We're baaaack! So this is our take on how the second season of the OC would've gone if Taylor had been a Vampire Slayer which let's face it, would've been a much better scenario than the whole Lyndsey/Ryan, Alex/Marissa thang that they all came up with. ;) Enjoy!

Ryan pretty much limped through the door of the pool house and groaned as he shut the door. He didn't bother with the light as he stripped off his clothing and shoes. He found the bed and pulled back the covers sinking into the mattress and turning on his side so his back was to the door. He was just drifting off when he felt someone's hand on his face and another take his own hand.

He grabbed the wrist and pulled, twisting around so that whoever it was ended up flat on their back with his free hand around their throat. He was just starting to squeeze when the startled hazel eyes clicked with his memory. Shoving himself away and off the bed, he gaped at the girl he'd just attacked and wondered if he was finally going insane.

He turned on the light, "Taylor?"

She coughed and sat up in bed, "It's good to see you, too, Ryan."

"How?"

"Hailey pleaded my case and they let me come home."

"You're back?"

"I'm back," she nodded. "And you look like hell. What in God's name have you been doing to yourself?"

"Nothing."

"It doesn't look like nothing."

"I'm fine."

"Right. Tell me another one." She stood up to go over to him, make sure he was okay, and he tensed. "What's wrong?"

"You left."

"I came back."

"For how long?"

"I'm back for good. Kirsten's my watcher again but she won't find out until tomorrow morning when Hailey comes over for breakfast. My mother's under the impression that I'm in boarding school somewhere so I'm free to live either in the guestroom here or at Summer's, whomever will have me. Hailey's even offered to get me a room at the Nichols mansion if I want. I'm not going anywhere anymore and if anyone tries to make me, I'll quit."

"You can't quit."

"Oh no? Try me."

"You won't quit because that's not who you are."

"They don't have to know that." She frowned, watching him hunch into himself, avoiding her eyes. A horrible thought occurred to her. "You found someone else."

"No!"

"Then what's wrong?"

"You left."

"I didn't want to."

"It didn't seem to make a difference."

"Are you seriously mad at me for this? Something I had no control over?"

"I'm tired of people leaving on me."

"Don't you dare," Taylor said faintly before her voice got stronger. "Don't you dare compare me to Dawn or Trey. I did not leave you by choice. Ryan, do you really think I wanted to leave? Because if that's the case, then you don't know me at all." She walked past him and slammed out of the pool house.

Ryan ran after her and caught her around the waist just before she got to the kitchen doors.

"I'm sorry. Taylor, I'm sorry." His voice was choked; his arms were shaking as he tried to hold her. "I'm sorry. Please don't go, please."

Taylor's head rested back against his shoulder and Ryan's tilted forward so that his chin rested on her shoulder. One hand covered the hands on her stomach and one rested against his cheek.

"You scared me tonight," she said quietly. "Not with what you did but with what you've been doing. Ryan, you could've been killed."

"How do you know what I've been up to?"

"I followed you. That you didn't even notice is my point. What if I was a demon?"

"Kirsten has protections on the house."

"That's not the point!" She turned in his embrace, touching her fingers to his cheek under the dark circles. "You have to take care of yourself." He shrugged and she bit her lip to keep from screaming at him. "Have you even been getting any sleep?"

"Sure."

"Ryan."

"Not a lot."

"What about food? Have you been eating at all?"

"Sometimes. When Kirsten gets pushy."

"You can't do this to yourself, Ryan." She pressed her forehead to his, "I don't want to lose you."

"I missed you."

"So it's my fault?"

"No, of course not." He buried his face in her neck, breathing in the reality of her return. "I just....I missed you."

"I missed you, too," she admitted quietly.

Ryan jumped when something wet and then furry touched his ankle. He looked down to see a big, fluffy dog standing next to them.

Taylor giggled, "Sorry. I forgot about him. This is Merlin. He was a stray who wandered into the farm one day and then wouldn't leave my side."

"I know how he feels."

"Good boy Merlin," Taylor said, kneeling down. "Sorry if we scared you. Go lie down." She stood up as the dog scampered off. She faced Ryan again, "He was asleep on the floor next to my side of the bed. He's harmless. Now, I think we need to talk."

"Do we have to?" He cupped her face between his palms, leaning in.

Taylor smiled as they kissed. "We can talk later," she said as they parted. She studied his face. "You look so tired." More than that, he looked beaten. She didn't like this. In fact she really hated it.

"Stay with me. Just to sleep, promise."

"Okay," she took his hand and they walked back into the pool house. Ryan spotted Merlin curled up in front of the refrigerator and smiled as he followed Taylor towards the bed. They got in and snuggled together, Taylor's back to Ryan's chest, his arms around her waist.

---xxx---

"Whoa! Good doggy," a voice intruded on Ryan's sleep.

"Go away, Seth." He'd slept better last night then he had in months. Now he wanted to welcome her home. In order to do that, though; his brother had to leave.

"Hey, is that Taylor?! Taylor's back?" There was the sound of door slamming and excited yelling as Seth went back into the house.

"I hate him sometimes."

Giggling made him turn his head. He smiled at the sight of Taylor lying next to him. "We're not going to be alone anytime soon now that Seth knows I'm home."

"Let's lock him in his room for a couple weeks."

"We can't do that."

"No, we can," Ryan said moving so that he lay partially on top of her. "We'll tell Summer he's gone to see the Nana and I'm sure Sandy and Kirsten will be more than happy to have the peace and quiet."

Taylor giggled again. "This is all some part of nefarious plot on your part to get some alone time so you can get me into bed, isn't it?"

"Absolutely. Is it working?"

"Maybe," she smiled, sighing as he started to trail kisses along her neck. She heard the jingle of a collar and looking down to see Merlin peeking over the foot of the bed at them. "Ryan."

"What?"

"We have an audience."

"Seth, if you're there when I turn around I swear-"

"No," Taylor tilted her head.

Ryan looked, "Oh. Right. Okay. Uncomfortable?"

"Just a little. C'mon, we have to get up anyway. Kirsten will be looking for us soon."

"Maybe she won't yell at me this time."

"What do you mean? Why would she be....." She narrowed her eyes as he got up, rubbing the back of his neck. "You weren't supposed to be patrolling last night, were you?"

"Not exactly."

"Were you trying to get yourself killed? Seriously Ryan, did you really think I wouldn't find a way home? Did you want me to come back to a gravestone?"

"They said you were needed. Saving the world, stuff like that."

"What? What do you mean 'they said'?"

"When I followed you, when I tried to see you. This old British guy said that they needed every Slayer to keep the Apocalypse from happening."

"You believed him?"

"I believed that you wouldn't want to put your personal life above anyone else's safety."

"Ryan, I didn't want to go and they thought Kirsten was slacking off in her duties so they took me to some camp the slayer and her gang set up after they destroyed the Hellmouth in Sunnydale. They train potentials and they try to stop the bad things that happen. Giles, the old British guy, was Buffy's watcher and he is one of the few that's left. Most of them were killed by The First."

"Still if you were needed-"

"I needed to be here with you and Seth and everyone I love and who loves me. They panicked because of Oliver. They should've started panicking when Buffy fell in love with Angel. At least my boyfriend isn't a vampire."

"No, just some weird kind of re-incarnated super-hero, according to Seth."

"You mean Oliver was right about that?"

"Apparently."

"Great, so the bad guy was right and I went away for nothing and I could've lost you forever."

"You didn't and I didn't lose you forever like I thought. We got each other back Taylor. That's what I'm going to focus on."

Taylor got off the bed and wrapped him in a hug, "If you ever go off the deep end again, I'll kill you."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Ryan, Seth is babbling....Taylor!" Kirsten came forward and threw her arms around them both. "Oh my God! Are you back? What happened? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine Kirsten. Hailey's not here yet?"

"Hailey? What does she have to do with anything?"

Woof!

"Oh. Where'd that come from?"

"He's with me. C'mon Merlin, let's go get a bagel from Sandy," Taylor said patting her leg, causing the dog to follow her.

Ryan and Kirsten followed the slayer and the dog into the house.

"Taylor! Ohmigod, Cohen's not nuts."

"Good to see you too Summer."

"I'm so glad you're back." She hugged her friend tightly. "You are back, right? It's not just a visit?"

"I am back Summer and I have Hailey to thank for it."

"Hailey?"

"Yeah. Apparently Seth is not the only Nichol with powers."

"I'm not a Nichol, I'm a Cohen."

"He so is," Summer rolled her eyes.

"She means they both got the gift from the same person, probably Rose."

"Right. Hailey wants to get training, they need magic-users; so she cut a deal."

"That's a Nichol for you," Sandy came in, smiling with Hailey trailing behind him. "Welcome back, Taylor."

"Thanks Sandy."

"And who's the dog that's staring at me with hate in her eyes?"

"That's his eyes, Seth and his name is Merlin," Taylor said. "He's very friendly."

"Yeah, the hate's from over here," Ryan glared at his brother.

"What did you walk in on this time, Cohen?"

"Nothing. They were just sleeping."

"Which we will be talking about later, young lady." Kirsten turned her attention to her sister. "Are you sure you want to do this, Hailey?"

"I've ignored my responsibilities for too long, Keeks. I have to do this. As much for me as for Taylor."

"Thank you Hailey," Taylor hugged her. "I owe you big time."

"Hey, Seth's not the only one who's always considered you family," Hailey smiled. "Besides you didn't belong there. You belong here."

Merlin barked, panting his grin as everyone laughed.

"Guess that makes it unanimous."

"When do you leave," Kirsten asked.

"My flight's in a few hours."

"I'll take you to the airport. Give me a minute to put some clothes on."

"Kirsten-"

"No arguments."

"When you get back, we have to talk about where I'm going to live. I can't exactly go home with Veronica thinking I'm in a Swiss boarding school."

"Giles said something about sending in paperwork to help you with that. Something about a lady named Mancy Patten?"

"Emancipation?"

"That was it."

"That might not be such a bad idea."

"Sandy can you get in touch with my dad?"

"Why?"

"There's a pile of guilt money that I'm going to need access to if I get emancipated."

"What's emancipated, anyway?"

"It's like a divorce, only for kids with parents that aren't abusive, just lousy."

"Your dad's not gonna make a fuss? Try and get you back?"

"I doubt my dad even remembers that I exist."

"Hence the guilt money."

"Hence the guilt money."

"Well, you're welcome to stay with me and my Dad."

"Don't be ridiculous, Summer, she's staying here."

"She can't stay here, Cohen; her boyfriend's on the premises. That's asking for trouble."

"She's stayed here before. She's like my sister or something."

Ryan flinched. "Don't say stuff like that."

Summer and Seth ignored him, caught up in their argument.

"Well, she's my best friend. You have Ryan and your folks, I don't have anyone."

"Guys, this is flattering, but...."

"She'd be more comfortable here, without your dad asking nosy questions she can't answer."

"We have more room, and a huge backyard for her puppy-dog."

"And a pool he could drown in."

"Like you don't? At least we don't have a cliff for him to fall off of."

"Are you getting a headache?"

"Yes."

"I could get an apartment with the guilt money in the numbered streets."

"What about Merlin? I don't think they'd allow him to stay."

"Good point," Taylor frowned. "Summer? Summer!"

"What?"

"I could pay your dad rent."

"You will not. I'm offended you'd even suggest that. Aren't we friends?"

"Yeah, but...."

"No buts. I'm not charging you rent."

"And it's not a for certain that you can even live with her and why wouldn't you want to stay here?"

"Because it's too much of a temptation," she looked sideways at Ryan, who ducked his head. "And there's the added factor that you and I attempt to hurt each other after weeks of close proximity."

"You too? I thought I was the only one who wanted to kill him after sustained contact."

"You guys are hilarious."

"You know we love you Seth but remember the time I sprained my wrist and couldn't go home? By the time it healed you were more banged up than I was after a patrol."

"You told me he fell down the stairs."

"He did."

"This big demon pushed me, Mom; and she didn't even try and stop him."

"I was a little busy with his three bigger brothers."

"I think those were actually his sisters."

"Ew."

"As fascinating as this is," Hailey interrupted, "we better go."

"Bye Hailey. Thank you," Taylor said with a hug.

"Bye Aunt Hailey. Take care," Seth gave her a hug.

"I'm not a hugger, but thank you," Ryan said.

"That goes for me too."

"You guys take care of each other, or I'll be back."

"Will do."

"Who's this?" Sandy was looking down at Merlin, who was sniffing his foot with great interest.

"Merlin. He just wandered in one day and hasn't left my side since."

"Ah," Sandy petted the dog's shaggy head. "Hey there boy, you take care of our girl for us?"

Merlin woofed at him.

"He's probably starved. He hasn't eaten since last night."

"I think we've got some barbeque left."

"You can't give a dog barbeque, son, he'll get sick."

"What about the pizza?"

"No wonder your parents never got you a pet."

"Hey, I had a pet."

"Paper birds do not count, Seth."

"And neither does Captain Oats."

Ryan was standing in front of the open refrigerator, "Can I give him these sausages?"

Sandy looked over his shoulder at the package he was holding.

"Sure, those should be fine. Ah!" Sandy opened a different cabinet and handed his foster son a metal bowl. "Use this."

"I'll get him some water." Summer took out another metal bowl.

"Well, you're definitely going to have to stay at the Roberts'."

"Why is that, Dad?"

"Rosa's allergic."

"Oh," Taylor said. "Well, staying at Summer's may be a little difficult at first. How are we going to keep your dad from trying to contact my mom? I mean right now she's out of town but eventually she'll come home and he'll be all over her because he's a good parent and they tend to tell off parents who aren't good."

"I'm sure Neil will stay away when I mention the possibility she'll charge him with harassment, kidnapping; whatever else she can think of."

"She wouldn't do that, would she?"

"I'm afraid she probably would, Summer."

"Don't worry, I'll talk to him. If I can keep from strangling the woman all these years, so can he."

"And he'll be okay with Merlin?"

"My dad likes dogs. Merlin will be welcome," Summer knelt down in front of the shaggy dog. "Maybe I should get a dog too so he won't be lonely when we're at school."

"Or on patrol."

"Just make sure it's a boy dog, or you'll be up to your ears in puppies."

"You would think of that, Cohen."

"Two males might be a bad idea. They'd fight for dominance and how am I supposed to get by your dad for patrol? Your step-monster wouldn't notice a marching band but your dad's pretty observant."

"Study date with Ryan, of course."

"He won't buy it."

"He will if we say she's helping you, Chino."

"Maybe you could take Merlin on patrol. Tell Doctor Roberts you're walking the dog."

"For eight hours every night? Besides, he's far too cute and fluffy to risk being a demon snack."

"We'll figure something out. For now, I think a celebratory breakfast is in order and it's on me," Sandy handed Seth his credit card. "Go nuts you four. Leave Merlin here. We'll get to know each other while I contact Taylor's father."

"Thanks Sandy. Oh, if Julie stops by lock Merlin up. He has this weird aversion to really sweet smells and her perfume qualifies."

"He has an aversion to Julie? That's a dog with good taste. Scoot you four."

The four teenagers walked out the front door and piled into the Rover; Ryan and Taylor in back, Taylor leaning her head on Ryan's shoulder and his arm around her while her hand ran gentle fingers up and down the hand that rested on his knee.

"You two better not be making out back there."

"No one makes out on an empty stomach, Cohen."

"Are you serious? Those two don't stop for anything."

"Just drive, Seth."

"There's no place like home," Taylor muttered.

"Fortunately," Ryan added making Taylor giggle.