Woops!  I uploaded the wrong chapter last night.  Not as rested as I thought I was. 

I'm back from vacation and it was glorious.  I was actually able to write… and have one final chapter after this.  Just doing some fine-tuning.  So sit back and enjoy the story.  Disclaimer:  I don't own the OC or any of its characters.

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            "You what?" Kirsten shouted.

            Sandy had just finished telling his wife what he had done to snap Ryan out of his depression.  When she had returned from her doctor's appointment, Kirsten had been stunned to see Ryan with wet hair sitting at the kitchen counter poking at a plate of food.  He was still barely eating, but at least he was in the land of the living.  She had looked at Sandy with questions written plainly all over her face, and he had motioned for Kirsten to follow him up to their room where they could talk in private while Ryan tried to eat.

            "He wasn't going to just get out of bed.  Someone had to knock sense into him," Sandy defended himself.

            "But you know his history!  How could you?"

            Sandy sighed.  "I just hoisted him into a sitting position.  I didn't hit him.  I wasn't that rough with him.  I just did what I would have done if it had been Seth!"

            "Ryan isn't Seth.  You can't compare apples and oranges."

            Sandy's eyes blazed.   "They're both my sons."

            "But Ryan's history isn't with us.  He didn't grow up with the love and security that Seth grew up with."

            "What's done is done," Sandy said through gritted teeth.  "And it worked.  There's no point in rehashing this." 

            "Don't walk out on me Sandy."

            He stopped in his tracks and turned to face his wife.  She opened her mouth to say something, but there was a soft knock on their bedroom door. 

            "It's me.  Ryan," came the voice on the other side.

            Kirsten opened the door and forced a smile on her face.  "Did you finish eating?" She said with false cheer.

            He nodded.  "I wasn't very hungry."  He looked from one adult to the other.  "It's okay what Sandy did," he said quietly.

            She put an arm around his shoulder and guided him into their room.  "We would never hurt you, Ryan.  Not intentionally."

            "I know," he said with genuine surprise.  "I never thought you would.  Don't be mad at him Kirsten.  He just did what needed to be done.  I was feeling sorry for myself.  I was confused."  He wriggled out from under her grasp and stood apart from both of them. "I want you to adopt me, but at the same time Seth was right, I'm doing things to sabotage it.  But Sandy knew what I needed and told me what to do."  Just like I'd been asking the entire time, he thought to himself.  How many times had Ryan begged Sandy to just tell him what choices he should make?

            Kirsten rubbed his arms and smiled, for real this time.  "You've done nothing to sabotage the adoption.  And if you tried, it wouldn't work.  Burning down the model house didn't scare us off, nor did getting into fight after fight.  You can cut school, try and run off, and while you may succeed in worrying us or pissing us off from time to time, you cannot sabotage this."

            "Kirsten is right," Sandy said.  "You can't do anything to change our minds.  But Ryan if I was too rough earlier, I'm sorry."

            "I needed a kick in the pants."  He fiddled with his watchband.  "Can we go see Roger today?"

            Sandy shook his head.  "Rachel is in court all day.  We can go tomorrow."

            Ryan's face fell.

            "Before you know it, you'll be Ryan Atwood-Cohen."

            "I know.  I just didn't want to loose my nerve."

            "You don't have to go.  Rachel will take care of it."

            "I want to go.  I need to go," Ryan said forcefully.

            "What's the point?" Kirsten asked, sitting on the little couch that sat at the foot of their bed.  "Why is it so important for you to see Roger sign those papers?"

            "Because I want to see him do something for me once in his life."

            Sandy sidled up to the teenager and said, "then we'll all go tomorrow.  You, me and Rachel.  But let me warn you, there's no reason to think we'll make him change his mind.  I'm not sure what Roger's motives are in this, but there's a strong possibility that we'll still have to go to court for a judge to terminate his rights."

            Ryan nodded.  "Then that's what we'll do."  He dug his hands deep into his pockets and said, "I'm going to go and catch up on my homework.  I'm probably days behind."

            "I'm sure detention will give you the opportunity to catch up," Kirsten said with a wry smile.

            Ryan groaned.  "Don't remind me.  Maybe suspension would have gotten my probation officer on my case, but it would have been a lot easier."

            "You get suspended…" Sandy's voice trailed off in an ominous tone, but he wore a smile.

            When Seth came home from school he nearly jumped on Ryan, who was sitting and watching some shows Seth had saved on TiVo.  There was an open book on his lap so that when Sandy or Kirsten and her swollen belly came by, he quickly shut the TV off and pretended he was studying.  He knew he wasn't fooling them, but everyone was keeping up the charade.

            "You're back!"

            Ryan blushed.

            "I missed you.  Sorry if I caused it," Seth said quietly.

            "It's not you're fault," Ryan said slowly.  "I'm just a basket case.  Sandy's taking me to Dr. Acobas in a little while.  We have an emergency session."

            "Glad he doesn't have to come here.  The parents were toying with that and some other drastic measures."  Seth settled into his seat and grabbed the game console for the Playstation.  "Want to play?"

            "So you can whip my ass?  No thanks."

            "I'll go easy on you."

            "Sandy or Kirsten may come by."

            "We'll tell them its homework."

            Ryan laughed and grabbed the other game console to take his brother on.

            Even though Ryan was up and about the next day, fortified after his session with Dr. Acobas, he still didn't have to go back to school.  Rachel had made a midday appointment at the jail and it was agreed that it wouldn't harm Ryan to miss one more day.  Kirsten drove Seth to Harbor in the Land Rover and then went on to work.  Caleb was starting to make noise about her frequent absence in light of the fact that she was due to take maternity leave in just a couple of months.  Ryan wondered if his soon to be grandfather was ever pleased.

            Sandy wanted to go to the office before they went to the jail so he took Ryan along, figuring they could all leave from there.  He had books and Sandy's laptop to occupy him while Sandy wheeled and dealed, but instead Ryan watched him with interest.  Sandy was submerged in paperwork and constantly on the phone, trying to convince some clients that settling was their best option; while he assured other that they would get their day in court.

            "You're good at what you do," Ryan observed, when Sandy was finally off the phone.  "People trust you."

            "Did you doubt it?  I was your lawyer after all.  You trusted me enough to call me when you had no place else to go."

            "You mean when Dawn threw me out."

            "Yes," Sandy said softly.  It was still difficult for him to imagine any parent doing that to a child.

            "I don't know if I trusted you then, I just didn't have any choice.  I couldn't stay out on the streets."

            "You trusted me enough to know I wasn't some sicko-"

            "I guess."

            They didn't continue because a perfectly coiffed Rachel knocked on Sandy's open door and asked them if they were ready.  Sandy saved the file he was working on and turned off his computer.  He tidied up the folders on his desk, grabbed his jacket and briefcase and started for the door.  Ryan followed, but with less speed.  He hadn't let himself think about the meeting again, but now that they were on their way his insides churned and lumps dropped to the pit of his stomach.

            Before he knew it, they were seated in the cold gray uncomfortable seats waiting for Roger to be brought in.

            "You brought reinforcements," Roger said to his son, ignoring Sandy and Rachel.

            "You know Sandy.  And this," he said pointing to Rachel, "is our lawyer."

            "Mr. Atwood, I'm Rachel Carson, the attorney taking care of Ryan's adoption.  She pulled out a sheaf of legal papers.  We're here to ask you one more time to please sign these paper relinquishing your parental rights.  It's your opportunity to give your son an opportunity for a chance at a stable loving family."

            Roger's eyes looked over at everyone sitting at the table.  His eyes stopped at Ryan.  But when he spoke, he addressed Rachel.  "Ms. Carson, why should I do this?  All it shows is that I'm a lousy father who doesn't want his kid."

            Ryan was about to open his mouth, but Sandy saw Ryan lurch in his seat and put a restraining arm on him, silently telling Ryan to let Rachel take care of this.

            "Mr. Atwood, Ryan has the opportunity of a lifetime here.  The Cohens are pillars in their community.  They can give Ryan the world on a plate.  Opportunities you can't give Ryan from a jail cell or even when you're let out on probation.  By selflessly signing these papers you are showing you're looking at Ryan's best interests."

            "He's nearly grown.  When I was his age, I was already out on my own.  I had a job a place of my own."

             "I was sixteen when I left home," Sandy said delicately.  "A kid myself.  I still needed my mother, but she wasn't around much.  She was too busy working and taking care of kids like Ryan or protesting some cause."

            "And you made it."

            Ryan listened intently.  He had never heard Sandy talk about his childhood. 

"I didn't have any better opportunities."

"You did okay by yourself," Roger said leaning forward on his elbows.  "Look at you, a fancy lawyer.  You live in Newport in a big fancy home."

 "The fancy house is due to my wife.  But the fact that I'm successful is because in the back of my mind, I always knew that I had a mother and a brother and a sister to go back to.  Later I met Kirsten, my wife.  It's all due to my family.  If you don't sign those papers, Ryan won't have that.  His mother is dead and his father and brother are in jail.  Give him a family to go home to."

Roger rubbed his day old stubble.  He said nothing and made no move to accept the pen that Rachel was trying to gently put in his hand.

This time it was Ryan's turn to speak.  "This is your chance Dad-"

"Shut up," snapped Roger.

"Don't talk to him like that," Sandy said furiously.

"Don't tell me how to talk to my kid."

"He's my kid.  You can sign those papers today or we as soon as we leave here we can file a petition to terminate your rights.  It's your choice Roger.  Either way, Ryan will be my son."  It was Rachel's turn to put a restraining hand on Sandy.

"More his son, than I was ever your son."

Roger's head whipped around to face Ryan.  "What's that supposed to mean?" he growled.

"My clearest memory of you is the time I was eight."  Ryan folded his hands in front of him.  He looked down at the table as he spoke.  "Just about a month before you got arrested.  I came home with my report card and you were already drunk even though it was three in the afternoon.  I was so excited to show my grades to mom, but you called me over and snarled to show me what I had in my hands."  Ryan closed his eyes as if trying to block out the memory. 

"You saw my grades and instead of saying how proud you were of me, you called me a sissy.  A goody-two shoe.  A brainiac.  When I dared to cry, you backhanded me so hard, my head snapped back.  Then you got up and started to push me around.  I wouldn't stop crying so you hit me again, but this time I fell back hard and hit my head on the corner of the table.  I had to go to the hospital and get six stitches in my head.  I also had to lie and tell them I fell while running in the house.  Mom used to knock me around all the time, but it was the first time I ever had to go to the hospital because of it."

Ryan felt Sandy's hand around his shoulder.

"What are you trying to tell me?" asked Roger.  "It was the only time I ever hit you."

"You never really had a chance again, did you?  You went to jail pretty soon after."

"I know I was a lousy father."

"So why deprive me of Sandy.  I don't get it?"

"Out of spite," spat Roger.

"I don't believe you."

"Why not.  I was always a mean SOB.  Jail hasn't made me any softer."

"You really getting out in six months?" Ryan asked, seemingly changing the subject.

Roger nodded.

"Where are you planning to go?  What are you planning to do?"

"I figured I would move back to Chino where your mom and I first lived.  I'll probably be able to find a job fixing cars or as a short order cook."

"When you get out, maybe we can spend some time together."

"You'd want that?"

Ryan nodded.  "But I also want the Cohens.  And for once, I think I can have the best of both worlds."

Roger was silent.  He fiddled with a pack of cigarettes that he had taken out of his shirt pocket.  He took one out and struck a mouth inhaling deeply.  He offered the cigarette to Ryan who accepted, taking a long drag under the disapproving eyes of Sandy.

"Doesn't look like your pops likes you smoking."

Ryan gulped and accidentally swallowed some smoke.  He coughed hard and couldn't catch his breath.  Sandy slapped him on the back whispering words of encouragement.  Roger watch Sandy taking care of Ryan.

"Does he listen to you?" asked Roger, turning to Sandy.  "Abide by your rules."

"Most of the time.  He's a teenager."

"What type of trouble he getting into?"

"He cut school to come visit you last week."

"What happened?"

"The school gave him detention and Kirsten and I grounded him."

Roger nodded approvingly.  "He getting good grades?"

"He's doing really well and Harbor is a tough school."

"You'll keep his nose clean?  Make sure he stays out of jail.  Help him get into a good college?  Make sure he makes something out of himself?"

Ryan swallowed afraid to say anything.  He watched Roger pick up the pen and was about to sign.  "Will you write to me while I'm in here?"

Ryan nodded.

"Is it okay if I call from time to time?  It's gotta be collect from here."

"Absolutely," said Sandy.

"And when I get out Ryan, and I get my act together I want you to promise me that you'll give me a chance.  Just one meeting is all I ask.  After that if you don't want anything to do with me… I'll leave you alone."

"I'd like that," Ryan said in a whisper.

Roger signed his name where Rachel pointed, roughly pushed the papers at them and got up without a backwards glance.