A/N: Forgot the disclaimer last chapter. Shame on me, but in case you were wondering or thinking of suing, I don't own anything to do with the O.C. except the DVD sets, and sadly that's probably all I'll ever have.

Also, thanks to all the wonderful reviews. They really help keep me writing, and of course provide a little self-indulgence 

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"He's been here for how long?"

"We brought him in almost two hours ago now, but Sandy, I called as soon as I put it together. First I didn't know this was the kid – your kid."

"How many eleven years olds names Ryan Atwood can there be? And he's been in there for almost two hours, no parents, no lawyer, just your bullying? I thought I had friends in this department Rob."

Rob spread his hands out at the side. "Yell all you want Sandy, I just didn't know. We didn't find out the kid's name for at least thirty minutes. Between dealing with him and his brother at the hospital, trynna get a statement out of them or T.J., we've been a little busy."

"That's bullshit, Rob, and you know it. There is no reason for an eleven year old to slip through the cracks like that! How do you think Ryan feels in there? No information on anything, poor kid doesn't know what's gonna happen to him or his brother, no wonder he isn't cooperating!"

Rob looked at the floor. "Listen, Sandy. I know how you feel. I got a twelve year old at home but…"

"But nothing. I want to see him. Now."

"Gerry's in with him right now. Just give him a few."

"You've had two hours to terrify and rile up this kid Rob. I want to see him now."

0o0o0o0o0o0o

"I told you before, I don't know anything."

"And how long did you say you've been staying there?"

"A couple days."

"A couple days?"

Ryan said nothing, just glared.

"Earlier you told us this was yours and your brother's first night there."

Shit. Ryan put his head in his palms.

"So how long have you really been there?"

"Where's my brother?"

"Listen, son. If you co-operate, we might be able to find out for you."

Bullshit. Such bullshit. "You don't know where he is?"

The officer shook his head, "No, we don't."

Ryan tilted his head, "Looks like I'm not the only one lying then."

They had to know. How could they lose someone, a person? His brother? All he wanted to know was if Trey was okay. If he was at the hospital or sitting in a room like him or anything. He wanted to know anything, but instead he knew nothing. He'd been in this room for what seemed like hours, with no word from anyone. He was tired, he was worried, and he wanted the fuck out of here. Away from these cops, away from the questions.

"Are you going to answer our questions?"

"I've answered them already!" Ryan snapped, closing his eyes and pressing his palms against them.

The click of a door opening and closing was all he heard, and Ryan knew he was alone in the office again. Alone to get lost in his thoughts and worries. He didn't know where Trey was, or anyone else. He didn't know what was going to happen to himself. Was he going to jail? Could an eleven year old go to jail? Juvie? Did he get a phonecall?

Not that it mattered. There was no one he could call. He'd thought of Sandy, but didn't know the number. The cops told him they'd been trying to get ahold of his mom, but with no luck. Every time he asked a question, they countered, and he was now so lost in his answers – his lies – he couldn't keep anything straight.

Ryan heard the sound of the door opening again. Back for more. They always were. He took a deep breath, "Where's my brother?"

"He's being held in the hospital in police custody. They're making sure the overdose hasn't permanently affected him."

Ryan snapped his head up. "Mr. Cohen?"

Sandy smiled, but it faltered, and suddenly Ryan felt sick to his stomach. He'd done that. Sandy was disappointed, and he was the cause of it. Salty saliva flooded his mouth and his stomach rolled; a five second warning.

He turned himself away from Sandy, leaning over his knees, and waited for it to come. He wasn't disappointed. The sound of it hitting the tile floor made Ryan squeeze his eyes closed, tears squeezing out the corners. His stomach churned and heaved again.

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Sandy entered the room quietly, his eyes focused on Ryan's small form. Head buried in his hands. The poor kid. He couldn't imagine what he'd been through the past two weeks. He'd scanned the reports, talked to the DA's office, talked to the police. Living with a drug dealer and car thief. According to reports, living in a small dirty house full of drugs and alcohol. And then there was Trey. Trey who he'd thought may take care of Ryan, but who was passed out inside the house. An overdose. How must Ryan feel to see his own brother overdose on drugs, and not be able to do anything about it? To get help or call someone for him.

"Where's my brother?"

Sandy's heart skipped a beat. All he'd been through and still worried about Trey. He answered the poor kid, telling him exactly what he knew, what Rob had told him. He tried smiling at him when his head shot up, but could feel it falter on his face. Could feel Ryan staring at him for a brief moment before turning away and emptying the contents of his stomach.

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Ryan could feel Sandy's hand rubbing his back, going in small gentle circles. The movement comforted him, pulled him away from what he'd done.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean –"

"Ryan. It's okay. Come on. I'll go get someone to clean it up, we'll move to a different room."

"I don't think I'm supposed to move."

"Hey. Kid. It's alright." Sandy fixed him with a look, setting his hand on the kid's shoulder and squeezing. "I've got this taken care of. Just come with me."

Ryan nodded, stood from his hunched form, and allowed Sandy to guide him from the room. Trey was okay. In the hospital, but okay. In police custody, but okay. He briefly wondered about his mom, but couldn't help wondering what would happen to him. Selling drugs and lying to the police. Would he go to jail?

0o0o0o0o0o

Kirsten nearly dropped the glass of wine when the shrill ringing of the phone echoed through the kitchen. Getting her breath back, she set down the wine and picked up the phone. "Hello?"

It was her dad. She sighed, cradling the phone against her ear with her shoulder and reaching for the glass with the other. "Hi dad."

"Kiki. When are you going to come back to work instead of slacking off at home with that unruly husband of yours?"

"I'm doing fine, dad. Thanks for asking."

"Don't be like that, Kiki."

"Don't tell me what to do, dad."

"Really, what is the matter with you? You've been moping around for weeks now? Has Sandy done something to you? I'm getting worried about you. You haven't been in the office for five days now."

"I'm working at home."

"It's just not like you."

"Dad. I'm fine. I'm just –"

"Well I expect you to be back tomorrow, we have a lot of work to do. This new development is going to fall behind if you aren't careful."

Kirsten let out a breath. She wanted to scream at him, tell him he was an ass, but the words wouldn't come. The wine promoted the anger, but the words still couldn't slip past. Just once, she wished, he would listen to what she had to say. Just once, she wished he would care about her instead of the business.

"Kiki?"

"Yeah dad?"

"Tomorrow morning. Don't be late."

Kirsten hung up the phone and finished her wine. For the first time in years, she began thinking about her and Sandy's plans to move up North and open a gallery. To live in the real world, struggling to pay the bills and raise Seth. Maybe now would be a good time to just leave? Forget her father, forget the Newport Group. Forget Ryan. Start new with her family, somewhere where she wasn't her father's daughter.

The phone beside her rang again. She couldn't leave. She picked it up, "Dad, I'll be in tomorrow. Sorry. I dropped the phone; it must have lost the connection."

"Kirsten?"

"Sandy? Sorry, I thought you were dad."

"I'm sure we're both happy I'm not."

Kirsten smiled. "What's going on Sandy?"

"I found him."

Kirsten paused. Him? "Ryan?" she asked.

"Yes. I found him. It's a long story, but I'm doing what I can to bring him home tonight."

"Bring him home? Where is he, Sandy? What's going on?"

"There's just been a bit of trouble with Trey and his mom, but I'm trying to figure it out."

"Trey's there too?"

"Well…Not exactly."

"Sandy?"

"He's in the hospital."

"Is he okay?"

"He'll be fine. The doctors just want to keep him to make sure…there's no permanent damage…He overdosed Kirsten. On cocaine."

Kirsten closed her eyes, gripped the stem of her wine glass. "But he'll be okay? Where was Ryan? Is he okay, Sandy?"

"He'll be fine. Ryan was with him. They were living with this guy in Chino. One of Trey's friends or something. The police arrested this friend last night, and got a warrant to search his place early this morning. They found Ryan and Trey there."

"Thank god."

"Ryan's in…a bit of trouble."

"What do you mean?"

"The police think he was…selling from the house. They've interviewed a couple people, and on the condition they aren't charged with possession they gave a statement. They said it was a kid answering the door, supplying them. Ryan was the only kid around."

"Sandy…There's…There's no way he would do that. Ryan wouldn't…he couldn't –"

"Kirsten. I'm going to try and sort this out, I promise, but I have to go. I'm talking to the police, and the district attorney trying to get the two of them released into parental custody."

"But Dawn's in jail."

"No. She's not. Someone posted her bail and she's out, but the police can't find her."

Kirsten bit her lip, clutched the phone. "Ryan can't go to her Sandy. He just can't. You have to bring him home Sandy. Bring them home."

"I'm trying, honey. I just thought I'd call and give a head's up."

"Thanks Sandy. I needed it."

"I know, honey. I'll see you at home later."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Kirsten lay the phone beside her on the counter and eyes the glass of wine in her hands. She stood, suddenly, and dumped it down the sink then emptied the bottle. There was work to be done, she had to get the boys' rooms ready.

The boys. They were coming home.

She couldn't help but smile as she began pulling sheets from the linen closet. She couldn't wait to tell Seth about Ryan. Couldn't wait to see his reaction, his happiness, once again.

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