Hello again, world. Sorry it took so long for the update, been a little busy. And I procrastinated when I should have been writing this chapter, all thanks to the OC Mix 1 cd and my poor multitasking skills. I can't listen to it and type at the same time. Its really good though, everyone should get it. Although I do think it might have contributed to my 74 in physics class.

Ryan held Marissa's waist with one hand and kissed her, pulling at the pool house door with the other. "Damn," he said after pulling away, "locked."

"There's gotta be somewhere to go," Marissa sighed, burying her head in Ryan's chest.

Ryan kissed the top of her head. "Let's try the front door," he said, and they walked back to the house. Ryan turned the knob and the door opened. "Wouldn't you know it," he said, ushering Marissa in. "Uh…couch seems free."

"What if the Cohen's come in?" She half-smiled and held onto his hand tighter.

"Guest room's open." Marissa nodded at this and led him up the stairs, stopping for a quick kiss at the top.

Seth held his ear to the door. "Oh my God," he mouthed to Summer, "Ryan and Marissa."

"Ewww. Your parents," Summer whispered, "switch." Seth took Summer's spot and Summer took the opposite wall.

"This is just odd," Seth said.

"What's going on?" Summer asked from her post.

"I'll tell you what's goin' on," Seth started, walking towards Summer and waving a finger, "everybody's gettin' it on. Everybody but us. The happy couple…now, anyways. And I, for one, am not gonna stand for that!" He kept rambling on in his sarcastic tone, his voice getting louder and louder. "It's just….un-American! The general rule is if everybody else in the house is doin' it, you do it, too!"

"Seth, calm down!" Summer grabbed his shoulders. "I will have sex with you…if you shut up. Got it?"

"Good deal," he said, pushing her back onto the bed.

"Did you hear that?" Ryan asked as Marissa unbuttoned his shirt.

"No, what?"

"Sounded like…springs, or somethin'. Something creaking."

"I don't hear a thing," Marissa replied seductively, lifting off his undershirt and kissing his chest.

"Mmk. 's not like anybody's here anyway," Ryan mumbled, repositioning them so he was on top of Marissa, kissing her harder.

"Ryan?" Marissa asked between kisses, her eyes shifting nervously in the dark room.

"Hmmm?"

"Can you just…"

"What's wrong?" He asked softly, lifting off of Marissa.

"Nothing. Can you just…you know…hold me?" She shrugged, her eyes glowing with hope.

Ryan rolled onto his back. "Sure," he said, almost smiling. He pulled her to him and Marissa lay on his chest. Ryan held her there, pulling the covers over them and rocking her lightly in his arms. "Marissa," he started, his voice hoarse, "I…I really missed you."

"I missed you, too, Ry," Marissa said, nussling her cheek into the curve of his strong arm. "I really did."

"We've gotta stop doing this." Summer rubbed her eyes with her free hand.

"Doing what?" Seth mumbled dryly into his pillow.

"This, Cohen. All we do is have sex. We need to get out of this bed."

"Nope." Seth outstretched his arm and laid it over Summer's chest, still buried in the pillow. "Don't need to get up. Live in bed."

"Besides, what time is it anyways?" She pushed herself up with one arm and leaned over Seth to read the clock, her bare body on his.

"Okay," Seth said, his body tensing up a bit, " if you're going for this whole 'wean Seth off sex' thing, this," he gestured to Summer's chest, which was just below his chin, "it really isn't gonna help." Summer rolled her eyes and slid back to the other pillow. "Just a guess, though. Could be wrong."

"Shut up, Cohen." She turned to him and gave him a light kiss.

"What was that for?"

"Motivation. Now, go take a shower, and get dressed." Seth pouted, but Summer glared at him. He grumbled and got up, then put his robe on, starting to leave. "Wait."

"What, your highness?" Seth sat on the edge of the bed. Summer sat up and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.

"Want to join me?" He raised his eyebrows suggestively and messed with the collar of his robe.

"Nope." Summer lay back down and Seth walked to the door.

"It'll be fun."

"Not a chance, Cohen." He shrugged and walked out. Summer smiled at her achievement. Seth Cohen was officially wrapped around her finger. The strange thing was, Summer really loved him.

"Oh, God," Marissa said softly into his chest. Where was she? And who was she with? She didn't feel like she was hung over. She opened her eyes and saw Ryan's face. She exhaled heavily with relief. He was so calm when he was asleep. Of course, he was always calm, but he actually seemed worry-free while sleeping. Marissa brushed a stray hair off his cheek.

"Mmm. Teresa, what're you doin'?" He grumbled, not opening his eyes.

"Ryan, it's me."

"Oh…um…sorry," he started to sit up, silently cursing himself for his slip of the tongue.

"No, it's okay." She leaned her head back on Ryan's chest and he understood, lying back down.

"So, uh, do you remember…what happened…last night?" Ryan asked, rubbing her fingers that rested on his shoulder.

"Well, you're here. And I still have most of my clothes on, so…"

"We're okay," he finished for her.

"We are?"

"Yeah, I mean, I guess we are…"

"Okay. But if we're okay, then what are we?" Marissa gazed at him intently, making sure his eyes didn't wander.

"Uh, what do you want…to be?" Ryan swallowed, almost nervously.

"I…I want to be with you, Ryan," she shook her head, "and that's all I need." She brushed her hand over Ryan's cheek and kissed him lightly.

"So, together?"

"Together," Marissa replied, smoothing her hand through his hair. Ryan wrapped his arms around Marissa's waist and rubbed the small of her back. He rested his chin on the top of her head. She smelled so good. Like home.

"Can you promise me something?" Ryan asked, running his hands under the back of her shirt, feeling her warm skin against his.

"Anything."

"Lay off the liquor, Marissa." He said quietly into her hair.

"Who needs a drink when they've got you?" Marissa grinned at him, but it faded when she saw the look on Ryan's face.

"My mother," he said coldly, his eyes turning distanced.

"Oh, Ryan, I am so sorry. I…I don't know what I was thinking. I just…"

"You just forgot about her. Just like I forgot that Kirsten's my mom now," he laughed, "and she's not that bad. Can't hold her liquor as well as the other one, but she's a good mother. More than I can say about Dawn." Marissa smiled and rubbed a hand over Ryan's bare stomach. She leaned in to him, but then there was suddenly a loud crash from the next room.

"What was that?"
Ah, and the inevitable cliffhanger rears its ugly head. Again. But now, I'm beginning to lose my mojo; my will to write something that's not terribly corny or crappy, or expected. So, it is up to you, my friends! Give me input! I need all the ideas I can get, so pleeeeeeease send me some. Thanks again.
love and peace
tvj