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

Autor's note: Hey, what's going on? Want something else in this story? Critics are welcome but please: You've got to review to let me know! Okay, I tell myself it's because of the holidays - BTW: Hope y'all had a very merry Christmukkah and a happy New Year! And now: Think, we need a little Cohen-intervention in this chapter, but there'll be more of Cat in the follow-up one.

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Kirsten smirked when she caught her husband spying out of the window of his office that went to the poolhouse, half hidden behind a curtain, straining his neck to get a better look around the corner. The similarity between her son and his father was ridiculous. She wondered if her attempts of education had the slightest effect on the strong Cohen-genetics she'd considered unique until Seth's birth – and until she'd met the Nana - but then set the thought aside. She'd rather have a copy of the man she loved for all his charming – and every so often nerve-racking – qualities than a Caleb Nichol Mini-Me.

But then again: This was outrageous! ..And enchanting.

She sneaked across the unlit room and had to suppress her laughter, forcing a scornful expression on her face when she hissed over his shoulder: "Sandy! What do you think you're doing!" making her husband jump in shock, so concentrated he'd been on observing the patio. "I thought you promised Ryan not to watch out for them. Now, what's this!" Finally recovered from the humiliation of being caught in the act and noticing one corner of his wife's delicate mouth curl up, he first shushed her, than explained away: "No, sweetie, I granted we'd be out of sight for them. Invisible. I didn't say a word about them being out of our sight. Lawyer-language, I know. But I bet you'd like to have a look at this mysterious girl yourself, don't cha?"

When he saw the other corner of her mouth react akin to his neighbor, he knew he'd won. "Go, you take the other curtain", he recommended, "they might be here any minute."

Kirsten muffled her laughter with one hand. She couldn't remember how often she'd already asked herself how old they actually were. But she knew that every time she'd come to the realization that age didn't matter as long as she spent her time with this man. As long as it was enough of it, she sighed inwardly.

"The curtain! The curtain!" he whispered, "I heard the car in the driveway."

A minute later they could observe them slowly cross the patio below their window, Ryan clearly supporting his guest. "That's a girl?" Kirsten whispered unbelievingly. "Oh my god, is she drunk?" "No, I don't think so. Ryan said she's hurt, I don't knowhow bad. ..Maybe she should really be taken to a hospital", Sandy contemplated. "Don't you believe he can handle that? That he knows what to do?" He glanced at his wife, then back to the poolhouse they'd just gone into.

"You're probably right. I guess we can trust him to judge the situation correctly. And to ask for help if it's necessary." With a resolute gesture he grasped both curtains and draw them together.

Ryan closed the door to the poolhouse behind them and lit the floor-lamp in the corner, dimming it down to a more comfortable brightness. Out of the corner of his eye he'd seen the movement of the curtains of Sandy's office but he didn't mind it. More important was that Cat hadn't spotted it.

He led her to the bed and she sat down heavily, giving him a wry smile while taking off her base-cap for the first time since he'd first met her. Underneath it she'd wrapped up her hair in a big ornamented cloth that ended in a big knot at the side of her neck. After an attentive look around the room she clicked her tongue and nodded approvingly. "You got lucky, indeed. This place is.. gorgeous. Not to mention the main house." Ryan nodded and sat down in the armchair. "When I first saw it I was totally overwhelmed. When I come to think about it I still can hardly believe I ended up here. ..People like me.. like us generally don't get such a chance. And I'm not just talking about the house and everything. I mean this family. They're just.. good people, you know? They.." he blinked several times, searching for the right words to describe his feelings. "..I'd do anything for them", he finally voiced, at a loss for words like every so often when it came to emotions. Revealing so much at all was remarkable for him – and a quick glance to Cat taught him that she knew. But instead of forcing him further she just looked at him, openly, mindful and patiently, as if she sensed that he just spoke up when he felt like it and when he could do it in his own time. And as if she wished to let him know that she'd give him the opportunity whenever he needed it.

Realizing that he was kind of staring at her, Ryan leapt to his feet and stammered: "I.. I'm gonna go to the kitchen. Get us some water. Do you need anything? Are you hungry?" She smiled again, amused at his confusion, pointed at her bag and said: "No, thanks. I got everything I need. Only.." she started rummaging in it and unveiled the CDs Alex had given to her, "if you'd put on one of those?" "Sure." He picked the orange one and shoved it into the player. Yes – he might like that music, too.

"Okay, I'll be right back. Uhm.. make yourself at home. I'll take the couch. No discussion 'bout it", he stated, one hand held up, then he headed for the kitchen.

Although she'd said that she didn't want something to eat, Ryan scanned the fridge for anything that might rouse her appetite. He laid some items on the counter, put them back in, chose others.. until he realized that he just tried to kill some time before hehad to goback to the poolhouse. Because he didn't know what to think about her.

He'd always had trust-issues and opening up was still a problem for him, no matter how hard he was trying, especially since all his senses told him that the people he now lived with were worth the effort. Having lost most of the people he'd let in didn't help. It rather seemed to prove that letting people come close was just the first step to losing them. Maybe something was wrong with him. Maybe he was chasing them away?

The Cohens had very patiently tried to get through to him and they were still trying. He knew they meant well and he loved them for not giving up on him – but on the other hand their tenacity at times caused him to shrink back, made him feel like he disappointed them, like he was being suffocated by all of these expectations.

He sighed and shoved an ice-cube into his mouth. How could they possibly understand him, his feelings and motivations when he was so screwed up that he could barely understand himself. Now how could it be that this girl showed up and seemed to get him so effortlessly. It had felt as if she could see through him when he'd looked into her eyes for the first time really, except for the short glimpse on the beach two weeks ago. He liked not being easily readable, it had taken him enough time and strength to finally achieve it, and he wasn't sure if he was cool with the fact that there was a person who could see behind the mask. ..They were emerald-green..

"Hi Kirsten", he said quietly when he heard her soft steps. "Hey honey." Her voice was gentle, yet full of concern. "Everything okay?" Ryan nodded, running his fingers through his hair. She rubbed the small of his back. "Who is she?" "I met her about two weeks ago when Seth and I went to the pier for his comic thing. To be honest: I don't really know her." "Well.. what DO you know?" He sighed again but decided not to lie. "Like I told you, not much. She's got nowhere to stay, no insurance, no money and.. she's forced to do anything to make a living." Kirsten nodded when she understood what he meant. "Sandy said she's hurt?" "Yes. She's had a.. client who.. wanted more than she offered. But I guess there'd already been something before." "And now? What's your plan?" Sandy came around the corner. He should've expected that his foster-father wouldn't be far.

Ryan shrugged his shoulders. "Let her get some rest, make sure she doesn't need a doctor.. I dunno. Try to make her feel safe, maybe. It was hard enough to convince to come with me. That she's welcome, without any reservations. And..", he hesitated, "don't worry, she won't steal or something, I'm sure of that. And I'm gonna keep an eye on her."

Sandy scratched his neck, then leaned upon the counter, deliberately forming his words. "Ryan.. don't get me wrong.. It's always okay if you bring home a friend you want to help, who's in trouble or whatever. We trust you to correctly judge a situation. But.. no offense, but you should at least KNOW the person. I mean.. We could say: She's a homeless, even a prostitute, bringing her in this house, our house, is just not an option. Do you get what I mean? Right now, we're not saying it because obviously you ran out of options and you asked for our permission first. We know you wouldn't endanger your family but.. this is YOUR responsibility. I hope you're not wrong."

Ryan had anticipated this lecture, maybe not this very night, but sooner or later. He didn't take it as an offense, Sandy and Kirsten only protected their family, including him. He'd even been surprised by their permission in the first place. He pondered a few seconds over his decision and finally assured them: "You won't be disappointed. It's true, I don't know her. Not yet. But I'm convinced there's more to her than meets the eye." – Literally, he thought to himself.

"Okay then, kiddo. And still: If you need anything, ask. Just make sure she's.. well, okay. Don't hesitate to get us or call a doctor if you consider it necessary. Uhm.. Ryan", Sandy hesitated, "I want you to give me her name. Her full name. I'm sure you understand that." Ryan chuckled. "Wanna check her file? It's Cassandra Boleyn." "As in Anne Boleyn?" Kirsten inquired. "I think so. Uhm.. not quite advantageous if one believes in kismet, huh?" he tried to joke but his eyes remained serious. She acknowledged his attempt, covered the short distance between them and hugged him tenderly.

He gratefully hugged her back, then nodded to both of them, grabbed two bottles of water and two bagels and excused himself.

Kirsten grasped Sandy's hand, entwining their fingers, and gently drew him out of the kitchen. "Come on, darling, stop looking so worried." "Hey, that's my line!" Sandy protested, but his wife just smiled and teased: "I know. And you also said that this was Ryan's responsibility, forgot? Now let's go back to bed. We'll meet her tomorrow."

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Papermonster: Have I taken too long to describe the girl a little closer? Hope I'll always be able to surprise you guys a little. E.g. with her story? R+R to keep me going. Pleeez!