The silence was almost eery. If he hadn't left his hat backstage, he wouldn't be going back two hours after the taping had wrapped. He and Colin Mochrie had gone out to eat afterwards, and then Colin dropped him back at the Whose Line? soundstage to get his hat.

His eyes fell on her. Her long auburn hair--the color and cut were always changing, but he liked it best when it was auburn--hung down over her shoulders. She was seated at the edge of the stage, her knees drawn to her chest, her arms resting across them. Her gaze was locked in a blank stare.

"Josie, what are you doing here?" Ryan Stiles asked, walking towards her.

Josie Lawrence's head snapped up. "Ryan, you scared me!"

"You scared me--what are you doing sitting here in the dark alone?"

"I realized this was going to be my last show," Josie said softly.

"Oh, that's right." Ryan looked down at her. "Want some company?"

"No, no--I think I'm going to go before I decide to stay forever."

He was silently begging her to stay...forever.

Josie pulled herself up to her full height, only coming up to Ryan's shoulders. She knew she couldn't look at him. The feelings she had inside for the tall, handsome--and married--man would show.

Josie and Ryan had worked together on Whose Line? for a long time. With each show, Josie found herself yearning for Ryan. She managed to keep it hidden onstage, but at night at home, lying in bed alone, she often cried over him.

"Josie." Ryan's hand rested on her arm. She unconsciously stiffened at his touch. He managed to make eye contact. "Good luck with whatever you do."

"Thank you," Josie whispered.

Ryan smiled and drew her into his arms, giving her a tight hug. Josie clung to him, but she finally pulled away, knowing she had to.

Ryan and Josie looked at each other. Josie saw quiet gentleness in his eyes--she knew she was a fool for never telling him! But he was married!

Suddenly, Josie was aware of Ryan's arms encircling her waist. She looked back up at him. Their faces moved closer and closer...

"Ryan, did you find it?"

Josie jumped back at Colin Mochrie's voice. He was standing at the top of the seating, barely concealed by shadows.

"Uh...yeah...yeah, I did." Ryan dashed backstage and came back with the hat. "I'll be right there."

Colin disappeared.

"Josie, I want you to take my hat."

Josie reached out to take the hat, brushing Ryan's hands with her own, as the buzzer sounded. The audience clapped as Josie, Ryan and Colin went back to their seats.

"That has to be the saddest game of Narrate that I've ever seen...that'll never make the airing of the show," Clive Anderson remarked.

"Too bad, since it is Josie's last one...I think we owed her some real acting," Colin said.

"From who?" Clive joked. The audience laughed.

Ryan and Josie looked at each other, smiled...and went on disguising their emotions.