If Only You Were Mine. . .

This is the 7th chapter of 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.

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"I got a picture of you in my mind, never knew it could be so wrong. . ." Eloy stood at the side of the stage watching Boyzone's performance intently. He tapped his feet along to their final song, Picture Of You. 'What a great song!' he thought. He'd only just gone out and bought Boyzone's latest album. He smiled to himself as he remembered the rest of Caught In The Act claiming that Eloy only bought it to "research" Stephen.

Eloy continued to watch Boyzone on stage, paying particular close attention to Stephen. 'He sure can move!' Eloy thought to himself affectionately. Eloy had been absolutely transfixed by the show. It was definitely the most amazing live performance he'd seen in years! Eloy had actually thought that Stephen made a good John Travolta. 'And how did they manage to get Shane in those tight jeans?' Eloy laughed to himself.

Looking back to the stage, he realised the show was almost over. Suddenly, there was a big flash and the stage was empty. Eloy, of course, could see that they had disappeared under trap doors but, to the audience, they had just gone. There was loud screams as the big screens around the arena showed Boyzone leaving the building. Eloy carefully looked out into the crowd, reading some of the banners on display. There were some very rude ones, like "Shane show us your Lynchbox", but Stephen seemed to get the clean ones, Eloy noticed. They ranged from "We Love You Stephen" to "Blow Us A Kiss Stephen". Eloy quickly realised that these girls were mad about Stephen, and felt very motherly towards him. Eloy sighed, quietly thinking about the consequences that were bound to arise from their relationship. Eloy knew that when they did start their relationship, it would only be a matter of time before the press caught on to it, and then the fans found out. 'It'll break their hearts,' Eloy thought. 'But, something just feels so right about this. Like whatever happens is meant to be. . .'

Eloy was interrupted by several loud whoops of joy. The band were back after getting changed out of their stage clothes.

"Ah, that was great lads! The best gig! No mistakes, it was perfect!" Ronan was saying. There were several more ecstatic yelps of joy before the group reached Eloy. Smiling, Eloy greeted Stephen. "Hey," he exclaimed. "You were great!" He pulled Stephen into a fierce hug. Embarrassed, he pulled away again. "You were really great."

Looking up at Eloy, Stephen grinned. "I was okay during the Grease bit wasn't I? I'm trying to impress Andrew Lloyd-Webber, you see!"

Eloy laughed. "You were fantastic!" Whispering, he bent down until his lips were level with Stephen's ear. "How on earth did you get Shane into those tight trousers?"

Stephen chuckled. "It wasn't easy, believe me! We practically had to force him into them! But Louis had a word. No one messes with him!"

Both men started giggling, whilst looking over in Shane's direction at the same time. Shane walked over to them. "What's so funny?" he demanded.

"Oh nothing," Stephen said nonchalantly. "Just thinking about you in your tight jeans!" Shane stomped off, grumbling as he went. This made Stephen and Eloy laugh even harder. Their laughter was cut short by a loud rumble. Stephen looked down at his stomach, willing it to stop.

"Someone's hungry. . ." Eloy pointed out. "Fancy some chips?"

Stephen looked surprised at Eloy's suggestion. "What? Down by the beach? Are you sure they'll still be open?"

"There's only one way to find out. . ." Eloy grabbed Stephen's hand, pulling him out of the backstage door, and towards the beach. They ran down the road giggling like a pair of lovestruck teenagers. Ronan watched them leave, saying to the rest of the band, "Lads? Stephen's in love."

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Walking towards the beach, Stephen and Eloy were relieved to see that there was barely anyone there. Scouring the beach, Stephen noticed an old man and his dog, a young couple, some teenagers and an elderly couple. Stephen's stomach then grumbled again. He pushed down hard on his stomach with his fingers, trying to make it stop. Eloy chuckled as he realised Stephen was actually asking his stomach to stop. 'As if it's actually able to listen!' Eloy thought.

"Ah yes, food!" Stephen exclaimed, pointing over towards the chip shop which was, thankfully, open. Sauntering inside, Stephen felt uneasy as he realised the woman serving had instantly recognised him. Stephen waited patiently whilst Eloy placed their order- 2 large portions of chips. Stephen heard his stomach rumble again at the sight of delicious smelling food. Just before leaving, the woman serving asked Stephen for his autograph 20 times over. "For family and friends," she explained. Stephen sighed as he began to sign his autograph 20 times. Before he had chance to write a second one, Eloy placed his hand over Stephen's, looking at the woman.

"He's not working at the moment, so he'll only sign one. I think you're being very selfish to ask him for so many. But, of course, he's far too polite to say anything." Stephen gratefully looked up at Eloy, as the woman apologised, gracefully accepting her one autograph. Linking arms, the 2 men left the chip shop and headed down towards the beach. They both gasped as they reached their destination, marvelling at how beautiful and romantic it was so late at night. Taking off their shoes, they walked through the sand in silence, eating their chips. Eloy stared at Stephen, before casually placing his fingers through Stephen's so that they were holding hands. Stephen didn't resist.

"Mmmmm, these are just SO good!" Stephen said.

Eloy laughed. "Well, they must be- you've stopped rumbling!" Stephen blushed.

Breathing in the fresh sea air, Stephen said, "We should be getting back soon. After all, you've got a plane to catch tomorrow morning and I've got another gig!"

Eloy suddenly stopped in his tracks, turning to face Stephen. "Have you ever tried skinny dipping?" he casually asked. Stephen nearly choked on his chips at the mention.

"Um. . . what. . . like, swimming naked you mean?" Eloy nodded. Stephen went as red as one person could possibly go. "Well, only as a kid but. . . why do you ask?"

Eloy smiled. "How about now?" He began to take his shirt off. Stephen looked like he was about to have a heart attack. Placing one hand over Eloy's, he pulled his shirt back down.

"No way! Are you crazy? No. Absolutely not." He stubbornly crossed his arms.

Eloy laughed. "I knew you'd say no. I just wanted to see the look on your face!" Stephen was completely speechless as Eloy ran along the beach, leaving Stephen to chase after him. When he finally caught up, they collapsed in a heap on the beach. Getting their breath back, they stared at each other, before Eloy leaned towards Stephen and kissed him passionately on the lips. As Eloy pulled away, Stephen opened his eyes. Eloy placed one arm around Stephen, who lay his head upon Eloy's chest. They lay like that for the rest of the night, before waking up in the morning just in time to see the sun rise. . .

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It was Sunday 27th September 1998. Louis Walsh was spitting fire because Stephen had seemingly disappeared. Ronan had gone off to find him 2 hours previously and hadn't returned.

"That's just great!" Louis was shouting. "Now the 2 main members of Boyzone have disappeared! Without them, there IS no Boyzone!" Shane shot Louis an evil look from his place in the hotel lobby.

"Just because they sing lead, does not mean they are more important than the rest of us," Shane retorted. Louis rolled his eyes.

"Give it a rest Shane. I've more important things to worry about."

Just as Louis looked like he was about to explode, Ronan reappeared. Without Stephen.

"Where IS he?!?!?!?" Louis screamed, looking very displeased at Ronan's smiling face. "Well?"

"Down on the beach," Ronan replied.

"Well, what's he doing down there?" The rest of Boyzone and their entourage gathered around to listen to Ronan's explanation.

"He's curled up on the beach with Eloy's arms around him. I daren't disturb them."

"You mean he's been down there ALL night?" Louis exclaimed, growing more displeased by the minute.

"Looks like it," Ronan replied.

Louis made some sort of verbal sound, which sounded like a growl, which could only mean one thing. He was angry.

"Oh, leave him alone Louis. He's falling in love. Just be happy for him."

Louis glared at Ronan, before his eyes focussed on something outside. Boyzone and their entourage turned to look. Stephen and Eloy were outside, almost hidden from view, enjoying a long and lingering kiss. Stephen then waved goodbye to Eloy, before entering the hotel.

"I'd be more careful, if I were you Steve. Anybody could have seen you," Louis warned, before storming off.

"Ah, just ignore him Steve. He's just in a bad mood," Mikey said.

Stephen smiled, before heading off to his hotel room. He knew Louis was right though. They WOULD have to be careful in future. Stephen was fed up of trying to hide his sexuality though. 'It's not like there haven't been rumours' Stephen thought bitterly. Stephen suddenly stopped in his tracks. There was an empty feeling in his stomach. 'Christ,' he thought. 'I'm missing Eloy already! Is this what being in love feels like?' he wondered. As him and Eloy had said goodbye, they had promised not to see each other again until the night of Popcorn Live. Stephen respected the fact that Eloy wanted to tie up all the loose ends with Caught In The Act before entering into a serious relationship. Stephen thought it was quite sweet that Eloy wanted to wait until he could fully concentrate on his and Stephen's relationship. Stephen smiled. Although he wasn't the most patient of people, Stephen knew that he loved Eloy enough to wait for him. And so, wait he did. . .

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