Well, I know its been a while since my last update. Hopefully, there are still some people who want to read this story. Life keeps getting in the way of fanfic. Sigh. I will also be updating Thicker Than Water next week, I promise.

As I was reading back through the entire story, I noticed quite a few grammatical errors and typos. As an English major each error is like a dagger to my heart, but if I took the time to fully revise and edit each chapter they would never get posted.

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"We were just … um … well." Marissa fell silent as she saw a look of consternation flash across Kirsten's face. She dropped her head and sighed. Now she knew for sure that she had done more harm than good today.

"Where is Summer?" Kirsten asked trying to figure out how she was going to handle this situation.

"She's in the bathroom. I think she might be sick or something." Marissa replied as she rubbed her temples. She was starting to get a headache. "This way," Marissa said as she set off down the hallway. Kirsten followed closely behind her.

"Summer, are you ok?" Marissa asked after knocking on the bathroom door. Summer didn't reply, but they could hear her throwing up. Kirsten opened the door and stepped inside.

"Oh Summer," Kirsten said once inside the large bathroom. Summer was sitting on the floor in front of the toilet, her leg with the cast on it was sprawled awkwardly across the floor. Summer turned towards Kirsten and Marissa and opened her mouth to speak, but instead she hurriedly turned back towards the toiled. Kirsten crossed the room and knelt next to Summer. Kirsten held her hair back as Summer continued to be sick. Kirsten could tell that the contents of Summer's stomach were mainly vodka and coke. Kirsten turned back to Marissa and gave her a look that said, "Why?"

Marissa felt terrible. She wanted to help so she tried to grab a washcloth so that she could wash Summer's face, but she was pretty drunk by this time and she fell into Kirsten whose weight landed on Summer's ankle. "Ow!" Summer cried, grabbing at her ankle. She hadn't had enough alcohol to completely dull the pain. Kirsten put her hand on Summer's back to try and steady her.

Kirsten turned to Marissa and said sharply, "Marissa!" Marissa took several steps back. Kirsten took a deep breath and said, "Go wait in the living room until we are done here." Marissa nodded and headed out of the bathroom. "Marissa," Kirsten called. Marissa appeared in the doorway. "Why don't you clean up from your little party before Neal gets home." Kirsten suggested before turning her attention back to Summer.

"I'm sorry Summer," Marissa said quietly as she left the room. Summer didn't answer, but she looked up at Marissa and Marissa saw the tears in her eyes. It was obvious that Summer was in a lot of pain.

Kirsten shifted her position and said to Summer, "Lay back and try to relax. Take some deep breaths." Summer leaned back against Kirsten and did as she was told. After several minutes Summer's breathing began to steady. "Do you still feel sick?" Kirsten asked.

"No, I think I am ok now." Summer said, suddenly aware of the fact that she was sitting on the cold bathroom tile being held by Kirsten Cohen. She slid away from Kirsten and said, "I'm sorry … I." Summer stopped. What the hell was she supposed to say to Kirsten? Summer was mortified that Kirsten had found her on the bathroom floor, drunk and throwing up, but she had to admit that it had been nice to have a mother to hold her and take care of her, even if it was only for a few minutes. She had always admired Kirsten. Kirsten always seemed so perfect and in control. Summer was sure that Kirsten had never been found on the floor of her bathroom beaten, drunk, and throwing up. What would Kirsten think of her now?

"It's ok sweetie," Kirsten said as she stood up to get a washcloth. Kirsten gently washed Summer's face and helped her to her feet.

"Is Marissa still here? She shouldn't drive." Summer said.

Kirsten stuck her head out of the bathroom and yelled, "Marissa?" They were both relieved when Marissa answered. "Summer, when is your dad coming back?" Kirsten asked, trying to figure out what she should do with both girls.

"They won't be back for a few hours." Summer tried to get her crutches situated, but she was still a bit dizzy and was having trouble working them. Kirsten walked over to her and without saying a word, she took the crutches, set them aside and slipped her arm under Summer's to support her.

"Do you want me to call your dad?" Kirsten asked as they slowly made their way down the hallway.

"No, please don't." Summer said softly, trying not to look at Kirsten as she answered.

"Alright, well let's get you upstairs to bed and then I will take Marissa home." Kirsten said. When Marissa saw Kirsten and Summer coming down the hall she jumped up to help. Kirsten was quick to wave her off saying, "We've got it Marissa. I am going to get Summer upstairs and then I will take you home."

Marissa took several steps back. "I don't need you to take me home." She began to gather her stuff. The last thing Marissa needed right now was Kirsten telling Julie and Caleb all about her drunken afternoon. Things had finally settled into a tenuous peace at home and this would definitely disrupt that. Marissa grabbed her stuff and headed for the door. "I'll call you later Sum."

"Marissa stop!" Kirsten commanded. "You have been drinking and you are not going to drive."

"I've only had a few drinks. I'm fine to drive." Marissa paused and looked straight at Kirsten. "You know how it is." Kirsten took a deep breath, trying to stifle the urge to strangle Marissa, but before she could respond Summer spoke.

"Maris, please." Was all that Summer said, but it was enough.

"Ok. Fine. I'll just wait here," Marissa said as she flopped back onto the couch.

"Keys," Kirsten said as she held out her hand. Marissa rolled her eyes and threw her keys to Kirsten.

Getting Summer up the stairs was not very easy. It didn't help that Summer was drunk and that Kirsten only outweighed her by about ten pounds. "Is there anything else I can get you?" Kirsten asked as she placed a glass of water on the nightstand next to Summer's bed. Summer shook her head.

"Mrs. Cohen," Summer began.

"Please call me Kirsten."

"Ok. Kirsten, I'm really sorry about all this." Summer could feel her eyes welling up with tears. Not again she thought, willing the tears not to fall. "I know that you have enough stuff to deal with without all of my drama."

Kirsten sat on the bed next to Summer. "I came here today because I was worried about you. We were worried about you and we want to help. Ryan and Seth are going crazy, I'm surprised one of them didn't pop out of the trunk when I got here." At the mention of Ryan and Seth, Summer seemed to perk up.

"I wanted to call, but I don't know what to say." Summer wasn't sure how much Kirsten knew about her and Ryan. She had let Ryan sleep with Summer so she must know that there is something between them. "How is Ryan dealing with all of this? I mean, my dad was such an asshole to him and I know he feels guilty because he didn't tell you guys or the police." Summer stopped to whip a tear from her cheek. "Will you please make sure he knows that none of this was his fault?" Summer requested plaintively.

Kirsten sighed, she didn't want to tell Summer that Ryan wasn't dealing with this very well, the poor girl had enough to deal with. "Ryan is worried about you. I think he would feel better if he could see you, or at the very least, talk to you."

Summer dropped her head and said quietly. "I need to talk to him, but I can't say what I need to over the phone, and my dad won't let anyone but Marissa come near me."

Kirsten had had enough. She was going to give Neal a piece of her mind. Summer needed to be with her friends right now and locking her in the house and pretending that nothing had happened was making things worse. Kirsten took Summer's hand. "I am going to take Marissa home and then I will come back and speak with your father."

"No, I can't ask you to do that. This is my problem and I will deal with it."

Kirsten smiled, "It's for my benefit too, you have no idea how hard it is to live with Seth and Ryan right now." They both laughed. "Are you going to be alright here by yourself?" Kirsten asked concerned.

"Yea, I think I will probably just sleep." Kirsten stood up and walked toward the door. "Kirsten," Summer said. Kirsten stopped and turned around to face Summer. "What you did today was … well it meant a lot. Thanks."

The ride to Marissa's house was uncomfortably silent. Marissa knew that she had screwed up big time and now she was just waiting to see how much trouble she was going to get in. When they pulled up in front of the house, Marissa was relieved when Kirsten didn't get out of the car.

Kirsten looked at Marissa and said, "I don't think I really need to say anything, do I?"

Marissa shook her head. "No," she said softly, "I know I screwed up; I just wanted to help."

"I know this is hard, but promise me that from now on you won't try to help anyone with alcohol." Kirsten said as she handed Marissa back her keys.

"Dude, this waiting is killing me." Seth said as he walked into the pool house. Ryan was laying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He didn't answer Seth, so Seth just kept talking. "At least come inside and play PS2 with me. I think the Playstation is starting to feel a little neglected."

"Well go play it then," Ryan said brusquely. Ryan saw Seth's face fall. "I'm sorry man, I'm just … I'm not very good company right now." Ryan felt bad. Seth was having a hard time too and he had been pretty cool about Ryan and Summer. Ryan stood up and put his hand on Seth's shoulder. "I just need some time alone right now, but I promise we will spend some quality time with the Playstation tonight."

"Ok man," Seth said, still a little hurt by Ryan's actions, "Just be careful not to overdose on brooding." Seth slowly walked back towards the house.

As Kirsten drove away from her father's home, she made a decision. It probably wasn't the wisest decision or most responsible choice that she could make, but it was what she felt she needed to do. Kirsten grabbed her cell phone and dialed.

"Ryan, I am coming to pick you up. Neal is out for a bit and I am going to take you to see Summer." Kirsten said hurriedly. After a moment of silence from the other end of the line she added, "If you want to, of course."

"Yea," Ryan said, his heart suddenly beating faster. Kirsten would be here in a couple minutes and then he would see Summer. Ryan was glad he had taken a shower last night, now if he could just find some clean clothes.

Ryan jumped into the car when Kirsten pulled up along the street. "What about Seth?" Ryan asked.

"I think it's probably better if it is just you for now." Kirsten replied. Seth would be angry when he found out that she had taken Ryan to see Summer, but Kirsten would deal with that later. Right now Seth was in the best shape of the three. She hoped that her son could be adult about this and realize that helping Summer is the first priority.

Ryan stared out the window at the water as they drove towards Summer's house. He could tell that Kirsten was upset and he noticed that her eyes seemed red, as if she had been crying. Summer must be pretty messed up if Kristen was going to sneak him in to see her.

"Are you sure about this?" Ryan asked, watching as Kirsten nervously tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. "I mean, Summer's dad hates me."

"He doesn't hate you, he just doesn't know you." Kirsten said as she turned into Summer's driveway. Kirsten parked the car and turned towards Ryan. "Do you love her?" She asked.

"Yea," Ryan said, "I do."

"Ok, then you go upstairs and tell her that and I will worry about Neal." They walked up to the front door together. Ryan stopped before he went in and gave Kirsten a quick hug.

"Thanks," he said before running up the stairs to Summer's room. Ryan paused and took a deep breath before he knocked on Summer's bedroom door.

"Come in," Summer said, her voice muffled by sleep. "Ryan!" She said when he stepped into the room. "What are you doing here?"

"Kirsten brought me. She thought you might like some company." Ryan said, smiling for the first time in days. He walked over to the bed and kissed Summer on the forehead before he sat down. "How are you doing?" Ryan asked, concerned. Summer looked pale and he could smell alcohol on her breath.

"Better now that you are here." Summer replied. She sat up, trying to clear the sleep and alcohol out of her head. "Is my dad home?"

"Not yet. So what happened this afternoon?" Ryan asked as he took Summer's hand.

Summer closed her eyes. "Nothing good. Marissa and I were drinking and I got sick and then Kirsten came over." Summer didn't know how Ryan would react to the news that she and Marissa had gotten drunk. Ryan drank occasionally, but he had had problems with Marissa's drinking in the past. "It's not Marissa's fault though. I just couldn't take it anymore. I wanted to stop thinking."

Ryan felt his throat tighten up. He wanted to say something to reassure Summer, but nothing came to mind, so he took her in his arms and held her instead. As he stroked her back, her could feel her body relax and sink into his. After several minutes of silence Ryan said, "We'll figure something out. I promise it's going to get better." Ryan pulled back from Summer and looked into her eyes. "I love you Summer."

"I love you too Ryan," Summer said. Ryan leaned over and kissed Summer, careful not to hurt Summer's still bruised face. Suddenly, they heard voices from downstairs.

"Oh shit! My dad is home."