Disclaimer: While I do own the memory of a miraculously non-sucky weekend in Newport, I do not own The O.C.

A/N: Thanks to 60sChic for the beta. This has been heavily tweaked since last she saw it. The mistakes are entirely mine.

Part 3

Summer didn't really remember falling asleep, but she must have, because she was awoken by the sound of the door being opened. Zach stood in the doorway looking hurt.

It took a moment longer for Summer to get her bearings, to recall that she and Seth had scooted two chairs together and that it was his shoulder she was currently using as a pillow. Summer lifted her head and smiled warmly at Zach.

"Hey," she whispered standing up and walking over to her boyfriend. "Sorry about that. No one got very much sleep last night."

Summer rubbed her still aching neck as she led Zach into the hallway and closed Ryan's door behind them.

"I understand."

"You don't," Summer asserted. "But it's nice of you to try."

"I… I'm so sorry about Marissa," Zach told her uncertainly.

"Thank you."

"Summer, I'm trying to be cool with walking in on you sleeping on Seth's shoulder…" Summer nodded encouragingly "…I'm trying to put it in the context of Ryan and Marissa's accident. But, he loved you for years. You had this big dramatic split and you're still all he ever talks about. So forgive me for not being able to see this whole thing as strictly platonic."

"I get how this looks," Summer explained, "But you weren't here last night."

Zach opened his mouth to protest.

"I'm not blaming you for that. You couldn't have been here. You didn't know. But last night Seth and I were both reeling. We're still reeling. We need some support. From our friends. Seth and I are friends."

"That's what I have trouble with."

"I know. Look Zach, you're not wrong, Seth and I have some pretty bloody history. Our past is… complicated. But it gives us a bond, a really strong one. I know you don't want to hear that I trust my ex more than anyone else, but the fact is, I do."

"Summer," Zach sighed. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do with this."

"You don't have to do anything. I don't expect you to like me and Seth being friends, but if you could be okay with it, that would be… good."

The door behind them clicked and Seth stepped out.

"Zach, hey," Seth stood awkwardly to the side as Zach hugged Summer from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder.

Summer ruffled Zach's hair. "How you holding up?"

"Okay I guess."

"You're fine," Summer rolled her eyes affectionately. "How'd you sleep?"

"Uncomfortably. But I needed it I think," Seth stood up straight and rolled his head in a circle. "What about you Sum? You sleep at all?"

"Yeah. Almost as long as you."

"Good. And you're okay?"

Summer nodded. "I could use a drink. You guys want anything?"

"No thanks."

"Zach?"

"Um, no."

"Okay. I'll be back," Summer hurried off down the hall.

Zach crossed his arms across his chest. He and Seth watched each other warily.

"So… Ryan's going to be okay?" Zach finally asked.

"We don't know yet," Seth told the other boy tersely.

They lapsed into uncomfortable silence, the tension between them almost palpable.

It seemed like Summer was gone for eons but in actuality it had probably been a matter of only a few seconds before Summer was pressing cold sodas into their hands.

"Will you guys give me a few minutes with Ryan?" Summer requested, before entering Ryan's room and shutting the door behind her.

Seth stared after her in surprise.

"So Chino," Summer stated, sitting down in the chair nearest to him. "We haven't really gotten a chance to be alone before now and I kind of need to talk to you. About Coop. You know no one blames you, right Ryan? Not even Julie Cooper. It was an accident. You did the absolute best you could to keep her safe, now you need to work on keeping yourself safe, 'kay Chino? We're all worried about you. Quit freaking us out and get your ass out of bed." Summer paused for a response.

"No? Okay, can I talk then?" Still no reaction from Ryan. "Cool. So, Ryan, here's the thing, I know you loved her. Maybe you weren't in love with her. Maybe you couldn't be what she needed, but I know you cared. You saw the charm in Coop. She wasn't just some screwed up poor little rich girl to you. She wasn't just a self-absorbed drama queen. I know Seth's trying, that he even sort of liked Marissa for awhile, but he doesn't get it. He can't see why she was my best friend, why I have no clue what I'm going to do without her."

Summer sniffled.

"I really need you to get better Ryan. I need all my friends around me..." Summer stood up quickly. "Excuse me Ryan, I just thought of something I have to do. Can we finish this later?.. Cool."

Summer bolted out of Ryan's room and let the door slam behind her. She darted past Seth and Zach still glaring at each other.

"Summer?" Zach inquired.

"Are you okay?" Seth looked up in concern.

"Fine," she called out hurriedly.

Summer stepped further down the hall and pulled out her cell phone. She searched her phone memory for a number and called.

"Hi. Is Luke there?" she asked, realizing it was unlikely at this time of day.

"May I ask who's calling?" an unfamiliar male voice asked.

"Summer. Summer Roberts." There was a pause in which Summer heard the guy call for Luke and Luke run to the phone.

"Thanks Ron. Summer? Summer! What's up?" Luke asked eagerly.

"Luke, hey," Summer had to smile at his eagerness. "I, I have some bad news."

"What is it Sum? Has something happened to Marissa? Is Marissa okay?"

Summer's eyes filled with tears once more. Any hope she had of Seth sensing her distress and coming to her aid was dashed when she glanced over at he and Zach still posturing. Just as well. Summer could do this on her own.

"No Luke, she's not. Coop's… dead." There was silence on the line. "Luke?"

"What the fuck Summer?" Luke asked angrily. "What kind of sick joke are you trying to play?"

"Luke… it isn't a joke," Summer sniffled, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. "Believe me I wish it was, but it's not. She and Ryan got into a car accident last night. She was drunk. Chino got hurt pretty bad, he still won't wake up, and Coop's… she's gone Luke."

"Summer… Fuck. I'm sorry Summer. God. I can't believe it."

"Me either. Me either. But…"

"I'm coming down there, okay?" Luke asked. "I'll call my mom, get a plane ticket. I'll be there Summer."

"I'm glad Luke. We should all be together, you know?"

"Yeah. I'll call you when I have details."

"Cool. I'll pick you up."

"See you soon Sum. Hang on."

"Thanks. I will." Summer hung up with a sigh. Tears streamed down her face. Luke had known Coop better than anybody but her. He'd spent two-thirds of his life in love with Marissa. If anyone knew how much it hurt to lose Marissa it would be Luke.

Summer walked calmly back to Ryan's room, past Seth and Zach.

"Summer, wait," Seth caught Summer's arm. Forced her to look at him, uncontrollable tears coursing down her face. He grasped her chin and forced her eyes to meet his. "Breathe."

"Cohen, I'm fine," but the words sounded strange. Halting.

"No. You're not. You forgot how to breathe again. You're hyperventilating," Seth told her. "Breathe for me baby. In and out. In… Out... In… Out… There you go. Good girl. Just keep breathing for me."

Seth released Summer's face. "You want to tell me what the hell just happened?"

"I…" Summer shook her head. "I forgot how to breathe."

"I don't believe you. I can't make anything better if I don't know what's wrong," Seth pointed out.

"You can't make anything better anyway."

"Summer…" he said helplessly

"Cohen…" Summer sighed tiredly. "I don't know what you want from me. I don't know how to do any more for you."

"I don't need anything from you. I just want you to be okay, any way you can be," Seth opened his arms to his friend. "I'm here if you need me."

Summer didn't resist the hug he offered, falling bonelessly into the embrace.

Seth rested his head on her chin, wrapped his arms tight around the delicate girl fluttering next to him.

Summer sighed contentedly and realized that her boyfriend was watching and that she didn't care because this was so right. Nothing else would ever, could ever be as right as being in Seth's arms. It had always been, would always be, him.

"I've got you now. Let me take care of you, everything will be okay," he soothed.

"Promise?" Summer's question was barely a whisper.

Zach cleared his throat, hurt.

"Zach…" Summer's voice was quiet. She stepped out of Seth's arms.

Zach eagerly embraced Summer and ran a careless hand through her hair. That was Seth's move, and the pain that shot through Seth at the sight was even stronger than usual.

"Careful with her Zach. She's pretty fragile right now."

"I think I know how to handle my own girlfriend Seth."

"Hey," Summer was spared more of Seth's and Zach's verbal battle by her vibrating cell phone.

"So I got a flight," Luke stated. "I'm in the airport now. I should be in Newport in like an hour and a half."

"Wow, that soon?"

"Is that a problem? It's probably too soon, isn't it?"

"No. It's great. Really."

"It's a huge inconvenience. I'll call my mom back and see if she'd mind picking me up from the airport."

"No. I want to," Summer insisted. "I need to get out of this place for awhile. I'll even go home and shower and change first."

"Wow. I'm getting the first class treatment huh?"

"Totally. Wouldn't want to embarrass you."

"You could never embarrass me Summer."

"Whatever. I'll see you in a bit," Summer hung up the phone and stepped away from Zach. "So, I have to go."

"What's up?" Seth wanted to know.

"Nothing. I'll be back in a few hours," Summer opened Ryan's door.

"Do you want company?" Zach offered.

"Um, no thanks. I think I need some me-time first," Summer explained. She leaned in to Ryan's room. "Hey Chino? I gotta run an errand but I'll be back in no time. Cool?.. Alright. See ya later buddy."

Without waiting for another comment Summer headed for the elevators.