When she opened her eyes the first thing Emily saw was a worried Ryan.. Seeing her eyes open Ryan smiled.
Ryan: Welcome back.
Emily: Have I been gone long?
Ryan: A few hours...you had me worried.
A smile spread across Emily's lips.
Emily: Don't worry.. word has it I will do anything for attention. When can I get out of here?
Ryan: They said as soon as you woke up and felt like it.
Emily: Then why am I still here? I hate hospitals.
Ryan pushed the button to call for a nurse.
After she was dressed and the papers signed she was wheeled to the car.
Ryan: I'm taking you home with me.. Kirsten insisted. That way we can keep an eye on you.
Emily: I'm ok. You guys don't need to do that. Just drop me off at home.
Ryan: "I said "Kirsten insisted". Have you ever seen a mad Kirsten? "He allowed a shudder to pass through his body. "It isn't a pretty sight. And she would do really bad things to be if I show up without you."
She couldn't help but laugh.
Emily: Ok but only to save your miserable hide.
As he helped her into the car she sought his eyes.
Emily: Thanks for being here.
Ryan: Anytime...
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Being at the Cohen house reminded her so much of the old days with her mom, dad and Emmet. She hadn't been in a real home in a very long time.
It was after dinner and Sandy was filling her in on all of the things that had been discovered while she was "getting her beauty sleep', as Ryan put it.
Sandy: The police have the pictures, the rose and a piece of a poem, and the film from the security camera. When Ryan heard of the pictures he told the police Marissa had been talking about pictures she had been given. When they checked it out, all of them had been taken with the same camera. No fingerprints have been found on anything.
Emily: Wait a minute.. what pictures?
Sandy: Of you and Ryan...someone apparently was following you and taking pictures. They were sent to Marissa. She even received phone calls filling her mind with lies about you and Ryan. There is no clue who is behind this... who could possibly benefit from this type of activity? The pain they caused that poor girl.
Emily looked at Ryan.
Emily: Did you get it all straightened out? Is she ok?
Ryan: We're getting there...
Kirsten: Emily you look worn out. Let me show you to the pool house before you collapse. If you let them, these men will keep you here all night chewing over every juicy detail... they're like a pack of little old women with this.
Inside the pool house Kirsten showed Emily where all the amenities were located. Ryan had stopped and helped her gather a few clothes on the way here. Her pack had been brought out and was lying on the bed.
Kirsten: Anything you need, don't hesitate to ask.
Emily: Mrs. Cohen, I really appreciate you hospitality. You have a lovely home and family.
Kirsten chucked.
Kirsten: Oh honey, call me Kirsten. Mrs. Cohen is my mother- in- law
Emily: Thanks... Ryan and Seth are very lucky.. I'll make sure they know it too.
Kirsten: I'm gonna like you.
Laughing they both said good night. Emily took a pain pill and hardly moved until late the next morning.
Ryan sat in the waiting room. He wasn't sure what he was going to say...what could be said.
The door opened and Marissa appeared. She came directly where he was sitting.
Marissa: Let's go out side. They have a really nice visiting area out there and it looks like a beautiful day.
Smiling Ryan stood up and took her hand.
Ryan: Sounds like a plan to me.
They were silent for a while after they sat down. Both of them lost in the charade of studying the landscape.
Finally Marissa broke the silence.
Marissa: How is Emily?
Ryan: She's good. When I left this morning she was still crashed.
Marissa: Does she have any idea what happened?
Ryan: Sandy was telling her all about it last night after I brought her home from the hospital. Until then the only thing she knew was some weirdo was leaving roses and poems on her locker.
Marissa: Did she mention what she was doing in the school?
Ryan chuckled and shook his head.
Ryan: You have to know Emily to understand that. She wanted to know who was doing the flower thing so she waited to find out. She is too fearless for her own good.
Marissa: You really like her don't you?
Ryan: Yes I thought that was obvious.
Marissa: Is she going to stay in Newport?
Ryan: Marissa, where is this going?
Marissa looked down at her hands.
Marissa: I love you Ryan.
Looking up to meet his eyes tears flowed down her face.
Ryan: What do you want me to say? What do you expect me to say? I can give you some slack because of your presence here but it is just like Oliver all over again. I'm the one you didn't believe.. again! I did nothing with Emily that I would be afraid to tell you about.
His voice trailed off and they were silent again.
It was Ryan that broke the silence this time.
Ryan: Are you getting a pass for this weekend?
Marissa: If you want me to.
Ryan: Of course I want you to. Think of what you want to do, ok?
Marissa: Hey, maybe Seth and Summer can join us and we can do something fun. Would Emily want to go to?
Ryan: I doubt it. She is tough but she got pretty broken up. We can ask though.
They continued their visit but things didn't feel the same between them.
When their time was up they walked hand in hand inside. Ryan softly kissed her and then she was gone behind the door.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Kirsten insisted Emily stay with them at least till the end of the week. Having so much down time gave Emily an opportunity to think, all of which was not a good thing. Ryan and Seth kept her entertained when they weren't in school and they brought her schoolwork home so she wouldn't fall behind. Just as she was finishing a particularly long and dull history read a soft knock sounded at the door. Ryan's head popped in.
Ryan: Are you decent?
Emily: As decent as I on in
Ryan: How ya doing?
Emily: If I was any better, I couldn't stand it.
Ryan rolled his eyes and flopped on the foot of the bed.
Ryan: We haven't talked much and I believe you have an a$$ chewing coming...
Emily: Really.. how so?
Ryan: What were you thinking that you decided to hang around and find out who the flower guy was.. and by yourself to boot. Things could have turned out a lot worse than they did... and why didn't I know about the flower guy?
Emily knew all of this was because he was "after the fact" scared. He was right.. it could have been much worse. Knowing this didn't keep the anger from coming into her voice.
Emily: Excuse me?
Ryan: You could have been killed!
She leveled her eyes straight into Ryan's.
Emily: So what's your point?
Ryan: What's my point? My point is it was stupid! And I would still like to know why you didn't tell me about it.
Emily: How about it wasn't any big deal and you had your hands full.
Ryan: I would have made room..
Emily: I didn't want you to make room. I didn't want you that close...
Just then Kirsten appeared in the doorway announcing tonight's takeout had arrived. Emily was up and gone before Ryan could say a word.