Seth was worried. Ryan had fallen asleep while he was talking and it'd been four hours since he'd even moved. Seth had finished all his homework and read the last three comics he'd bought at the pier yesterday.

But Ryan was sleeping. Deeply.

He knew it was weird, but he was worried about Ryan. Up until last night, Ryan had been an unbelievably light sleeper. He'd wake up as soon as the doorknob to the poolhouse would turn.

And when Ryan had freaked out today, he had been really worried. He knew that Ryan's pre-Newport life had been hard, but he'd never considered how hard. Ryan hadn't known who he was. He hadn't known where he was.

But he'd known that he was hurt and it must have been instinct telling him that Seth was naturally going to hurt him more. It made him sick to his stomach to think about someone hurting Ryan. He'd never really considered it before, he knew that Ryan could take care of himself. But today…Ryan didn't. He didn't take care of himself and he wouldn't let Seth take care of him.

Didn't Ryan know that he considered him a brother? Ryan had always taken care of him, it was his job to take care of Ryan, too.

He glanced up as his father opened the door. "Hey, Dad."

"Hey. Heard you had a rough day, today. How is he?"

"He hasn't moved since he passed out."

His father sat down beside him on the arm of his chair. He brushed his father's hand from his head, annoyed. His father was all about the touching of the hair. "What happened?"

"He got the fuck beat out of him." He ignored his Dad's scolding glare.

"Who did it? Did you tell Dr. Kim?"

"Why? So she could blame it all on Ryan? Dad, you don't understand what it's like at school…he didn't fight back because of you and…just look at him!" He wanted his father to understand but he didn't expect the distraught expression that flashed on his father's face. Ryan's face was bruised and swollen and the arm he had covering part of his face was scratched and scabbed over.

"Seth…"

"Every day, all day, the kids are ragging him. They're always looking for an opportunity to pick on him, and now that they know that he can't retaliate, they're never going to let him pass without a fight…"

"If he gets into trouble, Seth, he'll get sent back to juvie, you know that," His dad said quietly.

"So he's just supposed to sit back and take a beating? I really don't think that's good for Ryan with his history…"

"What are you talking about? What do you know about his history?"

"Nothing. Except he was terrified today when he didn't know who I was. Somebody really messed him up…and I don't mean today."

"Seth, I'm going to try and wake him up for his medicine…"

"Dad, before you do that. Are you mad at him?"

His father looked at him. "No. I'm not. I'm worried about him. I'm worried about you, too."

"I'm fine…"

"I hope so. Your mom's heating dinner up for you."

He didn't want to leave Ryan. Especially if he needed him there.

"You can bring Ryan back something to eat, but give us a few minutes, okay?" His father was looking at Ryan's sleeping body with a strange expression.

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to talk to him. Make sure he feels safe here."

"Don't…don't push him too hard, Dad. He's…he's had a long day."

"I know, kid. Now, go eat something before your mother paces a hole in the floor."

He sighed. He stood up and started to leave but paused beside his father. He patted him on the back. "I'll be back."

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He sat down on the edge of the bed and tapped Ryan on the shoulder. The boy was deeply asleep and he wondered if he had a concussion. Kirsten hadn't mentioned a concussion but she had been pretty shaken up in the kitchen.

Not as shaken as he would've been.

"Ryan?" He shook the boy again.

This time, Ryan mumbled something he couldn't make out.

"Ryan, it's Sandy, it's time for your medicine…can you wake up for me?" He said as gently as he could.

"…don't need it…tired…s'okay…" Ryan murmured, turning away from his touch.

"Ryan."

Finally, he blinked and regarded Sandy with dull blue eyes. He sat up and winced, lying back down immediately.

"Here, kid…" Sandy reached over and ignored Ryan's initial flinch as he placed a pillow behind Ryan to help him sit up.

"Thanks…so…"

"You're not in trouble. What happened today was not your fault. Under no circumstances are you in any trouble. I am not angry with you, I am not upset with you. I am here for you. Let's get that out of the way," He said suddenly.

Ryan was staring at him with startled eyes.

"You were hurt because you thought you were doing what I asked…"

"You told me not to fight, was that not what you meant? I mean…"

"Ryan. I had no idea that you were taking so much abuse from the kids at school…"

His eyes flashed from the word 'abuse'. "Who told you that?"

"Ryan…"

"No, Sandy, listen…" He started, clearly agitated. He started to get up but Sandy put his hand on his shoulder, keeping him lying down.

"Shh. It's okay. Just relax. Take your meds first, okay? I'm not going anywhere." He held out several pills. Ryan accepted them, popping them into his mouth. Sandy offered him a bottle of water.

"Thanks…" Ryan said after taking a deep swallow.

"How're you feeling?"

"Sore. My head hurts…"

"Hopefully those pills will help with your headache," He said.

"Yeah. I hope so."

"So. Let's talk for a few minutes."

"I'm sorry, Sandy."

"You have nothing to be sorry for, kid." He rustled Ryan's hair fondly and was relieved that Ryan didn't pull away from his touch. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry that it was my fault that you got beat up…"

"Your fault?"

"Yeah. But I'm only trying to protect you. If you had fought back…"

"Juvie. I know. But…"

"Self-defense is one thing, Ryan. This was self-defense…"

"No one was around. No one would have believed me…"

"I would."

Ryan met his gaze, tiredly. "But not the cops. My word against the Newport elite? That never works out."

Sandy sighed. The kid was right. He was in a lose-lose situation.

"I'm really sorry, Sandy."

"You have nothing to apologize for, kid," Sandy sighed. "We just have to communicate a little better."

Ryan's eyelids were drooping and he seemed about to pass out.

"So. We're okay?"

"Yeah. Thanks."

"Okay. Seth's going to bring you something to eat…"

"Can't eat…"

"What?" Sandy asked immediately.

"Antibiotics. The doctor says I'm sick or something so she gave me antibiotics…they make me sick…"

"Did you tell the doctor that they made you sick?" He asked after a beat.

"I told her I wasn't sick…she prescribed them anyway…I think I just need to sleep…" Ryan murmured.

"Okay, kid. I'll be back to check on you in a few hours, then, okay?"

"Yeah." His eyes were already closed again.

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Seth was gone to bed but Sandy and Kirsten were still in the kitchen musing over their day. The Newport Group was dealing with some legal issues and Sandy was trying to dip into his unused knowledge of corporate law to advise her.

"Sandy, look," Kirsten said suddenly, pointing to the patio. Ryan was standing beside the pool, his blue eyes unblinking.

"You didn't happen to mention his sleepwalking to the doctor, did you?" Sandy asked, standing up.

"No. I didn't think about it…I'll come with you," She said, following him outside.

Ryan was murmuring to himself. He was by the edge of the pool, his feet on the lip of the pool.

They could only make out certain words but they knew that Ryan wasn't coherent.

"Ryan. Ryan?" Kirsten called gently as she approached. She didn't want to have to touch him to wake him up, she was scared he'd fall in the pool.

"…doesn't count if you don't cry…doesn't count if you don't bleed…" Ryan muttered blankly.

Sandy gently placed his hand on Ryan's shoulder and instead of waking up, he obediently turned to face him. "Ryan. You should be in bed."

"Bed…no…" Ryan murmured but let Sandy lead him. Kirsten opened the door for them and gave Sandy a worried look.

"Lie down," Sandy urged gently. Ryan sat on the bed.

"No…bed…he'll find me if I'm in bed…" Ryan's blue eyes were pleading as he looked up at Sandy.

"I'll be right here, lie down…" Sandy said quietly. Ryan glanced at Kirsten as if wondering why she was there and when he glanced back at Sandy, his face was twisted in confusion.

"But…" Ryan murmured, confused.

"Lie down, kid," Sandy whispered. Ryan finally stretched out obediently and Kirsten covered him with his blanket.

"I'm going to sit with him…" Sandy whispered to Kirsten.

"I'm staying with you, Sandy," She replied. She sat down on the bed beside the sleeping teenager and brushed his hair out of his bruised face. He registered her touch, pulling away, but didn't open his eyes.

"Let's talk for a minute," Sandy motioned toward the door and she followed him outside where they could watch over him through the window.

"Sandy, what the hell happened to that boy in Chino?" Kirsten whispered as if Ryan could hear her through the closed door.

"Kirsten…"

"I want to see his file," She demanded.

"Kirsten. There is nothing in his file about…"

"Then why won't you let me see it?"

Sandy lowered his voice. "Because. There's nothing in it you need to see…"

"Bullshit," She snapped.

"Kirsten…"

"You're telling me that there is no record of abuse, that his home life was completely functional…"

"I'm telling you that there's no documentation of abuse in his files. You think Ryan's the type to go running to teachers or police when somebody hurts him? He almost died today and he didn't tell anyone…" Sandy snapped.

The door to the poolhouse opened and Ryan stepped out with blurry eyes. "Can you guys talk somewhere else, please? My windows are open." He closed the door quietly, walking back into the poolhouse.

"Dammit…" Sandy cursed, ignoring Kirsten's stricken expression as he turned to follow Ryan.

"Leave him," She said, grabbing his arm. "I think we've done enough damage tonight…"

"I'm not leaving him alone where he can just wander off…" Sandy protested.

They were both silent as they looked through the window and saw Ryan sitting on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands.

Kirsten took charge, pushing past Sandy and opening the door. She walked over and stood beside Ryan.

"Ryan, I'm sorry you had to hear us arguing, but you were sleepwalking again and…"

"I don't remember what I said to make you guys freak out," Ryan interrupted. "And I know that I'm in for a long lecture or interrogation soon, but can I please just go back to sleep? I…I really feel like hell…"

"Come inside and we'll leave you alone," She stated.

"What?" Ryan glanced up, confused.

"Where we can make sure you don't get up again," Kirsten said, gently. "This is two nights in a row you've been walking by the pool, asleep. If you'll stay in the guest room, I promise we'll leave you alone…"

Ryan got up abruptly and went into the bathroom, closing the door.

"Kirsten…"

"What?" She snapped, turning to face him.

"Why are we fighting?" Sandy asked.

She sighed. "I don't know."

"Let's leave him alone. He'll be okay. You can check on him later when you bring him his medicine," Sandy said. He put his arm around her and led her to the door.

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Running was becoming a better idea by the minute.

He walked out of the bathroom. The antibiotics had threatened to come back up, but he'd kept his lunch, or lack of, intact.

He was slightly surprised that Kirsten and Sandy were gone, he'd expected them to wait for him to follow them inside.

But they didn't.

He didn't know what to do. He couldn't stay here and have the Cohens find out all about his 'abused' past. He couldn't let them get that close to him. No one knew. Trey had suspected but Ryan never told. He'd never tell. He'd die first.

He went to the closet and started pulling clothes out, practical clothes. Jeans, his jacket, a sweatshirt. He went to the dresser. Boxers, two pair of socks, t-shirts. He went back to the closet.

And he stopped.

He had to think.

He had to think rationally.

The Cohen's questions weren't worth the pain of answering. Staying in Newport wasn't worth the pain of living in a fishbowl.

But he didn't want to leave.

Sandy wanted him here. Sandy believed in him. Seth needed him here. Seth believed in him.

And Kirsten had taken care of him today like she really gave a damn. She'd taken him to a doctor. She wanted him to stay inside.

God, he didn't know what to do. All his instincts were telling him to run, to get the hell out of this situation. But his heart…god, he cared about these people.

He dropped the things he'd gathered in the middle of the floor. He walked back to the bed and sat down.

He couldn't go anywhere tonight. He'd sleep on it.

He just had to make sure he didn't get up again. The painkillers made him cloudy, but he'd been sleepwalking before his beat down.

He sighed.

He had to do something.

Sleep. He'd sleep. He'd figure everything out tomorrow.

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