Chapter 1: Trey

"How is he?" Ryan stood up and faced the surgeon

"He's not good at all, we'll be lucky if he makes it through the night."

Seth rested his head in hi hands and Marissa bit her quivering lower lip

"The bullet peirced his left lung and grazed the lining of his heart. He's on a breathing

machine and we can only hope he makes it through the rest of the night." The surgeon

continued

Marissa got up and ran out of the hospital and Ryan sat down looking pale

"I hate him... I hate him!"

"Trey will be okay... I hope." Seth said trying to sound calm.

"After all that's happened: stealing, the lying, the drugs, forcing himself on Marissa,

and he still chooses to blame me. Maybe he deserves this, maybe this is his payback

from God."

"Im gonna go check on Marissa. Come out when you're ready." Seth got up

"Nah, I need to get outta here."

Seth and Ryan walked out of the hospital together. Marissa sat on the edge of the fountain

crying hysterically.

"Where is Summer?" Seth asked looking around

"Her dad picked her up about an hour ago, remember?" Marissa said looking up. Her

red, puffy eyes glistening in the hospital lights.

"Marissa, it's okay." Ryan said calmly putting his arm over her

"How can you be so calm about this?" Marissa asked looking up

"I'm worried too, but why are you so hysterical?"

"I - walked in - his hands around your throat - choking - thought you were dying -

the only thing I could do!"

"You saved me..." Ryan's eyes began tearing up

"I think I killed your brother, Ryan!" She cried louder and pulled Ryan to her, grabbing his shirt.

"I'm sorry... Im so sorry!"

Ryan picked her up like a baby and carried her to Seth's black Range Rover. Seth sat in the driver's

seat and Ryan sat in the back seat with Marissa in his arms. She rested her head on his shoulders

and drove home. They got back to the Cohen's and Ryan carried the sleeping Marissa into his pool-

house and covered her.

"What are you gonna do now?" Seth asked Ryan

"I need to stay with her. What are you gonna do?"

"Probably go up to my room, feed Captain Oats his long overdue plastic carrots, call Summer, and

probably fall asleep to her pretty little voice... goodnight."

"'Night."

Ryan slipped off his shoes and sat on the edge of the bed, letting out a long sigh. He laid back

and felt Marissa's hand on his forehead. He kissed her hand softly and scooted back. Ryan kissed her

softly and put his arm around her. Several minutes passed and he could feel Marissa's steady heartbeat.

"I love you." He whispered into her ear. She stirred and looked into his eyes.

"I love you too." She kissed him tenderly and closed her eyes, drifting to sleep, securely in his arms.

Seth sat up at his desk, galloping Captain Oats and talking to Summer on the phone. He explained the extent of Trey's injury and, as he told Ryan, quickly drifted off to sleep to the sound of Summer's voice.

chapter 2: coming soon...