Sorry to keep y'all waiting! Hopefully Ryan's not too blue by now! : D In this chapter Ryan gets 'backed up' by an unexpected source. I like the way this chapter turned out and hope you enjoy it!

Out on the driveway, Seth was beside himself. He didn't know what to do with Ryan. One minute he'd tell him to walk it off, the next he'd tell him to sit down. Then he'd tell him to put his head between his legs, saying something about blood flow to the head. He was thankful to see his Mom finally appear on the driveway.

"Mom! Hurry! I don't know what to do for him. He can't breathe. I've tried everything I can think of. What do we do? Should I call an ambulance?" Seth looked pale and on the verge of tears. Kirsten knew it pained him to see Ryan like this. Ryan was supposed to be the strong one.

"He's okay Seth. It's a panic attack. He just needs a minute to calm down."

"But he's not breathing! Listen to him! Does he sound okay to you because that doesn't sound okay to me!" The panic in Seth's voice was eminent by the squeak in his inflections.

"Seth...you're worked up. You're not helping Ryan calm down. Why don't you go in the house and get Ryan a glass of water." Kirsten realized Ryan had no desire for water at that moment, but the task would sidetrack Seth for the time being.

Walking over to Ryan, Kirsten took a chance on him. Putting her arms around him, she held him tight. "It's okay Ryan. Shhhh...calm down now. Control you're breathing. It's just us out here now. It's okay. It's gonna be fine." She coached him along with soothing instructions. It took several more minutes, but Ryan finally released his grip in his shirt and put his arms around her and just held onto her. The gesture brought a smile to Kirsten's face. "Oh sweetie. I'm sorry. He can be such an idiot sometimes."

"He's an asshole," Ryan muffled under his breath.

"Yes. He can be. I know how it looked and I don't blame you for reacting the way you did. But truth be told, my Dad has never raised a hand to another human being in all his years. He gets more pleasure out of ruining life with his words."

A restrained, sarcastic "Pffft!" escaped from Ryan as he realized Kirsten was probably right. In that sense he was the direct opposite of AJ. AJ could back up anything he said he would do, but Caleb was all mouth and nothing more. Ryan knew that. He got that impression from Caleb from the minute he met him. Now he was disappointed in himself for overlooking that fact and allowing Caleb to get the best of him. Still, Ryan was relaxing more and more as Kirsten's hand rubbed his back. He closed his eyes and took comfort in her nurturing.

Opening the front door, Caleb glanced down the driveway. Frustration coursed through his veins when he saw is daughter embracing that rotten kid. Why couldn't she just let this stray return to the streets where he belonged? He couldn't understand that. Then it happened. He watched Kirsten raise her arm to hold Ryan's head to her shoulder, stroking his hair. Soothing him. That gesture had history. That was the same way she would comfort Seth during his trials and tribulations. And that was the same way Kirsten's Mom used to comfort her. Her Mom's kindness and warmth was still alive and well and presenting itself in Kirsten's gestures on the driveway at that very moment. That was the moment his tough shell cracked. Kirsten's Mom was always kind and generous to those who needed it most and now Kirsten, who was exemplifying the exact opposite of Caleb's demeanor, was living proof that pieces of the woman he once loved with all his heart still existed.

"You okay Grandpa?"

Seth's words startled Caleb. The man who had the power to control anything, and usually anyone, was speechless. The two shared a look before Caleb turned his attention back to Kirsten. When Seth realized what his Grandfather must have been thinking, he did his best to stop any bad thoughts in their tracks.

"He really is a good guy Grandpa. Just give him a chance."

Caleb looked at Seth with a blank stare. "Was his life really THAT horrible? Nobody's life is that horrible." It seemed Caleb was trying harder to reason with himself rather than ask Seth a question.

"His life really was that horrible." Pushing past his Grandpa, Seth continued down the driveway to deliver Ryan's glass of water.

"Mom is Ryan still sleeping? We're going to be late." Seth wandered through the kitchen stopping long enough to stare out the door at the pool house. Most of the shades were drawn and there was no sign of movement.

"Maybe you should go on ahead Seth and I'll drop him by later, when he wakes up. He didn't sleep so good last night." Sipping her cup of coffee, Kirsten stole a glance out the kitchen window at the pool house. All was quiet. She had checked on him practically every hour, on the hour, actually it was more than that. Even though she wanted him to rest, there was a part of her that was anxious for him to wake up. Obviously she couldn't see what his mind was showing him during his sleep and after the experience with Caleb, she just had a gut feeling that it wasn't good.

"Is he having nightmares again?"

"I'm not sure. He was tossing and turning a lot last night. Just very restless."

"It's because of what happened with Grandpa isn't it?"

Kirsten paused before nodding. She didn't like to admit that her own father was a great source of terror for a child that had been through enough terror to last him a lifetime. Child. Now there was a misused term if Kirsten ever heard of one. Her mind wandered wondering 'when' Ryan was actually allowed to be a child. Based on what she knew about him, it seemed impossible to have a childhood. Lost in her thoughts, she barely heard Seth say good-bye as he headed out for the day.

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Ryan peeled his eyes open and looked at the clock on his night table. 11:07. That can't be right. He was supposed to go with Seth to set up the banquet rooms at the country club at 9:30 for the Charity Fundraiser. Caleb's Charity Fundraiser. If that was right, then he was late. A sinking feeling engulfed his stomach. At that moment he couldn't fathom anything worse to wake up to than giving Caleb a reason to be angry with him and then have to spend the entire day with Caleb on top of that.

Slowly he sat up in his bed. His head was foggy and his thoughts were thick. Coffee. He needed coffee. As if he wished that coffee from a crystal ball, the door to the pool house opened and in stepped Kirsten with two cups of coffee.

"Ryan, good morning. I brought you some coffee." Kirsten's voice was quiet and Ryan noticed the black circles under her eyes as she handed Ryan his mug.

"So how many times did you check on me last night?" Ryan asked, nonchalantly sipping his coffee.

"Oh, not much. Just a couple of times."

Tipping his head back and raising his eyebrows, Ryan gave Kirsten a look and that look had "you're lying" written all over it.

"Maybe it was a few more times than that."

Ryan continued to stare.

"Oh come on! It wasn't more than three or four times," Kirsten joked. Hoping Ryan would drop the subject.

Shaking his head, "I'm not sure of the exact count because I did doze off from time to time, but I counted at least eight times." Cocking his head to the other side as if to say "I dare you to deny it", he waited for her rebuttal.

Nervously taping her own mug with her thumb, she met Ryan's stare. "Actually, I think it was closer to thirteen times, but, who's counting right?"

Now that made Ryan laugh. Thirteen times. Just incase something went wrong she checked on him thirteen times. Ryan recalled situations from his childhood, like the time he thought for sure he'd die from the stomach flu and his real Mom never even checked on him once.

"You don't have to do this today if you don't want to Ryan. It's up to you."

While Ryan appreciated the chance to get out of the commitment to Caleb, he also viewed it as showing Caleb he was weak, and that's something he wouldn't do. He had already allowed Caleb to see a side of him he would have never revealed to him. "Nah, it's okay. Besides someone's gotta make sure Seth is working."

"Okay then. Finish your coffee and get yourself together. We'll leave in a half hour."

The Rover pulled into the parking lot and that familiar feeling of dread started to swallow Ryan whole. His mind was racing ahead trying to prepare for whatever Caleb might have in store for him. Surely a comment about yesterday was looming. Caleb didn't have a soft side and Ryan was confident he was going to have a field day today at Ryan's expense.

Walking into the grand ballroom, Caleb's voice echoed through the empty room barking out orders to all the less than enthusiastic Newport kids.

"Hey Ryan. Nice to see the muscle has arrived." Seth was always relieved to have Ryan around. The Newport bullies he dealt with left him alone when Ryan was near by. "And since you're here, we may as well start you off with some heavy lifting."

Sending Seth a glare, Ryan was distracted by an approaching Caleb and an even bigger feeling of dread enveloped him.

"Well, nice of you to join us," Caleb said flatly.

Ryan's eyes shifted to the floor while Kirsten and Seth glared back at Caleb. Suddenly remembering what Seth had said the day before, as well as the gestures Kirsten had shown toward this boy, Caleb made a quick lane change.

"What? I meant that. We need all the help we can get today. How do you feel about relocating crates of glasses?"

"I told you you were going get the heavy lifting stuff," Seth whispered in Ryan's direction.

"Anything I can do to help, just tell me where you want them." Ryan was actually relieved to be put to work. That meant this little encounter with Caleb was already behind him.

Kirsten also took this as her cue to get going on her tasks for the event. "Since you boys seem to have everything under control, I'm going to find the Director and see what else she needs from me. I'll see you guys after set up." With a reassuring pat on Ryan's shoulder, she left the banquet room.

"Okay Ryan, this truck full of glasses was brought in special for the event. I'm sure I don't need to remind you not to drop any of them."

Nodding nervously, "I'll be careful."

"Good. Then off you go. Just bring them to the banquet room."

Once Caleb disappeared through the doorway, Ryan realized he was the only person on the dock. He found this odd since he knew Caleb didn't trust him any more than he trusted Caleb. Still, he was happy to be working alone. Making several trips back and forth to the truck proved this was going to be a long task. Ryan had already moved about fifteen crates of glasses and it looked like he barely made a dent in the truck.

Making another trip back to the truck, Ryan lagged in the back hallway. He was starting to get just a bit bored with this chore. It was mundane. He kept trying to remind himself at least he didn't have to be around the snotty Newport kids or around Caleb. No. This task was just fine with him. There were worse things he could be doing.

Staring at the floor tiles, his concentration was interrupted by a voice. The voice startled him and stopped him dead in his tracks.

"Well I'll be damned. Look who I found. What are the odds huh? I know you're probably asking yourself that question right now. You're quite the busy little beaver aren't you?"

Stunned, "What are you doing here AJ?" Ryan stammered.

"Who do you think drove the truck dumb ass?"

The truck, of course. Whenever AJ needed money he'd contract himself out for temporary work as a driver. That's how he got to Newport. The fact that they crossed paths today was sheer dumb luck. The bad news was, there was no one around to help Ryan and chances were, AJ knew that.

"We're getting low on glasses. Is there more?" one of the Newpsie kids whined, not that they wanted to work anyway.

"How can we be getting low on glasses? There's an entire truck full of them out on the dock." Caleb sighed, "Let me go see what the delay is."

Caleb left the ballroom mumbling to himself about Ryan. "This was a simple task. Why can't the kid handle a simple task?" Caleb said out loud to no one in particular. He had every intention of giving Ryan his little 'Time is money' speech when he reached the dock. Obviously this kid can't relate to the money that's wrapped up in this shindig but Caleb wanted to get his point across regardless. Entering the back hall, Caleb heard voices. This infuriated him because he purposely put Ryan on the dock so he'd be behind the scenes and away from everyone else. But as he neared the corner near the dock, he was able to grasp the gist of the conversation between two men. Halting himself just before the corner, Caleb eavesdropped on the conversation.

"You think this is gonna last Ryan? No one wants you here. It's only a matter of time before you come back to Chino to live with your Mom and me."

"That's not true. These people aren't like you. They care about me. I'm not going back to Chino."

Caleb's curiosity got the best of him and he positioned himself to see around the corner without being seen.

The teen's comment set a flame under AJ and he moved in closer. "You're not going back to Chino? Says who?" Getting right in Ryan's face, "You should call your mother. You haven't talked to her since you left."

"Pffft," Ryan shook his head. "I'm not calling her." For a change, Ryan's voice was unwavering. He wasn't giving in. Not this time.

AJ resorted to doing what AJ did best, scare tactics. Grabbing a fist full of hair on the back of Ryan's head, he slammed him up against the wall. Caleb felt himself flinch as AJ continued to threaten the boy.

"I told you to call your mother." AJ's words were drawn out for emphasis.

Again, shaking his head, "No. She left me. Not once, but twice. I don't have anything to say to her."

Enraged with Ryan's stubbornness, AJ cocked his hand back and punched Ryan dead in the face.

"Stop it! That is enough!"

Thinking they were alone, the voice caught AJ off guard as he was pulling his arm back for another assault. He looked at Ryan whose attention was on the mystery man and laughed. "You think this guy can save you? No one can save you Ryan. No one wants to save you." With his hand still clutching Ryan's hair, he jerked his head back into the wall. Clenching his eyes shut, Ryan let out of groan of pain.

"I said that is enough!" The mystery man stepped up to AJ, causing him to back off of Ryan.

Frozen in his spot, Ryan turned only his eyes and stared at Caleb, his chest rising and falling rapidly trying to stay in control. Caleb could see the boy was just as apprehensive about him as he was about his attacker. The way Ryan saw it he was in the worst imaginable place...in a back hallway with Caleb and AJ. The two men on the face of the earth he wished he never had crossed paths with. This was a living nightmare.

"What do you care about this kid old man? He's nothing but a punk." AJ hadn't changed. He always had to have the last say so and it came as no surprise to Ryan that he had to get one more dig in.

"For your information, this 'punk' happens to be my new Grandson and no one treats a member of my family like that. Especially not without answering to me."

Ryan and AJ both looked at Caleb dazed and confused. AJ couldn't believe Ryan was right and there were people here who did seem to care about him. For whatever reason, this old man sure seemed to have an interest in him. And Ryan was equally as shocked that Caleb actually referred to him as his Grandson.

"Now," Caleb continued, "I heard you say you're the driver of this truck and if that's true, then that means you're actually working for me. And by the way, you're fired."

Ryan closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, just waiting for AJ's verbal assault against Caleb. Nothing happened. Opening his eyes he found the two men staring each other down.

"Incase you're wondering just how badly you've screwed up today, I'm going to tell you," Caleb continued. "My name is Caleb Nichol. Do you know how I am?"

AJ glanced at Ryan almost as if he was looking for help with the answer to that question. When he didn't answer, Caleb filled in the blanks for him.

"I'm a very powerful man in this town. In your terms...I'm not someone you want to fuck with! I'm going to warn you one time and one time only to stay away from Ryan."

AJ laughed out loud at the old man's threat. "Or what? What can you do? You can't make my life any harder than it is!"

A devilish grin formed across Caleb's lips as he narrowed his eyes on AJ. "I think you're parole officer would be very interested in all that cocaine and stolen property that's in your truck. That would be strike three for you. You'd be facing 15 years in jail."

Swallowing hard, AJ got Caleb's drift and again looked to Ryan and Ryan wasn't looking at anyone. He stood quietly against the wall, rather happy to be left out of this mess for the moment. "You wouldn't go through with it old man, that's just an idle threat," AJ retorted.

"How bad do you want to find out?" Caleb answered, not giving an inch. "Stay away from Ryan or I'll make your current life look like Club Med compared to the hell that will await you if you mess with me. I suggest you leave immediately before I contact security. That would be bad for you."

In all the years he'd known him, Ryan had never seen AJ back down from anyone. Ever. He wasn't sure what it was about what Caleb said, but AJ took a few steps back. Ryan knew he was looking at him but he refused to meet his gaze. Finally AJ turned and left.

A new wave of terror washed over Ryan as he waited for Caleb to say something. His mind ran through the various comments that would spill forth from Caleb's mouth once he got going and none of the comments would be good. Startled after the long silence, he jumped when Caleb spoke.

"Ryan...let's see that eye." Reaching out towards Ryan's face, Caleb could see the boy pressing himself back into the wall and turning his face away as if he was preparing to be hit again. The move left Caleb unsettled.

"Right. Me and my arms. I've got to work on that."

Ryan turned only his eyes to Caleb and he was doing his best to hide the fact that he was trembling. It wasn't working. Caleb could see the boy was still just as terrified of him.

"Ryan, that man that was here. Who was that?"

Not wanting to answer that question, Ryan let his eyes trail across the wall. This came as no surprise to Caleb. He had never given Ryan a reason to trust him. But he tried again.

"Is that the man...the man that hurt you?"

Ryan's eyes locked with Caleb's. Clearly Caleb could see he struck a nerve with that question. Without Ryan saying a word, he knew that was the man that hurt this kid. Seth had told him the truth. This kid had it rough and after what he just saw, maybe, just maybe, he was starting to understand him.

"Tell you what, how about we get you some ice for that eye and maybe...a little something for that headache. Hmm? Come on. I'll get some of the others to finish the glasses. You've run circles around most of them today anyway."

Ryan wasn't sure what to make of Caleb's gesture, but he wasn't sure he had a choice in the matter either. He followed Caleb to a private room with a private bar. Glancing around, Ryan noted all the exits available since he was convinced Caleb would start in on him at some point.

Handing a bar towel packed with ice over to Ryan, "Here, get this up on that eye. I'll keep the swelling down."

"Thanks."

Caleb was helping himself to some of the Scotch when Ryan noticed him pouring two glasses. Placing one glass in front of Ryan, "And this is for your headache. Do not tell Kirsten. If she finds out I gave that to you, it's every man for himself."

Ryan eyed the glass.

"It's okay Ryan. If I had to put up with that ape we met in the hallway, I would have been drinking at a young age too." Clinking glasses with Ryan's glass, Caleb took a swig of his drink.

Picking up his own glass, Ryan took a healthy taste of his own drink. He knew it would take the edge off his headache. "You're the last person in the world I expected to be sharing a drink with."

"You didn't even flinch. All I half to do is show Seth the bottle and it turns him inside out." There was an awkward silence before Caleb continued. "I don't apologize often Ryan. Kirsten can vouch for that, although, I'm sure you already know that. I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I was protecting my family. After what I saw today..." Caleb concentrated on his drink, letting his explanation fade away.

"It's okay. I get it," Ryan offered, hoping the conversation would come to an end.

"No Ryan, it's not okay. I can be an asshole. I know that. But I don't ever want to be considered in the same category as that ape that hurt you."

Ryan didn't know what to say after that. Agreeing with Caleb that he could be an asshole was the wrong thing to do since the guy just saved him from AJ. Luckily, the door to the room swung open and both men were saved from saying anything further.

"Thank God!" Kirsten exclaimed. "Oh my God! Ryan what happened to your face? What happened to his face?" she asked, looking at Caleb who was at a loss for words. "You gave him Scotch???" Confused Kirsten looked back and forth at the two men. "Please tell me you didn't do that to him..." Kirsten's look told Caleb he better have the right answer for this one.

"I didn't do that to him, some guy named AJ did that to him," Caleb explained.

Kirsten turned to Ryan who only raised his eyebrows before repositioning the ice pack on his eye. In the language of 'Ryan', that meant, "Yes, it's true."

"Oh my God!" Reaching forward, Kirsten grabbed what was left of Ryan's Scotch and downed it.

"Hey, that was for Ryan's headache!" Caleb protested.

"No Dad, that was for MY headache!"