Disclaimer: I don't own any O.C.-related - only the characters I may invent during the writing of the story - they're all FOX's property.. thanxx 2U, guys. Nor do I own Tess Wiley and her band, their music or lyrics.
Autor's note: Once again a multiple-chapter-posting. ..It's not a question if Ryan willtake care ofsomebody who clearly needs help, only if he's able to do so. And maybe he'll find some unexpected help, himself..
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Ryan had to support her faltering steps several times on their way back over the beach, up the steep slope to the Bait Shop where she'd stashed her backpack in Alex' office.
Alex spotted them immediately when they entered the club, rushed to them and lead the girl to a stool at the counter. She promised to stay with her while Ryan was getting her bag and then the car.
"Holy shit. You look like crap", she muttered, pulling her into a careful hug, then cautiously inspected her face, trying to catch her dodging glance. "Who did this to you? One of those waterpolo-boys? The big one?" The girl shrugged, then shook her head no. "Just partly. I.. ran intoGavin earlier today." "What!" Alex exclaimed. "Are you nuts? I thought you wanted to stay outta his way! For good!" She shrugged her shoulders again. "Well, I tried. That guy's got a talent of locating me anywhere anytime." "But why.." Alex ran out of words. "Why? For the hell of it. And because he thinks I'm one of his hookers. Well, when I couldn't come up with what he considers his fair share he made a point." "He made a point!" Alex spat. Her voice was softer when she carried on. "And how are you now? How do you feel?" "I'm fine. ..Maybe not fine, but.. okay. Could've been worse if your friend hadn't shown up." Alex laughed shortly. "You should actually like Ryan. According to Seth he always gives the same statement no matter how he feels." "Ryan?" "Yeah. The one who brought you here. I dated his foster-brother a couple of times. Seth." "Then maybe you can tell me what's exactly his problem. I mean.. why's he that insistent on taking me home? He didn't even wanna.. you know what I mean. At least, he said so." Alex nodded. "Yes, I know whatcha mean. And yes, he doesn't want anything in return. I dunno what his problem is, maybe it's just because he's got a little of a white-knight-complex. But Cat.. he's okay. You can trust him. I mean, I don't know him this well and I've got some trust-issues of my own, but.. I know he's someone I could trust with my life." "Whoa", Cat voiced, "you gettin' emotional or what?" Alex chuckled. "Must be the whole Newpsie-scene. I'm really anxious to hear what his foster-mom's gonna say about him bringing you home. Don't get me wrong, she's really nice and Sandy, her husband, he's.. yeah, great. But they're.. like, easily worried." "Wait a moment, what's all this foster-stuff about?" "Oh. Uhm, I forgot. He's not from here, from Newport. He got arrested. About one and a half years ago, if I remember correctly. Seth's dad was his attorney and Seth finally convinced his folks to let Ryan stay with them. First they became his guardians and then they made it kinda permanent. Guess that was the best thing that's ever happened to him." "What do you mean?" "I mean.. I wish my family'd been a little like that. They really care for each other, so on that matter they're quite like himself. Only, he's just used to take care of others, not to be taken care of. Seth told me that's one of the problems his parents are still trying to fix." When she just thought that she'd already told more than she'd originally intended to, Alex noticed the girl in front of her wince and squeeze her eyes shut. Concerned she laid one hand on her shoulder. "Hey, everything okay?" Cat just nodded, pressing her lips together. Alex quickly slid behind the counter and fished a bottle of water out of the fridge, opened it and put it in front of the girl who struggled to will the pain away. Secretly, Alex peeked to the door, hoping Ryan would be right back.
Sandy answered the phone after the fourth ringing. "Sandy Cohen?" "Hi Sandy, it's Ryan?" "Ryan? What's wrong?" Meanwhile, Ryan could almost laugh at this standard-question. "Nothing's exactly wrong. I'm fine, Seth and Summer are fine, too, actually they went to a party with Luke, and the car's not damaged." He heard his foster-father sigh in relief. "What's goin' on, kiddo?" "Uhm.. I gotta ask you for something.." he hesitated, so Sandy encouraged him. "Yes?" "I.. I met someone. Someone who needs help." "What happened?" "That's really a long story. I'd rather explain it to you later, okay?" "So.. uhm, he's a friend of yours?" Ryan thought a moment about it. "Not exactly a friend. And.. HE's a SHE." "Oww.. oh, I see.. How can I help you?" "I need your permission to bring her home with me", he said quickly and heard Sandy breathe in sharply.
"I guess we don't know her, hm?" "No. But she needs a place to stay tonight. She.. can't go somewhere else, and I can't just leave her alone." "Is she hurt?" "Well.. yes. She is. But before you ask: She won't go to a hospital. Of course I'm gonna take her there in case she feels worse, but for now I need her to trust me. That's why I must also ask you to.. to not be waiting for us when we arrive. I know that's a lot to ask for.. I'm sorry." He swallowed hard and nervously prepared for Sandy's response and: Sure thing, there it was. "I'll ask Kirsten. Hold on a moment."
Sandy lowered the phone and looked questioningly at his wife. "Ryan asks if he can bring a girl here over night. Obviously she's in trouble and hurt and she's got nowhere to stay." Incredulously he watched Kirsten shrug her shoulders when she nodded and said: "Okay." "Okay?" "Sandy, why do you always expect me to be the bad one who says no?" "Because I've problems with that word", he chortled. "And you sure are fine with that?" She nodded again. "He'll have his reasons. And you know we can trust him. He'd sense if there was something wrong with that girl, but he only feels that he's got to help her, so let him." She motioned to the phone. Still astonished by Kirsten's unexpected reaction he picked it up again.
"Ryan? It's okay. Bring her home with you. We won't show up. But if you need something, if we can help.." "I'll tell you. Thank you Sandy. And say thanks to Kirsten. ..I won't disappoint you."
Ryan immediately spotted Alex' relieved look as he reentered the Bait Shop. Her friend still sat on the stool but leaned against the counter, slightly slumped over. In order to avoid scaring her he called out: "I've got the car. Ready to go?" while walking over to them. He could tell she was still startled by his voice but what alarmed him more was the slowness of her motions when she turned around halfway, her face invisible under her cap again.
"Yeah, uhm.. we were just waitin' for you", Alex jumped in. "You already got the bag?" Ryan nodded. "In the car." The girl sighed and hopped off the stool, exclaiming: "Well, then – no time to waste", but despite her nonchalant demeanor Ryan could perceive the effort she had to put into it. When her steps faltered a little he quickly laid his arm around the small of her back to support her and to his surprise she allowed it without flinching. "Sorry. I'm just a little tired", she excused herself.
"Cat! Wait a sec!" Alex called after them, plunged under the counter, then hurried over to them, holding out two CDs to the girl: The two albums Tess Wiley and her band had published so far. Forestalling any word of repulse she promptly stated: "Yes, you can accept'em. I told Tess they were for a friend who's a big fan but unfortunately missed the show. Every band's got some copies they can give away for free, so don't worry, okay? Just enjoy'em. Maybe Ryan can put them on later. Hope it helps you sleep well.."
Her friend appeared to be clearly overwhelmed by this, shook off Ryan's arm and hugged Alex for the briefest moment. "Thank you", she said silently when she withdraw. Alex just nodded, then promised: "I'll call right in the morning, okay?" "You mean, after you've finally climbed out of bed and had a cup of coffee, huh?" "Yeah, right. ..Uhm.. sleep well. And you", she addressed Ryan, "take care of her, okay?"
"How far is it?" she asked after he'd started the engine. "Only ten to fifteen minutes. It's in Newport, too." She nodded, shifting in the seat to find a more comfortable position that would ease the pain she still seemed to be in. Every once in a while he looked over to her to make sure she was still awake, then finally cleared his throat and said: "So, your name's Cat?" She threw him a side-glance. "An abbreviation. It's Cassandra. Boleyn." Ryan raised his eyebrows. "An interesting name." "Yeah. Thought about renting it to an actress or something", she said sarcastically, leaning her head against the window-pane and inhaling deeply. "Hey, hey", he tried to soothe her, "we're almost there." "It's okay, I'm fine", she snapped but immediately apologized. "Excuse me. I'm just really tired. And.. my stomach hurts a little. So, uhm.. Alex said you're not from Newport?" she changed the subject, obviously waiting for an answer, so he said: "From Chino. That a problem?" "No, of course not. Just didn't expect it. Is it a problem for you?" This question was something he hadn't expected so it took him a moment before he said: "Well.. sometimes.." "Guess you try not to think about it." "Hm.." "And obviously you try not to talk 'bout it either", she then assumed. "Uhm.. sorry. Maybe.." "It's okay. Who'd wanna talk about it."
She looked out of the window and suddenly added: "But just in case you feel like talking.. maybe you'll find I understand."
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Papermonster: Don't we know this a little? Somebody acting strong when in reality he/she isn't (hehe). As usual: Tell me what you thing about it, I NEED ENCOURAGEMENT - so don't miss the little button below.
PS: A little explanation (though I'm pretty sure you don't need it): Cassandra is a name from the Greek mythology. She was damned to always know the future but to be faced with disbelief so she wasn't able to do something about it. Anne Boleyn was the third wife of George XIII., mother of Elizabeth I. She wasborn with a sixth finger to one of her hands andseveral birthmarks, in her era signs of witchcraft. So it was easier for the King to get rid of her (by decapitating his wife) when he wanted to get married another time. Maybe a little too much of a name for a simple fanfic-MarySue, but I like names with history and playing with them.
PPS: For anyone who's interested: I didn't invent Tess Wiley and her band, they're a real, just not worldwide successfulband whose members live near my hometown and who make great music (in my opinion). I guess there even exists a homepage - just google'em if you feel like it.