Chapter 11: Lost in a Dream

Kirsten was coming in the front door with shopping when the phone rang. She hurriedly put down all the bags and answered the phone, rather flustered.

"Hello."

"Could I speak to Mr or Mrs Cohen."

"This is Kirsten Cohen. Who's speaking?"

"It's Dr Kim from the Harbor school."

"Oh, how can I help you?"

"I've got Ryan here."

She sat down.

"I was wondering if you could come over. I would like to have a chat."

"Oh, uh sure."

"Thanks."

Before Kirsten got a chance to ask what was going on the dialling tone appeared. She put the phone down feeling slightly confused. She didn't want to think about what Ryan had done. She grabbed her bag and keys and headed back out to the car.

"I'm here to see Dr Kim," Kirsten said to the receptionist at the school.

"Kirsten Cohen?"

"Ye."

"You can go straight in."

"Thanks."

She knocked on the big wooden door. She heard a voice from inside.

"Come in." The door creaked as she pushed it open.

"Kirsten, thanks for coming." Dr Kim shook her hand.

"Not a problem." Dr Kim motioned for her to sit on a chair at a large desk beside Ryan and she sat oposite them both. He looked at Kirsten then looked down again. She couldn't read his expression. It just seemed blank.

"What's going on?"

"Ryan was caught trying to leave school." Kirsten looked at Ryan who still didn't look up. "It appears that Mr Atwood also believes it to be acceptable to raise his voice to teachers then leave their class."

"Ryan? Is this true?" Ryan had been doing so well at school. She knew he had some anger issues in the past but she thought he had moved on. Ryan looked at her but didn't say anything.

"I have spoken to his teacher, Miss Fraser. She says that he shouted at her when he wasn't concentrating and she told him that what he was thinking about wasn't important."

"She doesn't know."

They both looked over at Ryan.

"Know what?" Dr Kim asked him.

It was becoming clear to Kirsten what had happened. She had forgotten that the school wouldn't have been notified about what happened to Marissa.

"Dr Kim I think I can explain what has happened here."

She looked at her.

"Have you been informed about an incident involving Marissa Copper over the weekend?"

"I haven't heard anything."

"On Saturday night she was taken to hospital by ambulance after some guys attacked her and stole her bag."

"I see." She wasn't sure how to react. It wasn't everyday that one of the pupils ended up in hospital after being mugged.

"And I know that it was wrong of Ryan to raise his voice to his teacher but he has been through so much in the past couple of days."

"I'm very sorry about what has happened to Marissa and I appreciate it must be very difficult for you after all that you two have been through together," she said to Ryan. "I will explain the situation to Miss Fraser but I want you to apologise afterwards and I will be seeing you in detention for the next few weeks."

Ryan nodded and stood up as did Dr Kim and Kirsten. Kirsten shook her hand.

"Thank you and I'm sorry about this."

"I don't want to be seeing you back here anytime soon." She said to Ryan. "You can head back to your next class but I would like to see you after school so that you can apologise."

Ryan nodded and walked out.

"Thanks for coming along."

"It's no problem."

"How is Marissa?"

"She's doing better but she was beaten up pretty badly."

"Well I hope she makes a full recovery and that we'll be seeing her back here as soon as possible. I'll notify her teachers."

"Thank-you for being so understanding."

"Just make sure that Ryan realises that these are extraordinary circumstances and if he ever pulls a stunt like this again I may not be so understanding."

Kirsten met Ryan outside.

"I'm sorry."

"Like Dr Kim said what you did was wrong, but I know your reasons."

Ryan looked down at his feet. Kirsten touched his shoulder and he looked at her.

"Remember we are here for you."

"I just feel so useless."

"What do you mean?"

"Marissa is lying in hospital and right now a machine and tubes can help her more than I can."

"That's not true. The tubes can't tell her that they love her, the machine can't hold her close when she needs it."

"I've just lost so many people in my life in the past."

"So much has changed in your life. You're not going to lose Marissa. I promise."

She squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. He smiled at her. He didn't know what he would do without her. He didn't want to think about what his life would be like if the Cohen's hadn't taken him in.

"Come here." Kirsten hugged him tightly. She couldn't imagine her life without him.

He tapped gently on the all too familiar door.

"Come in," a voice answered quietly.

"Hey."

"Hey," Marissa smiled at him.

"I brought you something." Ryan produced a huge bouquet of flowers from behind his back. He watched as her face lit up. He handed them to her and leant in and gently kissed her on the lips.

"I missed you," Marissa whispered.

He kissed her again.

"I have to say these are an improvement on the last ones."

"That wouldn't be difficult," he replied remembering the pathetic vase of flowers he bought her when she was in hospital after Tijuana.

"It's the thought that counts."

"Here, let me put them in some water." She handed them to him and he went in to the bathroom to fill up the vase that he bought to put them in. He placed them on the bedside table.

"Perfect." Marissa smiled as he sat on the bed beside her. He saw her wince as she moved a bit to let him on.

"You alright?"

"Ye it just kinda hurts to move in certain ways."

"Maybe I should just sit on the chair."

"No, no. It's fine now."

She snuggled up to him. He kissed the top of her head and ran his fingers through her hair. He could sit like that forever.

"Have I told you how sexy you look in that hospital gown." She sat up and hit him playfully. "What!" She lay her head on his shoulder. "Do you have anything on underneath?" She sat up again.

"Ryan!" He grinned at her. She couldn't help herself. She leant towards him and kissed him passionately. He forgot how whenever he kissed her nothing else seemed to matter. They eventually separated.

"I'll take that as a no then."

"You really know how to spoil a moment."

"Well I have spoilt a few in the past. A particular one springs to mind."

"Let's see if you have improved at all. I love you."

"I love you."

She smiled. She was glad that he had moved past the "thank you" stage.

"I love you, I love you, I love y…."

Marissa put her finger on his lips.

"I love you," he tried to say but it just turned into indistinguishable noises. She laughed at him but then he gently bit her finger.

"Ow," she pulled her finger away. "What was that for?"

"Oh, haven't you heard? It's a new sign of affection," Ryan replied sarcastically.

"I think I'll stick to the old ones."

He knew what was coming and smiled as her lips met his. She lay her head on his should again. He moved hair off her face careful not to touch any stitches or bruises. He had been punched before and knew how much that hurt. He couldn't imagine how much more it must hurt with a gun barrel.

"So what do you want to do?"

"Well I definitely don't want to play chess. Actually there is one thing I want to do."

"What's that?"

"I really want to go outside. I can't stand being stuck in here looking out the window at the blue sky and sunshine."

"The hospital has a really nice secluded garden. How about I go and check if I'm allowed to take you out."

"Ok." He kissed the top of her head and leapt off the bed.

A couple of minutes later Ryan returned pushing a wheelchair.

"The nurse said I can take you out for half an hour. She just wants to check a few things first."

The nurse walked in.

"How you feeling?"

"Pretty good. Apart from aching all over that is."

"We'll have you out here in no time." She noted some things on the clipboard again. "Right you're fine to go. Just let me unclip this." She took off the clip on Marissa's finger which connected her to the machine. "I'll leave you to it." She smiled at Ryan and left the room.

Ryan moved the covers off Marissa's bed so that she could stand up.

"Oh, I have a plan."

"What?" Ryan slid his arms under Marissa.

"Just tell me if this hurts."

"Ok, no. I think I can manage to walk three steps to the wheelchair."

"Ye, but that's not as fun." Before she could protest he gently lifted her up from the bed.

"Does it hurt?"

"No I'm fine."

"Good." He spun around in a big circle and watched as she smiled with delight. He walked over to the wheelchair and placed her in it.

"Well that was pointless."

"It was a little bit fun though you've got to admit."

"Hmm, I suppose so."

"Is that it?"

"Come on get a move on. We won't make it to the corridor at this rate never mind outside."

He pushed her out into the corridor.

"If that's how you feel." He checked the corridor was clear then started pushing her faster and faster. She laughed out of joy. Ryan couldn't help but laugh with her.

Kirsten heard the front door open and Seth and Summer walked in.

"Hey guys."

"Hey," they both replied.

"Where's Ryan.?"

"He went to see Dr Kim then he's going to visit Marissa. He said he'll call later when he needs picked up."

"So you know about the whole incident then?" Kirsten asked them.

"Ye. I was in French with him. It was certainly an interesting start to the day." Seth replied.

"Do you guys want anything to drink or eat? I bought that strawberry flavoured milk that you like so much."

"Awww. You drink strawberry milk? That's so cute."

"Psh, no. She must be getting me mixed up with Ryan. You'd never think it by looking at him but secretly he can't live without his strawberry milk. I on the other hand like to stick with the whisky – very manly drink." Kirsten smirked at him.

"Sure, whatever you say," Summer said patting his back.

"How about we go and play a very manly playstation game."

"Lead the way," Summer said unenthusiastically.

"You can bring me that pint of whisky when you're ready," he shouted back to Kirsten.

"Uh-huh, keep dreaming."

Marissa sighed deeply as she felt the fresh air hit her face. Ryan pushed her down a path that wound between trees and shrubs. They reached a secluded spot with a bench and a perfect view over the ocean. Ryan stopped the wheelchair beside the bench and sat down. Marissa got up and sat beside him. She linked her arm through his and clasped his fingers in hers. She rested her head on his shoulder and moved close to him like she did up in the room. It was late afternoon and the sun was beginning to set. The water glistened and the air was completely still.

"This is perfect." Marissa broke the silence. "Or at least it would be if it wasn't the garden of a hospital." After this neither of them said a word for the next twenty minutes. They just held each other close and watched the sun start to disappear into the water. It almost felt like a dream.

Ryan was in awe over all the shades of pink and orange covering the sky. But he was brought back to reality when he felt Marissa shiver beside him.

"You alright?"

"Ye, I'm just kind of cold." Right on cue she shivered again. She sat up and Ryan looked at her. She looked tired and pale. She let out a cough and Ryan immediately comforted her.

"I think we should go back inside." He helped Marissa back into the wheelchair.

She was still shivering when they reached the room. Ryan helped her to get under the covers.

"I think I've gotten too used to the warmth of this room."

"I'll go and let the nurse know that we're back in."

Marissa leant her head back on the pillow and couldn't help but close her eyes.

When Ryan arrived back with the nurse Marissa was asleep.

"She's gotten too used to being in bed all day," the nurse smiled at her.

Ryan sat on the chair beside her as her eyelids fluttered open. The nurse went over and closed the curtains.

"How are you feeling?"

"My head is killing me."

"Take some of these." The nurse handed Marissa a couple of painkillers and a glass of water.

"Thanks."

"I'll leave you two alone."

Ryan took hold of Marissa's hand and rubbed it between his to heat it up.

"You should just head home. I'm probably just going to end up falling asleep."

"I could sit with you all night."

"I don't think Sandy and Kirsten would be too pleased with that."

"I'll come by after school again tomorrow."

"You better." She smiled at him. He leant forward and kissed her. She didn't want to let go of him.

"I'll see you tomorrow." He stood up and kissed the top of her head. Before he had even left the room her eyes had closed and she was lost to the perfect world of dreams.