Colin Mochrie felt relaxed...completely relaxed. Even with cameras rolling, there was little nervousness. This was what he lived for; making people laugh. He couldn't wait to get started.

He glanced over at his friend of over twenty years, Ryan Stiles, who was seated beside him on the Whose Line is it Anyway? soundstage. They shared a smile. Seated on his other sides were other cast members Wayne Brady and Greg Proops.

"We're going to play a game now called Scene with an Audience Member," Drew Carey announced, standing and wandering into the audience, where he stopped in front of a girl. "Hi, what's your name?'

"Ashlynn," she answered in a monotone voice.

"Ashlynn..what a name. Come with me and meet Colin and Ryan."

Colin watched the tall, thin, beautiful girl follow Drew down the stairs, drag herself to the stage, and accept the microphone and card from him. She looked like she'd rather be anywhere else.

"Hi, Ashlynn," Ryan greeted her, extending his hand. She shied away.

"I'm Colin," Colin said, trying to make eye contact. Ashlynn looked away. Colin and Ryan looked quizzically at each other.

"Okay, here's your scene. Ryan, Ashlynn's brother, comes home to find Colin, a drunk man, coming on just a little too strong. Take it away."

Ryan left the stage and Colin looked down to Ashlynn. He noticed she was trembling violently. He glanced at Drew, who motioned him on.

Colin took a deep breath and mimed a bottle of beer. "Did ya get my socks out of the crapper yet?" he asked in his best drunken impression.

Ashlynn's eyes stayed on the floor of the set. Colin heard her whisper, "Please don't hurt me."

Colin motioned to Ashlynn's card with her lines on it. She read quietly, "The printer's out of ink."

"Do I care if the printer's out of ink? I asked about my...damn!" Colin pretended to trip and spill his beer. He saw Ashlynn flinch as he took a step toward her.

"Hey, hey, hey! What is going on here?" Ryan entered the scene.

Ryan looked to Ashlynn for her line, but she didn't move. She was frozen.

Drew stood and went to Colin, making a cut motion with his hand. "What's going on?"

"I'm not sure..."

Suddenly, Ashlynn stepped forward. "I won't let you take me!" she screamed, looking right at Colin. "I hate that car...it smells like you. I won't follow you anywhere!" Her voice was becoming almost hysterical, rising in pitch. "Leave me alone!" Ashlynn dropped to her knees, spreading her arms out in front of her, barely touching Colin's shoes. "I'll do anything you want....just don't touch me," she whimpered.

The audience was silent. Colin's eyes were fixed on Ashlynn's thin frame, sprawled on the stage, whimpering at Ryan's feet.

"What a scene," Ryan tried to cover. "She should be on a soap opera!"

The audience, thinking it was all part of the game, started to clap and whistle.

"Come on, Ashlynn," Drew said softly, stepping over to her.

"No!" Ashlynn screamed.

Drew looked at Ryan, who knelt down and in his gentlest voice, said, "Ashlynn, there's water backstage."

"Leave me alone!"

Colin knelt as Ryan stood. He was careful to stay out of arms' reach. He knew he had to get her off the stage. "Ashlynn, come with me."

Ashlynn looked up into Colin's gaze. Their eyes locked, and Colin reached out a hand to help her up. Ashlynn, keeping her eyes on Colin's, got to her feet alone and followed Colin offstage as Drew announced an intermission.

Ashlynn was silent as Colin led her to the water fountain. Colin took a drink, hoping she would follow his lead.

When he turned around, Ashlynn's cheeks were covered with tears. "I'm sorry to ruin your show," she whispered.

"Oh, it's all right. It's just a show."

"You're angry with me. Go ahead--do what you want."

"I'm not going to hurt you."

Ashlynn threw out her arms, her tears dripping onto her top. "Go ahead." She turned her head away.

Colin watched her tremble. Finally, he stepped forward. He heard her whimper. "Ashlynn, let me help you," he said softly, trying to make eye contact with her again. That seemed to be the only thing that would help.

"Help me?" Ashlynn whirled around to face him. "You don't know anything about me. Why would you care?"

"You're in trouble..."

"So?" Ashlynn said defiantly. "He doesn't mean it. He loves me."

"If he loved you, he wouldn't hurt you."

Ashlynn closed her eyes. Colin sighed. Ashlynn was much too beautiful to be crying.

"Where is she?" an angry voice yelled. "Show me!"

"Please, just..."

Colin turned to see Ryan helplessly following a tall man towards them. Ashlynn burst into a fresh set of tears.

"How the hell could you do that to me on national TV?" he yelled, standing right above Ashlynn and shoving Colin forcefully out of the way. She didn't answer. "Answer me!!"

"I don't think she has to," Colin said.

"And who are you--her father?" The man raised his hand and slapped Ashlynn hard across the face. Colin grabbed Ashlynn's arm as Ryan, followed by security guards, ran back.

Ashlynn crumpled into Colin's arms, crying hysterically. Colin tightened his grip on her. The two of them sank to the ground. Colin ran a hand through her hair, rocking her back and forth.

"Oh my God, was he here?"

"Unfortunately," Colin heard Ryan answer.

"He's been staulking her everywhere, ever since she told him it was over. Don't worry. I'll get a restraining order or something. Poor Ash...who is that she's with?"

Ashlynn released Colin and ran into the arms of the young woman standing with Ryan. Colin stood and went over to them.

"Thank you," the woman said.

"You're welcome," Colin answered, watching Ashlynn.

"Oh, Col, this is Ashlynn's sister--and one of my good friends---Debra McGrath. Colin Mochrie...Debra McGrath."