Chapter Seven

"Seth, there's cops at the door!"

Seth swung his legs off of the coffee table in alarm.

"Dude, what have you done?"

"I haven't done anything," Ryan answered irritably. "What have you done? Have you been stealing your grandfather's car again?" he deadpanned.

Seth ran his fingers anxiously through his curls, ignoring Ryan's last comment.

"Seriously man, what the hell do they want?" Seth was suddenly very worried. Why would there be cops at the door at this time on a Sunday evening? Visions of Ryan in Juvie in his blue jumpsuit raced through Seth's brain. Visions of himself in a blue jumpsuit followed. Why was this happening now, when his father and mother were thousands of miles away, drunk on Chianti?

"All I know is they want to speak to Seth Cohen…" Ryan replied.

Seth walked to the door perplexed. Ryan followed at a distance, intrigued.

The police officers stood on the doorstep patiently, one taller, one shorter, one dark, and one blond. They reminded Ryan vaguely of Baker and Poncherello but without the tight trousers. The taller one was talking on his radio. He mumbled something briefly and then pocketed the machine as he saw Seth approach.

"Seth Cohen?"

Seth nodded wordlessly, his face beginning to pale. Ryan moved to stand alongside him.

"I think you and your friend had better sit down…" The shorter cop indicated towards the couch he could see through the hallway in the family room.

Seeing as the cops had apparently rendered Seth mute, Ryan asked the question they both wanted answering.

"Can't you tell us what all this is about?"

The cops turned to regard him.

"If you'd just like to sit down…"

Ryan swallowed. He didn't like the turn this was taking. His heart began to beat erratically in his chest. He caught hold of Seth's elbow and hissed into his ear urgently.

"Come on Seth, what have you done? Just tell me. If they are going to arrest you, you should really have a lawyer with you…."

"Ryan, I swear, I haven't done anything…unless…. unless Summer's father is having me hauled in for underage sex…." Seth's face became a picture of horror. His relationship with Summer's father was still stuck at the "This kid is an idiot" stage.

Ryan rolled his eyes despairingly.

"I'm sure it's nothing like that Seth, maybe they clocked you speeding or something…"

They looked hopefully at each other. Yeah, maybe that was it.

The two boys sat down close to each other on the couch and looked nervously at the taller cop who had perched himself on the coffee table in front of them. Seth wiped his damp palms across his thighs.

The cop took out his notebook and then drew in a deep breath. This sort of thing came with the job but it was never easy.

"There's been an accident…"

Ryan understood then what it meant when people said that their blood had run cold.

Seth sat stricken beside him. Ryan glanced at him urgently and then turned back to face the policemen.

"Wh…what kind of accident?"

"Mr and Mrs Sandy Cohen have been in an accident…."

Ryan's mouth went dry. Seth blinked repeatedly as the cop continued.

"Italian police contacted us about an hour ago…."

"Are they…." Ryan couldn't bring himself to finish the question. He felt Seth's body tense beside him.

The cop cast a swift look at Seth who sat immobile, his face ashen, and rushed to reassure him as best he could.

"No, no they're in the hospital in Florence. We don't know much more than that, we were just informed that they were there and that there was the possibility of an unattended minor in the family home…"

The cop looked at the two boys. It was obvious that he wasn't going to get any sense from the dark curly haired kid, but the blond one seemed to be getting a hold of the situation.

"Look kid, does Seth have any siblings?"

Ryan shook his head.

"There's no way we can leave him here on his own. Do you think your parents could…"

Ryan suddenly realised that they knew nothing about him.

"The Cohens are also my guardians," he whispered hoarsely.

The officers looked at each other. Clearly this wasn't going to be as straightforward as they had thought.

"Well, do either of you have any friends, relatives we can take you to?"

Ryan looked over at Seth who had pulled up his legs and wrapped his arms around his knees, resting his chin upon them.

"I guess we could go to his grandfather…" Ryan hesitated. "Caleb Nichol. He lives not far away…"

"Caleb Nichol of the Newport Group?" the shorter of the two cops questioned.

Ryan nodded.

The two men raised their eyebrows at each other and one began to talk into his radio again, relaying to the faceless person at the other end of the line that in fact there were two unattended minors in the house, not one, and that they would be transporting them to a nearby relative.

"What's your name kid?" the shorter cop asked gently, as his partner finished discussing arrangements.

"Ryan….Ryan Atwood."

"Been with the Cohens long?"

"Couple of years…" Ryan answered tonelessly.

"Well Ryan, try not to worry. You'll soon know what's happening. Once we get you to Mr. Nichol's place he'll be able to find out what's happening to your foster parents. In the meantime, maybe you'd better grab some overnight things for you and your brother…" he nodded towards Seth, who had not changed position for several seconds.

Ryan looked sideways at Seth. He was clearly in shock. Ryan got up and crouched down in front of him.

"Seth?" He patted his arm gently. "Seth, I'm gonna get us some stuff for tonight and then these officers are going to take us to your grandpa's, OK?"

Seth hugged his knees closer to him. Ryan gave up trying to speak to him and pulled himself up.

"I'll just go grab some stuff…"

The two cops nodded.

"We'll take care of your buddy…." Ryan nodded and turned towards Seth's room.


Walking down the hall, he felt compelled to open the door to Sandy and Kirsten's room. He could count on one hand the number of times he'd actually crossed the threshold. Even now he felt like an intruder. Seth was always marching in on his parents uninvited but this was the one line that he always felt uncomfortable about crossing in the Cohen household. Even the time he'd talked Kirsten out of the closet it had felt weird. He stood at the door and smelt Kirsten's perfume lingering in the air. He looked across at the dresser and saw her makeup, discarded in a last minute packing frenzy. On the bed Sandy's suit from Friday's meeting at Child Services was laid out flat. Time stood still in this room. He wished he could have that tear in the Time Space Continuum and go back to Friday night when they'd all been together, laughing, joking, teasing. Then he'd never have let them go.

He shut the door quietly and continued to Seth's room. There he grabbed Seth's school backpack, filling it with random items he found lying about; Seth's iPod, clean boxers, a couple of white t shirts, some comic books, Captain Oats….

He swung the backpack over his shoulder and headed towards the pool house where he packed a similar bag for himself, replacing the t- shirts with wife beaters and the comic books with school textbooks and wishing fleetingly that he had a Captain Oats of his own.

He was back within five minutes and returned to a scene much like the one he had left. The cops stood in the corner speaking in low voices and Seth sat, unchanged, on the couch.

Ryan sat down next to him and tapped his thigh anxiously.

"Come on buddy, time to go…"

Seth cast his eyes up at Ryan and nodded. They stood up together and Ryan threw his arm around Seth's shoulder protectively.


The short journey to Caleb and Julie's mansion was made in virtual silence. One of the cops had tried to make polite conversation with Ryan in an effort to stop the boys dwelling on what may or may not be, but gave up soon enough when faced with Ryan's monosyllabic answers. Ryan just wanted the guy to shut up. He was frantic with worry about Sandy and Kirsten and he was concerned about Seth. This was not a Seth Cohen he had had to deal with before.

Julie, who had clearly been briefed on the situation, greeted them at the door. For once she seemed genuinely concerned and hurried the two of them into the house. The cops followed them in and she indicated to them where Caleb's office was.

"Boys, I am so sorry. Seth, your grandfather is on the line to Italy now trying to find out how your parents are. Come in to the kitchen. I'll make you both a hot drink."

They followed her in, in silence, Ryan sticking as near to Seth as he could. Julie busied herself at the coffee machine, pouring out steaming cups with frothy milk for them both.

"Are you boys hungry? I have some muffins…"

Ryan shook his head. It was hard to believe he'd been starving not an hour before. He nudged Seth.

"You hungry man?" Seth shook his head slightly. Ryan shook his head in turn at Julie. She dropped her eyes in sympathy. She was as much out of her depth as Ryan.

Ryan sipped his coffee absently as Julie excused herself. She would go and find out if there was any news. He glanced sideways at Seth. He was really beginning to freak him out. He hoped to God that Julie would return soon with some reassuring news.

Seth was aware as to what was going on around him, it was just that he felt slightly removed, like he was hiding out at the top of the stairs, looking down on his life. It was a bit like the time he'd almost passed out in gym class. His mom had refused to believe that he was sick and he'd stood there, all gangly in his skimpy shorts and t-shirt, feeling all hot and clammy, struggling to focus on the teacher, who at the best of times had little patience with him, when a buzzing began to ring in his ears and the teacher's voice became so distant that Seth would have sworn that he was in another room if he hadn't in fact known that the guy was just a few feet away. Seth had heard everything that the police officers had said, he'd felt Ryan's hand on his back, gently guiding him to the squad car, he'd noticed Julie's face on the doorstep, pinched with shock. But somehow he didn't feel like he'd really been there. And he wasn't sure he wanted to be.

Ryan stirred some sugar into Seth's coffee. He thought vaguely that he had read somewhere that hot sweet coffee was good for shock. Or was it tea? Hell, he couldn't remember. He glanced over at Seth again and pushed the mug of coffee so close to him that the steam would filter up to his nose. He wished Julie and Caleb would hurry up. His heart had not yet returned to a regular beat and every so often he had to take a deep breath to stave off a wave of nervous nausea. If he felt like this then how the hell was Seth feeling?

"Hey buddy, drink up…"

Seth looked down into the muddy liquid, his face expressionless, but he did as he was told and picked up the mug.

"Hey!" Ryan swiveled round on his stool to see Marissa glide into the room.

"Hey!"

"My mom just told me. I'm so sorry you guys…" She moved over to Seth and hugged him. When she received no response she shot a look at Ryan. He shrugged, the concern on his face telling her all she needed to know.

They sat for a few minutes in awkward silence, neither quite sure what to say or do. What could you do in a situation like this, Ryan mused.

Suddenly Seth got up, surprising them both.

"I need the bathroom…." he stated flatly and padded out of the kitchen without looking back. Ryan turned back to his coffee.

"Are you scared?" Marissa asked.

Ryan looked up puzzled.

"About Sandy and Kirsten? I guess, not scared exactly but worried, obviously."

Why was she asking such a stupid question? Of course he was scared. Sandy and Kirsten could be lying in a morgue somewhere for all he knew, these two beautiful people who'd opened their home and their lives to him. Seth could be an orphan. Lindsay could have lost the sister she only just found out existed. And he could be without a family again. He felt guilty for thinking that.

Marissa continued speaking.

"I didn't mean about Sandy and Kirsten. I mean, of course you'll be worrying about them but…" Marissa looked apologetic, that she hadn't made her meaning clear. "I meant scared what might happen to you?"

Ryan lifted his head to meet her eyes.

"Can't make it all about me right?" he smiled ruefully.

Marissa smiled back.

"No one would blame you. Sandy and Kirsten are like your family but something like this …" Her voice trailed.

She didn't need to finish what she was saying. They both knew what she meant. Something like this reminded everyone that Ryan was not actually a member of the family, at least not yet anyway.

"They were going to adopt me, you know that?" he whispered.

Marissa's eyes grew wide.

"They were? Are, I mean," quickly correcting herself. "Ryan, that's really great…"

Ryan shrugged. "I guess I can't count on that now huh?" Marissa reached over and touched his hand. It was icy.

"Look, we don't know yet how bad this thing is. They may be fine…"

They lapsed into another silence. Seth returned from the bathroom and sat back down without a word.

Eventually Marissa swung off her stool.

"I'll go and see what's happening.."

Ryan nodded gratefully. They'd been waiting long enough. Surely Caleb had some news by now.


"Boys, Caleb is just getting off the phone. Come into his office and he'll explain what's happening…"

Ryan jumped up quickly, his heart in his mouth. He was relieved to see Seth get up without prompting. They followed Julie through the kitchen, and across the hallway. Caleb's office was a small dark room, furnished with heavy leather furniture and decorated with large modern pieces of artwork. A huge desk dominated the room and Caleb sat behind it, issuing orders brusquely to some poor unfortunate at the other end of the line. He looked up as the three trouped in and held his hand over the receiver briefly.

"I'll be just a couple more minutes.."

They sat down and watched Caleb as he ended the call. He looked harassed and worried, thought Ryan, but he didn't look heartbroken. Surely that was a good sign.

Caleb put down the phone and looked sharply at his grandson.

"OK Seth, I've managed to contact the hospital your parents have been taken to. I've spoken to one of the doctors who treated them when they were first admitted. You'll be relieved to know that their injuries, while very serious, are not life threatening."

Ryan let out a deep breath he hadn't know he'd been holding.

Caleb was continuing.

"I've arranged for you to fly over to Florence tomorrow morning. I figured you'd want to see them, reassure yourself they are OK. Hailey's going to meet you. Incredibly, she's over in Europe organizing some fashion show. She's flying in tonight from Paris and she'll go straight to the hospital. She's going to call as soon as she's got any more news."

Seth cleared his throat and for the first time since they'd arrived, looked more like the Seth that Ryan knew. "Aren't you coming Grandpa?"

"No. I have too much to sort out here. Your parents are stable and in safe hands but from what the doctor said, they're going to be out of commission for quite a while. There are all sorts of issues regarding your mother's work and your father's business I'll need to sort out for them."

Seth cast a sideways look at Ryan, who was sitting trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. It wasn't lost on either of them that Caleb had failed to address Ryan at all in the course of the conversation.

"What about Ryan, Grandpa? Can't he come to Italy with me? I'm sure Mom and Dad…"

Ryan broke in quickly.

"Seth, I think your parents will just want to see…"

Caleb cut him off before he had time to continue.

"I don't think Ryan going to Italy will serve any useful purpose. It will just make the situation more complicated. Besides," Caleb added superciliously, " I'm sure you don't have a passport do you Ryan?" Ryan bit his lip at the implied criticism but stayed silent.

Caleb pressed on. "Your parents are seriously hurt Seth. They are going to need to focus all their energies into recovery. I'm not sure it's even a good idea for you to go…"

Seth opened his mouth to protest and then thought better of it, shutting it again quickly as Caleb continued, now addressing Ryan.

"Ryan, obviously you'll stay here until we figure out just what's happening with Sandy and Kirsten in the longer term…"

Ryan nodded resignedly. He hadn't missed the thinly veiled threat in Caleb's comment. He found it hard to believe that even as his daughter lay hurt in a hospital bed thousands of miles away, Caleb Nichol could still summon up the energy to continue his vendetta against him.

"Now both of you should go to bed. Seth you need a good night's sleep before you leave tomorrow and Ryan, you'll have school…."

Julie got up and put on her hostess face.

"Seth, you can have Caitlin's room. Ryan, you take the guest room. Marissa's upstairs, she'll show you where the towels and anything else you may need can be found. I'll come up in a little while and check on you both…"


Julie clicked the door shut behind the boys and turned back to face her husband.

"Are they really going to be OK Cal?"

"You know I'd be over there in a flash if I thought there was any danger they wouldn't be….no, I've been reassured by the doctors that they are in no immediate danger and I'll be advised by Hailey later. If she thinks I should go, then I'll go. In the meantime I'll need to take over sorting out their affairs."

"And what about Ryan?" she asked bluntly.

Caleb sighed and leant back in his chair.

"Actually, this may turn out to our advantage…"

Julie raised her eyebrows, a trace of a smile on her lips.

"Really?"

"Yes, I've been in touch with a lawyer who specializes in adoption law. He went through all the legalities with me and it appears that both Ryan's parents will need to agree to relinquish their parental rights before Sandy and Kirsten can adopt him. If they don't agree voluntarily then they can be forced to by a court."

Julie frowned, confused.

"I'm not sure I understand completely…"

"It's quite simple Julie. If Ryan's parents are the sort of people I think they are, then I am sure they will allow themselves to be persuaded that under no circumstances should they give up the rights to their son, especially if the price is right…"

Light dawned on Julie's face.

"And if they don't give up their rights voluntarily…"

Caleb finished for her.

"then Sandy and Kirsten will need to take them to court, a much lengthier process and one they can't do easily from a hospital bed in Italy. In the meantime, if Ryan's mother decides she wants Ryan living back with her, there isn't much I would be able to do about it, as I am not his legal guardian and his legal guardians are incapacitated elsewhere, unable to care for him."

Julie struggled to keep her smile from becoming as wide as a Cheshire cat's. She slid round behind her husband's chair and took his shoulders in her hands, massaging lightly.

"So by the time Sandy and Kirsten are back home, Ryan will be long gone?"

Caleb picked up a pile of papers on his desk and popped them into a nearby file.

"I think it's safe to assume that," he answered.

tbc