AN: Still don't own anything. This one-shotter has developed into much more than I had intended but I'm glad that some people are still enjoying it. This is the last big chapter, I should be tying it up in the next chapter. Enjoy.

*****Part Three*****

"And if it makes you less sad,

I'll take your pictures all down.

Every picture you paint,

I will paint myself out.

It's cold as a tomb,

and it's dark in your room,

when I sneak to your bed

to pour salt in your wounds.

So call it quits or get a grip.

Say you wanted a solution.

You just wanted to be missed.

Call me a safe bet.

I'm betting I'm not.

I'm glad that you can forgive.
I'm only hoping as time goes,

you can forget…"

--Brand New

Seth, Sandy and Kirsten walk slowly toward the emergency room. None of them knew what to expect when they got there. They don't know if Ryan is okay, if he's angry or what his state of mind is going to be when they get there.

Summer surprises them all by meeting them by the entrance.

"Hey. Why aren't you with Ryan?" Seth asks immediately.

"He didn't want me there while they were examining him," Summer replies. She accepts Kirsten's gentle hug.

"Where is he?" Sandy asks.

"They're putting some stitches in his leg while they're waiting for the x-rays to come back," Summer explains.

"What happened to him?" Seth asks. Kirsten is silent, looking stricken.

"Apparently, he was scamming money by shooting pool and he got in a fight," Summer lies. She had agreed on the lie with Ryan on the way to the hospital.

"Does he know we're coming?" Kirsten asks suddenly.

"Yeah. He knows. He's ready to come home, I think…but he's still a little…off."

"Off?" Seth asks.

"Yeah. You'll see…" Summer leads them into the hospital. A nurse stops her before she can get to the desk.

"Your boyfriend's asking for you," The nurse says.

Summer blushes but doesn't comment. "This is his family, the Cohens," Summer introduces.

"The doctor's looking for you guys. I'll take you where you can wait while I get him," The nurse smiles and leads the Cohens to a room down the hall. Summer slips past them to Ryan's room.

Ryan is sitting on the edge of a bed with an ace bandage wrapped tightly around his chest and waist. He's wearing scrub pants since his jeans were ruined with blood.

"Hey, baby," Summer smiles as he slowly gets down and wraps his arms around her small frame.

"Thanks."

"Don't thank me yet. The Cohens are here. How are you going to handle that?"

"I'm going to beg for forgiveness, what do you think I should do?" Ryan replies immediately.

"Ryan…"

"I fucked up. Now I have to try and fix it. That's it. That's what I have to do," Ryan says.

"Something's up. It's just me and you, right now, Ryan. Tell me what's really going on in your head," She urges.

"That's it, Summer. No matter how I look at it, I just see how much I fucked up. Seth and I had a fight and I took off. Sandy and Kirsten begged me to stay and I took off. I can't do this by myself," Ryan says quietly. Summer shakes her head at him. She doesn't believe him, she doesn't recognize his voice.

"Ryan, stop. Talk to me."

Ryan meets her gaze shakily as she takes his wrists in her hands and laces her fingers with his. "Summer…"

"Talk to me."

"I…I don't know what else to do so I'm giving up, Summer," He whispers. "I don't have anywhere else to go and since you say the Cohens still want me…"

"They do…"

"Then I don't have any other choice…"

"You always have a choice. Don't do this just for me…"

"Any reason's a good reason at this point. And I'm doing this for me, too. And Seth…and the Cohens…if I had just kept my head together then none of this would have happened…"

"Everyone makes mistakes, Ryan. This mess, it's not all your fault. It…"

"It just got out of control," Ryan finishes for her.

"So. You're ready for this?" Summer asks.

"Almost," Ryan says. She looks up at him in surprise.

"What?"

"It's just me and you, now, right?" He whispers. "Because…there's something I need to tell you…"

"What?" She whispers. He pulls her against him and hugs her. "Tell me…"

"I think that I'm falling…" He murmurs.

"Oh, that? You don't have to say it…" Summer laughs. She pulls away from him for a moment. "We don't need to talk about that right now." She smiles as she meets his gaze.

"I want to talk about it, right now. Who knows when we'll get the chance again?" Ryan whispers.

"I'm not going anywhere, Ryan. I'm here for you. We're just friends…"

"Just friends?"

"Yeah. At least in front of the Cohens we are. When we're alone…" Summer starts. "Well, when we're alone, our relationship doesn't need a label. I…I love you."

"I love you, too," Ryan whispers. They embrace again.

The doctor steps in with Sandy close beside him. Sandy's face breaks into a relieved smile.

"Well, Mr. Atwood, I've spoken with your…guardian, and I'm prepared to release you, conditionally."

"Conditionally. What conditions?" Ryan asks as he separates from Summer. She keeps a tight grip on his hand.

"You've got some cracked ribs, Ryan, and we put twenty-five stitches in your upper thigh. Honestly, I don't know how you're walking around on your own now. Your side is deeply bruised but I can't find any sign of internal bleeding but it's going to be sore several days. I want you to stay off your feet as much as possible so you don't damage the stitches we put in. I don't want you running around town picking fights. I'm prepared to release you as long as you agree to take it easy and you return home with the Cohens. If you intend on taking off again, I'm prepared to keep you a few days for observation," The doctor says.

"Are you ready to come home?" Sandy asks quietly. Ryan meets his gaze for a long moment. He lowers his gaze as he nods.

"I'm prescribing some antibiotics to fight infection in your leg as well as some painkillers…" The doctor begins. Ryan shakes his head slightly and Summer catches the motion.

"No painkillers?" She asks. Ryan meets her gaze.

The doctor hesitates and glances at Sandy for a beat.

"Can I have a few minutes with you?" Sandy asks Ryan pointedly. He nods.

"I'll start getting the paperwork ready," The doctor says as he exits.

"You okay?" Summer whispers.

"Yeah. It's cool," He says, squeezing her hand.

"I'll be outside if you need me," Summer promises and exits.

"Sandy. I'm sorry," Ryan says slowly. Sandy steps over and embraces him roughly, not thinking of Ryan's hurt ribs.

"Are you okay?" Sandy asks.

"Yeah, I'm okay."

"Because you don't look okay. Not at all," Sandy replies.

"I'm okay," Ryan says quietly.

"And you're ready to come home?"

"If the invitation's still open," Ryan mutters.

"Ryan. You're a part of our family. You belong with us. We've all made mistakes and the important thing right now is that you come home and we can fix them together," Sandy says.

Ryan nods.

"What happened?" Sandy asks.

"I…"

"Don't give me that line about pool, Ryan. I talked to the doctor," Sandy states slowly. He meets Ryan's gaze. "He ran a drug screen."

Ryan nods.

"I don't know what to think, Ryan…" Sandy starts.

"I needed money, Sandy. The fastest way to make money…is to sell. So I got a friend of mine to front me some coke and I sold it. I had to prove that I wasn't a cop so I had to…I had to prove that I wasn't a cop," Ryan says slowly.

Sandy nods. "Okay. Your blood alcohol level was pretty high as well, kid."

"I've been drinking since I left. I…I tried not to let the cocaine get me, I only did a little…but I've been drinking a lot…"

"Any cocaine is too much, Ryan. But I'm willing to let it slide if you promise…"

"No more, Sandy. I know better. I'm sorry…"

"We're outlawing apologies, Ryan. No more apologizing. We're past all that. No more drugs, no more drinking. You're coming home and that's all that matters," Sandy says. "Okay?"

"Okay," Ryan nods.

Sandy hugs Ryan again as the doctor returns with Kirsten, Seth and Summer.

"Sandy!" Kirsten scolds, seeing the pain on Ryan's face as she enters.

Summer gives Ryan a reassuring smile as Sandy releases him.

"Take it easy on him, Mr. Cohen," The doctor echoes. "His ribs are going to be giving him a lot of pain for the next few weeks while they heal. Off the leg, Ryan." Ryan sits down on the edge of the bed immediately.

"I'm sorry, Ryan…" Sandy gasps.

"It's okay, I swear. I'm fine," Ryan says immediately.

Seth stands several steps behind his mother, tentative. Ryan meets his gaze and they both lower their eyes when they make eye contact.

"Mr. Cohen, would you mind stepping outside with me? I have all the paperwork ready for Ryan's release," The doctor says. Sandy follows the doctor outside the room.

"Ryan. Thank God you're okay," Kirsten says and immediately embraces him once the doctor and Sandy are gone. He accepts her hug, returning it timidly as he stands up. Seth's eyes are glued to the floor. Summer nudges him.

"Are you okay? Really?" Kirsten probes.

"I'm okay. I think," Ryan replies quietly. He glances over Kirsten's shoulder and looks at Seth. "I guess we'll find out," He adds. He steps past Kirsten and starts to reach for Seth's arm.

Seth visibly flinches, glancing up in surprise.

"I'm not going to hit you," Ryan says, lowering his hands and retreating back toward the bed several steps. "I just…I wanted to…"

"Ryan, I'm sorry," Seth apologizes immediately. The tension in the room thickens as Seth steps toward Ryan.

Ryan raises his hands in surrender and Summer, Seth and Kirsten are surprised to see his hands shaking with emotion. "It's cool. Everything's cool…"

"Yeah. Everything's cool, so why don't we all relax?" Summer says. She puts her hand on Seth's back, urging him silently to say something.

"I'm sorry, Ryan. About everything. I overreacted, as usual, I was selfish and not thinking straight…" Seth starts to babble.

"Hey. Me, too. Everything you said," Ryan interrupts. "Really, Seth. I'm sorry," He states as he leans against the bed without sitting down.

"Yeah." Seth holds out his hand and Ryan clasps it. Seth pulls him into a hug as the doctor returns with Sandy.

"I think with this family, we're going to have to eliminate hugs until Mr. Atwood recovers a little more," The doctor says, seeing Ryan's pained expression. "Off the leg." Ryan sits down again on the bed with a sigh.

"Sorry," Seth flushes as he steps back. Summer fills the space at Ryan's side, her hand finding his and squeezing tightly. He gives her a relieved smile.

"It's okay," Ryan sighs.

"Mr. Atwood is free to go. I've discussed with him how to take care of himself and I've went over all of that with Mr. Cohen," The doctor says. "I don't want to see you back here anytime soon," He adds. He leaves a stack of papers with Sandy and exits.

"Me either," Ryan replies.

"Are you coming home?" Seth asks.

Ryan nods. Seth allows himself to smile for the first time.

"Good. It's going to be good having you home," Seth says. "You've been gone too long."

Ryan doesn't respond. Summer glances at him and sees that his blue eyes are glazed.

"Did he give you something, Ryan?" Summer asks.

"What?" Ryan asks, distracted. He focuses on her.

"Did the doctor give you something? You look a little out of it," She adds.

"He gave me a shot for pain," Ryan replies. "I feel like I'm dead weight all of a sudden."

"Summer, are you bringing him in your car?" Kirsten asks suddenly. She is standing beside Sandy, unsure.

"I…is that okay?" Summer asks, surprised.

"Of course. You brought him back to us, Summer. You've been at the house pretty much constantly lately anyway," Kirsten smiles.

"It's late. Let's get you home," Sandy says to Ryan.

"I'll see you back at the house," Seth tells Ryan. Summer doesn't release Ryan's hand as he slowly stands up. He staggers slightly as he adjusts to the weight on his leg again. She puts her arm around him and they follow the Cohens into the parking lot.

"We'll be right behind you," Summer calls to Sandy as they separate and get into their cars. She unlocks Ryan's door and he sits down heavily in the seat and waits for her to get into the driver's seat.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. I think I'm okay," Ryan says.

"You sure?" She asks as she starts the car.

"Yeah, Summer. That was…that was amazingly painless. Seeing the Cohens, I mean."

"You're going home, Ryan. That's all I wanted. That's all any of us wanted," Summer replies.

Ryan's eyelids were drooping. "Sandy knows that I used while I was gone. The doctor told him."

"What did he say?"

"He said that he understood, I guess. He listened to me. He said he'd let it slide this time as long as I didn't do it again. I'm sure that's not the end of it, but it was nice…it was nice that he listened to me," Ryan says quietly.

"He wants you home safe with him, Ryan. He cares about you. They all do…"

"I know. I care about them, too. I…my head's messed up, Summer. Everything got so twisted…" He starts.

"Hush. No more of that tonight," She says suddenly. She reaches over and takes his hand. "Everything's okay now. For now, everything's okay."

"Thanks."

They ride in silence for several miles and when Summer glances back to him, he's sleeping.

*****

"Ryan? Ryan, we're here," Summer wakes him up with her voice. Ryan glances around, disoriented for a moment before he recognizes Summer's car and the Cohen driveway.

"I'm up," Ryan says. He opens the door and slowly steps out of her car.

"Ryan, there's been some changes since you've been gone," Sandy says. He steadies Ryan as he sways slightly with a hand on his shoulder.

"Okay. What kind of changes?" Ryan asks.

"No more poolhouse. You're a part of our family and you should be inside the house with us," Kirsten says. Summer and Seth glance at each other. They didn't know.

"So you can watch me," Ryan says after a beat.

"No. Not entirely. You should be in the house like a member of the family. You're not hired help. You're our son," Kirsten says. She is adamant. "You belong in the house."

"Okay, Kirsten. Whatever you think is best," Ryan says.

"You sure?" Seth asks.

"Yeah. It's cool. I'm too tired to argue. It's really fine, it's not that big of a deal," Ryan promises.

"Let's get you to bed," Sandy says.

"Mr. and Mrs. Cohen…" Summer starts.

"Come on in, Summer," Seth says. "You know that you're welcome," He adds.

"Do you want me to bring you something to eat before you fall asleep?" Kirsten asks as they all walk into the house.

"I'm not hungry…" Ryan starts.

"When's the last time you ate something?" Summer interrupts. He doesn't respond. "As much as you've been drinking, you have to put some food in your stomach…"

"Summer," Ryan stops her. "It's cool. I promise I'll eat first thing in the morning," He says. She realizes that he's barely able to stand from exhaustion. She takes his hand.

"Oh. Sorry," Summer says, flushing.

Ryan smiles. "It's okay. Where do I go?" He turns back to the Cohens.

"I'll show you," Kirsten says quietly. Sandy and Seth both leave Ryan with the women and disappear into the kitchen.

Kirsten follows Ryan and Summer up the stairs to the second floor. Kirsten points toward the guestroom and Ryan nods and steps inside. He recognizes his clothes hanging in the closet as well as his books and assorted papers from school on a desk by the window. Summer doesn't let go of his hand.

"Rosa and Sandy moved all your things yesterday," Kirsten says, still hesitant.

"It's fine," Ryan says quietly. "Is it okay if I just crash? We can have all these uncomfortable conversations first thing in the morning."

"Sure, Ryan," Kirsten replies. She gives him a gentle hug. "Get some sleep."

Ryan sits down on the bed and Summer sits down beside him.

Kirsten goes to the door and turns back to speak to them. "I know you guys are just friends and everything, but…"

"No funny business, I swear," Summer finishes. "Is it okay if…"

"If the bed is too crowded, Summer, you're welcome to the downstairs guestroom or the couch. Both of you need to get some sleep," Kirsten says as she closes the door behind her.

"They're great," Summer says quietly.

"I know," Ryan sighs. "Makes me wonder why I ended up here in the first place."

"Ryan?"

"You want to sleep with me?" Ryan asks. She looks at him in surprise. He's smiling playfully.

She laughs. "I'd rather ravish you, but if you want to sleep," She replies. As she pulls the covers back, Ryan stands up and slowly pulls his shirt off.

"My ribs are killing me," Ryan says as she steps beside him.

"Do you have to leave them wrapped when you sleep?" Summer asks.

"I think so," Ryan sighs.

"Come to bed," Summer urges.

"Will you do something for me in return?" He asks.

"Ryan, stop," She laughs, thinking he's joking.

"Seriously?" He takes her hands. They feel the need to touch each other when they were near. It was automatic.

"Okay," She says.

He kisses her forehead. "Eat. Take a shower. Change clothes. I know how you hate to wear the same outfit two days running."

She smiles. "I don't want to leave you…"

"Then don't. I'll be right here. Just come back, okay?" He pulls her into a gentle embrace.

"Okay," Summer concedes. He pulls away from her and lies down on the bed. He sighs.

"I'll be back soon," She says.

"'Kay," He murmurs.

*****

Summer finds Seth and his parents in the kitchen eating bagels.

"You must be starving," Sandy says, offering her a bagel. She accepts.

"Thanks."

"How's Ryan?" Kirsten asks.

"He sent me away," She says. "I have to eat and shower before I'm allowed back. So he's okay."

"I'm glad you're staying with him," Seth says suddenly. "I mean, you're helping, I think. You guys seem good for each other…"

"Maybe you should tell Ryan that, Seth," Sandy says.

Seth nods. "I will."

"Thanks, Seth. I mean…we're just friends…" Summer starts.

"You better get a new line, Summer, 'cause none of us believe you," Kirsten smiles.

"There're many definitions of the word 'friend', now, Kirsten," Sandy laughs.

"Do you have and 'friends' like Summer, Sandy?" Kirsten replies.

"I don't like where this is heading," Seth laughs.

"I'll put fresh towels in the guest bathroom, Summer," Kirsten says, leaving.

"And I'm going to bed. I'll see you kids in the morning. The later morning," Sandy says.

Seth pats the stool beside him. Summer sits down. She takes a bite of her bagel.

"So. Is Ryan…is he cool with me?"

"Are you cool with him? I mean, really?" Summer responds.

"Absolutely," Seth answers immediately. "I…I am so in love with Anna right now, Summer…I mean, this whole thing was like a wake up call. It tested our relationship, it made me focus on what's really important to me, what's real…" He sighs. "And I love Anna. She's real…and good…and I love Ryan…nothing's worth losing him…"

"I think he needs to hear you say that, Seth. He really needs to hear it. Because he's home but I'm not sure of the real reason he's home. We have to make him see that he belongs here."

*****

Kirsten gets up around noon. Seth and Sandy are still sleeping. Everyone is exhausted by the past few days. Kirsten sees that Ryan's door is half-open. She steps inside.

Summer is curled against Ryan's chest in a set of his sweats. Ryan is awake, his eyes are closed but he is massaging his temples with one hand.

"Ryan? How're you feeling?"

"I shouldn't answer that," Ryan smiles sadly. He glances at Summer.

"Come down for breakfast. Don't wake her. You can come right back."

Ryan disentangles himself from Summer, who doesn't wake. He slowly makes his way down the stairs into the kitchen. He sits down at the counter, wincing.

"You have medicine, Ryan," Kirsten says.

"It's okay…"

"You're obviously in pain," She replies.

"I don't want them," He says quietly.

"Why? Ryan, why suffer…"

"I used drugs while I was gone, Kirsten," Ryan says quietly.

Kirsten doesn't react. "I know, Ryan. Sandy told me."

"And you still want me to take these narcotics? Prescriptions or not…" Ryan starts.

"I'm in charge of the drugs, Ryan." She hesitates, considering her words.

"I messed up, Mrs. Cohen," Ryan says suddenly. "I found myself sitting alone, drunk, staring at this pile of cocaine and I…I was my father. I was my mother. Shit, I was Trey for a minute and I just…I don't want to…"

"You came home, Ryan," Kirsten interrupts softly. "You aren't any of those people. You're Ryan. You're unique. You're strong and smart and irreplaceable." She sets a box of cereal in front of him. He sees that she's shaking.

"I'm sorry," He apologizes for upsetting her.

"No, it's fine…you just surprised me. You don't usually talk to me…"

"I don't usually talk to anyone," Ryan smiles, breaking the tension.

"Sandy and I have talked about this, Ryan. The doctor…he said that you would be in a lot of pain. He said you shouldn't be walking around…"

"I'm fine…"

"I don't believe you. You're in too much pain to hide it, Ryan. Please. Take something," Kirsten urges.

Ryan sighs.

"Please. I don't want you to be in pain, Ryan," Kirsten says.

He closes his eyes.

"We trust you. You knew that what you were doing was wrong and you stopped yourself…"

"I tried…"

"You did. You called for help. You came home. You don't have to do everything by yourself. We all made mistakes in the past few months, Ryan. We brought you into our family and didn't do anything to make you feel like you belonged with us. We neglected you, just like your mom…"

"Kirsten…" Ryan starts.

"No, let me say it, Ryan. It has to be said," She interrupts. "I love you. Sandy and I…we've been so caught up in our own issues lately and we haven't been giving you or Seth any attention. Seth…he knows that we love him, he's always known that because he's always been with us. You…you have no reason to trust us. But you can…"

"I do. Trust you, I mean. Sometimes…sometimes I can't think straight, like, I let my emotions take over and…fight or flight mentality, I guess," Ryan says slowly. "It was just everything at once. I was hanging out with my old friends, nothing that I did around here really mattered…"

"It mattered, Ryan," She says quietly.

"And then Seth was so angry at me for even being friends with Summer…I didn't really think it would matter if I left…I didn't consider the consequences of my decision, I just had to leave," Ryan sighs.

"I'm sorry, Ryan."

"I made a mistake."

"We all made mistakes. But you're home now."

He nods. "I'm home."

"And if you ever come close to getting upset enough that you feel like you need to leave, I hope you'll come to me, or Sandy and talk to us. You can talk to us, Ryan," Kirsten says.

"I know. I'm sorry."

"It's too early for apologies, Ryan," Sandy yawns, stepping into the kitchen.

"It's after twelve," Kirsten smiles.

"Still too early for apologies. Everything okay?"

"Fine. We were just talking. I'm trying to get Ryan to take some pain medication," Kirsten tells Sandy. Ryan picks at his dry cereal.

"And how's that coming?" Sandy asks, sitting down beside Ryan.

"He doesn't want to," Kirsten replies.

"Ryan…" Sandy starts.

"If you're going to double team me then I have no defenses," Ryan sighs.

"Hey. You're more paranoid about your drug use than we are at this point. It's for the best, Ryan. It'll make you feel better. When you start looking better…" Sandy says.

"Whatever you think," Ryan replies. "I'll do whatever you think."

Kirsten sets several bottles of medication on the counter. "Okay. We have antibiotics for your leg, painkillers and anti-inflammatory meds for your ribs and food as soon as Rosa comes in."

"Okay," Ryan says. He accepts the pills that she places in his hand. Sandy pats him on the back, gently. Ryan swallows the pills in a single swallow.

"How're you doing otherwise?" Sandy asks.

"I'm okay. Really," Ryan gives Sandy a slight smile.

"I think we're doing well with the not-smothering," Kirsten grins.

"So. Can we talk about that girl in your bed?" Sandy asks.

"We're friends…" Ryan starts.

"Stop. You guys are more than friends. Does Marissa…"

"Marissa broke up with me. She fell in love with some french guy. She's been seeing him for weeks," Ryan shrugs.

"Ryan, I'm sorry…" Sandy says.

"It's okay," Ryan shrugs. "I don't think she cared about me that much, anyway."

"So what about Summer?" Kirsten asks.

"We're friends," Ryan replies.

"Friends that have sex?" Sandy probes.

Ryan blushes. "We didn't…"

"You guys are obviously…closer than friends, Ryan. You don't have to keep denying it."

"We're undefined, okay?" Ryan says finally. "We don't need to define our relationship or how it works. All we need to know is that it works. We're friends."

"Okay, Ryan. Thanks for clearing that up," Kirsten laughs. Rosa appears with several containers of food. She gives Ryan a hug and mutters to him in Spanish.

"Gracias, Rosa," Ryan replies with a smile.

Kirsten and Sandy start laying out the food and Ryan actually eats several small servings of food.

"Is that all you want?" Sandy asks him.

"I'm not really hungry. If you don't eat for a few days, the hunger pains disappear. If I overdo it today, I'll regret it later. I need to take it slow," Ryan sighs.

"Sounds like a plan," Sandy nods.

"You still look exhausted. Why don't you go back to bed for a while?"

"Is that okay?" Ryan asks, surprised.

"Just like with the eating, we'll make you talk in small doses," Sandy smiles.

"Thanks."

*****