Summary: Ryan and Marissa never expected to wake up in each others arms while in Tiajuana, but it was exactly what they both needed (a short vignette looking into their thoughts in The Escape)

Author's Note: This is my second O.C. fic. It is an in depth look into what was going on metween Ryan and Marissa when they wake up together in Tiajuana in The Escape. Please leave feedback :-)

Morning Glow
by Michelle Drake

Captured in the morning's glow, neither moved. It was too easy to pretend to still be asleep, although they could both feel each other's breathing become more regular as the morning sun shone through the dirty blinds of the motel waking them from their troubled night. Despite the seedy, dingy pull out they were laying on, both of them were content and happy to stay where they were.

As Marissa opened her eyes to find Ryan's arm around her, comfortingly she held her breath, suddenly in awe by how right it felt. She smiled to herself, and closed her eyes once more. She liked the way he held her, protecting her in a way, showing her that when she needed him most he would be there. She let herself relax as the sun filtered through the window, waiting for Ryan to awake. It occured to her that maybe he was exactly what she needed to be happy.

Suddenly aware of her own breath, Marissa tried to lay still and not disturb the moment as Ryan breathed in the faint smell of her perfume. Opening his eyes, Ryan realized how close he and Marissa were. Immediately, the first thought that came to mind was to move back to his side of the bed, before she realized his arm was around her. He was afraid of how she would react, especially after the failure that was their last conversation. He hadn't lied, he did think about it all the time; what would have happened if he had been alone when she had come to the pool house. Part of him wanted to stay like they were, and pretend to still be asleep, pretending like things between them were perfect, but he could tell she was already awake and he knew that things wouldn't be able to stay like this forever.

They both remained still, completely aware of each others every breath, daring each other silently to make the first move. Ryan, almost reluctantly, removed his arm from around her first, and rolled over onto his back, knowing that they couldn't lay like that all day. Marissa soon followed and rolled over on her back and looked over at Ryan.

he said automatically. I didn't mean to.

I know, Marissa replied quietly.

In a thick silence, Ryan searched for the right words to say. He opened his mouth, hoping the right thing would come out, but he didn't know where to begin. After a beat, he finally spoke. You want to go home?

I think I want to stay here, she answered slowly, looking Ryan right in the eyes. He knew there was more to her answer than just staying in Tiajuana. There was so much more there that was left unspoken. After another beat, Marissa spoke again, I am going to go take a shower. She quickly got up, not ready to face what was going on between them, leaving Ryan breathless in the morning glow.