Ok so here's the next Chapter. All the comments have been great. Seeing as a lot of my fave fics have updated recently I'm feeling extra generous and posting TWO new chapters. As usual, tell me what you think!

Sunlight streamed through the window and across the couch, glinting off blonde hair and intensifying the purple streak. Alex lay on the couch too scared to open her eyes in case she woke to find it had all been a dream. As her senses gradually became more alert she could feel the weight of another body draped over hers and hear the soft steady sound of breathing. But what she was focusing on was the beat of another heart, so perfectly in sync with her own that she had not noticed it at first.

So this is what heaven is like…. was her last thought before she drifted back to sleep.

Marissa's eyes fluttered open adjusting to the bright light. As memory flooded back to her she smiled. A brilliant, happy smile. The first of it's kind in a long time. She stealthily observed the sleeping form next to her, relishing the sharing of heat in the early morning sun. Fixing her attention on the exposed neck she began to kiss it lightly. Then more deliberately, eliciting a low moan from it's owner.

"Well good morning to you to" Alex grinned rolling over to face her, forgetting about their sleeping arrangements. With a loud bump she fell off the side of the couch , crashing painfully on her side.

"Oh my god, Alex! Are you okay?" The last few words trailed off into a giggle which quickly broke into gales of laughter as Marissa clambered off the couch to help her up.

"Nothing but a bit of bruised pride" Alex couldn't help laughing along with her,

So much for a romantic start to our first morning waking up beside one another, even if all we did was make out, I still wanted something a bit less, embarrassing.

Reaching out for her Marissa grabbed her in a playful embrace, kissing her teasingly before pulling away.

"So what are we going to do about breakfast?" She shouted over her shoulder as she flounced towards the kitchen.

Tease. But my tease.

Alex couldn't help but smile at the thought.

" What about bagels, I hear it's a favourite at the Cohen household" She called back.

"Oh yeah, Ryan loves those"

Marissa regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth,

"I mean, um, everyone, loves bagels"

At the mention of Ryan's name Alex's good mood vanished. Try as she could she couldn't help but be jealous. After all, she still wasn't sure if this was a phase for Marissa and Ryan was certainly the best catch in the area right about now. Honestly, she liked the guy, she did. I mean, what was not to like. But sometimes when she thought about him and Marissa she felt her anger take over.

Must talk to Summer about those rage blackouts, we may have something in common after all.

Sitting down at the table she studied Marissa as she went about making breakfast. There was a grace to her movements that she couldn't get out of her head. It was like a drug, watching her. And she never wanted to get over this addiction.

Marissa concentrated on the bagel. She didn't want to turn around and face Alex.

How could I have been so stupid to mention Ryan. What the hell is going on with me.

She leant on the counter in front of her and shut her eyes. Trying vainly to rewind time and take back the words.

Alex sat at the table and watched. When she saw Marissa lean on the counter, head in her hands her anger melted away. Getting up from her chair she padded over to Marissa's demoralised figure. Slipping her hands around her waist and brushing back the hair covering the nape of her neck.

"It's okay" She whispered in between covering Marissa's neck with kisses.

"I'm okay with it"

Marissa's head came up stretching back to grant access to more of her skin. Hands grasping Alex's.

"Thank you" She whispered back, "For understanding"

"Oh you'll be thanking me for a lot more than that pretty soon" Alex laughed, a mischievous grin stealing over her face as she drew back.

Marissa turned and lunged for her. Only just evading her reaching grasp Alex danced backwards lightly and jumping over the strewn beer bottles slipped into the bedroom.

"I'm just going to get changed ok Marissa?"

She called out, sliding her shirt over her head and reaching for another.

"Oh that's more than fine" Came a voice from the bedroom doorway.

Jumping Alex spun around, still shirtless, to see Marissa leaning casually on her doorframe a distinct look of lust burning in her eyes.

"Hey!" Alex declared indignantly as Marissa obviously eyed her up, taking in everything on offer.

"That's not fair!"

"And how do we fix that? Since when did you care about fair?"

"Since now" Alex said stalking towards her a firm look in her eyes.

Grasping Marissa's tank top at it's base she flipped it off easily.

"There. Now we're even."

Marissa stared hard at the screen in front of her. Something about the Aztecs. Alex was right, there was nothing to learn about the ancient Aztecs. Except maybe that they had this nasty habit of human sacrifices. She let her mind space out and drift back to the night before.

On the stereo some band had been playing, she couldn't remember their name. A favourite of Alex's. All she remembered was how the lyrics fit so perfectly.

all the tension and the terror, thin limbed gorgeous green eyed smiling-

Marissa began to hum softly under her breath,

Your lips, they pout and twist, and I die trying just to keep myself from kissing you-

But she hadn't really tried. It was simply the heady blend of soaring music in the background and her soaring heart that had made it so electric. Such a charged moment.

"Marissa Cooper, are you listening?"

Marissa was hurled back into reality. Nodding mutely she turned her attention and eyes back to the video. More Aztec sacrifices. Once again she felt her mind wandering.

The feel of Alex's tongue on hers, rough with taste buds but softer than anything she could imagine. Caressing a jaw line, kisses trailing a path down across a smooth tanned stomach. The feel of skin on skin, heat against heat. Sharp pain from nips and playful bites, purple red bruises blossoming under her mouth's attack. The soft moans and feel of hot breath against her naked skin. Piercing blue eyes locked with hers as her nails raked an exposed back, leaving red marks in their wake. Marking Alex as hers, forever. A thin film of sweat making their bodies shimmer in the heat and passion of the moment. Calling out her name as she arched her back, straining to be closer to her, to bring her deeper within her. The way she held her as she shuddered to a halt, calming slowly from the heightened release. Falling asleep protected, safe, and with the words " I love you" whispered in her ears, lulling her to sleep with their promise.