To the reviewer that found the story boring and hideous - You didn't leave your name so I don't know if you write anything that I could use to show me what you think is good and you didn't actually offer any constructive criticism so I don't know what you think I can do to improve it. I'm sorry you feel that way about the story but all I can suggest is that you don't have to read it.

To everyone else - thanks for the support - it seems I need it more than I thought.

Issues

By the time he got back to Emily's room, Ryan felt sick. What was he going to do? As he entered the room Marissa looked up at him and the glow in her eyes touched his heart. He watched Marissa helping Emily with her lunch and it was amazing to see how much the little girl had opened up to her in such a short amount of time. Somehow he had to make sure that they had no problems with the court because not only would Emily be devastated but Marissa as well. But he knew he couldn't give in to Charlotte's blackmail. There had to be some other way to get himself out of the situation he was in. He knew there was no way that he would ever go through with what she had asked but the question was what he could do to stop her. Not only could she reveal everything about his past to Marissa but also to the paparazzi that were hanging around the hospital. That sort of publicity he didn't need.

He had thought of nothing else since he had left her office and an idea had started to form in his mind. But he would need help. He moved to the bed to speak with Marissa. "I just have to go and see Keith for a minute. I'll be back soon." He gave Marissa a kiss and walked out of the room and down the corridor to where Keith was standing beside the elevators keeping guard.

"Everything okay?" Keith asked as Ryan neared him.

"Actually no. I've got a problem and I'm hoping you can help." And Ryan proceeded to outline his plan to Keith hoping that he could count on him for his assistance and discretion.

---

After lunch, Keith escorted Ryan and Marissa to their car and they took off to meet with the realtor. The address that Sue had given them was about 30 minutes from the hospital and near where the community health centre was that they had visited a few weeks earlier. As they neared it, Ryan couldn't help but compare the area to the one that he had grown up in. It was the Chino of San Francisco. They pulled up outside a run down house not unlike his old home although at least it was tidy and the garden was neat. There was a woman sitting in a car in the driveway and she got out of her car as they did and approached them.

"Hi, I'm Gina Walker, I'm pleased to meet you." She said. She had been amazed when the social worker from the hospital had contacted her about this visit and told her who she would be meeting. This would make some story to tell her friends.

"Hi. Ryan Atwood" Ryan said and shook her hand.

"Marissa Cooper." Marissa said as she shook hands as well.

"Would you like to come on through? I gather you have to pick up some things? … How is the little girl?" Fiona asked.

"Improving." Marissa replied. She figured if Gina didn't even know Emily's name then she obviously wasn't very well acquainted with them so why go in to detail?

Fiona unlocked the door and let them in. Marissa moved inside the house and made her way down the hallway looking for a bedroom that looked like it would belong to Emily. Emily had given her very strict instructions about what Marissa was to get. Her favourite Little Princess pyjamas and her Rupert Bear were top of the list. Marissa quickly found a bag in the wardrobe and started to fill it with the things that Emily had asked for and some other basics.

Meanwhile, Ryan stood in the lounge room still with Gina. He had this amazing feeling of déjà vu. Once inside the house he realised that it didn't remind him of his home at all but rather inside, it reminded him of Theresa's. It was old and worn but it was neat and clean and tidy. Cheryl obviously did the best she could with what she had, which from the looks of things wasn't much.

Gina cleared her throat and started to speak. "I don't know just how you know the Thompson's but um … I'm afraid I have to ask you this … but there doesn't seem to be any other way. But you see … the rent on this place is only paid up until the end of the month. If they don't come up with next month's rent by then … well they'll be evicted." She shrugged.

Ryan looked at her and for a moment he felt like he was dreaming. He had heard realtors say the same thing to his mother on so many occasions. But this time, he could make sure they wouldn't be throwing a family out on to the streets. He reached for his wallet and took out a business card and handed it to her. "If you'd just like to get in touch and let me know how much needs to be paid and when, I guarantee that I'll cover the rent for as long as needed. At least until Mrs Thompson gets back on her feet again."

Gina was stunned. She hadn't for a minute imagined that he would do that. She was more looking for them to organise to get all the stuff out of the house so she could re-let it. But hey … she didn't care where the money came from as long as it was paid. "Sure. That won't be a problem."

Just then Marissa came back to join them. "I think I've got it all." She said and looked around the room in case there was anything else that caught her eye. "But what about the plants and things? And maybe we should empty out the fridge? I'm sure Cheryl won't want to return to mouldy food." Marissa added.

Ryan looked at Gina again. "Could you organise for someone to come in regularly and keep the house up as well. Get them to clean out the fridge and water the plants, keep the lawn mowed … that sort of thing. Just let me know how much it costs and I'll cover that as well." He said.

"As well?" Marissa asked.

Before Ryan could say anything Gina piped up smugly. "Ryan's going to pay the rent so they don't get evicted."

"Is he now?" Marissa said smiling but with her attention fully on Ryan.

He started to blush. He didn't like being the centre of attention. At least not like this. "Come on. If you've got everything, then we should be getting back to Emily." He said changing the subject.

"Okay. Come on." Marissa said and handed him the bag. She smiled as she watched his reaction. He was adorably embarrassed. She was sure that he would never have told her about the rent issue if the realtor hadn't mentioned it. He really was quite a guy.

---

By the time they returned to the hospital it was nearing dinner time and Marissa was keen to get back to Emily. Keith met them at the door and escorted them back to her floor. He was really earning his keep as it seemed that the number of reporters and photographers seemed to have grown every time they moved through the entrance of the hospital. When they got back to Emily's room, Marissa went to walk directly inside.

Ryan grabbed her by the arm. "I might just go and get a coffee and something to eat from the hospital cafeteria. Would you like something?" he asked her.

"Sure that would be great. A coffee and a muffin or what ever they have left I guess by this stage of the day." Marissa replied.

"Okay. I'll be back soon." Ryan said and then turned to Keith. The two moved a little way back down the hall, making sure they were out of earshot of Marissa. "How did you go?" Ryan asked.

"Okay I think." He said and moved down the hallway. "Just follow me and I'll show you what I've got set up."

---

After Emily had finished her dinner, she asked Ryan and Marissa to stay and play a board game with her. She had found an old board game the toy cupboard and explained that she'd teach them how to play. Marissa was happy to oblige but what she was even happier about was the fact that Emily had actually included Ryan in the invitation. Marissa wasn't sure if Emily asked him just because she knew it was the only way that Marissa would stay but she wasn't complaining. Any amount of acceptance from Emily for Ryan would only make things easier in the long run.

Marissa couldn't help but be amazed. Ryan was wonderful with Emily. He knew that Emily was very uncomfortable around him so he didn't push her at all. He actually sat back and waited for Emily to make the first move in all their interactions. And it seemed as if it was starting to pay off. Once she had set up the game she asked him to come and sit on the end of her bed because he wouldn't be able to reach very well from the chair. It may have seemed a small thing to some but she and Ryan both knew it was a major step.

---

After settling Emily down for another night at the hospital, Ryan and Marissa made their way back to the hotel. Along the way, Ryan suggested they stop off for dinner at a restaurant.

"Wouldn't you rather just have room service?" Marissa asked. Her eyebrow raised in a silent question indicating it wasn't just food that she was in need of. She had gotten used to having him kiss and touch her whenever they were near and they had both been restrained while they had been at the hospital. Not wanting to put pressure on Emily and they also didn't want to give any prying eyes, fodder for the tabloids. She now wanted to make up for the day they'd spent together but apart.

Ryan knew he was just looking for a reason to postpone being alone with her. That sounded ridiculous because in truth all he wanted in this world was to BE alone with her. But after the confrontation with Charlotte he knew he had to talk to Marissa and tell her about what had happened. And that meant telling her about that final semester at college; better for her to hear it from him than from Charlotte. But he had no idea how she would take it. "Sure." He shrugged his shoulders.

"Well don't be so enthusiastic?" Marissa commented. "If you really would rather eat out then fine." She was amazed by his reaction. She had thought that he would be as eager as her, to be alone together.

"Sorry. I'm probably just tired." He said; his excuse sounding pathetic even to his own ears.

"So … it's my fault is it for waking you up so early this morning?" Marissa asked shortly. "I'll have to remember not to do that ever again."

Now it was Ryan's turn to be taken aback by her tone. "I didn't say that. You know that you can wake me up whenever you feel like it. Have I ever complained?" he asked.

"No. I just … I'm sorry. Maybe I'm tired too." Marissa replied. She knew she was on edge. She was worried about what the outcome of their temporary custody application would be. She knew that Emily would be devastated if she wasn't able to come home with them. It had been hard enough just trying to settle her for another night when she had hoped to be getting out of the hospital with them today. If she couldn't go home with them tomorrow then ...

They both remained quiet, lost in their own worlds … troubled by their own thoughts until Ryan pulled into the hotel and they made their way up to their room. Once inside he picked up the room service menu and passed it to Marissa. "What would you like to order?" he asked.

"I'm not really hungry." She replied.

"You have to eat something Marissa." He insisted.

"I don't feel like it." She replied starting to get angry.

"You'll end up getting sick and then how will you look after Emily?" Ryan asked hoping he could get through to her.

"Fine. I'll have a bowl of soup." She replied making sure he understood it was only to get him off her back. "But the way things are looking we won't be getting Emily anyway."

"Is that why you're behaving like this?" Ryan asked, realising that she was just as stressed as he was but it was just for a different reason.

"Like what?" she replied tersely.

He sighed. He didn't want to fight with her. Especially not now before he had even started to break his news to her. "Not like you." He said and moved over to her … taking her in his arms. "You're worried about tomorrow's outcome." Ryan stated.

Marissa looked up at him and nodded. "Why wouldn't I be? The way those people from Child Services were talking today, I don't think that we've got any chance. And Emily will be devastated. Did you manage to talk to Sandy?"

"Yeah. But he's pretty much done all he can. He didn't have that many contacts up here in the first place. He always worked in the LA area. And apparently the couple of people he did know have recently retired so they're no help."

Marissa shook her head. She was starting to think it was all hopeless. "I just wish there was something else we could do … I would do anything, if I thought it would help." She said and turned to him with tears in her eyes.

Ryan looked at her and his heart broke. He kept replaying her last words over and over in his mind. I WOULD DO ANYTHING, IF I THOUGHT IT WOULD HELP.

How could he tell her that he COULD help but had decided not to? He needed to tell her now. It was never going to get any easier.