Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of The OC. They all belong to Josh Schwartz.
A/N: This story is AU and begins after Luke carries Ryan out of the burning building.
Also, please keep in mind I'm writing Kirsten differently than how she was portrayed on the show. This includes her treatment of Ryan. :-)
I had originally planned for this story to be a one-shot, but then realized it was going to take a few more chapters to cover everything I want to write. Thank you for all the feedback and support. I really appreciate it!
Chapter Two
Sandy rushes into the ER with Kirsten and Seth following closely behind. He makes a beeline up to the front desk, his mind racing with a million questions running through his head.
How bad is he hurt? He was beaten... did he get into a fight? With who? Why? Where was he? A fire... there was a fire...
"Hi, we're here to see Ryan Atwood," Sandy tells the receptionist with a winded breath.
"Are you family?"
"No, I'm Ryan's lawyer," Sandy explains.
The receptionist cocks an eyebrow in question, wondering why the boy has a lawyer coming for him and not a parent or guardian.
"I'll let the doctor know you're here."
"Mr. Cohen!"
Sandy turns around a sees Sheriff Ray Hicks briskly walking towards them. A tall man standing at six foot two, the forty-five year old's lanky but fit frame graces his uniform with a strong, yet approachable, presence.
"Sheriff, what happened?" Sandy immediately asks, deciding to skip all pleasantries and get straight to the point. "You said Ryan was beaten and there was a fire?"
"Two joggers found him unconscious outside a burning building," Ray Hicks explains calmly.
"Where?" Kirsten inquires.
"It was a model home in the new subdivision owned by the Newport Group."
"Oh my god," Kirsten gasps. "That's my father's property..."
"I don't understand," Sandy says, confused with this new information. "How could... why was Ryan there?"
Sheriff Hicks glances over at Seth and notices the teenager first look away before peering down at the floor, trying his best to look nonchalant. With twenty plus years experience in law enforcement, he can easily sense when someone is hiding something.
"Maybe your son would like to shed some light on this matter," Ray says, looking directly at Seth.
"Seth?" both Sandy and Kirsten say in unison before Sandy adds, "Do you know something about this?"
"Well... um... you see... um..."
"Spit it out, Seth!" Sandy orders. "This is not the time for you to suddenly be at a loss for words."
"He was going to run away, Dad. To Texas, or something like that," Seth explains defensively. "So I came up with this plan..."
"To hide him in your grandfather's construction project?" Sandy asks, clearly angry with his son. "Do you have any idea..."
"You and mom were going to send him to a group home!" Seth interrupts, wanting to turn the tables and place blame on his parents. "What else was I supposed to do!"
"You knew we were looking for him. You knew your mother and I were worried..."
"That's bullshit! You were going to send him away..."
"Hey, watch your mouth!" Sandy scolds, pointing his finger at his son. "Ryan may have to go back to juvie now because of this. He was trespassing on private property."
"Well then, I guess you'll have to send me and Marissa along with him because we were all trespassing," Seth states defiantly.
"You and Marissa are not on probation," Sandy says, willing himself to calm down. Anger isn't helping the situation and it certainly won't help Ryan. "You're officially grounded for the rest of the summer."
"But Dad..."
"Sheriff, do you know how the fire got started?" Kirsten asks, cutting off her son's whining. She can only assume it was an accident. Why would the boy purposely set the model home on fire when it was his hiding place; his shelter...
His safe haven from that horrific group home we were going to send him to...
"The arson investigator is still going over the scene, but he's pretty certain the fire was an accident," Ray explains. "There were numerous candles found, the decorative type. We believe Ryan was using them for light during the evening hours."
"Decorative candles?" Sandy inquires, wondering how Ryan came into acquiring such items. He would have believed camping lanterns, but candles?
"Marissa brought Ryan the candles," Seth says, remembering he accompanied her on a supply run to Bed, Bath and Beyond. "She also brought him toilet paper and a loofah."
"Marissa brought Ryan a loofah?" Kirsten asks with a perplexed look on her face.
"That's the exact same look Ryan gave her," Seth states, remembering how much fun the three of them had hanging out together.
"How do you know Ryan was beaten and not injured while trying to get out of the building," Sandy inquires, having heard enough about candles and loofahs.
"His injuries are not consistent with just fleeing a burning building," Ray explains. "Plus, the joggers saw someone actually drop Ryan on the ground before fleeing..."
"Wait a minute," Sandy interrupts, wanting to fully grasp what happened. "There was someone else there?"
"Yes, and someone strong enough to carry an unconscious body out of a burning building," Ray says. "One of the joggers gave a somewhat vague description; young male, tall with possibly blond hair. It was dark and smoky from the fire, but he did get the license plate number on the truck. 'H2OPOLO'. God, I love vanity plates. We're running a match now."
"That's Luke's truck," Seth chimes in.
"Luke?" Ray asks, taking out his notepad and pen to write down the name.
"Luke Ward. Captain of the water polo team, colossal jerk and major douchebag..."
"Seth, language," Kirsten admonishes.
"What! It's true!"
"What can you tell me about this 'Luke Ward'," Ray asks, "besides his apparent personality flaws."
"He's Marissa's boyfriend..."
"Marissa?" Ray asks, jotting down the name. "The same girl who supplied the candles?"
"Marissa Cooper," Kirsten says. "She lives next door to us."
"Luke is super jealous of Ryan... thinks he's trying to steal Marissa away from him," Seth adds.
"Jealous enough to want to hurt Ryan?" Ray asks, intrigued with this new information.
"It's clear Marissa has the 'hots' for Ryan," Seth explains to the sheriff. "So yeah, Luke can be a real neanderthal... no disrespect to the Neanderthal."
"Mr. and Mrs. Cohen, would it be alright if I talk a little more with Seth?" Ray asks. "It looks like it might still be a few more hours before I'll be able to get an official statement from Ryan."
"Of course," Sandy says. "Seth, go with the sheriff and answer his questions... honestly," Sandy states, accentuating the word "honestly".
"Sure, Dad..."
"Then take a seat in the waiting room and don't budge an inch. Your mother and I will come get you after we speak with the doctor."
Sandy and Kirsten watch Seth walk away with the sheriff, then glance around the area impatiently, both anxious to speak with the doctor in charge.
"Hello, I was told you're here for Ryan Atwood?"
Sandy and Kirsten both turn around and see a young ER doctor, looking tired and haggard from a long night shift.
"Yes, I'm Sandy Cohen," Sandy says as he shakes the man's hand. "And, this is my wife, Kirsten."
"I'm Dr. Neal Benson. I'm the attending. Why don't we find a more private place to talk. Follow me."
Sandy and Kirsten anxiously follow the doctor down the long corridor, stopping outside a room with a closed curtain.
"How is he, doctor?" Sandy asks. "Is he going to be alright?"
"Ryan has minor smoke inhalation and bruising on his face and body," Dr. Benson explains. "The paramedics said he regained consciousness in the ambulance but naturally, he was confused and disoriented. I ran a head CT scan and it showed a minor concussion. X-rays showed no broken bones, but his rib cage is severely bruised."
"Oh my god..." Kirsten gasps under her breath.
"There's some bruising on his lower body as well, which indicates he was most likely kicked, and the bruising on his hands and forearms appear to be defensive injuries," Neal continues. "There was also a small puncture wound, possibly from a nail, and large scrapes and splinters on his lower back. He probably fell backwards into construction debris. Not sure how else he could have gotten those injuries."
Dr. Benson opens the small file he started on Ryan and quickly scans it, making sure he hasn't missed anything.
"We're giving him oxygen via a nasal cannula and keeping him comfortable. In these cases of smoke inhalation, even minor cases, carbon monoxide is usually always present, so Ryan may suffer from headaches, nausea and vomiting. I couldn't find any medical records here in our system on the boy..."
"Ryan is from Chino," Sandy clarifies.
"Ah, that explains it. I'll contact the hospital there right away. I went ahead and gave Ryan a tetanus shot just to be on the safe side. Do you folks know, by any chance, if Ryan has any allergies?"
"None that we're aware of," Sandy replies.
"I'll keep Ryan here under observation for the rest of the day. But I've been informed that, because Ryan is in violation of his probation, he'll be transferred over to the infirmary at juvenile hall," Dr. Benson explains. "Is there any chance a parent or family member will come for him and take responsibility..."
"No, his father and brother are in prison and his mother is AWOL," Sandy interrupts, frustrated with the situation.
"I see... that's a shame..."
"Can we see him now?" Kirsten asks, anxious to see the boy.
"Of course," Neal says as he pulls the curtain aside, allowing the parents to step into the small room. "We gave Ryan a mild sedative because, as you can imagine, it's extremely painful for him to cough with his bruised ribs. When he does wake up, try to keep him calm. And, don't be alarmed when he speaks. His voice will be a little raspy and hoarse from the smoke inhalation."
"Thank you, Dr. Benson," Sandy says earnestly, before turning his attention over to Ryan.
Kirsten slowly walks over and sits down in the chair next to Ryan's bedside. With a heavy heart, she studies the sleeping boy and realizes that, although she hasn't known him for very long, she's never seen him without bruises on his face. She gently places her hand on his right forearm, careful not to disturb the IV. Glancing down at the boy's bruised hand, Kirsten's breath hitches slightly when she notices old scarring around his wrist.
The boy was chained to a wall with no food or water...
Kirsten suddenly recalls the horrors of the newspaper article she read just this morning...
A dark hole, once used as a storm shelter, but now an empty pit...
She runs her fingers gently over the old scars...
The leather wrist cuff you wear, Kirsten thinks solemnly to herself. It isn't a fashion statement... you wear it to hide these scars...
"M... Mom..."
Kirsten glances up at Ryan when she hears the boy's quiet voice. She leans in closer to him and places her hand upon his forehead; her maternal instincts taking over. She watches the boy move his shoulders ever so slightly as he struggles to open his eyes.
"Sandy, I think he's trying to wake up."
"Kirss... ssten?"
Kirsten looks at Ryan and offers a reassuring smile. "Hey there... it's alright, you're safe now."
"Hey kid, we're right here," Sandy says also with a smile, happy the boy is awake.
"Th... throa... s... sore..."
"How about some water," Kirsten proposes.
"Mmmm... 'kay..."
Sandy tries not to grimace at the sound of the boy's voice as he places his arm carefully behind Ryan's back to help him sit up.
Kirsten holds the cup of water and places the straw between the boy's dry lips. "Drink slowly. Small sips," Kirsten instructs.
Ryan sips the welcome fluid, drinking slowly to soothe his sore throat.
"I'm s... so s... sorry, Kirsten."
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Kirsten says, not wanting the boy to feel guilty on top of everything else he's been through.
"We know the fire was an accident," Sandy says, raising the head of the bed so the boy can sit up by himself.
"Still m... my f... fault..."
"We also know it was Seth's idea to hide you in the model home," Sandy continues.
"He w... was j... just trying to help," Ryan stutters in a low, raspy voice.
"The model home is insured, Ryan," Kirsten says, offering the boy another sip of the water. "The important thing is no one died... you could have died in that fire."
Ryan finishes the cup of water and glances at both Sandy and Kirsten before looking away, wondering how he's ever going to make things right with them.
They don't deserve this...
Kirsten takes Ryan's hand into hers and wills the boy to look at her. "Ryan, buildings can be rebuilt, but people... you can never replace a person."
Ryan listens to Kirsten, appreciating her words of wisdom.
"I'm g... going to have t... to go b... back to juvie..." Ryan lets out a hoarse cough, then tries to continue, "aren't I..."
"Ryan, try to stay calm," Sandy says, placing his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"I'm so..." Ryan coughs again and immediately wraps his arms around his rib cage. "S... sorry..."
Ryan begins coughing uncontrollably as his lungs work to cleanse themselves. Tears fill his eyes as he begins gagging, bringing up phlegm and mucus; his body working frantically to clear the smoke and irritants from his lungs.
"Honey, go find the doctor or a nurse," Sandy says as he holds the boy, hoping it will help him calm down.
Kirsten begins to leave the room when Dr. Benson and two nurses rush in.
"We heard him down the hall," Neal states. "You both need to step out into the hallway."
Sandy and Kirsten do as they're told and watch as the medical team works diligently to help the boy. They watch as one nurse injects something into the IV line while the other nurse removes the nasal cannula and places an oxygen mask over the boy's mouth.
"You need to calm down," they hear the doctor instruct. "Breathe in the oxygen, Ryan. That's right... you're doing great."
"He can't go back to juvie," Kirsten says to Sandy as they both watch Ryan struggle to settle down.
"I'm not sure that we have a choice," Sandy explains. "I've got investigators searching for Dawn, but so far she's nowhere to be found."
"I don't want you to find Dawn," Kirsten states, turning her attention away from Ryan and towards her husband to give the boy some privacy when the nurses begin removing his hospital gown and dress him in a clean garment.
"What? But I thought..."
"I've changed my mind," Kirsten says. "Dawn's boyfriend beat the boy, then she threw him out of the house and abandoned him. What kind of mother abandons her own child?"
"The judge in juvenile court will only release Ryan to a parent or guardian..."
"Then let's become his legal guardians," Kirsten says, looking into her husband's eyes.
"Sweetheart, are you sure?" Sandy says, returning his wife's soulful gaze. "This would be a huge responsibility."
"Yes, I'm sure," Kirsten states. "In fact, I'm more than sure. This feels right, Sandy. I can't explain it..."
Sandy smiles warmly and embraces his wife. "You don't need to explain anything. I'll get the paperwork filed with the court right away."
"Will it take long?" Kirsten asks, knowing time is of the essence. In twenty-four hours, Ryan may be having to recover in the infirmary at juvenile hall.
"The court can issue a temporary or emergency guardianship the same day you file the papers," Sandy explains. "Ryan is a minor and I'm already his lawyer, and this situation is definitely an emergency. We'll both have to meet with a judge today and sign the papers, then it should just take a couple of more weeks to acquire permanent guardianship."
"I'll check on Seth while you start the process," Kirsten says.
"All right, sweetheart," Sandy says, kissing his wife on the top of her head. "I love you."
"I love you too," Kirsten says as she watches Sandy walk away. She then looks back over at Ryan and feels her eyes well up with tears as she watches the boy continue to struggle; the nurses holding him, reassuring him... pleading with him to trust them.
"You're not going back to juvie," Kirsten whispers, watching the boy pull the oxygen mask off to cough. She notices the excruciating pain on his face every time he expels air from his chest. "Sandy and I will make sure you're safe now."
And no one will hurt you again...