AN: Thanks for all the reviews, guys. I hope this part is up to par.

*****

"So how is he?" Kirsten asks as Sandy steps into the kitchen.

"Sick. He had eaten what you took for him but he got sick. He says that when he gets upset that he can't eat," Sandy explains.

"He told you that?" Kirsten responds.

"He's trying, I think, Kirsten. He said he doesn't know what we expect from him. . .I don't know what his family did to him, but they really did a number on him," Sandy sighs.

"You better get to work. I'll keep an eye on him," Kirsten says, embracing him. Sandy leaves for work and Kirsten walks to the window. She doesn't see Ryan through the windows of the pool house so she walks outside. She knocks quietly on the poolhouse door.

"Yeah?" Ryan answers and she steps inside.

"Hey, kid. Sandy says you threw up your breakfast. Do you feel like some soup or something light?"

"I'm okay. Can I wait a couple of hours?" Ryan asks. He is making his bed as he talks.

"Of course. I'm inside if you need me," Kirsten smiles.

"Thanks," Ryan responds quietly.

Kirsten leaves the poolhouse and returns to the kitchen. She is sitting at the kitchen table working on a blueprint when she hears the doorbell.

She opens the door to reveal a beautiful brunette teenager. "Can I help you?"

"I hope so. Does Ryan Atwood live here?"

"Yes. Are you a friend of Ryan's?" Kirsten asks, surprised.

"An old friend. I'm Theresa. I heard about Trey and nobody seems to have Ryan's phone number but his mom gave me this address. Is he home?"

"Sure. I'm Kirsten. You talked to his mom?" Kirsten asks as she lets the girl inside.

"Briefly. Just long enough to get the address. She's…she's not that fun to talk to," Theresa replies. She glances around the house. "Nice place."

"Thanks. Ryan stays out here, I'll show you," Kirsten says, leading her through the kitchen onto the patio. "How'd you get here?"

"I took the bus. Ryan and I…we used to be close but…shit happens. After what happened at Thanksgiving…I just need to make sure he's okay," Theresa says quietly.

"You saw Ryan at Thanksgiving?"

"He stopped by. To pick something up for Trey. I hadn't seen Ryan since he got arrested before that. He called me back then and asked if he could crash at my place, but…I was still pretty upset with him and then he disappeared," Theresa explains. She is clearly nervous when Kirsten stops outside the poolhouse.

Kirsten knocks on the door.

"Yeah?" Ryan calls.

Kirsten steps inside. "A friend's here to see you, Ryan."

"What?" Ryan asks, looking up from his seat in the floor in front of the couch.

"Hey, man," Theresa smiles, stepping in behind Kirsten.

"Theresa. Hey…" Ryan stands up, clearly startled to see her.

Theresa goes to him and immediately embraces him. Kirsten is surprised to see him return her hug. "You okay, kid?"

"It's good to see you, Theresa," Ryan replies.

"That's not what I asked," Theresa replies quietly.

"I'll be inside, Ryan, if you need anything. Theresa, let me know when you're ready to go home and either Ryan or I will be happy to drive you back," Kirsten offers on her way out.

*****

Ryan waits for Theresa to release him and sit down on the couch before speaking. "So what's up?"

She shoves him, gently. "You know what's up. Trey called Arturo after you wouldn't help him," Theresa starts. "I didn't know what was going on, I just heard Arturo going off on Trey for calling you. You aren't blaming yourself for this, are you?"

"It's my fault."

"That's bullshit and you know it. Trey's a fuck up, he always has been and you've spent your whole life trying to clean up his messes and your mom's messes, Ry…"

"Please, Theresa…"

"No, listen, Ryan, I know you. I know how loyal you are, how much you risked to help out your family in the past and I know how down you get on yourself when you fail at something…"

"He asked me for help. He said they were going to kill him. And I said no, Theresa…"

"God, Ryan, how many times has he told you that? I can think of, at least, three times and you had his back every time. It's not your fault that Trey can't take care of himself…you're only sixteen and you've been doing his dirty work ever since I've known you!" Theresa says.

"I was his brother…" Ryan protests.

"So that makes you his bitch? You know better, Ryan. Your mom, Trey, they've walked all over you your whole life, but…have you looked around you lately? You got out. You don't have to be their bitch anymore," Theresa says.

Ryan doesn't respond.

"Ry?"

"What are you doing here, Theresa?" Ryan asks quietly.

"I came to make sure you're okay."

"I'm okay," Ryan responds.

"You're going to make me call bullshit on you again?" Theresa asks.

"I didn't ask you to come here," Ryan replies.

"I know. You never ask for anything," Theresa replies. "I…I was worried about you. I mean, these people…they don't know anything about Trey…"

"And you do?" Ryan asks.

"I know you," Theresa replies.

"You do?" Ryan smiles sadly.

"I know that you're probably so upset that you stopped eating. I know that nothing I say is going to make you stop blaming yourself. I know that this is killing you…"

Ryan has tears in his eyes when Theresa looks at him. She embraces him immediately as he starts to cry.

*****