I really don't know how to express my gratitude for the reviews! Thank you thank you and thank you! Keep them coming. As they say, "Feedback is the breakfast of champions!" Peace!

Just a little note to Panz : When you have a son like Seth, you're bound to have such expressions all the time:)

Disclaimer : Nope, don't own anyone of em. There ya go.

'That didn't take long,' Sandy thought. Clearing the files away from his desk, he was rather surprised that his client didn't take most of his time like he thought he would. Looking at his schedule he had two more hours before his next client. Glancing at his watch it showed exactly what his stomach wanted - lunch time.

He thought of Kirsten and wondered if he could join her for lunch. Of course, the thought of Caleb around could spoil anyone's appetite - especially Sandy's, but he wouldn't mind. After all, Kirsten was always there to back him. His lack of excitement in his cases so far was also slowing him down, it would be nice to have someone to bicker with once in awhile.

Picking up his cellphone, he began calling her office.

"Hello, Newport Corperation, how may I help you?" an operator asked.

"I'd like to speak to Kirsten Cohen please."

"Just a moment sir, I'll forward you to her line. Thanks for waiting."

Sandy knew he shouldn't have lost her new private number, he hated to wait to speak to his wife. Just then, the sound of the receiver being picked up was heard.

"Honey, guess what? Mr. Chang had pity on me and felt like he should allow me to spend some time with you. What about lunch? I know your father's going to be there, but yeah, I'll go easy on the old man this time."

"Sandford?"

"Caleb?" That wasn't good. Sandy began to feel uneasy but before he could say anything Caleb interrupted his thoughts.

"Kiki isn't here right now, you might want to try calling her at home. And the next time you call it would be more appropriate to say a 'hello' first." Caleb did not sound angry but his voice was rather stern.

"She's not working?" asked Sandy, feeling surprised.

"I told her to take some time off, she looked like she could use some rest. You should be more aware of that Sandford, you're her husband."

"I appreciate your advice Caleb, but yes I'll try home. Bye."

Sandy didn't like to speak to Caleb, and heaved a sigh of relief as he hung up. Next thing he knew, he was calling the house.

"Hello, Cohen's residence." That didn't sound like Kirsten, it was Rosa. She sounded slightly irritated, but that was how she has sounded all the time, so it was no big deal.

"Hi Rosa, this is Sandy. Is Kirsten around?"

"I'm sorry, but I haven't seen her since she left for work."

Feeling a little dissapointed, he replied, "Alright Rosa, thanks anyway. Oh yes, have you fixed the curtain panel in my bedroom? It fell off last night, uh.."

"No need for details Mr Cohen. I've fixed it already."

"Thank you Rosa, what would I do without you?"

"You really want to know? Nothing."

Sandy agreed with her, if it wasn't for her, many things in the household would have not been in order. Worst still, Kirsten might resort to cooking. Now that was a thought

"You know what? You're so right. Now I would like to stick around and tell you how appreciatice we all are but I really have to go."

"Don't bother. Good day."

"Bye."

Raising an eyebrow as he closed the call, he wondered where Kirsten went. For one last attempt, he called her cell.

It was turned off. It probably ran out of power. Putting his phone into his pocket, he sighed.

Looked like he had to have his lunch all alone.

"How'd you know my name?" Ryan asked Kirsten suspiciously. He wasn't very used to upper class knowing who he was. He began to wonder if his name was already printed in the Federal Department as the most wanted youth.

"Your neighbour, Steven McShire told me. He's one of my clients." Kirsten was carefully observing Ryan and spoke very gently, not wanting to step on his nerves. This kid stole her handbag, God knows what he was about to do next.

"Look, if you want your money back, I don't have it. But if you want your handbag, I'll see what I can do for you. Just don't...don't send me to the cops. Please Miss..."

"Call me Kirsten."

Ryan looked down. He did not know what to do, but somehow he had a feeling that Kirsten wasn't there to punish or to hand him over to the cops. There was something else. Although he did not give her a very good first impression - he never gave any first good impressions anyway - he could sense that there wasn't hatred in her, but more like...curiosity.

'Listen, Ryan, I am not going to have you arrested and I have no intentions of taking my bag back." Kirsten's voice was now firm and sure.

"Then...what do you want to talk about?"

"Mr. McShire told me that you actually prevented me from getting hurt? What does that mean?"

Ryan didn't know what to say. He would gladly expose A.J.'s ugly side and clear his own name but after all, A.J. was like family. Whether he liked it or not, his mother considered him family more than Ryan himself. He hesitated.

Kirsten saw him fidgeting his fingers, although he tried hard not to show it. As she looked at Ryan, she saw a little bit of fear, but also the sense of responsibility of wanting to protect the people in his life. She was in awe, but still, she wanted to know.

"You didn't steal it for yourself."

Ryan looked up. Kirsten continued.

"The handbag, the money. You didn't steal them for yourself."

Ryan was taken aback by her words. No one saw the good in him before, or more like, this is the first time he wasn't blamed for his actions. Somehow, he felt relieved.

Kirsten noticed that Ryan was about to speak, so she encouraged him.

"Tell me. It's okay. I may be Caleb Nichols daughter but I am definitely none like him when it comes to confidentiality." She wasn't even sure if he knew what that meant.

Word by word, Ryan told her everything - his mother, A.J., his brother, his life.

And for the very first time, Kirsten was lost for words. She couldn't imagine Seth going through the life Ryan has. He wouldn't have tolerated Chino, well, Chino wouldn't have tolerated him either. Then she thought about Ryan's mother. Her own mother died of cancer, but before that Kirsten and her mother was very close. She knew if her mother had the chance to come back, things would've been so different. Her life would've been richer, happier - Thank God for Sandy. But then again, it might have been the stress and pain for living alone that caused Ryan's mother to act that way. Whatever it is, Ryan's case was, sad. Why did she ask him in the first place? Why did he bring up his unhappy side? What has she done to that poor kid. No, he's not a kid. Seth's a kid. Ryan...Ryan's a young man who wants a chance to be a kid again.

"Uh...Mrs. Cohen?"

Ryan's voice snapped her back to reality. Kirsten did not know what to say to him. 'Sorry'? 'Thank you'?

"Are you okay, Mrs. Cohen?" asked Ryan, looking slightly concerned for this stranger.

"Yes, I'm alright. Just doing a little bit of thinking. What time is it now? Oh my, it's quite late, if I don't go home soon my husband and son will start a search party for me. Here's my business card Ryan, call me if you need anything."

"After I stole your Prada?"

"This time, you don't have to steal." Kirsten gave him a friendly smile and a pat on his shoulder.

"You said you have a son, Mrs. Cohen?"

"Please, it's Kirsten." Ryan nodded. "Yes, I do. As a matter of fact he's about the same age as you."

"He's a lucky guy." Ryan gave a shy grin.

"Why do you say that Ryan?"

"Well, he's got a mother who listens. I'd be lucky if Dawn was to just sit down and be sober for 10 minutes."

"Where do you work, Ryan?"

"At the construction site just around the corner," By now Ryan was throwing his cup into the bin.

"I see. Well, I'll see you around. Is that okay with you Ryan?"

"Yeah, but I don't think the construction site's a good place for ladies with Jimmy Choo's," remarked Ryan as he pointed towards her heels.

Kirsten couldn't help but smile at his sarcastic remark. She unlocked her car and waved goodbye to Ryan before driving away. Ryan managed to give a small wave back.

As she left, Ryan felt a tinge of hope, or at least a nice feeling. It was like the first time he befriended Arturo and Teresa, his Chino friends. Maybe this is it, maybe he has made another new friend. 'She's a little strange, but she's nice,' he thought as he walked away.

"Hey dad." Seth was in the living room pressing away his Playstation Controller.

Sandy was busily taking off his tie while observing his son's game.

"Hey son. Where's your mother?"

"Mom? You mean Kirsten Cohen?"

"Seth.."

"No, I was stuck in the house with a lady named Rosa ever since I got home. No sir, no Kirsten." Offering a second controller to Sandy, he asked "But there's a hot babe in this game named Suzie and she's super nice to you when you win the round. Wanna play?"

"No, Seth, I do not want to cheat on your mother."

"See? That's the reason why marriage isn't on the top of my list. I can't imagine a life without Suzie."

"Seth, if you stick to this for too long, you won't have a life at all."

Sandy walked to the kitchen, seeing that Rosa was obviously preparing something for dinner.

"Hey Rosa. Did Kirsten call home?"

"No Mr. Cohen. And if you want nice pork roast for dinner you better step out of the kitchen." And with that she continued her cooking.

Sandy was used to her abruptness, as he dialled her cell once more, he received the same response he got earlier.

He was getting worried.

As Kirsten was driving home slowly, she heard herself muttering,

"Seth Ezekiel Cohen, you just don't know how lucky you are."