Part 4 – The time has come

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I want to thank all of you who reviewed last time! Thanks, really. I hope you do the same this time. Finishing this part took longer than I expected, but it's also longer. So enjoy! P.S. About the medical stuff... I am kinda clueless, all my knowledge comes from years of watching ER and Chicago Hope!

Luckily, Ryan didn't suffer claustrophobia. Otherwise the MRT hadn't gone so smoothly. The CT had been stressy already but Dr.Nibler insisted on the MRT and Ryan didn't see any reason to complain. After two hours, he was wheeled back into his room. A new nurse gave him the painkillers and the boy was grateful for them; his head was killing him.

"Where's Rosanna?" he asked the nurse who just straightened his blanket. The meds worked really quickly.

"Shifts are over eventually, kid." She left the room.

Although kinda tired, Ryan refused to sleep. A part of him hoped his parents would walk in any minute, the other wished for Dr.Nibler telling him the results. He wasn't a little child anymore, he could be told about his health. Everybody was always so weird around him. Something had to be wrong. Then there was hope the Cohens wouldn't show up again. They made him feel so awkward. Ryan heard a soft knock. His heart beat a little faster hoping to finally see the faces he'd been longing for but the sad girl with the big blue eyes entered. He didn't mind seeing her either.

"I wanted to see how you are." She admitted sheepishly. Ryan felt like smiling broadly. There was something about this girl that made him feel better. Usually, only Theresa was able to ease his mind.

"Ok." He answered simply. After all, he didn't know who she was. For all he knew, she could be a Cohen as well.

Marissa wasn't sure what to say. It all seemed so awkward and weird.

"Mhm, the Cohens are really worried about you." She realized her mistake quickly and blushed. Ryan looked down.

"I'm sorry... I just- you know, we're all worried about you." Marissa tried to save something but wasn't sure it worked. She mentally kicked herself for bringing up the Cohens.

"You're worried about me?" A beautiful stranger that was concerned about him, Ryan suddenly felt better.

"Yeah well... you could have been seriously injuried." She wasn't sure if she read the look in his eyes correctly. Ryan hadn't exactly said that he was interested in her but of course his actions had shown it. This time he looked at her as if he'd ask her to join him in bed. The 'new' Ryan was indeed different.

"I guess," he paused to gaze at her. He enjoyed her nervousness, "You're not a Cohen, are you?" Marissa chuckled.

"No, I'm not. I'm Marissa."

"I'm glad you aren't. Very glad." He told her mischievious, causing her to blush.

"Sandy, what does this mean?"Kirsten looked questiongly at her husband.

Dr.Nibler went through the files Sandy had received from a friend not long ago. He was still a bit shaken up. The authorities nor Ryan had ever said anything about this.

"We're not the first family Ryan's staying with." Sandy finally told his wife who seemed as surprised as he'd been.

"What?"

"In 1995 Ryan lived with the Carlsons." Dr.Nibler explained, not taking his eyes off the file.

"What happened?" Kirsten felt stupid. Nither man was giving her all the information. She would have loved to just take away the file from the doctor and read for herself.

"That's it!" Dr.Nibler suddenly exclaimed, startling Sandy and Kirsten. He closed the file and ran away with it. Kirsten stared after him a moment, baffled.

"So, now tell me what does this all mean?" she turned back to her husband. Sandy sat down and motioned for Kirsten to do the same.

"When Ryan was eight years old, his father was imprisoned for armed robbery," Kirsten nodded, that much she knew,"You can imagine Dawn- the only thing she wanted then was alcohol. Ryan and his brother were neglected. A teacher of Ryan informed the authorities and he was sent to live with the Carlsons. I read in the file that this was the best thing that could have happened to him. He was good at school, he was a happy child." Sandy stopped to look at Kirsten.

"Six months later Dawn demanded her son back. Unfortunately, she had a job and was sober."

"That's unbelievable."

"It's true." Sandy hated himself for it, but a part of him was glad Ryan had been sent back to live with Dawn. Otherwise he wouldn't have met him, he wouldn't have moved in with them. On the other hand, the boy would have suffered so much less in his life.

"Is this the family- does Ryan still think of them as his family?" Sandy shrugged. He had told her all he knew. For a moment they were both quiet. Neither knew what to do with this situation.

"We should contact them." Kirsten then said confident. As much as she hated it, but apparently Ryan wanted to see this family. She just hoped they wanted to see him, too. But they had at least had to try. As much as it hurt herself. Sandy looked at her. Kirsten saw the doubt and fear in his eyes. He loved this boy and he didn't want to lose him.

"We owe it to Ryan." She whispered. Eventually, Sandy nodded.

Just as he was about to fall asleep, Ryan saw Dr.Nibler rush into his room. His face was glowing which scared the boy. He directed his eyes to the file the doctor was holding.

"We found your family, Ryan."

"Really?" Ryan's eyes lit up, much to Dr.Nibler's dismay. Somehow he'd hoped the amnesia would have come to an end. All this pointed straight to an operation.

"Yes. We've contacted them and they'll be here... soon." He finished. The glow was gone, but Ryan didn't notice. He was too happy that his family would show up. Suddenly, he wanted to see Theresa.

"Could you send Theresa in?" he asked. Dr.Nibler nodded hesitantly. The Cohenss had informed him about Theresa aka Summer.

After some minutes, Summer walked into Ryan's room. Just moments ago, she had been told about the Carlsons. The Cohens had almost treated her like a family member. She had stood next to them as if she'd belong. It had felt wonderful. They were a real family, unlike her own. Only Seth was still weird around her. She was hoping that would change soon, too.

"Hey, Ryan. So, you're feeling better now?" Summer was now supposed to distract Ryan for a while. The adults pondered wheter to try and find the Carlsons, either way time was needed.

"Kinda... they found my parents." Ryan's happy expression broke Summer's heart. She hadn't seen him this happy in all the time she knew him. She could only hope he'd soon remember. Saying goodbye to Ryan would be hard for everyone, especially for Seth.

"I know." Another fake smile.

"I hope they'll be here soon. I can't wait to see them... and go home again."

"You probably have to stay here for a while."

"Maybe... it's not like they are telling me what's the matter." He grumbled. Summer smiled lightly, it reminded her of the Ryan she knew.

Sandy and Kirsten stared at the paper with the telephone number. The little black numbers that would bring so much trouble. Or loss. They could lose Ryan. Even if they didn't call them, they could lose him. Whatever they did, it would be painful. For all of them.

"I'll do it." Sandy said. He had to do it. He was sure that something good came out of it. Kirsten nodded.

With sweaty hands, he dialed the number and waited. After several rings, someone picked up.

"Carlson." A manly voice said.

"Mr.Carlson, my name is Sandy Cohen. I have to talk with you about a a child you took care of some years ago, Ryan Atwood."

"You know this girl," Ryan searched his mind for the name he was looking for. His brain still didn't work properly, it frustrated him.

"Marissa?" Summer helped. Ryan nodded.

"Do you know where she is? She's kinda nice... and hot." He grinned. Summer was taken back. She'd never heard Ryan say 'hot and grin so devishly. She would never get used to him being like that. He acted like a 13-year old teenager- or like Seth, which seemed to be the same. Caught up in her thoughts about the young Cohen, she hardly noticed Ryan waiting for an answer.

"Theresa?" he asked amused. Summer turned to him, embarrassed.

"You're not jealous, are you?" A mischievious smile was plastered on his face.

"Ew, no!" she exclaimed, causing Ryan to give a short laugh. Summer just stared at him.

"Sometimes you're just weird." Ryan told her. 'That says the right person', Summer thought frustrated.

Seth was pacing around the hallway nervously, waiting for Summer to exit Ryan's room. While one part of him was still angry and furious, the other part felt rather jealous. She was so worried about Ryan and did everything to help him- it only added to his anger. First she caused an accident and then this. Eventually, the door opened and a pale Summer walked out. Seth tried to be neutral, but concern was written all over his face.

"He fell asleep." She told Seth.

"Did you talk about anything... important?"

"What's imporatnt for you, Cohen?" Summer's voice was harsh.

"Sorry, ok? It's just- you're not exactly his best friend!" Seth felt the anger rise again.

"Right now, you aren't either." She reminded him. If he could hurt her, she could do it, too. Seth nervously ran a hand through his hair. He didn't know that Summer found this extremly sexy. Ever since she had gotten to know him a little better, she discovered more and more sexy habits of him.

"But I am," Seth told her quietly but determined, "ever since he got here, he has not once let me down. I am not letting him down now. Wheter he likes it or not, I am here and will talk with him." He stared at the closed door. He wanted to go in badly and do just that- talk to Ryan, tell him how ridiculous this whole thing was. But he was a little scared, Ryan had been too cold towards him.

For a moment the two stared at each other. Passion was glimmering in Seth's eyes, but it wasn't for her, Summer realized. He wanted his best friend back. It was that moment when Summer realized what a wonderful person Seth Cohen actually was. Some thought he was a geek- and yes, maybe he was- but he remembered a poem she had she'd made in sixth grade, he remembered the squirel she'd fed, he probably knew much more than this- he cared about her. Not just her looks but her. She smiled at him, which surprised him. He didn't have time to return the gesture because his parents, Dr.Nibler and some people he'd never seen before in his life approached them.

"Seth, these are the Carlsons." Seth stared at them, disliking them at once. He couldn't believe this was the family Ryan thought was his own. 'Come to senses soon, buddy', he silently prayed , forcing a cool smile. He noticed a boy around his age, looking uncomfortable. Seth felt a pang of jealousy.

"Ryan's sleeping." Summer told them. Clearly, she didn't like this family either. Seth stepped closer to her, showing her how much he appreciated her help right now. Dr.Nibler nodded.

"He needs his rest. Why don't you grab a coffee and talk with the Cohenss a bit. I'll let you know when you can see him." He walked off.

It was one of the most awkward moments in history, Seth thought as he, Summer and Marissa as well as his parents sat with the Carlsons. At least, they didn't look happy either.

"So, Ryan is living with you now." Mr.Carlsons said, but it sounded more like a question.

"Yes, he is." Sandy answered. Not even he was comfortable and at loss for words. He observed the man that if Dawn hadn't managed to stay sober for a while, Ryan would look up to now. Mr.Carlson- Nigel- was a tall man with dark hair and steely blue eyes, Sandy was reminded of Pierce Brosnan. He also seemed like a James Bond kind of guy to him. He didn't doubt this guy was a good father, just Sandy wanted to be the father figure in Ryan's life himself.

"We haven't seen him in so long. Dawn didn't allow us to contact him. We couldn't do anything, after all she's his mother." Amanda Carlson looked at Kirsten. There was sorrow in her eyes for the son she'd lost. Kirsten could only hope she wouldn't have to make that same experience.

For Stan Carlson it was the worst: three pairs of eyes were gazing at him, one crosser than the other. He wished he could just tell him that he didn't want Ryan back. But it would hurt his parents, and also what did it matter? He had learned that much. He kept his mouth shut and stared back at the teenagers.

"Ryan has woken up, he can't wait to see you." Dr.Nibler told them, he was wringing his hands nervously. Confronting Ryan with the two families could cause even more problems.

The End, part 4

Alright, I don't know how much chapters this is going to have but there is definitely another one : ) Please leave a review!

Written by Anika