Chapter Thirty-two

They all sat around the table, Sandy at one end, listening gravely into Ryan's situation. Utter silence echoed in the room- all, except for Ryan's monotone voice that was quivering only gently from the fear and anxiety within. Apart from the occasional 'Mhmm's' and nods, Sandy kept fearfully quiet. Once Ryan was through with his story, Sandy heaved a great sigh as he stared at all of them in turn, "How could you guys keep something like this from me? Had we handled this immediately after the scene, we could have gotten proof of everything- Marissa probably had the rape marks," he looked over at Marissa empathetically, as henoddedtoward herweakly for a measly sense of comfort, or apology for mentioning it,"And Seth, well we can still arrange the hospital notices and all, but had you informed me about this, we could have managed something. I'm not saying it's impossible, but Ryan- both you and Tray can be severely punished if I know anything about the law, which I most certainly do," he paused, as he looked down at the rough notes he had made during the whole time of Ryan's speech. He was almost studying them, and examining every note that he had made, "We can't dwell on what could have happened, because it's too late now ladies and gents," he sighed again, a more hollow and frustrated sigh. He wanted to protect them all, and help them, and get them through this, but the situation was looking grim- especially for the Atwood in the family.

Seth and Summer exchanged nervous glances. They too, felt extremely worried for their friends. Once Sandy noticed how apprehensive they were getting of the situation, he looked over at them, "Seth, unless you have anything to add, I think you and Summer should just go on, and do your own thing. This is between Marissa, Ryan and me," he said, nodding at the two as he turned his attention back to Marissa and Ryan. Seth and Summer barely had any time to protest, so they decided to sweep out of the kitchen as quietly and stealthily as possible.

"So is there anything we can do?" Ryan said, as he took Marissa's hand in his, enveloping it with the warmth of his palm. No gesture, nor feeble smile could better the uneasiness inside of them. Sandy didn't reply for a moment, for he was thinking up a solution, a plan of battle, something. He wanted to tell them something that would comfort them, and something that they wanted to hear- something that would allow them to go to sleep without the heavy hearts. He looked up at them confidently, as he started to explain.

"The first thing you two should be aware of, is the case. By all means, Tray doesn't have half the case that he's putting up. So basically, he's bluffing and you guys would be making a huge mistake if you gave him the seventy-five grand," Sandy said, his tone parent-like, and reassuring. He continued before their hopes could rise too much, "We all know how violent Tray can be. I think it's the safest thing for the family, if you guys spent this weekend indoors. Not just you and Marissa, Ryan. I mean, Seth, Summer, and basically anyone else who is important to you. Tray can't do anything to you as long as you're at home. He can, however, attack you if you're outdoors, or even in school,"

Sandy paused for a moment to think, "Coming to think of it, kids, I've had a similar case in the past. If you give me twenty minutes, I can go to the office and review that case, and compare it to yours. Sounds good?" he asked, and the two nodded vigorously, "Marissa, ask Kirsten to call your mom. I wouldn't even suggest leaving our house tonight. We've got an entire case to plan, let alone the Tray out loose aspect of the situation. Ryan, if Tray comes knocking at our door, don't open it. If he calls, tell him that he should call his lawyer- and that's it. Don't contact him, don't leave the house, and take care, is that clear?"

Usually, Sandy wasn't so nervous. Usually the most comforting thing he could do is just smile one of his genuine smiles, that made you feel special all over. But now, when Ryan's future was so desperately jeopardized, he couldn't, and wouldn't take it lightly. Ryan had grown to be like a son to Sandy, so maybe it was the natural parent instinct that guarded and shielded him like his own. By all means, he was absolutely convinced that Tray would not break their lives again.

Sandy got up out of his chair, and at the same moment, Ryan did. They embraced each other in a firm, and manly hug, "Thank you so much," Ryan muttered, as he nestled his face in the protective shoulder of Sandy. They pulled a part from the moment's hug, and Sandy gave Ryan a hardy slap on the shoulder.

"You take care, Ryan," he said, as he turned toward the door. He raised his hand in a wave toward Marissa, "I'll be back in a few," he said, and for the first time since their arrival at the Cohen residence, Sandy smiled one of his resilient grins, one that truly reminded them that things would be OK.

Ryan turned to Marissa, after Sandy had left, as he pulled her close to him, "I really don't want you to get involved in this, M'rissa," he whispered softly, as he grazed her hair. Marissa looked up, almost offended, shaking her head lightly. Through her gaze, she almost warned him not to start.

"Ryan, I'm involved in this, whether you like it or not, got it?" Marissa said. She wouldn't let Ryan take the blame for her again, for something that was initially, her own fault. Ryan didn't need to say anything else- he knew, that no matter how much he tried to make her stray from all this, she just wouldn't let him. He kissed her forehead gently.

"Do you want to see how Seth and Summer are doing upstairs? I think they'd like to know that they're rooming together tonight," he chuckled softly, as they pulled away from the hug. Marissa laughed and nodded, as they made their way upstairs to Seth's room. As they entered, they made sure to knock, but to their surprise, Seth and Summer were just cuddled watching some television. They immediately turned their heads toward the door, smiling sympathetically.

"Hey guys," Summer said, pressing her lips together, wondering what they would tell them. Marissa and Ryan went over to the bed, sitting on the end of it.

"Hey," Marissa and Ryan replied, almost harmoniously. Marissa decided to continue, "Sandy went to his office for some papers, right now. Uuum, but other than that, Sum, you're going to be stranded here," Marissa laughed lightly, as she looked at Summer's confused expression.

"Am I supposed to know what you're talking about?" Summer asked, her confusion replicated into her voice.

"Sandy says that because Tray has some violent tendencies, it would be best if we all stayed here and worked on the case. Meaning, you're staying here- and no sex please," Marissa laughed, and so did all of them. Once the laughing and giggling hushed, Seth decided to talk.

"So do you guys know anything about what's going to be happening in the next while?" Seth asked.

"Uh, well. Nothing's really certain yet," Ryan said, glancing at Marissa, "We still have to figure out our plan of action, if that's what you want to know," he paused unsurely, "Basically, we shouldn't give Tray the money, because Sandy says he doesn't have that great of a case- but we shouldn't take out chances with him either," Ryan let out a sigh of aggravation, unable to understand why all of a sudden, his own brother was such a huge threat.

"Ryan," Marissa said softly, noticing that he was preoccupied, "I know it's hard for you having to be the victim of your brother, but you can't always be the fighter. Sometimes you just have to wait for things to happen, and hope that they get better,"

"I'm not going to wait for Tray to destroy my life again," Ryan turned to her abruptly, his voice harsh and perturbed, "I'm not going to just hope, cause hope doesn't stop stupidity, and hope doesn't stop him from constantly coming into my life endlessly, and ruining everything. It's not hope I need," he said gravely, as he got up, and left the room. He left the three wordless, wondering where he was walking to with such fury. Marissa was about to head after him, but Seth grabbed her arm.

"He's kind of hot-headed right now, Marissa. Not a good idea," he said simply, as she slouched back down, hearing the front door close violently.

"What if he gets hurt? Your dad said not to leave the house," Marissa said, pressing her lips together worriedly.

"He won't. He's Ryan, Marissa. Besides, Tray said he was coming by tomorrow." Summer said. For some reason, she didn't think she comforted Marissa all that much.

"Yeah, Tray said that. But it's not rare for Ryan to go looking for trouble," Marissa replied, as she laid back against the bed helplessly. She didn't have a clue as to how to go about the situation. She didn't know what to, whether to run after him and knock some sense in him, or let him get some air so that he could cool off. She knew for one, that no matter where he was, she was worried, and nervous, and preoccupied, and unable to understand why trouble always came her way.