Loyalty

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the OC.

AN: Written immediately following the Thanksgiving episode.

Ryan wasn't expecting to hear from his brother again. Marissa was the only person that knew the whole story about Thanksgiving and that was just because she was there. Whenever she would try and get more details, he would shut down and tell her to leave it alone.

Seth had asked, more out of his insecurity concerning Ryan's relationship with his blood relative compared to their own, but Ryan told him that he no longer had a relationship with Trey. The black eye had been explained away without mentioning a stolen car or a chop shop. Just a favor for Trey gone awry.

Ryan walks toward the ringing phone without hesitation. Sandy, Kirsten and Seth all had questioned him about his failure to answer the phone in the main house so now he answers it immediately.

"Hello?" He answers. Seth barely glances up from his homework.

"Collect call from.Trey Atwood." Ryan is chilled hearing his brother's voice intermingled with the computerized message. "Will you accept the charges?"

"Yes." Ryan steps away from Seth, lowering his voice. Sandy is in the den and Kirsten is in the dining room so he turns away from Seth, facing the wall.

"Can I speak to Ryan?"

"What's going on, man?" Ryan asks. He could retreat to the patio but knows that Seth would question him. He doesn't know why, but he knows that this phone call is not good news.

"Hey. Not much. Just wanted to check in."

"Really?" Ryan asks. He puts a hand against the wall and lowers his head. He can hear the uncertainty in Trey's voice. He doesn't see Seth watching him, alerted by his tense posture. Seth recognizes it from his interactions with Luke, Dawn and Julie Cooper.

"Yeah. Really. Can't a big brother check on his baby brother?"

"Yeah, sure. It's cool." Ryan isn't going to give Trey the satisfaction of asking what he wants.

"So.you think.ah shit, Ry." Trey mutters. "Man, I need another favor."

"After what happened last time, why the fuck should I listen to anything you say?" Ryan asks, forgetting his surroundings for a moment and raising his voice.

"Because you owe me." Trey replies.

Sandy comes into the kitchen, glancing at Seth, concerned. Ryan never raises his voice. Seth shrugs, but is clearly concerned.

Ryan closes his eyes, ignoring their questioning glances. He leans his forehead against the wall.

"Ryan, you fucking owe me and you know it."

"I don't owe you anything," Ryan whispers. Sandy ignores Seth's warning and walks over, putting a hand on Ryan's shoulder. Ryan shakes him off, taking several steps back.

"I just need you to pick up something and take it to Gattas."

"No. No, I won't." Ryan says, stopping cold.

"Ryan, you fucking owe me this!"
"Maybe I owed you last time, but you and me, we're square."

"I saved your life."

"Fuck you," Ryan hisses. "You were the one that fucking killed me to start it off," He says. He is trembling and doesn't feel Sandy's hands on his shoulders.

"Hang up. Now, Ryan," Sandy says.

"Ryan, please.I need this.they're going to kill me." Trey pleads, desperation leaking into his words. Ryan hesitates, closing his eyes and putting a hand over his face.

"Trey, why are you asking me this? You know I can't."

Sandy's face dawns with recognition.

"There's no one else I can ask."

Ryan meets Sandy's gaze, his blue eyes are pools of confusion. Sandy shakes his head, slowly.

"I can't, man."

"They're going to kill me and you're just.I can't believe this! I can't believe you're going to fuck me like this! I never ask you for anything.I would do anything for you." As Trey continues, Ryan listens silently. Seth, who has come to stand beside Sandy, glances at his father as they hear the yells of Ryan's brother. Ryan turns away, shaking off Sandy's hands.

"Hey. We're done," Ryan says.

"If they kill me, it's on your head. It'll be your fault."

Ryan lowers the phone, his brother's voice still audible. He drops it on the carpet and stands motionless.

"Ryan?" Seth calls.

Ryan picks up the phone after a beat, hitting the off button.

"Ryan, what was that all about?" Sandy demands.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing," Ryan says blankly, his eyes unfocused and dark with emotion.

"It didn't sound like nothing," Sandy replies.

"It was nothing. A wrong number." Ryan's face flickers with emotion for an instant and then he walks from the room. He steps onto the patio and leans over, his hands on his knees.

"Ryan. Are you okay? Because you just scared the hell out of me in there and I need to know that you're okay."

"I'm okay.I.I just can't believe he'd call me again and ask me for a favor.not after last time." Ryan whispers.

"He.he sounded pretty upset." Seth replies.

"I mean.what if I did the wrong thing, Seth? He's my brother and I should do everything I can to help him.but I don't want to get arrested."

"So you helping him is illegal?" Seth asks slowly. Ryan answers him with a glance. "Then you know that you can't help him. Dude, you can't afford to get in trouble, you did the right thing."

"You think?" Ryan asks.

"Yeah. He'll be fine and once he comes to his senses, he'll understand," Seth replies.

*****