*****

Ryan woke up with a jolt the next day.

"Damn, kid, I hope you don't wake up like that every day," Sandy said from the chair beside his bed.

"Sorry…what time is it?" Ryan asked.

"About nine. You had a pretty restless night, Ryan," Sandy remarked.

Ryan sighed. "Sorry."

"Don't apologize. I couldn't wake you, Ryan…"

"I have nightmares sometimes, Sandy," Ryan sighed as the pain from his injuries slammed into him again.

"A lot?"

"I'm okay, Sandy," Ryan said quietly. "You look exhausted from babysitting me all night."

Sandy smile d sadly. "Everytime I would doze off, you'd start talking in your sleep. I didn't know you spoke Spanish."

Ryan gave him a tired smile. "A little."

"Seth's inside. Do you feel like eating something?" Sandy asked.

"I'll give it a shot," Ryan murmured.

"Kirsten took Hailey to her appointment today."

"That's good. How's she taking the whole thing?" Ryan asked.

"Better than I took it. She's being supportive. She wants to help Hailey get better."

Ryan nodded silently.

"You should put some food in your stomach before I pump you full of pills again. Come on," Sandy offered Ryan a hand but Ryan ignored it, standing up by himself and slowly walking ahead of the older man out of the poolhouse. Sandy followed him into the house.

Seth was eating cereal at the counter and his face lit up when he saw Ryan. "He lives!"

"Barely," Ryan smirked, going to the cabinet to get a box of cereal for himself.

"I'll be in the den," Sandy said quietly, walking out of the room.

"What's going on with you guys?" Seth asked.

"Nothing," Ryan shrugged.

"I did something yesterday that you're probably going to get pissed about," Seth said quietly.

"Really? What?" Ryan asked as he went to the refrigerator for milk.

"I called your brother."

Ryan froze. He turned to face Seth. "What?"

"I know, I should have asked you first but I…I was just thinking about what you said and I didn't know if I should have told you to wait until today to call him…" Seth started.

"What did he say?" Ryan asked.

"He…he's worried about you. Said he wants to talk to you as soon as you can call him," Seth replied.

Ryan nodded silently.

"He said that he was glad that he had a head's up. Seems like Tony has friends inside," Seth added.

"Thanks, Seth."

"You're not mad?" Seth asked, surprised.

"No. I mean, I wish I could've called him myself but it had to be done. Thanks for looking out for me," Ryan said.

"You're welcome. Are you going to call him?" Seth asked.

"Yeah. In a few minutes I will," Ryan replied.

After eating a small breakfast, Ryan accepted more painkillers from Sandy and settled into the den to play playstation with Seth. Kirsten returned with Hailey around noon and both women seemed to be in upbeat spirits. Hailey settled in the den with the boys while Kirsten and Sandy worked on lunch.

Ryan had dozed off by the time Kirsten and Sandy had to go out for takeout after she burned the grilled cheese sandwiches. Hailey and Seth were playing a ninja game while he napped. They both looked up in surprise as Caleb walked into the living room.

"Ryan. Can I have a word?" Caleb asked, his voice jolting Ryan awake immediately.

"Okay," Ryan replied, not meeting Seth's worried gaze.

"Dad…" Hailey started.

"I'll talk to you once I'm done with Ryan, honey," Caleb smiled at his favorite daughter before resuming his grouchy expression as he led Ryan into the other living room.

"What does Dad want to talk to Ryan about?" Hailey whispered to Seth.

"I don't know," Seth replied. "Let's go listen."

Caleb sat down on the couch but Ryan could sense the man's anger so he sat down rigidly in the chair across from him.

"Do you know what this is about?"

"No, sir," Ryan replied.

"It's about you corrupting my grandson," Caleb growled.

Ryan didn't reply but remained in eye contact with Caleb.

"You don't belong here. I don't know what kind of scam you're running but I'm onto you. I will do everything in my power to get you sent back to jail where you belong. I will not let you hurt my family."

Ryan didn't respond.

"What was the money for, Ryan? Why did you need the money?" Caleb demanded.

Ryan's gaze flickered for a moment and made contact with Seth and Hailey as they were peeking around the corner, both stunned by Caleb's words. He shook his head at them almost imperceptibly but Seth caught it and knew that Ryan didn't want them to interfere.

"I'm going to find out one way or the other. Sandy's protecting you and he's probably in on it…"

"Sandy had nothing to do with it," Ryan said immediately.

Caleb leaned forward. "You shouldn't be here. You're good for nothing. You're trash. Your mother did the right thing leaving you, you're trouble and you're bringing my grandson down with you…"

Ryan's face was blank and his blue eyes cold.

"Are you on drugs? Is Seth on drugs? What have you dragged him into?" Caleb accused.

Ryan didn't answer.

"What's going on here?" Sandy asked, walking in.

"I was just having a talk with Ryan," Caleb responded, flushing as he was interrupted.

"Dad, Ryan's a little under the weather…" Kirsten scolded, going to Ryan's side as he stood up. She put her hand on his good arm and gave him a worried look.

"It's okay," Ryan said quietly. "Can I please be excused?"

"Come on, I'll walk you," Kirsten replied.

"What exactly were you talking to Ryan about?" Sandy asked pointedly.

Seth and Hailey were waiting in the kitchen when Kirsten walked in with Ryan.

"Ryan, man, that was so totally wrong…" Seth started.

"I'm going to go lie down, man, I'll see you later, okay?" Ryan's eyes were lowered and he wouldn't meet Seth's worried gaze.

"I'll talk to him, Ryan…" Hailey said suddenly.

"It's okay. I'm going to go lie down," Ryan repeated.

"Ryan…" Hailey started.

"I said that it's okay," Ryan stated flatly, giving her a glare. He shook off Kirsten's hand and disappeared onto the patio.

"What happened? Did Dad say something to him?" Kirsten asked.

"Get out of this house. You are not welcome here. Get the hell out," Sandy yelled suddenly.

"You can't kick me out of my daughter's house," Caleb yelled in return.

"What the hell is going on?" Kirsten rushed into the room.

"Get out, Caleb," Sandy said. His face is red with anger.

"You should go," Seth echoed.

"What? Seth…"

"You should go," Seth repeated.

Caleb stormed out of the house.

"Is anyone going to tell me what's going on?" Kirsten asked. Hailey collapsed in tears and hugged her sister desperately.

*****