Ryan had fallen asleep. Between trying to recover, his new revelations about Rachel and breaking down and finally letting himself cry, he was so exhausted that he basically cried himself to sleep. He was woken up by his phone ringing. He picked up the phone before it could ring for a second time.

"Hello?" He said worried. He glanced at his clock quickly and saw that it was eleven ten. He had been asleep for about four hours.

"Hey Ryan." Nick said and Ryan heard that his voice sounded happy but wasn't sure.

"Hey, what's wrong Nick?" Ryan asked now wide awake.

"I wanted to call and tell you that Rachel woke up." Nick said happily.

"She did? Is she ok?" Ryan asked.

"Yea, I mean she still has some pain in her chest but the doctor said that should go away soon." Nick stated.

"I'm coming right down." Ryan said starting to getting up.

"No Ry. You can't. Visiting hours aren't until tomorrow at 9am and since you aren't family they won't let you up here at this time of night. Besides she is sleeping again because of the meds." Nick explained to Ryan. Ryan sighed.

"Ok but I will be t here at 9am sharp." Ryan stated. Nick laughed.

"Ok but you need to rest too. I know it is late but I knew you would want to know." Nick said.

"Thanks man. For keeping your word." Ryan said suddenly realizing how tired he still was. The pain making itself knowing in his side again.

"No prob Ryan. Just take care ok."

"I will. See you later." Ryan said and hung up the phone. He laid back down and smiled despite the pain he was feeling. 'She's gonna be ok.' he thought to himself. His stomach growled at him. He realized he hadn't eaten anything since the hospital breakfast. He slowly got up and made his way to the kitchen. The lights were out in the kitchen so he figured everyone had gone to bed. He closed the door behind him quietly, turned on the lights and headed to the fridge. He glanced over in to the living room and saw it had been cleaned up. Which he was happy about. He opened the door to the fridge.

"Hungry?" Ryan jumped and slammed the door shut.

"Kirsten!" Ryan exclaimed.

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you." She said realizing she shouldn't have snuck up on the boy like that.

"It's ok." Ryan relaxed a little when he realized he wasn't in danger.

"Want me to make you something?" She asked him.

"It is ok I got it." Ryan stated opening the refrigerator door again pulling out some lunch meat and then grabbed the bread to make a sandwich. he stopped when he realized Kirsten was still watching him. "What?" Ryan asked softly. Kirsten shook her head a little.

"Nothing....It's just....have you been crying?" Kirsten asked. Ryan's eyes went wide. He had forgot that he didn't clean himself up. She must have seen the tear streaks left behind.

"I...um..." Ryan stumbled. "Nick just called." He said changing the subject. Kirsten saw how uncomfortable he was and let him change the subject for now.

"OH?" she asked.

"Yea. Rachel woke up and the doctor said she should be ok soon." Ryan said went to the sink to wipe his face off a little before going back to his sandwich.

"That's great!" Kirsten said smiling. "I am so glad to hear that." She went over and stood next to him. She placed a hand gently on his back. He flinched but ever so slightly. "How are you feeling?" She asked softly.

"I'm fine." He said even though he felt pain his side and a little in his chest. Kirsten knew he was lying. She went over to the cabinet and pulled out the pain pills the doctor gave her for Ryan.

"Here take these." She said handing him two pills. "It will stop the pain." He looked at her hand and really wanted to take the pills but he didn't want to show he was weak. She put the pills on the counter sensing his apprehension. "Need a ride to the hospital tomorrow morning?" She asked knowing that's where he would be going.

"Nah, I can take my bike." Ryan said and took a bit of his sandwich.

"Oh no you don't mister. I will be waiting to take you in the morning. Got it?" Kirsten said in a no nonsense tone. Ryan knew not to mess with it and nodded. "Good. Get some rest after you eat. Night Ryan." She said and quickly kissed him on the head taking them both by surprise.

"Um I will Kirsten.....Thanks again." Ryan said with a slight half smile unsure of what to do. Kirsten smiled back and left the room. but just when she was out of Ryan's site she looked back to see that he was taking the pain pills. She smiled slightly. She knew she was beginning to read Ryan's feelings like he had been living there his whole life.

Once Kirsten left the room he took the pills. He then ate the rest of his sandwich. He was a little surprised when Kirsten had kissed his head but he didn't hate it. He knew she cared about him and it made him feel good. He took the rest of his sandwich and went back to the pool house. He got himself cleaned up then headed to bed. This time it was easier to fall asleep.

----

Ryan was up by 8 the next morning. He had slept pretty well the night before and he noticed the pain had subsided some what. He got dressed in jeans, tank top and a new button down shirt, which he left open, that Kirsten bought for him. He headed into the kitchen to see Kirsten already up and dressed.

"Coffee?" She asked handing him a cup.

"Thanks." He smiled.

"How are you feeling?" She asked. he looked at her.

"Better." He said and she saw that he meant it.

"Good. Why don't we get some breakfast then head over to the hospital." She said.

"Sounds good." He said and she grabbed her keys and they headed out.

----

9am. Ryan and Kirsten were at the hospital heading up to Rachel's room. They had stopped at a diner and had a good breakfast. Ryan had told Kristen about how him and Rachel became friends. She finally understood why she meant so much to him.

They reached the door and even though it was half way open they knocked. Ryan smiled when he saw Rachel look over at him. He also saw Nick and Jane in the room as well.

"Ryan! Come in!' she said her voice still a little bit sore. She spotted Kirsten and still felt guilty about what happened to Ryan and her home. "Hi Mrs. Cohen."

"Hi sweetie. Call me Kirsten. I'm happy to see you again." She smiled warmly.

"How is Mr. Cohen? I head what happened." Rachel said looking down.

"He is going to be fine. He is home sleeping. "Kirsten said. "How about you. How are you feeling?"

"I'm ok." Rachel said and Ryan smiled a little. He had rubbed off on her a bit.

"The doctor said she can be released tomorrow if everything stays the same." Nick said.

"That's great." Ryan said looking from Nick to Rachel.

"Nick, lets go get something to eat." Jane said to her son. Nick nodded knowing what his mom was getting at.

"Yea. I need some coffee." Kirsten said. Ryan knew she didn't because they just had some at the diner and back at thee house but he wasn't going to object. It gave him and Rachel some time alone since all that shit went down. Once they left the room Ryan went closer to the bed.

"How are you really feeling?" Ryan asked smiling knowingly at Rachel. Rachel gave a half smile back. He knew her to well.

"I'm in some pain but it isn't as bad." she said. "How about you?"

"Same. The pain isn't that bad. I've had worse." Ryan stated. "But seriously, I'm doing better." Ryan said knowing he couldn't lie to her if he tried. Rachel looked down and they were silent for a moment before Ryan knew there was something wrong. "What's the matter?" he asked

"It's my fault." She said not looking up.

"What is?" Ryan asked taking her hand. She still didn't look up.

"You could have died and it would have been my fault." She said softly. Ryan sat down in the chair next to her. He took his free hand and moved the chair closer to the bed.

"It isn't your fault." Ryan said taking his hand and gently getting Rachel to look at him. He saw tears in her eyes, threatening to spill over at any minute.

"But he is my father. I should have stopped him." She said tears now flowing down her face. Ryan, besides Nick, has been the only one to see her cry.

"He was nuts, you couldn't have stopped him." Ryan said softly. All he wanted to do was scoop her up and keep her safe and he told himself once she isn't connected to the IV's and heart monitors, that was just what he was going to do.

"Sandy was shot, you were beat up...I mean...I.." She trailed off trying not to cry hysterically because it would hurt her chest more then it already did.

"It's not your fault." Ryan repeated. He wanted to tell her that her father wanted to kill her but he thought the better of it. That was one thing she didn't need to know. He may have been a son of a bitch but he was still her father.

Rachel looked at Ryan. He was so sincere, so caring, so loving and no one besides her and the Cohen's gave him the chance to show it. Everyone else labeled him bad news because of his last name. Ryan grabbed a tissue and wiped the tears from her face.

"It isn't your fault and I will do anything to show you that." Ryan said looking at Rachel's slightly red eyes. Rachel felt something change towards Ryan. Her feelings changed towards him and not for the worse either.

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I know...long time no update... more is on the way....always open to suggestions...please review...i live for them...thanks!!!