Chapter One

When Sandy Cohen first saw Ryan Atwood in the jail office, he felt obliged as his Public Defender to take care of him. He proposed one option, as he considered the parentless teen- Ryan- as his own son.

"Ryan," Sandy hesitated for a moment, unsure of how the young man would react to this offer. Sandy was well accustomed to young people, such as Ryan, who have already rebelled in law- to be cruel to people like himself, "I have an offer, you probably can't refuse. Come live with me, my wife and son, in Newport." Sandy waited for the beat up kid to reply, and all he received was a smile.

"Beats living on the street." Ryan smiled courageously. He wasn't completely ready to give up his identity as Ryan Atwood, for some superior house in Newport. He wanted to live the normal life, but after all the torture he had been through, he gave up this hope, of being himself. He figured, the only real way to survive in the world was to have someone to back him up.

"Great." Sandy exhaled, as if a huge weight had been lifted from his chest, "You know Ryan, you're a good kid." Sandy said smiling, as he grabbed his briefcase and headed to the door. Ryan- awestricken continued to sit propped up on the table, as he saw Sandy leave. He wasn't sure if he was to go- at this point he wasn't quite sure of anything. Life seemed so confusing to him, and after so much hatred, it felt a little funny that Sandy came out of nowhere and saved him from the sole thing Ryan was most ashamed of- homelessness. Ryan didn't want to be that person. He wasn't conceited, but of course he saw some potential in himself.

"What are you waiting for, Ryan? Let's go!" Sandy called out, and Ryan immediately jumped out of his seat. He followed Sandy like a shadow to his car. Once they were already inside, and well off on their way, Ryan's confusion hungrily gnawed at his brain.

"Mr. Cohen, why are you doing this for me? I'm sure you've had other street kids in your cases… why'd you choose me?" Ryan asked softly, not daring to look at his new guardian in the eye.

"You know, my wife is probably going to kill me- but it's not out of pity if that's what you mean. I just don't want someone as potentially well-off person, like yourself, to waste it. Besides, we've got room. Kirsten, my wife, has always been talking about more then one kid. It's such a perfect opportunity. I hope you like it at our home, because you're certainly welcome." Sandy looked at Ryan who was sitting in the passenger seat nervously, "Don't be afraid, Ryan. Gotta have a little faith, you know?" Ryan nodded, biting his lip gently. As bold of a person as he was, he could find no way in hell to erupt a certain aspect of confidence in himself.

"Can't help being afraid." Ryan said quietly.

"What are you afraid of?" Sandy asked curiously, his eyes concerned, his face relaxed, his body however tense. He hadn't before accepted a stranger into his home. Even Sandy wasn't ready to call Ryan a son. But he was willingly about to try.

"Everything," Ryan confessed. Ryan spoke in a quiet, almost shy voice as if he didn't want anything to hear him. He was deeply concentrated on basically nothing, "I guess a new house, new people, new way of living. Everything."

"There's nothing to be afraid of, Ryan. The more afraid you are, the more opportunities you miss," Sandy paused seeing the uncertainty in Ryan, "And by all means, if you don't want to stay here, feel free to leave. All I'm asking is that you check it out. Stay if you want to stay, because you are welcome in my home." Sandy said in a kind, fatherly tone. Ryan gaped around the community. These houses were bigger then anything he'd ever seen. His jaw dropped when Sandy parked the car, in front of a giant mansion. "Home, sweet, home." Sandy chanted out carefully. He grinned at Ryan, "This can be your home too- just let it be." Ryan got out of the car, and he couldn't help that his jaw was ultimately dropped.

"This is your," Ryan paused, and Sandy quickly interrupted.

"This is our home." Sandy patted Ryan on the back, as he entered the house. Ryan still, like a little ghost, followed Sandy into the beautiful place.

"Kiki, I have someone I'd love for you to meet." Sandy hollered kindly- Kirsten quickly appeared with a dish and a cloth in her hands. Her blonde, straight hair had carefully settled behind her ears. When she saw Ryan, she plastered one of her genuine, golden smiles.

"Hi, I'm Kirsten Cohen." Kirsten stuck out her hand.

"I'm Ryan Atwood." Ryan nodded and met his hand, with her's.

"Ryan, I'll take you to the pool house. Kirsten, I'd like to have a word, or two you." Sandy smiled, and went to show Ryan his stay.

"This is nothing like my old place." Ryan commented when he saw the dashing view of Newport, a stunning pool, and a contemporary view of the Cohen Residence.

"You know Ryan, make yourself comfortable. I'll have a word with my wife, I'll introduce you to Seth, and then we'll have dinner- as a family. OK?" Sandy asked Ryan, for approval, making sure what he had done was right, and that Ryan had no objections.

Ryan shrugged, "That's fine with me, Mr. Cohen. Thanks for, taking me in." Sandy smiled and nodded.

"No problem, son." Ryan waited a moment, after Sandy was gone, to question what he had heard. Of course it was an expression, but it was also an eerie choice of words- son. Ryan wasn't anyone's son at the moment. If he had a real father, he wouldn't be with Sandy in his house. If he had known Sandy a little more, then perhaps one day, he'd be his legal son. But not yet. As much as he wanted to escape his earlier life, full of crime and stupidity, Ryan wasn't sure if this 'change' was necessary. He wasn't sure, what his future holds.