August 15, 2001

Disclaimer: I do not know Ryan Stiles, Drew Carey or any other cast member personally. I have never met any of them. This story is purely fictional. The Drew Carey Show and the characters contained belong to Warner Brothers & AOL Time Warner/ Mohawk Productions. Cherilyn Matthews/Jennifer Nakamoto is a character that I have created. I have used the characters/settings (i.e.: The Warsaw) from the Drew Carey Show (without permission) to write my first fan fiction. If you have any problems or would like to use her in one of your stories, please email me first @ tweety@hi.net. Mahalo Nui Loa. Thank You Very Much. The Fiction Starts Now…

Author’s Note: Part 6 of Finally Found Someone is dedicated to my dear online buddy, Gail and to her love of Drew Carey. J I hope that you enjoy this part of the story. I just finished writing this morning (August 15^th) and I decided to start typing because Gail, Jamie, and Liv so subtly asked me to. *LoL* Here we go!

The studio parking lot was still pretty empty when Cal had dropped Cherilyn Matthews off. Cher yawned and wiped the sleep away from her eyes being careful not to smear her makeup. She slowly made her way up to the front doors of the studio.

A dark figure tapped her shoulder from behind. Startled, she jumped up, then turned around to see who it was.

"Hey, you must be Cher. Am I right?" The man was taller than her, but was not even close to Ryan’s giraffe-like stature. He had dirty blond hair and thin rimmed spectacles. In one hand, he held a lit cigarette. The other hand, he held out in front of him.

"Yes," She stuttered nervously. "I’m Cher, Cherilyn Matthews. Uh, so what brings you all the way from San Francisco?"

He laughed, "So, you know who I am then? Well, Drew invited some of the guys to come watch the tapings this week." He inhaled one last time, then stepped on his cigarette and dug it into the ground with his heel.

"I see," She relaxed a little. This man had an easygoing nature to him.

"Wanna go inside?"

"Sure," Cher grinned. She could not believe she was being so calm while talking to Greg Proops, another favorite actor of her’s. Greg Proops…the Proopdog himself, imagine that!

Greg held the door open for her. "Thanks Greg," She smiled.

"So why are you here so early?" Cher continued. "The tapings don’t start for several hours."

"We are supposed to go over some games and practice for the upcoming season of Whose Line? I wonder where everyone is…"

"Maybe they’re in the lounge." She led the way down the empty hall. Greg followed closely behind her.

Once they had reached the cast lounge, the pair stopped and Greg held the door open for Cher again. Inside, Ryan and Colin were chatting over a cup of coffee, and Chip, Brad, and Wayne were at the pool table.

"Hey Groovekats! Where’s Kathy?" Greg walked over to Ryan, while Cher stood uncomfortably against the door. Ryan, making his way toward her said, "Kathy couldn’t make it today. Her daughter is sick." Once he reached her, he confidently introduced her to the guys she hadn’t met yet.

"Wayne, Brad, Chip, this is Cherilyn Matthews. She’s the one who won the fan fiction contest." Wayne, Brad, and Chip each took turns shaking her hand. Ryan continued to speak, "Cher, I’m sure these guys need no introduction." She blushed. Of course they need no introduction. I am one of the most obsessed Whosers out.

"We’ve heard much about you," Wayne smiled.

"Really?" She glanced at Ryan, then back at Wayne. "I hope they were all good things." What did he say to them?!

On an impulse, Ryan reached over and placed his left hand in Cher’s right. He smiled sweetly at her and she smiled back at him. "Cher is my girlfriend." Ryan announced to his friends. I hope I didn’t embarrass her. Everyone else shouted things like, "When did this happen?", "How long have you been dating?", etc.

After a moment, Cher asked Greg, "How did you know who I was?"

"Drew told me yesterday," He replied.

"Oh okay." She nodded.

At that moment, Drew walked in. Brad said quietly, "Well, speak of the devil."

"Cher, Whose line? is going to be taping starting tomorrow evening. Wanna come?" Drew looked at her.

"Of course I’d love to..but two friends are going to be staying with me…so uh," She sighed.

"Bring them with you. The more the merrier, right?" He winked.

"Yeah, that’s true. Sounds great! What time?"

"I’ll bring you guys," Ryan volunteered, squeezing Cher’s hand just a little. "It’s not going to be out of my way or anything…"

"Wow! Thank you Drew and Ryan. I’ve never attended a Whose Line? taping before."

"Then you’re in for one wild ride," Chip chimed in with a big laugh.

"Hey, we’d better start warming up because we only have a half an hour before we start work," Colin spoke up. He was pretty punctual as far as shows and practices were concerned.

"Okay," Drew said to the guys who had formed a circle around him. Cher had found a seat on a cozy lounge chair. "First game, ‘Questions Only.’ Brad and Ryan’ll start. The scene is..you’re at the zoo and you’re on a tour."

"Why is it so crowded here at the zoo?" Brad started off.

"Isn’t it a tourist trap?" Ryan shot back.

"Don’t your kids like to come here too?"

"Does it look like I have any kids?"

"Yes..it does.." Brad’s cheeks flushed and Drew made a buzzing sound. Chip took his place. "Who are you here with?" He smiled.

"Does my 2,000 pound hippo count?" Ryan joked.

"What’s that disgusting thing beside you?" Chip cringed playfully.

"Hey! Don’t talk about my fiancée like that!" Bzzzzt. Everyone cracked up laughing as Colin stepped in.

Chip said, "Were you here a second ago?"

"Why wouldn’t I have been?"

"Did you see the giraffe?"

"You mean the one over there?" Colin pointed to Ryan.

"Did you see it wave to us?"

"NO!" Colin threw up his arms up and Wayne took his place.

"Who are you?" Chip questioned.

"Why was I not here just before you asked that?"

"Are you my brother?"

"Are you my sister?"

"I hope not." Bzzzt.

"It’s about time," Drew said, Chip took a bow. "Greg, you’re up."

"Why don’t cows fly?" Wayne said.

Greg tried to confuse Wayne. "Isn’t it the same reason that pigs, elephants, and ocelots don’t fly?"

"Isn’t it because if they did fly, they’d crap all over our windshields?"

"Do you think you’re right?"

"Do you think I’m a genius?"

"Do I look stupid to you?"

"Yup!" Wayne started to laugh and everyone else joined in.

"Next game, ‘Sound Effects.’ Ryan and Colin…" Drew started to explain, but got interrupted. Knock, knock.

Ryan, nearest to the door, opened it. Outside, there stood a man in a UPS uniform holding a large basket of flowers. He said, "Is there a Miss Cherilyn Matthews here?"

Cher jumped up in surprise and said, "That’s me." Why is it that every time I see a FedEx truck or a UPS guy, I am reminded of Ozwald? Uniformed men are very sexy.

"These are for you. Can you sign here please?" He pointed to a solid line on a paper attached to his clipboard. Cher signed and he handed the basket to her. She gave the basket to Ryan to hold, and dug into her purse to fish out a tip for the deliverer. After handing the man a few dollars, he left and shut the door behind him.

"Who could those be from?" Cher said, a little too loudly.

"Look there’s a note." Ryan gave the note to her. She opened it and read it to herself. The note read, "I love you, Cher-Bear. You take my breath away. Please keep on smiling to brighten up my day. Love, your S.A."

"Aww, Ryan!!! That was soo sweet of you. I didn’t know you’re a poet." She glanced happily at Ryan, who shook his head. "I didn’t send you these, but I’d like to know who did."

"So would I." Cher wondered.

Ryan eyed his friends, "Was it one of you guys?"

One by one, Greg, Colin, Wayne, Brad, Chip, and Drew each shook their heads, and said, "No, not me." Or "No, I just met her." Since he trusted his friends, he believed them.

"That’s really strange," Cher wanted to know who her secret admirer was almost as much as Ryan did. He pouted and made a sad, puppy-dog face. Then he turned away. Ooh, he’s jealous. That’s so cute. Cher saw this look and gave him a bear hug. "Ryan, I won’t let this other guy get between us, okay?"

Seeing the tension circling the room, Drew said, "We can practice during lunch. Let’s move to the briefing room."

Inside the room, there sat Craig, Christa, Kathy, some writers, the director, and the few others that have lines in that episode. Also, there was Diedrich.

"Diedrich buddy, I’m glad to see you’re up and about, but shouldn’t you be home resting?" Ryan smiled and patted his friend on the shoulder as he passed by.

"I’m fine. Don’t worry about me." Diedrich leaned further back in his reclining chair.

Then Cher waltzed in. "Hey you! I’m sorry I couldn’t be there yesterday. I really wanted to be, but Jamie needed to unpack…How come you didn’t take the day off? I would have."

"I’m great. I mean, I feel great. I don’t think I could stand staying home. I’d die of boredom."

Cher laughed and hugged him tightly. "I was so worried about you. If you had died..I don’t know what I would have done."

Diedrich eased out of the embrace, "Well, I hope you won’t have to find out for a long time." He let an uneasy laugh escape him.

"Diedrich, are you going to be able to handle taping today?" Stanford Hudson, that week’s director asked. "You know, we could always work around your part.."

"I’m fine, Stan," He tried to make sure that everyone knew he would be fine. If I wasn’t fine, would I be here today?!

"Well, just let us know if you need a break."

"Alright, Stan. I may take you up on your offer." He smiled genuinely, glad to know how much support he had behind him.

Knock, knock. Craig was seated closest to the door so he stood up and opened it. Outside stood Drew’s assistant secretary, Laurie. Laurie was a slim, petite woman with brown eyes and brown hair with a reddish tint. She had grown out her hair to the small of her back. Laurie was intelligent and was known for her good looks. Drew had hired her himself.

She held a box in her right hand. "Excuse me, Cher this just arrived for you. The deliverer would not say who it was from." Craig took the heart shaped box from Laurie and handed it to Cher.

"Thanks, Laurie. At least you asked." Cher told her.

"You’re welcome." Laurie called as she walked out the door. Craig quietly shut it behind her.

"When did you become so popular, Cher? It’s not fair!" Christa joked, "We rarely get flowers and chocolates."

"I honestly don’t know."

**11:40 P.M.; Lunch Time – The cast had just gone on break**

Cher was walking down the hall with Ryan, Colin, and Craig. Everyone else had already gone to lunch. Ring, Ring… She dug into her purse and pulled out her cellphone. "Hello?"

"Hey, Cher.."

"GAIL?! Where are you guys?" She shrieked. Ryan, Colin, and Craig covered their ears with their palms. "Oops… I guess that was a little too loud."

"We’re on our way there."

"Well, in order for this to work, we gotta keep you away from Drew. Just until tonight at least. I know!" Cher’s eyes glowed like mini light bulbs. "How about spending the next few hours at the Spa & Salon, to get you ready for tonight? How does that sound? It’ll be my treat."

"That’s okay, you don’t have to pay."

"No, I insist. You deserve star treatment."

"Why, thank you. Which spa?"

"Peaceful Waters Spa and Salon."

"Does Jamie know where it is?"

"She should..we passed by it on the way back to our hotel. I’ll see you in fifteen minutes, okay?"

"Alright. See you then!"

"Ciao." Click.

"Hey, Colin…May I borrow your car?" Cher asked shyly.

"You know what, I’ll drive. I’d like to see Ja..I’d like to meet Gail."

"Oh Colin," Cher teased, "You’ve got it bad."

"What’dya mean?"

"You know what I mean. I can tell ‘cause your face is bright red." She laughed.

"We’ll see you guys back here at one then?" Colin glanced at the two tall men beside him.

"I’m coming with you," insisted Ryan.

"What about me?" Craig said in his adorable Scottish accent.

"But don’t you guys wanna eat lunch?" Cher queried.

"We’d like to go with you and Col." Craig said seriously.

"Alrighty then," Colin lead the way to his car. After everyone had piled in, he started the engine.

Moments passed and they arrived at the Spa & Salon. Jamie and Gail had been waiting for them on a bench waiting for Cher at the front entrance. As soon as Jamie recognized her familiar face, she stood up and waved her arms high hoping Cher would see them. Luckily it worked. Then she saw Colin. Oh my gosh. I didn’t realize Colin was going to come with her..He just saw me looking like an idiot waving my arms in the air, and so did Ryan, and Craig.

Colin, Ryan, and Craig followed Cher toward Jamie and Gail. "Hey Jamie! Hi Gail!" Cher gave them each a hug. Then she said, "Ryan, Colin, and Craig, this is Gail. She is by far, Drew’s biggest fan. But, you guys can’t tell Drew she’s here – it would just ruin everything. Right Ry?" He nodded. The three men shook Gail’s hand. All she could do was just stare in awe.

"Okay," Cher pulled out enough cash for her two friends to spend at Peaceful Waters being pampered and made over for the next few hours. Cher herself was jealous. "Man, I gotta work..I could sure use a mud bath!" Jamie stuffed the money in her wallet.

"Thanks, Cher. We owe you one."

"Nah, just have a good time."

"So, what’s happening tonight Cher?" Gail asked.

"Alright," Cher explained, "He’s gonna meet you at Zia’s at about 8. Don’t forget to bring the new webpage material and stuff like that. Try to stay calm!"

"No problem." Gail’s knees started to buckle. She swallowed hard. Jamie reached over and steadied her.

She giggled, "So, why did you three decide to come along with Cher?"

"Well," Ryan was the first to speak. "Wherever she goes, I go…She’s my girl."

"Really? Congratulations!" Jamie was very happy for her friend. "Col?" Why didn’t Cher tell me?

"I wanted to check on you."

"That’s sweet Col! What about you, Craig?"

"I just came because I don’t get out much." They all laughed.

"Look at the time! We should get going." Cher checked her watch.

"Right..where should we go?" Ryan asked.

Craig shrugged, "I don’t know.."

After a short pause, Jamie remembered something, "Cher, what about the surprise?"

"Oh, um, Stan said that the writers are still building up to it, but we will need you tomorrow." Cher winked.

"Alright, see you later then. Come on, Gail, let’s go inside."

"It was nice meeting you," Gail said. They waved and stepped excitedly through the glass door.

Drew walked over to Stan, who was resting comfortably in his director’s chair. "Stan, how much longer are we going to shoot today?"

"We’ll before we break for the night, I’d like to shoot for at least two more hours. Why? Is that a problem for you?"

"I’m sorry Stan, but a few of us have dates tonight, and we just can’t bail on them." Drew explained as politely as he could.

"But Drew---"

"How about this -- we can start filming early tomorrow because Whose Line? starts taping that night."

Stan was hesitant, but he did not want to upset the celebrity. "Due to circumstances beyond my control, we are done for today. That’s a wrap." He shouted loud enough for the whole cast and crew to hear. "But, since we all have to make some sacrifices, report here tomorrow morning at 8. Also, just for tomorrow, you’ll only receive one hour of lunchtime." Everyone groaned, but soon became satisfied because they had gotten to go home early.

"Ryan," Cher called. "Colin! Wait up!" They both turned around and Cher caught up with them. "So, do you guys know what we’re doing tonight? You’d better not say dinner and a movie!" She joked.

Ryan laughed, "No, I was thinking that the ladies should pick."

"Fine with me," Colin grinned and straightened out his cream colored coat.

"Well, I don’t know, I was sort of depending on you guys to pick." Cher smiled sheepishly.

"Okay then..Let’s go to Disneyland." Colin suggested.

"Disneyland? That’s really far away!" Cher protested.

"It we leave soon, we’ll still have like two to three hours at the park before it closes. Or, we could go to Knotts?" Ryan commented.

"It does sound fun," She paused. "But, isn’t it really expensive?"

"Not for us..Drew gave us all passes to come and go as we please at Disneyland.. I think it was because he donated a couple of million dollars to them."

"Really? That was sweet. Let me call Jamie and tell her where we’re going." Once again, she pulled out her cellphone. The three of them burst into her dressing room and flopped down onto the extravagant leather sofa with a thud.

"Hello?"

"Hey Jamie, it’s me."

"Oh, hi Cher, what’s up?"

"Guess where we’re going tonight?"

"Where?"

"Disneyland! Can you believe it?"

"No!"

"Okay so, it’s going to take a long time to get there. I’m going to call Cal to drive Gail to Zia’s. You gotta take her back to the hotel and we’ll pick you up in a bit."

"Alright. Wow. This is going to be really cool."

"I know. See ya in a few."

"Bye!" Click.

"So it’s settled then.." She told Ryan and Colin. "We are going to Disneyland!" She sounded like an excited toddler going to Disneyland for the first time.

Drew sat nervously in a corner booth fidgeting with his bright red tie. This is one of the reasons why I despise blind dates. He took a sip of ice cold water and it calmed him down only slightly.

"Excuse me, Mr. Carey?" Drew jumped in his seat. The voice had startled him. It was coming from a very stunning petite woman. She had finely chiseled cheekbones and had her reddish-brown hair up in a French twist, letting a couple of ringlets fall subtlely on the sides of her face.

Drew was thrown off a bit. "You’re my date?" Damn! Where did Ryan find such a foxy chick? The woman nodded.

She was wearing a short black spaghetti strap dress that flared out at her hips complementing her every feature. Drew could hardly speak as she slid into the small booth.

Then the mysterious woman stuck out her right hand. Shyly she said, "Hi, I’m Gail." With her other hand, she placed some folders onto the table.

Drew eyed the oaktag folders carefully, "You’re Gail? The webpage designer? How did you get here all the way from Cleveland?"

Gail blushed, "Well, evidentially, Cher brought Ryan back to the hotel with her Monday night. Over the internet he asked if I’d like to come to LA and meet you. He was so sweet and sent me a round trip airplane ticket. So, uh, here I am."

Drew eased up a bit. "No one told me you were coming down. Ryan and I were even talking about you and your webpage on Monday morning."

"You were talking about me?" Gail squeaked.

"Yes, we were. My agents told me I had the final say on your webpage."

"Really…well, I brought some ideas with me in my folders here."

"Maybe we can talk about them after dinner?"

"Sure."

"So, where did the lovebirds go?"

"They all went to Disneyland." Gail said while adjusting her twisted spaghetti strap.

"I wonder how Ryan is," Drew explained. "He gets motion sickness." This date is going to go really well, I’m sure.

Meanwhile, it was eight o’clock and the two couples had just parked at Disneyland. Cher’s windbreaker and jeans were not enough for her so she snuggled against Ryan’s long arm. "Cherry, if you’re that cold, you can have my jacket." Ryan glanced at his freezing girlfriend.

"It’s okay Ryan, I’m fine. Leave yours on. We all need to stay healthy."

Jamie and Colin were a few steps ahead of them on the wide yellow pathway. They held hands while almost skipping down the way, much to the delight of their onlookers, who smiled and laughed while gazing at the happy couple. I don’t think I’d do this with anyone else, Colin brings out my spontaneous side.

She’s beautiful. Colin silently thanked Cher for bringing Jamie along on her trip.

Cher asked Ryan sweetly, "Do I look alright?"

"Cherry, you look wonderful tonight." He smiled and meant every word.

Please Read Part Seven!

*Copyright 2001, Cherilyn W. Gerard. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without written permission from the author. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.*