Missing Scene Challenge Season 4
Title: The Pieces don't Fit
Rating: PG
Characters: Cohens + 1
Word Count: 1,107
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to the OC.
Summary: I had the first epi of S4, The Avengers. So what better missing scene than the one of Ryan actually coming home to Cohen house?

As always thanks to joey51 for the great beta job. Not to mention the fact that she was busy trying to pack for Cali. Thanks, hon. And also thanks to ctoan for organizing such a fun challenge. And happy belated birthday!




“Okay, the sheets are changed,” Kirsten says as she walks into the den.

“You didn’t need to do that. Those sheets were clean, Kirsten,” Sandy responds from his position on the couch. He’s flipping through the channels on the TV, not paying attention to any of the shows flying past his eyes.

“Those sheets have been on that bed for months, Sandy. He needs fresh sheets.”

Sandy sighs. He’s not going to fight with Kirsten over sheets. He knows that she’s just trying to keep herself busy until Ryan comes home. Ever since he told her that Ryan had decided to move back home she hasn’t been able to sit still. She sits beside him for a moment or two and then she’s back up claiming the need to check on something. She’s nervous. He understands that.

“Okay, honey. But don’t go to any other trouble for him. You know how Ryan is. He’s not going to want you doing things for him. He’s not a guest. He knows where everything is, including the sheets.”

Kirsten looks away. “Why isn’t he here yet? He said he was coming right?”

“Relax. He’ll be here.”

“Yeah, like he came to dinner the other night.”

Sandy stops pretending to look for something on TV and puts the remote control down. “Kirsten….”

She holds her hand up to stop him from saying anything else.

“I know. I’m sorry. It’s just…I can’t stand thinking of him living in that place. It’s dirty and lonely and he doesn’t deserve that. Hasn’t he been through enough?”

She sits down beside him and leans her head on his shoulder. He hears her whisper, “He belongs here with us so we can help him. I just want him home, Sandy.”

Before he can respond, the front door opens and closes. Kirsten immediately sits up. Sandy grabs her hand. “Just stay here. Let him come to us. He doesn’t need us smothering him.”

“Mom? Dad?” Seth calls out.

Kirsten lays her head back down on Sandy’s shoulder.

“In here, son,” Sandy calls out.

Seth walks in the room and glances around. “So, Ryan didn’t come back?” he asks, sounding disappointed.

“He’s coming. He just had to pack up his things and give notice at the bar,” Sandy explains.

“And how long should that take, Sandy? He barely took any of the clothes we bought him. How much stuff can he have?” Kirsten wants to know.

“Maybe he changed his mind,” Seth offers.

Sandy takes a deep breath. “You’re not helping. Why are you home anyway? Shouldn’t you be out with Summer?”

“She told me to come home. She thought I should be here in case Ryan came home,” he explains.

“That’s very thoughtful of her. How’s she doing, anyway? This can’t be easy for her either,” Kirsten says.

“She’s Summer, Mom. She’s off doing the college thing.”

“What does that mean?” Sandy tries to keep the ball rolling. Talking about Summer would hopefully keep all three of them from watching the minutes tick by. Ryan really should be home by now and Sandy’s starting to get worried himself, but he can’t let Kirsten and Seth know that. He has to be strong for his family even if Ryan has changed his mind about moving back home. Especially if Ryan has changed his mind.

“I don’t know, Dad. She’s taking classes. She’s into recycling and…and I don’t think she showers everyday,” Seth answers, his voice trailing off into a fake whisper.

Sandy laughs. “Maybe she’s finding herself. You know, finding out what she likes and what matters to her.”

“Summer likes shoes.”

“She can have other interests, Seth. And even if this is her way of dealing, you just have to be there for her,” Kirsten offers.

“I’m trying, Mom.”

Kirsten smiles. “I know you are, sweetie.”

The front door opens and closes again. This time Sandy can’t stop Kirsten from getting up off the couch.

When Ryan walks into the den, Kirsten says softly, “You’re home.”

Sandy studies Ryan closely and the first thing he recognizes is that Ryan is extremely closed off. He’s standing there with his arms down by his sides like he’s trying to look casual, but his whole body is tense.

As if to confirm Sandy’s suspicions when Kirsten hugs Ryan, Sandy notices that Ryan pauses before he returns the gesture. Earlier in the evening, Sandy thought he saw a little bit of the old Ryan returning. However, he’s not sure what happened since he left Ryan at the bar, but this Ryan isn’t the one Sandy talked with earlier. This Ryan has cold, distant eyes. This is the Ryan that moved out of their house to begin with. It’s always one step forward, two steps back with this kid.

Sandy knows that Ryan has a long way to go before he can accept what has happened, but he had hoped that the clouds would stay parted for a little longer than a few hours at a time.

“Give him some room, Mom,” Seth says.

Kirsten laughs. “Sorry. It’s just really good to have you home.”

Ryan nods.

“So man, what do you say to running a few games?” Seth asks, sounding hopeful.

“Maybe tomorrow. I’m kind of beat.”

“Oh, okay then.”

“Goodnight, guys,” Ryan says.

After Ryan leaves the room, Seth comments, “Well that was…short.”

“Seth, it’s going to take Ryan some time. Just because he’s home doesn’t mean everything is back to normal. For Ryan, it will never be the same again,” Sandy explains.

Seth sighs. “I know, Dad. I’m just going to go…call Summer. See you in the morning.”

**************************************************************************************

As Kirsten and Sandy are getting ready for bed, Kirsten says, “You’re quiet.”

“I’m just worried about Ryan.”

Kirsten slips into bed and pulls the covers up to her chest before responding, “Me too, honey, but he’s home now. We’ll get him through this.”

Sandy follows Kirsten’s lead and gets in bed. He lies down on his side and pulls his wife close to him. He needs her close to him tonight. He needs to borrow some strength from her so that he can face the boy with the dead eyes that he welcomed into his home and heart years before.

“I hope so. You didn’t see him tonight. It was like we had made some progress with him and now he’s back to retreating inside himself.”

“Go to sleep, Sandy. It will be fine. We’ll put this family back together, starting with a big family breakfast tomorrow.”

“Crispy bacon does make the day a little brighter.”

Kirsten laughs and kisses him quickly on the lips. “I love you,” she whispers.