Alright so here's the next chapter! There's a little bit of good and a little bit of bad in this. And as always there's lots of Ryan and Marissa. Enjoy please!

Plotting

One week later, Lily Atwood throws her black leather jacket over her Gucci t-shirt and sticks her phone into the front pocket of her fashionably ripped jeans. She grabs her favourite old flip flops out of her closet and slips them onto her feet before walking out of her room.

Her Aunt Summer will be here soon to pick her up for their 'girl's night'. Marissa would've done it, except for the fact that her dad and his ex-girlfriend (again) still aren't talking. Lily has since given up on trying to get her dad to tell her what really happened that night; settling for his 'it just wasn't working' excuse. Although by no means does she believe him. Because he's still sort of distant. Because he still avoids Marissa and all subjects having to do with the leggy blond. Because he won't just tell her.

The young Atwood skips down the stairs, yelling out to her father who's in the family room with his blueprints. "Bye dad!"

"Where are you going? Come 'ere," he says, looking up at his daughter.

"Girls night, remember?" she reminds him, joining him in the room. "Me and Summer and grandma and Marissa. Sum's gonna be here soon."

"Marissa too?" Ryan asks, trying not to sound too interested. Because he is interested.

"Yep. Why?"

"Nothing," he says, shaking his head as he leans back against the couch.

"Dad, why don't you just talk to her?" Lily asks, sitting across from him. "You can't sort it out without talking."

"It doesn't work like that Lil," he sighs. Though it should.

"Then explain it to me."

Ryan sighs, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "We tried , twice before and it didn't work. This time is no different."

"Third time's a charm daddy."

"That was the third time."

"Please, dad. That doesn't count," Lily argues. "You have to try harder than that if you want it to have even the slightest chance to work. And I know you do."

"Why am I getting relationship advice from my 13 year old daughter?" he asks, laughing at the irony.

"'Cause I'm a girl and that automatically makes me right, and you wrong." She smiles playfully.

"Yeah yeah," he says sarcastically, reaching across the gap between them to ruffle her hair. "Get outta here."

"So you'll talk to her?" she asks, giggling as she pushes his arm away.

"We'll see," he says leaning back into the chair.

"Why 'we'll see'?"

"Cause she may not even want to talk to me."

"I'll talk to her."

"Lily-"

"Girls night dad," she reminds him. "We gossip, we talk. It's what we do."

Ryan rolls his eyes, pushing himself to his feet. "You're too smart for your own good, you know that?"

"Has to come from being your daughter," she grins, jumping off the couch. As if on cue, the doorbell rings and Aunt Summer walks in. "Hey! Bye dad, I love you!" she yells, walking out the door.

"Love you kid!"

"Bye dad!" Summer laughs, following Lily to her car.


Later that evening, after watching The Notebook and gossiping and doing pure girl stuff, Lily finds Marissa loading the dishwasher while summer is on the phone with her boys and Kirsten is upstairs getting some things ready for later. "Hey," she says, walking into the kitchen. "Want some help?"

"Sure," Marissa smiles softly as Lily steps in beside her, wiping the plates clean before handing them to Marissa. She laughs softly. "You're so much like your dad, you know that? Washing the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher drove Sandy crazy."

"I take pride in that," Lily grins, laughing softly.

"You should."

Lily continues to wipe the dishes, handing them over when she's done. "Speaking of my dad...what happened between you guys? I mean, I thought all was great."

Marissa sighs softly, placing the last dish in the dishwasher before closing and starting it. She hasn't talked to anybody about it since it happened, mainly because she knew Ryan wasn't either. "All was great. And then my ass of an ex-boyfriend decided to show up and-"

"My dad got jealous," Lily finishes , putting two and two together.

"I'm sorry, I should be dumping this on you," Marissa apologizes quickly, not telling her that it's more than just her dad being jealous.

"No, please, dump all you want. Nobody else is taking." Marissa nods, looking away from her and she bites her lip. "He wants to see you. To talk."

"Communication isn't exactly our strong suit-"

"So fix it. Talk to him."

"Lily it's complicated."

"So uncomplicate it."

Marissa hesitates. It sounds simple coming from her. It sounded just as simple coming from her sister ten years ago after the whole Johnny fiasco. But that's it; that's where the simplicity ends. There are so many underlying issues in their relationship that she isn't sure communication is enough...

Later that night on the way home with Summer, Lil comes up with an idea that may just work in getting Ryan and Marissa to at least talk. "Aunt Summer," she says turning to the petit brunette in the driver's seat. "I need your help."

"Shoot Lils," Summer replies immediately, keeping her eyes on the road in the process.

"I need to get dad and Marissa to talk about their issues."

"Ha! Good luck with that," Summer laughs.

"That's why I need your help Aunt Sum! They're either too stubborn or too scared to do it on their own."

"And you want to trick them into seeing each other," Summer guess, having done her own fair share of meddling.

"Exactly!" Lily exclaims, bouncing in her seat.

"I dunno Lily," Summer whispers hesitantly. "I learned a long time ago not to mess with the mess that is Ryan and Marissa."

"Please Aunt Sum," he young brunette begs. "You know more than anyone that they love each other. I just want my dad to be happy; for both of them to be happy."

"Fine," Summer groans. She can't deny that Ryan and Marissa are a mess. A beautiful mess. But she also can't deny that they love each other- more than they've ever loved anybody. They belong together. "Here's what we're gonna do..." she smiles, passing Lily's drop off to go around the block once more while she explains the plan.


The next day after lunch, Lily skips down the stairs and out to the backyard where her dad is cleaning the pool. The plan is in motion. All she has to do is drag her dad to the pier while Summer does the same with Marissa. Once at the pier, she and Summer will 'accidentally' run into each other and leave the two love birds to talk and let magic happen.

"Dad we need ice cream," Lily announce, bouncing out onto the patio.

"There's ten dollars in my wallet," Ryan says, moving the net around the water to catch the floating debris.

"But I need you to come with me."

"Why?" he laughs, looking at her strangely.

"Because there' like a million different flavours and I'm no good with making decisions," she says, having already planned and practiced her excuse.

"Since when?" Ryan asks curiously, putting the net away.

"Since like, now. C'mon," she says grabbing his hand and pulling him back into the house. "Where's your wallet?"

"I'll take my wallet thank you," he says laughing softly as he grabs it along with his keys off the kitchen counter.

"Hey, can I drive?"

"Not till you're 30."

"Why's the answer always 30?!"

Meanwhile Summer lets herself into her father and Julie's house, in search of her bestfriend. "Coop?!" she calls out, her voice echoing in the otherwise empty house.

"Kitchen!"

Summer follows the voice into the kitchen to see Marissa's talk, slender frame digging in the fridge. "Coop! Fashion emergency, now!"

"Hey to you too Sum," Marissa replies pulling out a bottle of water and closing the fridge door.

"Seriously Coop, we need to go shopping like pronto."

"Now?"

"Now."

"Why?"

"Since when do I need a reason?" Summer asks quickly, not missing a beat.

"Good point. South Coast?"

"The pier."

"The pier? Like those thrift stores?"

"Uh-huh. Thrift is in these days. C'mon Coop."

A little while later, Summer and Marissa are walking down the pier and coincidentally they haven't gone into a single store. The blond is beginning to wonder what they're really doing here when she sees Lily and Ryan walk out of the ice cream parlour, both holding a cup of their favourite flavour. Her stomach drops when she sees him and she slaps Summer in the arm with the back of her hand. "Summer!"

"What?" the brunette asks innocently, unfazed by her best friend's reaction.

"Seriously Sum? Seriously?"

Summer grins, shrugging her shoulders. "Oh my God you guys! Hey!" she squeals, faking surprise as she hugs her knowing niece.

"Oh hey Aunt Sum! What a surprise. Right daddy?" Lily glances over at her dad who's looking at her sternly. She smiles in response.

"Yeah. Sure."

"Well you guys have tons to talk about so-"

"We'll let you talk! Okay? Bye," Summer finishes, pulling lily away and into the nearest boutique.

Ryan and Marissa look at each other awkwardly. Marissa smiles shyly, playing nervously with her fingers. "Wow. They are so not subtle."

"Yeah," Ryan agrees, tossing his cup into a nearby garbage can. "Remind me to ban my daughter from plotting with Summer."

"Only if you remind me to ban Summer from plotting with...well, everyone."

Ryan laughs, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Deal."

"Okay." She laughs.

Silence falls between them and they stand awkwardly across from each other. "Wanna talk a walk?" Ryan asks finally, his voice quiet.

"Sure," she smiles. She follows his lead. They start walking down the pier slowly. It's silent again as they both look around at their surroundings awkwardly. She sticks her fingers into the back pockets of her jeans. "So Lily seems deadest on us," she says, the words coming out before she can stop them. she curses herself silently for voicing her thoughts.

"Yeah well, when she puts her mind to something it's impossible to tell her otherwise," he says, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. "It's quite painful actually."

Marissa laughs softly but it falters quickly. She stops walking and grabs the sleeve of his shirt, tugging on it to make him stop. He looks at her and her breath catches in her throat for a minute before she composes herself. "Look, Ryan, I should've told you about Brad. The only reason I didn't tell was because-"

"You didn't think I deserved to know."

"What? No..."

"Then why, Marissa? Because it wouldn't be the first time." The words pour out of his mouth and he isn't sure why he's being so mean to her. They're supposed to talk, he shouldn't be accusing her of things.

"What? What are you talking about?"

"DJ. Johnny. Volchok..."

"And Trey right?" she asks, crossing her arms over her chest. "He was your last stab right?" she stares at him and he looks down. "I don't have to explain myself to you again."

"Then don't," he mumbles. "You're good at that."

"What has gotten into you?!"

"You tell me," he says, placing his hands on his hips. He glares at her, his anger (from where he doesn't know) taking over.

"I told you about DJ!" she yells at him. "I told you about Johnny! I didn't tell you about Trey because I know how you would react! And Volchok? Really Ryan? You broke up with me so don't you dare put that on me!" she stares at him and he looks down uncomfortably. "this isn't about them at all is it? It's about the fact that you still don't trust me. You never have." Tears shine in her eyes and he still doesn't respond; doesn't even look at her. "You know what, you're right. This isn't gonna work."

"No. It's not," he says sternly. He looks down, unable to take her tearful, glimmering eyes. He nods to himself and lets his arms fall to his sides before walking past her silently in the direction of the boutique his daughter and her aunt disappeared into. Summer and Lily both walk out on queue. "C'mon Lily."

"Dad?"

"We're going home." He doesn't wait for her to join him, instead he walks past her, knowing that eventually she will follow.

Lily smiles sadly at her aunt before running after her father, slipping her hand into his.

Summer sighs, looking behind her and her bestfriend, who still hasn't moved from her spot. The blonde's head is hanging sadly, her arms wrapped around herself protectively. "Coop?" she asks softly, jogging over to her. She steps in front of her and lifts her face, looking right into her tear-filled eyes and wet cheeks. "Oh sweetie," she whispers, hugging her tightly. "I'm so sorry."

Marissa hugs her back weakly, resting her forehead on Summer's shoulder. She sniffs back tears as her shoulder shake from crying.

"We really thought it was gonna work this time."

"Me too..."

"I promise Coop. No more plots."


A little while later, Lily finds her father sitting on the lawn chair in the backyard, his back to her. The sun is setting but she knows that he's not paying attention. He's been quiet and distant since the pier this afternoon. She had seen them arguing but she hadn't heard what was being said. And although she wants more than anything to ask him what it was about, she knows that now isn't the time. "Dad?" she calls softly to him, walking onto the patio.

Ryan becomes aware of his surroundings for the first time in he doesn't know how long when he hears his name. "Yeah?"

She sits next to her dad and slips her hand into his. "Are you okay?"

He sighs softly, nodding his head slowly. "Yeah."

"I don't believe you," she whispers.

"Yeah I know," he says, chuckling softly for the first time in hours.

"Wanna talk about it?"

"Nah, Lil. It's fine." He glances sideways at her and she smiles weakly. "Too much history. Too many issues."

"Not enough communication."

"Yeah."

A comfortable silence falls between them and Lily rests her head on her dad's shoulder. Ryan looks down at her. "No more plots okay bud? No more games..."

"Okay."

"I mean it-"

"Me too." She looks at him while he looks down at his hands. "You and I are good, right dad?"

"We're fine Lil."

The young Atwood smiles softly and leans into her father. He responds by resting his head on hers carefully. And she knows that no matter what, she and her father-her protector-will always be okay. Even if everything else in their lives is not.


The next day Ryan makes up and makes him and Lil breakfast before going for a run-both to exercise and to (unsuccessfully) clear his head. He runs along the beach, towards the lifeguard hut and back. He finds that running through sand makes for a better work out because it's so uneven and he has to push himself harder. It makes feel more pain afterwards, but it's also worth it.

He still doesn't know why they keep arguing. Nor does he even understand why he's so angry at her. It's not like it's never happened before; he should know how to handle it by now. Then again maybe that's why. It's like history just keeps repeating itself. Secrets. Guys. Drama. But still, it doesn't make sense to him. Had 'Brad' never shown up, he would've never known; it would've never made a difference. But he did show up, and it did make a difference.

When he gets home later, he finds one missed call on his phone so he checks to see who it was. Seth. Shaking his head, but smiling to himself, he calls him back, holding the phone to his ear as he pulls a bottle of water out of the fridge in the kitchen.

"Hey man."

"Hey, what's up?" Ryan asks, leaning back against the counter.

"Nothing. What's going on man? What's happening?"

Ryan groans inwardly, knowing exactly what he's really talking about. "Nothin' man."

"Uh-huh, so the fact that Summer said you and Marissa had a huge blow out at the pier yesterday is nothing?"

"It wasn't huge," Ryan protests.

"Well whatever dude," Seth responds indifferently. "What is going on with you guys?"

"I don't know Seth!" the blond yells out of frustration. "I dunno. We just...we can't work it out. We can't talk. We can't...maybe it's just been too long you know?"

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder."

"What? Who talks like that?"

"I do."

Ryan sighs, moving into the living room and falling onto the chair. It has nothing with to do with 'absence', that much he knows.

"Look, Ryan, communication has never been your guys' thing. Take Oliver for example. And DJ and Trey-"

"I get it," the blond interrupts, not wanting to go through the list again.

"Okay. Good."

"What's your point?"

"My point is that you guys survived that-"

"Survived it Seth? We broke up," Ryan reminds him.

"True, but you fixed it. You fixed it after Oliver and Theresa and Trey. Even after Johnny," Seth tells him. "It was fear that really ruined you."

"Fear."

"Yes, fear. Fear, and the fact that you needed to feel different."

"Dad?" Lily calls, jogging down the stairs.

"Yeah bud?" Ryan calls back, moving the phone from his ear.

"Dad, Chase and I are gonna hang out at the beach. Okay?"

"Sure. Be home for dinner."

"Kay bye dad!" she yells, blowing him a kiss from the hallway.

"Bye bud, be careful!"

"You're actually letting her go out with Chase?" Seth asks, his tone full of surprise.

"Seth shut up. I have to go." He hangs up, not waiting for a response and tosses the phone onto the table with a thud. He can't do this right now.


Lily stands at the bottom of the Robert's front staircase, staring nervously up at the house. She isn't sure this is a good idea anymore. She pulls out her phone and dials Chase's number quickly.

"Hey," Chase says, picking up on the second ring.

"Chase I don't think this is a good idea."

"What? Why? It was your idea."

"I know," she sighs, turning her body to lean back on the wall. "It's just...I've done nothing but meddle and plot and trick her-them-since I got here."

"You were just trying to help," he reminds her softly.

"And I made everything worse. I made more damage than I helped," she murmers.

"Lil-"

"Chase it didn't work! They aren't together. Maybe they don't want to be."

"C'mon you know that's not true," he reasons. "Two people don't go through hell and back that many times if they don't want to be together." When Lily doesn't respond he continues encouragingly. "Look it's not like you're there on a mission right?"

"I know."

"So then don't worry about it. What do you have to lose?"

"You're right," Lily says confidently.

"You're welcome."

"Thanks," she laughs, walking up the stairs bravely. "I'll call you later." She hangs up quickly and rings the doorbell. She sees Marissa's slim figure behind the glass.

"Lily," Marissa says softly, standing awkwardly in the doorway.

"Hi Marissa," Lily says, smiling shyly.

"Hi. Um, come in."

"Thanks." Lily follows the tall blond into the living room. "So, uh, how are you?"

"I'm fine. I'm good-I'm...good."

"You don't sound very sure of yourself..."

"Yeah...I'm good. How's your dad?" the blond asks, changing the subject

"I dunno," Lily sighs. "Nobody really knows. I don't think he even knows." She pauses, looking down as she sits on the couch across from her. "I'm sorry, about everything. I was just trying to help."

"I know, it's okay."

"And I know you and my dad aren't together, but can we still be friends?"

"Aww of course sweetie," Marissa softly. She smiles at the young Atwood in front of her.

"Cool," Lily smiles back.

The doorbell rings through the house again and Marissa laughs. "Sometimes it gets really busy around here." She pushes herself to her feet and taps Lily's shoulder softly before going to answer the door. She pulls it open and her stomach drops painfully. "Ryan... uh-"

"Is she here?" he mumbles angrily, his hands on his hips.

"Yes, but-"

Ryan moves pas her and through the foyer. "Lily! Lillian!"

"Hey dad..." Lily whispers waving awkwardly.

"What did I tell you huh?"

"Dad-"

"No more plots-"

"Ryan she isn't-"

"No more games Lillian!" he yells at her from the doorway. He crosses his arms over his chest angrily, breathing heavily.

"I didn't do anything dad!" Lily screams, pushing herself to her feet. "I'm not doing anything!"

"Then what are you doing here?"

"Talking! We're talking dad. That's it."

Marissa watches helplessly from behind Ryan as Lil-small, innocent Lily Atwood-sends him a glare identical to her fathers. "You know, maybe you guys should talk..."

"I'm not the only one he needs to talk to," Lily argues.

"Lily..."

Silence falls between all of them and Marissa rubs her arms uncomfortably. Father and daughter continue to glare at each other before Ryan finally gives in, looking down at the floor. "C'mon, let's go."

Rolling her eyes, the young Atwood walks past her father, shrugging him off when he tries to touch her arm. "Bye Marissa."

"Bye Lily."

Ryan nods silently to himself and follows his daughter, avoiding eye contact with Marissa at all costs. When he gets outside, Lily is already sitting with her arms crossed in the passenger seat he closes the door behind him and sighs, walking down the stairs. He climbs in beside her and starts the car before putting on his seatbelt. She stays completely silent, staring out the window as he pulls out of the driveway. Fighting with his daughter was definately not in his plans for today. But then he'd seen Chase at the store with his other friends and although he asked, he didn't have to to know where she's gone. He looks at her out of the corner of his eye and sighs before turning back to the road. "Lil..." he says softly, apologetically. She doesn't respond and he feels worse than before. "Bud I'm sorry."

"Why do you do that?!" she asks loudly, turning quickly to face him. "Why do you jump to conclusions and blow things out of proportion?!"

Taken aback slightly, though he isn't sure why, Ryan stumbles over his words to find an answer. "I uh...I dunno."

Lily shakes her head and looks back out the window. "Marissa isn't mom, Dad."

He looks at her in confusion. "I know tha-"

"I don't think you do. I get it, you're scared-"

"I'm not scared," he denies quickly. Too quickly.

"See this is your problem!" she yells, facing him again. "It has less to do with her O your trust issues and more to do with fear but you're too stubborn to admit it. Pull over," she demands.

"Why"

"Because I need your full attention."

Ryan does as he's told and pulls the car over to the side of the road. He faces her, silently telling her he's all ears.

"You're scared to let her in again. You're scared to get close after everything you've been through," she says, staring at him. He starts to soften quickly. "And I get it dad, burned once; burned forever. But it's too late. Anyone can see that you're in love with her-you've always been in love with her." She pauses and he looks down, leaning vulnerably into his seat. "And...you're scared that she's gonna leave. Just like mom. Only if she leaves, you might not make it." He looks at her, as if realizing that she's been thinking the same thing. Because if another person leaves, it could be the end of the both of them. "But she won't dad. I've heard the stories...she lets you go when she had to. And she'd take you back a million times over 'cause she's just as in love with you."

Ryan continues to stare at her, and it's like she's looking at his bare soul. It's the way Marissa used to see him-bare and vulnerable and completely. Marissa knew him better than anyone; she knew things that he hadn't even told Seth and Sandy and Kirsten. Not because he didn't want to, but because he couldn't. Marissa was the only person that knew all of him; that saw every side of him; that had every single piece of him. Marissa always was and always will be the only person with enough power; with enough of him to destroy him.

Realization dawns on him. Everything Seth had said was right. Everything Lily had just said was right. It wasn't about Brad. It was about fear. Complete and total far. It's always been bout fear. He attacked Luke that day at practice out of fear that she'd choose him again. He was scared of heights, but it was the fear of not getting on that ferris wheel that made him get on. It was the fear of yet another obstacle that kept him from picking up where they left off after Oliver. It was the fear of getting hurt that turned him to Theresa. It was the fear of never being with her again that made him try all over again. And after Chino and DJ and Lindsey and Alex, it was the fear of being apart that brought them together. And after Trey he had been afraid of everything. Afraid of separate schools and stupid school dances and new friends. In the end, Seth is absolutely right-it was fear that made him call her that night. Thing's hadn't been right with them for a whole and after Johnny died he realized that he was even more afraid of losing her then than he had been before. He was tired of being afraid all the time. It was the fear of never moving on that made him determined to do so.

"And you're scared for me," Lily continues softly. "Because of mom. But I'm not scared. And you shouldn't be either. I like Marissa."

"Clearly," he laughs softly.

"I just want you to be happy dad. And you're happy with her." She reaches into her jacket pocket and pulls out a small change wallet. She then pulls a small piece of paper out of it and hands it to her father. "I want you to be this happy again."

Ryan looks at it, smiling softly at the old photo-a ten year old photo he'd kept in his nightstand before packing for the move and never taking back out. It was of the two of them at the lifeguard hut; the day the four of them had gone to the beach after the Trey fiasco. Ryan and Marissa had snuck away for alone time. Seth and Summer had snuck up on them and took the picture. They're happy. They're staring lovingly at each other. He hadn't been afraid that day.

"Dad?"

"I want to be that happy too," he whispers, and all of a sudden her arms are around his neck. "What do you think of plotting one more time for your old man huh?" he asks, grinning widely.

Lily pulls away, smiling back. "You're hardly old dad. But yes, what's the plan?"


Marissa walks slowly up the ramp to the lifeguard hut. She looks around her briefly, finding the beach empty. Lily had called her half an hour ago asking her to meet there. At first she'd been sceptical because of what happened few hours earlier with Ryan. But Lily sounded totally determined so she agreed.

She pulls her phone out of her favourite Chanel bad and dials Lily's number. It goes to voicemail quite quickly. "Hey Lily, it's um...it's me. I'm at the tower so I guess...I'll see you soon." She hands up, leaning her body against the large wooden wall. Hearing footsteps, she looks up and her stomach clenches nervously as Ryan walks up the ramp slowly, looking sheepishly at her. Her heart tugs at her and she looks at him.

"She's not coming," he whispers, his fingers playing nervously with the rail.

"What?" She stares at him confused. Her voice is quiet and nervous.

He looks down for a brief moment before looking back up as he leans against the rail, directly across from her. "I asked her to call you for me..."

"I...I have to go," she whispers with a shaky voice. She moves to walk past him but his hand grabs hers quickly, sending shivers throughout her entire body.

"Wait," he whispers urgently, tugging her back their bodies are millimetres apart and he swallows the nervous lump in his throat. She looks at him. "Just hear me out. Please. And if you still don't want to see me then I'll go."

She nods quietly and he lets go of her hand. She settles back against the wall before sliding down to sit on the floor, her legs bent in front of her.

He follows her lead quickly, sitting next to her. They both look at each other shyly and he smiles sheepishly, before looking down. "I uh...I know I haven't been the easiest person to be around lately or to talk to." He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "But you need to know it's got nothing to do with you-I mean it does but...not like that. It's not about Brad or anything else," he says softly, looking sideways at her. "I was just...afraid. I was afraid of loving someone-other than Lily-beyond comprehension; of losing someone I couldn't afford to lose."

"Ryan." She whispers tearfully. She reaches out and rubs his arm affectionately, softening instantly and his vulnerability.

He smiles weakly at her before resting his chin on his folded arms over his legs. "When Brad came it was like...a blast from the past you know? It was like Oliver and Johnny and...I didn't want to stay if there was a chance that I could lose you. I can't lose you again."

"You won't," she whispers, shifting closer to him. Seeing him like this, so vulnerable and open breaks her heart.

"I didn't push you away to hurt you, I did it to protect me. Just like I always have," he admits softly, staring at her intently. "Just like with Oliver and DJ and Johnny. I was afraid of losing you so I took myself out of the situation instead."

She smiles weakly as a tear slips down her cheek. She places her hand on his cheek softly, pulling him to face her. She rests her forehead against his. "It's okay," she whispers, pressing her lips into his softly but firmly.

Ryan kisses back, holding onto it. He grabs the back of her head, burying his hand into her hair. "It's not okay."

"It's okay." She repeats, ignoring him.

He pulls back, resting his head on the wall. "Can we put this behind us?"

She nods, smiling softly. "Of course."

He smiles, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her into him. "I wanna make this work."

"No matter what," she whispers. She giggles softly when he pulls her face to him, kissing her. "So, is Lily okay?"

He laughs, pulling away. "She's fine. She knows her dad more than he likes to admit."

"I kind of knew that," she giggles again.

Ryan stares at her lovingly and she smiles at him, the colour rising in her cheeks. He loves it when she gets shy and embarrassed. He smiles back, pulling her tight against him and she rests her head on his shoulder. "I love you."

She smiles, looking up and placing a soft kiss on his chin. "I love you too."

There we go! Ryan and Marissa are back together! I hope you liked it. I wanted Marissa to stand up for herself, rather than fall to him; and I wanted Ryan to realize on his own (with a little bit of help) that he was being a jerk and why. The next chapter should be up soon! Thank you.