A/N: Happy New Year all, well this story wasn't finished by Christmas, but it will be finished before January is out. So if you are still interested in reading a Christmas story (well it will extend slightly past Christmas but you get the point), then this story will still be in progress and be seen to the end. :) As usual I do not own the O.C., that belongs to Josh Schwartz and FOX, I do not own the bit of song that appears in this chapter, the Christmas Scat from a Muppet Christmas Carol, that belongs to Jim Henson and the filmmakers of that movie which is an adorable Christmas movie by the way. I watch it every Christmas along with any other iteration of A Christmas Carol I can find. The only characters I own are my OCs, Sam, the Davis family, Casey and Robert Linwood and a few others that I may have forgotten to mention but can be found on my polyvore. Anyway, a few events had to be pushed to next, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, I don't think. Enjoy.

Chapter Eleven: The Truth Will Out

Ryan's POV

"Are you sure I can't offer you anything else?" Clara Davis is persistent. I've taken one cookie and a cup of hot chocolate, the bare minimum to be considered polite company, and she is looking at me as though I've offended her. Maybe I have, I don't know, but I'm 28 years old and I feel about twenty years younger.

"This is more than enough Mrs. Davis, thank you." I smile.

"Well, don't be shy Ryan, really. If you feel like anything else, just help yourself."

I nod. "Of course." I look in the direction the boys left to. I can't say I was surprised by the reaction of Sam's friend. I've been on both sides of that equation myself, though I'm still not one hundred percent sure I put together the pieces to figure out why Sam had left his home to begin with, something tells me it has very little to do with his friend's family. They seem like nice people. "So how long have you known Sam?"

"Most of his life thanks to that Church." Clara laughs. "Although the boys didn't really become friends until fourth grade. The Linwoods moved to this neighborhood when Sam was around seven, before Matthew's deployment. Matthew's older brother Robert was set to become the priest at the Church, so Matthew saw it as an opportunity for Sam and Casey to not have to move so much when he was overseas."

"Deployed?" I take a sip of my drink. "Sam's father is military?"

"Matthew was Private First Class in the US Army." Monty says.

"Impressive." I nod. But then my brain catches up. "Was? What…?" I catch myself. "Sorry I don't…"

"There was an accident." Clara voice catches. "When Sam was eight years old. Matthew's unit was caught in an explosion. Matthew made it out, but he was wounded and lost the use of his legs. Surgery was an option but they thought it was too dangerous, but Matthew," Clara blinks and wipes her eyes. "He wanted it done. It was almost soccer season and Sam needed help practicing. There were complications. He didn't make it."

I sigh. "My god… what, what about Sam's Mom? Is she…?"

"She was never the same after Matthew…" Clara says. "I've tried, we all did, but there was something we all suspected. Of course you'd never suspect a priest of such a thing, but we all thought that Robert was being much more than a brother in law. It was clear to pretty much everyone around church, even before Matthew passed. When he came home, it wasn't right between them. Of course after, the church goer's guilt ate her inside out and Samuel...well he suffered the most. There were times when the boy wouldn't even have a lunch at school. Casey...she found solace in the church, and in Matthew, but Sam. I guess he reminded her too much of his father."

"That's not an excuse." Monty replies. "But it is the conclusion we came to. Sam...well he never really told us much back then. Kept it well hidden...until he couldn't anymore."

I can't find words to reply. What words are there?

"Last Summer Michael came out to us, and Robert, well he told Michael some extremely nasty things. We left the church after that, and then a few months later the boys began dating, but Sam didn't… well he didn't tell his family until Christmas."

I wince. Well, that would explain Sam's reluctance to celebrate. "They didn't react well to the news…"

"That's a rather mild way to state it." Monty sighs. "Jackson and Clara knew something was wrong as soon as Michael came home, but Jack suggested that Michael give Sam his space. Things only became worse from there. After a while, Sam didn't respond at all. Jackson can tell you more than we can...if you're sure you want to know." Monty looks at me. "You really seemed to help him Ryan, you did more than enough. We can take it from here. We'll keep in touch. Leave your number and we'll give it to Sam. You should be with your family."

What Monty says makes sense. I know what he's trying to do, but I've come this far. It doesn't feel right to just leave Sam after all of this. The Davis', well they are good people and I don't want to leave them alone to deal with whatever fallout Sam ran from. "They'll understand, I want to make sure Sam's safe." I shake my head. I'll call Sandy and Kirsten, talk to Seth. I'm pretty sure they'll understand better than most.

I turn around as the door opens and I hear a boy singing.

Tis the season to be jolly and joyous

Fa la laa

With a burst of pleasure we feel it arrive

Fa la laa

It's a season when the Saints can employ us

Fa la laa

To spread the news about peace and to keep love alive.

Clara smiles as she hears. "Aaron sweetheart, that's lovely, but can you come say hello to our guests?"

The boy can't be older than ten, and I can swear he scowls slightly as Clara speaks. "The play's in six days, and I keep missing that last note."

"All the more reason to rest your voice." Clara laughs. "You'll just keep missing it if you don't." She looks up and over as a man slightly older than Monty enters the kitchen.

"Your mom has a point...as always." He walks over and kisses Clara on the cheek. "Good evening my dear."

"Hello to you too." She then looks over to me. "Ryan, this is my husband Jackson, Jackson, this is Ryan Atwood. He's been watching out for Sam."

"Sam?" The man furrows his brow. "Have you heard anything from him?"

"That's what I'm trying to say Jack, Ryan met Sam a few months ago and has been watching out for him."

Jackson seems to catch on. His face, like his family member's seems to spell relief at the news. "Oh, good. Is he doing okay?" Jackson holds out a hand. "Jackson Davis, nice to meet you."

" Ryan Atwood." I shake his hand and nod. "He seems to be. I did my best. Invited him to celebrate Christmas...or well my family calls it Chrismukkah, with us."

"Chrismukkah huh, you wouldn't by any chance be related to the Cohens?" Jackson grins slightly. "I swear Monty used to say he owed Sandy Cohen a round of golf at least twice a week."

"Huh, yeah, he used to work with Sandy at the PD's right?" I look at Monty, amused, who nods.

"That's the ticket." Jackson grins wider.

"He knows Jackson." Monty deadpans. "He's Sandy Cohen's kid."

"That's great!" Jackson says. His face then becomes serious. I have to admit after seeing the man smile so much, it's a bit jarring.

" Mr. Atwood, you know Sam?" The boy, Aaron, suddenly tugs my sleeve. "Why isn't he with you? Is he okay?"

I turn my attention to Aaron. "Hey, you're Aaron right?"

The boy nods.

"I'm Ryan. And to answer your question, Sam is with me. Actually…" I look over to Clara, wondering if I should say anything. She nods, and then I turn back to Aaron. "He's with your brother Michael right now. I'm sure he'd like to see you."

Aaron smiles. "Awesome!" He begins to run down the hall, but then he turns back around. "Oh, it was really nice to meet you! Thank you!" And then he disappears.

I laugh a bit. "He's got a lot of energy."

"He is a handful." Jackson says.

"Seems like it." I turn to face Jackson more fully.

"You want to know more about Sam?" Jackson looks at me, and I guess he sees the unasked question in my face. I'm grateful, because I hesitate to ask it myself.

"I guess I just wonder why he wouldn't…" I stop myself before I finish asking.

"Why he wouldn't tell us?" Jackson says. "Well, you seemed to get to know him pretty well yourself these last few days. He doesn't share too much."

I nod. "That's true."

Jackson smiles slightly. "You want to know something though? If he does let you in, that's pretty spectacular. It just...takes time."

"Yeah."

"Don't give up on him. We never did, you shouldn't either."

"I wasn't planning on it."

"Good to hear."

Sam's POV

I'm sitting in Michael's room waiting on a verdict as he pores over the notebook. I'm not sure why I let him take it, then again fighting Michael pretty much doesn't get anyone anywhere, least of all me. He knows exactly what buttons to push.

I hear a knock on the bedroom door. "Mike, come on lemme in!"

Michael goes to the door and opens it, scarcely looking up from the page to greet his little brother.

"What are you doing?" Aaron peeks around to try to see what Michael's reading.

"He thinks he's helping me with a Christmas gift." I say shrugging. Then I stand and walk over. "How's it going buddy?"

"You left." Aaron takes a step backwards, but then surprisingly comes over and hugs me. "Why?"

Michael takes a minute now, looking up from his reading as his eyes meet mine. I hug Aaron back briefly before I remove myself.

"It's complicated Aaron." I sigh.

"I'm not stupid."

"Oh really?" Michael teases.

"Nuh uh."

"Family problems." I say. I don't really feel like going beyond that explaining to a ten year old, and the silent communication I see between Michael and Aaron tells me that I probably won't have to. They know my uncle.

Aaron nods, satisfied for now. "So where'd you go anyway? Was it fun?"

I think back to the last few days, Christmas tree shopping, decorating, hot chocolate, the hospital, my argument with Sophie Rose, and my smile turns into a half frown. "I think eventful is a better word."

"You were with Ryan right?" At my look, Aaron shrugs. "I met him already. He seems nice."

I nod. "Yeah…"

"Hey," Michael looks at me. "What are you thinking man?"

I don't respond. Seeing Aaron again, well of course my mind goes straight to Sophie Rose.

"Come on dude, why are you leaving us hanging?" Aaron says.

"I got into this stupid fight with Ryan's kid sister." I surprise myself by telling them. "About Santa."

Aaron's eyes narrow. "That really is stupid. It's Christmas, you leave Santa alone on Christmas.."

I chuckle. "Yeah, I get that now."

"What kind of fight was it?" Michael says.

"She wanted to write letters to Santa so that…" I groan. "I'm an idiot, can we just leave it at that? Don't make me say it."

"Alright." Michael nods. "Just tell me this, how much does she, well is it a big deal to her, letters?"

I roll my eyes. "You're missing the point. Her brother's wife is in the hospital after having a baby, I don't think the letters are the main point. I was a jerk."

Both Michael and Aaron visibly wince.

"Yep, Dad's right. You are a Scrooge." Aaron says. I slap him in the back of the head. "We were talking about the play, but I think it applies to this."

"Aaron, shut it." Michael sighs.

"Fine whatever, so what's your idea for a present and who's it for?" Aaron jumps on the bed. I admire his subject change skills.

"It's for Ryan and the Cohens." I walk over and sit next to him on the bed. "Michael says I should write something." I look over to where Mike's still paging through the notebook. "Nothing is any good in there, so I don't know what he's talking about."

"Dude, I think you've got something. How long have you been working on this?" Michael walks over and shows me the lyrics.

I shake my head. " Maybe a week, but that's nowhere near done. No, no."

" Only a week? You've got to admit, it is good, come on Aar, back me up." Michael shoves the notebook at Aaron who is wearing a huge grin as he reads it.

"He's right. I think you've got something here. This is your gift Sam. You know it." Aaron bends down reaching under Michael's bed and pulls out a case, Michael's Casio case. "Come on, you know Mom and Dad'll keep Ryan talking for ages. We can help. Please!"

I sigh. "Do I have a choice?"

In answer, Michael walks over to Aaron's side of the bed and begins helping him pull out the keyboard.

I guess I don't.

Ryan's POV

The subject moved from Sam to the baby, and Sandy's idea for the impromptu hospital room Chrismukkah, which resulted in Clara making a trip to her storage closet where she kept several of the boys' old baby things. And then...shouting.

"I know he's here Clara! Sam!"

Jackson and I look at each other, and we're on our feet.

"I'll go see what the boys are doing." Monty says. I only hope he can keep them away. It doesn't sound good.

"Casey, I need you to calm down before you come into my house please. Just breathe sweetheart." Clara is in the entryway of blocking the door pretty effectively, but I can tell she's having a hard time keeping the other woman, obviously Casey, out of the way.

"I know he's here. I saw him in a car near the park." The woman is insistent. "I want to see my son Clara."

I let out a sigh. This is Sam's mother. "Mrs. Linwood," I step forward. Clara looks at me, and I nod. "My name is Ryan Atwood. I've been looking after Sam this past week."

Casey Linwood stops struggling against Clara, her attention turned towards me. I can see the emotion on her face: worry, fear, anger. This is a mother who wants to see her boy.

"Looking...after him?"

"He's perfectly fine." I hold up my hands, placating. "I just offered him a place to stay for a while. If I would have known…"

"I...I….understand." Casey nods quickly. "I...thank you, thank you for taking care of him Mr. Atwood. He's here though, can I see him please?"

I look at Clara then to Jackson. They both look at a loss just like I do. Though Jackson seems more hesitant.

"I'll let him know you're here Casey." Jackson says. He looks at me then motioning me to follow.

"Thank you Jackson, Clara, Mr. Atwood…"

Jackson and I are alone in the hallway.

"What can we do?" I look at Jackson.

"I don't want Sam to have to...it wasn't good last time Ryan."

I sigh. "Jackson, I don't think...we have to talk to Sam. I can't do anything. I can't ask Sandy or Monty to…. do you have any proof that it's bad?"

He shakes his head. "I'd hate to do this to him."

"Me too…" I take a breath. "But we have to let his mom see him."

A/N: So, there was a lot of conversation between Ryan and the Davis' this chapter but basically in summary: the Davis' suspect that there is some neglect and abuse involved with Sam's home life, but they have no proof. They did know about the boys' dating, but Sam basically began shutting down and there was very little that the Davis' could do to help. Meanwhile as this conversation between Ryan and the Davis's was happening, Jackson and Aaron arrived. Ryan introduced himself and told Aaron that Sam was with Michael. Aaron goes to Michael's room and helped them decide on a gift for Ryan and the Cohens, a song that Sam was working on. Sam also revealed that he is still troubled by how he left things with Sophie Rose and Aaron's arrival made him recall that incident.

And then, Sam's mother shows up on Clara's doorstep. She saw Sam in Ryan's car.

So, portrayers: Jackson Davis is portrayed by Alfonso Ribeiro and Aaron Davis is portrayed by Caleb McLaughlin.

Next chapter: The boys get into some trouble as they answer a phone call they are not supposed to, and the bomb is dropped as Sam finds out about his mom's presence and what that means. And we return to the hospital as the Cohens deal with both the good and bittersweet that the holiday brings.