Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Note: Here's the next chapter. Hopefully I'll be able to update sooner next time, but my summer schedule is very hectic, and doesn't leave me too much time to write. Thanks for all the reviews--my other stories are done as of now, so I'm channeling all of my focus onto this one, but I'm still toying around with ideas for other stories. I'll let you know if they ever get written : ) . The song that goes along with this chapter is the darker, Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode. I feel it really fits with the mood of this scene. Thanks for reading--keep on reviewing! Enjoy…

Still Fighting It

Chapter 7: Enjoy the Silence

Words like violence, break the silence

Come crashing in, into my little world

Painful to me, pierce right through me

Can't you understand, oh my little girl

All I ever wanted, all I ever needed

Was here in my arms

Words are very unnecessary

They can only do harm

Vows are spoken to be broken

Feelings are intense

Words are trivial

Pleasures remain

So does the pain

Words are meaningless and forgettable

---

Summer sat at the kitchen table, looking at the bills that she had to pay this month. It had already been two weeks since Seth had come back and things were getting disturbingly rhythmic. The three of them woke up every day at the same time. Seth helped Danny get dressed for school while she made breakfast for all of them. They ate together, then Summer got ready for work as Seth ran the little carpool they had going with Luke and a few other parents. He would get home as she was leaving and get ready to drive up to LA for meetings and such, which took most of the morning and early afternoon. Summer would pick Danny up from school (or Ryan would if she were in a meeting) and then she would supervise him while he was doing his homework or watching television. At around 4:30, Seth would come home and the two boys would help her cook dinner. After dinner, she would go and meet Jared while Seth hung out with Danny or took him to Ryan and Marissa's or his parents house. They would come back, and Danny would get tucked in by his father. Summer would come home a little bit later, but still in time to give him a kiss goodnight. Then both parents would do whatever work they had until it was time for them to go to bed.

Today, however, was a break in the norm. Seth did not have any meetings that day, so he volunteered to pick Danny up and take him to piano lessons and then pick up something from the Lighthouse for dinner. So here she was, sitting at home, with nothing really to do. It was sort of nerve wrecking for her, since she usually devoted all of her free time to Danny. Seth wanted to spend as much time with Danny as he could, since his album was being released in two weeks, and thus, he would have to go on promotional tour. Luckily, he was already an established artist, and he did not have to go promote himself in every major market. She didn't know how Danny would react to his father being gone for another extended amount of time. He was getting so attached. The album was highly anticipated, so Seth only scheduled stops in New York, LA, Japan, Sydney, and London, and he had to call into several radio stations all over the world. He would be gone for the whole two weeks, and he wanted to make it up to their son. Summer didn't mind really, the more time they spent together, the more comfortable Danny got with his father, and that was good thing. And she got to spend a lot of time with Jared also, so it was a win-win situation. Well maybe not.

Jared. Now that was another problem. He wasn't so thrilled that her ex-husband was staying with her, but he understood. What he didn't understand was how she could go this long without asking for a divorce from Seth, and why she was prolonging it. And she knew he was right. She had to ask Seth, and she would do it when the time was appropriate, which was tonight.

Danny barged through the door and ran to his mom, waving an ice cream bar at her.

"Whoa, whoa. No running in the house, Danny. I see your father has chosen to get you a Balboa bar which will completely mess up your dinner," Summer rolled her eyes at Seth, who had just walked through the door behind their son.

"Come on, it's a Balboa bar, how could you say no."

"Well, not to mention that it makes him completely yper-hay."

Seth shook his head and smirked, "Not comprehending dear. Show your mom what we got her." For the first time, Summer noticed that Danny's fist was clenched. He opened his small fist and a chain dropped out on to the table. There was a small charm on it, what was it, a horse?

"Dad thinks it looks like Captain Oats, Mom," Danny grinned widely and Summer took the necklace.

"Well, thank you, Seth. That was very kind of you."

"Don't thank me, Danny picked it out. I'm just his financial backer."

"Can you help me put it on?" Seth stepped over to where Summer was sitting, and pulled her hair aside. His fingers softly grazed the back of her neck, but she was trying to act like nothing was happening at all while her stomach was fluttering about. Seth fumbled with the clasp, so he leaned in closely to try to hook it on. She felt his steady breathing and it made the small hairs on the back of her head stand on end. Breathe, Summer. Danny watched with the brightest smile on his face. His parents were very close, he could tell his mom was happy. Seth finally got the necklace on and let go.

"So, shall we get ready to eat Nana Cohen's famous meatloaf via the Lighthouse cooking staff? I'm sure your mom wants to go out and meet with Jared soon." Danny frowned at the mention of his name. He didn't understand why Mommy had to see him every day. She had Daddy now, she didn't need another man.

---

Summer walked into the family room where Seth and Danny were watching some Disney movie.

"Wait, so can you explain to me where the fish is trying to go? The subtleties are completely lost on me." His brow furrowed as he concentrated on the movie, as Danny was explaining to him the main plot points.

"Seth, can I talk to you for a second?" She hated herself for what she was about to say. She hated herself for having to break up a happy father-son moment.

"Sure," he got up from the couch, "make sure you pause it, I don't think I'll be able to pick up the plot if I miss too much." His son giggled and grabbed the remote.

The two adults stepped into the kitchen, and Seth leaned against the countertop. God his wife looked hot. She was wearing a simple spaghetti strapped cocktail dress, but it was perfect on her. She made everything that looked simple, complicated. Summer walked up to the counter next to him and leaned on it, then twirled around in a half circle to face him. Hmm, where had he seen this before. Ah, right before she had informed him of her status as a virgin. And right before she told him that she was pregnant. Obviously, she wasn't telling him either of those two things, well at least he hoped she wasn't telling him the latter. She flailed her arms a little, then let them drop to her side. She picked a spot opposite to him in the kitchen and leaned up against it. This meant something big was going to be said.

"Spit it out, Summer."

She looked at him nervously, "Spit what out, Cohen."

"Whatever you have to say. And anyway, you're a Cohen too."

"About that. Umm, this is kind of hard for me to say, but I'm just going to say it because it needs to be said and well I know that this might not be the best time to discuss this but you know I feel that it's right because you know…"

"You're rambling worse than me. What is it?" Seth was not liking this at all. He thought he had a pretty good idea of what was coming next.

"Well, I want a divorce. It's just that we've been separated for seven years, and now I'm in a serious relationship and it's time to move on you know? I'm not gonna ask for any ridiculous perks or anything, I mean, I won't ask for anything at all. We can set up something for Danny, you know like I guess alimony or whatever. But I mean, you'll still be around, so I guess that's not even that necessary. You can have full visitation, I'm not asking for custody or anything. Seth?" She looked into his eyes and saw the tears that threatened to fall. But he blinked and they were gone. His throat was extremely dry, and he was at a loss for words.

"I see. Well, you're right, we should talk about this. But now is not the best time, since you know who is sort of in the next room. But, we should have dinner on Saturday. Tomorrow, I'm taking him to Disneyland with Ryan and Jenna and the grandparents, so we may be back late." Seth tried to sound nonchalant and look occupied while looking at something imaginary on the countertop. "Yes, Saturday will work, I think. Umm, I have some meetings in the morning, but I'll be back for dinner. We can sort things out then," his voice and manner of speaking was stilted. How else was he supposed to react to this latest development in the saga of Summer and Seth?

"Okay, thanks Seth." Her voice was barely above a whisper. Seeing him so sad blew her mind. She hadn't figured this would be so hard. They had already been a part for seven years, it was the natural progression of things. This was supposed to happen, it was time. Time to move on. Her heart ached. It, like Seth, was not ready to move on.

Seth watched as Summer left for her date with Jared. He suddenly didn't feel so well. He picked up the phone and dialed his brother's number.

"Hello?"

"Hey Ryan, do you think you can do me a favor? I need you to come over and watch Danny. Marissa and the kids can come too if they want."

"Well, they're over at Julie and Caleb's right now. Is everything okay, man? You don't sound so hot."

"Umm, I'm not feeling that great. Summer just asked me for a divorce. Just come over as soon as you can, okay? I need to get out of here right now."

"I'll be right over."

---

Seth stumbled along the beach, feeling more alone than he had ever before. Even if he had brought Captain Oats with him. He felt so lost. He hurt so badly. The pain seethed through him, it seethed through every pore in his body. He burned for her. He flung a bottle of vodka he'd quickly finished into the sea. He slumped down in tears in the sand and looked at his friend in his hands.

"What am I going to do, Captain Oats, what am I going to do?" The horse just looked at him. "What a help you are." To anyone who was walking on the beach, he would've looked like some bum with no place to go, which was partially true. He did have nowhere to go. He didn't have anything left. Well, he had his son, and that's the only thing he had to show for himself in this life. And he hadn't even really been a real father to him yet. He'd just shown up a few weeks ago, and everything had been tailored to fit him. Seth still didn't know the first thing about fatherhood. He'd failed at that, just as he had failed at love. Seth took out a pen and paper, two things he always traveled with, and started writing. It was the only thing he knew how to do. After all these years, it was the only coping mechanism he had left. The mood of his next album was already going to be a downer, he could feel it. His cell phone rang, it was his manager with impeccable timing as usual.

"Hello? Hey Marc, how's it going?" Seth tried to sound as normal as possible. He always had to put up appearances when he dealt with business matters.

"Seth, we have great news."

"I could use some great news right about now, what is it?"

"You're going to be doing a concert, in Newport, on the beach. The record label came up with it, since they know that you've been spending quite a bit of time down there, when you should be up here promoting your new album…"

"Sorry, I have things to take care of." He sounded curt, and he knew it, but he didn't give a shit right now. Marc, of course, didn't notice. He never noticed, or he turned a blind eye to anything that was out of the ordinary.

"Well, fortunately the album has been getting great reviews, so I don't think we'll have a problem moving it. Which means, for you, less time away from your family or whatever it is that you are doing down there. So, it'll be when you get back from your promo tour, all you hits, and maybe some covers. We'll set up a stage and close off a section of the beach, so that it'll be an intimate setting you know with tables instead of just a standing room only crowd. It'll be very exclusive, they want your friends and family and I think the tickets will be on sale through your fan club and website only. They want to turn the performance into a DVD, and perhaps a live cd, so you really have to work on putting together this performance. I'll get you a list of songs they want you to do, and I'll call Jimmy. We can talk more about this on Saturday when you come to the office to meet with us."

"Okay."

"Sound a little less enthused will you?"

"My wife just asked for a divorce." It was out in the open. He didn't think any other words could be more hurtful and biting than those.

"Oh, I'm sorry man, but I didn't even think you were still married. You've been separated for a while now, haven't you?" Seth wanted to punch out the smug smile he knew played on Marc's face. Marc was a good man, just one that had been corrupted by the music industry and by the copious amount of money he earned. They were all the same.

"Seven years."

"Shit, man that's tough. Well, channel those emotions into song, Seth. I'll see you on Saturday."

Sometimes Seth hated the music industry. They cared about nothing other than dollar signs and decimal points. Everyone was so insensitive to everything. All of the dirty laundry always got aired out in the media. No one cared that there were real feelings involved. He wiped off the sand from his clothes and trudged back towards his car. He would pretend to be happy and that nothing had happened for his son, and only his son. No one would know that he was falling apart inside. He would go and act like he was fine with losing the only person he had ever loved. He could do that. He sighed, it was time to face the music.

Enjoy the silence by Depeche Mode