AN: It's been a long ride, hasn't it? Thanks for the people still reading. This is the end. (Cue music).

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Ryan was happy to be going home but he couldn't bring himself to really rejoice about it. He'd barely spoken since Stevie had left and Sandy and Caleb hadn't pushed him. He hurt all over but he wouldn't complain because he really, really wanted to go home.

He wanted to sit in the floor and play video games with Seth. He wanted to stop Kirsten from burning dinner and cook instead. He wanted to be anywhere except this room where he'd been trapped for the past week or so.

He wished he'd never pushed Sandy to let him have the meeting with his 'father'. He knew that it was the only way to protect his new family but he didn't think he'd ever forget the way Stevie looked like him. He didn't want to be Stevie. He didn't want anything to do with that man but after seeing him, he knew that he'd never escape the image of him. He didn't have to be like Stevie, he had Dave as a role model, he had Sandy, but after meeting Stevie, Ryan's concept of where he belonged was more twisted than ever.

He'd grown up with David Atwood. He'd believed that he was his father. He never doubted it. David had always told him that he was worthless, that he was a 'waste of flesh'. And he'd believed it. He'd always believed that something was implicitly wrong with him because his father could see it. A father always loved his children; he saw it in Sandy's life, even in Caleb. No matter what Hailey had done, Caleb loved her. But David had never loved Ryan. He'd taught him things, how to roll a joint, how to drive a stick shift, but it was always out of duty, never love. David had taught him the basics simply so he wouldn't have to do them for Ryan. Once Ryan knew how to drive a car, Dave wasn't expected to have to drive him anywhere. Even though he wasn't old enough to have a license. It didn't matter. Dave was off the hook once Ryan was trained.

Ryan cursed himself for trying to please his father all those years. He'd wanted his father to see that he was worth something, that he was a smart kid, a good kid, but nothing had mattered. Dave always hated him.

Now he knew why. And Dave was dead.

"Ryan?" Sandy's voice was tentative as he walked in.

"Yeah?"

"We're about ready. The nurse is bringing the chair for you, now."

"Okay."

"Ryan?"

Ryan met Sandy's gaze.

"You're okay, right?"

"Yeah. I'm okay."

The doctors had spent over an hour with them, telling Ryan how to take care of himself now that he was going home. He wasn't allowed to get out of bed unless it was to go to the bathroom and he wasn't allowed to strain himself at all. He'd have to ask for help or use a wheelchair if he overexerted himself. An oxygen tank was going with him, only because he was still having the rapid breathing spells. He'd been better in the last few hours, he'd started consciously forcing himself to breathe deeply despite the pain and not get upset, but Sandy had explained to the doctor that he was still worried that Ryan might need it when sleeping. He was supposed to start sitting up for longer periods and he was allowed to walk short distances, like from the bed to the bathroom or from the bed to a chair. The doctor had assured him that the pain would get better over time.

"I'm not going to make you talk about anything you don't want to, but…" Sandy started.

"I know, Sandy. I'm just glad to be going home," Ryan whispered.

"The nurse is waiting at the house. We're going to let you stay in the guest room for right now, so you'll be close to us in case you need anything."

Ryan nodded.

"Seth's worried about you. He said you were supposed to call him after…"

"I don't really want to talk to anyone."

"Ryan…"

"He is my father, right?"

Sandy nodded silently.

Ryan sighed. "I just want to go home."

The nurses stepped in with a wheelchair and Sandy patted him on the arm. "See? You're getting your wish."

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"How's the boy?" Caleb barked in Sandy ear when he answered the phone.

"He's sleeping. We're almost home."

"They got Stevie. They waited until he made it back to LA. He won't know we had anything to do with it until he hears the tapes. The feds are telling him that they were after me and that's why they taped our conversations. The boy should be safe."

"Okay, Caleb. Are you coming over?"

"I'm taking Hailey to a meeting. Seems Seth's been pacing for the past few hours and she's a little shaky. I might see you for a few minutes. Has he said anything?"

"He's still pretty quiet. We'll be home in a few minutes, Caleb." Sandy closed his phone and almost immediately, it buzzed again. He glanced in the rear view mirror and saw that Ryan was still sleeping with his arm covering his face.

"Hello?"

"Sandy, where are you? I thought you were bringing him straight home…"

"I am. He's sleeping. We're pulling through the gate now…"

"Oh. I was worried, we hadn't heard anything and…"

"Kirsten. I'll see you in about sixty seconds." Sandy smiled as he closed his phone again. He pulled into the driveway and saw Seth, Summer, Hailey and Kirsten waiting outside. He stopped the car and turned around. Ryan was still sleeping. The doctors had given him a sedative to help with the transition.

Kirsten was at his side immediately as he stepped out. "Where is he?"

"He's been asleep since we left the hospital…"

"So everything…all that stuff…" Seth called.

"It's done. He doesn't want to talk about it," Sandy said immediately as he unloaded the wheelchair that they needed to help get him inside.

"He doesn't want to talk about anything but that's never stopped us from grilling him before," Summer replied.

"Guys, why don't you wait inside? It might take us a few minutes to wake him up," Sandy replied.

"In other words, we're smothering him and they want a minute to get him oriented. Come on, we'll wait inside," Hailey ushered Seth and Summer back into the house.

Kirsten opened the car door and leaned inside. "Ryan, honey? You're home. Can you wake up for us?" She touched his face gently and he flinched, waking up instantly.

"What?" He winced as he sat up and glanced around.

"You're home, honey. Come on," She offered her arm and he used it to steady himself out of the car so he could sit in the wheelchair.

"You feel okay?"

Ryan nodded silently.

"Verbally, please?" Sandy probed.

"I'm okay. Groggy as hell but okay," He nodded.

"You've got a lot of people that are itching to see you inside. You ready?"

"Sure," He shrugged. They maneuvered the wheelchair up the makeshift ramp that Seth, Summer and Luke had constructed a few days earlier and rolled him into the house.

"He's home!" Seth yelled when he was inside.

"Finally," Ryan muttered, smiling despite himself.

"How're you feeling?" Hailey asked, giving him a gentle hug as he stood up and walked the few steps to the couch.

"Okay. Considering. I'm pretty doped up right now, but I'm sure I'll be better later," Ryan replied quietly. Seth glanced at his father and gave him a concerned look.

"We're putting you in the guest room for right now, so we'll be here if you need anything. Hailey's going to sleep on the couch."

"Why can't she stay in the poolhouse?"

"Because I want to be right here in case you need anything," Hailey said. "I…I don't really think being all the way out there is good for me," She added.

Ryan nodded.

"Let's get you to bed." Sandy offered Ryan his arm and Ryan slowly steadied himself to his feet. He walked slowly and even though he tried not to show it, he was clearly in pain.

"I'm sorry. I'll try and be in a better mood when I wake up."

"It's okay, kid. We're just glad you're finally home, you know?" Sandy smiled at him as Ryan sat down on the edge of the bed. Sandy pulled the covers back and kneeled to help Ryan off with his shoes.

"I never thought I'd be the guy needing help untying his shoes," Ryan sighed.

"You have to be patient," Sandy said.

"One of those virtues I haven't explored yet," Ryan muttered.

"We haven't really talked about what happened today."

"Can I…can I have some time to think about it? It's been a really long day. Really long."

"Sure. Lie down." Sandy smoothed Ryan's hair once he was stretched out in the bed. "I'm going to leave the door cracked for you in case you need something. We'll be right outside."

"Okay. Thanks, Sandy. For everything."

"It's good to have you home," Sandy smiled.

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"Hailey, how was your meeting?" Caleb asked quietly. They were sitting with Ryan while he slept in the bed. He'd just returned with her from her NA meeting.

"It was okay. I spoke tonight. It was the first time. It's helping. Jake helps a lot, too."

"How'd you find Jake? He's your counselor?"

"Ryan introduced us. Seems Ryan had tried to get his mom and his brother some help in the past. Jake…he's a good listener," Hailey said.

Caleb's gaze drifted to Ryan. "I'm sorry you couldn't come to me."

"What was I thinking? I went to a kid for help…"

"At least he helped you. I mean…he's stubborn and infuriating but he does take care of the people he considers family. Loyalty says a lot about a man," Caleb nodded.

"You think he's going to be okay?"

"Yeah. He's a strong kid. You should have seen him facing down Stevie today…he didn't give anything away," Caleb said.

"How'd that go?"

"It was…it was hard for him. Really hard. Even though we were watching him the whole time, we…Stevie hit him. And he just took it. The things I had to say about him…I had to play my part, but…I don't think that Ryan is ever going to respect me after the way I treated him. I tried to talk to him, but…he's always going to remember how I treated him."

"I think you've earned a little more trust than you think. Ryan…he's had it rough, but just look at his friends. That big guy, Luke, he was Ryan's arch nemesis for months, they fought every time they saw each other. And now, it's all forgotten. He got over it. Ryan…he's a good kid. He's a good man," Hailey smiled. "If he hadn't helped me…I'd still be shooting up."

Caleb embraced his daughter. "I'm glad you're better."

"Me, too." Hailey looked over his shoulder and saw Ryan stirring slightly. "He's waking up."

Ryan mumbled something unintelligible and raised his hand to his face. He sighed. "No mask."

"You're home, kid. Remember?" Hailey said, moving to sit on the edge of his bed.

"Hey," Ryan said, sitting up gingerly. "What time is it?"

"Around eight. How're you feeling?"

"Okay," He said.

"Kirsten's got your pills, I'll get her, okay?" Hailey got up immediately.

"Hey, Mr. Nichols. Thanks for your help today."

"I wish I could've made it easier…"

"I'm just…I'm glad you were there. I'm sure it was hard for you, too," Ryan acknowledged.

"Stevie is not a good man. He's nothing like his father. I'm ashamed to say I even know Stevie."

"But…everything's done now, right?"

"You're safe. Your family is safe, now. Hailey's getting better every day and now that you're home Kiki and Sandy can get some rest," Caleb smiled.

Ryan nodded. He reached out his hand and Caleb shook it. "Thanks again, Mr. Nichols."

Kirsten and Sandy returned with Hailey and began fussing over him. Kirsten gave him his pills and Sandy held out his water while Hailey waited impatiently to give him the soup that Rosa had made.

"Enough, guys, step away from the bed," Ryan laughed suddenly. "Stop hovering."

"Sorry," Kirsten said first.

"Why don't I come out and sit on the couch if you're going to feed me?"

"You sure you feel up to it?" Hailey asked.

"At least then, you'll have more space to hover," Ryan replied. He accepted Sandy's arm and got to his feet.

In the living room, Ryan sat down on the couch and let out a sigh.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Okay," He nodded.

Hailey and Caleb went into the kitchen to give Kirsten and Sandy some time with him.

"So, kid. How're you doing?" Sandy asked.

"I am so glad to be out of that hospital," Ryan replied. He lifted a spoonful of soup into his mouth but grimaced.

"I didn't make that," Kirsten said immediately.

"It's too hot. Give it a few minutes," He smiled. His face immediately darkened.

"You're still thinking about Stevie," Sandy said quietly.

"He's my father."

"Biology doesn't make a father, Ryan."

"That's what I used to say about Dave. He wasn't my real father either…I'm just really confused. It's like everything in my life has been a lie…no matter how shitty it was, it was all I had…" Ryan admitted.

"I can't imagine how hard this is for you…but you have a real family, now. You're a Cohen. We're not going to push to change your name or anything, but you belong with us, now. Even Caleb's accepted it," Sandy said quietly.

"I know…" He whispered.

"We love you, Ryan, and even though we're not related by blood, we are connected. You're a member of our family. We're lucky to have you, kid," Kirsten said. "And we'll help you through this, all of this…"

"I know. You guys, everyone's been really great. I'm okay. I'm home and I'm with people that care about me. I don't know if I've ever had that before. It means a lot…but this Stevie stuff…it got threw at me really fast and before I even got to process it, it just spiraled out of control. So…I have a lot of unanswered questions and stuff…but I'm glad that you guys are here…" Ryan said slowly.

"We aren't going anywhere. Eat your soup."

"Seth's upstairs. Do you want me to tell him you're out?"

"He'll figure it out eventually. Can I stay out here a while?"

"Sure." Kirsten set the remote control beside him and took Sandy's hand.

Ryan ate the soup and had just finished when Seth bounded into the room.

"Ryan! You're out and conscious!" Seth exclaimed. Ryan smiled slightly.

"You want to play a game or two before these meds kick in?"

"Are you up to it?" Seth asked, already on the floor retrieving the game system from the cabinet under the TV.

"I think I can manage," Ryan smiled.

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