Sorry for the long wait... had an injured arm and typing one handed is not fun. But here is chapter 2. Thanks for the reviews and the suggestions, but most of this story is already written. Thanks though.

Disclaimer: I own nothing that has to do with The O.C.

Warning: This chapter contains pure fluff as does much of this story!

"Whoa, kiddo, how about you let us help you," Sandy said smiling as he tried to hide the worry that stretched through his body.

Sandy carefully put Ryan's right arm over his shoulders and then wrapped his own left arm around his waist as Ryan wrapped his left arm slowly around his stomach.

"Kirsten?" Ryan said stopping just before they entered the bathroom. He turned to Kirsten slowly but still held on to Sandy. Kirsten, who was still standing where she had handed Ryan off to Sandy, hurried to Ryan's side.

"What is it, sweetie?"

"You're… uh… you'll be… uh… I mean… y-you're c-coming ba… back, right?" Ryan asked looking at the ground and then finally up. He felt like such a wimp.

"Oh, sweetie, yes, I'll be here when you come out, of course. It'll be okay, baby," Kirsten said and then kissed his head again. "I'll be right here," she added as she stepped back. Ryan smiled shyly and turned back to the bathroom.

"I'm going to sit you down here while I turn on the water, alright," Sandy said softly as he guided Ryan to the toilet.

"Wh-why?" Ryan asked, with his eyes shut again, holding back tears.

"What, kiddo?" Sandy asked turning back to Ryan.

"Why? Why do we have to… to… Sandy, I want to go home… I just want to go home, please," Ryan said looking at Sandy who was kneeling in front of him now. Ryan closed his eyes again, unsuccessfully trying to hold back the tears. But the tears were flowing freely now. Sandy rubbed his arm and wiped away the tears.

"I know, buddy, I know, but we have to get the blood off, you'll get to go home once they've checked and treated you. Are you still in pain?" Sandy asked when Ryan opened his eyes again.

Ryan nodded and closed his eyes; "You probably think that I'm wimp, huh?" Ryan asked opening his eyes and looking at Sandy.

"No, kid, not at all… you've been through hell tonight… I would be worried if you were in pain and wanted to be left alone. No, kiddo, I think you are being quite brave. So how about we get this over and get you home," Sandy said and then patted Ryan's leg. Sandy was worried about Ryan's attitude; it was not Ryan at all. But that didn't mean Sandy didn't enjoy Ryan letting them take him, he just wished that Ryan was safe and that they didn't have to.

"I can do it, Sandy, please just let me," Ryan said looking up at Sandy.

Sandy's heart strings tugged at hearing the plea in Ryan's voice and seeing the cloudy effect that had filled Ryan's eyes. Sandy could tell Ryan was exhausted, and he had a right to be. He was shot, got the crap kicked out of him and destroyed a hospital room all in one night. The same night his brother was killed. Sandy understood why he was exhausted.

"Ryan, you're tired and you're not that steady on your feet, I don't think that is a good idea," Sandy said softly, he was still kneeling in front of Ryan.

"Please, Sandy, I can do it, please," Ryan said again.

Sandy had never seen Ryan like this. Ryan had never begged anyone for anything. Ryan had to be really upset if he was pleading with Sandy.

"*sigh*… alright… but I'm going to be right outside if you need me at all, just call and I'll be right in, okay?" Sandy sighed.

Ryan nodded but didn't meet Sandy's eyes.

"Ryan, I mean it, if you get dizzy or feel sick just call and I'll be in as soon as possible... if you can't do it, it's ok, just call," Sandy said putting his hand gently under Ryan's chin and lifting so their eyes would meet. "Okay?"

"Okay," Ryan nodded again.

"Alright, the water is ready, let me help you up and make sure you're steady," Sandy said as he stood.

Ryan sat up as straight as he could. 'Nice and slow' he thought as he braced himself and prepared to stand. He pushed himself up, ready and waiting for the dizziness. Sandy had his arms out ready to catch Ryan if he stumbled. Ryan froze a minute waiting and gaining his balance.

"You good?" Sandy asked with a hand on his back and a soothing voice.

"Yeah," Ryan nodded.

"Alright... just rinse the blood off and then put your boxers back on and call me, I'll come in and get you. Do not leave this bathroom without me. If you need me at all just yell, I promise, Ryan, I'll be here," Sandy tried to make it clear to Ryan without being too firm.

"I will, Sandy… I promise," Ryan said quietly and gave Sandy a side glance.

"Okay, kid, I'll leave you to it, but I'll be back in here in 5 minutes to check on you," Sandy said with a small smile and his hand still on Ryan's back.

Ryan nodded and Sandy's hand dropped.

Sandy looked over Ryan once more before sighing and leaving the room.

Sandy stepped out and shut the door, leaning against it with a heavy sigh.

'Why Ryan? Hasn't he been through enough?' Sandy thought to himself as he closed his eyes. He didn't know how they were going to get Ryan through this one. They would, he just didn't know how at that moment they would. He would have to talk to Kirsten when they got Ryan home.

'Kirsten?' Sandy realized he wasn't alone as he heard his name being called.

"Sandy? You're scaring me. Where's Ryan? What's wrong?" Kirsten asked once he opened his eyes.

Sandy saw orderlies cleaning up the room and Kirsten standing in front of him with a man behind her.

"Sandy?" Kirsten asked again, this time with her hands on her hips.

"He's in the shower… he wanted to do it alone… Kirsten, he practically begged me to let him… he's… he's so upset, Kirsten. I've never seen him like this… he's so scared, Kirsten," Sandy said, surprised at the way he sounded as he walked up to Kirsten and wrapped his arms around her.

"He'll be okay, Sandy, we'll get him through it, but we have to be strong and we have to not let him close inside himself. We will not let him be alone in this… We've spent two years tearing those walls down; I will not have them go back up. We just have to be there and show him that we love him and that he can trust us not to leave. I need you on this, Sandy, I need you here," Kirsten said as she hugged her husband.

"I know, Kirsten, I'm sorry. I just had a minor freak out moment. Just seeing him like that scared me for a minute. But I'm okay and I'm here," Sandy said stepping back. He knew Kirsten would have the answer and he would have too if he was thinking more clearly.

"I love you," Kirsten said and then kissed Sandy's cheek.

"I love you too," Sandy smiled.

Sandy noticed the man again.

"I'm sorry about that," Sandy said to the man.

"Oh that's alright, I understand… I saw the kid, I understand what you mean," the man said stepping forward.

"Oh, Sandy this is Detective Mark James, Detective this is my husband, Sandy Cohen. Sandy, Detective James was the first one to speak to Ryan at the scene when the police arrived," Kirsten introduced.

"Nice to meet you, I hear you're one of the best," Sandy said offering his hand.

"Thank you; it's a pleasure to meet you as well. I hear you're one of the best also, before you moved to the big firm," Detective James said taking Sandy's hand.

"I came in to see how Ryan was doing and when I could get a statement. He wasn't very responsive at the scene. I only got his name, that the other victim was his brother and your names. When I asked if he could tell me what happened, he shook his head and closed his eyes. He was very distant. Officers who arrived first tried to talk to him but said he didn't even look at them. Like he didn't see or hear them. When we, homicide, arrived fifteen minutes later, barricades were up and people were crowded around them. But Ryan was just sitting there, I tried to talk to him but it wasn't until I tapped his shoulder that he looked at me. Then he seemed to be comprehending what was going on around him, I pulled him up and walked him to the ambulance. You could tell he was in shock and scared, let alone pain, even though he didn't complain. The kid has very telling eyes. I just wanted to check on him and see when you thought was a good time to see about a statement. When you thought it would be best. We would like to do it as soon as Ryan is able so we can get the person who did this," Detective James explained as Sandy and Kirsten stood side by side, holding hands.

"Well, Detective, I don't think tonight is best. How about if I call you when Ryan is treated and we have more information about when he'll be home and his condition?" Sandy asked and then checked his watch. Ryan had two minutes before he was going in.

"That'd be great, here's my card, just give me a call as soon as you can. I'll also be sending a squad car to your house until we catch whoever did this and I have a couple officers outside in the hall for your protection while Ryan is here," Detective James replied.

"Thank you, detective. Do you have any idea about what happened?" Kirsten asked but before Detective James could answer, sounds of retching came from the bathroom. Sandy and Kirsten both hurried towards the bathroom.

Sandy walked in without knocking and Saw Ryan kneeling in front of the toilet in his boxers, throwing up his dinner.

Both Cohens were by his side in an instant. Kirsten rubbed his back and whispered gentle words. Sandy also rubbed Ryan's back from the other side.

Ryan's bruises were more pronounced now that he had a shower. You could see how bad the cuts were and how deep.

As Ryan revolted he wished he could just die. It hurt so badly, every time he threw up pain pierced through his stomach. Finally he stopped physically throwing up anything; he just started dry heaving; which was so much worse. Ryan felt Sandy and Kirsten beside him when he first started and could vaguely hear them telling him that it would be okay. But he didn't know how it would be, it hurt so badly and there was so much blood. The blood had just run off of him. Ryan knew most of it was Trey's. He felt queasy as he stepped out of the shower. Then as he looked in the mirror and saw his swollen face, the whole dreadful event came back to him. He saw Trey lying there next to him as blood poured out of the hole in his head and chest. Ryan barely made it to the toilet before the bile exited his mouth.

Ryan continued to dry heave for another three minutes before it stopped. He leaned exhausted against Kirsten, trying to catch his breath, it hurt so very much.

"You think you're done, sweetie?" Kirsten asked as she swiped the wet, sweaty bangs off his forehead.

Ryan nodded as he closed his eyes and just let Kirsten hold him. She had her arms around him protectively as she ran a hand through his hair. Sandy was still there too, running his hand up and down Ryan's back. They didn't leave, he was not alone.

"How ya doing, kiddo?" Sandy asked softly.

"Hurst," Ryan winced without opening his eyes.

"Oh honey, I'm so sorry. The doctor will be in soon to see you and he'll give you something for the pain," Kirsten wanted to cry as she held Ryan and rocked.

"I want to go home, Sandy… when can I go home?" Ryan whispered as he opened his eyes and looked straight at Sandy.

Sandy's heart strings tugged when he saw the look in Ryan's eyes; the look of total dependency. Ryan was depending on Sandy to get him out of the hospital as soon as possible, Ryan knew Sandy could do it. If only Sandy could.

"I don't know, kid, but probably not tonight. They'll probably keep you overnight to make sure nothing happens, I'm sorry," Sandy replied sadly. That was not the answer Ryan wanted to hear and not the one Sandy wanted to give but it was the truth, he really didn't know. Sandy looked at Ryan and saw tears in his youngest son's eyes.

"I just want to go home… it hurts so bad… since I can't go home when do I get to go to sleep?" Ryan asked his voice low and shaky.

"Soon, honey, after the doctor is done with his exam and you are treated," Kirsten whisper as she continued to rock.

"You ready to do this, kiddo?" Sandy asked.

Ryan closed his eyes and sighed, he had forgotten about the pictures. He nodded.

"Alright, I'm going to go clear out the room to give you some privacy, while Kirsten helps you. Then the doctor will come in and take care of you," Sandy said softly and then patted Ryan's leg. Sandy stood and walked out of the room, taking a deep breath.

"Honey, why don't we get you washed up so we can get you treated," Kirsten said as she stopped rocking and looked down at Ryan.

Ryan nodded but he didn't want to get up, he wanted to stay in Kirsten's arms, safe, forever.

Kirsten smiled and then frowned when Ryan sat up wincing and she saw his face. It was pale and he looked utterly exhausted. His eyes were cloudy with grief and pain; his lids drooped as he struggled to stay awake. She just wanted to take his pain away. Kirsten wished this night had never happened.

Kirsten gave another weak smile as she stood up. He made a move to do the same but stopped as pain assaulted his whole body. He hurt worse than he had ever before. Kirsten put the toilet seat down and flushed it and then turned to help Ryan up. As she wrapped her arms carefully around him, Sandy came back in. He helped Kirsten lift Ryan up and on the toilet seat as Ryan held his breath as much as his ribs would allow.

"You okay, kid?" Sandy asked as Ryan let the breath out slowly.

"Hurts," Ryan replied once more as Kirsten wet a wash cloth. Sandy had his arm around Ryan's shoulders, keeping him up right as Ryan leaned against him. He was so very weak.

Kirsten stepped back to them but before she washed Ryan's face she lifted her hand to his forehead. Ryan involuntarily flinched at the touch. He had his eyes closed and her cool hand on his head surprised him.

"Sorry," Ryan said softly.

"No, Ryan, I'm sorry, I should have warned you, honey, I'm sorry," Kirsten apologized, she lifted her hand again, this time he didn't flinch.

"You feel warm, I think you have a fever," She said taking her hand away.

"Ryan just nodded and closed his eyes again as Kirsten started to wash his face.

"Okay, kiddo, I'm going to help you up and back in to the other room. We're just going to go nice and slow," Sandy said after Kirsten finished.

Ryan sat up slowly, preparing for the move.

"Ready?" Sandy asked. Ryan opened his eyes and nodded.

"Okay, here we go," Sandy said as he placed his arms underneath Ryan's. He gently pulled Ryan up. But Sandy's heart still broke when Ryan gasped in pain and closed his eyes tight.

"I'm sorry, kiddo, I know it hurts," Sandy said sympathetically as he slowly and carefully draped Ryan's right arm over his shoulder and wrapped his left arm around Ryan's waist. Kirsten joined them on Ryan's left side, weary of his injured arm.

Once in the now clean and put back together hospital room, they took him to the exam bed. Ryan was out of breath and leaning on Kirsten again with his eyes closed as Sandy grabbed the digital camera. Sandy took a picture of every bruises and cut that was visible on Ryan's body. There were 42 total picture of Ryan's entire body. It took twenty minutes to get them all.

"Okay, Ryan, all done, kiddo, we'll sit you down and then I'm going to give this to the police and tell the nurse we're done," Sandy said and then helped Kirsten sit him down

Ryan felt useless as Kirsten helped him on the gurney and Sandy picked up his legs and set them gently on the bed. Kirsten lifted the head of the bed a little and then helped him slowly lie back.

"You cold, sweetie?" Kirsten asked as Sandy took the camera out.

"Yeah, when can I get dressed?" Ryan asked his voice raspy and tired.

"The nurse will bring you a hospital gown when she comes in, so I guess for now it is just a blanket," Kirsten replied getting the hair off his forehead gently.

"Oh, okay," Ryan replied quietly. Kirsten pulled the black up over his shoulders.

"I'm sorry," Ryan said suddenly. Kirsten ran her hand through his hair. He liked it, it was such a soothing gesture.

"For what, sweetie, you have nothing to apologize for, you did nothing wrong," Kirsten was slightly surprised.

"You're doing- everything… I'm like a child… a baby… I can hardly hold myself up. I'm sorry," Ryan said looking away. "I'm sorry, I'm such a burden," he said it so low that Kirsten could hardly hear him.

"Oh, honey, don't be. Its okay, you've been through a rough time tonight. No one blames you. You are injures. We don't mind taking care of you; we have few opportunities where you let us. You do not need to apologize. We will always take care of you and be here when you need us. You don't have to do this alone, Ryan, we won't let you. You have us now and we're not going anywhere. Understand?" Kirsten explained softly as she continued her loving gesture.

Ryan had tears in his eyes. No one had ever cared about Ryan like the Cohens. His mom loved him because she had to but the Cohens chose to and that meant the world to him.

"Thank you," he said softly, his voice breaking.

"Honey, thank you for letting us. We love you so much. Sandy, Seth, and I love you and will always be here," Kirsten said and then kissed away his tears like she would have Seth.

'Seth… oh God… he's going to kill us… we haven't called Seth' Kirsten thought to herself.

Seth had gone out to eat with Summer and then they were going to a movie at 8:00. Seth had no idea what had happened.

"I love you guys too," Ryan whispered bringing Kirsten's attention back to Ryan. Seth could wait, Ryan needed her. "I don't ever want to leave," he added groggily as his eyes slipped shut.

"Sleep, honey, we'll wake you when the Doctor comes in," Kirsten whispered as tears filled her eyes at his half asleep statement that had meant the world to her. She kissed his forehead and she continued to stroke his hair.

Sandy and the nurse came in 2 minutes later.

"You don't have to wake him, do you? He just fell asleep," Kirsten said quietly as Sandy wrapped his arm around her.

"No, I can wait until the doctor, he's had a rough night, we'll wait," whispered with a small smile. This was a totally different boy that she had witnessed earlier.

"Thank you," Sandy smiled.

"You're welcome, he deserves to sleep. The Doctor will be in, in about 20 minutes or so," The nurse said and then left.

"Sandy, he apologized for being a burden," Kirsten whispered turning to her husband and hugging him.

"What'd you say?" Sandy asked sighing.

"I told him, he wasn't, of course and that we didn't mind taking care of him I told him that he didn't have to do it alone that he had us. And that we loved him" Kirsten replied quietly.

"He thanked me and said that he loved us too… and that… that he never wanted to leave," she added now with tears.

"He said that?" Sandy asked surprised.

Kirsten nodded, "I don't think anyone has ever taken care of him like that before."

"Except Trey, maybe and… well, he's gone now," Sandy said hugging Kirsten tighter.

"I think we should talk to him about us adopting him," Kirsten said quietly. "Not just be his guardians but make him an official Cohen."

"I totally agree with you, honey, but we have to talk to him first," Sandy said smiling tonight for the first time, happily.

"I'd…I'd like-like that," The two Cohens heard from the bed. They turned to see blue, glossy slits looking weakly at them.

"You sure, sweetie, because you don't have to," Kirsten asked as she took Ryan's hand, gently.

"I…I…I want to… I mean, if you…you… guys are sure… that… you want to," Ryan replied with shaky breath and painful voice.

"Of course we want to, we just don't want you to feel like you have to," Sandy filled in.

"I want to, I want to be a… a Cohen," Ryan replied shyly.

"Oh Ryan, you don't know how much this means to us, Kirsten cried happy tears as she kissed the top of his head.

"You guys have done more for me then anyone ever has… my mom… Dawn… she wouldn't have been here tonight… you guys care more about me than she ever did. You've always been there when I need you… even if I didn't ask you to be or want you there. You've never let me down… when you get mad or upset you don't… don't … hit… me or Seth and you take care of us when we're sick… I know I'm safe with you guys and that means a lot. You guys never did anything for me because you had to, you did it because you want to. Of course, I want to be a Cohen; you're the greatest family in the world… I don't deserve a family like you," Ryan was sure saying that much was a bad idea, he was exhausted. But when he looked up at Sandy and Kirsten, they both had tears in their eyes; he knew it was right then.

"Oh, Ryan," Kirsten cried and held back the urge to hug him because she knew she would cause him more pain.

"We love you, kid and you do deserve a family… we'll make sure ne ever hurts you again… we love you very much," Sandy said restraining himself from crying more.

"I love you too," Ryan said weakly as his eyes dropped again. He was so tired.

"Sleep, baby, the doctor will be here soon. Sandy is going to sit with you while I go call Seth, I'll be back though, don't worry, I won't leave you," Kirsten said and then kissed the top of his head again.

"Okay," Ryan said with a sleepy smile.

"I'll call a friend and have him draw up the papers in the morning. Sleep, kid, while you can, you have nothing to worry about," Sandy said as Kirsten walked out and he took the job of running his fingers through Ryan's hair. He was asleep within seconds.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Will have the next up soon, i hope, but I have a job interview tomorrow, so we will see what happens with that. depending on if i get the job or not(pray that i do) it might be longer than originally hoped. REVIEW please... thanks a bunch. And for all of you Americans, I hope you had a fun and safe 4th! :)