After about two hours of non-stop skiing they all decided to head back. Ryan was not looking forward to the conversation that was about to get started up again. While they all enjoyed dinner together, Marissa hardly touched her food. He didn't like seeing her upset, but he just didn't want to open himself up again. It hurt him too much. When they were almost finished, Marissa excused herself to go to the bathroom.

"I'll come with you." Summer said.

"Right. I still don't understand why women can't go alone." Seth joked.

When Summer was out of sight, Seth started another one of the Seth/Ryan talks.

"I can't hold this any longer. Summer and I patched thing up."

"When?"

"This morning."

"So that is why no one was answering the door."

"Yeah, well we kind of had our hands full if you know what I mean. Um, but more importantly I was getting a vibe that something was up between you and Marissa."

"I'm not sure of that myself. We had a talk and I think I might have upset her. Teresa was mentioned."

"Give up the into, and I will mine.'

"Just about opening up with stuff. See I felt comfortable with Teresa and I just can't be yet with Marissa. That's just how it is."

"Well you better clear it up fast. We have another six days to spend together."

Summer arrived back alone. Ryan looked up wondering where she went.

"Where's Marissa?" Ryan asked Summer.

"Could I just talk to Seth alone for a sec?" Summer questioned while dragging Seth away.

Ryan thought what is going on. Something is not right. He watched them trying to figure out what they were talking about.

"I need you to stay with Ryan tonight."

"What? Why Summer?"

"Marissa asked me to ask you. I don't know why, but say yes Cohen."

"Okay, but I don't know how happy Ryan will be with this arrangement."

"Trust me. It is for the better."

Seth made his way back to the table alone.

"What's this all about?" Ryan looked angered.

"Now settle down. There has been a slight change in plans. I'm going to stay with you tonight while Marissa stays with Summer."

"Not if I can help it."

Ryan went to look for Marissa. After searching the floor they were on, he left to check their room. To his surprise he actually found her there. She was facing the window just as he had earlier that day, but she had been crying and he didn't.

"Your not open with me as you are, were with Teresa."

"I am."

"You might think that, but you aren't. Remember back at Thanksgiving when you wouldn't tell about your life in Chino, well I still don't know. Yes, it was your past, but I need that past to understand our future and you won't let me in. You should already know where I am going. There is no need to follow, Seth should be up soon. See you tomorrow."

Ryan didn't know what to say to that so he just let her walk out that door.

When Marissa entered Seth and Summer's room, Seth knew to leave and have them stay the night together. He made his way up to Ryan's room. Marissa didn't cry, she was angry this time and she had to let all her feelings out to Summer.

"I don't even remember how this all started. If he only would have just answered yes, or no. That was all I was looking for. Did he have to go back to talking about the time at the pier? That is what made me start about Teresa again. Argh, I just want to scream at him right now." Marissa screamed out pacing back and forth in the room.

"Calm down. You don't want to do anything irrational." Summer said a little scared.

"Am I the one who is wrong Summer?"

"I don't know. Don't kill me for saying that."

"I just can't stand this."

There was a knock on the door.

"Don't answer it. It probably is Ryan. I don't feel like seeing him."

"But what if it's Seth?"

"Fine. I'll just hide in the bathroom."

"Alright." Summer looked at her as if she was crazy.

Opening the door....

Covering Summer's mouth, Ryan told her to get Marissa out of the room and in front of the building. He knew that if he tried getting her another way if wouldn't work. Summer whispered to him that she would try. She couldn't guarantee anything. Ryan told her the plan and everything was good to go. Ryan then left.

"Coop, you can come out now. It was Seth. Hurry."

"Why?"

"Something happened to Ryan. I don't know exactly, but you know how fast Seth talks. That is all I made out."

"Where is he? Is he okay?" Marissa asked frantically.

"Seth just mentioned that it happened in the front of this place."

"We have to hurry."

"You go ahead. I'll be behind you."

Marissa rushed to the front not seeing anyone. What the hell was going on? No cops, ambulance, nothing. Ryan then emerged from behind one of the poles of the building.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Do you have fun torturing me? I thought something terrible happened to you." Marissa just yelled out.

Ryan was a bit taken aback, but continued on with what he wanted to do.

"At least I know now you still care."

"Of course I do. I love you Ryan. I never did stop loving you."

"I never said you did."

"Why did you have Summer lie that you were hurt?"

"I want to tell you about my life in Chino. Anything you want to know."

This news came to her as a shock. He must have really thought about what she said. Now she wasn't sure what she was going to ask. All she knew was that she was getting cold since in her rush she did not put on a coat. Ryan sensed this and asked her to come back inside. She agreed and they walked back into the building.

"Where do you want to continue?" Ryan asked.

"Wherever you want."

"Let's go back to our room. I'll just get us some coffee. This might take a while."

Marissa nodded and headed back to the room. Ryan wanted to put an end to this once and for all. If she really needed to know, he was going to tell her. Even if this meant that subjects would come up that he isn't too happy about. He wanted to see Marissa happy. He loved her.

Seth passed by Ryan as he went back to Summer's room.

"I guess your plan worked. Hope everything will be okay."

"It has to be. I love her."

"Well at least now I can make out with Summer again so we both win."

When Ryan entered the room, both were silent for a while.

"I know you think I am acting immature, and maybe in some ways I am. This is still new to me and I am still confused." Marissa tried to justify herself.

"This is still new to me too."

"But you know I have only been with Luke. You probably have had plenty of girlfriends to deal with so you are more used to it."

"I wouldn't say that."

"What do you mean?"

"Marissa, you have been the only real one.

"Your joking right? Trying not to make me feel bad."

"Nope. Cross my heart."

This was odd she thought. Never did that thought cross her mind. She did not know how to respond to that.

"But Teresa?"

"Back in Chino things moved fast. Real fast. People just didn't date that much there. They just moved to the next step."

"Oh." She started to feel a bit uncomfortable. "You don't have to go on if you don't want to."

"If you are wondering if I have been around then yes. Not a lot, but not a little either. It was a purely sexual thing. No strings attached and what not."

Marissa just sat there listening intently and drinking the coffee he bought.

"When I met you, you were different than all those other girls I knew. All those memories seemed to disappear when I was around you. That night up at Kirsten's housing development, I could have had you. Admit it. You would have wanted to if I had asked."

Shamelessly she nodded yes.

"I couldn't just use you and then leave back to Chino. If I had been back in Chino and if you were one of those girls there, then I wouldn't think twice."

"And I treated you so horribly not knowing this. Man I am so stupid."

"Don't say that. You were with Luke and had no idea about all of this."

"Yeah. I was just too self-absorbed with myself. That is a good reason why I never realized all along Luke was cheating on me."

"But that's the past and right now I think the best thing to do is get some sleep. It's one o'clock now and I'm exhausted. If you want we can continue over breakfast."

"One question before we do that."

"Okay."

"Did you ever say I love you to Teresa?"

"No. You were the first girl I ever said that to. This is why I didn't say it back so quickly when you said it to me. I knew I couldn't just say it without meaning it."

"I don't know what to say to that."

"We could just say goodnight and leave it at that."

"Alright."