I do not own any of the original characters from the OC.
Marissa's lunch tray sat untouched. She stared, not really seeing, out of the screened window. The door opened and Charlotte came in. Frowning she looked at Marissa's uneaten lunch.
Charlotte: Ok, I admit the food here isn't award winning but it isn't that bad... can you think of anything I can temp your taste buds with?
Marissa made no response just continued to stare out the window.
Charlotte: Marissa, I asked if there was something you would prefer to eat?
Marissa: I'm not hungry.
Charlotte: Maybe later then, ok? Dr. Meuler wants to see you in his office.
Marissa slowly rose from her chair and allowed Charlotte to lead her down the hall.
Marrisa felt trapped. She was at the bottom of a deep black hole and wanted to stay there. She just wanted to be left alone. The alcohol she used to deal with these feelings was gone. She had no defense against the emptiness she felt.
As she entered the office, she saw Dr. Meuler sitting at his desk waiting for her. Smiling, he stood to greet her.
Dr. Meuler: Good afternoon Marissa
He waited a moment but when she gave no response he continued.
Dr. Meuler: Please sit-down and make yourself comfortable.
Marrisa slowly walked to a chair and sat. The anger she had shown earlier was gone.. in its place were the dead eyes of despair. It would be a few days until her medication enabled her to feel better. Her mood swings would be dramatic during that time.
Dr. Meuler: Your mother and father are coming this afternoon. Would you like to see them?
Marrisa raised her eyes to him.
Marissa: What for? They can't help me. Won't help me.. they put me here and left me
Dr. Meuler: That's being a bit melodramatic, isn't it?
No response.
Dr. Meuler: They are very worried about you.
No response
Dr. Meuler made some notes in Marissa's chart and rang for Charlotte to come escort her back to her room.
Dr. Meuler: Marissa, we'll talk again tomorrow.
Jimmy and Julie sat waiting for Dr Meuler to arrive. A hostile silence filled the room. At precisely one o'clock Dr. Meuler entered the room. Extending his hand he greeted them.
Dr. Meuler: Mrs. Nichol, Mr. Cooper, good to meet you. I bet you have a lot of questions so I'm just going to explain what my diagnosis is and give you a basic outline of Marissa's treatment plan. After I finish, I'll answer any questions you still have, ok?
Julie and Jimmy nodded in unison and Dr Meuler continued.
Dr. Meuler: There have been no physiological symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. She is severely depressed and I have started her on antidepressants. It's my opinion Marissa suffers from Bipolar Disorder. Is either one of you familiar with Bipolar Disorder?
Both Julie and Jimmy nodded their heads.
Julie: My mother is bipolar.
Dr. Meuler: Well then I would say you have a good understanding of the condition. That will be invaluable when it comes to helping your daughter. Along with medication to control her mood swings, Marissa will need to have psychological counseling. I would like you both to be included in parts of the therapy.
He paused to collect his thoughts.
Dr. Meuler: I'm going to be very direct here. Marissa is my patient and her outcomes are the priority for me. Marissa is struggling with a lot of emotional garbage, her bipolar condition just makes it harder to cope with, that's where the drugs and alcohol come in. I suspect most of this emotional garbage is oriented with the two of you. I am not here to judge either of your actions, my role is to help Marissa to cope with them in a way that will not be destructive to her. Honesty and candor, from all of you, is extremely important. Marissa must be able to trust me without reserve. I will not share what she confides to me with you or anyone else. Now, I'm sure you have some questions.
Jimmy: Can we see her?
Dr. Meuler: I want you to give her a day or two. She is having a difficult time right now. Why don't you plan on spending the day Saturday?
Jimmy sat looking into Meuler's face, the naked pain visible in his eyes. His mouth worked but no sounds came out. Meuler lightly touched Jimmy's arm.
Dr. Meuler: Mr. Cooper, we'll take good care of your daughter. Mrs. Nichols, do you have any questions?
Turning to Julie, Meuler could see the conflicting emotions play across her face. This woman wants her daughter well but she is hiding something.
Julie: No... Just make her well..
Jimmy and Ryan rode in silence each deep in their own thoughts. Finally Ryan was getting to see Marissa. Jimmy had been very open and honest and had kept him informed of what was going on but he needed to see her.
Ryan: Jimmy, I want you to know how much I appreciate you keeping me in the loop about Marissa.
Jimmy looked over at the boy that was so close to being a man. He really was a good kid and it was no secret how Marissa felt about him.
Jimmy: Marissa would want you "in the loop". You are very important to her.
As he parked the car and shut off the engine he continued.
Jimmy: Ryan, I need to warn you about how things might look to you today. Marissa is better and she wants to see you but she still isn't herself and frankly she won't be her old self for sometime. Just be patient with her and don't let your feelings get hurt.
Ryan: What do you mean, get my feelings hurt?
Jimmy: Marissa is very depressed and antidepressants take a while to start helping. Sometimes she just doesn't care.
They entered the building and started into the visiting area. Sitting alone waiting was Julie.
Jimmy: Julie, I didn't know you were going to be here.
Julie: Why wouldn't I be? She's my daughter.
Ryan stood back and said nothing. He found a chair close but not too close and sat down. He was nervous... where was she?
As if on cue a door opened and Marissa stepped into the room. Her eyes immediately found his and she ran across the room. She came into his arms and buried her face against his neck.
Ryan: Baby.. I missed you so much. Are you ok?
Marissa: I missed you ... I love you so...I'm ok, now
His lips found hers and they didn't care that her parents were looking on. Julie's eyes found the ceiling, the floor, the window.. anything except the spot where her daughter stood clinging to Ryan. When they separated, Marissa reached to hug Jimmy but never released Ryan's hand. They talked about everything and nothing and all too soon it was time to leave.
Ryan and Marissa stood looking into each other's eyes. He stroked her cheek, her hair. He wanted to comfort her but he wasn't sure how. He caressed her lips with his own wanting to let her know how desperate his love for her was. Neither wanted to let go and it wasn't until only their finger tips were touching that she turned and left through the door.
Ryan was silent on the drive home. Jimmy wished he could say something to make Ryan feel better but he felt too wretched himself to think of anything. He pulled into the Cohen's driveway. Ryan opened the door to get out of the car.
Ryan: Thank you..
His face was a work of misery.
Jimmy: No, it's me that needs to thank you for being there for my baby girl. I was really amazed at the change in her today. That change was because you were there. She hasn't been like that since she was admitted. I told them to let you see her whenever you wanted. I'll keep you posted.
Ryan closed the door softly and headed into the house.
Inside he heard Seth and Summer playing the PS2. He bypassed them and headed for the pool house.
He flopped on his bed he replayed the visit. He got up and paced the room. He needed to get out of here.
Reaching for the phone he dialed a number. It rang... and a welcome voice answered.
Tonight they sat on the same beach but munched Chinese food. Ryan watched her opening her fortune cookie and not for the first time wondered about her. She seldom talked about herself. She listened tirelessly anytime he felt the need to vent, which seemed to be all the time these days..... it felt like he had known her forever.
Emily: What?
Ryan: huh?
Emily: You're staring at me. If you think you are going to get my last Crab Rangoon, think again mister.. it's mine!
She emphasized her point with a playful poke in his chest.
Her smile faded and an expectant look covered her face.
Emily: So... come on.. spill it...
He met her gaze and began to tell her about his visit with Marissa.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Hank joined Caleb at his table. Opening a large envelope he began explaining the information he had collected.
Hank: He spends a lot of time with this girl. I ran a make on her. Name is Emily Tate. She just moved here and is living with her aunt and uncle. Parents are both dead. She goes to Harbor High .. nothing special. They seemed pretty chummy.
Caleb: Excellent. I couldn't have found a better opportunity. Here is what I need you to do.