Disclaimer: I know you're sick of reading this part (if you read this part at all), but as you all know I don't own any of the characters. Fox does, which bites. I wouldn't mind owning Seth and Summer though.  Enjoy :)

Note
: Thanks to everyone who's left me reviews. You're all so awesome. I wasn't planning on updating the story today, but I was really happy about something and decided to anyway. With that being said, ya'll wondering if Summer will die or not. Well, you'll have to wait for the next few chapters to find out. ;)

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Chapter 9: Question and Answer

Seth stopped dead in his tracks, Summer was awake. He turned around slowly on his heels. His eyes locked with hers. His eyes were filled with questions that only Summer could answer. Her eyes were filled with pain, guilt and heartache. He turned back around slowly. He for sure was not ready. As his hand glazed over the door knob, but stopped. He turned his whole body around. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I..I" Summer couldn't finish, Seth cut in.

"What are you going to lie up an excuse?" Seth asked raising his voice. Though it wasn't what he meant to do. Summer winced and closed her eyes tightly, fighting back the tears that threatened to flow out of her eyes like a river. As hard as she could, she couldn't hold them back. Her body trembled, despite the pain, and she broke down into tears. She hid her face with her hands. "Summer, I'm so sorry.. I didn't mean for you to cry"

Seth was feeling very guilty at that moment. He really hadn't meant to cause her anymore pain that what she probably was already going though. He hurried over to her and swung his arms around her. She wasn't physically hurt. But he made sure, against his desire, to hug her too tight. She cried into his chest, soaking his shirt. Seth ran his fingers through her hair. He hadn't been able to hug her in a while.

Summer's sobs was no more. She looked up, her face tear stained, and gave Seth a weak smile. Seth looked down cast her and his stomach did back flips. Even in a hospital clothing, Summer managed to still be beautiful. "I'm so sorry for not telling you"

"Don't apologize," Seth said kissing her on her forehead. "Does this have anything to do with you turning me do.. never mind. Forget it. It's okay"

Summer didn't buy it, she was going to explain it to him through and through. "No, it's not okay," Summer said moving away from him. Her eyes wondered away from Seth and focused on the plain white wall on her right. "I lied to you and Ryan. I even had my mother and Marissa lie to you both. I wasn't being fair, I just didn't want you two to worry. Most of all I hurt you. And for the question you didn't finish asking, yes. This has something to do with why I turn you down that night out on the balcony."

"Why? Though, I wouldn't have cared if you were sick. Well I would, but you know what I mean," Seth said looking her direction. Summer sighed a very tired one.

"I just didn't want to have you after liking you for so long then have to lose you" Summer admitted turning her attention back toward Seth. Her eyes were filled with tears again, but before they could escape her eyes Summer blinked them away. "It hurts having someone then losing them forever, you know? Probably not"

"Aren't you forgetting my friend who passed away. I mean I didn't want him romantically or had him in that way, but he meant a lot to me. I felt like I died the day I found out he had died," Seth softly said thinking back on that horrid day. He had just come home from Surfing. He walked past the pool house and into the kitchen where he found his mother crying. Seth shook the thought away and tuned his attention back to Summer. "But Summer, losing me wouldn't have been a problem. I'm not going anywhere and you aren't either"

"That's where you're wrong Seth," Summer said in a tone a little above a whisper. Seth shook his head and took hold of her hand. He placed it in between his and squeezed it tightly. He shook his head once more and stuck his tongue out, just to ease the moment a bit. "Seth, I'm being serious. I won't be here for long..". Seth shook his head. Summer was getting agitated. "Okay, let's make a bet on who's right. If I win, you owe me a hundred bucks. And if it goes the other way around, if you win. Deal?"

"Summer, don't be silly," Seth said shaking his head. Summer rolled her eyes and stuck her hand out for him to accept her deal. Hesitantly, he shook it. Summer smiled, weakly before resting her head back against her pillow. She was getting tired again. She found it were that she was able to stay up longer when Seth was around compared to her mother and Marissa put together. "Summer, don't go to sleep yet okay? I have questions that I need you to answer. I know I'm such a jerk and quite the selfish guy"

"Alright I'll try," Summer whispered looking at Seth. He looked her way and leaned in to kiss her forehead, again, softly. She melted inside at the gesture. "Okay, what is it you have to ask me?"

"Actually I only have one question to ask you. All the other questions have seemed to slip my mind," Seth explained. Summer nodded and motioned for him to continue before she couldn't fight her lids back any longer. Seth cleared his throat and looked down nervously at his hands. "Well.. since everything is laid out flat, um.. do you want to be my girlfriend?"

There the question once again. Summer thought about it and her facial expression gave Seth the idea she was going to turn him down again, he wasn't going to have it. He would have her as his girlfriend before he left the hospital. "I don't care about your sickness, I only care about you. I know I wasn't prince charming all those years back, but now I am. Conceited much? Anyway, please Summer.. I never usually beg a girl, but be my girlfriend because I .. like.. I mean I lov.."

Summer cupped her hand over Seth's mouth and shook her head slowly. She was, at this point, giggling. Seth sure did ramble, it was one of the things Summer enjoyed about him. She moved her hand away when she left Seth's tongue slide up against her palm. She hit him, which did not hurt Seth at all, and wiped her hand up against her blanket. "Ew, I was going to say 'yes' but since you.."

Summer was silenced with a kiss. Not on the cheek or the forehead or head, but on her lips. She kissed him back, hoping Seth would get the hint that she wanted to be his girlfriend. They stayed that way for a few seconds before they pulled away from one another. Summer looked away and blushed, Seth smirked. "Wow, Summer Robert's my girlfriend, how awesome"

"I should be saying that. I mean I've liked you since forever. I never actually thought the day you and I get together would ever come" Summer smiled encircling her fingers with his. Seth raised their hands and planted a soft but loving kiss on the back of her palm. "Wow, I'm 'officially' dating Seth Cohen. It won't last that long, but we'll make it the worth it right?"

"Shut up Sum," Seth said seriously. He didn't like the fact Summer kept bring the fact that she wasn't going to be around very long. He in his heart knew it wasn't true. She would live. She would live to see another beautiful summer and the upcoming fall and winter. Summer was really tired and in pain, now. But she hid her pain from Seth and closed her eyes. She shifted on the bed and got comfortable. Seth ran his fingers through her hair and she shut her eyes.

********

Ryan, exhausted from looking everywhere for Marissa, burst through the front doors of the hospital. He cursed out loud when he spotted Marissa sitting out on bench. She had her face buried in her hands. As Ryan go closer, the clearer Marissa's sobs got. He quietly sad down beside her and pulled her in. He kissed the top of her head as she cried her eyes out onto his chest. "Don't worry, baby. Summer's going to be okay"

"No she's not" Marissa said through her sobs. She sniffled and wiped her tears away. "The doctor said that surgery won't help her at this point. All that can is a donor and right now they cant find any"

"I'm sure they will.. just give it time" Ryan tried to calm his girlfriend, but she shook her head.

"Summer doesn't have time. She needs it now," Marissa dug her face into his chest more. "I don't want to lose her .. I don't know what Aunt Heather and I will do without her"

"I don't think I know what Seth will do without her either," Ryan mumbled soft enough so Marissa wouldn't hear. He tighten his grip around her. "She'll be fine.. just you wait and see"

Marissa shook her head. She wiped her away her tears with Ryan shirt and looked up. "Where's Anna?"

"She left. The hospital got to her. She'll be back tomorrow to see Summer," Ryan pulled Marissa in to kiss her on her lips, but she pulled away. "What's wrong?"

"I can't be affectionate with you right now. Not when Summer's dying" Marissa said getting up and walking back into the hospital. With his jaw dropped, Ryan got up and ran after Marissa. He caught up pretty quickly and swung his arms around her. She swung her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulders as they walked back to Summer's room.

As the hoped into the elevator, Marissa pushed Ryan against one of the walls and pressed her lips against his, really hard. Ryan was shocked, but wrapped his arms around him. Their lips were locked with one another until the elevator door opened up to the ICU level. Ryan wiped his mouth and adoringly gazed over Marissa. "I thought ..."

"Just that one time" Marissa winked before walking down the hall. Ryan smiled to himself and ran after her. Gosh, he thought. He somehow kept finding himself running after her. We caught up to her, he, once again, sung his arm around her shoulder and brought her close. After walking for a few minutes, they finally reached Summer's room. Marissa turned the knob and pushed the door open quietly as possible.

Seth, unaware that Marissa and Ryan were by the doorway, looked down at a sleeping Summer. His sleeping Summer, who only became his girlfriend that very same day. He admired her features, her lips, nose and eyes. Well her closed eyes anyway. They all meshed with one another creating the beauty Summer held. He scooted the chair a little away from the bed and rested his head right next to Summer's hand. He started to hum a song then broke out into a song,

"I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
That's why I need you to hear

I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is You
"

Seth stopped singing, opened his tired eyes and looked at her sleeping figure. He had no idea why he was tired, he hadn't even been at the hospital for more than 3 hours. He smiled to himself before, despite his troubling thoughts. "I love you". He whispered again, before shutting his eyes. Marissa gripped her hand around Ryan's arm and squealed. Seth was still half awake. "When you get better, I'll take you out on our first real dat..."

Seth's voice was no longer audible to Marissa and Ryan who still stood at the door watching the cute scene. Marissa quietly walked over to Seth and wasn't surprised to find that he had fallen asleep. Marissa motioned for Ryan to join her, he did. He smiled at the sight of his brother and Summer. Marissa felt another presence in the room and turned to find Heather making her way over to them.

A weak smile was playing on Heather's lips as she got closer to the gang. She stood next to Summer's bed, opposite of where Seth was and leaned down to kiss her daughter. She watched the rise and fall of her chest and silently prayed for her to be okay. Her eyes fell on sleeping Seth, she smiled. She looked at Ryan and Marissa. She pointed to Summer and Seth. She didn't have to say anything, Marissa knew what she was asking. "Aren't they the cutest couple you've ever seen, unlike the supposed coupling of Ben and Mischa"

"Ben and who?" Ryan asked as Heather walked away from the bed. Marissa shrugged her shoulders and walked away from the bed leaving Ryan puzzled. He hated being puzzled and gave up in three seconds. He joined the two girls and the three walked out of room. Out in the hallway, Heather paced back and fourth. "Mrs. Roberts, she's going to be okay"

Heather ignored him. "You kids should go home. Don't worry about Summer, I'll watch over her. Go have fun like kids your age would". Marissa opened her mouth to protest, "Please?". Heather gave them a pleading look. A look that Marissa and Ryan could not resist. They sighed, giving in.

"Come on Ryan" Marissa said pulling his hand toward the direction of where the elevator was located. Marissa was confused when Ryan refused to be pulled. She turned around. "Ryan?"

"We have to get Seth," Ryan reminded. Marissa hit herself, lightly, on the head before following Ryan into Summer's room. Marissa waited by the door as Ryan went to wake Seth up. He shook him lightly. He wouldn't wake up. Then Ryan shook him violently. Ryan smiled, Seth fluttered his eyes open and scanned his surroundings. His eyes skipped Ryan and fell upon his girlfriend. Ryan patted him on the back, really hard. "Dude, we have to go"

"I don't want to" Seth protested crossing his arms and closing his eyes once again. He opened them back up when he felt his body being lifted. "Ryan, dude. I want to stay here with my girlfriend"

"I know you do, but we need to go. We'll be back tomorrow"

"Promise?" Seth asked. Ryan rolled his eyes. Was Seth a seven year old? Seth smiled and got up from the chair. He kissed Summer softly. "Bye Summer. I'll be back tomorrow"

Marissa's heart melted. It was just too cute. She smiled at the boys as they made their way to her. Marissa looked Seth directly in the eyes. "You love her?" Seth only nodded. More than you will ever know, Seth said to himself closing the door to Summer's room.

Credit: The Reason - Hoobastank


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I know, I know.. "The Reason" is probably like over done, but I just put it in the story anyway. I love that song. Anywho, that was Chapter 9. I thought it was written okay, but I'd love to hear what you thought of it. Please leave me a review. :) .

Note # 2
: Oh I'm looking to write another story.. being a Breakfast Cluber, it'll most likely be a Seth/Summer story.