A/N: Well, it's not that easy staying away. As I am not aware of what's currently happening on the show, I guess this can be considered AU because it's based on Season 1 and a few manipulations/retellings of some things that happened in the earlier part of Season 2 – it will become clearer as the story develops.

Pairing: Seth/Marissa

Genre: Simple romance.

Rating: PG

Length: Multi-chapter.

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Marissa pulled her rented Saturn into the driveway and hit the stiff brakes. She'd dreaded this visit, especially because it was so soon after the last one but she really couldn't postpone it. She turned the engine off, slumped into the seat and stared across at the large house next door. She was amazed that she still held such strong but mixed feelings about its inhabitants when a few quick but hard taps on the car window interrupted her thoughts.

She looked up then wound the window down. "Hey, Seth," she said, pasting a smile on her lips.

He bent over, his floppy haircovering his eyes, andsmiled down at her. "Hey. I was wondering who that was."

"Just me," she replied, holding the steering wheel and hoping he'd go away. As she'd only just gotten into town, she wasn't mentally prepared to have any conversations with anyone - especially not one who'd been so close to Ryan.

"I see. The funniest thing is, for a long time, this house practically lay abandoned but this is about the second time this month someone's been here."

"Really?" Marissa unlocked the door while Seth moved back so that she could open it and step out. "Who else has been here?"

"Well, I saw your mom here a few days after the funeral."

"My mom?"

"Yeah. And I could have sworn I saw the light on sometime last year."

"Last year?"

He nodded.

"Hmm…" That was certainly interesting. She hadn't moved all her things to Caleb's house because her mother said "a new house needs new things," but she suspected that Julie never sold the place because she needed a back-up in case her marriage to Caleb fell through. But since they were still together,Marissacouldn't understand what she'd be doing in it.

She sighed, deciding not to waste so much energy thinking about her mother then walked over to the trunk and pulled out a small bag.

Seth raised his brow. "That's all?"

Marissa nodded.

"I guess you're not staying long."

She shook her head. "No."

Not knowing what was appropriate, he said, "Cool."

Marissa looked over at the house. "I don't know why it took me so long to collect the rest of my things but … I guess I've run out of excuses."

"Excuses?"

"Oh, forget it." She looked warily at him, hoping that her smile didn't look as fake as it felt.

Noticing her discomfort, Seth shook his head solemnly. "Once again, I'm really sorry about your Dad. He was such a great guy. Remember when your mom used to go on her trips and he'd bring you and Kaitlin over for dinner every night?"

"Yeah?"

"I was only wondering if you remembered."

She shook her head, chuckled and headed for the house. Seth was fast at her heels.

"So you're going to be staying here alone?"

She smiled back at him."Yeah."

"Do you remember Rosa?"

"Why? You just want to know if I remember?"

He made a face. "No, I am serious. Do you remember her?"

Marissa dropped the bag, found the right key, pushed it into the hole and pushed the door in. She was met with the stale scent of a furnished but unused house. Seth picked up her bag and followed her in.

She turned round to him. "You know what? If this was a movie, all the furniture would be covered up with long sheets, light would seep in through the drapes and it'ld be so dramatic."

"Yeah…," he said, onlynoticing how big and empty the place looked with just the two of them in it. "About Rosa…"

"What about her?"

"She makes great breakfast."

"Okay…?"

"And you could always do something for lunch."

"Ah-ha…?"

"And my mother is really great at ordering dinner."

"Good to know."

He shook his head in frustration. "My point is, there's no reason for you to go grocery shopping and cook when you're alone. In fact, there's no reason to stay here – I'm sure my parents would be glad to let you stay with us. In fact, the pool house…" His face turned red as he realized what he almost said. In attempt to undo the faux-pas, he added, "My house is pretty amazing – we've got room, food, drinks, clean furniture…"

"And Ryan and all the memories I wish I'd forgotten," she thought.

"… and hell, you don't even have to clean after yourself – my Dad would gladly do it," he joked.

She appreciated what he was trying to do for her but if she was going to accomplish what she'd set out to do, she knew she couldn't allow for any distractions. It was going to be a clean visit -she'd be in and out in less than two days. She took her bag from him, dropped it in front of the kitchen and walked it.

"Seth, aren't you too old to still be living with your parents?" she called.

"No, I'm an artist. Besides, I like to think that they are living with me. They really wouldn't know what to do with themselves if I left."

"Sure," she said, walking out with two glasses of water. "I'm sorry this is all I have," she said, holding a glass out to him, "but I'm even surprised that the taps are still running – I guess my mother keeps paying the utilities."

"I guess." He took the glass and looked at its contents suspiciously.

Marissa walked past him, dusted the couch and sat on it. "So you're an artist, huh?"

"Okay, maybe artist is stretching it out a little but I work for the Orange County Register. What about you?"

"I'm an Event Planner."

Seth burst out laughing. "Well, I can't say I am surprised –you did party a lot in high school."

A little offended, Marissa set her glass at the foot of the couch and frowned. "It is very hard work, you know? A lot of people come over to Hawaii to get married. And let's not talk about all the companies and organizations that come over for their numerous conventions. I have to make sure that not only does everything look flawless, everything has to BE flawless – and that takes work."

"Okay, I was only kidding."

After a few moments of awkward silence, Seth decided to do the honorable thing and leave. He looked at his watch and said, "I have to go now. I'm going to tell my parents you're around so be prepared to be forced to stay at our place tonight."

Marissa smiled. "Whatever."

"Bye," he said, walking out of the house and wishing there was something he could do to make her feel better.