Disclaimer: Characters and Newport belong to Josh Schwartz, not me.

Summary: AU. Set at the end of the season 3 finale, only in the car crash, Marissa survives but Ryan is sent into a deep coma. What will it take for Ryan to recover? Or will he ever wake up? RM, SS, SK

Author's note: My first fanfic, so please read and review! Reviews and constructive criticism are greatly appreciated. Also, not beta-ed, so any mistakes will be my own.

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Live as if you'll die tomorrow

Chapter 1: Numb

A crash from the living room sent Sandy running to Kirsten's side. The blond was sprawled on the floor, passed out. "Kirsten, honey?"

No reply. Sandy gathered her into his arms and rushed to the car, knowing that most likely he was overreacting, that she had probably just fainted- she had been working way too hard on New Match lately, that she was fine. That was what he told himself, pulling after 10 minutes into the hospital driveway.

"What happened?" The nurse asked. "I don't know, I was making dinner and then I heard her talking on the phone and suddenly there was a crash, and she was sprawled on the floor…" The nurse began waving a cotton ball dipped in ammonia under Kirsten's nose, and she stirred. "Sandy?" she murmured before having to lean over and throw up. Almost instantly Sandy's hand gathered her hair and he rubbed her back soothingly. The nurse, looking concerned, mentioned that it would be best to take a blood sample for testing in the lab, and did so.

Kirsten withdrew, panicked, babbling something about Ryan.

"What's wrong? Ryan should be back soon, he's just driving Marissa to the airport."

"Sandy, he was being taken to the hospital, the police called, Sandy, do something please!"

"Ryan Atwood?" the nurse's voice broke out.

"Yes, he's our son, what's wrong with him?" Sandy's cool, collected voice was losing its cool.

"Would you mind stepping out with me?"

They excused themselves, leaving Kirsten in the cubicle, promising to be back soon.

"Where are we going?"

"To see Ryan." was her short, curt reply. The EMT team will answer your questions.

Sandy found himself in a cubicle where Ryan was lying as still and pale as death, hooked up to all sorts of machines. "Oh my god." Losing all his reserve, he rushed to the bed, trying to restrain himself from shaking Ryan to wake up. It was only then that he realized Marissa was lying on an identical bed, only her posture was relaxed and she seemed to be sleeping, not still like his son was. His son. He should have been able to prevent things like this from happening. And what was he going to tell Kirsten, anyway. He didn't want to frighten her, but the sight of Ryan so helpless and still sent shivers running down his spine.

"Mr. Atwood?" a deep male voice sounded behind him.

"It's Mr. Cohen actually. Sanford Cohen. I'm Ryan's legal guardian."

"Detective Miller. Your son was involved in a car accident. Actually, I shouldn't call it that. There were skid marks indicating foul play. Someone tried to run him off the road, Mr. Cohen. This is Jeff Hope. He's the doctor assigned to Ryan's and Marissa's case."

Just then a distraught Julie came dashing in, eyes searching for Marissa. "What happened? Is Marissa alright?" she demanded as she crossed the room to her daughter's side.

"Jeff Hope. I'm your daughter's doctor. Someone tried to run Ryan's car off the cliff. Marissa will be fine- she's only resting."

"Mom?" Marissa's sleepy voice sounded. "Where am I? Where's Ryan?"

"However, the doctor continued, Ryan was badly injured. It was Ryan that saved you, Marissa. The EMT said that Ryan's body was shielding you, and he refused to let go even as he was unconscious. He has three broken ribs and a dislocated shoulder, but what we're most concerned about is internal injuries. We were afraid that he might have received some brain injuries, and we have already done a CAT scan. But nothing can be told until he wakes up. And there's no telling when that will be- it could be a day, a week, a month, or even a year. Hope is still here, Mr. Cohen, as he can breath on is own and his organs are working fine. We'll move him into a room until he wakes up. All you can do is wait."

The sounds of Marissa's soft sobs filled the room. "Ryan saved me again, Mom, he always does. What if he doesn't wake up? It will be my entire fault, I shouldn't have wanted to leave, shouldn't have asked him to drive me to the airport. It was Volchok, Mom, he was drunk. And now Ryan might not wake up." Sandy walked away, numb, as Julie tried to comfort Marissa. Sandy was going to have to figure out a way to break this to Kirsten gently.

He didn't have to. As he turned around, he saw a shocked, pale Kirsten standing behind him, staring at Ryan. She had heard the entire thing. He rushed to support her as her knees gave out, supporting her to a chair. She shook him away, walking over to Ryan's bedside. "Ryan, sweetheart, can you hear me?" she murmured gently stroking his face. With no reply, tears began running down her face as she turned to bury her face in Sandy's shirt. "How could this happen?" she wept.

Sandy wished he knew.

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If you liked it, please review! Will try to update soon, and I promise there will be Seth, Summer and Kaitlin in the next chapter.

Prim xox