Author's note: In my mind this could have taken place around the time of the episode, "The Debut" when Kirsten suggests that they need to get somethings for Ryan including the unmentionable (according to Seth) underpants. Oh, and I did a little research, Troquet really is a French bristo restuarant at South Coast Plaza and those really are items and the costs on their menu. And the mall does have a concierge.

And once again. I thank you for the reviews.

Shopping with Ryan

Ryan sighed heavily as three more shirts were laid over the top of the dressing room door. He tiredly blew the hair out of his eyes, as he tried to find a place for them on the already overstuffed hooks. Finally, he gave up and laid them on the floor. He turned back towards the mirror. This shirt was certainly better than the pinkish shirt, Kirsten had picked; she called it salmon. Yeah, he was sure salmon was not his color. This shirt would be good. At least it was only, $42 as opposed to the $68 price of some of the other shirts. He had only paid $40 dollars for his bike at Mike's Pawn Shop and it had taken him awhile to save up that money. This shirt cost more than his bicycle; he would never understand rich people.

This shopping trip wasn't his idea, he didn't have the money but when Kirsten insisted he had suggested Target or any other discount store. But she would not hear it, South Coast Plaza would have everything he needed she had said. He decided he had better chose something or they would be there all day. One shirt would be good; he could pay them back for that with the money from his job at The Crab Shack. After he finished dressing in his old clothes, he opened the door to the dressing room. Kirsten was approaching with an armful of pants and shirts, only these looked like dress clothes. He was really tired of this shopping stuff.

"Ryan, you can't possibly be done. Did you find anything that you like? Did you even try on those three shirts?" she asked.

"I like this one." He held up the dark, gray shirt he had decided on earlier.

"Out of all of the things you have in there." She glanced into the room as she spoke. "There must be 20 shirts in that room. Surely you can find something else."

"No, I'm okay. I like the clothes I have. They're comfortable," he said hopefully

"Yes, they certainly look comfortable and….worn-out. I've seen you wear the same shirt three times this week."

"If I get this shirt, maybe I will only have to wear them two times a week." He bowed his head and cut his eyes in her direction as a smirk crossed his lips.

Kirsten face dropped its friendly smile and became serious, "You are not leaving this mall unless you have chosen a least five shirts and jeans, a couple of dress shirts, ties, pants and a suit. We will also pick up some shoes, t-shirts and under…boxers. Do we understand each other?"

"Yeah." He dropped his shoulders and bowed his head in defeat. He looked at her from under his eyebrows and added, "But it's too much. I can't ask you guys…."

"Nonsense, you'll actually need more. But if you get enough for one week of school, I'll be happy. That way you won't have to wear the same two outfits every other day. And you will need the dress clothes for the social events."

"Okay, I'll take this blue shirt." He reached back into the dressing room and grabbed a dark, blue casual shirt. He looked at her hopefully.

"Good that's a start, three more shirts and five more jeans to go. Now get back in there and try on the three I just gave you and take this dress stuff in there. When we're done, we'll have some lunch at Troquet." She handed him the armful of clothes she had been holding and was off to find more.

Three hours and thirty-seven minutes later, Ryan Atwood had a week's worth of school clothes, two sets of dress clothes, ties, belts, shoes and a suit. And he was exhausted.

Kirsten and Ryan laid the latest items they had chosen on the checkout counter. Kirsten turned to Ryan and said, "Okay, last thing, go grab some t-shirts, socks and un….boxers."

"No, that's okay. I'm good." At Kirsten's look, Ryan turned in the direction of the stated items. He returned a few minutes later with one package of each item, all white. "Here these will work," he said.

Kirsten looked at what he had chosen and said, "Well, I see you're going to need some help in this department as well." She signaled to the clerk to hold just a moment and then she said to Ryan, "Come with me." She led him to the area where the undergarments were displayed. "Okay, let's see you are about a medium and she grabbed two packages of leopard print men's bikinis off the self. "These should do. Now let's get some t-shirts."

Ryan didn't know what to say. No way was he going to wear those things but he didn't want to hurt her feelings either. "Kirsten, I don't really need…"

"Of course, you need them. But if you don't pick them out then I will pick them out for you and you might not like what I choose." Kirsten laughed a little to herself as she looked into Ryan's face; the boy looked nauseous at the thought of wearing those bikinis. "So I suggest you get busy picking out something you want. By the way, at least 3 packages of each."

"Okay," Ryan signed in relief and resignation.

Kirsten waited patiently at the counter. "Much better," she said cheerfully as he placed his new choices in front of her. Kirsten noted they were all dark, of course, but at least he had taken a little time to choose them. She then added, "Why don't you go ahead to Troquet so we're not late for our reservations? It's on level 3 by Nordstrom's. I'm just going to pay for these and have the concierge take them to the car. It shouldn't take to long."

Ryan nodded. He headed for the restaurant feeling very uneasy about the amount of money that had been spent on him today. He didn't even want to imagine what the total might be after a week's worth of $42 shirts, not to mention the even more expensive jeans and dress clothes. It would take all of his Crab Shack income to pay for this. Why did people need $98 jeans anyway? You could buy a perfectly nice pair at Target for $19.99. And even paying $19.99 had been a stretch for his family. He could remember when his Mom was scrambling to find money to pay for their $103 electric bill after she had lost another job. They cut back on everything just to keep the bill low and then she didn't even have the money to pay for it. Their power was cut and they had to do without until she managed to come up with some money. He hadn't asked how she had gotten the money because he was sure he didn't want to know. And now Kirsten was buying him jeans without even looking at the price tag.

Kirsten entered the restaurant and saw Ryan looking very uncomfortable at a table on the right side. His face was partially hidden by the menu he was holding. "Hey," she said as she approached. "Sorry, it took a little longer than expected. Did you see anything you wanted on the menu? I already know what I want and I'm starved." She dropped into the chair, grabbed a piece of the bread at the table.

"No, I mean, I guess….It's not really stuff I've had before.

"This is one of the best restaurants in Orange County, it is kinda like a French bistro." She picked up the menu and said, "Let's see. Why don't you try the Long Island duck breast or Niman Ranch pork chop?"

"Yeah, I don't know, I think….I'll just have…."

Just then the waitress approached and Kirsten immediately ordered the Maytag blue cheese salad.

Ryan curled his nose up at Kirsten's order but then said, "Yeah, I'll have what she's having.

Kirsten knew Ryan had to be hungry after all of that shopping this morning. Teenage boys were always hungry. "Ryan," she asked, "Don't you want something a little hardier? I mean we burned a lot of calories this morning. You're a growing boy." As she spoke another waitress walked by with a chocolate dessert for table next to them, she watched as it caught Ryan's eye. "Would you like to have that after we eat?"

"No, that's okay." He looked around the restaurant at all of the people, people with money to burn on $28 pork chops. He shook his head at the absurdity of it and handed the waitress the menu.

Kirsten decided not to pursue it any further and changed the subject. "I think you got some really nice things. You looked very handsome." Kirsten was sure she saw a slight blush on his cheeks as he turned his eyes shyly to the table.

"Thanks," he said. "It's just…It's a lot of money."

"Well, you needed those things. I mean you will be going to one of the most prestigious schools, so you will need to dress the part," Kirsten said as she reached for her lemon water.

"Yeah, see that's just it. I mean you guys are already sending me to that private school. And now this,… it's too much." Ryan looked at his napkin and started rolling it up.

"These are things you will need. When Sandy and I agreed to be your guardians, we knew to what were agreeing. We would do the same for Seth at the start of school. Well, actually he would've spent quite a bit more money." Kirsten chuckled at the thought of shopping with Seth. "Not that I can get Seth to go to the mall with me. We usually just give him the credit card and hope he doesn't come back with a plasma screen TV."

Ryan nodded his head, smiled knowingly at her because that sure did sound like the Seth he knew. "But it will take me forever to pay you back. I mean I have saved some but…"

"Pay us back," she interrupted. "You don't have to pay us back. Never would we ask you to pay us back."

"But I can't let you do this. I'm working and I can give you a little each month."

"Well, actually, this may not be the right time…. but Sandy and I have decided that you will have to quit your job once school starts."

Ryan jumped forward in his seat and shook his head, "No, you can't… I mean…. I need that money."

"Sorry, it's already been decided. You will have quite a heavy class load that will include study time, homework, projects and reports. No time left for a job," she said firmly.

"But I need to pay you back," he hit the table lightly with his fist.

"Listen, Ryan," she reached forward and grabbed his fist. "Okay, you want to pay us back. I will accept payment in only one form. Want to know what it is?"

"Sure, what?" He nodded in agreement. Finally, she was seeing it his way.

"You go to school get a good education, stay out of serious trouble, and as Sandy likes to say have a bright future. Be happy. That's all the payment Sandy and I will ever want." She smiled warmly and removed her hand from his fist. When she saw him shake his head and start to argue she added, "Oh and I forgot to add that it's not open for negotiation. That's all we want."

Ryan looked at the table and started rolling his napkin again. "I'll try."

The waitress appeared at the table and placed their salads in front of them. Kirsten watched as Ryan tentatively moved the greens around and then began taking the chucks of blue cheese out. Kirsten signaled to the waitress and she came back to the table. "Can we get these salads boxed up to go? And add one, no two chocolate soufflés to go, as well. Thanks."

Ryan stopped removing things from his salad and looked at Kirsten with a question just on his lips.

But before he could say anything, she said, "I suddenly have a craving for a thick, juicy burger. How 'bout you? Do you mind if I change the plans? I know a great little burger joint."

"No, sure. Actually, that sounds pretty good."