Thanks for all that have reviewed! It is appreciated! I will try to keep updating frequently until the story is done. It might be a few days sometimes. I also doubt I'll be able to write next week if story isn't finished by then. I don't know how long it will take me to complete it or how many chapters it will be. I'll just keep going until I feel it has reached a good conclusion. To the story.....

Another hour passed before the doctor came back for them.

"We are taking him to floor three room number 247 in a couple of minutes. We will escort you there. There is another waiting room up there for those who can't stay the night in his room." The doctor ushered them to an elevator.

Seth was anxious to see what Ryan looked like. He hoped Ryan looked healthy even if he wasn't. He couldn't handle it if he looked real sickly. He cared about him to much. Ryan meant to much to him. Ryan had become his brother. Seth remembered being a only child. He didn't want to go back to that. He liked always having someone around to hang out with. Who could kill him at video games he was sure he had mastered. He needed Ryan in his life now. Who else would he brag to about how awesome Summer was? Who would he tell all his problems to? Ryan had filled a void in him. He now felt he could be himself. Ryan made him feel comfortable just being him. He never judged him or made him feel stupid. Ryan was both Seth's brother and best friend.

They stepped off the elevator. The doctor led them to his room. It was empty. It looked like it was just waiting for him to arrive.

"So he is on his way here now?" Kristin looked at the doctor for conformation.

"Yes. He should be here shortly." The doctor gave a reassuring smile and started to venture for the door in quick shuffle that was becoming much to familiar for the family.

Ryan felt hazy. He wasn't quite awake but he wasn't quite asleep. He felt caught in the middle. Sleep was the definite preference. He couldn't think straight. Not real thoughts anyway. Where was he? He felt motion. He knew he was moving. Maybe that was why he wasn't asleep. He remembered being in pain. Yet he felt no pain at the moment. He supposed that was good. Now he just felt dizzy. Where was he going? What was he riding on? He suddenly remembered Marissa. She had been there. He suddenly felt more reassured and comfortable. He drifted into sleep.

"How long does it take to get him here?" Summer whined peaking out the door of the room in both directions. She hated the waiting. More than anything the waiting. Why did everything take forever in hospitals? She was becoming impatient. Ok, she was making herself become impatient. That way she wouldn't think about how Ryan was hurt, and she could stop worrying about him. She was focusing all her energy on how long things were taking instead. It might have been a cheap way out of feeling but it was working for her just fine. Seth put his arm around her.

"I'm sure Ryan will be fine Summer." Cohen said in a soothing voice. Damn, how had he known she was covering up her concern. That was against the rules. Her cover must not have been well performed. She would have to try harder.

"I know that." She said the words sharply. That was good. She pulled his arm tighter around her. That was bad. Not the way to cover! Darn it!

He kissed her forehead and she excepted defeat.



Marissa watched them out of the corner of her eye. They were cute together. Ryan and her had been cute. In their own way at least. Why had this happened? Why weren't they together at home watching TV or hanging in the pool? Why weren't they together at all. Why had she not trusted him? None of this would of happened had she believed him. In its own way, the situation was her fault.

"The elevator door is opening...It's him!" Summer spurred the alarm as she stood at her perch by the door. Marissa had mixed feelings. Should she be there? Would Ryan want her there. She wanted to be there. She had to see him. If he wanted her to go he would say something. Until then he would have to deal. If he was okay with dealing of course. So, she was having mixed emotions. That wasn't such a bad thing was it?

They started to put Ryan into the hospital bed. The group was hustled out of the room.

"Ryan started to come to as we were getting him up here, we gave him something to help him sleep. He should sleep soundly through the night if everything remains stable. We will let you two visit with him for a few minutes a piece before we have to send you to the waiting room." The doctor said in direction to Marissa and Summer.

"Thanks." The two girls said in unison.

"I'm going to stand by the door if you need me. Who's first?" The doctor looked from Marissa to Summer.

"You should go first Marissa. You and Ryan were closer than Ryan and I... I mean are closer." Summer smiled at her.

"I think you should. I'd like to think about what I'd like to say to him a little longer." Marissa said slowly. She was scared to see him. What if her presence was unwanted?

"No prob." Summer nodded at her and headed for the hospital room's door.