AN

OK Sandy and Joe are a little mean to poor Ryan but they want to make sure he finished his probation without any more run ins with the police...

Ryan glanced over at Sandy and then quickly looked back at Joe. Joe began, "Ryan let me see your driver's license." He started. Ryan slipped his hand into his back pocket and removed his wallet, and handing the card to Joe he questioned, "What do you want my license for?

Joe explained "Sandy and I have discussed it and for the next 6 weeks I'll be keeping your license, when we go before the judge to have your probation ended and expunged from your file you can have it back. This way you will not be leaving town without permission or getting any more speeding or parking tickets." Ryan's jaw dropped, he wasn't expecting that, he looked over at Sandy and pleaded with his eyes. Sandy shook his head and told Ryan "Sorry Kiddo you brought this on yourself. When we get home we can discuss the rest of your punishment." Ryan quickly slipped into brooding mood and glared at Joe and Sandy. "Fine" was his only answer.

Joe wasn't finished "Ryan in addition, you will be required to be with a responsible adult whenever you are not in school for the next two weeks, be it Sandy, Kirsten or myself. I have some repairs that need to be done around here and I know you are handy with a hammer." Ryan just glared his famous glare at his jailers and chocked out "Whatever" Sandy smiled, Ryan wasn't going to be fun to live with for the next while, but if this is what they needed to do to keep him out of Juvie he'd go along with Joe's plan. Sandy quickly said to Ryan "Look Ryan we're doing this because we care. After the two weeks we'll see how things go and we will look and returning some of your freedom.

Ryan's only response was a glare at Sandy and another one for Joe. Sandy looked over a Joe and they just shrugged, they knew as much as Ryan would never admit it, deep down, having someone care about him would outweigh the punishment. "Ok kiddo that's it for now, let's get you home. I know Kirsten is anxious to see you." Ryan simply stood up and followed Sandy out of Joe's office without saying a word. Connie called out "Have a nice night Ryan." While Ryan was in full brood, he did nod and say a quiet "thanks you too.' before slipping out of the office and into the bright Newport afternoon sun.

Ryan waited while Sandy opened the car and then, slipped into the back seat, ignoring Sandy's look, and loudly closed the car door and fastened his seatbelt. Sandy slipped into the front seat and starting the car he said "Fine Ryan but we will talk when we get home." Ryan just glared at Sandy's reflection in the rearview mirror and then turned to face out the side window. Watching the scenery as they neared home, Ryan's mood became darker, if he couldn't drive, and couldn't be without an adult what was Marissa going to say?

Ryan finally opened his mouth and asked "Sandy now what? Am I grounded?" Sandy nodded, yeah kiddo you are, two weeks. We can figure it out when we get home, but don't go making any plans that don't involve either, Joe, Kirsten or me for 2 weeks." Ryan nodded and quietly asked "Can I call Marissa and explain, I blew her off this morning and I want to explain why."

Sandy quickly thought about it, and answered, "Yes I think it might be a good idea, why don't you invite her over after dinner, you can't go out but that doesn't mean she can't come over." For the first time in a while, Ryan actually smiled a genuine smile, and nodding said "Thanks" as they pulled into the Cohen driveway.

As Sandy put the Range Rover into park, the front door opened and Kirsten came out to meet the pair, she opened Ryan's door before he had a chance to and pulling him into her arms scolded "Don't you ever scare me like that again, what were you thinking, skipping school, running off to Chino, getting pulled over by the police, RYAN! Ryan hugged her back, not wanting the hug to end, after the day he's had all he wanted was someone to be there for him. Kirsten messed up his blond hair and kept hugging him, allowing Ryan to be the 1st one to pull out of the hug. Sandy grinned and motioning for them to follow said "Why don't we move this inside, we have some talking to do."

Ryan automatically went into the kitchen and went to sit on the stool, however Sandy shock his head, I think this is more of a living room kinda chat Ryan, not a kitchen lecture. Ryan felt as if 50 lbs had been lifted from his shoulders and followed Sandy and Kirsten into the living room. Ryan sat on the couch, with Sandy on the love seat while Kirsten chose to sit beside Ryan on the couch.

Sandy took a minute to compose his thoughts then started. "Ryan I know today was tough on you and I want you to know the last thing any of us wan it so make this harder on you but, we have to make sure we don't loose you. You only have 6 weeks of probation left and I'm not going to let you throw the last 16 months away with 1 mistake.

Joe and I agree, he will keep your license for 6 weeks, you are grounded for 2 weeks and since you owe me for the two tickets and my cab ride, I'll be withholding your allowance for the next 3 weeks. Ryan simply nodded, he knew all of this, and he was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Kirsten placed her hand on his knee and turned his face towards her. "Ryan you scared me today. I thought we were going to lose you, I never want to fell like that again, are we clear." Ryan nodded and tried to look away, but Kirsten held his chin. "Ryan why did you keep Nate a secret we would have gone with you, you didn't need to do this alone. You don't need to do anything alone anymore, we are here for you."

Ryan simply looked her in the eyes and blinked to let her know he was listening and would think about what she'd said, before replying. "I know, I screwed up, I'll try harder not to let it happen again. I know you guys are here for me, and I do appreciate it, really I do, it's just so hard all my life I was on my own and asking for help, it isn't easy."

Sandy heart dropped and looking over at Ryan he started "Ryan I want you to listen to me, there is nothing you could do and nothing you can say that will ever make us not want to be there and support you. You've been living with use for almost a year and a half now and you have to know we would do anything for you kid, please don't shut us out, let us in. We can't help you if you won't let us know when you have a problem."

Ryan nodded and looking Sandy in the eyes said "I'll try that's all I can promise." Sandy smiled and said "That's all we asked Ryan just keep trying." Kirsten pulled Ryan into her and hugging him said "Ryan we just want you to be safe and happy."

Ryan was about to say something when the front door slammed shut, and Seth waltzed into the room. "Thanks for dropping me at Summer's Mom; I see the Lost Boy has returned." Seth started and flopped down on the chair. "So guys what's up?" Ryan just glared at Seth as he continued on. "Hey Pops you have a nice day? Hear you go to go to Chino, you get arrested too or did you leave that to Ryan?" Sandy had enough of Seth and quickly stopped Seth with a "Seth, enough, go order dinner."

Seth was surprised by his Dad's short temper and went to the kitchen to order, yelling back to the other room, "Thai, Pizza or Italian?" Kirsten knowing Ryan preferred Italian, called back "Get Italian." Ryan looked over and Kirsten and said "thanks" knowing she'd asked for Italian for him.

Ryan asked Sandy "Can I call Marissa now, before dinner, I have some explaining to do, if she'll let me." Sandy simply nodded and Ryan went to the pool house to call Marissa in privacy, stopping along the way to shove Seth who was listening in the doorway. "Get a life" he told him as he slipped outside to his room. Ryan grabbed his cell and pressed the speed dial for Marissa and waited while it rang, hoping she would take his call.

Ryan paced back and forth in the pool house as he listened to the ringing of the phone. He counted to himself, One…Two…Three, he was expecting the voicemail to pickup when the line disconnected. Looking down at his phone he sighed, Marissa was blocking his calls. Ryan tried once more, he pressed the speed dial for Marissa and this time his call went straight to voicemail. "Hey Marissa, I'm sorry, please call me, let me explain. I love you." Ryan begged and hung up the phone and flopped down on his bed

Review please..