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

Ryan turned at the pool house door and watched Emily leave. She didn't look back. The inside of the pool house smelled faintly of her perfume. Listlessly he wandered around the room. He finally threw himself on the bed and lay staring at the ceiling .... the pillow smelled like her too... He picked up a pillow and pressed it on his face, breathing deeply. God, he was so confused!. He heard the door open. Thinking it was Emily, Ryan spoke in to the pillow.

Ryan: Change your mind?

Marissa: Change my mind?

At the sound of her voice he sat up dropping the pillow.

Ryan: Marissa! What are you doing here? I thought you were Emily.

The minute the words were out of his mouth he realized how they sounded with him lying on the bed in the pool house where Emily had been staying.

Marissa stood in the doorway, a confused look spreading across her face.

Marissa: Well, I wanted to surprise you.... maybe it wasn't such a good idea.

Ryan: No.. no it was great idea and I am surprised. Emily just left to go home and I thought she might have forgotten something that's all.

Marissa: Then it's ok that I'm here?

Getting up from the bed, Ryan walked to where she was standing. He kissed her lips softly.

Ryan: It's more than ok. Seth and Summer are inside, we have movies, wanna join us?

That wasn't exactly what Marissa had had in mind but after the turn of the events from the last few weeks she'd settle for it.

As they entered the kitchen they could hear Seth and Summer vying for control of the remote. Ryan laughed.

Ryan: Like a day care... want something to drink?

Marissa: Yeah, soda would be great.

Seth heard sounds in the kitchen so he headed in to get the others, calling out as he entered the room

Seth: Ryan, Emily come on. We're getting older by the minute in here.

He stopped short when he saw Ryan and Marissa turning to the sound of his voice.

Seth: My mistake.. Gawd, Ryan you are making me dizzy again... where's Emily? Hi Marissa...

Ryan lowered his face to hide his grin.

Ryan: umm she wanted to go home... she said to tell you and Summer she'd see you Tuesday at school. We were just coming in.

Seth: Sheesh.. and I got one especially for her! I am just so "not" appreciated around here.

He turned and headed back to Summer.

Marissa: Dizzy? What is he talking about?

Ryan smiled a weak smile and shrugged his shoulders.

Ryan: Hey... who knows .. you know Seth.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Emily tossed and turned. Earlier she though she would sleep the sleep of the dead but after an hour she was still wide-awake, in spite of the pain pill she took. At least it killed the pain she thought grimly.

Hell with it swinging her legs off the bed and ignoring the stabbing pain in her side she got out of bed.

Her mind just wouldn't shut off tonight. Too many things nagging at her. Looking at the clock she discovered it was still early. Well, if she couldn't sleep she'd deal with some of those nagging notions.

It still made her a little nervous being in the house alone, even though all the hoopla appeared to be over. The police had zilch... and for all appearances the whole deal was being dropped... treated like some type of prank. Wonder what Dr Kim is gonna have to say about it come Monday morning. She had told Ryan she would see him Tuesday at school. Maybe Dr Kim would have a different idea.. maybe she was going to get kicked out. Maybe... that would solve a bunch of problems at once. She could go somewhere else, another school.. live somewhere else. She was, after all more or less on her own with her own money. The big problem there was ... she didn't want to go somewhere else.. live somewhere else or go to another school. She liked it here, at least better than anywhere else she had ever been and a lot better than most. She didn't want to even think about the Ryan issue.. that was just too convoluted and confusing. However there was something she could do about finding out who had been harassing all of them. Checking the time again she picked up the phone. A voice answered on the fifth ring.

Emily: Leo.. This is Emily Tate

Leo: Emily! My god girl how are you? Where are you?

Emily smiled to herself. It was so good to hear a familiar voice.

Emily: I'm good. Uncle Brad got stuck with me. How are you and Lois?

Leo: Aww the woman is driving me mad as usual...other than that we're good.

She laughed out loud. Leo and Lois were the perfect couple but all Leo ever did was grouse, trying to make everyone think he was mistreated.

Emily: Leo, I need a big favor...

Leo: Sure kid, what can I do?

Emily started explaining all the events that has transpired over the last 2 weeks.

Emily: I know it's asking a lot but I need for you to find out if anyone has been checking up on me, so to speak. Someone went to a lot of trouble to cause all this trouble and I would like to know who.

Leo was silent for a moment.

Leo: I'll see what I can dig up. You keep your head down and call me tomorrow on the other line, not on a cell it can be intercepted.

Emily: Thanks Leo.

Emily rummaged in the refrigerator until she found the last surviving beer. Maybe this would help that pain pill knock her out because she had done more than enough thinking today. She wanted oblivion. Popping the top she kicked back and slowly sipped. Unbidden and unwanted the exchange with Ryan before she left came flitting into her mind. She tipped the beer up and took large gulps. That was not something she wanted to think about right now.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

The movies were done and Seth and Summer had disappeared. Ryan busied himself with cleaning up the dishes and bottles. Ryan turned to go after more and ran into Marissa bringing in the last of the dishes.

Ryan: Oh sorry didn't mean to step on you.

Marissa: You didn't I'm ok. This is the last of them.

Setting down her load and wearing her most suggestive smile, she slid her arms around his neck and moved in close.

Marissa: Hey, when we're all done here, wanna go to the pool house?

There was very little doubt in Ryan's mind what she meant. Damn he had wanted to avoid this. He must be out of his mind...she was beautiful and sexy.....and he was going to tell her no. Fu ck hadn't they been here before?

Ryan: How about we go for a walk instead. I am really stiff from sitting through three movies.

The disappointment was obvious on her face. Ryan hated that. He didn't know what else to do.

Marissa knew what was happening. She had done it again. She could feel Ryan getting further from her. Why hadn't she trusted him? Why? This was all her fault and she had no one else to blame. Somehow she had to win him back again if she could. She looked at her watch.

Marissa: Gee, I didn't realize it was so late. I probably should go on home. Rain check on that walk?

Relief flooded through Ryan. It may just be a temporary reprieve but it was better than nothing.

Ryan: Hey, sure thing. I'll walk you out to your car.

They held hands as they walked across the yard and Ryan softly kissed her good night before she slipped into the truck.

Marissa: What do we have planned for tomorrow?

Ryan: What did you decide you wanted to do?

Marissa: Anything is fine as long as we are together... you choose

Ryan: In that case we can definitely rule out shopping.

They both laughed and he kissed her lips again.

Ryan: Call me when you want me to come over.

Marissa: night

Ryan waved as he watched her drive away but thoughts of red hair filled his mind.