Title: Dying Light

Author: Dana

Rating: G

Warnings: None

Summary: Ryan Oliver knew there was something wrong with his son. He could see he was dying in front of him and there was nothing he could do.

Author's note: This takes place at the same time as Lost Ranger. The last time Ryan saw his son alive.

Disclaimer: I only claim Ryan, Charlotte, and Corey Oliver.

Ryan watched his son Tommy Oliver eat cereal. He ate it slowly and his hands shook a little. "Are you okay?" he asked. It had only been a couple of weeks since Tommy had been released from the hospital.

"Fine," Tommy said looking up. That's when he got a really good look at his son's face. There were dark circles under his eyes.

Ryan reached a hand out and felt Tommy's forehead with the back of his hand. No fever.

"Dad," Tommy protested. "I'm fine."

"You don't look good Tommy. I think you should stay home."

"I've already missed so much school that I don't think I'll ever pass. I swear I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" He asked not believing his son. His son hadn't looked right in a long time. He just didn't know what was wrong.

"Dad I swear I'm fine. It's Friday anyway. I can rest all weekend." He looked at the watch on his wrist before standing up quickly. "I gotta go!" he said grabbing his backpack and running out of the house.

Ryan watched him go. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong with his son. He knew his son hated admitting if he wasn't feeling well. Two years ago Tommy seemed to be run down too but there was something a lot different than this. He was growing paler every day but kept saying he wasn't spending enough time in the sun. Ryan had been a detective for ten years and it didn't take too much for him to see through his son's lies.

Charlotte came down the stairs with Corey right behind her. There was no kindergarten that day and Ryan was taking the day off of work to watch Corey. He had enough built up days off that a three-day weekend was not hard to swing.

"Charlotte can I talk to you before you leave," Ryan asked as he poured Corey a bowl of Cheerios and set it down in front of him.

"Sure," she said as she poured herself a cup of coffee. They went into the living room away from where Corey sat.

"Tommy's getting worse," Ryan said in a low voice. "I think we need to make him a doctor's appointment for Monday. His hands were starting to shake at breakfast. I think he's lost weight too."

"I know Ryan but Tommy won't admit he's sick," Charlotte said with a sigh. "I'll call his doctor and see when the soonest he can get an appointment. Hopefully it'll be sooner than Monday because I'm worried too. I've got to go or I'm going to be late for my meeting." She went into the kitchen and said goodbye to Corey before leaving.

Ryan watched her go. He'd remember this conversation five days later when he found Tommy's body and how he kicked himself for not doing anything sooner.

DDD

Notes: Ryan actually has a big part in Lost City so be on the lookout as things really start getting weird in chapter 20.