The Drama-less College Years….. Right?

By: jvogel54321

Disclaimer: Never owned it before, don't own it now, won't in the future… unless that fairy godmother gets off her lazy butt.

A/N: This fic picks up two days before the gang starts college, effectively my take on a fourth season. Some casting notes – Caitlin Cooper becomes a series regular. Summer Roberts is a recurring character, at least for the first few episodes. And some former characters will enter the scene down the line. But on with the show, here is a recap and short prologue.

Previously on The O.C.

To set the stage in this universe, you need to know how season three ended. Julie and Kirsten's business was finally getting off of the ground, allowing her to put a down payment on a two-bedroom house in the oft-mentioned numbered streets. Caitlin and Marissa worked through their issues and ended up as closer sisters than they ever were before. Despite interest on both people's parts, Julie and Dr. Roberts still haven't gotten off the ground. Sandy and Kirsten are still pretty perfect in their Sandy/Kirsten-ness, as it should be. The O.C. power couples were going through some tough times. Summer was accepted to Brown and Seth was not. On top of that impending threat of separation, Seth's recreational pot smoking became a major thorn in Sum's side. Marissa and Ryan were just getting past the Johnny/Caitlin fiasco when everybody's least favorite recurring character Theresa showed up, fresh from Atlanta with a 16-month-old baby girl in her arms. The season ended with Ryan and Marissa sitting by the pool promising they wouldn't abandon each other and that they could and would work it out.

Episode One: The Future Now (Chapter One)

It's early in the morning, but it isn't Orange County that Ryan Atwood is driving through. He is in L.A., driving the Cohen's range rover past several apartment buildings, of course its slow going. The streets and sidewalks are littered with students starting a new year at the University of Southern California. He comes to a sudden stop watching a girl, probably a new freshman, hugging her parents goodbye in the middle of the street and Ryan Atwood smiles. His smile only grows as he starts up again. It's been a long summer, but now he's back and he is going to see Seth again. And later he'd see Marissa. All is right with the world.

As he pulls over in front of the address Kirsten gave him when he got home last night, Ryan sees one familiar face in the crowd, walking along with a bag of bagels.

"Caitlin Cooper!"

Caitlin whirls around to see Ryan, the color drains out of her face a little as he comes up and gives her a hug. "Wow, Ryan. Um… Long time, no see." Caitlin looks even more flushed and goes into a bit of panic mode. "How was Atlanta? Are Theresa and the baby okay? When did you get back? Does Marissa know your back?"

Ryan pulls out of the hug and looks at her for a second, studying her face. "Atlanta was good. Theresa and Mary are both fine. But I'm back until Thanksgiving, you know, design and architecture classes at UCLA. I'm going to get my degree before I become a full-time dad, just like Marissa and I talked about before I left. I actually haven't seen her yet. I just got in last night and wanted to see Seth, so Kirsten sent me up here with bagels. Are you all right? You seem look a little sick."

"No, I'm fine. Perfect even."

"Wait, are you and Seth-"

"Oh God Ryan, I'm a high school freshman and if I might add... Ew. I'm just visiting, but at least we both had the bagel idea."

"Sorry."

Ryan begins walking up the steps to the building. The door is propped open by moving boxes so they walk into the crowded hallway and make their way to room 401. Through all of it Ryan wears his smile. He is seeing Seth again! No matter what blood says, his brother. He barely can contain himself as he knocks on the door.

The door opens and there is Seth in typical early morning Cohen ensemble: sweats, a ratty old t-shirt and an out of control head of hair. "Caitlin, you're—Ryan. Does your mother know about these changes?"

Ryan and Seth quickly give each other a hug and Ryan remembers that first tentative hug when he thought he would never see Seth again. After the hug breaks up Seth stands in the doorway, saying nothing. It is Caitlin that breaks the silence, "Well, can we come in?"

"Yeah, right, sure, no need to yell," Seth mutters as he leads them into the living room of the apartment. Most of the room is filled with boxes still needed to be unpacked. Of course the Playstation 2 and television are already set up. "I was just putting on some coffee, you want?"

"Sure, man." As Seth moves quickly toward the kitchen, a voice heads up the hallway from the bathroom.

"God Cait, what took you so long, I'm starved."

And there they all are: Caitlin, Ryan, Seth and Marissa Cooper: wearing nothing but a London Calling t-shirt and a wet head of hair. The pause starts and doesn't end soon. Seth wheels around on his heels wearing a typical Seth Cohen pensive expression on his face. Marissa goes white. Caitlin, still standing behind Ryan winces and rubs her eyes. The silence continues to drag. Ryan looks across the room at Seth then at Marissa a couple feet to his left, then back again. It is finally Caitlin that breaks the silence, "So who wants bagels?"

Cue that theme music…