AN: Small Update. Should be tied up in the next chapter or so. Thanks for the loyal readers!!

Summer was talking with her aunt, she'd left Ryan on the couch several minutes earlier.

She had dreaded talking with her family but after this meeting, she realized that they sympathized with her and were giving her lots of support.

She was grateful for Ryan's support, too, she wouldn't have been able to make it through this day without him standing beside her.

"Your boyfriend is looking a little tired. Is everything okay? He doesn't look well," Her aunt said.

"What?" Summer glanced back and recognized Sandy sitting beside Ryan on the couch with a glass of water. "Excuse me," She said, hurrying back to Ryan. "What's wrong?"

"I'm fine," Ryan was saying, his blue eyes clouded with annoyance.

"You're so pale, baby, what…" Summer sat down beside him and took his hand.

"I think…I think I need to go home for a while. Lie down," Ryan said, catching Sandy's scolding glance. "I'm still pretty dizzy."

"Oh…okay, sure…I'll meet you back there. Are you sure you're okay?" She took his face in her hands and made him meet her gaze.

"Yeah. Just tired. I'll be okay. You?"

"I'm fine." She kissed him lightly on the lips and let Sandy escort him from the lounge.

Kirsten joined her. "Summer, it's winding down, are you ready to get out of here?"

"Hell yes," Summer said, flushing at her unintended use of language.

Kirsten smiled. "Seth and Anna are going to bring home dinner, I'm ready to drive you whenever you're ready."

Summer made one last circuit of the room, saying goodbye and promising to spend more time with them the following day. Kirsten was waiting by the door and they walked to the car.

"You holding up okay?" Kirsten asked.

"Yeah. I guess…it's been so long since I saw everyone, I wasn't sure how they were going to react. But…they're pretty cool. Dad hadn't talked to any of them for a while, I think they all feel a little guilty for losing touch."

"Your dad didn't…"

"Uncle Tim said he hung up on him the last time he called. He was…nasty to him. Tim thought he was just upset about the case…" Summer let her words drift off. "It was okay, Kirsten. I'm glad I came."

"Me, too. I think it helped them to see you intact. You handled today very well," Kirsten said as they started driving.

"You think Ryan's okay?"

"I think he's still more tired than he'll admit. He's a strong kid, he'll be okay. Sandy was hounding him for the past hour or so…"

"I didn't know he was dizzy…he didn't…" Summer started.

"You know how Ryan is, he hates to admit that he doesn't feel 100 percent," Kirsten said. "I know he talks more to you than he ever talked to us…"

"But we made this agreement this morning that we would keep talking and…he didn't tell me."

"He wanted to be there for you today. You guys seem to care about each other so much that neither wants to be alone. Go easy on him," Kirsten said.

"I will…I just wish he'd talk to me more, you know?"

"Well, with Ryan, talking's not really his thing. We're all having to learn his language," Kirsten smiled.

"Yeah." Summer glanced over. "You and Sandy have both been really great about all of this. I mean, everything…"

"But?" Kirsten asked.

"Do you think…in your female opinion…that it's a good idea for Ryan and me to be living in the same house?" Summer asked.

"Why do you…"

"God, I love him so much, I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else…but I also know that things change…I don't want to get in his space, I don't want to hurt what we have…"

"I think that you and Ryan are going to be close no matter where you live, Summer. You guys…you have a connection. I think having you in the house will be good for both of you…if you want, you could always stay in the poolhouse. That way you would be with us…but you could get away if you needed to," Kirsten suggested.

"All those windows? I don't think I could handle it. I'd have to close every shade to change clothes, it'd be dramatic. I think I'm fine in the room you've given me. I just…I worry about us sometimes. Ryan's so…he's had such a hard life and sometimes I think that he's just an argument away from taking off again…"

"Really, Summer?" Kirsten asked.

"Yeah…" She whispered. "Sometimes…"

"I don't think so. I think he's finally accepted his place in our family. He used to get this look in his eye, this gleam like he was about to bolt, but he doesn't anymore. He's not exactly as docile as he once was, either, he'll argue about curfew and doing dishes with the best of them. I don't think Ryan's going anywhere," Kirsten said, parking the car in the driveway.

"I hope not. I'm sorry for venting…"

"Vent anytime, Summer. That's what I'm here for. Now, let's go check on Ryan, shall we?" Kirsten gave her a smile and they went inside.

"You sure you want to do this again?" Sandy was saying.

"Yes. My doctor says it should be better this time," Ryan replied. Summer peeked into the den and he gave her a relieved smile. "Hey."

"What's going on?" She asked, taking his smile as an invitation and sitting down beside him on the couch.

"Sedatives. I have to take them sometimes so I can sleep…last night, they didn't work so well, but I think I need to try again," Ryan explained.

"You…it's still early, Ryan," she said.

"I know…but the painkillers…they're not really working and if they start to work, I get all spaced out…I should be sleeping, that way, I don't need the painkillers because I'm unconscious," Ryan said.

Summer looked between him and Sandy.

"I'd rather be asleep than spacy," He whispered.

"Ryan, I'm going to call your doctor. Just to be safe…" Sandy said.

Ryan gave him a nod. Summer took his hand as Sandy walked out.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, are you okay? You handled today…like a champ…"

Summer laughed at his phrasing. "A champ?"

"My vocabulary's on low right about now…" He met her gaze shyly. "I'm beat, Summer."

"I can tell. You're begging Sandy to give you a sedative," Summer remarked.

"Last night…I ripped my stitches out…while I was asleep. I hate the nightmares, Summer…I remember the dreams, but I…I don't know how to make them stop…"

"The sedative…"

"Usually it works…it's always worked before…but…"

"Can I stay with you tonight?" Summer asked.

"I…Sandy's supposed to be giving me a 'no sex in the house' lecture, but he keeps putting it off…"

"I got mine from Kirsten earlier," Summer smiled.

"Yeah? Were we too loud or something this morning?" He whispered.

"I don't know, she just said that she doesn't let Seth get away with stuff like sleeping over…it sort of segued into me staying here…permanently…" Summer said.

"Oh yeah?" He smiled but quickly dropped it from his face. "Are you okay with that?"

"Yeah…"

He squeezed her hand and then pulled her close for a kiss.

She giggled, pulling away. Times like this with Ryan made her forget about everything else.

"So…you want to go up to my room and…rest a while before dinner?" Ryan asked.

"Rest?" She grinned.

"Exactly." He leaned close and whispered, "The Cohens are good about knocking…"

"Hmm…okay, Ryan…let's go get some rest." She said.

They were halfway up the stairs when Sandy called Ryan's name. They returned to the den. Sandy held out the phone and Ryan took it, walking onto the patio to talk to his doctor.

"What's the verdict?" she asked.

"Well, he wants to talk to Ryan. He doesn't want him thinking that the sedative is a cure for the nightmares, it's just a temporary thing," Sandy said. "The nightmares are something that can't really be treated with drugs…he has to work through them himself."

"The shrink's helping, though, Ryan says so…"

"I know, and this is only a setback," Sandy agreed. "The two of you just went through something really traumatic…it's no wonder it triggered the dreams again."

"Mr. Cohen…"

Sandy raised an eyebrow. "So, you're going to pull out the 'mister' when you want something?" He tried to keep the smile out of his voice.

She laughed. "Well, I was going to try it…can I stay with him tonight? No sex, I promise, just…so I can make sure he doesn't freak out again?"

"I'll talk to Kirsten." Sandy's cheeks were red. "It's not that we don't trust you, it's just…we're not sure how to handle this whole situation."

"I know…but at least if I'm with him, he'll be more relaxed and won't feel like you guys are smothering him. He needs me, sometimes…and I need him, too," Summer said.

Sandy sighed. "I'll tell Kirsten."

Seth and Anna arrived with bags of Mexican food and Sandy and Summer went to help them carry the bags.

Kirsten went to look for Ryan when they were all ready to eat. He was sitting by the pool with the phone still pressed against his ear. She put her hand on his good shoulder and he gave her a weak smile.

"Okay, doc…I'll keep it in mind…I'll tell Sandy, thanks…bye."

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah. No more sedatives, though. Not until he talks to me about it more," Ryan sighed. "He doesn't want me depending on them to work through the nightmares…"

"But you're hurt, Ryan, did he consider…"

"Yeah. And the painkillers make me loopy, but he doesn't want me to take them unless it's absolutely necessary," Ryan replied.

"Have you taken any painkillers lately?"

"Not since around lunch. I wanted a clear head…"

"Come inside, it's time for dinner. But you're going straight to bed afterwards, okay?"

Ryan nodded, following her inside.

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Kirsten and Sandy were talking quietly in the kitchen as the kids finished eating dinner.

They'd given Ryan his dose of painkillers and he was sharing a seat with Summer, helping her clean up the taco that splintered mid-bite onto the table.

"So, Summer. How're you doing?" Anna asked.

"I'm okay. This whole thing sucks, but…today actually wasn't so bad. It was nice to see my family…even though the circumstances sucked…it wasn't as bad as I thought," Summer said.

"What about tomorrow?" Seth asked.

"Tomorrow's going to suck…but I think it'll be better once…once it's over. I want to put it all behind me, I want to remember the good times with my Dad…not the past month, you know?" Summer said.

Ryan put his good arm around her and she relaxed against him.

"Okay, guys. We'll clean up. Ryan, go lie down," Kirsten said.

Summer stood up with him and led him to his room.

He sat down heavily on the bed and immediately put a hand to his head.

"You okay?"

"I know you don't need this right now…but I feel like hell…" Ryan admitted.

"Lie down, baby…" She urged, folding back his covers. He stretched out. She delicately pulled off his shoes and socks and pulled the covers over his legs.

"I…"

"Shh. My turn to play nursemaid. Take off your shirt," She said.

"It's fine…"

"No, I want to make sure your stitches are okay, Ryan," She replied, amused.

He sat up and gingerly removed his shirt. She lifted the small bandage and nodded, satisfied.

"Pass inspection?" He smirked.

"Yes. Okay…" She fluffed his pillow and he obediently lay down. She tucked him in and settled cross-legged on the bed beside him.

"You're not going to lie down?"

"Not yet. It's early. I was going to work on some homework. Is that…"

"That's fine, Summer. You…you're going to stay?" he asked.

"I'm going to try," she replied, kissing his cheek. "You don't mind if…"

"You always study while I nap…its okay…thanks, Summer…" He whispered.

"Get some rest. You'll need it tomorrow," She said. He turned on his side and closed his eyes. Her school books were already on Ryan's dresser, she got them and settled onto his bed with her notebook.

The door was open and she glanced up to see Sandy and Kirsten standing in the hallway.

"He's resting…is it…"

"Call us if you need us, Summer. And Seth and Anna are right across the hall," Kirsten said, her arm around Sandy.

She gave them a grateful smile. She returned her attention to her homework.

Seth stepped in with a yawn around midnight. "How's it going?"

"Okay. Physics sucks," She replied.

"Yeah, I feel that. Well, I'm crashing. You should probably get some sleep, too."

She was tired. "That's a good idea."

Seth tossed her a pillow. "It's from your room. Don't make noise, Summer, and you'll stay on the Kirsten's good side," He added with a smirk.

Summer put her books away and quickly went downstairs to change. She returned and was startled to find Ryan's bed empty. She glanced around the room and went into his bathroom.

He was standing in front of the mirror, his eyes unfocused and staring.

"Come on, Ryan…back to bed…" She said gently, taking his good arm and leading him back to the bed.

"Can't sleep…" He mumbled.

"You are asleep, baby…lie down…" She urged.

He sat down and she climbed into bed behind him, forcing him to lie down. She kept her arms around his torso, holding him. She managed to cover them with blankets.

Finally, he settled into sleep. She kept her arms around him, his warmth lulling her to rest.

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She woke up alone in Ryan's bed. She panicked at first but saw that the door was open and she heard voices downstairs.

"I told you, Mom, don't touch it, Ryan's teaching me…" Seth was complaining.

"Ryan shouldn't even be out of bed," Kirsten replied.

Summer got up and went downstairs.

Ryan and Seth were standing by the stove. Ryan was flipping something with his good arm while Seth was swatting at his mother with a potholder.

"Guys, guys, back up," Ryan said, amused.

"What's going on?" Summer smiled.

"Nothing, just the morning ritual, Ryan cooks, Mom tries to find her maternal instinct and cook and then the smoke detectors go off," Seth said. "On Sundays, the fire department comes…"

"Ryan should be resting, he's not making anything that I can't make…" Kirsten protested as Seth swatted at her again.

"Okay, children, let's give the chef some space," Sandy announced, walking in and ushering Seth and Kirsten away from the stove.

"Sandy, he shouldn't be cooking," Kirsten protested.

Sandy sighed, rolling his eyes at Summer who laughed. Sandy went and began to help Ryan cook. Seth and Kirsten sat down at the counter.

"Can I help?" Summer asked.

"Coffee," Ryan said, giving her a kiss on the cheek as she went to the coffeemaker.

"Are you as cooking-challenged as Mom here?" Seth asked.

"I can use the microwave like it's going out of style," Summer replied. "Hot Pockets are my specialty."

"We'll have to make sure and pick some of those up at the store next time," Kirsten said.

"You look better today," Sandy said to Ryan.

"I got some sleep for once," Ryan replied. "Kirsten's already given me a dose of painkillers so hopefully…by the service I'll be steady."

"You'll be fine," Sandy nodded, flipping the pancakes on his side of the stove as Ryan scraped the eggs onto a plate.

Summer managed to get the coffee flowing before she took a seat beside Seth at the counter.

"You've had Ryan's breakfasts before, right?" Seth asked.

"I've had lunch and dinner, but I can't remember a breakfast," Summer replied.

"Ryan's cooking puts Rosa to shame," Kirsten agreed.

"It smells good," Summer smiled. Ryan put a plate of bacon and eggs in front of her and Seth before returning for Kirsten's plate.

"Mmm…so much better than Mom's…" Seth said with his mouth full.

"I have to agree," Kirsten sighed, enjoying the food.

They ate in silence for a while, Ryan monitoring the pancakes as he nibbled from his plate when Sandy sat down.

"Does he cook every morning?" Summer asked, finishing her plate a moment before Ryan placed several pancakes on it.

"If he's up in time," Sandy replied. "Ryan really doesn't like mornings."

"I don't know anyone that likes mornings," Seth replied.

"I try to cook, it drives Rosa crazy if I'm in the kitchen before her," Ryan snickered.

"I told you not to taunt the housekeeper," Kirsten said.

Summer found herself relaxing in their comfortable atmosphere. She enjoyed seeing Ryan interact with the Cohens. After Ryan's unplanned runaway several months earlier, she hadn't been sure that Ryan would ever settle in with the Cohens but seeing them together now, she knew that he really had accepted his place in their family. She felt good. She could stay here and move on with her life.

Ryan turned off the stove and stood up beside Summer and picked at his food. He'd passed on the pancakes and was poking at his eggs with his fork.

"Hey. What's wrong with yours?" Summer asked.

"I was hungry earlier…but now, I'm not."

"You should eat something. Those painkillers are going to wreak havoc on your stomach if you don't," Summer warned.

"You should listen to her," Kirsten grinned.

"This can't be good. Summer and Kirsten agreeing on something? This is a bad sign, boys," Sandy joked.

Kirsten winked at Summer.

"I'm going to go get showered, I'll be back in a little while," Ryan said, kissing her on the cheek before leaving his plate nearly untouched.

"He just walked off without even trying to eat," Summer said.

"We'll warm it up when he comes back down. How're you doing today?" Sandy asked.

"I slept pretty well. Ryan got up once, he was standing in the bathroom, but I got him back to bed and he didn't get up again. I think he had a good night."

"Are you ready for today?" Kirsten asked.

"Yeah. I think so. It'll be good to get it over, you know? I'm not looking forward to it…but it'll be over…he's gone and he needs to be put to rest," Summer said.

"We're here for anything you need, okay?" Kirsten gave her shoulder a squeeze.

"Thanks."

"Seth, you're on dishes…" Sandy said, scraping his last piece of pancake across the syrupy plate.

"But, Dad…"

"No buts. You know the drill, don't you?"

"Yes," Seth muttered, rolling his eyes dramatically.

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