AN: Slowly winding this story down, too. First attempt at writing a love scene, so let me know what you think. Porn is not my forte as you'll soon see. But hopefully, it's in character and plausible. Enjoy!

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Sandy went to wake Ryan the next morning. He was on his side, sleeping soundly. The covers were in a heap by the door and Ryan's shoulder was bloody and Sandy saw that he'd ripped his stitches. The bandage was torn off and on the floor beside the bed.

"Ryan? Ryan, wake up…"

"No…sleep…" He murmured.

"Kid, wake up…" Sandy urged.

"Sandy? Ow…" Ryan felt the pain immediately.

"What happened?" Sandy asked.

"I…I was asleep…I did this?"

"The sedative must not have stopped the nightmares this time, kid. Let's get you cleaned up and I'll call the doctor so we can get you stitched up…" Sandy said.

"God…As if it didn't hurt enough, I ripped the stitches out?" Ryan glanced at his fingers and saw that his nails were caked with blood from where he had clawed at the bandage.

"Just relax…let me help you up…" Sandy offered his hand and Ryan clasped it and pulled himself to his feet.

"Damn, Sandy…I thought I was over all this…"

"You are. You were asleep."

Ryan was unsteady on his feet. Sandy guided him to the bathroom.

"Are you going to tell Summer?"

"She's downstairs. She came by your room last night to talk to you," Sandy said.

"Can we go to the doctor before she sees me? I don't think I'm ready to talk to her yet."

"What's going on with you guys?"

"I don't know," Ryan sighed. "One minute she needs me, the next minute, she needs me to leave…I don't know what I'm supposed to do…this would only make her worried and I think that would make everything worse."

Sandy nodded his understanding.

Ryan focused on washing the blood off his body with a washrag while Sandy called the doctor from the doorway. He arranged for a meeting at the doctor's office in 10 minutes.

Ryan brushed his teeth and ran a hand through his hair before motioning to Sandy that he was done.

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"Kirsten? Where's Ryan?" Summer asked when she found her in the kitchen. She'd gotten up extra early and had planned on snuggling into bed with her boyfriend but he wasn't there.

"He's not in his room? He must be with Sandy. How are you today?"

"I'm okay. I'm better today than yesterday. I slept all night…"

"I'm glad."

"The only think I wanted to do today was make up with Ryan…" She admitted.

"You guys were both pretty tired yesterday," Kirsten said. "Bagel?"

Summer accepted it. "So. Funeral tomorrow?"

"Yep. Did you want to go shopping with me this morning? I have to buy something to wear."

"I need to do that too, thanks."

"A lot of your father's family is at the Plaza. I was planning on going over and…"

"That's a good idea. We should probably greet them," Summer realized.

"You sure you're up for this?"

"Yes. I think so."

"Well, I've reserved the lounge for a gathering after the funeral tomorrow, the hotel's catering so you…"

"I should see them today. And you'll be there, too, right?"

"I'll be there." Kirsten hesitated. "What about Ryan?"

"I want him to be with me. If he's up to it. But I have to talk to him first. I don't want him holding me up and carrying all the drama by himself…yesterday…I was really depending on his and then…it was like I woke up and saw how guilty he looked, how upset and…and I didn't want to do that to him. So I sent him away."

"Did you explain that to him?" Kirsten asked quietly.

"I haven't had time. Kirsten…you know I love him, right?"

"Of course, Summer…"

"Tell me what to do. Do I ask him to come today or do I try to protect him and go alone?"

"I think you should talk to Ryan. And respect his opinion. He loves you, too."

"He'll do whatever he thinks I want," Summer sighed. "He's just so damned hard to read."

"Talk to him, Summer. If you need him, I'm sure he needs you, too." Kirsten gave her a gentle smile. "Sandy…if he's upset, I'm upset. It goes both ways. Its love, Summer, and you guys have to trust each other."

Sandy and Ryan walked in. Ryan's arm was in a sling.

"What happened?" Summer gasped. Ryan walked over and gave her a kiss on the cheek, putting his good arm around her.

"Nothing," He said quietly.

"Ryan…" Summer whispered, hating the way he was shrugging off her question.

"I just needed an upgrade," Ryan said. "You want to talk?"

"Yeah. My room or yours?"

He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, tracing her face with his fingertips. "I don't care."

Kirsten and Sandy were talking quietly by the sink as Summer took Ryan's hand and led him out of the kitchen.

"Have you taken a shower?" She asked as they took the stairs.

"No. I have new stitches."

"Take a bath with me?" She asked.

"Okay…I mean, are you…" Ryan started.

"No sex…I just want to be with you," She said.

"Of course." Ryan locked the door to his room and turned on the stereo as she went into the bathroom. He followed her inside and closed the door. She turned on the faucet and the water began to stream out, steaming.

"Summer."

She turned to face him. He took her arm and pulled her close, kissing her. She unbuttoned his jeans and his shirt as he kissed her. He took a breath and removed the sling. She stepped out of her shorts and shirt before finding his mouth again.

"I'm sorry…" He whispered.

"Me, too."

"We okay?"

"Yeah…we have to talk…"

"Communication, yeah…" He murmured as she turned to adjust the temperature of the tub. She stepped in and turned. He stepped in behind her and lowered himself to sit down. She settled between his legs and leaned forward to turn off the water.

She was content as he took the loofah and silently washed her body.

He started to speak softly, his lips close to her ear.

"I wanted to be there for you yesterday. You're hurting and I just wanted to help. I'm sorry that I didn't comfort you, I just wanted to help…"

"Ryan…"

"Shh. I'm holding the loofah," He smiled, nibbling her ear. "I don't want you to worry about me. I am here for you…I might go to a psychiatrist and take anti-depressants but I am not unstable and I am completely and utterly here for you," He murmured, wetting her hair and massaging the shampoo into her scalp.

"I know," She purred as he rinsed her hair.

"And I know you're here for me, too. We have enough on our minds to be upset with each other…"

"Are you upset?"

"Not with you."

"My father is dead. But it wasn't our fault. I need you…I can't make it without you…"

"You don't have to," He whispered.

"My turn." They shifted positions and he relaxed against her. She washed him, careful to keep his damaged shoulder dry.

"You saved my life, Ryan…your family has taken me in and you…you've been unbelievable…but yesterday…I couldn't put you through that…"

"Summer…"

"I have loofah," She warned with a smile. "So shush…" She massaged his hair and he mumbled appreciatively, relaxing into her arms.

"I needed to know that you were safe. You got hurt and you looked so sad…I had to come to terms with…with what happened before I let myself depend on you…" She traced his face with her fingers, pleased that he was so content to have his eyes closed. "He was my father…but what happened…he wasn't my father anymore…he was scary and dangerous…so no matter how much I loved my father…he died before that day…he was already gone…"

"I love you," Ryan whispered.

"I love you, too…"

"Communication…"

"Yeah," She smiled. She kissed the back of his neck. "I want you…"

"What?" He asked absently.

She maneuvered herself atop him with a satisfied moan. His hands settled on her back, tentative.

"Summer, we can't…" He started but his body was already reacting.

"Shh…just stay quiet…" She kissed him, capturing his mouth's attention as she began to ride him slowly. He was deep inside and they were both needy.

"God…" He groaned.

"Shh…" She murmured, kissing him as she pulled him close. "Just…warn me…" She braced herself on the edge of the tub. He guided her and their thrusts were synchronized.

"Come here…" He pulled her face to his, his breathing short and desperate as she straddled him. He kissed her deeply and she tasted his need as he lifted her off her, her body left lacking as he removed himself from inside her.

"Please, Ryan…" She pleaded and kissed her again, silencing her as he brought her to completion with his fingers as he shuddered with his own climax.

"You…I want you inside…" She said.

"Safety first," He whispered.

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Summer had gotten dressed in a knee-length beige skirt and a matching white button down shirt. She'd tiptoed out of Ryan's room before changing but Kirsten and Sandy had seen her making her escape. She was composed as she joined them in the kitchen. Her hair was dry but unstyled.

"Summer? You almost ready?" Kirsten asked.

"Almost," She replied, sitting down at the counter. Ryan appeared in black slacks and a tight white long-sleeved shirt. He gave her a shy smile before moving to stand behind her.

Sandy and Kirsten watched them curiously. Ryan twisted her hair into a loose braid and laced it with flowers that he'd gotten from her room.

"You have got to tell me how you tamed him," Kirsten said when he was finished.

Sandy shook his head in disbelief. "I thought I was whipped."

Ryan gave Sandy a wink before disappearing.

"Summer, before you and Kirsten go shopping, I think we need to iron out some ground rules…" Sandy started.

"Sandy. You talk to Ryan. I'll take Summer. Don't make this any worse on yourself," Kirsten said. "Let's go."

Summer was confused but followed Kirsten outside. "What's that about?"

"Sex." Kirsten blushed. "I mean…Sandy and I have to lay down some ground rules if you're…"

"Oh. Oh, yeah…I get it. Separate beds and no sex…" Summer realized.

"I mean, we know that you guys are…active," Kirsten continued as they started to drive. "But…you're kids and we don't let Seth and his girlfriend get away with stuff like that…"

"I know." Summer wondered if they'd made too much noise or something.

"Sandy and I want you to stay with us. Indefinitely. We haven't really had a chance to talk to you about it, but after all that's happened…you're a part of our family. Ryan loves you and by default, you're an honorary Cohen as well."

"I haven't…I haven't really thought about what I'm going to do."

"Sandy explained to me about your inheritance, so we know that you can afford to be on your own. But you're still seventeen. We can't force you to do anything…but we'd really like it if you'd stay."

"You guys have been awesome. I don't know what I'd have done without you and Sandy. And I'd like to stay, too…if that's okay."

"But we do have rules…we have dinner together every night and homework has to be finished before going out during the week…"

Summer smiled. "Okay, Kirsten." She could tell that the woman was trying to pretend to be strict but she knew that Ryan and Seth were pretty much given free rein.

"So, the sex rule…we'll have to work on it…figure something out…"

"Thank you, Kirsten. For everything."

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Ryan was asleep on the couch in the living room while Rosa was cleaning his room. Sandy, Seth and Anna were in the kitchen nibbling on snacks. They were going to meet Summer and Kirsten at the hotel after their shopping was done.

"So, Dad, what happened to you and Ryan this morning?" Seth asked.

Sandy glanced over to make sure Ryan was still sleeping. "We had to make a quick trip to the doctor."

"Is he okay?" Anna asked before Seth could.

"Yeah, yeah, he's fine. He ripped his stitches out…"

"How? I mean, he was here…" Seth said.

"Nightmares," Sandy said quietly.

"Oh," Seth replied.

"He's okay, though. The doctor fixed him up and he made up with Summer so all is okay," Sandy nodded.

"He's coming with us to the hotel, right?"

"Yeah. I just figured we'd let him sleep. He needs it," Sandy acknowledged.

"So. Summer's doing better, too?" Anna asked.

"If Ryan's okay, then Summer is okay," Seth replied. "They're weird like that."

Sandy's cell phone buzzed and he walked onto the patio to answer it.

Anna and Seth were still watching Ryan discretely.

"He'd kick our ass for staring at him," Anna said finally.

"You're right. Let's wake him up," Seth smirked.

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Ryan stayed by Summer's side, his hand resting on her lower back for support while she greeted her family. He'd only met her father a few times and he had no idea that she came from such a large family. He met her 2 aunts and 3 uncles, all doctors. He'd met all her cousins and he couldn't remember any of their names.

As they made their way toward another table, Ryan had a wave of dizziness wash over him and he faltered. Summer immediately felt the lack of his hand on her back and turned to face him. She pulled him outside of the lounge.

"You okay?"

"Yeah…"

"You look a little pale," She noticed, putting her hand against his face.

"I'll go to the bathroom and get myself together. I'll meet you back inside. I'm fine, Summer."

She gave him a quick kiss and smiled, returning to the lounge.

Ryan went into the bathroom and splashed water on his face. He was lightheaded and his nausea had been growing since Sandy had given him his latest dose of painkillers but he had to be here. The pills weren't dulling the pain, only his senses. Listening to Summer explain her father's 'sudden illness' and 'accidental death' over and over was the least he could do for her. She'd conferred with Sandy and agreed that there was no need to tell her family about the gruesome details of her father's death.

Sandy stepped in. "You okay?"

"I don't know…" Ryan admitted as his vision went spotty. When he blinked again, Sandy was holding him upright by his good arm.

"Sit down a minute, here, on the sink," Sandy guided him to the sink and Ryan slowly turned to sit down.

"You dizzy?"

"Yeah…"

"I'm going to get you some water, don't move…" Sandy ducked out.

Ryan took deep breaths. He had to get control over his body so he could get back to Summer. He glanced at the door when someone walked in, but realized that it wasn't Sandy. He recognized one of Summer's uncles. He started to get down off the sink but Sandy stepped back in.

"Don't move." Sandy held out a bottle of water.

"Everything okay? Ryan, right?" The man asked.

"I'm fine," Ryan said.

"He doesn't look fine. You're his father, Mr. Cohen?"

"Tim, right?" Sandy shook the man's hand.

"I'm a doctor, can I help?"

Sandy seemed relieved but Ryan was growing more uncomfortable by the second.

"I'm okay," Ryan insisted.

"Drink that," Sandy pointed to the water. "Ryan was hurt a few days ago."

"Oh. What's wrong?"

"I'm just tired, it's nothing," Ryan said.

"Your arm?" Tim was observant and could see the way Ryan was holding his arm against him protectively. "Can I take a look?"

"Sandy…" Ryan turned to him for help.

"Drink."

Ryan sighed but obediently drained the bottle.

"Ronnie…he hurt you?" Tim realized.

"He wasn't himself," Ryan replied immediately.

"Psychotic break. I talked to the hospital. I wasn't aware that he…that he hurt anyone. Can I see?" Tim asked gently.

Ryan glanced at Sandy but gingerly pulled off his shirt.

"Ouch," Tim winced, examining the wound.

"I got new stitches this morning…I'm just dizzy from the drugs…" Ryan admitted.

"What are you even doing here in this condition? It looks like it went all the way through…" Tim realized, seeing the bruise on the back of Ryan's shoulder.

"It's fine…"

"Will you at least put the sling on?" Sandy asked.

"Sandy, if I walk back in there with a sling on they'll be more questions and she doesn't need that right now…" Ryan said quietly.

Tim seemed to realize why Ryan was making his appearance. "How about you run an errand for me? Mr. Cohen could take you home and my family wouldn't have to question your disappearance."

Ryan was surprised.

"You obviously care a lot about Summer. But you're no good to her if you're falling over." Tim turned to Mr. Cohen. "Take him home. I'll run damage control."

"I'm good to stay. But thank you. Can I just sit down in the lounge? I…I really think I need to be here," Ryan said quietly.

"You're sure?" Sandy asked. Ryan pulled his shirt back on.

"Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Roberts." Ryan hopped down off the sink.

Tim stopped Sandy once they were outside the bathroom. Ryan had returned to Summer's side in the lounge as she talked to one of her aunts.

"Mr. Cohen…"

"Call me Sandy."

"Sandy. Summer tells me that she's going to be staying with your family…"

"She's almost eighteen and she doesn't want to have to change schools or leave her friends…" Sandy started.

"I understand that. It's a really nice thing to do…"

"Summer is a part of my family, now. Just like Ryan. He's my foster son and we almost lost him…but Summer brought him back to us. She's always going to be welcome in my home," Sandy said. They watched the couple curiously.

Ryan's arm was around her and she was molded comfortably against him as they sat on a small couch. She was speaking quietly to her aunt while Ryan listened and squeezed her shoulder at certain moments.

"They're good together. Mature. She's a beautiful young woman."

"She's handling this very well."

"Did Ronnie...did he hurt her?"

"Are you sure you want to know?"

Tim hesitated.

"Ryan takes good care of her. She's safe," Sandy said quietly.

"I believe you. Or better yet, I believe him," Tim pointed to the couple.

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