AN: So many people wanted another chapter that I had to oblige. Here's a follow-up. The next day and beyond. R-rated for a little sex, etc.


"...my skin can't take much more of this, she says
you're scaling over me
every time I wash it off, I find you underneath..."
-7 Mary 3

Seth watched Ryan closely the next day.

Despite his visible hangover, Ryan seemed normal to him. He laughed at Seth's jokes and got their coffee in the student lounge.

So, Seth was pretty pleased with his brotherly skills until he walked out of Harbor that afternoon and glimpsed Ryan talking to Alex outside her jeep.

"Coop's not going to like that," Summer said, joining him on the stairs.

"Why? Is she jealous? And if so, of which one?" Seth replied.

"Shut up." She laughed. "No, she told me at lunch today that Ryan spent all day yesterday getting high with Alex."

"What?"

"Just weed, but Coop's worried about Ryan, too," Summer confessed.

"Come on," Seth said, taking her hand and hurrying down the stairs to the curb.

"Hey, Seth. Summer," Alex greeted them.

"Here to pick up Marissa?" Summer asked.

"Yeah, but she's held up in the office because of her absences so it'll be a while," Alex replied.

"You ready?" Seth asked Ryan.

"I've got my bike," Ryan said. "I'll see you back at home."

"Can I, actually, talk to you a minute?" Seth asked.

Ryan shrugged and followed Seth a few steps away.

"Dude, what are you doing?"

"Talking to Alex. We're all friends, aren't we?"

"Yeah. But I didn't spend all day getting stoned with her yesterday…"

"Oh, that's what this is about?" Dude, it was just weed…" Ryan started.

"But it's not you," Seth stated. Seth smoked occasionally but Ryan had always turned it down.

"I just needed to cut loose. It's over. We talked about it, remember? Relax," Ryan replied.

"Relax?"

"Yeah. Stop worrying. Go with Summer," Ryan nodded.

"All right. We'll pow-wow later."


Ryan sighed once Seth and Summer were out of sight. Seth's concern was starting to grate on his nerves.

"Damn, and I always thought you were the chaperone," Alex snorted.

"He busted me at a bar last night and he's been a little…weird, since," Ryan admitted.

"Aw, that's cute. So…you don't think he'd let you out for the night? Marissa's got a meeting with her lawyer and her shrink and her mom and I'm getting the hell out of dodge. There's this party in Corona and I'd appreciate some backup."

"Backup?" Ryan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah. If I pass out, you won't feel me up. And vice versa," Alex replied.

"It is Friday and Seth probably will go out with Summer…sure."

"Cool. I'll pick you up at eight?"

"Cool."


Ryan waited until Summer picked up Seth to get dressed. Seth had been easily convinced that Ryan planned to stay in all night studying because of his skipped day.

He changed into jeans and a black shirt and a new black leather jacket that Kirsten had picked out for him.

He'd just walked into the main house when the doorbell rang.

"Alex. Good to see you," Sandy was saying when he reached the front room.

"Mr. Cohen," Alex nodded with a smile.

"I'm afraid Seth's not here…"

"Actually, I'm here to pick up Ryan," Alex replied.

"I'm ready," Ryan said.

"Ryan? Okay. Are you guys…" Sandy stammered, confused.

"Oh no, Mr. Cohen, I'm seeing someone else," Alex laughed.

"Oh. You guys have fun…" Sandy said, giving Ryan a curious glance. "And be home by one."

"Sure thing," Ryan agreed, starting out the door.

"Oh, Ryan, do you have a phone?" Sandy called as an afterthought.

"I have a phone. He'll call if we're late," Alex said.

"Thanks," Sandy said, closing the door.

Ryan climbed into the jeep. "Thanks, Alex."

"No problem. We can keep each other out of trouble. I'll get you home on time, and you make sure I have a good time."

"So, who's D.D.?" Ryan asked.

"We'll stop drinking at midnight and see who's sober."

"Deal," Ryan said.

Ryan didn't hesitate to take the joint from her while she went into the store for beer.

He wasn't exactly lying to Seth, but he needed to relax and he couldn't really do that in Newport, with anyone he knew. His idea of stress relief had always been a binge or a fight or sex. And whether or not it was healthy, it was all he knew.

And he wasn't doing anything crazy, just stable partying.

He'd talked with Alex and they had enough shared bad experiences with the police and drugs that they'd agreed to party in 'moderation'.

"Let's go," Alex said, plucking the joint from his fingers and hitting it a final time before flicking it into the street as she pulled out of the parking lot.

"So, Marissa's cool with all of this?"

"A lot of these people know Jodie so she gracefully bowed out. She seemed oddly comforted that you were coming with me."

"I'm a good chaperone," Ryan smiled.

"Ouch, she needed a chaperone that bad?"

"I'm not going to talk about Marissa, that's bad karma," Ryan laughed.

"Well, she certainly talks about you. So did Seth. It's a toss up as to who was in love with you more," Alex teased.

"Fuck you," Ryan laughed.

"When I went out with you that first time, I had you pegged as a little prep, but I was way off. You blend in pretty well in Newport but I can see you haven't forgotten your roots," Alex said.

"I think sometimes we have to go back to what we know best. Newport will always be new to me," Ryan admitted.

"Here we are," Alex announced, parking the jeep with a lurch. "Grab the beer and you'll be everyone's new best friend."


Alex had just gotten her buzz when Ryan turned up at her side, holding out a cigarette.

She knew he was Marissa's ex and she really cared about Marissa…but she had to admit that the boy was hot.

"Thanks," she said, accepting the cigarette. "How're you doing?"

"Well, that little short chick by the keg has already offered to take me home and your friend, Ginger, has offered to take you and I both home," Ryan smirked quietly.

Alex laughed.

"How about you?"

"Nice, so far. It's good to see old friends and there haven't been any brawls or cops yet…"

"Good party," Ryan nodded.

"Alex, come here!" Someone called and she patted Ryan on the shoulder before starting across the room to where she was being beckoned.

Her chest was doused in ice cold liquid before she could reach the other side of the room.

"Watch where you're going, dyke," a boy she didn't recognize snapped, holding a dripping cup.

"What the hell did you say to me?" She asked, pissed.

"You heard me, you ran right into me, I didn't know being a freak affected your eyesight," the kid snarled.

She slapped him hard, his teeth cutting his lip as his head snapped sideways.

"Bitch!" he yelled, drawing back his fist.

As she braced herself for the punch, she felt someone pull her backwards as the boy was knocked to the floor.

"You were going to hit her, punk?" Ryan hissed, punching the boy several time in the face as her friend held her arms.

The boy recovered enough to start fighting back, landing a couple of shots to Ryan's face before she broke free and pulled Ryan off.

"Let it go, man, come on," she said, pulling Ryan into the kitchen as the boy was helped up.

"Sorry," Ryan muttered, shaking off her hand and stepping away, still intense from the fight.

"It was his fault, I could've taken him," Alex said.

Ryan snorted. "What kind of fuck has to pick a fight with a chick when there are all these guys here?"

Ginger walked in. "He's gone, Alex, I'm so sorry, we don't even know who invited him."

"No, it's cool, if my little buddy here can forgive me for getting him all bruised," Alex said honestly. With the way Seth and his dad had been acting, she knew that Ryan was in for some fallout.

"Ask me in the morning," he muttered. He held up his hand and showed his bloody knuckles. "Fucker had braces."


Ryan was driving back with Alex navigating from the passenger seat. She'd lost a game of quarters and needed the time to sober up.

He'd gotten trapped by Ginger after a bathroom break and she'd set a speed record for sucking him off, so despite the fight, he considered it a good night.

"Sorry about your face," Alex said.

"Can I tell them you punched me?" Ryan asked.

She laughed. "If it'll help."

"Thanks for taking me along."

"You're serious? You're stuck driving me home with a black eye and you're thanking me?" Alex asked.

"Yeah. It was still fun," He replied, braking as a light turned red a few miles outside of Newport.

She startled him with her kiss, her hand finding his crotch with a squeeze.

He returned her kiss automatically for a few moments before pulling away. "Wait, Alex…"

"I'm with Marissa, but you and I know how this works, it's just between us…" Alex whispered, barely disguising her slur.

"I can't Alex…" His groin disagreed with him, his cock hardening in her hand as she reached into his jeans and stroked him.

"Come on," she smiled.

"No, Alex, stop, you're drunk and we're supposed to be friends," Ryan said, forcing himself to pull her hand off him.

"You really are a chaperone," she snapped. He adjusted his pants and pulled onto the road again. "Afraid I'll compare notes with Marissa?"

"I never fucked Marissa," he replied, the alcohol heightening his anger. He lit a cigarette and tried to ignore the discomfort from his hard-on.

"What? Go, you have some kind of restraint. You'll take a blowjob from the local tramp but you won't even fuck somebody you love?" Alex snorted.

"Shut up, Alex."

"I offer you a no-strings fuck and you shut me down…" she started again.

"Shut up, Alex," he snapped, his voice cold and silencing her instantly. "I care about Marissa and she fucking cares about you. I'm not going to be the reason she flips out again. There's got to be a fucking line."

Alex was silent as he parked the jeep with a screech at the end of the driveway.

"Are you cool to drive home?" he asked, stepping out.

She nodded and he turned away, pissed.

"Ryan…"

"Thanks for the party, Alex," he said, walking up the driveway. He bypassed the house, walking around the edge toward the poolhouse.

"Hey, kid. You're late." Sandy's voice startled him from the back door.

He glanced at his watch. 10 after one. "Sorry, Sandy."

"So. You're hanging out with Alex now?"

"Yeah."

"Who's she dating?" Sandy met him by the poolhouse doors and followed him inside.

"Um, Marissa." Ryan was uncomfortable with Sandy's questioning. It'd been a while.

"Oh. Really? Oh…"

"Weird. But she's nice."

"What happened to your face?" Sandy asked.

"Honestly? Some kid called her a name and she smacked him. I took a couple of punches meant for her," he replied, turning and trying to judge Sandy's response.

Sandy simply nodded. "Drinking?"

"No. I had a couple of cigarettes, though," he lied.

Sandy studied him. After a long moment, he patted Ryan on the back. "Okay. You're an awful liar so I believe you. Don't be late again, okay?"

"I won't."


Seth woke up to the sound of bells.

The doorbell.

He hurried downstairs, pulling his robe on over his boxers and t-shirt.

He hadn't gotten home until 3 and his dad had been waiting. Apparently since his dad made up with his mom, he was back on 'dad patrol'.

"Alex?" Seth blinked, surprised. "Why are you here so early?"

"It's three o'clock. Is Ryan here?"

"You woke me up, he should be around, though. What do you want with him?" Seth asked.

"You haven't seen him today?"

Seth was watching her closely. She looked…guilty. "No."

"He came with me to a party last night. Took a couple of hard knocks in my defense."

"You took him to a party? He didn't tell me…"

"Chill, it was all my idea, why are you such a momma hen over him anyway? He's a grown man," Alex said.

"Because he's not like this anymore, the parties and the punching of the head, he's changed," Seth explained.

"Well, I don't know what you're talking about. He seems to be a pretty nice guy in either atmosphere," she replied. "So, can I see him?"

"Um, yeah, poolhouse. I'll show you," Seth said. He needed to talk to Ryan, too. Make sure that this all wasn't the start of some sort of breakdown, Chino style.

"Thanks. He was really cool last night and I was, kind of, a bitch."

"So, did you hit him?" Seth asked.

She shoved him as they walked onto the patio. "No, stupid. Where are we going?"

"Ryan lives in the poolhouse," Seth said, knocking on the door but not waiting for an answer, swinging it open.

"Seth." Ryan was buried under the covers. "Too early."

"Alex is here to see you," Seth announced.

"Still too early," he murmured.

"Can we talk, man?" Alex called.

The phone rang and Ryan's hand appeared, fumbling for the phone and then pulling it under the covers with him. "Hello?"

"You want some coffee? He's not a good morning person," Seth told Alex.

Ryan's muffled voice was resigned. "Of course I knew it was you, Lindsay."

"Sure," Alex sighed."


Ryan showered and changed, his right eye bruised and swollen.

Lindsay had arrived in Chicago safely and wanted to make sure he had her number.

He'd kept the conversation short, not wanting to reopen the recent wounds.

He'd never see her again, he didn't care if he came off cold. Maybe if she hated him then she'd stop calling and he could just file her away.

And now he had to face up to the music. Seth's accusatory disappointment and whatever the hell Alex had to say.

But that was always part of the risk. Consequences. He'd gone to the party, he'd gotten wasted and he'd fucked up.

He ran a hand through his hair and went into the house.

"Morning. That looks painful," Seth winced as he held out a coffee cup.

"Thank. And it's fine," Ryan shrugged, accepting the cup.

"Sorry, man. Are you grounded like Seth?" Alex asked.

"Actually, no. You're grounded?" Ryan asked Seth, avoiding Alex's gaze.

"Yeah. Fell asleep at Summer's and caught the wrath of Dad," Seth admitted.

"I was only 10 minutes late so he lectured me and let me off," Ryan replied.

"Can we talk?" Alex asked.

Seth looked at him. "She's pretty anxious to apologize. Are you sure she didn't hit you?"

"Nah," Ryan shrugged.

"Get out. Go get dressed, you look like a slob," Alex told Seth.

"Do we need a pow-wow?" Seth asked Ryan, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't have much choice, do I?" Ryan sighed.

"I'll come see you after I'm clean," Seth said. "Always good to see you, Alex."

She gave him the finger as he left.

"So. Hey," she said, nervous now that they were alone.

"Hey. We better go outside, the walls have ears in here," Ryan said, taking his coffee with him as they stepped outside.

"I'm sorry about last night. I was drunk and…"

"You were drunk. It's forgotten," he said.

She didn't believe him. "Damn."

"I'm serious," he said, wanting it all to be forgotten.

"But we can never hang out again. That was the 'damn' part. You're the most fun I've had since I met Marissa and I ruined it with a little horny moment."

"Alex. I don't think you should tell Marissa. It's forgotten. It was a stupid mistake and it's completely between us. You don't tell anyone that I went out and got wasted and I won't tell anyone that you get horny when you drink tequila," Ryan said.

"Really?" She stepped closer. "And we can still be buds?"

"Yeah," Ryan said, relieved. Alex seemed sincere and he respected her apology.

She gave him a chaste hug.

"As long as you keep your hands above the waist," he whispered and she laughed, releasing him.

"Thanks, Ryan."

"Take care of Marissa, okay, Alex?"

"I'll try. You're a good friend, man. Marissa's lucky to have you," she said, leaving.


Sandy was making dinner when Seth came down. "Hey, kid. So. You're back with Summer?" It seemed like forever since his dad had tried to talk to him.

"Yeah. Persistence pays off sometimes. I really did fall asleep, Dad," Seth said, sitting down.

"I believe you. But you were two hours late and you didn't call…"

"When's the last time you and mom really paid attention to curfew?" Seth sighed, trying not to sound too antagonistic, but wanting to get out of his grounding.

"What?"

"You guys have both been out past 2 and 3 am for weeks now, you wouldn't have known what time we got in," Seth replied honestly.

His dad seemed startled.

"This was the first time I've been late in weeks, Dad. I swear."

"You swear," his father repeated.

"I fell asleep. I swear," Seth nodded.

"Okay. You're off the hook but that's your only parental guilt free pass, okay?"

"Fine."

"So, what's up with Ryan? He's asleep and I haven't seen Lindsay around."

"Well, Lindsay moved to Chicago, she decided she was better off with Renee," Seth said slowly.

"What? Ryan hasn't said anything, when did she leave?"

"Tuesday or Wednesday," Seth admitted.

"Kirsten must not know. Is he upset?"

"Yeah. Definitely in full brood."

"Is Alex someone he should be hanging out with?" his dad asked.

"She's his friend," Seth replied, shrugging.

"Marissa's friend, too, from what I hear."

"Yeah. That's weird, but true," Seth smirked, surprised that his dad was caught up on that tidbit of gossip.

"Newport never gets boring. Go get Ryan for dinner. I want to talk to the kid about Lindsay before your mother gets home."


"Seth. Give us a few minutes, please," Sandy said when his son returned with Ryan.

"Am I in trouble again?" Ryan asked, sitting down at the counter.

"I hope not. Lindsay's in Chicago?"

"I have her number if Kirsten wants it," Ryan said.

Sandy had a bad feeling. Looking at Ryan made him remember the bruised kid from juvie that didn't trust anyone. Sandy had only worked on Rebecca's case for a few weeks but he could see the effects on his family.

"I'm sorry, Ryan."

"I thought you'd be relieved," Ryan said quietly.

"What? Why?"

"You told me not to pursue her. It caused so much family drama, I mean, I gave Caleb a heart attack, and none of that would have happened if I'd stayed away like you said," Ryan stated.

"Oh, Ryan, I never meant to come off like that. Lindsay was a great girl, you were great together…" he started.

"Don't patronize me, please. Like you ever saw us together. Like you ever even talked to her. Don't. She's gone and all that's in the past," Ryan said sharply.

"Ryan, I've been busy these past few weeks but I know that you cared about her. It was nice to see you happy for once…"

Ryan's eyes flashed. "You've never seen me happy¸ Sandy. Can I be excused now?"

"Why are you so angry with me?" Sandy whispered, startled.

"I'm not. I'm sorry. You haven't done anything, I'm just tired," Ryan said automatically.

"Hi, guys. Dinner ready yet? I brought dessert," Kirsten announced, carrying several grocery bags into the room.

"Almost," Sandy smiled, accepting her kiss.

"I'll get Seth," Ryan said, disappearing.

"Smells good. Did I interrupt?"

"Did you know that Lindsay moved to Chicago this week?"

"What?" Kirsten was visibly affected.

"Seth told me today. And Ryan's upset. Angry, almost. He usually talks to me, but I think I might've lost him when I almost lost you," he admitted, embracing her.

"We won't lose him. Poor kid. I think they really cared about each other."

"Ryan said something about giving Caleb his heart attack. What did he have to do with that?"

"He was here when Dad collapsed. We were having dinner with Lindsay, trying to help them reconcile and Dad started to insult him. They argued and Dad collapsed."

""You let Caleb insult him?" Sandy asked, soaking up the new information.

"Dad has a mind and a mouth of his own. Ryan knows it wasn't his fault. He stayed at the hospital that night after I left to be with Lindsay. This is just awful," Kirsten sighed.

Sandy had to agree. It was awful.


Ryan didn't know the girl's name but he knew Summer and Marissa did so he followed her into the bedroom and locked the door, making sure they were unseen through the haze of smoke.

He'd agreed to be third wheel on Seth and Summer's first public outing as a couple sequel to one of Holly's parties.

Summer was drunk of daiquiris and Seth was D.D., holding her hair in the bathroom when Ryan saw them last.

The girl was a tall brunette with 'fuck-me' eyes.

"You'll be discrete, I take it?" she purred, unbuttoning the top button of her tight blouse.

"I don't care about your name, if that counts," he replied, cupping her ass as he nipped at her neck.

"That's what I like to hear," she laughed.

Within minutes, they were both undressed and she stretched out on the bed as he positioned himself above her, kissing her deeply.

He slid his cock into her opening and she moaned in pleasure, lifting her hips and matching his rhythm as she dug her nails into his shoulders.

"You've got skills," she smiled. "Can I drive?"

He held himself inside her as he rolled her over to sit on top of him.

She rode him slowly at first and he began to kiss her breasts as she increased her pace.

She leaned forward suddenly and he continued to thrust up into her as she squeezed his arm. "Okay," she moaned. "I'm ready, get me off…"

He grabbed her ass and began thrusting into her more forcefully, filling the condom as she collapsed against him from her own release.

She sighed. "Good job, rookie."

Someone tried to open the door, jiggling the knob.

"Thanks," Ryan said, kissing her cheek. "We better get back to the party."

"Good idea."

They got dressed quickly and straightened the bed as best they could.

"Want to share a cigarette later?" the girl asked him by the door.

"If I'm around," Ryan shrugged.

"I'll keep my eyes open," she grinned, kissing him quickly before opening the door.

"There you are," Seth startled him as soon as he stepped into the hallway. "We've been looking for you."

"Here I am," Ryan replied.

Seth stared at him, curiously. "Did you just…did you just have sex?"

"What?" Ryan glanced at his clothes to try and find whatever tipped him off.

"You…oh god, you did. Dude, who was she?"

Ryan shrugged. "I don't know. But she was hot. And I used a condom and I'm not drinking or smoking so you have nothing to be all twitchy about. Where's Summer?"

"Playing Jenga with Marissa. Not a very good game, they can't seem to get the game set up so they can start," Seth replied. "And you don't know?"

"I don't know, Seth. Drop it," Ryan hissed, leading Seth back into the living room.