Chapter 21

Emily: Go on home before you get into trouble. I'll get the dishes.

Ryan: Trying to get rid of me already huh?

Emily: I was trying to be stealthy about it but you guessed it. I have my usual 9:00 coming over and how can I ever explain you being here.

Ryan chuckled.

Ryan: You are such a smartass.

Emily: Like I am the only one here that can fit that description!

Coming close she slid her arms around his waist and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

Emily: Now, go! Call me later.

Ryan: I don't think I can get very far on that tiny little kiss. You'll have to do much better than that.

Tightening her arms she snuggled his neck.

Emily: I can do that.

Just as their lips met the sound of a cell phone split the air.

Ryan: Must be you... mine is off.

Emily: go.. I'll talk to you later.

One more quick kiss and he was going out the door as she answered her phone.

Emily: Hello

Marissa: Emily, this is Marissa. Did I catch you at a bad time?

Emily: No actually you are saving me from a pile of dirty dishes.. what's up?

Marissa: Could we get together today before I go back to the hospital?

Emily didn't know whether to be happy or sad. She wanted to see Marissa but what did Marissa want to see her about? There was the Ryan issue but that was between Ryan and Marissa. She wasn't getting into that.

Emily: Sure... I'll be home all day. Do you know where I live?

Marissa: Yeah, I think I can find you.

Emily: Come whenever you want.

Marissa: See you in about an hour then.

Standing under the cascade of hot water Emily let all thoughts dissolve as she surrendered to the to the pulsing ministration of the shower. The combination of sleeping wrapped around Ryan on the couch and all of the nervous tension her body had been under had all of her muscles knotted tight. Mentally she coaxed the to relax.

Out of the shower she felt relaxed and focused, a definite improvement from the last few days when she had felt like she couldn't find her own ass.

Grabbing a cup of coffee, yum Ryan makes good coffee, she settled down with the stack of papers that had been faxed to her. Going down the list of phone calls she highlighted each instance of one particular phone number. She needed to be careful but after she talked to Marissa she would have a better idea of what she was going to do.

Her mind wandered from the papers and Ryan danced into her thoughts... what a strange turn of events. For the first time in a long time she felt really connected with the rest of the world. She was ready to let go, to move on and heal. She felt it now in every cell in her body. It didn't matter what happened tomorrow or the next day, there would be no more walls. The past didn't matter. She alone was responsible for the rest of her life and what she did in it. She shivered with a mixture of fear, anticipation and excitement.

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

Ryan came through the house and everything was quiet. Smiling he gave thanks that weekend mornings were slow starting at the Cohen hacienda. Grabbing a soda from the refrigerator he headed to the pool house. Peeking in the window he saw Seth decorating his bed as he sprawled among the piles of comic books he was reading. Ryan paused a second to just watch Seth. How much more like a real brother Seth is than his own blood brother could ever be. And how much more like his family the Cohens are than his own blood family. A short amount of time can certainly make a huge amount of difference. As if sensing his presence Seth looks up and sees him. Seth's face lights up with greeting.

Seth: Ryan, you're back. Ok, spill it... tell me "e v -e r- y- t h i n g."

Ryan: What happened to my bed? Did you sleep out here last night?

Seth: No dude it's part of your cover. If Mom and Dad discovered your absence I was going to tell them you had gotten up early and left again. Crafty huh? So don't change the subject. Are you and Emily an item?

Seth now perched on the edge of the bed with all the air of a child waiting for his favorite story. Ryan smiled and just looked at Seth. Seth was such a part of him... the relationship was so complex he didn't quite understand it all but he knew in some integral way he and this young man were welded together.

Ryan: Yes, Emily and I are officially an item.

Seth: And...... is there something else you might like to say?

Ryan looked blankly at his friend. Finally the look of expectation on Seth's face gave him the clue he needed.

Ryan: Oh yeah, thanks you were right. Is that what you wanted to hear?

Seth: Music to my ears. So often I cast my pearls before swine and they go unheeded..

A "Ryan glare" silenced his ramblings.

Seth: Ahem... so what about Marissa? By the way she called here wanting Emily's cell number. Did she call?

Raising his eye brows Ryan eyed Seth.

Ryan: Marissa wanted Emily's number? What for?

Seth: Well, gee Ryan she didn't call to confide in me she just wanted the number, so I gave it to her.

Ryan pulled out his phone and turned it on. Checking he found six messages from Marissa. He had figured she would try to call and he hadn't wanted to talk to her. Wishing now he had left the phone on he listened to the messages with trepidation. He sighed with relief, nothing dyer but he probably should call her. They needed to talk but he wasn't looking forward to it and he had no idea how he should say what needed to be said. Dialing the phone a little part of him secretly hoped she wouldn't answer.

Marissa: Hey Ryan

Ryan: Hey. How ya doing?

Marissa: Good... umm really good.

There was a tone to her voice that surprised Ryan but he couldn't really zero in on what it was..

Ryan: Really?

Marissa: Yeah really. I would like to talk to you about it. Could I persuade you to drive me back to the hospital tonight? Maybe we could have dinner on the way?

Ryan: Yeah that works for me. What time?

Marissa: Is six-ish ok?

Ryan: Sounds great. See you then.

Ryan hung up the phone and looked at Seth. Something was very different.

Ryan: Are you sure Marissa didn't say anything when you talked to her?

Seth: No man, I mean I'm sure... why?

Ryan: Not sure but I think something is up.