I can't believe how long it has been since I have updated this story!! The start of the new season influenced me to update. I keep coming up with ideas for later parts in the story but obviuosly I have to write other things before then!! Hope you enjoy this delayed chapter and please review!!

Chapter 7: The Key to her Heart

Kirsten rolled over in bed to snuggle into Sandy. She opened her eyes when she felt the gap on the other side of the bed. She noticed a faint light shining under the bottom of the door. She wrapped her dressing gown around her body and followed the soft glowing light.

Sandy stood in the kitchen, a mug of coffee in his hands. Kirsten walked over to him and placed her hand gently on his shoulder. Sandy rested his mug on the counter not even flinching. Kirsten had been waiting for him to let his wall down. He always was the strong one that held everything together, but few walls stand forever.

"Couldn't sleep?" she asked him.

"I hate lying in bed not being able to sleep," he stated almost emotionlessly. "You want some coffee?"

"Yeah that'd be nice, thanks."

Kirsten stood back as Sandy made her coffee like a robot. This man was the complete opposite to the energetic, passionate, emotional man she knew. And it scared her.

"You wanna talk?" she asked him as he handed her the mug.

"Are you asking me if I want to talk or do you really want to talk to me?" he asked gently, sensing that she really needed him.

"I was hoping both," she stated.

"You start then."

"No," she replied. "You don't always have to be the one to bear the burden."

"Ok," Sandy sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "More than anything I'm angry."

"Angry?" Kirsten asked urging him to go on.

"They were both teenagers, both had so much to look forward to then this happens. It's just not right. It's not fair."

"Well I'm just scared and I just feel I don't know….just not right. I still keep thinking what if it was Ryan that was killed. I just don't think I could cope if he was dead and it's been haunting me. I'm not saying I didn't love Marissa because I did, but Ryan's my son and I just can't get it out my head how close we came to losing him forever."

"What's important is that we haven't lost him," Sandy said wrapping a protective arm around Kirsten.

"Haven't we?" she asked with a sigh looking out at the pool house silhouetted in the rising sun.

Sandy, Kirsten and Seth all looked through the glass in the main house out to the pool house with it's drawn down blinds.

"You know when you said we should give him some time, exactly how much time were you thinking?" Seth asked, his nose and forehead pressed against the glass.

"Seth it's only been a few hours since it happened I think maybe we can cut him a bit more slack," Sandy replied.

"I just want to know that he's ok," Seth sighed.

"Me too son, me too," Sandy said resting his hand on Seth's shoulder.

"Well how about you take him out a coffee and a bagel," Kirsten suggested weakly.

"I really think that this situation is above the bagel and coffee scenario mom."

"Well have you got any better suggestions?"

Seth frowned before pointing his finger at Kirsten.

"No."

"I'll go make it up," Kirsten said leaving Sandy and Seth.

"How are you? I mean really?" Sandy suddenly asked Seth.

"Umm how am I? Uhh, well I've had better….you know what scratch that, really not good if you want the truth."

"That's all I want. I can't be here for you if I don't what I'm being there for."

"To be honest I don't really know what you should be here for either. I guess that's the problem. I just feel confused."

"Just give it a bit of time."

"Here you go," Kirsten handed Seth the bagel and coffee.

"Thanks."

"It's going to be ok kid," Sandy patted Seth's shoulder. "It's going to be ok."

Seth nodded slightly and made his way out to the pool house.

He knocked on the door, waiting a few seconds for a reply before calling out Ryan's name.

"Ryan? Can I come in?" silence. "I have a bagel and coffee courtesy of the Cohen's." silence. "Ryan? I'm coming in man, I hope you're not naked!"

Seth opened the door, casting light into the dark room. He noticed the empty bed and the broken lamp lying on the floor. "Ryan?" he asked cautiously suddenly getting the sense that something was really wrong. He frowned when he noticed a note on the pillow.

"Oh no," Seth sighed and put the coffee and bagel down. He reached down and lifted the note off the bed. The first thoughts that sprung to Seth's mind were that he had run away. Away from Newport, from his past. Away from the memories of that tragic night that would be with him forever. Seth just wished he could have made Ryan see that running away wasn't the answer. The memories weren't just going to disappear. He was going to have to learn to live with them or he would end up forgetting how to live. Seth unfolded the note and scanned down Ryan's scrawled writing. He felt a wave of relief when he read it.

I've gone out to clear my head. I need some time alone. Please don't come looking for me. I'll be back later.

He folded the note up again and picked up the coffee and the bagel. As soon as Seth stepped back in to the house Sandy and Kirsten were right by him.

"Is he alright? Did he not want the bagel? Do you think he wants some toast instead?" Kirsten immediately quizzed him.

"He doesn't want anything because he wasn't there."

"He wasn't there?" Sandy asked, sounding confused. Seth shook his head and handed Sandy the note.

"Oh and you might want to buy a new lamp for the pool house," Seth added.

"The lamp was broken?!" Kirsten asked as Sandy unfolded the note. "Oh god has he run away?" Kirsten asked thinking exactly the same as Seth. She looked over Sandy's shoulder as they both read the note.

"I found it on his pillow," Seth said as Sandy finished reading.

"Well he hasn't run away, that's good," Kirsten commented. Sandy handed her the note.

"I need the car keys."

"He said he wants to be left alone Sandy!"

"He's not thinking straight. I can't leave him out there alone, not after everything that's just happened," Sandy replied making his way to the front door.

"What if you end up doing more harm than good?" Kirsten asked, following him.

"How much more harm can I do?"

Sandy looked at Kirsten waiting for her to try and stop him, but she didn't. Maybe he was right. Maybe things couldn't be any worse.

"Be careful," she warned him, before he walked out the door.

"Well this should go well," Seth said sarcastically standing beside his mom.

"I just hope he's ok," she said sadly.

"Yeah me too." He didn't think that Ryan would ever be ok again though. "Hey can you drive me to Summer's."

"Of course. How is she?"

"I don't know. I'll soon find out," he said sounding scared.

"I think I'll come with you. I haven't had a chance to speak to Julie not that I think she'll want to talk but at least she'll no I'm there for her just like Summer knows you're there for her."

"I'm just need to grab my shoes," Seth said, heading up the stairs.

"Okay." Kirsten walked back through to the kitchen. She picked up the mug of coffee and poured the dark coloured contents down the sink. She watched as the liquid slowly swirled and disappeared down the sink right in front of her eyes…..just as Ryan had watched Marissa's life slowly disappear. Kirsten jumped when she heard Seth's voice.

"Mom?"

"Oh hey. Sorry didn't hear you coming."

"You okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. Of course I am," she said forcing a smile. "Let's go," she forced out cheerfully. Seth started to follow his mom out the kitchen when he noticed the bagel. He picked it up and threw it in the bin. He glanced back out at the empty pool house. Was this how it was going to be from now on? Closed doors? Closed emotions? Closed hearts? He just hoped that he still had the key to Summer's heart.

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