Ryan woke up as Kirsten slowed down to go through the gate in their neighbourhood. "Sorry," he said. "I wasn't very good company on the ride home."

"Don't worry about it," Kirsten said. "You'll need to be well-rested to deal with Seth."

"Speaking of Seth," Ryan said, "I don't want to tell him we did his cards." Kirsten looked at him questioningly. "He'll be unbearable – wanting to know what we said, and I don't want him to know I played his silly car games or sang songs." He looked at her beseechingly. "Please?"

Kirsten agreed. As they pulled into the driveway, they noticed Summer's car was there. When they went inside, they found Summer and Seth in the TV room.

"Thank God, you're back." Summer said as she jumped up to greet them. She even hugged Ryan, who held his arms straight out, not quite sure what to do with her.

Kirsten laughed. "I sympathize with you, Summer. Bed-ridden Seth can be…" She paused to think of the right word, "…trying."

"Mom! How can you say that about your own flesh and blood. Besides, I can't help it if I get bored easily," Seth whined.

"Yeah, Ryan, he's all yours," Summer said. "You can play videogames and read comics with him. I need to go to the mall. I think I'm having withdrawals."

Summer leaned over and kissed Seth. "I love you and I'll see you tomorrow. 'Kay?"

Ryan sat down in the chair next to Seth as Kirsten walked Summer out.

"So, how was the trip, man? Did you survive the trip with the Kirsten?"

"Yeah, it was fine," Ryan said.

"You've been gone for four days and all I get is a four word description?" Seth thought about it. "I guess that's fitting – one word for every day you were gone. Come on, give me something here. I've been stuck here with nothing to do. Oh! How did the cards work out?"

"We didn't use them," Ryan told him, as Kirsten came back into the room.

Seth put his hand to his chest. "Oh, you wound me. All that effort I put into making them…"

"Did you really think I'd play your silly games or sing? Come on."

"I guess. Did you at least play the CDs? Or did you two just sit in silence the whole time?"

"Oh, we listened to music." He glared at Seth. "And if I ever have to hear Harry Chapin again, it'll be too soon."

Seth laughed. "It's a rite of passage in the Cohen family, to be subjected to the Chapin while driving with the Kirsten."

Ryan shook his head. "I'm going to unpack my bag. Then I'll come back and we can play some Playstation."

"Sounds good. Playing Summer just isn't quite the same," Seth said. Then he turned to his mom. "You guys really didn't use my cards?"

Kirsten looked towards the doors that Ryan had walked out. "No, we didn't," she said. Then she leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Thanks for the cards," she whispered in his ear and then stood up and walked back to the kitchen.

"Wha…? Bu…?" Seth sputtered. Then to himself, "I knew it."

Sandy came home an hour later to find Ryan and Seth playing video games and Kirsten sitting at the table, reading the mail she'd missed when she was away. Caleb trailed in behind Sandy.

Sandy walked up behind Kirsten and kissed her on her cheek. "God, I missed you," he murmured in her ear.

"Sanford, you're not a teenager with raging hormones – save it for when you two are alone."

Sandy glared at Caleb. "He followed me home. Do we have to keep him?"

"I'm not staying," Caleb said. "It's just that half my office decided to run away to San Francisco for the week and I wanted to see how it turned out." He turned to Ryan. "So, when do you leave for San Francisco?"

Ryan sat his controller down. "Um…" He looked at Kirsten for help explaining.

"Dad, Ryan and I decided that USC seemed like a better fit." She figured Ryan would rather not discuss his real reason in front of everyone.

Caleb turned to Ryan. "You didn't let her talk you out of CCA so she could keep you close to home, did you?"

"Dad!" Kirsten said.

Ryan smiled. "Actually, sir, it was me who wanted to stay close to home."

Seth looked at him and said quietly, "Dude! That is so cool." He held up his fist and Ryan leaned forward to bump knuckles.

"So you two were out of the office for a week for nothing?" Caleb asked.

"It wasn't for nothing," Kirsten said. "We had fun, didn't we, Ryan?"

"Ryan Atwood had fun?" Seth asked. "I don't believe it."

Ryan mockingly laughed at him, "Ha ha ha." He turned to Kirsten. "It was fun."

Kirsten addressed the men in her family. "Well, since everyone's here, should we decide on where to order from tonight?"

"How about Aubergine?" Ryan suggested.

"French food, Ryan?" Seth asked. "Why would you suggest French food? Do you have a craving for escargots?"

"I always knew the boy had taste," Caleb said.

"I don't know," Ryan said. He grinned slyly at Kirsten. "I just thought Kirsten might enjoy it tonight."

Kirsten pointed her finger at Ryan, who was grinning broadly. "Don't even start," she said.

Seth was looking between Kirsten and Ryan. "What's going on? What are you two talking about?"

Ryan tried to get a straight face again. "You mean you don't want quail for supper?" he asked innocently.

Sand sat next to Seth and placed a hand on Seth's shoulder. "I think," he said, pointing at Kirsten and Ryan, "that they have a private joke."

"No, I don't want quail for supper," Kirsten told the room. "Ryan just thinks he's funny now." She smiled at him sarcastically.

"What do you mean they have a private joke? There are no private jokes in this house. I'm supposed to be in on all jokes around here. I knew they shouldn't have been allowed to go on a trip together. I knew no good could come from it," Seth said.

"I am funny now," Ryan said, almost to himself.

"Does this mean we're not ordering French tonight?" Caleb asked.

Sandy looked at him. "I thought you weren't staying."

"I thought you were ordering French," Caleb said.

"We're not ordering French!" Kirsten stated emphatically.

"Ever?" Seth asked.

Kirsten looked at Ryan smirking. "Probably not," she said resignedly.

Ryan started to feel bad then, but Seth was elated. "Thank God! Can we order Italian tonight?"

"Italian sounds good," Caleb said.

"I thought you were leaving," Sand said, exasperated.

"Julie's away, and I was hoping someone in this family would be polite enough to invite me to stay."

"Of course you're welcome to stay, Dad," Kirsten told him.

"Speak for yourself," Sandy muttered.

Once the food arrived, everyone sat down to eat. Ryan watched Seth move painstakingly slowly on his crutches. "Have you not gotten better at those yet?" he asked.

"I've just gotten to the point that I'm not in excruciating pain when I move my leg – I haven't really had a chance to practice yet. I've been on the couch all week."

"Oh, don't let me forget," Sandy said to Kirsten. "I need to give Rosa a bonus at the end of the week."

"Thanks a lot, Dad," Seth said.

"Maybe I should stay home tomorrow," Kirsten said.

"You've been out all week!" Caleb countered.

"One more day won't make a big difference," Kirsten said.

"I can stay home," Ryan said. He looked at Caleb. "I won't be missed as much as Kirsten."

"Mike might not agree with that, but I think that makes sense," Caleb said.

"Mike!" Ryan said. "I forgot all about the report. Did he get it done?"

"Yes, he did, and the client was very pleased with how it turned out. Mike said your analysis was very thorough and exactly what he needed."

Ryan was embarrassed at the praise. "Thanks," he said.

"I know no one asked me," Seth piped up, "but as the invalid I think I should get some input as to who stays home with me." Everyone looked at him to hear what he wanted. "Well, obviously I choose Ryan. No offense, Mom, but if I want a videogame partner, Ryan is the only choice."

Ryan snuck a glance at Kirsten, but she was avoiding eye contact with him at the moment.

"OK, that's settled," Sandy said. "Now tell us all about your trip."

Ryan let Kirsten tell the story for the most part, only interjecting when she forgot to mention something, just enjoying having a meal with his family.

THE END