Choices and Decisions

Summary-What will the consquences be for Ryan? Will he be in trouble?

Disclaimer- Nothing that has to do with the oc belongs to me- nothing! Except for pictures I got from magazines or the internet.

A/N- I hope you guys like this chapter- its not all r/m- sadly. But they are the main characters of course. Thanks so much for reviewing- I love writing this story and I'm glad you love reading it. One thing though, I said Marissa has been to the OCEAN three times, not the BEACH, so I hope whoever said that reads this. lol. Also, I don't know if Ryan or Marissa are virgins, should I make them or not. It doesn't really matter in the story, since I hate both Luke and Theresa (Luke in the story- on the show, not so bad, Theresa- on the show and in the story), so don't think it's gonna come up, so you can make them whatever, let me know in your review and I'll tell you in the next chapter. And majority rules! lol. Enjoy! There are some other characters in this chapter. I'll make it as long as possible.

On with the story...

Ryan awoke with Marissa in his arms again. He wished it could always be like this; skip everything and forget everything besides each other. But he knew she had people who cared and would worry about her, him on the other hand, he didn't have anyone, except her. He looked at lovingly, taking it all in, her beauty and the moments they shared, before they made their choice to go back or stay.

Marissa felt eyes on her so she opened her half sleepy eyes, and saw his blue eyes looking at her, so she looked at him, curious to his expression.

He noticed eyes on him as well, "Sorry," he said once he noticed her looking at him looking at her (?-best I could describe this). "Don't be," Marissa said as she pulled him into a kiss. He finally pulled back, but his eyes filled with disappointment, "We have to go back."

Marissa nodded lamely and kissed him again. "Even though I don't want to."

"Me neither...but you have people...who care about you," Ryan told her in between kisses, "and I don't...have anyone."

"You have me," she responded. He gave her a smile which made her already melted heart melt even more. "I know, but when we get back..." but was cut off by Marissa's lips once again, "You'll still have me," she saidsweetly and with that, she kissed him again. He knew it wasn't right to set high hopes for himself, or his future, he had been taught this by Trey and his Mom, never expect the best, after all they were Atwoods, but he was a little different, but right now he couldn't help that Marissa would be his future and that they would have a future together.

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"Is that everything?" Marissa asked Ryan as she took one last look at their 'home' for the past few days. Ryan nodded and Marissa went to him and looped an arm through his and patted her duffle bag as he took they key and they walked out together; hand in hand; and closed the door; the door to great memories; memories that could only be not only be cherished in that room; but with them everywhere in their hearts.

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"Back to Newport?" Marissa asked dissapointedly. "It won't be that bad," Ryan reassured her; and himself as well.

"But what if they send you somewhere, and we never..."

"It's gonna be ok, we'll make it, I promise."

"Don't promise me, people always break their promises...at least to me," Marissa told him from experience.

"I won't," Ryan told her as they got on the bus. They went to the back, 'their spot', as they called it, and settled in. They were going to be there for a while, seeing as the bus from Long Beach to Newport Beach took at least three hours, Marissa nestled herself in Ryan's arms, "It'll be okay," she said looking up at him. Ryan nodded and couldn't resist a quick smile or a kiss.

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Ryan and Marissa both saw the gated community. They knew that now they had to face everyone; or at least Ryan did anyways. Marissa pulled out her cell phone and quickly dialed Summer's number.

"Hey Sum!" she exclaimed. "You don't have to cover for me anymore, I'll...um talk to you later, yeah I'll explain later, 'kay?" she said, trying to cover for herself. She flipped the phone again and went over to Ryan as the gates opened and they went inside; ready to face the worst.

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Ryan had said good bye to Marissa; and a few kisses later; here he was. He knocked on the Cohen's back door a few times before Kirsten ran to it once she saw who it was. She was surprised as was he when she pulled him into a tight hug.

"Oh, I'm...sorry, I'm just so glad you're back and you're safe," she told him truthfully. Ryan nodded his head in response, and Kirsten led him in.

"Sandy's got a late court date so he won't be home until dinner, but until then, you can tell me what the hell you were thinking!" she shrieked.

Ryan sat down at one of the barstools as Kirsten finished making her sandwhich, but gave it to him instead. "Thanks," he replied. She nodded and went back to make another for herself.

"So, where did you go?"

Ryan shrugged and took a bite of the sandwhich. Kirsten gave him a look. "A freind's," he said simply.

Kirsten joined him at the counter and started speaking. "You could've come to us, we would've helped you." "Or sent me to a group home," Ryan's harsh voice replied.

"It's just...well you have no family, well at least around here, what do you want us to do?" Kirsten asked.

Ryan stopped eating the sandwhich and dusted his hands over it. "Nothing! I don't expect you to do anything, you've done enough, but I'm better off on my own," and started to walk out the door. Kirsten grabbed him by the arm and spun him around so they were face to face.

"Look at me!" she demanded, but her voice was still soft. He did as he was told. "I'm not saying we know who you are or what your past was like...".

Ryan cut her off, "That's right, you don't!"

"But we want to help you as much as we can," she spoke softly.

"Then I think it's best if I go," he replied quietly.

"No, it's best if you stay. I hired a detective to look for your Mother..." Kirsten started but Ryan cut her off again, "Dawn," he replied coldly, not looking her in the eye.

Kirsten saw what he was getting at so she went along, "I hired a detective to find...your Mother, and they have a few leads, and a location, so they'll be contacting us soon," she told Ryan.

Ryan sat down again and started, "What if I don't want her to be found?"

Kirsten had a puzzled look, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I don't want. Her. To be a part of my life, not anymore." Ryan told her.

"You're 16..."

"17," Ryan corrected.

Kirsten started again, "You're 17, you don't know what you want."

"I know what I don't want," his voice getting colder.

The phone rang. Kirsten got up, "Go to the pool house, and get ready for dinner, Sandy'll be home soon, we can talk about this later," she told Ryan as she went to answer the phone. He sighed, but followed his orders and did as he was told.

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"Hey Coop!" Summer said as she bounced in Marissa's room. "Hey Sum," Marissa replied cheerfully. Summer sat down on her bed and looked at her suspiciosly. Marissa noticed Summer staring at her. "What?"

"Nothing, you seem different," Summer responded.

"How?" Marissa asked with a confused look on her face.

"I don't know, you just seem more 'glowy'," Summer said smiling. Marissa tried to shrug it off. Summer's cell phone rang and she got it, while Marissa looked at herself in the mirror. I don't look different, she thought. Summer flipped her phone shut and startd talking to Marissa.

"Cohen invited me to dinner with his parents, so you can come if you want," Summer said lamely. She knew Marissa wouldn't come, her and Seth never really talked, unless it was something about Summer.

Marissa thought about this for a second, Ryan was going to be there she thought. She could see him again. "Yeah, sure." Summer seemed confused, but Marissa recovered with, "I don't want to be home alone." Summer seemed satisfied, and Marissa went to go get changed.

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Ryan was helping Kirsten unpack the take-out containers. The door rang and seeing as Kirsten was washing her hands, she motioned for Ryan to get it. Ryan opened the big wooden door and was surprised at what he saw.

"Marissa?" he asked in a loud whisper.

"Hey," she told him, "I"m here with Summer, for dinner," she said smiling.

Ryan smiled back and Marissa leaned in for a quick hug and kiss. Ryan was slightly embarassed. What if the Cohen's caught him, what would they think? But he returned the kiss and hug. He led her to the kitchen where Kirsten and Sandy were talking in low whispers.

"Hi Mr. Cohen, Mrs. Cohen," Marissa cheerfully greeted them. Sandy looked surprised that Marissa was here and as was Kirsten. Ryan tried not to smile, but it was kind of hard, but at least he tried.

Summer and Seth finally sat down with the rest of them as Marissa made it a point to sit next to Ryan. She glided her chair closer to him throughout dinner, until they were only about inches away; but nobody noticed. With the one hand that she wasn't using, Marissa slowly moved it to Ryan's hand, cupping it in her own. Ryan flashed her a quick smile and pretended to be interested in the conversation, but his palms were sweating and he couldn't really concentrate, except for the tingly feeling running through his body.

The finally finished dinner, after a couple of impressions and impersenations by Seth. Summer asked Seth if he was ready to go to the party, saying, "It's one of the best of the year, Holly's throwing it!" Seth nodded as Kirsten gave him a look.

"Mom! What? I'm only a teenager once, parties are what I do," he said while doing some crazy dance move. Summer added, "Don't worry Mrs. Cohen, I'll take care of him," as she dragged him away, but not before inviting Marissa and Ryan. They both quickly refused.

"Ryan, can you show me where the bathroom is?"Marissa asked, a bit loud so the Cohens could hear her. Ryan gave Sandy and Kirsten a quick look and saw they were talking and weren't paying attention and nodded. He got up and wiped his sweaty hand against his pants and led her to one of the bathrooms.

Once he showed her the bathroom, she pulled him in with her, and pinned him to the tile wall and started passionately kissing him.

"I thought...you wanted to go...to the bathroom," he said in between kisses.

"Not...for...that," she told him. They continued kissing until they heard Sandy call him down, "Ryan? Where are you?" Ryan sighed and pulled back. Marissa seemed disappointed as well but told him he should go. He reluctantly went, but not before sneaking in one more kiss.

"I was just showing Marissa the bathroom," Ryan told them as he walked in the kitchen, wiping off his shiny lips.

Sandy nodded and motioned for him to sit down, as he did himself and Kirsten followed suit.

"Well," he started, "I know we didn't get a chance to talk before dinner, so here's my part of the lecture. That was a stupid thing you pulled, running off like that. The social worker came and thought we weren't taking good care of you."

"Sorry," Ryan responded truthfully.

"Yeah, but now she's gonna be up our ass until they find your Mom, and we have to prove that we can take care of you until they find her," Sandy said sternly. "Seems once you miss the deadline, she doesn't give you another chance for a week, and if they find Dawn by then, then I'll sign the papers saying you don't belong to...the government," he finished sadly and his stern voice softening.

Ryan nodded and gave them a grateful 'thanks' before heading out. Marissa came down, "Where's Ryan?" she asked. Kirsten got a little suspicious look on her face.

"I just wanted to say good-night,", she quickly recovered. "Pool house." Marissa thanked them for the dinner and headed to the pool house.

"Hey," she greeted him. Ryan was laying down on the bed, but sat up once he heard her voice. "Hey," he repeated.

"So what'd they say?"

"I'm staying with them for a week, or less, depends if they find my Mom."

Marissa smiled, so she got a whole week with him. "Isn't that good?".

"I guess, but what if...I don't wanna go back with my Mom."

Marissa gave him an apologetic smile. "So you're not in trouble then?" "I guess not," he answered.

"So you wanna hang out or something, tomorrow, movies, we can go with Seth and Summer," Marissa suggested.

"Okay, if it's okay with the Cohen's, I guess."

"I'll ask Summer tomorrow is she and Seth want to."

Marissa put her hand on the back of his head and leaned in her face to kiss him. Ryan darted his eyes out the glass door to make sure no one was watching, saw no one, so he leaned in as well and their lips touched. Softly at first, but they were getting more intense, so she pushed him down on the bed and climbed on top of him.

They both finally needed a breather, so Marissa took her lips away from his for a second. "I love you," she told him. "I love you too," as their lips were put together perfectly and passionately again. After a while, they thought they heard footsteps coming their way so they quickly fot up. "I should get going," Marissa said.

"Okay," Ryan told her, "'Night," and gave her tender kiss and tried to pull away before he got too attached.Too late, he already was. Marissa pulled away this time. "I'll see you tomorrow?" and Ryan nodded to confirm it. She leaned in to kiss him, but knew she couldn't pull away if she locked his lips with hers, so gave his cheek a kiss instead.

With one last wave, she left and headed to her house as Ryan shut the door and laid his head on the pillows, finding the note he left the Cohens right next to the lamp. He sighed and rolled it up, and threw it somewhere across the room. He knew he could always write another note if he wanted to leave again; but maybe this time I won't he thought. After all, he was going on a 'date' tomorrow, and with the person he loved most, so now, there was no turning back, just looking forward, and to the future, which hopefully meant Marissa, he thought, and maybe with the Cohen's. He smiled as he thought of this and let his eyes rest. He had a whole life in front of him; and it was just begining.

A/N-How was it? See? It wasn't all r/m fluff, and I had some other characters in ther as well; Sandy, Kirsten, Summer and Seth. Next chapter should be at the movies, with Ryan and Marissa on their 'date', and will SSSK get suspicious ofR/M's relationship? Will they finally tell everyone the truth? Should the detective find Dawn, or should Ryan be sent to the group home in a week? But then what will happen to r/m? True love never dies, and will they find their way back to each other somehow? (watching Dawson's Creek- that was today's episode) What should happen? Remeber to review- and the thing about if they're virgins or not just put it in your review. Be like, Ryan- virgin, or, not virgin, Marissa- virgin, or, not virgin. Majority rules. Hope you liked it- P.S- I know- not very exciting- but the next one will be hopefully and a lot more r/m 'hidden' romance.