. But, often it could all go wrong. But, you're not going to know unless you try. Look, Eloy would never have let it go that far if he didn't have some feelings for you. Sure, he hasn't contacted you since, but he probably is too embarrassed- and maybe a little unsure as to whether you feel the same way as he does." Ronan stopped, looking where Stephen lay. He was smiling.

"Thanks Ro. I guess we need to sit down and discuss this like adults." Ronan nodded, before getting up to leave.

"And Steve? You've got far too much in common for this relationship not to work out."

Smiling, Stephen watched as Ronan left him by himself. Suddenly, Stephen heard his mobile phone ringing. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his slim line Nokia model, gasping as he saw it said "ELOY CALLING" on the screen. His hand trembling, he answered, his voice a mere squeak as he said hello.

He heard Eloy sigh, before saying, "We need to talk."

Stephen agreed, knowing Eloy was right. It just wasn't fair to mess with each other's emotions like this. Eloy agreed to come and see Boyzone's opening tour night in Bournemouth the following week. Saying goodbye, Stephen placed his phone back in his pocket, unsure as to what the future was going to bring for them. . .

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