Title: Sweet Sixteen
Type: 7th Heaven Fan Fiction
Rating: PG (Sexual references)
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of 7th Heaven. I do own all my original characters and this story, though. Don't take.
Summary: Just what Ruthie has always wanted: A road trip with five of her best friends, on her sixteenth birthday. But Ruthie, her four best friends, and her boyfriend (who is still Peter) run into a few problems.

Writer's Note: This story takes place two years from now, when Ruthie is turning sixteen. She's dating Peter, so it's as if he never moved away.

It was soon quiet, and everyone was asleep. Jason was squished between the back seat and front seat, Jacee was still in the driver's seat, but she'd shifted, Kelsey as in the passenger's seat, almost falling off, Daniel was leaning against the car and Ruthie was leaning against Peter. All were asleep. Then they heard a noise. Someone snored. They broke into laughter.

"Who.. was that?" Ruthie asked.

"I think it was Kelsey!" Daniel exclaimed. Kelsey stirred.

"What was me?" Kelsey asked.

"You snored, dummie!" Jacee replied.

"I did not," Kelsey protested.

"Oh, yes, you did," Jason explained. They all laughed some more and drifted into sleep..

Early the next morning, they were on the road again. They were almost out of California, when they spotted a sign that said 'Clear Water Park - 2 Miles.' At this time, Ruthie was driving.

"Hey guys, wanna go to that park and eat?" Ruthie asked. They had taken a cooler full of stuff.

"Yeah, sure. I'm starving," Jacee replied.

"You eat?" Daniel asked.

"Yes I eat. Why?" Jacee asked.

"You're so thin.. so thin," Daniel replied, putting his arm around her. They all laughed.

"Daniel! Let's please keep this road trip PG!" Ruthie exclaimed.

"Fine. I'll live by the rules.. this time," Daniel replied, he leaned back.

"You seriously need to grow up," Peter told him. Everyone let out a low 'ooh...'

"You seriously need to mind your own business," Daniel shot back. More 'oohs.'

"You guys seriously need to stop arguing. Me and Jacee are inbetween you, and I doubt she wants to be killed any more than I do," Jason explained.

"Shut up, Jason," Daniel commanded.

"All right, now it's getting personal," Jason replied. He sat up. Ruthie pulled over. All the girls were yelling 'fight, fight, fight' The boys got out of the car.

"Come on, Peter, let's hurt this loser!" Jason said.

"I'm with you," Peter exclaimed. Then Daniel dove into them. In a matter of moments they were all on the ground, fighting. The girls were still screaming and cheering.

"Come on Peter! Come on Jason! You guys can beat him up!" Ruthie yelled.

"Yeah!! Beat up Daniel!" Jacee agreed.

The fight continued. They were grunting and pouncing on each other.

"You guys giving up yet?" Daniel asked, getting to his feet and ramming his fist into Peter's shoulder. Peter cringed, but fought back.

"Not unless you are," Jason replied, and he jumped on Daniel, knocking him to the ground. Then Jason and Peter proceeded to smack, punch, and kick him. Then Daniel got up, and went after Peter. He pushed Peter into a nearby tree. Peter threw himself against Daniel with all his might. By now, all three boys were panting and sweating like crazy.

"Come on, you know I can take you guys," Daniel yelled.

"Are you sure about that?" Peter asked, his shoulders heaving. Jason punched Daniel.

"Positive," Daniel replied.

Then Peter punched him in the mouth. Daniel backed away, in pain. He was bleeding. He didn't let that stop him. He lunged for Jason, punching him right in the eye. Jason covered his eye, and his eyes started watering. Then Peter lunged ontop of Daniel and the two fell on the ground and punched and kicked and screamed. Daniel rolled on Peter, Peter rolled on Daniel. They were moving back and forth. Jason got back involved and soon enough Daniel was lying on the ground, his shoulders heaving.

"Fine," Daniel breathed between words, "You..win." Jason and Peter collapsed on the groun in victory. All the girls clapped. They helped the boys up and then realized, they were at the park.

"Should we eat now?" Kelsey suggested.

"I'm hungry," Ruthie replied.

"I can't eat," Daniel explained, "I broke a tooth. Well, Peter broke my tooth. Daniel's mouth was bleeding and he had scratches on his arms and face. Peter had a bruise on his face and his arm was bleeding from a deep scratch. Jason had a black eye and his lip was bleeding. The girls looked at them in pity.

"You guys look horrible," Ruthie admitted.

"I can imagine," Jason replied. They walked over to an open picnic bench.

Jacee had decided that she would get everyone's lunch ready, and they could just go do whatever until it was all set up. Jacee was great that way. Ruthie and Peter had decided to take a walk along the riverbank. It was beautiful.

"You're really lucky. You're not as bloody as Daniel," Ruthie told him.

"Yeah, when two guys gang up against one, it's pretty obvious how it'll all work," Peter explained with a laugh. Then, his cell phone rang. "Crap, it's probably my mom." Peter answered it and walked away. Ruthie just stood beside a tree. Then she saw Jason just standing a few feet away. She walked up to him.

"Hey. You guys were great," Ruthie told him.

"Thanks for cheering," Jason replied. Ruthie looked around.

"Wow, it's beautiful," Ruthie said. It was. The trees were really green and full.

"Yeah, it is," Jason agreed. They just stood there for a minute. Then they looked at each other.

"Let me look at your eye," Ruthie said, refering to his black eye.

"How bad is it?" Jason asked.

"You look pretty beat up," Ruthie explained. She came closer to him and looked at his eye. It was bruised, all right. She touched it. He flinched in pain. "Does that hurt?"

"A little," Jason explained.

Then, just standing there, they met each other's eyes. Ruthie leaned in to him and they kissed. His sweaty, long-ish, dark hair fell into her face and she held onto his shoulders, before running one hand though his hair. He put his arms around her for a second, then let his arms fall to his side. The kiss lasted several meaningful seconds until they realized. Ruthie pulled away.

"Wow. Oh my gosh. Don't say anything!" Ruthie said, realizing she'd just cheated on her boyfriend. She looked at Jason. "I have to go."

"Ruthie, wait! I'm sorry, Ruthie!" Jason called. She ran.

Jason didn't tell about the kiss, and Ruthie watched him the rest of that day. She couldn't believe she'd kissed Jason. He'd always just been a good friend. How could he be more than that? He couldn't, she reasoned. That night, they decided to use their extra cash on a cheap motel. They would all have to use the same motel room, but they figured it had to be better than sleeping in the car another night.