AN: I'm not even going to try and tell you how many more parts are to come. Here's nine pages from my weekend of trying to finish this. Every time I say it's the last installment, I manage to write more plot. Hey, I guess I shouldn't post WIP's but it's a little late now. Enjoy.

*****Part Five*****

"Just bend the pieces 'til they fit

like they were meant for this

but they weren't meant for this…"

--Dashboard Confessional

Ryan is trapped in a pool of thick, cloying liquid. He can't swim. He can't breathe. He's drowning. He accidentally opens his mouth and tastes blood. He's sinking deeper into the darkness and when he opens his mouth to scream it feels like his lungs are filling with blood. He's sinking and he can't see. He goes deaf as the liquid seeps into his ears

Ryan falls with a crash to the floor. His vision dulls. He doesn't respond to Seth's voice.

"Ryan."

"Yeah?"

"Can you get up? Honey, look at me…" Kirsten is beside him now. He looks up at her.

Ryan accepts her offered hands and shakily gets to his feet.

"What happened?" Sandy appears in the doorway.

"I was asleep and…I was dreaming…" Ryan considers aloud.

"I heard you yell…or something and then I heard you fall out of bed," Seth says.

"Damn…" Ryan ignores their concerned stares as he twists his arm behind him and unclips the bindings.

"Ryan…" Kirsten starts.

"It was too tight…" Ryan sighs.

"We should take you to the hospital," Sandy says.

"No, no…I promise…" Ryan starts.

"Dude, your leg…" Seth interrupts.

Ryan's sweatpants have droplets of blood over where his stitches are.

"Sit down, honey. Sandy, go get the first aid kit." Kirsten sits down beside Ryan on the bed.

"So this is why Mom always makes sure I have clean underwear," Seth smiles.

"Shut up," Ryan smiles nervously.

"Let me see, Ryan," Kirsten urges.

Ryan lowers his pants and before Kirsten can help, pulls the blood-soaked bandage off. He shields his wound with his hand. "Okay. So. I ripped some of the stitches out."

"Let me see…" Kirsten urges.

"It's really gross…" Ryan protests.

"It's okay, Ryan." She doesn't flinch as she gently moves his hand. Sandy returns and passes her the kit. She gives Ryan a pad of gauze. "Hold this against your leg to stop the bleeding."

"He ripped his stitches," Seth tells his father.

"Ryan? You know…you have to come to the hospital so they can fix your stitches," Kirsten says.

Ryan sighs. "What time is it?"

"Around six am. Almost dawn," Seth replies.

"Come on, Ryan," Sandy says.

Ryan sighs and gets unsteadily to his feet. "We don't all have to go."

"He's right. I'll take him. You guys can go back to bed and we'll be back before you know it," Sandy says. He kisses Kirsten and follows Ryan to the car.

*****

The doctors restitch Ryan's leg and take more x-rays of his chest due to some murmured complaints that Sandy manages to get out of Ryan. Ryan and Sandy are waiting for the doctor to return with his verdict.

"So, kid. What's going on?"

"I'm sorry about all this, Sandy…"

"What? You can't control your nightmares…"

"All this trouble…"

"Ryan, don't you understand? This isn't trouble…I'm just glad you're here so I can take care of you…you could've died…" Sandy says.

Ryan nods silently, his eyes lowered.

"I know you've got a lot on your mind. Want to talk about it?"

"Not really."

"You should. You have to talk to someone. Come on. Talk to me."

Ryan sighs. "What do you want to know?"

"Tell me about Summer."

"God, Sandy…"

"I want to know everything, Ryan," Sandy says seriously. "Because right now, the only 2 people that really know what's going on between you guys is you and Summer."

"That's the way it should be."

"Ryan. Try to understand where I'm coming from." Sandy is still serious. Ryan meets his gaze. "You were so protective and defensive about your friendship with Summer that you took off. I know there was more to it than that, it was a combination of things…but…"

"Summer and I are friends…we started hanging out because we were both…lonely," Ryan says slowly. "She's a lot like me, she can blend in anywhere and she…she got along with my friends, she didn't judge them…"

"When did Summer meet your friends?" Sandy asks.

"We would go down to the beach and hang out. See…Summer and I have been hanging out for weeks, since Marissa left."

"I had no idea."

"Haven't you ever had a friend that you were so comfortable with that…I can't talk about this…"

"So you guys were friends. Platonic? Because you guys are pretty intense…"

"Intense?" Ryan asks.

"Kirsten says that the temperature rises ten degrees when you guys are together," Sandy admits.

Ryan laughs quietly.

"So, you're friends."

"We…it just happened one night, Sandy. Marissa had told me about her french guy and…things were so crazy and we were drunk…" Ryan sighs.

"Okay…so…"

"We're friends."

"That are having sex."

"Sandy," Ryan sighs, clearly uncomfortable.

"Ryan…"

"It's between Summer and I."

"And Marissa."

"There's nothing between Marissa…"

"You know what I mean," Sandy says.

"It's complicated."

"It's stressing you out."

"It's cool," Ryan sighs.

"Ryan…" Sandy starts. The doctor walks in.

"Thank god," Ryan mutters.

"Well, I have some news," The doctor says.

"Doesn't look like good news," Ryan says.

The doctor hangs several x-rays on the illuminated box by the bed.

"It seems that after the swelling went down, the bones shifted and now we can see additional damage… The doctor begins. Sandy puts his hand on Ryan's shoulder as the teenager pales several shades. The doctor speaks for several minutes but Ryan is numb.

"It's a simple surgery…"

"Surgery?" Ryan whispers.

"To remove the fragments of bone," The doctor says.

"It'll be fine, Ryan," Sandy says.

"I just got in a fight and you guys are talking surgery…"

"Ryan, it'll be okay. Don't panic."

"You'll be home by nightfall, Ryan," The doctor promises. "We'll sedate you, make several small incisions and remove the bone fragments. Most people don't even scar."

Ryan shakes his head in disbelief.

"I need to call my wife," Sandy tells the doctor.

"I'll make the arrangements," The doctor says. "I'll be right back."

Sandy turns to Ryan as he dials his cell phone. "Are you okay with this?"

"No. But I'll do whatever you think."

"Ryan…"

"Really, Sandy. I'm not a doctor. I've never really been to a doctor before so…" Ryan shrugs.

"Kirsten?" Sandy has his ear to the phone.

"Sandy? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, honey. Ryan has to stay a little longer than we planned."

"Is he okay?"

"Can you meet us down here? And bring Seth…"

"Sandy…"

"It's not serious. Don't panic. Hold on…" Sandy lowers the phone. "Ryan, is there anything you need them to bring?"

Ryan shakes his head.

"Sandy?"

"Okay, Kirsten. Come on down as soon as you can."

"We're leaving now."

*****

Around noon, Ryan is waiting with Sandy and Kirsten for the nurses to take him into surgery.

"Ryan, everything's going to be fine," Kirsten says. Seth enters.

"Man, your parents are killing me with the pep talks," Ryan smiles.

"Sorry. Hey, Summer's left, like, 3 messages looking for you. What do you want me to tell her?"

Ryan hesitates. "I'll be home by eight, right?"

"If everything goes smoothly," Sandy starts until Kirsten nudges him.

"Of course, Ryan," Kirsten says.

Ryan smiles. He looks back at Seth. "Don't upset her. Just tell her…that I'll call her." The nurses step in. "And tell her that…"

"You love her?" Seth offers with a smirk.

"No. Don't tell her that," Ryan replies quietly, his eyes flashing with emotion.

"It's time," The nurse says.

*****

Ryan surgery is remarkably quick and the Cohen bring him home as soon as he's cleared.

He's dull with residual anesthetic and painkillers. Kirsten and Seth guide him inside and upstairs to his room. The doctors only released him because of Kirsten's insistence that she keep her promise to him to go home.

The phone is ringing as Ryan sits down on the bed.

"You should eat," Kirsten says.

"Sleep," Ryan replies. Seth answers the phone after losing a stare down with Sandy.

"You can sleep after you eat."

"Or I could eat after I sleep," Ryan replies.

"Ryan?" Seth has his hand over the mouthpiece. "It's Summer."

Ryan covers his face for a moment. "Okay. I'll eat something if you guys can give me a few minutes."

"I'll bring it to you," Kirsten says. Seth hands him the phone and follows his parents out, closing the door.

"Hey," Ryan says into the phone.

"Where have you been?"

"I'm sorry. It was a long, shitty day. Are you okay?" Ryan asks.

"Marissa is…she's so messed up, Ryan. I don't know what to do and…"

"What?"

"I miss you so much…"

"Summer…"

"But she's so unbalanced that I don't know how she'll handle it if she finds out…but I…I miss you so much…"

"I miss you, too." Ryan is silent for a long moment. "I'll do whatever you need, Summer. I won't let you get hurt…"

"What are you talking about?"

"She needs you, Summer."

"But I need you…"

"So what are we going to do? Just tell me what to do," Ryan whispers. "Because…"

"Do you love Marissa?"

"Summer, no. No." Ryan is confused.

"Did you love her?"

"You know the answer to that," Ryan starts.

"No, you told me that you didn't know what love was…" Summer protests, making reference to a conversation they'd had weeks earlier.

"I didn't then."

They are both silent.

"Summer, I'm really tired…"

"What'd you do all day?"

"Promise not to flip out?"

"No," Summer answers. She's worried. "So tell me."

"I ripped out some stitches and Sandy took me to the ER. They checked my ribs again and…"

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm fine now."

"So when'd you get home?"

"Just now."

"It's late. What took so long?"

"Summer, they had to…they had to do a few things over."

"Like what? Ryan, tell me…"

"I'm home safe now. It was nothing."

"You didn't call me?"

"I didn't want to upset you."

"I'm upset."

Ryan sighs. He slides off the bed and leans his back against the edge of the bed. "Baby, don't be upset."

"You're okay?"

"Yeah. I'm drugged silly but I'm okay."

"Do you want me to come over?"

"Of course. But I don't think you can," Ryan says.

"Why not?"

"I want you, Summer. You know that. You…you know how I feel about you and I know…I know that you care about me, too, but…"

"But what?"

"I don't want to sneak around. I don't want to lie. If you need to be clean with Marissa, if this stuff between us has to have been nonexistent so you can make things right with her, then…"

"Ryan, wait, slow down…"

"I can't be with you if I know that you're going to walk away…not right now…I'm just not strong enough right now to be able to let you go…I'll wait for you but I can't see you right now…not if you can't stay."

Summer is silent after his outburst.

"Ryan?" Kirsten enters with a tray of sandwiches.

"I have to go."

"No, Ryan, please, wait…"

"I'll call you." Ryan hangs up.

*****

Summer flicks a flake of polish off her fingernail as Marissa tells her more about Jean-Luc's art of massage. "Marissa."

"Yeah?" She chirps.

"You've been home a week now and you haven't asked me what I did while you were gone."

"Oh. Sorry. What did you do while I was gone?"

"Ryan."

Summer jolts awake, knocking the notebook off her desk and startling the teacher mid-sentence. She hasn't slept in days. She hasn't talked to Marissa about Ryan yet. Marissa hasn't let Summer talk to her about anything, she's been totally self-absorbed since her return. Summer has been trying to be supportive but she needs to be more than a sounding board. She needs someone to listen to her, too. Summer has reached her breaking point.

Marissa hands her the tablet and gives her a curious look.

Summer hasn't talked to Ryan in six days. He's at school but he won't meet her eyes when she looks at him and she hasn't approached him. Marissa is obsessive around him, constantly finding him and trying to talk to him. Ryan doesn't reply. He listens to her in silence. Ryan's behavior is unnerving for everyone. Seth and Anna are always with him and he talks to them, but he doesn't respond to anyone else. He hasn't been answering when the teachers call on him in class. Summer hasn't talked to Seth about it yet, but she knows that Dr. Kim had a conference with the Cohens earlier in the day.

The bell rings and Summer is relieved. It's 3:00 on Friday and she flanks Marissa to her locker.

"So. I was thinking of going over to Ryan's this weekend with some ice cream, chocolate's his favorite, I think, and no one can resist ice cream," Marissa is saying.

"Strawberry."

"What?" Marissa asks absently.

"Ryan likes strawberry ice cream," Summer says.

Marissa stares at her. "What are you talking about?"

"Ryan and I hung out while you were gone."

"What? You didn't tell me that…"

"You haven't asked," Summer replies evenly.

"God, Summer, I've been a little upset…"

"Yeah, me too. Good luck with that." Summer turns, determined to walk away.

"What? Summer, wait…"

"No." Summer stops, though and turns to face her.

"What's going on with you?"

"I'm tired, Marissa. I've been your friend for a long time. But I don't think you've ever been my friend. And Ryan was my friend but I told myself that you were more important. But I was wrong." Summer is shaking.

"I don't understand…"

"You wouldn't. This is the bottom line, Coop. We are not friends."

"What's this all about?"

"It's about the end of our friendship. Have a nice life, Coop." Summer walks away.

*****

Ryan is sitting at the kitchen counter working on his homework when Sandy arrives home. He knows the Cohens met with Dr. Kim earlier about his 'communication issues' she had approached him about yesterday.

"So. Ryan. Why don't you tell me what's going on?" Sandy asks.

"For once, nothing."

"Dr. Kim told us what's been happening. When a teacher calls on you, you don't answer…"

"I'm sorry, Sandy. I just haven't felt like talking."

"You're not in trouble, but your teachers are concerned. I'm concerned. Your assignments are being done, you're acing all the written work but you…you won't talk to anyone but Seth or Anna…"

"I can't explain it. I'll…I'll try to do what she wants, what, for me to socialize? Interact?" Ryan offers, clearly eager to end the conversation.

"Ryan, stop."

"I'm sorry…"

"Stop." Sandy leans against the counter heavily. "I know you're upset about Summer and Marissa…"

"I'm fine."

"If you were fine, I wouldn't be meeting your dean to discuss your state of mind…"

"Yeah, I'm antisocial and introverted. Clinically depressed and prone to random acts of violence and self-destructive behavior. It's not news to me, Sandy, all the counselors give me that same spiel."

"And you don't think there's any validity to that."

"Why do they get to define normal? So, I'm not chipper all the time. I get by. I'm not suicidal…"

"You ran away from home and went on a drug and drinking binge and almost died…"

Ryan sighs, affected. He's clearly frustrated.

"I'm worried about you."

"Don't," Ryan snaps.

"Ever since you got back, Ryan…I can see that you're really making an effort to talk to us and accept your place in the family but you're still withdrawn and…" Sandy starts.

"What do you want me to do? God, Sandy, I'm fucking sore, I feel like hell and I've got Marissa crying in my face all day, I've got teachers asking me dumbass questions all day and all of fucking Newport looking at me like I'm trash and I'm just trying to hold it together until things level out…" Ryan runs out of words.

"How can I make things better for you, Ryan?" Sandy asks after a long pause.

"I'll do better. I'll communicate more and make an effort to interact socially," Ryan says tersely.

"What's that mean?" Sandy asks, confused by Ryan's veiled emotion.

"I'll try, Sandy. I'm sorry," Ryan says, resigned.

"That's not what I need to know. I need to know what I can do to make things better," Sandy asks.

"Relax. That will make me better. I'm fine. I'm not planning on going anywhere. I want to be here." Ryan covers his face. "I just…"

"You just what?" Sandy urges.

"I just need time."

"Okay," Sandy says. Ryan's dark mood remains but the animosity has been replaced by ambivalence. Ryan doesn't want to talk anymore and his eyes are lowered and focused.

"Are we done?" Ryan asks.

"You want some dinner?"

"I had cereal. I'm going to go upstairs and finish this homework," Ryan says.

"Are you angry with me?" Sandy asks.

"No. Relax." Ryan goes upstairs.

*****

"Like violence-

you have me,

forever and after-

Like violence-

you kill me

forever and after…"

--Blink 182

Seth opens the door later to Summer. "Hey. Long time," He says as he gives her a friendly hug.

"What's going on?" Summer asks.

"Anna and I are hanging out," Seth says as he leads her inside to the den. Anna welcomes her with a nod.

"How are you? How's Marissa?" Anna asks.

"I snapped on her today and it didn't phase her, she didn't even care that I…that I totally hate her now," Summer confesses. "She hasn't even called."

"I'm so sorry, Summer," Anna replies, honestly.

"But I didn't tell her about Ryan…I said that we were friends…" Summer begins.

"Summer. You guys are just friends. Isn't that the general consensus?" Seth replies, smiling sympathetically.

"I don't even know if we're even friends at this point. Is he here?" Summer asks.

Anna and Seth glance at each other.

"What?" Summer asks.

"He's sleeping, Summer. Mom and Dad don't like us to wake him," Seth says quietly.

"Don't give me that," Summer says, not believing him.

"No, Summer, I'm serious. Mom and Dad are like wardens. He's been having these awful dreams, that's how he ended up in the ER and had the surgery and now they give him a sleeping pill after dinner because he can't…what?" Seth stops, seeing Summer's confused expression.

"Wait. Surgery? What surgery? He said he ripped some stitches out…"

"Yeah, but…but they did more x-rays and found out that his ribs were damaged worse than they thought and they did some…simple surgery and he's all better," Seth explains.

"Surgery?" Summer is stricken.

"Ryan must not have mentioned it. Sorry," Anna says, glaring at Seth.

"I don't think he wanted to upset you," Seth adds.

"I need to see him."

Seth gets up and exits. Anna slides over and takes Summer's hand. "Honey, this has been a rough couple of weeks and…and Ryan's been through a lot. He might not be able to see you right now."

"Is he okay?"

"He's…he's getting there. He just…he's really quiet," Anna hesitates.

"I know that he's not talking. Like, except to you and Seth."

"And the Cohens. He says he doesn't feel like talking to anyone else," Anna admits.

"He'll talk to me. He has to," Summer whispers.

"What happened between you guys? He…Ryan hasn't mentioned your name since you stopped calling," Anna explains.

"I don't know. With Marissa back…"

"I asked about you and Ryan. Let's leave Marissa out of this for a second. What happened between you and Ryan?"

"He…we…we just stopped. Everything we had…we just left it where we left it," Summer says.

Seth returns. "He's sleeping, Summer. I tried to wake him but…"

"Can I just see him? Please, Seth…" Summer pleads, standing up.

"Summer. He needs his rest," Kirsten says, stepping in beside her son.

"I promise not to wake him. I…I have to see him."

"Summer…" Kirsten starts.

"Please. Just for a minute."

Kirsten nods and leads her upstairs. Summer steps into his room and walks immediately to Ryan's bedside.

Ryan is sleeping peacefully. His bare chest rises and falls and his arm is stretched out as if he's waiting for the empty space to be filled.

"Seth tried to wake him, honey. But we've been giving him something the doctor prescribed for his nightmares," Kirsten says gently.

"He's having nightmares again?"

"Again?"

"He has them a lot," Summer says, sitting down on the edge of the bed and smoothing his rumpled hair. "When he's got too much on his mind. I guess it was about a month ago when they were the worst. He's taking the sleeping pills without argument?"

"Not without argument. But he knows that he needs rest."

"Can I sit with him?" Summer asks. Ryan moves his lips, talking soundlessly as he readjusts in bed.

"Can you come back tomorrow? I'll get him to call you first thing," Kirsten says after a pause.

"Summer…" Ryan murmurs in his sleep as his face becomes expressive with emotion.

"I'm right here," Summer says quietly, but Ryan is sleeping deeply. He turns away from her.

"No…sorry…" Ryan mutters. Kirsten glances at Ryan and kneels at the head of his bed.

"Shh…it's okay…you're safe, okay?" Kirsten speaks quietly and Ryan relaxes at her voice.

"'Kay…" He breathes.

"Will you tell him I came by?" Summer goes to the door.

"Of course. I'm sure he'll be sorry he missed you," Kirsten says, making no move to follow her. "It's good to see you."

"I should have stayed by him," Summer says, guiltily.

"He's a strong boy. He's doing okay," Kirsten says. "And you look like you're getting by."

"I won't be okay until I can talk to him," Summer says as she leaves.

*****

"Hey, dude. What's up?"

"Hey," Ryan nods to Seth in the kitchen.

"What are you going to do today?"

"Don't know. You?" Ryan asks.

"I'm under strict orders to make you relax. Mom's calling it Operation Uplift."

"Like I'm a pair of sagging breasts?" Ryan replies. Seth laughs. "Operation Wonderbra," Ryan adds.

"Anna's on her way and its early so if we decide to drive a couple of hours…"

"A roadtrip sounds nice," Ryan says after a pause.

"Really? You like roadtrips?

"We used to hop in the car and drive until we ran out of cigarettes or gas," Ryan says quietly.

"Mom and Dad are going to want a destination, though."

"Your choice, Seth."

Seth pauses. "You know Summer came by last night to see you."

Ryan glances at him, clearly surprised. "What?"

"Yeah, you were out cold so Mom told her to call you today," Seth says.

"Oh. What did she want?"

"To see you. I think…I think she had it out with Marissa…not over you but…she wants to talk to you."

Ryan nods, motionless for a moment.

"Are you going to call her?"

Ryan doesn't respond.

"Ryan?"

"No. Not now. It's too early."

"Why not? You love her…" Seth starts.

"It doesn't matter. It's complicated," Ryan replies.

"Hey." Summer steps into the kitchen.

"Morning, Summer," Seth says, startled.

"Hey, Seth. Ryan. Rosa let me in," Summer says, watching Ryan.

"Want some cereal?" Seth offers. Ryan turns slowly and holds out his bowl of frosted flakes.

"I'm fine. I had something at home," She replies.

"It's good to see you," Ryan says finally.

Summer sighs, smiling sadly. "So you can talk."

"I'm making an effort today," Ryan mutters, not meeting her gaze.

"It's Operation Wonderbra," Seth adds.

"Can we talk, Ryan?" Summer asks, giving Seth a curious glance.

"I thought we were talking," Ryan says quietly.

"I'll just be upstairs." Seth makes a quick exit.

"Are you mad at me?" Summer whispers, sitting down beside him at the counter.

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Then can we have an actual conversation?"

"Sure."

Summer sighs.

"How are you?" Ryan asks.

"I'm…I'm all messed up."

"That seems to be going around."

Summer smiles. She takes his hand and intertwines her fingers with his on the counter.

"What brings the visit?" Ryan asks.

"I need a reason to come see you?"

"I don't know. Do you?" Ryan asks.

They are both silent.

"I feel like I can't breathe without you…I feel like I'm suffocating," Summer starts. Before she can continue, she feels Ryan's hands on her head and he kisses her, taking her breath. He kisses her desperately.

Between kisses, Ryan breathes words into her ear. "I can't stop dreaming about you…it's killing me…and if you're here…I'd never forgive myself…I need to show you…how I feel…" His hands run through her hair tenderly.

Summer accepts his kisses and pulls him tightly against her, knocking both their stools over. Her hands pull his shirt up in the back and she caresses his back with her fingertips.

"God, I'm sorry…" Ryan stops suddenly and steps back, stricken. Sandy and Seth having heard the falling stool, rush into the kitchen.

Summer and Ryan are both flushed and breathless. Sandy steps between them, instinctively.

"What happened?" Sandy asks, worried.

"I'm sorry, Summer…I'm so sorry…" Ryan says, clearly upset.

"Why? What's wrong?" Summer asks, confused.

"Sandy, it's okay. I just freaked for a minute," Ryan says after a tense pause.

"Come on, Ryan, no freaking out today. It's relax day," Seth says as he steps over and picks up the stools.

"Outside. We'll go outside in the sun," Ryan says.

"Are you sure everything's okay?" Sandy asks.

"Everything's okay," Ryan nods. He walks outside and Summer follows him.

"Summer," Seth calls as Summer turns to close the door. "Don't upset him."

Summer nods. She closes the door. Ryan has his back to her.

"They're worried about you."

"Yeah. I know."

"I'm worried about you, too. And me. I'm worried about us."

"There is no us right now. That's why I said I was sorry," Ryan replies, turning to face her.

"We can't be friends? Like we were?"

"Can you do that? Because…I'm in a little deeper now…I need…"

"I need you. However I can have you," Summer says. She walks over to him and tentatively reaches for his hand. He steps back.

Ryan sits down in one of the pool chairs. She sits down beside him. She settles beside him, her legs across his as he reclines. Their bodies mould together automatically as he puts his arm behind her and she puts her arms around him, resting her head against his chest.

"Can I tell you about Marissa?"

"You can tell me anything, Summer."

She closes her eyes and tells him everything. About Marissa's cycles of crying over Jean-Luc and laughing about her mother's guilt-provoked shopping sprees. About Marissa's expectations of utter loyalty. Summer's tears start to trickle onto his shirt as she continues to explain that Marissa hadn't questioned her tears or her solemn mood. She explains how she can't help Marissa anymore. Ryan rubs her arm, comfortingly.

"Ryan?"

"I'm here."

"Don't you have anything to say?"

"What do you want me to say?" Ryan asks quietly.

"I…I don't know…"

"You're a good friend. A great friend. She's your oldest, best friend. She's shared years of memories with you and…and you care about her in ways…"

"Okay, don't talk," She murmurs. "Just…"

"I'll just hold you."

They lie together in silence.

"I have to go to therapy next week," Ryan says quietly.

"What? What?"

"They're worried about me."

"And you're going?"

"I'll do whatever they want. They're trying so hard…so I'm trying, too," Ryan whispers.

"You don't need therapy," She murmurs. They fall silent.

"I need something," Ryan says finally.

"You need me…"

"I can't ask you for anything more than you've already given me."

She tilts her head to look at him but his eyes are closed.

"I can't let myself need you," He whispers as she watches him.

She straddles him suddenly. She takes his face in her hands and begins to kiss him. She explores his mouth, unable to control herself. She kisses him until her lungs are screaming for oxygen. She waits for him to take a ragged breath before pressing her lips against his mouth again.

"We can't…keep…doing this…" Ryan pants as she starts to unbutton his shirt.

"Why not…" She puts a hickey on his neck, bruising his flesh as she tries to devour him.

"Please…" She murmurs.

"Please what…" He whispers and he returns her kisses into her neck.

"Make love to me…" She says as she kisses his exposed bellybutton. Her fingers start to unbutton his jeans.

"Wait…stop…" Ryan moans before her teeth finish unzipping his jeans.

"What?" She pants.

"I can't…"

Her fingers finish unzipping his pants as her mouth finds his.

"I need…you…inside…I need you so bad…" She murmurs, tracing the path to his boxers with her tongue.

"Please stop…I can't…resist you…please…" He manages, his hands stopping her descent. He finds her hands and clenches them tightly, stopping her.

"Why, Ryan? Why can't we…"

"Ryan." Seth's voice is urgent.

"Yeah?" Ryan answers as he zips his jeans.

"Marissa's dad is on the phone."

Ryan accepts the phone from Seth as Summer sits up and gracelessly falls out of the pool chair.

"Hello?"

"Ryan? It's Jimmy Cooper."

"Hey, Mr. Cooper," Ryan says. Seth is helping Summer off the ground.

"Ryan. Kirsten called me last night…"

"Why? I mean…"

"She said that Marissa's been hassling you…"

"Hassling me? I never…" Ryan starts.

"Anyway. I just wanted to tell you that we're sending her to an inpatient…"

"You're putting her in the hospital?" Ryan asks.

"An inpatient facility where she can get well, Ryan…"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Cooper…"

"No, I'm sorry. Marissa's sick and I was fooling myself that she'd get better without help."

Ryan is silent. Seth is standing beside Summer until she pushes past him, vanishing around the house.

"I just wanted you to know. She didn't even tell me that you guys had broken up, she said that everything was fine. She's been lying to me for months."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Cooper." He hesitates. "What do you want me to do?"

"Ryan, I don't expect anything of you…"

"I…I'm sorry…"

"I know this wasn't your fault. Marissa…she's sick."

"But…"

"You can't help her, Ryan. I appreciate everything you did for her but we have to let the doctors help her now."

"Good luck, Mr. Cooper." Ryan lowers the phone.

"Ryan?" Seth calls.

Ryan stands up. "I'm going to go for a walk."

"A walk?"

"Yeah. I'll be back." Ryan walks away from Seth with a strange expression.

"Wait!" Seth calls. Ryan waves a hand at him as he disappears around the house.