I should go to bed. The alarm is set for tomorrow, my first day back at work in two months. I'm sure there will be lots of mistakes. No Beta.
I don't own it.

Thanks for all the wonderful positive reviews. It's been fun writing this.


Kirsten crossed her arms and tapped her foot as she waited for an answer. "Ryan, why won't you talk to Seth?"

All of Ryan's fortitude to hate Kirsten had melted. He couldn't resist her when she put on her mom cape. She was nothing like Dawn. Dawn had always chosen the men or the booze before she had chosen him and Trey. But despite the liquor, being a mom came first to Kirsten. So even though he wanted to remain silent, Ryan defensively answered, "He's not talking to me!"

"Seth?" Kirsten turned to Seth, but Ryan could still see her insistent stare. And he recognized the tone of voice she was using. It always sent a chill down his back. "Why aren't you talking to Ryan?"

"Because he stole Captain Oats and he won't give him back."

Kirsten felt as if someone had thrown a bucket of ice cold water at her face. She had expected to hear a gory story about backstabbing and girlfriend swapping or some other teenage drama. The truth was, she couldn't imagine what the argument was about. It was difficult to fathom anything that would cause a crack in the armor that was the friendship between Seth and Ryan, but Captain Oats?

"Captain Oats? Your plastic horse?" When Seth nodded she turned to Ryan. "Why would you take Seth's toy?"

Kirsten tried not to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. The boys were seventeen. Not ten. She could feel Sandy convulsing in silent laughter beside her. This was no time for her husband to get giddy. She needed him beside her as a partner. The boys needed to know that despite everything that they were a unit.

"Ryan? Kirsten asked you something." Kirsten sighed with relief when Sandy spoke up, 'tagging in' as Seth liked to call it, though there was a slight tremor in his voice that she hoped they didn't notice.

If he did, it didn't bother Ryan. He stared at the floor, but didn't answer.

"Ryan, we're waiting," Sandy said.

Kirsten had often tried to picture Ryan as a young boy, but she could never do it. He had come to her, broken and scarred with an immense desire to just be a kid. And there were times she had seen the shy innocent teenager emerge, but for the most part she only saw the full-grown man living in her pool house.

At that moment, watching Ryan sitting slumped down in his corner of the couch, legs splayed, arms crossed against his chest and a surly expression on his face, for the first time Kirsten could picture what he might have been like when he was a young teen. Instead of seeing the young man with a hint of stubble, she saw the pale-faced, prepubescent Ryan staring out at her. For a split second, Kirsten could even imagine what it might have been like to raise both Ryan and Seth together. To have them bickering and arguing with each other. Life would have been very different for all of them.

Seeing how upset he was, Kirsten wanted to reach out and scoop him up in her arms, assure him that nothing he did could upset her. But as he kept up his silence, refusing to answer their question, she also wanted to take Ryan by the shoulders and shake him. She looked at Seth too and thought maybe she'd do the same thing to him.

"This is ridiculous. I'm tempted to start taking away some privileges," Kirsten said. "No car for a month? Maybe we'll put away the playstation for a while. It's summer. I imagine your activities will be curtailed somewhat if you don't have an allowance. If someone doesn't start talking soon—"

Kirsten didn't have to finish her thought. Ryan pursed his lips as he realized Kirsten and Sandy wouldn't leave this conversation for another time. "Seth promised to keep a confidence, which he didn't. Taking Captain Oats was my revenge."

Sandy and Kirsten twisted their heads to Seth with expectant expressions on their faces. Kirsten felt like a ping pong ball going from one son to the other, trying to get to the bottom of their story. Getting their version of things was like trying to draw water from a dry well.

"Seth?" Kirsten demanded with an exasperated sigh.

But Seth didn't answer Kirsten. Instead he turned his body halfway so he was facing Ryan. "I told Trey!"

"Trey?" Kirsten looked questioningly at Sandy. "Trey woke up from his coma?"

"No. That's just it," Seth exploded. "I told an unconscious Trey Ryan's big secret."

Why was Seth visiting Trey? What was the secret? How dare Seth not keep his promise to his brother? Kirsten's head was swimming with questions. She started to shoot them out like rapid-fire bullets. Half of it, she admitted to herself was curiosity. Mostly, she wanted to fix things between the boys.

"I was visiting Trey because Ryan wasn't." Seth was looking down at his hands, which he kept in his lap. "If anything were to happen to Trey…" His voice was low. "I didn't want Ryan to ever feel like his brother died alone. I get why you wouldn't want to see him, but I didn't want you to regret your decision. Especially if something happens."

Kirsten knew Seth was often self-absorbed, but every so often he showed moments of maturity that made her swell with pride.

"I never asked you to do that," Ryan shot back.

"I know."

"And even if you were doing it for me, it doesn't change that you told him."

"I know. I know. I made a mistake. But come on, you know how I am… and sometimes it's hard coming up with something to say to the guy. He doesn't answer back and it isn't because of the famous Atwood silence. I didn't feel like I was spilling the secret. It wasn't like he could or would tell anyone."

Kirsten threw up her hands. "Can someone please tell me what this big secret is?" She turned to her husband. "Sandy?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure," he said, wiping his sweaty palms on his pants.

"Ryan? Seth?"

Both boys looked at their shoes.

"Seth?"

"I'm not telling the secret." He spat out indignantly. "It's Ryan's to tell."

"Okay. You're right." Kirsten turned to Ryan.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Do I have to tell?"

Again, Kirsten was reminded of a very young boy. "No. No you don't." She sighed. "I just want the two of you to work it out." She put her hand on Sandy's knee hoping to gather strength. "So, Seth told Trey and you took Captain Oats and Seth stopped speaking to you. Have I caught the gist of it?"

"Yeah," Ryan and Seth mumbled simultaneously.

Kirsten bit the inside of her lip. When she got passed the part where Ryan refused to confide in her, she realized this was hilarious.

"So Seth do you believe you owe Ryan an apology?"

Seth rolled his eyes. "I'm sorry, man. Your secret is still safe with me."

"Ryan," Kirsten said. "First thing when you get home, I expect you to return Captain Oats."

"I can do it now." He dug deep into the pocket of his cargo pants and pulled out Captain Oats. He gave it to Seth.

"Thanks," Seth muttered. His eyes lit up though as soon as Captain Oats was safe in his hands. He resisted the urge to talk to him in front of his parents and Ryan. All eyes were on him and suddenly, Seth was keenly aware that Dr. Altman was still in there and he felt stupid.

"Obviously, the two of you still need to talk this out." Sandy realized that the tension between the boys had not eased. "Maybe you need some time alone."

Dr. Altman cleared his throat. "I'm sorry," he said when he had the family's attention. "This session ran a little long and I do have another session in a few minutes."

Kirsten jumped up. "I'm so sorry, Dr. Altman. We didn't mean to take up so much of your time."

"Not at all. I thought this was wonderful. Your family might have things to work out, but I don't doubt that you'll be able to do it. I hope to see everyone back next week."

"I think that would be a good idea," she agreed.

They filed out of the office and into the hall.

"I'm sorry, Mom," Seth apologized. "I shouldn't have brought my personal problems into the session." He clutched Captain Oats close to his side.

Kirsten reached up and patted Seth's cheek. He was taller than her. He had been for a while, yet it still felt odd to her. Unnatural. "That's what we were in there for."

"Yeah, but—"

"No buts."

"Mom, don't say buts."

"You're being a smart ass."

Seth ducked his head, hiding a hint of a smile.

"Look, Seth. Ryan, you too. Come here."

Ryan, who had been leaning against the wall, with one foot pressed against it, pushed off and walked three steps towards Seth and Kirsten.

"I'm not sure how long I'll be here before I'm able to come home." She took Ryan's arm and brought him closer. "I have a lot to work out. And we have things to work out as a family. We had a good start today. But you two are the heart of this family and cannot fight. We'd fall apart if you weren't talking."

Sandy stepped back and let Kirsten have her moment with the boys. Watching her and knowing that she wasn't coming home with them, made his heart ache. He missed her so much.

"Do you hear me?" she asked. Seth nodded. So did Ryan. "Good. I hope that means that the two of you will finish this at home and work things out. I expect to hear that silly banter the next time you visit me."

"Yes ma'am." Seth gave her a mock salute.

She tousled his hair and grumbled, "Smart ass."

"We better get going," Sandy said softly.

Seth kissed his mother's cheek, told her good-bye, and started to walk away. Sandy did the same, throwing an arm around Seth's shoulder. But Ryan lingered.

"Kirsten."

"Yes, Ryan."

"I read Harry Potter and the night the latest book came out, I went to the book store for the release party."

Kirsten furrowed her brows. She felt like Ryan was talking another language.

"That's the secret."

"Oh." Slowly, a shy smile spread on her face. Leaning towards Ryan, she whispered conspiratorially, "I've read the series too. I think half the patients here were reading Harry Potter."

Ryan grinned. "I guess I overreacted. I mean, Seth's been really good to me. Better than my blood brother, right?" He fiddled with one of the flaps on his pants. "I told Trey that day I didn't want to see him anymore. I think Seth still goes, you know, to visit him, even though I took Captain Oats from him. And I was torturing him with it."

Kirsten arched her brows in question. Ryan filled her in, not glossing over any of the details. She didn't bother to hide her amusement. "Poor Seth," she said when Ryan finished his story. "You know, Seth loves you as much as you love him. Brothers do that. They fight and argue, but they come around. You and Seth will come back from this."

"If Trey wakes up, you think we can come back from…" he twirled his hand in the air, "this too?"

"I don't know. The two of you have been through a lot together. Good and lately bad. But you and Trey share a bond and history that runs long and deep."

"Sometimes I hope he doesn't make it. I know that makes me a terrible person."

"No. It makes you human." She took Ryan by the elbow, hoping he would look her in the eyes instead of the linoleum floors. "You and Trey have very serious issues to work out. I hope that you have the chance to come to some sort of understanding. But you might not. That's the reality. I wish it were different. I wish —"

"You had Hermione's Time Turner?" he finished for her.

Kirsten giggled. "Yes. And don't tell Seth I read Harry Potter too. He'll never let me live it down."

"Now that he has Captain Oats back, he'll never let me live it down."

"Well, don't let him get to you." She noticed Ryan straighten as if to leave. They could both see Sandy and Seth standing off to the side, patiently waiting for them to finish. "I love you, Ryan."

"I love you too."

She squeezed his arm. "You and Seth will work things out and we're all going to be okay."

Ryan waved good-bye and jogged to catch up with Sandy and Seth.

FIN