DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything related to the O.C. except maybe Ryan's history that I'm making up as I go along.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This takes place immediately following the events in "The Outsider" (episode on 9.2.03) where Ryan and Seth have to go home after the hospital to face the Cohens.
Seth unlocks the door and leads Ryan inside the house. "They're still up," Seth whispers. Ryan nods.
"Seth? Is Ryan with you?" Sandy calls from the den.
"Yeah, um, we're going to bed!" Seth calls back.
"Come say hello first," Kirsten yells.
Ryan whispers, "Let's go. She's going to hear about it anyway."
"Volunteer nothing, isn't that your motto?" Seth says.
"Where have you guys been?" Sandy asks.
"Out," Seth answers.
"What happened?" Kirsten asks suddenly.
"Nothing unusual," Seth replies.
"Well, then whose blood is all over Ryan's brand new shirt?" Kirsten asks, concerned.
"Are you hurt?" Sandy questions, his gaze flickering to each teenager.
"No, Luke," Ryan states.
Sandy and Kirsten glance at each other. "Ryan did you…"
"Ryan didn't do it. He had nothing to do with it…" Seth starts, pausing. "Well, that's not entirely true…"
"What? Seth, I tried to stop that kid…" Ryan gasps, paling a shade.
"Ryan, that's not what I meant…" Seth recants.
Ryan's face turns blank suddenly and the change startles Sandy and Kirsten. His eyes flash cold when he turns to them. "This kid I met at work showed up at Holly's party and he had a gun…" Kirsten gasps. "He pulled it on Luke and shot him in the shoulder. We've been at the hospital."
"Is he okay?" Sandy asks.
"Yeah," Ryan says, ignoring Seth's steady gaze.
"But…" Seth begins.
"That's it," Ryan interrupts.
"He had a gun?" Kirsten repeats.
"Nobody knew until he flipped," Ryan says.
"Well, how'd you get blood on you?" Kirsten questions.
"He was bleeding and no one was doing anything."
"How did you know what to do?" Sandy asks, quietly.
Ryan hesitates. Even Seth is watching his reaction. "He's not the first person I've seen get shot."
"What?" Kirsten gasps.
"I know first aid," Ryan sighs. He runs a hand through his hair. "So, I know I'm in trouble but I hope that I can stay the night because I'm really tired."
"Mom, Dad, it's…" Seth begins again.
"Seth, stop. Just relax," Ryan mutters under his breath.
"We'll talk about this in the morning," Sandy says, watching the two teenagers, suspiciously.
Seth follows Ryan to the door. "Ryan, wait…"
"No. I'm tired," Ryan sighs, not turning around. Seth grabs his arm and Ryan jerks away, spinning around defensively and holding up his hands to warn Seth off. "What?"
"What was up in there? This wasn't your fault so why are you taking the blame?" Seth demands.
"There's no blame here. All I know is that you thinking this is my fault, well that's worse than any punishment they can give me…"
"Ryan, I didn't mean that it was your fault, I just meant that you were there, you knocked Donnie down and that's when the gun went off…" Seth starts.
"I'm not built like you, Seth. I couldn't just stand there. I had to do something…" Ryan says, his voice strained.
"You went for his gun, Ryan, you could have been shot…" Seth replies.
"You say it like it matters, Seth. Good night." Ryan leaves, slamming the door.
Sandy enters. "You want to tell me what that was all about?"
"What?" Seth asks, frustrated.
"That little scene in there. Usually Ryan's the silent one but tonight, he's confessing and you're not saying anything. And there seems to be some tension between you guys. You want to tell me about it?"
"No." Seth walks away from his father and goes to his room.
Ryan waits until all the lights are off in the main house. He's packed all the clothes that Kirsten didn't buy for him and he tiptoes down the driveway. Sandy clears his throat from the edge of the street.
"Where are you going?" Sandy asks.
"Nowhere, I guess," Ryan sighs.
"You haven't done anything wrong, Ryan. We'll talk about it tomorrow. Just wait, Okay?"
"Okay," Ryan agrees.
"What's going on?" Seth walks outside, yawning.
"Nothing," Sandy says, pulling Seth back inside as Ryan continues around the house to the pool house.
"Dad, was Ryan…" Seth starts to ask, panic spreading on his face.
"He was taking a walk. He'll be here in the morning."