Oh...guess who's back? Unfortunately, it's just me. Anyways, thanks for the reviews! You guys are awesome!

bugg: You, my friend, are very perceptive. The title of this story does, indeed, belong to Rivers and the gang. I did sort of a Turquoise Album revival—meaning I pulled out the Blue Album for a few days, and then decided that it had been far too long since I had listened to the Green Album, so I listened to that, too. I looove Weezer. I think "Don't Let Go" might be used in a future chapter.

Princess Oats 435: I, too, am a dropout girl scout. I never really warmed to the whole vest/unfortunate hat concept. Plus, at our first picnic I refused to participate in a pie fight because I was wearing a new outfit. (Oddly, though...the outfit that I was so concerned about preserving? Burberry culottes. I'm not even kidding. They were a hideous, hideous article of clothing.) Everyone thought that I was a snob and nobody would sit with me on the bus. So I refused to endure being shunned by a bunch of lames in brown vests. And that is my story. And, ouch, sorry you set your hair on fire. I bet it smelled bad. Did it smell bad? Once my dad and I set a towel on fire when we were trying to make dinner. That's my fire story. Thanks for the awesome review! Sorry I stalk you. ;)

Okay. And here we go again. I kind of suck, don't I? This is sort of lame. Let me know your thoughts. You've been so awesome so far, all of you. Thanks a bunch. ;)

xoxo

Chapter 7: Rest Easy

She knew that she had to tell Sandy about Jimmy, but first she had to tell him about Ryan. And Summer. It was all far too complicated and when Sandy came home from work he found her throwing back four Excedrin.

"That must be some headache," he commented lightly from the doorway. She jumped, then smiled guiltily.

"You have absolutely no idea." He furrowed his brow, came over and gave her an awkward kiss on the cheek.

"What's going on?" She poured him a glass of wine, gestured to a chair at the island, and they sat down next to each other.

"I saw something today that I definitely wasn't supposed to see. Because it...definitely was not supposed to be happening."

"Oh, God...Julie and Caleb having sex?"

"What? Augh, no. Thanks for that visual, though. God, I think I need a few more pills..." Sandy smiled, basking in the casual pleasance of their conversation. They hadn't spoken like this in ages.

"What, then?"

"Ryan and Summer," Kirsten said with a sigh, glancing behind her to make sure Ryan was still hiding out in the pool house.

"No!" Sandy said, incredulous. "Man, that kid gets around."

"Thank you for that mature, adult response." She rolled her eyes. "Sandy, this is Seth's girlfriend we're talking about. This isn't supposed to happen!"

"Is she Seth's girlfriend?" Sandy asked. "I mean...we didn't read the letter...but a kid picks up and leaves, doesn't call for three months...that's not exactly a step in the right direction as far as relationships go."

"I don't know."

"And can we really blame her? If I took off and completely abandoned you...which I would never do, of course, but theoretically, if I were to do that, I couldn't exactly expect you to be faithful. It wouldn't be fair."

"It just felt so wrong," she said quietly. "His girlfriend, his best friend. I don't get how Ryan could do that to him."

"Well, how did it come about? Did she come over here, or...did he invite her?"

"They were in the pool house when I got home."

"Oh, god, you were out shopping? Please tell me there isn't a charity event this weekend. I'll kill myself, Kirsten, really."

"No. I wasn't shopping." Shit. Shit, shit, shit. He was going to do it. He was going to ask, and she was going to have to tell him.

"Oh. Where were you?" He was casual, unsuspecting. She put on her most neutral tone to reply.

"Jimmy called. We went for coffee."

"Huh." He sounded a little pissed off, but not too. She had to tell him. She had to.

"Marissa's in rehab." She had to, but not right now.

"Poor kid. She's got a lot going on. How's Jimmy doing?"

"He..." 'Kissed me,' Kirsten almost said. "He's okay. You know. Considering." Tired of the subject, Sandy switched back.

"Well, did you talk to Ryan about it?"

"Not rationally, I'm afraid." Sandy looked at her curiously. "I sort of...lost it."

"Aw, Kirsten..."

"Seth could be dead, Sandy!" she snapped, saying what they had both been avoiding. "And Ryan's been home for less than twenty-four hours and he's already hooking up with his girlfriend?" Hearing Kirsten actually admit the concern aloud made him feel more scared than he would ever admit.

"People...respond differently...to pain."

"This isn't about response! This is about having the decency to respect my son who's all by himself, God knows where. This is about an...unspoken moral agreement between brothers that they'll be there for each other and..." She took a shaky breath. "It's about Seth." He saw that she was on the verge of tears and placed a comforting hand on her back.

"Maybe there's more...or less to this than we're seeing. Maybe you should talk to Ryan again and get the full story from him."

"I can't talk to Ryan," she protested quickly, shaking her head. "You've always been better at this, Sandy. You should go." He sighed, then gave a reluctant nod.

"I'll see what I can get out of him."

"Thanks," she smiled slightly.

"Don't thank me yet."

He found Ryan in the pool house, sitting Indian-style next to his bags.

"Hey, kid."

"Hi, Sandy." Ryan looked scared.

"Still haven't unpacked?" Sandy nodded at the luggage.

"I...I did...and then I repacked. Listen, Sandy, I was thinking...maybe this isn't such a good idea. I'm sure Kirsten told you...whatever, and I'm an asshole and—"

"You're leaving?"

"Yeah, I think it's probably..."

"You're not leaving," Sandy said bluntly, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"What...do you mean?"

"I mean, when you left in May you were leaving for a legitimate reason. I let you go because it was the noble thing to do. But now? Leaving because you had a fight with Kirsten? Sorry, man. You're not going anywhere."

"It's more than that," Ryan protested.

"No, it's not. I heard what happened."

"And it's reason enough for me to get the hell out of here."

"Why don't you tell me your side?" Ryan just looked away. "Look, Ryan, I heard about Marissa. I'm really sorry. That must be really tough for you."

"I'm fine."

"Fine enough to hook up with Marissa's best friend? And your best friend's girlfriend?" Sandy smiled a little, though it wasn't funny.

"It wasn't like that," Ryan said, sighing. "I ran into her...and it was always the four of us, you know? And then Seth left and Marissa went away, so..."

"There were two," Sandy completed, nodding.

"It was weird. We were both just lonely."

"Understandably."

"But Kirsten was right. Seth trusted me and Summer is off-limits."

"Well, is it going to happen again?"

"No. Of course not."

"Then what's the problem?"

"The problem is...it happened once. And I'm going to have to tell Marissa and Summer's going to have to tell Seth, if..." Ryan nearly said, 'if he comes back' but quickly bit his tongue. "And Kirsten hates me." Sandy laughed abruptly.

"Kirsten is nowhere near hating you. Believe me. I've experienced the Kirsten's hatred. This is not it." Ryan played with the zipper on his backpack and Sandy put a hand on his shoulder. "She lost her child, Ryan. You can't even imagine what that feels like. I promise you, she doesn't hate you." Ryan gave a swift nod and Sandy stood up. "Now unpack your stuff. And don't even think of trying to sneak out in the night. Ears like a dog," Sandy pulled at an earlobe. Ryan smirked.

"What does that even mean?"

"It means...it means I'll hear you, okay?" Sandy grinned. "Promise you won't pull anything?"

"Yeah."

It's all clear,
No need for you to fear,
Nothing's under the bed tonight
It's alright
No need for you to fright,
Nothing's after you tonight

It's alright
No need for you to fright,
You've only lost your sense of sight
Rest your head
And dream yourself to bed,
Or else I wont sleep well tonight

--Phantom Planet, "Rest Easy"