AN: Mini-update. We're winding down here, folks, almost getting it to a close. Enjoy.
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After they'd eaten, sampling most of the cart, Ryan turned to Sandy again. "I don't want to go to the funeral."
Sandy nodded. "Okay."
"I'll call Jimmy…but you'll go for me?"
"If you want me to."
"I can stay with Gaby and get myself together and…and then maybe I can come to your house and meet everyone after the funeral…"
"Are you sure you're up for that?" Gaby whispered.
"Yeah. I am now. But not the funeral…"
"What if…what if I wanted to stay here with you?" Sandy asked quietly.
Ryan seemed surprised. "You…you'd do that for me?"
Sandy glanced at him. "I'd like to sit with you awhile."
Ryan stared at him for a long moment. "I'd like that."
"I'll call Kirsten and bring us out a stereo. You guys' okay out here?" Gaby asked.
"The sun's nice. Good idea, Gaby," Ryan acknowledged. She went inside, pulling the cart behind her.
"New York was good for you."
"You say that after my most recent freak out?" Ryan laughed.
"Yeah. Because you're being honest with me. I can see how hard you're trying and…I can see how much you're hurting, too. I wish I could fix it…"
"Me, too…I'm so tired of being unhappy…"
"You're trying to break the cycle, kid, you're getting better…"
Ryan sighed. "I'm glad you're here."
"I will always be here for you. Why don't you stretch out?"
Gaby returned with a small CD stereo that she set up on the table. Ryan stretched out on the couch once Gaby sat down. She curled her body around his as he closed his eyes. Sandy had the last cushion to himself once they were settled. Gaby used a handheld remote to change the stereo and she settled on a classic rock station. Led Zeppelin echoed through the air and Ryan settled into sleep.
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Ryan woke up and it was dark. He was covered under a blanket and Sandy was still sitting at the end of the couch, sleeping.
"Hey," Gaby smiled from her seat around the table.
"Hey. What time is it?"
"Late. Listen…Summer's on her way over with Kaitlyn…"
"What's going on?"
"Kaitlyn's worried about you and I couldn't say no…"
He smiled, sitting up. "Thank you."
She sighed, relieved.
"Objection…" Sandy muttered, jolting awake.
Ryan laughed, patting him on the back. "Relax, counselor."
Sandy yawned. "I need to call home…"
"You should go home…" Ryan suggested.
"You want me to leave?"
"Kirsten will worry," Ryan said.
"She's worried about you, too."
Ryan turned to Gaby. "Can Kirsten and Seth come over?"
"Of course. Make the call, Sandy. Ryan, let's go get you cleaned up."
Ryan followed Gaby into the bathroom.
"Strip," Gaby instructed.
"I can bathe myself," Ryan replied, amused.
"I'm not leaving, so, if you're shy…"
Ryan waited until she turned around to face the door. He took off his clothes and put them on the sink before climbing into the shower and closing the clouded glass door.
"That's a good boy," Gaby said once he turned on the shower.
"It's going to get steamy in here," Ryan moaned as he let the hot water soothe his aching back.
"I'm not leaving you. But I must admit, you're a sexy little thing…"
"Gaby…"
"What? I had to peek," She laughed.
Ryan washed his hair and his body before turning off the water. Gaby tossed a towel over and he stepped out. She took a fresh towel and dried him before draping a robe around his shoulders and cinching it with the belt. She took his shoulders and looked at him through the thick steam.
"It's a privilege to have you in my life, Ryan Atwood."
"Gaby?" He questioned, surprised.
"Summer's a lucky bitch, but I know you love me, too…I love you, Ryan…"
"I love you, too…" He replied, accepting her hug.
"You are my best friend, you're like everyone's best friend…but I don't mind sharing because you give your all to everyone…"
"I…"
"Don't say anything. Let's get you dressed and mildly presentable."
"I need to shave…" He protested.
"You look good scruffy," She assured him.
"Scruffy?"
She caressed his chin. "I could eat you alive, baby. Believe me, its fine."
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Kaitlyn was on the balcony when Ryan stepped out, dressed.
"Ryan, you're okay…"
"Yeah, Kaity…" He embraced her.
"You weren't at the service and…and Dad wouldn't tell me anything…"
"I'm okay…"
"I'm so fucking glad…" Kaitlyn sighed, releasing him.
"Me, too," Summer smiled, stepping out.
"Hey," Ryan smiled.
"I had it out with Mom, pretty bad. But she's gone now. She's having my things sent UPS to Dad's," Kaitlyn said. She squeezed his hand. "But I have to go straight home now, I'll see you tomorrow, though, right?"
"I'm sorry I scared you. I'll see you tomorrow," He nodded.
Kaitlyn disappeared into the hotel room.
Summer approached him.
"I'm sorry I scared you, too."
"I'm sorry that I couldn't help you," Summer responded.
He pulled her into his arms. "You did help me. You took me out of that bar. You stayed with me, you…you saved me…"
"You feel better?"
"You make me better. I'm so glad you're here," He whispered into her shoulder.
"I'm glad you're home."
"I think…"
"What?" Summer urged.
"I think that maybe we should stop fighting our instincts," He said slowly.
"What are you talking about?"
"I want you, Summer. I need you. Am I too late?"
She pulled away slightly to look in his eyes. "Are you serious?"
"I wanted to wait until I was…better…but I don't know if I can wait that long…I love you, Summer…"
She silenced him with her lips, kissing him deeply. After a long moment, she released him. "I will be here for you. I will help you however I can. If we're moving too fast…we'll slow down. But you have to talk to me. Okay?"
He nodded. "Okay. But…but you'll…"
"I want to be with you. I love you."
"I love you, too…" He whispered.
She embraced him again. "You're home. We'll deal with everything one day at a time."
"Okay." Ryan pulled away and lit a cigarette.
"What's wrong? You went from loving to broody in, like, less than a minute."
"I got into it with Seth today."
"What do you mean 'into it'?" Summer asked, sitting down on the couch with him.
"I don't even know why I snapped…but I…I would've hurt him…"
"You fought with him? With Seth?"
Ryan nodded.
"Damn, Ryan. I thought you were okay with him…"
"I am, I mean…I thought I was. I just…"
Seth stepped onto the balcony. His left eye was blackened and he was clearly hesitant.
"I'll leave you two alone," Summer said, kissing Ryan and going inside.
"Hey," Seth said quietly.
"Hey."
"So. Things were said. Punches were thrown. I'm not really sure what happened, but…things were said. Can we talk?" Seth asked.
Ryan nodded. Seth tentatively sat down beside him on the couch.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what happened…"
"You and me both," Seth muttered.
Ryan sighed.
"You're going through a rough time. I want to help you. It's like…you're up and down and I never know what kind of mood you're going to be in. New York…it helped you. Gaby helps you and Summer helps you, shit, even Marissa's little sister helps you. But all I do is upset you…"
"Seth…"
"I want us to be brothers again. If you'll let me…"
"We are brothers…"
Seth turned to face Ryan. "I didn't mean to hurt you. Maybe it's time we talked about what happened…with Marissa."
"Seth…"
"No, I mean…it's in the past, like, it's over. But it's obviously still on your mind, so…I figure I can go put on some padding and we can try to have a civilized conversation," Seth said nervously.
"There's nothing to talk about. You're…"
"Ryan. Come on…" Seth interrupted.
Ryan sighed.
"I didn't do it to hurt you. I don't know why I did it. Because I could, I guess. Marissa…"
"She was sick."
"Yeah. And I was stupid. I…I can't make an excuse for it. I was in a bad place then, a really bad place and when Marissa started talking to me…"
"You were in my room," Ryan whispered.
"I was waiting for you, I wanted to talk to you, I was going to tell you about Marissa, how she had came onto me and then she just showed up…and…God, man…"
Ryan shook his head.
"I am so sorry. I…I was always an only child, Ryan, I'm spoiled, just like all these other Newport trust funders…I guess that I just assumed…" Seth stammered. "I don't know what the hell I was thinking. But Marissa…she knew that it would kill you…that's why she did it…"
"I know. She was always doing things like that…"
"Why…why did you let her manipulate her like that?"
"She…I tried to help her, Seth. I…"
"I know, but she…she fucked you over at every turn, man…"
"So…it's my fault for not walking away from her?" Ryan asked.
"No, man…I just mean…why don't you care about yourself? Why would you let her stomp all over you?"
"Why did I let you?" Ryan asked flatly. Seth flushed.
"Ryan…"
"I'm sorry about my little meltdown."
"You're sorry? Look at my face," Seth smiled nervously. "I know that we have a lot to work through, but I…you're the only brother I have."
"Seth…"
"No, listen. I mean it. So, if you ever want to talk…I'm here."
"I know. Thanks."
"Good. So. No more violence?"
"I'll save it for Luke," Ryan replied.