Kirsten's phone rang first and jolted her awake. Ryan's bed was empty but she heard his hoarse whisper. He was sitting between Seth and Summer and they were playing video games on the opposite side of the room.

Sandy's phone rang and he woke up. They both put their phone to their ears and then stood up and walked out.

"What's that about?" Seth asked. Ryan shrugged. He paused the game.

Seth and Summer's phones rang simultaneously.

"Weird," Ryan said. "I'm going to lay down."

Ryan rolled the IV back to the bed and sat down.

"You look worse than you sound," Anna said as she walked in.

"Hey, don't say that. I just had a long day," Ryan smiled.

"Can I give you a hug?" She asked, approaching.

"Don't tell me you're going soft," Ryan joked, embracing her.

"How can you make jokes?"

"I don't know what else to do," Ryan admitted, glancing at Seth to make sure he wasn't listening. "I'm just trying to stay afloat. Don't burst my bubble. You didn't have to come."

"Yes, I did. You're one of my best friends. I want to help you however I can. You'd do the same for me."

"Thanks," Ryan nodded. He yawned despite himself. "I'm going to lie down."

"Sure, here…" Anna helped him get under the covers and was careful not to disturb his IV.

"So…I'm still going to need your help with chemistry…"

"We're, like, a month ahead already, Ryan," Anna laughed. They were the chemistry professor's prize students.

"I don't know when I'll be able to go back to school…Kirsten said…" Ryan started.

"But…" Anna interrupted.

Ryan had fallen asleep.

"Anna? He's pretty tired," Seth and Summer joined her.

"He looks so weak…" Anna murmured. "Can I sit with him?"

"Did you tell anyone, Anna?" Seth asked.

"Just my parents…"

Sandy and Kirsten returned.

"Seth, who did you call? I've got all of Newport at our house," Kirsten said.

"Ryan called Luke…he said the soccer guys were gossips, but…one of my teachers just called me," Seth admitted. "It's like everyone knows."

"Rosa's throwing a fit, she's upset we didn't call her and the house is brimming with people…" Kirsten said.

"I'm going to go home and deal with the crowd," Sandy kissed her on the cheek and left.

"I'll be right back," Seth said as his phone rang.

"Anna. It's nice to see you," Kirsten noticed her presence for the first time.

"Is there anything I can do?" Anna asked.

"Can you girls hold down the fort? I'll be right back," Kirsten said, giving Ryan's sleeping form a once over before stepping out.

"It is nice of you to come," Summer said.

"Ryan's my friend," Anna replied. "He's, like, such a tough guy…but he's really special."

"Are you crushing on Chino?" Summer teased.

"Everyone's secretly crushing on Ryan…even Seth," Anna laughed. She turned serious.

"What?" Summer asked.

"He looks cold. Do you think he's cold?"

Summer put her hand against Ryan's cheek and he mumbled.

"What?" She asked.

"Freezing…" he murmured.

Anna spread a blanket across him.

Ryan sighed and settled back to sleep.

"This is wearing him down…he was really sick earlier," Summer confessed.

"When was his surgery? I mean, was it safe for him to start chemotherapy so soon?" Anna whispered.

"Apparently, it was only considered minor surgery and the doctors thought he was strong enough," Summer replied.

Anna brushed his hair out of his face and he murmured in his sleep. "Ryan?"

"Sleepy…"

"Ryan, what are you thinking about?" She whispered.

His fingers traced the blanket. "Cotton candy…sticky…"

Summer laughed. "Aww, he's so sweet…"

"Clean off the monkeybars…" He mumbled.

"I'd pay a dollar to see that dream," Anna giggled. She smoothed his hair and he settled back to sleep. She looked at Summer. "How's Seth doing?"

"He's remarkably stable. He's hanging in there…he's really worried about Chino, but he won't let him see it," Summer admitted.

"Take care of him," Anna said.

"I plan to."

Ryan's nausea returned full force later that night. Seth and Summer had gone home and Sandy was staying the night with Ryan while Kirsten dealt with all the well-wishers and got some rest at home.

Ryan couldn't keep anything down, not even water, his stomach refused to keep anything inside. He'd lost his voice completely but still seemed to be in good spirits despite his nausea.

Sandy had allowed him to get out of bed and they were taking a short walk down the hall and back while waiting for Rita to bring Ryan some broth. The crackers and toast weren't working but Ryan had agreed to keep trying. He knew the doctor wouldn't release him the next day if he couldn't keep anything down.

"You know, you don't have to push yourself. One more day in this hospital won't hurt you," Sandy said quietly as they rounded the corner.

"I know…you think I should stay longer?" Ryan asked.

"I think we should do what's best for your health. You okay?" Sandy asked, holding tightly to Ryan's arm as they walked.

"I told you that I'd tell you if I'm not all right…"

"Like you told us that you were sick before…" Sandy muttered.

"I think we're a little past that," Ryan sighed, pulling his arm away from Sandy's grasp. "You know what? I think I am tired. I want to go to bed." He turned and walked away from Sandy before he could stop him.

"Ryan…"

Ryan made it to his room and walked in, sitting down on the bed. Rita was waiting with his dinner when Sandy walked in behind him.

"You ready to try this again?" Rita asked. "I know it's late, but you need to try and eat something."

"I know. What's on the menu?" Ryan asked.

"This is broth, just water and flavor, okay? If you can keep a little of it down, we'll try some more crackers, okay?"

Ryan nodded. He settled into bed with the tray across his lap.

"Ryan…" Sandy started.

Ryan gave him a quick glance as he took a tentative spoonful of broth.

"I'm sorry about…"

"Don't apologize to me," Ryan interrupted. He paused and took another sip of soup. "Drop it."

"But…"

"You're exhausted, Sandy. Relax. I'd tell you to go home and get some sleep, but you'd tell me I was being hard-headed. So, let's just not talk about it, okay? We disagree."

Rita glanced between Sandy and Ryan. Ryan continued to eat. Sandy got up and walked over to the couch, stretching out with an exhausted sigh.

"Argument?"

"Nope. So far so good," Ryan glanced at the broth.

"How's your stomach?"

"Not boiling yet," Ryan replied. They both turned and glanced at Sandy as he started to snore. "See? He needs to rest."

"You've had a long day, kid. It's no surprise that you're grouchy. He'll understand."

"I'm not grouchy, I'm just tired," Ryan said quietly. "I'm tired of throwing up, I'm tired of Sandy and Kirsten treating me like a child and I'm tired of being drugged up to the point that I'm reduced to snapping at my friends and family. I'm just tired."

"Okay, kid. Why don't you take a break and let the food settle…"

"Rita, this is nowhere near being defined as food," Ryan smiled. She took the half empty bowl off the tray.

"You did very well. Now, lie down and get some rest. I'm going to stay here for a while and make sure you keep that 'not food' down, okay?"

"Thanks, Rita. Can you cover him up? It's chilly in here…" Ryan turned on his side and put his hands over his stomach. He had to keep the broth down or he'd have to stay.

"Sure." Rita covered Sandy with a blanket and then returned to Ryan's side.

"I'll call you if I need you, Rita. Thanks." Ryan lifted his hand and showed her the nurse's call button.

"Okay, kid. I'll be right down the hall."

Ryan closed his eyes once she left. He could keep the broth down, he just had to concentrate. This would get easier.

Kirsten and Seth arrived early the next morning at the hospital. Sandy was still asleep on the couch and Ryan's bed was empty. Kirsten woke her husband and demanded to know where Ryan was.

"What?"

"Where's Ryan?" Kirsten motioned to the empty bed. "Where is he?"

Rita walked in, pushing Ryan in a wheelchair. "He's right here. We just wanted to run a few more tests before we sent him on his way…"

"Why didn't you wake me?" Sandy asked.

"I told her not to. The doctor's going to tell you everything before me, anyway," Ryan said, giving him a smile. "And you were sleeping so good…"

"Ryan, you don't have to do this all by yourself…" Sandy started, upset.

"Mr. Cohen, it wasn't complicated, it was a simple MRI and you couldn't have gone with him anyway," Rita said before he finished.

"Isn't the doctor ready for them?" Ryan sighed, clearly not wanting an argument.

"I'll walk you to his office," Rita said immediately.

"Ryan, we need to talk…" Sandy started.

Ryan didn't respond, he kept his gaze lowered and submissive. He had been in an upbeat mood before Rita had brought him back. She'd taken him to the cafeteria and he'd eaten a bowl of soup and a cup of fruit. Combining that with his looming release, he'd wanted a good day. But he'd obviously done something wrong already.

"Dad, come on, give the kid some space," Seth said, sensing the change in Ryan immediately.

"Come on, Sandy, let's go talk to the doctor," Kirsten pulled Sandy from the room.

"So, what's up?"

"I don't feel like talking," Ryan sighed.

"A minute ago you were fine…"

"That was before I got blasted by your dad. What did I do wrong this time, Seth?" Ryan asked, stretching out in the bed. "I thought…I didn't think I was doing anything wrong…"

"You didn't, he's just grumpy when he wakes up, man, he's not mad…"

"Well, I'm going to try and catch a few minutes of sleep."

"You didn't sleep last night?"

"Your dad snores," Ryan admitted. "Even with the drugs, I couldn't doze off. Do you mind?"

"No, man, sleep. I'll be right here," Seth said, surprised. Ryan rolled on his side and closed his eyes, falling asleep immediately.

Seth was glad for the peace. His house was like a mental hospital, with Newpsies running rampant, bringing covered dishes and offering their help. People that had always been openly suspicious and nasty toward Ryan were offering their condolences. Like Ryan was dead.

But Ryan wasn't dead. He was just tired. Seth was determined to keep Ryan full of hope and focused on his recovery. He'd keep his father away from him if he upset Ryan. Ryan could rest because Seth was back on the job. He would be Ryan's advocate whether his parents approved or not.

Kirsten stopped Sandy outside Ryan's door. "What happened last night?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"I promise. Nothing happened. I slept, he slept…" Sandy said.

"Then why'd you tell him you needed to talk? Rita said he ate a good breakfast and Dr. Tarleton says he's doing better than expected…"

"I was worried, Kirsten, but not I'm not. Let's check on the boys," Sandy said, giving her a hug.

When they stepped inside, Ryan was sleeping under Seth's careful watch.

"Rita's coming to go over some things with Ryan and then we can take him home," Kirsten told Seth.

"Okay. He should sleep, though," Seth said. "Until absolutely necessary."

"Seth…" Sandy started.

"He's tired. Dad's snoring kept him awake all night. Why don't you meet us at home, Dad?" Seth asked pointedly.

Sandy opened his mouth to protest but stopped. "Okay. I'll see you at home." He left abruptly.

"What was that all about?" Kirsten asked.

"Even if Dad doesn't mean to, he's stressing Ryan out."

"Hmm?" Ryan blinked his eyes sluggishly. Rita stepped in.

"Well, Ryan, you're getting your wish. You're going home."

"Yeah? That's great…"

"But I'm sorry to say that we'll be still be seeing each other…" Rita started.

"Twice a week for the next four weeks, I know. But I'm just glad to be going home today," Ryan grinned.

"Seth, can you bring the car around? I'm going to go over some things with your mother and Ryan," Rita asked.

"You okay here?" Seth asked Ryan.

Ryan gave him a strange look. "Yeah, man. Go ahead."