I do not own any of the original characters from the OC.

It had been a week since Emily had seen or heard from Ryan. He visited Marissa every night and she had come home on a weekend pass today. Emily missed him. He was the closest thing to a friend she had in this alien place. She didn't understand these people or their values. She was glad things were better for Ryan and she realized more than likely her friend was now lost to her. She tried to ignore the hurt she felt over being suddenly and completely abandoned by Ryan, but it was just as well anyway. She had no business getting involved with any of these people. Time to get back to being her own person and doing her own thing.

It was Friday traffic was bad. She had an appointment for 6 and she did not intent to be late. Leaning forward, she boosted the throttle and soon left most of the traffic behind her. Within a few minutes she pulled into Oceanside. She was just a kid the last time she had been here. She found the dojo without problems and parked her bike. Slinging her bag over her arm she entered the small building.

Inside the door she stood and waited. In a few minutes a man made his way toward her. Mark Mathew was a tall powerfully built man. He moved with a fluid grace that belied his size.

Extending his hand he addressed her.

Mark: You must be Emily. Glad to meet you.

Emily smiled hugely and knew she already like this man!

Emily: Guilty, I am Emily.

Mark: Come on in the office so we can talk.

Inside the office he motioned her to a chair.

Mark: You are interested in lessons, right?

Emily: Yes, I want to continue my training and you come highly recommended. I brought my resume.

She handed him a folder and he leaned back, beginning to read. When he was finished he studied her for a moment.

Mark: Not too shabby, in fact pretty darned good. I see you studied in Okinawa.

Emily: Yeah, military brat. My father was stationed there for quite a while.

Mark: I make it a point to test all potential students. I take my teaching very serious and have no patience with someone that doesn't. Did you bring something to work out in?

Nodding she lifted her bag.

Mark: Good. The dressing room is to your left.

By the time they stopped, both of them were breathing hard and covered in sweat. Emily's body rejoiced at the return to activity it loved. Their movements were a choreographed dance of precision and power.

Mark was smiling.

Mark: "You are much better than your resume", he laughed. "I didn't think I would have to work that hard. Let's go back in the office"

Sitting behind his desk, he was silent for a moment.

Mark: Tell ya what... you are good! I'm going to make you an offer. I have a lot of beginning students. My helper is moving back home to Minnesota, if you can imagine that, so that leaves me in a bind. Good teachers don't grow on trees. This is my offer.... I'll give you lessons and you can have full use of the dojo and equipment and I'll pay you 150.00 a week, 175.00 if you want to teach a Saturday class. In return you teach some of my beginning students.

Emily could not believe her luck.

Emily: You have a deal!

Mark: Do you want to think about it? This will take up much of your free time from school. If you commit, I expect you to be here, no excuses. Surely you have a fella out there that might want to see you occasionally.

Emily: There is no one and I have nothing but time. When do I start?

Marissa looked around to make sure she had everything. A light knock sounded at her door and Dr. Meuler's head poked in.

Meuler: Well Marissa, are you excited about a visit home?

It was a minute before Marissa answered.

Marissa: Actually, I am really nervous...

Meuler chuckled.

Meuler: Marissa, I would be concerned if you weren't. You'll do fine, just take your medicine. If for any reason you should begin to feel overwhelmed just come back. It's that simple. Your father and I have already talked about this.

Closing and locking her suitcase, she looked at Meuler.

Marissa: I'm ready.

Jimmy and Ryan waited impatiently in the lobby. Julie had been livid when she found out she was not to be included in the weekend activities and that Marissa was staying with Jimmy. She railed at Caleb and Caleb hid at his office.

Finally Marissa came through the door. She hugged them both, then they were heading to the car.

Jimmy: Ok, what's it gonna be for dinner? Are we dining in or out? Cooking or ordering?

He looked at Marissa, who looked at Ryan who looked back at her.

Ryan: Your call, babe. Whatever you feel up to.

Marissa: How about we pick up Mexican and take it home. Maybe I will feel up to going out tomorrow.

Jimmy: You got it, sweetie.

Dinner done and dishes in the dishwasher, they all kicked back and relaxed. Jimmy watched the two of them together.

Jimmy: Hey, I think I'll just go for a drive, or a swim, or a hike and give you two some time alone. How does that sound to you?

Ryan didn't want to come out and say anything but he sure wished Jimmy would hurry. Marissa on the other hand had no trouble voicing a response.

Marissa: Bye

Jimmy laughed and crossed the room. Taking her in his arms he held her tight.

Jimmy: I am so glad you are here. Now I'm not .

Laughing he went out the door.

Ryan: Alone at last..... what shall we do? We got Monopoly, Risk, Life.. What'll it be?

He smiled as silky arms encircled his neck and Marissa snuggled close.

Marissa: I know a better game we can play. Are you interested?

Ryan's arms slid around her waist and he pulled her close.

A lecherous grin spread across his face.

Ryan: "My favorite game" he said as he snuggled her neck..

Marissa: Really, mine too. I'll go get it from my room.

Ryan stood back, a look of total confusion on his face.

Marissa: I'll go get the "Clue" game.

Ryan was still looking at her in disbelief.

Ryan: Clue? Are you serious?

Marissa had turned to go upstairs but she quickly turned back.

Marissa: Gotcha!

She flew into his arms and they both landed laughing on the couch..

Breathless, Ryan pulled back.

Ryan: Guess we're gonna be "clueless", huh?

Their laughter died as their lips met anew. Arms and legs askew, velvet skin against hard muscle, demanding lips and gentle hands.. a sense of coming home.

Marissa woke up early. She wanted to get Summer and Seth to come over. Maybe the four of them could do something today. She felt surprised at how good she felt. Before she could forget she took her pills. She stood at the window looking out and thinking about Ryan and last night. The phone brought her out of her reverie and she hurried to answer it just sure it was Ryan.

A voice she didn't know spoke her name...

Voice: Marissa?....poor crazy Marissa Ryan stays with you because he feels sorry for you. Why would he willing be with a crazy person?

Marissa: Who is this?

Voice: ....he has another you know.... Sure you know..... I put pictures outside your door so you can see.....

Marissa: What do you want?

Voice: I'll call you later after you have seen.

The line went dead.

Marissa: Hello? Who are you? What do you want?

She hung up the phone. Pictures, they put pictures outside the door. She went to the front door and opened it.

Taped to the door was an envelope with her name written on it. He reached for the envelope but stopped, almost afraid to touch it. Biting her lip she forced her hand to take the envelope. Closing the door she went to her room.

She wouldn't open the envelope... she would just put it in a drawer and forget it.. that's what she would do.
She went to put it down but her hand wouldn't let go.... She looked at it closely.... Her name scrawled across the front. She sat on the bed turning the envelope in her hands. Suddenly she made a decision and before she could change her mind she tore it open. Pictures fell to the floor. Bending to retrieve them she saw Ryan's face looking back at her. She picked them up one by one. Ryan was in all of them as was a single girl... a girl with long flowing red hair... Marissa could not see the green of her eyes but she knew who the girl was.

Tears flowed down her face as she struggled to understand.. Why? Why?

The phone rang again but she was afraid to answer it before she checked the Caller ID. This time it was Ryan.

Marissa: Hey

Ryan: Hi babe What's the plan for today?

Marissa: What do you think of getting Seth and Summer and all of us doing something?

Ryan couldn't put his finger on it but something was wrong.

Ryan: Marissa, are you ok?

Marissa: Sure, I'm fine. When you coming over?

Ryan: She didn't sound at all fine...I'm on my way.

He hung up the phone and headed out the door.

Marissa took one more look at the pictures then hid them in a drawer. She didn't know what she thought about

them.. it hadn't all soaked in yet.

She dialed Summer and didn't get an answer. Her eyes went back to the drawer with the pictures hidden in it.

When Emily had come in the previous night there had been a message from her Uncle Brad on the answer machine.

They were still in Greece and he left a number. They would call before they left for Russia.

Whoopie friggin doo! She grabbed a juice and went to the garage. She stopped by a bike identical to hers except for the Japanese figure "Ryuu" on one side of the tank and the name "Emmett" on the other. She touched the bike and felt the raised letters. She had paid for the lettering as a surprise for her brother, Emmett. If the bike had not been in the shop on the fateful day of the accident, her brother would have been riding it instead of being in the car with their parents. He would still be alive... She used to pout about them being alone. Frequent moves from base to base made making friends almost impossible. They had been shy and "joined at the hip" their mother had said. What one did the other did, where one went the other went. They were inseparable. Martial arts became their bridge to

people and they began to cultivate other relationships but never at any time did anyone come between them. She spit a sardonic laugh. She had thought they were alone! Well, now she knew "alone". She could frigging fall off the bloody planet and no one would know or give a rat's a$$.... Tears spilled from her eyes.

For Christ's sake, get a grip Emily.... She mentally slapped herself. Enough with the pity party...it could be worse... your aunt and uncle could be home and you know you can't stand them... she snickered. Deep breath... again... Get on your bike and go somewhere.

In minutes she was on the road and heading somewhere, she needed a destination.. food she hadn't eaten since lunch yesterday. Eating sounded like a plan.

For about the 20th time in the last week Ryan thought of giving Emily a call but like the other times he was tied up doing other things. He told himself he need to call her tonight when he got home. He missed hanging with her. He headed off to Marissa's.

Ryan: I can't imagine where Summer and Seth have gotten to. They weren't at the house when I left. Think of some stuff you want to do today.... Maybe while we're out we'll run into them. How about we go get something to eat?

Marissa: As long as it's not some place that is full of people I know. That would be too weird to deal with right now.

Emily spotted a place that looked like it would be ok. Not too crowded and it looked like it might have passed the last heath inspection. There was no hostess so she went on in to the dining room.

Ryan looked toward the door of the dining room and couldn't believe his eyes.

Ryan: Hey Emily, over here.

He stood so she could see him and motioned for her to come over.

Marissa turned and couldn't believe her eyes.

Emily: Hey Ryan.. Marissa, I don't know if you remember me but.

Marissa interrupted

Marissa: How could I forget you. How have you been?

Emily looked at Marissa. Something was strange about her behavior but then she didn't know Marissa.

Maybe that is just the way she is.

Emily: Good and you?

Marissa: Never better.... Why don't you join us?

Emily: I don't want to intrude.

Marissa: Oh but I insist.

Now even Ryan was looking at Marissa funny. There was something about the tone in her voice.

Ryan: You won't be intruding.

Emily sighed. Why the hell hadn't she stayed home and made a grill cheese sandwich?

She reluctantly sat down.

Emily didn't know what to say. She didn't know how Marissa would feel about Ryan telling her all about Marissa's trouble so she didn't extend her hope that Marissa was better real soon. That would be a dead giveaway! She really sucked at small talk.

The waitress saved the day by showing up to take her order.

Marissa: So Emily, how do you like going to Harbor School?

Emily: It sucks. How do you like going to Harbor School?

Marissa let out a giggle.

Marissa: It sucks. See we have something else in common besides Ryan.

The smile on Marissa's face was real enough but there were barbs hidden in those words.

Somehow they made it through the meal and were in the parking lot preparing to go their separate ways.

Marissa: Emily, you need to come over for dinner sometime.. how about next weekend?

Emily: Gee, that sounds really great but I'm not sure I can. I start a new job Monday and don't have my schedule.

I'll get back with you, ok?

Emily hoped she didn't sound as fake as she felt.

Marissa: Sounds great... just give Ryan a call...

There it was again...but this time she caught it and could define it. Jealousy... Marissa is jealous of Ryan and I being friends. Not to worry little princess... Ryan and I have already ditched our friendship so you have no worries! Like Ryan would look at anyone else with a girlfriend as beautiful as you are. Get over it!

On the outside she said:

Emily: Will do. See you both soon.

Now make like a shepherd and get the fl ock outa here, Em