Sorry again for another long wait! But I pretty happy with this chapter, I guess. You get Seth's point of view on Ryan and some of the Cohens' feelings. Still Fluffy :) Hope you enjoy it! Thanks for all the reviews and speaking of... please REVIEW!
DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING!
NO Beta!
After the CT scan and x-ray, the doctor stitched up Ryan's gashes and wrapped his torso. When he finished treating Ryan he gave him something for the pain and left him. Soon Ryan fell into an exhausted sleep with Kirsten sitting beside him. Once Kirsten was sure that Ryan was really asleep, she went out to the waiting room to talk to Sandy. She hoped Ryan wouldn't wake up with her not there and dreaded his reaction if he did. Kirsten didn't know what to expect and she didn't want to think about how upset he would be.
"How is he?" Sandy asked when Kirsten walked up to them.
"He's asleep and has been resting nicely for a little over an hour. I thought I would come out here and talk to you," Kirsten replied as she sat down next to Sandy and across from Seth.
"What'd the doctor say?" Seth asked.
"He said he'd come and talk to us when the results come back, but the nurse came in about 20 minutes ago and said the results were back and the doctor was finishing up with another patient and then he'd be here to speak with us. They stitched him up and gave him morphine," Kirsten replied as Sandy put his arm around her and hugged her close.
"How did he do in there?" Sandy asked, remembering the 5 year old Ryan that had appeared before.
"He did fine, if I was with him, as long as he could see me he was fine. The CT scan took a few tries because he was so distraught that he couldn't stay still. I had to go in and calm him down and promise that I was not going anywhere and that I could see him the whole time before he actually would stay still long enough," Kirsten replied sadly.
"Wait… Ryan knows you wouldn't leave him, why was he so upset?" Seth asked.
"Seth, it's what I told you; Ryan isn't himself, he thinks we'll leave him like Trey. He doesn't want to be alone," Sandy explained to Seth again.
"But Trey didn't choose to leave him, he didn't board a bus and go to Vegas, he di…died," Seth replied.
"Ryan knows that, sweetie, he's just scared right now," Kirsten explained, tired; it had been a long night.
Ryan scared? Seth didn't think that was humanly possible. Ryan must really be messed up if he's scared.
"Well, if he doesn't want to be left alone why are we out here?" Seth asked his mom.
"To give Ryan time to sleep plus I needed to tell your father about what the doctor said. Why don't you go sit with him awhile, while your dad and I speak with the doctor, we'll be in when we're done," Kirsten suggested.
"Yeah, we'll get some Seth/Ryan time," Seth said standing up.
"Seth Ezekiel, if you wake him up, you'll be grounded for a year," Kirsten warned, shaking her finger at Seth as The Kirsten made an appearance.
"Don't worry mom, we'll have the first ever silent Seth and sleeping Ryan time," Seth smiled; he really had no intention of waking Ryan up.
"You better be careful Seth, Ryan might like Seth/Ryan time better that way," Sandy joked.
"Oh, I know he would," Kirsten chuckled.
"Hey now, Ryan cherishes our Seth/Ryan conversations very much and he likes them just how they are, Seth countered and then left the room.
The smile on Seth's face disappeared at the thought of how Ryan might look when he arrived at his room. His parents had said that Ryan had been beaten badly. But how bad was badly? Did he look as he had an encounter with the Hulk or did he look like he went a few rounds with Muhammad Ali? Or were his parents just over reacting and he just looked as if he went to blows with the old mean Luke and his team of Water polo goons? But since Seth was in the hospital on his way to Ryan's hospital room, Seth had a good bet that he was just doing a little wishful thinking with the old Luke scenario. And Jesus and Moses both know that Ryan was never scared of Luke and the water polo team. Seth didn't want to think of what the men were like to do something like this. Seth figured they had to be some villains to do what they did and scare Ryan.
When Seth opened the door to Ryan's room he was taken aback by how weak Ryan looked and how fragile he seemed.
"Definitely Hulk," Seth whispered and then mentally smacked himself; this was no time for comic book references. Not when Ryan was looking so very unlike Ryan, this was way more serious.
Seth, though, was glad that he hadn't seen Ryan earlier, before he was cleaned and stitched up; his stomach wouldn't have been able to handle it. He wanted to be there for Ryan and not go running from the room or passing out from the blood.
"Hey brother, you've really done it this time, huh?" Seth whispered and then walked up to the side of the bed.
Brother.
Seth realized that soon that statement would be true. Well, Seth already felt like it was as true as blood but soon it would be legal. And that news in these circumstances was awesome. That news by itself in the happiest times was awesome, but it with the circumstances was stupendous. It gave Seth hope, that even though Ryan looks the way he does, that things will be alright and that Ryan will be back to normal. But then again, how normal did the Cohens really want Ryan to be? Did they really want the 'I'm fine, better not get too close because I'm not totally sure if I trust them not to hurt me' Ryan? Seth would take tough Ryan back and the 'not funny but occasionally sarcastic here and there' Ryan. He would even take the 'side glancing broody' Ryan. But if Ryan never went back to hiding all of his thoughts and feelings and he trusted the Cohens completely, Seth thought that he would probably be okay with that and he could bet his parents would be too.
Seth sat back in the chair that his mom once occupied.
When Sandy and Kirsten came in the room fifteen minutes later, Seth was asleep and so was Ryan. The parents smiled at their sons but didn't get to smile long before Ryan started to toss and turn in his sleep.
"No… wake up, Trey," Ryan was still sleeping as he moaned and turned.
Kirsten and Sandy were beside the bed in a hurry.
"Ryan, sweetie, it's alright… you're okay, we're here," Kirsten tried to sooth Ryan back to sleep as she rubbed his arm softly.
Ryan tossed some more until Kirsten ran her fingers through his hair, he finally stopped and then opened his eyes part way to look at her. What Kirsten saw was something she thought she would never see in Ryan's eyes at least not so pronounced; it was pure fear and confusion. His eyes filled with tears as the dream came back to him and Kirsten sat on the bed in one quick smooth motion. She let Ryan lay his head on her lap as he cried for his brother. She smoothed his hair and tried to comfort him the best she could as Sandy and now Seth looked on sadly. Seth was shocked that he was witnessing Ryan actually crying. Seth watched for a few moments longer until he couldn't anymore, he left the room in a hurry. Ryan was his best friend and the toughest guy he had ever known, seeing Ryan cry was unreal. Seth didn't like, he didn't like it all.
Seth kept walking until he was outside; he needed air. He sat and then he stood and paced and then he sat some more. He couldn't believe it, his parents had warned him but that didn't mean that he was ready for that. Ryan crying on his mom's lap had never ever crossed Seth's mind, he didn't think it would happen. Seth cursed the men that took his brother's brother away from him; he cursed them for taking away the old Ryan. Seth wished the old Ryan back, all of him, every single thing that made Ryan, Ryan he wanted it all. Seth didn't want to see Ryan hurting so much. Ryan was broody, he didn't cry, he brooded. Seth would take Ryan locking himself in the pool house over Ryan crying on his mother's lap.
"Seth," Seth looked up to see his dad standing next to him, "Do you see why I warned you, now? Do you see what I mean?"
Seth just nodded, "I can't see him like that… I can't handle it."
"I know it's hard, Seth, trust me, I don't like seeing him like that either... but Ryan needs us now maybe more than ever. He's going to need you to be there for him until he can get through this," Sandy said as he sat down and placed an arm around Seth.
"But he's Ryan, Dad, he can't be like that… he's… he's Ryan," Seth said and then put his face in his hands.
"That's right, Seth, he's Ryan. He's not Superman or any other super hero… He's Ryan, a 16 year old kid, just like you… Ryan has feelings, just because you don't see them doesn't mean he doesn't. You would be doing the same thing right now if you went through what Ryan went through tonight… sigh… Seth, imagine that you've known Ryan your whole life and were truly his brother, now imagine that Ryan is Trey tonight and you are Ryan. How would you feel if you lost Ryan? I don't think you would be exactly yourself either… Now imagine what Ryan would be doing right now if you were the one up there hurting… He'd be up there with you and he'd make sure he was there for you all the way," Sandy sighed again but he could tell that he had Seth's attention now.
Seth knew his dad was right; Ryan would be up there with him.
Seth nodded, "Alright, dad, I understand… I'll be there for Ryan, like he would be for me."
"That's great, son, glad to hear it… now, they are going to keep Ryan over night, so your mom is going to stay with him and we're going to go home and come back in the morning, but first lets go up and say good night," Sandy said as he patted Seth's back and then stood up.
"Yeah, okay," Seth said and stood too.
"Hey man," Seth said when he and Sandy walked in Ryan's room. Ryan was now sitting part way up and Kirsten was back in the chair. Ryan still looked tired but he also had a look that Seth couldn't quite place. He didn't recognize it and it was something that he had never seen in Ryan's eyes before.
"Hey," Ryan said quietly while adverting his eyes.
"Well, some things just never change," Seth thought to his self with a small smile.
"Hey kiddo, Seth and I are going to go home but Kirsten is going to stay here with you. We'll be back in the morning to take you home, okay?" Sandy said moving to side of the bed opposite of Kirsten.
Ryan nodded, "Yeah, okay."
"See ya, dude, good night and I'll see ya in the morning… I'm glad you're going to be okay," Seth waved from the end of the bed.
"Thanks, Seth, I'll see ya," Ryan said in a tired voice but did give Seth a small smile.
"Good night, kid, love ya," Sandy said and then bent down and kissed the top of Ryan's head. Ryan closed his eyes but didn't pull away and only a slight shade of pink could be seen on his cheeks.
"Night mom… I'll meet you outside, dad," Seth said and then walked out of the room.
Sandy walked over and kissed Kirsten good night and then stood up.
"Get some sleep, son," Sandy said to Ryan before leaving the room.
The night was rough for both Kirsten and Ryan, Kirsten slept when Ryan slept and Ryan would only sleep for about an hour at a time before he would have a nightmare. The longest Ryan slept was two hours and that wasn't until five in the morning. The last time he woke up was because he was in pain, his medicine had worn off and he was in pain like he had been the night before. Kirsten soothed him after she pushed the call button as they waited for the nurse to come.
"Do you think you can eat, Ryan?" the nurse asked after she gave Ryan the morphine.
Ryan shook his head, "I'm not hungry."
"What if I told you that the doctor wasn't going to let you go home until you eat?" The nurse asked raising an eyebrow.
"I could eat a little bit," Ryan corrected as Kirsten and the nurse smiled at each other.
"Okay, since you haven't eaten since you were sick last night, we're not going to try anything too exciting, you'll get jell-o and chicken broth and a glass of warm milk," the nurse replied and then laughed at Ryan's reaction as he scrunched up his nose.
"Sounds so appetizing," Ryan said in a tried sarcastic voice.
"I'll get that ordered for you, Ryan," the nurse said laughing and then left the room.
"When are Sandy and Seth going to be here?" Ryan asked as he turned to Kirsten.
"About 9 or so and the doctor is supposed to be in at 10 for one last check you should be home by noon, one at the latest, I would guess," Kirsten replied as she scooted closer to Ryan.
"Why don't you try getting some sleep before your breakfast gets here now that your pain level is down," she added, noticing how tired Ryan was.
"Okay," Ryan didn't argue because he was tired and he did want to sleep.
Kirsten had been right; Ryan was home by 12:30. Kirsten and Sandy both tried to get Ryan to eat something but he refused, his so called breakfast hadn't settled well with him. He hadn't thrown up but he did not feel well. The Cohens gave in and Sandy helped Ryan upstairs to the guest room that would now be his room. Kirsten had already been up there and folded back the bed and other things. Kirsten and Sandy were surprised when Ryan didn't say anything about them fussing over him as Kirsten tucked him in. Ryan just took it and didn't mind it. Though Seth who was looking on from doorway had to leave and go to his room. No one had noticed that he was there and no one noticed he had gone and he was glad because he didn't feel like getting another lecture from his dad. Seth was truly trying to be there and get used to this new and hopefully temporary Ryan, but it was hard. So hard to see his best friend so fragile and vulnerable. Seth lay back on his bed and looked at the ceiling until his eyes drooped shut.
Kirsten had sat with Ryan until he fell asleep and then went to clean up a little bit while Sandy was working in his office.
Kirsten was sitting at the kitchen island, thinking about the night's events and hoping things would be okay again. Seth wasn't the only one wishing things to be normal again. But Kirsten was also enjoying the new vulnerable Ryan, it broke her heart to see him like this but she really loved helping him and him wanting her there. It was like she was making up for the time where she wasn't there, when he was a child and was hurt or sick and she hadn't had the chance to comfort him and take care of him. She enjoyed that part she just wished that it didn't have to happen like this.
"Hey honey, what are you doing in here?" Sandy asked interrupting her quiet thoughts.
"Just thinking," Kirsten smiled softly as Sandy came over and sat next to her.
"You know if you wanted to you could go lie down too, I'll be on Ryan duty," Sandy said after kissing her on the cheek.
"I just might do that, I was just waiting to see if he was going to wake up, but he's been sleeping for awhile, I think I will go lie down while they are both asleep," Kirsten smiled at Sandy.
"Both? Is that where Seth has gone?" Sandy asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, he's asleep in his room… I went to ask him if he was okay and he was asleep," Kirsten replied.
"He's a little confused and shocked about how Ryan is acting…" Sandy explained his conversation with Seth the night before.
"I think it is hard on all of us but I think maybe most of all on Ryan but then again he seems okay with it and actually acts relieved that he can let his walls down and let us help," Kirsten said when Sandy finished.
"It's going to be tough until this is over, for everyone and it is going to be interesting to see what happens when it is over… how Ryan is, I mean," Sandy agreed with Kirsten.
Kirsten nodded, "I'm going to go take advantage of the quiet, would you like to join me?"
"I would love to, but I have phone calls to make and work to do. I plan on calling Jeff and Detective James, tell him that he can come tomorrow to get Ryan's statement," Sandy said and then kissed Kirsten.
"Do you think that is too soon? For Ryan?" Kirsten asked.
"No, the sooner they get his statement, the better chance of finding whoever did this," Sandy replied honestly though he was hoping Ryan would be able to.
"Okay," Kirsten said and then left the kitchen.
After Sandy made his phone calls, he went up to check on Ryan. He sat in the chair that he had placed next to the bed for Kirsten to sit in earlier. Ryan was asleep but it didn't look like a very peaceful sleep, his face was scrunched as if he was in pain and his hands were folded into fists. Sandy immediately took Ryan's hand in his to try to get him to relax. He made small circles with his thumb on the back of Ryan's hand and then ran his other hand through Ryan's hair. Ryan didn't wake but he did relax a little under Sandy's soft touch. Sandy stopped both motions but didn't release Ryan's hand. Even though Sandy had been the one saying they needed to be strong for Ryan and to be there for him; Sandy felt like he could break down and cry at any moment. Ryan had walked into his life and just fit in so nicely, the Cohens hadn't thought about losing him. Losing him was always a chance but Sandy didn't ever figure they would lose him like they could have last night, like Ryan lost Trey. Sandy didn't want to think about losing Ryan that way or any other way, especially now after Ryan confessed how much he wanted be a Cohen, how much he wanted to be his son. Sandy held tight to Ryan as his family slept, he had leaned back in the chair and propped his stocking feet up on the end of Ryan's bed, more comfortable now, he joined his family in their slumber. As he let his eyes close a single tear fell.
Next chapt is more of Ryan's POV and feelings as he talks with Detective James. When will it be up? Your guess is as good as mine... sorry. Class starts next week! REVIEW PLEASE! Hope you all had a wonderful summer!