(Morning After the call from Volchok)

Seth, Summer, Marissa, and Ryan are seated in a booth at the diner, finishing off a large stack of pancakes.

"Come on my little Summer, we have to go…um…somewhere, far, far away." Seth said.

"Oh yeah, that place…well," Summer looks at Ryan, then at Marissa, "hate to leave you guys, but we have to go."

"Yeah, sure…" Marissa replied sarcastically

"Come on, Cohen" Summer ordered.

"You guys have fun," Seth said to Ryan and Marissa as he and Summer got up out of the booth. "Fun together, that is!"

"See you guys!" Ryan yelled to Seth and Summer as they left the diner.

"So. There's something I need to tell you." Marissa finally said after picking at the pancakes left on her plate.

"Yeah?" Ryan replied.

"Last night," Marissa paused, unsure if she should tell Ryan, "Volchok called me for the 10th time. He wants me to meet him at the pier."

"So that's why you were scared last night?"

"Yeah. How could you tell?"

"I just could tell something was wrong." Ryan paused, "…and you were shaking uncontrollably."

"Yeah, I was pretty freaked, sorry." Marissa said.

"You don't have to go."

"Yeah, I do. He threatened to hurt…you. If I didn't."

"So you want me to go with you?" Ryan asked.

"If you want to, I mean, If you don't have other plans, You don't have to…"

"No. I want to." Ryan replied.

"Thanks." A look of relief spread all over Marissa's face.

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"So you think it's a good idea, Coop and Atwood…maybe getting back together?" Summer questioned Seth after they left the diner.

"Well you know. It never goes too good when they're apart." Seth paused and thought. "I guess it doesn't go to good when they're together either."

"Yeah I know what you mean. They need each other though."

"Oh. Summer. Like you need me??" Seth said teasingly.

"I don't need you Cohen."

"Oh Yeah. But you want me." Seth said as he started to kiss Summer playfully.

"Whatever, Cohen"

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"You sure you want to do this?" Ryan asked as they approached the pier.

"I have to."

"Right." Ryan agreed.

"Well, well, well. Look who showed up." Volchok said as Marissa walked toward him. Ryan stayed behind.

"What do you want?" Marissa said.

"I just wanted to talk." Volchok said as he got closer to Marissa. His body was swaying, like he was about to loose his balance.

"Are you high?" Marissa asked, noticing his weird behavior.

"Oh, just a little." Volchok said, his voice getting higher.

Marissa started to back away as Volchok got closer. Ryan noticed her uncomfortableness and moved a little closer to them.

"Just tell me what you wanted to tell me." Marissa said to Volchok.

"I just wanted…" Volchok paused then tried to grab Marissa. "Come with me."

"Get away from me!" Marissa warned.

Volchok kept grabbing Marissa, not realizing what he was doing.

"Hey. Get away from her." Ryan said, forcefully.

"You cant tell me what to do." Volchok said. He reached for Marissa.

"Hey!" Ryan yelled. Ryan approached Volchok as he grabbed a hold of Marissa. Ryan punched Volchok hard right across the face. He fell on the sand, too stoned to fight back. Marissa ran into Ryan's arms, Volchok now passed out on the ground.

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"Hey Ryan?" Kirsten said, as Ryan entered the kitchen from the pool house.

"Yeah."

"Run upstairs and get Marissa. Seth is about to go get dinner."

"Okay." Ryan replied.

Ryan ran upstairs and knocked on Marissa's door.

"Hey. Dinners almost here," Ryan paused and waited for a response. He opened the door and looked around the empty room. He ran back downstairs.

"She's not here." Ryan told Kirsten.

"Huh. Do you know where she went?"

"No," Ryan paused, "You want me to go get the takeout?"

"Yeah, tell Seth." Kirsten said, knowing what his intentions were.

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"Hey." Ryan said as he walked up to the lifeguard stand.

"Hey." Marissa said. She was sitting there in her normal spot, looking out into the distance.

"You okay?" Ryan asked.

"Yeah…" Marissa paused.

"Hey, sorry about today, I tried not to punch him, but I just couldn't help it. "

"I know. Im glad you did though. Thanks."

They both sat there, side by side, gazing into each other's eyes, not saying a word, but knowing what the other was thinking.

("Far Away" by Nickelback plays in the background) lyrics at bottom

They both slowly leaned toward each other, then into a deep, passionate kiss. Marissa pulled away.

"I love you." She said. Ryan kissed her soft on the lips.

"I…I love you too." He replied. Marissa smiled. Somehow, she knew everything would be okay. She kissed him again.

"Let's make a pact, to never let something, or someone come between us again." Marissa suggested.

"Yeah, because I don't know if I could do that again, you know, the whole 'being apart' thing." He said.

Marissa smiles, "Me either, Its harder than it looks."

"So, we should probably go get the Thai and head back to the Cohen's." Ryan said.

"Sounds perfect." She said.

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hope you liked it! PLEASE REVIEW! open to any comments or suggestions!

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Far Away Lyrics By: Nickelback

This time, This place
Misused, Mistakes
Too long, Too late
Who was I to make you wait
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

CHORUS
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore

On my knees, I'll ask
Last chance for one last dance
'Cause with you, I'd withstand
All of hell to hold your hand
I'd give it all
I'd give for us
Give anything but I won't give up
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

CHORUS

So far away
Been far away for far too long
So far away
Been far away for far too long
But you know, you know, you know

I wanted
I wanted you to stay
'Cause I needed
I need to hear you say
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I forgive you
For being away for far too long
So keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
Hold on to me and, never let me go