Hi again! Okay, this is my second fanfic I've ever posted. I actually wrote a fic with this plot in eighth grade, but it was not near as well thought out as this one shall be (I hope). I hope everyone who has read "Cold" is reading this one. If you are new to me (angstyaddict), I have written Cold which I feel is pretty good, and I'm still working on it! I am a fairly speedy updater. Normally the wait is not more than a week. Sometimes school and colorguard do get me, though. Plus, now with two fanfics to update, it may be slightly longer a wait, but I hope to make it worth your while. Also, I am into short chapters because I can update quickly and not have to put so much in. Here goes. Oh, and fyi, this is not exactly up to date with the series, and...yeah, you'll figure it out.

Disclaimer: nothing.

Ryan stumbled into the driver's seat of the Cohens' SUV. With quick and trembling hands, Ryan frantically shoved the key into the ignition, shifted to drive, and backed the car onto the road.

He was sweating. His heart beat rapidly and irregularly. His breathing was deep and painful.

Ryan sped onto the highway, but quickly reminded himself to slow down before a cop could pull him over.

What would they say? Normally, the Cohens would have with Ryan a serious but brief talk about the fight, and then they'd ground him. Plain and simple.

But what now? Now that Ryan hadn't picked the fight. Now that Ryan had for once been logical and protested against it. Now that Ryan was the person in serious pain.

Ryan found his eyes wondering off the road and onto his rearview mirror, where he saw his sweaty, pale complexion. The image frightened him, and he jerked his head back so that he was watching the road again.

The pain made him wince. He clutched his side and felt the warm, sticky substance smother his palm. He didn't want to look down. To see the blood.

After being on the road for well over an hour, Ryan shut off the headlights and pulled into the Cohens' driveway. It was late. Dark outside. Ryan hoped everyone was asleep.

He snuck into the poolhouse and blotted his wound with an old ripped-up tee shirt he'd gotten years ago from Trey. The Cohens had never really cared to see their beloved children in old rags. Ryan had stopped wearing most of his old Chino clothes. He didn't know why he'd even kept the shirt.

Ryan slipped into his bed, having duct-taped the tee shirt to his blood-covered side. A sleepy feeling washed over him. He would have a lot to explain to the Cohens in the morning, but for now a peaceful slumber was the only thing in store for the teenager.

XXX

Ryan awoke to the feel of someone's hand brushing his hair out of his face. Kirsten.

"Hey, sweetie. I didn't hear you come home last night. I would have properly greeted you. How was Dawn?"

Ryan felt himself smile at Kirsten's loving face and angelic voice.

"A lot better. The doctor might release her soon."

"That's great." Kirsten frowned as her hand came apon Ryan's forehead. "You feel a little warm."

"Really? I don't feel sick or anything," Ryan lied, convincingly.

"Well, you never know. Maybe I should take your temperature."

"Can it wait?" Ryan spoke almost too quickly, and for a split second he saw Kirsten's face show signs of suspicion. "I mean until after breakfast. I didn't eat dinner last night. I'm starving."

"Okay." Her smile had returned. "Sandy and Seth are fixing coffee and bagels as we speak. I'm sure they would love for you to join them. I would."

"Okay. Just let me get dressed and cleaned up, and I'll be in the kitchen."

Kirsten smiled and got off the side of Ryan's bed, leaving for the house. Ryan waited until she was inside before throwing off his sheets, grabbing some clothes, and heading for the bathroom.

As soon as he had shut the door, he felt slight relief. He stared at his reflection in the mirror. The wifebeater he had worn over his stained body and "bandage" had a few small drops of blood from where the ripped-up shirt had shifted with each twist and turn Ryan's body made during the night. Ryan sighed, realizing he would have to bleach the spots before the Cohens saw the shirt. Until he had the chance, he shoved the shirt into a shoe box, which went under his bed.

Ryan carefully pulled off the duct-tape and raggedy shirt, which was slightly damp with the blood that had continued to flow before the shirt stopped it. He carefully washed his wound and patted his skin dry before replacing the tape and shirt.

XXX

"Something smells good!" Ryan exclaimed as he entered the Cohen home.

"That would be me," Seth said with a grin and a raised hand. "I'm trying this new cologne Summer got me."

"Actually, I was talking about breakfast."

"Oh, good," Sandy said with sarcastic relief. "I was beginning to think you had gone crazy. Seth, I'm telling you, that stuff smells like rotten bologna and M&Ms. Ryan, sit down, grab a bagel, tell us about Chino."

"Well, Dawn's doing a lot better. The doctor said she lost a lot of blood, but she got a transfusion. When I first saw her I could have sworn she'd gone crazy. I guess they had a lot of morphine in her. But she made a lot more sense yesterday."

"Other than that it wasn't eventful?" Seth asked.

"Ummm," Ryan stalled, trying to think of something believable. The Cohens would never believe that that was all that happened in two days in Ryan's old city. Then he recalled something that really did happen. "Oh, Dawn told me Trey might get out on probation soon."

"Will he be staying with Dawn then?"

"I don't know. I thought about visiting him, but I didn't want to get involved in any problems."

"And other than that, nothing?" Seth asked. Ryan knew his brother was prying. What did Seth know?

"Basically."

"Ryan, did you see any of Dawn's boyfriends?"

"No. Those assholes couldn't give a f-" Ryan stopped himself, realizing where he was. "Sorry. They just don't care about her is all. I hate how they use her."

The Cohens all stared, silent and not moving, with looks of surprise scrawled across their faces at Ryan.

"I didn't mean to...cuss."

"Ryan," Sandy chuckled. "You don't have to apologize. I can't say that we understand what you feel toward those guys, but I know it isn't any type of good feeling, so just don't worry about the cussing. Anger is one thing I do understand. Mostly with impatient clients and Kirsten's father, but..." Kirsten sent her husband a look. "I'll shut up now, honey."

Seth kept staring at Ryan. "Hey, bro. Now that you're back, I've been dying to play some mad video games with you. So as soon as you finish breakfast, meet me in the poolhouse."

Woo! First chapter! R&R, please!