Title: Home

Author(s): Sara and Lizzie

Rating: R

Disclaimer: The only thing we own is the psychotic plot that came from reading way to many Mary Higgins Clark books.

"I don't care what you say anymore, this is my life." –Billy Joel

"DNA testing?" Ryan echoed. "What DNA testing?"

Seth raised his hand. "It was me. I heard you talking to Marissa and I knew. It wasn't yours."

Ryan furrowed his brow. "But Theresa said she was positive..." his voice trailed off. Oh. His frown deepened; he seemed to be pondering this information. His frown turned up into a grin. "I knew it!" He exclaimed. "He just looked so..."

"Spanish?" Seth suggested?

"That would be it." Ryan agreed. "Um, thanks, Seth. I know how hard this has been and that was a really decent thing to do in the midst..." he trailed off when Marissa abruptly got up and left. Ryan looked over at the three Cohen's, his family.

Sandy raised his eyebrows. "What are you waiting for?"

Ryan smiled. "Right. I'll go talk to her." He turned to leave.

"And Ryan?" Kirsten asked, stopping his retreat. "Welcome home."
Marissa was sitting at the side of the pool, with her jeans rolled up, her shoes off and her feet dangling in the water. Ryan stood next to her with his hands in his pockets.

"Hi."

"Hi." She said icily.

"Marissa, why are you being like this?"

She laughed. "Maybe because I haven't seen you in almost a year, Ryan. Maybe because you have no idea what's been going on in this hell hole, and then you waltz back in..."

"You called me!" he exclaimed.

She shook her head. "I didn't have a choice. Have you taken one look at Seth lately? He's a mess Ryan. And Summer is my best friend. I can't be as strong for him as you can."

"So this was all about Seth?" "I missed you, you know."

"I missed you too."

"Funny. Cause you know, you never called. Or came to see me."

"I thought it would be easier."

"But now you're back. And it's not exactly easy." She said, getting up. She started to walk back to the pool house.

"Enough." Ryan muttered. He grabbed her arm, pulled her around and kissed her. She pulled back. He kissed her again. This time, she kissed him back, slinking her arms around his neck. Ryan pulled away, and rested his forehead on hers.

"Marissa, I spent eight and a half months in Chino, seeing nothing but your face. I love you, and you know where I stand. The rest is up to you."
Sandy eyed Seth by the front door. Kirsten had already said her good-byes to everyone and was sitting in the car. "Seth." He started. Seth could feel a speech coming on.

"Dad, nothings going to stop me from trying to get to her."

Sandy sighed. "I thought as much. Well for God's sakes don't get your self killed."

Seth smiled. "I promise Dad."
Summer's hands were shaking as she took the phone. "I want you to tell him that you're okay. And that he should do exactly what I say or else I'll kill you. And if you say anything else, I will kill you."

Summer nodded and dialed her own number and waited for her voicemail. "Hi baby." She said, her voice shaking. "Um, I'm okay. I'm just... I'm okay." She forced herself not to cry as she continued. "Cohen, please just do what you're told okay. Or you're going to get your self killed. I love you."

She wordlessly handed the phone to the person next to her and listened with horror as the rest of the message was left.

Her kidnapper grinned. "I'm going to leave you with a friend of mine, while I deliver this to the Cohen house."