A/N: People kept asking for longer chapters so here is an attempt at something longer. Hope you all like it and let it never be argued that I live to serve. J Also, just to know the effort I put into this story I researched Passions. I never watch soap operas but I put that aside for you guys.

Seth awoke slowly. His eyes blinked in the harsh light. Slowly his eyes adjusted to the light and he fully opened his eyes to see two anxious faces looking down at him plus one indifferent face that had a hint of anxiousness in the dark brown eyes.

Seth managed a small smirk, "Did anyone get the license plate number of the truck that hit me?"

Ryan actually let a small smile grace his features that didn't reach his eyes. Kirsten shook her head in that motherly way that showed disapproval but underlying affection.

"How you feeling?" his dad asked.

Seth tried to shrug but then discovered that the movement caused too much pain. "I could be better but what can you do." Seth's eyes widened suddenly as if he remembered something important. "You know none of this is Ryan's fault—"

Kristen laid her arm on her son's shoulder to stop what would have been an onslaught of babbling. "We know, we already talked to him about it."

Seth looked over at Ryan and was answered with an almost imperceptible nod. Seth relaxed considerably. "Alrighty then…so how long is it gonna take to get me out of here?"

~*~

Seth lay on the bed poking at his wonderful spread of food, which consisted of roast beef, green beans that tasted like plastic, a stale bun, and the classic green jello.

Ryan sat next to the bed looking up at the TV, which was currently playing Passions.

Seth glanced up at the TV, "You know that Kay deserves to be with Miguel. All that work that she's gone through to be with the guy. He should show some appreciation."

Ryan looked over at Seth skeptically, "You do realize that Kay is a force of evil sent from hell to help cause chaos on earth, right?"

Seth shrugged, "Love knows no boundaries."

Ryan shook his head, "Are you sure that your head didn't get banged up during this whole ordeal?"

Seth looked shocked, "Ryan, my friend, are you kicking me in my weakened state?"

Ryan nodded, "Yup."

"Just making sure."

~*~

A few days later

Seth was sitting in bed flipping through random channels. Ryan was at work. He had spent a lot of time at Seth's bedside, which Seth thought was mainly out of guilt. Seth had demanded that the boy return to his normal routine and Ryan had grudgingly agreed.

The door to the room slowly creaked open. Seth sat up a little straighter thinking it was a nurse. "Hey Linda, get in here…Passions is going to be on…" He trailed off when he saw the tall, lanky figure of Marissa Cooper standing awkwardly in the doorway.

Seth stood there in shock, opening and closing his mouth like a fish. Marissa smiled, "Hey."

"Marissa…ummm…hi. What are you doing here?"

Marissa tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and sat down in the chair next to Seth's bed. "I wanted to see how you're doing."

"Well I'm good. Well…as good as a person who got shot can be. You know…good."

Marissa lay her hand on Seth's arm, which shut him up immediately, "Seth, I wanted to say thank you. What you did at that party…it was…well it was really brave. I don't think anybody else I know would have done the same thing."

"Ryan did the exact same thing I did." Seth pointed out.

Marissa rolled her eyes, "You know what I mean. I mean the Newport brats, as you like to call them. You're a great guy Seth Cohen."

Seth blushed, "Yeah well…I just reacted. Has she…"

Marissa hung her head; "I haven't seen her since then. No one has talked to her since then but I'm sure she really appreciates what you did."

Seth lowered his head in disappointment. "Yeah…sure…"

~*~

It had been a week and a half since the party. Seth was healing well and he was going to be leaving he hospital the next day. Most of his stuff had already been packed up to get ready for the next day and today was just some more tests to make sure he was ok. That night Seth was sitting alone in the room flipping TV channels yet again just waiting for the morning.

The door opened to reveal a lone figure silhouetted by the hallway lights.

"Summer…"

TBC