Title: Hello, Ryan
Chapter: 2
Author: Antigone11
Rating: PG-13 (language and violence)
Summary: Ryan gets an unwelcome visit from his father
Without the invaluable assistance of Lisa, Julie, and Anna this chapter may never have been published.
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Ryan's words hit the occupants of the room like a grenade. Kirsten jerked in surprise, releasing her hold on Ryan. He felt the loss of her touch immediately. It hurt more than his split lip, more than his ribs. He stiffened his resolve, shifting slightly away from her, needing physical space between them to continue.
"I can show you," he said.
Ryan stared at his father in desperation, bile rising in his throat as the silence stretched for several moments. There was no cash, surely jewelry would be good enough to diffuse his father's anger? He refused to look at any of the Cohens. He was a betrayer. He had made his choice deliberately, but he still couldn't bear to see the disappointment in their eyes. Better the Cohens hate him than suffer any more because of his father. His father. God, he hated him. Dawn at least had required alcohol before turning mean. Dave Atwood required nothing more than being awake.
"You been casing the joint, Ryan?" Dave laughed.
Ryan flinched, as if struck.
"So, where is it?"
Two weeks ago, Ryan couldn't have said for sure that Kirsten even had jewelry, let alone where she kept it. Thinking about brooches and rings just wasn't high on his list of things to do. The Cohen's had taken him out to a fancy restaurant to celebrate his 17th birthday. Walking down the hall later that evening, Ryan spotted Kirsten in one of the guest rooms and she had beckoned him inside.
"I'll show you our secret room! Hold this for me while I open the jewelry case, please." Kirsten handed Ryan the brooch she'd worn to dinner, a vibrant hummingbird encrusted with diamonds and sapphires. "This is my favorite. I only wear it on special occasions." She winked at Ryan.
Kirsten opened the closet door and pushed aside some hanging dresses. A door was built into the side of the closet. "It's not an actual safe." She shrugged as she pulled a deep drawer from the built-in jewelry case. "I just wanted it out of sight. We had to hire someone to finish it. Sandy started to build it, but..you should have seen the mess!" Kirsten giggled. "You might not believe it, but Sandy's not much of a handy man!"
"Huh. So he's as good at building things as you are at cooking?"
"Very funny." Kirsten smiled, glad that Ryan was confident enough around her to make jokes. It had taken a long time, but it looked like Ryan was finally starting to relax. She looked down at the drawer she held.
"Most of these were my mother's," Kirsten said wistfully. "I really should keep some of them in the bank, but I can't bring myself to.I don't know, lock them away." She laughed. Kirsten knew she sounded ridiculous. After all, the jewelry was cold and impersonal; her memories, however, were anything but. "Sandy's given me some pieces over the years, but the big, flashy stuff, those my mom left me. The bigger, the better! She and my dad, they pretty much started out with nothing. Dad just had a natural touch with real estate, I guess and he was successful quickly. He got a real kick out of giving my mom the most ostentatious jewelry he could find. Kind of rubbing it in the faces of the snobs here in Newport."
Ryan looked at Kirsten in disbelief. "People in Newport looked down on your father? On Caleb?" He couldn't quite get his mind around that. The Caleb he knew was larger than life and pretty much dominated every situation he was in with his sheer presence.
"Money talks here, Ryan. I don't condone it, but that's the way a lot of people in Newport think. Just you wait! Ryan Atwood, the world famous architect, will be sought after by every person in Orange County!" Kirsten teased.
Ryan cast his patented sideways glance at Kirsten. "Seriously?"
"Seriously. You're going to make it Ryan. I know you are." Kirsten was firm. "Here. Let me put that away."
Ryan handed back the brooch and Kirsten carefully set in the drawer. The door clicked softly as it closed.
That evening was special. He'd had a real birthday for once, with presents and a family who spent the entire day paying an embarrassing amount of attention to him. Talking with Kirsten, smiling at her memories, and hearing her confidence in his future was more than he could ever have asked for. She had faith in him. And he was about to throw it all away.
Ryan swallowed and said, "It's upstairs, in a guest room closet."
"What the fuck are you waitin' for? Get up!" Dave kicked Ryan's legs. "George. Take him upstairs. Make sure he don't use a phone, or set off any panic buttons. I want you both back down here in three minutes."
Ryan stifled a groan as he pushed himself to his feet. He couldn't straighten up properly. He hunched over slightly and kept his arms tight to his ribs. George grabbed hold of his right arm and hauled him toward the stairs. Ryan couldn't hold back a slight whimper as pain shot through his side. He stumbled after George, who gripped his upper arm firmly in a big, meaty hand.
"I'm sorry," Ryan mumbled, his head down, as George led him out of the living room. "It's the only way.." His voice, already soft, trailed off. There was no way he could explain. No way he could justify his actions. He only hoped that, eventually, they would forgive him for entering their lives and bringing his dark past with him.
"Ryan.." Kirsten pleaded with Ryan to look at her. She knew he was in pain, knew he was terrified of his father. She didn't care about her jewelry. If she had thought of it herself, she would have gladly offered it up in exchange for her family's safety. But somehow she knew Ryan would see his action as a betrayal on his part-and she worried about the panicked thoughts she imagined were coursing through his brain.
Dave watched George and Ryan make their way up the stairs, frowning as Ryan tripped halfway up. George growled something unintelligible and pulled the boy to his feet, adjusting the pace as their continued up the stairs.
"How can you treat your own son like that?" Sandy demanded.
Dave turned and studied Sandy for a moment before shifting his gaze to Seth and then back again. He shrugged. "I never thought he looked much like me. Dawn hooked up with a lotta guys. I was married to the bitch when he was born though, so that makes him mine. And I'll treat my son anyway I damn well please! He don't respect me, he knows what he gets."
"You call that 'respect'? A combination of hatred and terror?" Sandy was outraged.
"Dad.." Seth tugged at his father's hand. Seth had never been this confused in his entire life. There were armed men in his house, his dad was actually arguing with a homicidal maniac, and Ryan.. Seth didn't know what to think. He knew Ryan would never steal anything from them, but why would he tell his dad about the jewelry? He counted on Ryan being tough. Almost a real-life superhero. He didn't back down from Luke, or Donnie. He didn't even back down from Julie Cooper, and Seth thought she could probably give Dave Atwood a run for his money. That is, if she were a homicidal maniac, and not just a selfish bitch. So why now? Why, when Seth needed everyone around him to be strong enough to compensate for his own pathetic panic-stricken nervous meltdown, was Ryan showing weakness? He just couldn't think straight. And his dad arguing with Dave Atwood wasn't helping any.
Dave's attention was caught by the sound of footsteps descending the stairs. He eagerly turned, dismissing his conversation with Sandy. George held up a black velvet bag in one giant fist and a visibly drained Ryan in the other.
George shoved Ryan back into the living room. Ryan stumbled and fell, hard, to the floor, gasping in pain as he felt something stab him from the inside. From her spot on the floor, Kirsten crept steadfastly over to him, keeping a wary eye on Dave.
"Give it here," Dave ordered. He peered into the bag and pulled out a pearl necklace. He held it up admiringly. "That's what I'm talkin' about!" He looked around the room, gloating.
Sandy's disgust was plain. Seth still looked terrified. Kirsten was paying no attention to him whatsoever. She knelt next to Ryan, a hand on his cheek, trying in vain to penetrate the blank haze he seemed to be caught in.
Dave dropped the necklace back in the bag and stalked over to Ryan. "Get the fuck up. We're outta here."
"What?" Kirsten gasped. "You've got what you want. Just leave!"
"Tyin' you up or lockin' you in some room's no guarantee you're not gonna get loose and set the cops on us before we get across the border. Ryan's my guarantee. You three sit here all nice and quiet for a coupla hours and this'll all be over. Once we're free and clear, I'll let you know where you can pick him up. If you still want him." Dave grinned sardonically.
"You can't take Ryan with you! He's hurt!" Kirsten looked over at Sandy. Helpless to do more than imagine clawing the grin off of Dave Atwood's face, her eyes demanded Sandy do something to end this nightmare.
"Dave," Sandy said quickly, waiting for Dave to meet his gaze before continuing. "We're Ryan's legal guardians. If you take him, that's kidnapping. A federal offense. It doesn't matter if he's your son. Stealing some jewelry, that's a matter for the local police, if we even report it. But kidnapping? The FBI is going to get involved. Come on." Sandy used his most persuasive voice. "You don't need Ryan. He's hurt, he'll slow you down. We don't care about the jewelry. But know this, you take Ryan with you and we're going to come after you. Leave him. We won't go to the police."
"You think I'm stupid? Of course you'll call the cops. For some reason, you give a shit about Ryan. I don't know why. I don't fucking care. We're takin' him with us. You call the cops, Ryan pays the price." Dave locked eyes with Sandy. "Your choice."
By this time, Ryan had pulled himself up to his knees, using a nearby chair for leverage, refusing to let Kirsten help him. He didn't have the strength to get all the way to his feet. He couldn't find the strength even to care anymore. He was leaving with his father and knew he'd never see Kirsten, Sandy, or Seth again.
Without the invaluable assistance of Lisa, Julie, and Anna this chapter may never have been published.
-----------------------------------------
Ryan's words hit the occupants of the room like a grenade. Kirsten jerked in surprise, releasing her hold on Ryan. He felt the loss of her touch immediately. It hurt more than his split lip, more than his ribs. He stiffened his resolve, shifting slightly away from her, needing physical space between them to continue.
"I can show you," he said.
Ryan stared at his father in desperation, bile rising in his throat as the silence stretched for several moments. There was no cash, surely jewelry would be good enough to diffuse his father's anger? He refused to look at any of the Cohens. He was a betrayer. He had made his choice deliberately, but he still couldn't bear to see the disappointment in their eyes. Better the Cohens hate him than suffer any more because of his father. His father. God, he hated him. Dawn at least had required alcohol before turning mean. Dave Atwood required nothing more than being awake.
"You been casing the joint, Ryan?" Dave laughed.
Ryan flinched, as if struck.
"So, where is it?"
Two weeks ago, Ryan couldn't have said for sure that Kirsten even had jewelry, let alone where she kept it. Thinking about brooches and rings just wasn't high on his list of things to do. The Cohen's had taken him out to a fancy restaurant to celebrate his 17th birthday. Walking down the hall later that evening, Ryan spotted Kirsten in one of the guest rooms and she had beckoned him inside.
"I'll show you our secret room! Hold this for me while I open the jewelry case, please." Kirsten handed Ryan the brooch she'd worn to dinner, a vibrant hummingbird encrusted with diamonds and sapphires. "This is my favorite. I only wear it on special occasions." She winked at Ryan.
Kirsten opened the closet door and pushed aside some hanging dresses. A door was built into the side of the closet. "It's not an actual safe." She shrugged as she pulled a deep drawer from the built-in jewelry case. "I just wanted it out of sight. We had to hire someone to finish it. Sandy started to build it, but..you should have seen the mess!" Kirsten giggled. "You might not believe it, but Sandy's not much of a handy man!"
"Huh. So he's as good at building things as you are at cooking?"
"Very funny." Kirsten smiled, glad that Ryan was confident enough around her to make jokes. It had taken a long time, but it looked like Ryan was finally starting to relax. She looked down at the drawer she held.
"Most of these were my mother's," Kirsten said wistfully. "I really should keep some of them in the bank, but I can't bring myself to.I don't know, lock them away." She laughed. Kirsten knew she sounded ridiculous. After all, the jewelry was cold and impersonal; her memories, however, were anything but. "Sandy's given me some pieces over the years, but the big, flashy stuff, those my mom left me. The bigger, the better! She and my dad, they pretty much started out with nothing. Dad just had a natural touch with real estate, I guess and he was successful quickly. He got a real kick out of giving my mom the most ostentatious jewelry he could find. Kind of rubbing it in the faces of the snobs here in Newport."
Ryan looked at Kirsten in disbelief. "People in Newport looked down on your father? On Caleb?" He couldn't quite get his mind around that. The Caleb he knew was larger than life and pretty much dominated every situation he was in with his sheer presence.
"Money talks here, Ryan. I don't condone it, but that's the way a lot of people in Newport think. Just you wait! Ryan Atwood, the world famous architect, will be sought after by every person in Orange County!" Kirsten teased.
Ryan cast his patented sideways glance at Kirsten. "Seriously?"
"Seriously. You're going to make it Ryan. I know you are." Kirsten was firm. "Here. Let me put that away."
Ryan handed back the brooch and Kirsten carefully set in the drawer. The door clicked softly as it closed.
That evening was special. He'd had a real birthday for once, with presents and a family who spent the entire day paying an embarrassing amount of attention to him. Talking with Kirsten, smiling at her memories, and hearing her confidence in his future was more than he could ever have asked for. She had faith in him. And he was about to throw it all away.
Ryan swallowed and said, "It's upstairs, in a guest room closet."
"What the fuck are you waitin' for? Get up!" Dave kicked Ryan's legs. "George. Take him upstairs. Make sure he don't use a phone, or set off any panic buttons. I want you both back down here in three minutes."
Ryan stifled a groan as he pushed himself to his feet. He couldn't straighten up properly. He hunched over slightly and kept his arms tight to his ribs. George grabbed hold of his right arm and hauled him toward the stairs. Ryan couldn't hold back a slight whimper as pain shot through his side. He stumbled after George, who gripped his upper arm firmly in a big, meaty hand.
"I'm sorry," Ryan mumbled, his head down, as George led him out of the living room. "It's the only way.." His voice, already soft, trailed off. There was no way he could explain. No way he could justify his actions. He only hoped that, eventually, they would forgive him for entering their lives and bringing his dark past with him.
"Ryan.." Kirsten pleaded with Ryan to look at her. She knew he was in pain, knew he was terrified of his father. She didn't care about her jewelry. If she had thought of it herself, she would have gladly offered it up in exchange for her family's safety. But somehow she knew Ryan would see his action as a betrayal on his part-and she worried about the panicked thoughts she imagined were coursing through his brain.
Dave watched George and Ryan make their way up the stairs, frowning as Ryan tripped halfway up. George growled something unintelligible and pulled the boy to his feet, adjusting the pace as their continued up the stairs.
"How can you treat your own son like that?" Sandy demanded.
Dave turned and studied Sandy for a moment before shifting his gaze to Seth and then back again. He shrugged. "I never thought he looked much like me. Dawn hooked up with a lotta guys. I was married to the bitch when he was born though, so that makes him mine. And I'll treat my son anyway I damn well please! He don't respect me, he knows what he gets."
"You call that 'respect'? A combination of hatred and terror?" Sandy was outraged.
"Dad.." Seth tugged at his father's hand. Seth had never been this confused in his entire life. There were armed men in his house, his dad was actually arguing with a homicidal maniac, and Ryan.. Seth didn't know what to think. He knew Ryan would never steal anything from them, but why would he tell his dad about the jewelry? He counted on Ryan being tough. Almost a real-life superhero. He didn't back down from Luke, or Donnie. He didn't even back down from Julie Cooper, and Seth thought she could probably give Dave Atwood a run for his money. That is, if she were a homicidal maniac, and not just a selfish bitch. So why now? Why, when Seth needed everyone around him to be strong enough to compensate for his own pathetic panic-stricken nervous meltdown, was Ryan showing weakness? He just couldn't think straight. And his dad arguing with Dave Atwood wasn't helping any.
Dave's attention was caught by the sound of footsteps descending the stairs. He eagerly turned, dismissing his conversation with Sandy. George held up a black velvet bag in one giant fist and a visibly drained Ryan in the other.
George shoved Ryan back into the living room. Ryan stumbled and fell, hard, to the floor, gasping in pain as he felt something stab him from the inside. From her spot on the floor, Kirsten crept steadfastly over to him, keeping a wary eye on Dave.
"Give it here," Dave ordered. He peered into the bag and pulled out a pearl necklace. He held it up admiringly. "That's what I'm talkin' about!" He looked around the room, gloating.
Sandy's disgust was plain. Seth still looked terrified. Kirsten was paying no attention to him whatsoever. She knelt next to Ryan, a hand on his cheek, trying in vain to penetrate the blank haze he seemed to be caught in.
Dave dropped the necklace back in the bag and stalked over to Ryan. "Get the fuck up. We're outta here."
"What?" Kirsten gasped. "You've got what you want. Just leave!"
"Tyin' you up or lockin' you in some room's no guarantee you're not gonna get loose and set the cops on us before we get across the border. Ryan's my guarantee. You three sit here all nice and quiet for a coupla hours and this'll all be over. Once we're free and clear, I'll let you know where you can pick him up. If you still want him." Dave grinned sardonically.
"You can't take Ryan with you! He's hurt!" Kirsten looked over at Sandy. Helpless to do more than imagine clawing the grin off of Dave Atwood's face, her eyes demanded Sandy do something to end this nightmare.
"Dave," Sandy said quickly, waiting for Dave to meet his gaze before continuing. "We're Ryan's legal guardians. If you take him, that's kidnapping. A federal offense. It doesn't matter if he's your son. Stealing some jewelry, that's a matter for the local police, if we even report it. But kidnapping? The FBI is going to get involved. Come on." Sandy used his most persuasive voice. "You don't need Ryan. He's hurt, he'll slow you down. We don't care about the jewelry. But know this, you take Ryan with you and we're going to come after you. Leave him. We won't go to the police."
"You think I'm stupid? Of course you'll call the cops. For some reason, you give a shit about Ryan. I don't know why. I don't fucking care. We're takin' him with us. You call the cops, Ryan pays the price." Dave locked eyes with Sandy. "Your choice."
By this time, Ryan had pulled himself up to his knees, using a nearby chair for leverage, refusing to let Kirsten help him. He didn't have the strength to get all the way to his feet. He couldn't find the strength even to care anymore. He was leaving with his father and knew he'd never see Kirsten, Sandy, or Seth again.