Hello all, I know it's been awhile since I've updated and I'm terribly sorry. My computer crashed and I had to send it for a repair. Anyway, my ol' faithful is back and wrote Chapter Six as soon as I got it home. Once again, THANK YOU for all the reviews, you people just keep me going. And to those who celebrate the big day, MERRY CHRISTMAS to you! It's the season to be jolly..tralalalala...lalalala... Enjoy.

DISCLAIMER : I do not own any of these characters..I've been a good one Santa...

Ryan never liked police stations. He never had a good record with people in uniforms. For once, he wasn't there for his own offence - and for once, he wished he was.

"Look kid, I know all these is bad timing, with Christmas just around the corner and all, I'm sure you're having a hard time here. Just bear with us a bit okay? I'll try to talk to the chief and see if you can be out of here soon." It was the same officer who received Ryan's punch consoling him. Ryan didn't like being called a "kid" and neither did he want that officer's failed attempt of trying to understand. He couldn't care less about Christmas anyway. That holiday never existed for him, it was just a game for rich kids to show off how filthy rich they are through their gifts.

He was feeling tired and slightly hungry. From time to time an officer will bring him something to eat, but none of what he really wanted - the arrest of his mother's murderer. If he had to make a Christmas list this year, A.J. would be on top of it. Ryan had no proof that A.J. did it, but the way he had treated him and Dawn was enough to convince anyone that he was bound to take their lives sooner or later. But why would he do that? Neither Ryan nor Dawn had any money, they weren't in possesion of something valuable either. But every inch of Ryan's mind was making him believe that A.J. did it. Besides, the bullet that pierced Dawn's chest matched the revolver A.J. owned.

Suddenly his focus shifted to Dawn - and Dawn alone. They never got anything for each other for Christmas. Neither felt bad about it, they had more to worry about that emptying their wallets for cheap gifts and wrapping paper - they never even had turkey. But somehow, Ryan felt a little guilty over this small matter. He wondered what was being done to Dawn's body at that moment. When the people concerned are done, what's going to happen to her next? Ryan couldn't afford a funeral arrangement, the local church might help him out. But this was his mother - surely he should pull something together. He should. But could he?

And Trey. The officer told him he could see his brother in the next hour. They were going to bring him there to inform Trey about his mother's death.

What was he going to tell him?

A Monday. Kirsten dreaded Mondays. Mondays meant work, Caleb and stress. Okay, so it was sinful to dread the second one, but anyone who knows Caleb Nichol would agree with her anytime. As a matter of fact, she was already dealing with all three at that moment. Endless phone calls and door knocks with constant requests and complaints or sarcasm in the office was just another ordinary day in Newport for Kirsten.

And as usual, she didn't like it.

Getting tired of flipping files and starring at the computer for the past three hours Kirsten turned on the television to catch up with some entertainment. After all, she did not request for a television in her room for nothing. It was an essential tool to retain her sanity. She didn't mind watching soap operas or even the news just to get work out of her head for a while.

Kirsten lowered her chair and massaged her aching shoulder with one hand as she flipped the channels with the other.

It wasn't long until she was seated upright again.

"Oh my God….." was all she could say as the news about Chino was being reported. The boy in the video looked exactly like Ryan.

'Who was that lady? Must be someone important to him. He looked pretty upset.' Kirsten thought to herself as she watched the part Ryan clutched onto Dawn.

Kirsten didn't know why but she knew she had to see him. Just a few days ago this boy was stealing to earn a living, and now he was on the streets punching an officer. Something was horribly wrong – and she was going to find out.

Within minutes her office was empty, with only the sound of the television and flipping papers filling the atmosphere.

"Cohen."

That voice gave Seth a chill in the spine. He had been avoiding her for the past few days – not picking up her calls and hiding behind every tree every time he saw her were the few successful ways. Until now.

"Oh Summer, hey. There's something different about you today. Did you get a haircut or something? Yeah, it's the haircut isn't it? The fluffy…no...lively look you have makes you look absolutely gorgeous. And you know what? The fact that you look really good today means that you should hang out with some guy who is as equally good looking as you. You shouldn't be seen about with me, you've got a fashion reputation to uphold. I'll do you a favor, I'll pretend we have never met nor spoke to each other. Then you do a one-eighty and we get out of each other's sight. Deal?"

Seth was said all that in one breath and quickly too. He knew his attempt to change the subject was of no use to Summer Roberts, but he had to try anyway.

"Shirt."

Summer was staring right into Seth's eyes, indicating that his attempt had failed. She liked the way Seth goofed up and enjoyed giving him a hard time. Little did she know that she had never paid so much attention to a guy before – in both good and bad ways.

Seth was speechless. He always had something to say, even though most of the time his words did not make any much sense. He looked around as though hoping the students who pass by will be able to tell him what to say to Summer. And there she was, standing right in front of him with her right palm held out waiting for the new shirt he didn't manage to get. Seth was about to open his mouth to save his life but Summer cut him to the chase.

"Lunch is on you Cohen. And Marissa's coming too. But I still want to see that shirt this week. Otherwise the name Saddam will begin to fit you." Summer turned her heels and walked away. Seth was dumbfounded.

'Just like that? You let Summer Roberts play you out just like that? What kind of a guy are you?' was all he could say to himself.

He hated Mondays.

Walking through grill doors by grill doors gave Ryan an uneasy feeling. From time to time he wanted to just turn and walk away but he knew he couldn't. Trey had to know. An officer unlocked the last door and led Ryan into the room where he sat down waiting for his brother. Just moments later another officer escorted Trey into the room, announcing his presence by saying, "You have 10 minutes."

Trey sat down and looked across the table towards Ryan. He looked like he hadn't slept for weeks, while the cuts and bruises indicated that things hadn't been smooth in Chino. 'What else is knew?' he wondered.

Ryan thought Trey had never looked better. He was clean and healthy looking, unlike how he was back in Chino. 'I might give prison a try sometime,' thought Ryan.

There was a moment of silence between the both of them – one was reluctant to speak while the other was waiting for him to do so. Finally, one gave in.

"Hello, little brother."

Ryan's muscle tensed.

AUTHOR'S NOTE : I know this is rather short compared to Chapter Five, please be patient with me and you will soon read a more interesting Chapter Seven.