Authors Note: Hey everyone, I'm so sorry this took so long. The whole plan for the fic got a little bit messed up. I'm not really sure if I like how it's going. But I'll leave that to you guys to decide.

Alex was still walking a little hesitantly on her leg, partly because of it's weakness but mainly because it meant she could lean on Marissa as they went.

I'd do anything just to touch her. For as long as possible. Even if I DO have to be sneaky about it.

Marissa walked slowly beside her girlfriend. Shoulders bare in a low cut top she could feel Alex's skin rubbing against hers as she leant on her.

I hope her leg never gets better, well no, but I hope she never stops touching me. I just need to feel her near me.

Reaching Alex's jeep they climbed in. Marissa with her usual fluid grace, Alex with a little bit more clumsiness. The sun was beating down as they took off towards home. Alex shifted gears, as she did so she felt Marissa's hand cover hers on the gear stick. Smiling she glanced over at the girl beside her.

"Tomorrow is our two month anniversary you know."

"Huh?" Marissa feigned surprise.

"Oh. Um, it's no big deal, it's not important or anything, I just um."

Alex cursed herself for seeming like an emotional fool. She fixed her eyes on the road ahead. Hearing Marissa laugh she quizzically raised an eyebrow. Giving Alex's hand a squeeze Marissa leant over to kiss her cheek.

"Did you really think I wouldn't realise that? I've got you the perfect surprise as well."

Alex smiled broadly at this, but she couldn't help her mind floating back to the usual questions.

Maybe soon she'll feel comfortable enough to tell someone about us. 2 months and not even her best friend Summer realises she's dating me. A girl. I know it's stupid to care, but I can't help wondering, maybe she's ashamed of me.

Shaking away the doubts she slowed at a red light. Leaning over to her girlfriend, who was distracted looking out her window she brushed her lips across exposed collar bone, and moving up to Marissa's ear whispered, "Fancy giving me a hint?"

"No, but I fancy giving you something else" Marissa smiled seductively and brushed her hand up Alex's thigh just as the lights turned green. Alex revved the jeep and sped them away, wanting to get home as soon as possible.

"Alex. Come on, get in the shower, we have to go soon."

Alex groaned and pulled herself into the bathroom. As the hot water sluiced over her body she felt her disappointment grow. Marissa had promised her a surprise, and she sure had delivered. Their 2 month anniversary and they were going to lunch with Cohen, Summer, and Ryan. They were her friends she supposed, but she had hoped for something more private with Marissa. As if that wasn't bad enough Julie Cooper was throwing a party then. Marissa had to go, and so Alex wanted to come. Seeing as Julie still didn't know about them, thinking Alex was just a room mate the only way for Alex to be able to come was to bring the rest of the gang. Pretty much a guarantee that they wouldn't get a moment alone together. Not to mention having to watch Marissa talk to Ryan. Even now, the thought still haunted her, that the reason she wouldn't tell people about them was him.

She still wants him back, still loves him, and she won't admit to being with me so that she will still have a chance with him.

Marissa pulled on a denim skirt and nice top. Smoothing her hair in an attempt to calm her nerves.

I love her. Remember that. She loves you. It'll be ok.

Feeling arms slip around her waist she leant back into the embrace. "I love you" The breath on her neck sent shivers up her spine. The words causing her stomach to flip no matter how many times she heard them.

"I got you something Riss."

Alex smiled drawing her hand out from behind her back and presenting Marissa with a single red rose. Tied to the stem of the rose was a silver band.

"It's just a promise ring, but it's plain, and no one will know anything from it. I know you don't want this to come out, but I wanted to get you something."

Untying the ring Marissa turned it over in her palm, inside was engraved "forever".

Tears welling in her eyes Marissa pulled her girlfriend into a hug. Tucking Alex's blond hair back behind her ear and inhaling the scent of her skin she whispered "It's perfect, you're perfect. And I love you."

Alex smiled into Marissa's neck. I don't need more than this. Just being with her is enough. Just hearing her say those words is enough. But it's time to face the ignorant masses and start the act again.

"We'd better go" Alex sighed and withdrew from the embrace.

"Let's do this thing" Laughing they climbed into the jeep and set off for the pier and their lunch date.

Summer, Seth and Ryan sat in the café waiting for the girls to arrive.

"So what's with her bringing Alex along?" whined Seth.

"This isn't how it's meant to be. We're the fantastic four, not five."

Summer hit him hard on the shoulder.

"Cohen! Coop's allowed to have other friends. Beside, Alex is a nice girl and has just recovered form her accident. The leash you can do is be civil. You dated her for gods sake."

"Whatever Summer. I still think ever since those two started rooming together Marissa's been blowing us off. Why didn't she stay with you anyway?"

"I don't know Cohen. It's her own choice. She's free of supervision this way at least."

Summer gave up after that, deciding to scrutinise the menu instead.

The jeep pulled up in front of the café. Turning the ignition off Alex looked over at Marissa.

Ok. Start the act. You're just friends, room mates and nothing more. Don't look at her as if you lover her. Damn, but this is hard.

Taking some comfort from the ring which Marissa still wore Alex steeled herself for the meal ahead.

"Hey Summ, Seth, Ryan" Marissa cheerfully greeted her friends.

I'd forgotten how much I miss them sometimes.

"Coop! Thank god you're here. I don't know how much more comic book talk I could bear."

Lughing Marissa took her seat next to Summer. Leaving Alex to pull up a chair to the four seater booth.

As soon as their food was ordered Marissa stood.

"I'm just gonna pop to the bathroom"

Alex began to rise to go with her when Marissa stopped her.

"No it's ok Alex, Summer will come with me, won't you Summ?"

"Sure" Summer leapt up from the table and immediately the two girls started talking and laughing on their way to the bathrooms.

Alex sighed inwardly as an awkward silence settled around the table.

"So what's this all about Coop?" Summer leant over the sink and fixed her hair in the mirror.

"I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Well shoot."

Marissa took a deep breath and fiddled with her ring. Drawing courage from it she grasped Summer's shoulder. Turning her friend to face her.

"We've been best friends since forever Summer, and I feel I owe it to you to tell you before anyone else. So here it is. For the past two months I've been dating Alex."

"Oh." Summer looked blank. Marissa's heart thumped in her chest.

What if she won't speak to me again? What if she thinks I'm a terrible person?

"I love her Summer."

"Why didn't you tell me before?" Summer's face still betrayed no flicker of emotion.

"Because I was scared to lose you, I didn't want you to think I was a freak, or…" Marissa trailed off, casting her eyes at the floor, tears welling.

"Coop, I, I don't know what to say"

Marissa felt like she was drowning. This was her best friend, she was supposed to accept her no matter what, and now this?

"It's ok Summer. I hoped you could deal with it and it wouldn't change iour friendship, but…"

"No Coop, you're still my best friend, it's just a shock that's all. I mean Marissa Cooper, guy crazy, socialite Marissa Cooper who's been talking to me about boys since we were age ten is standing in front of me telling me she's in love with my boyfriend's ex girlfriend."

Summer paused taking a breath, "It's just a lot to take in at once Coop. It doesn't mean I don't support you, I just need to adjust to the idea."

Sighing with relief Marissa smiled at her friend, accepting the offered embrace happily.

"Thanks Summer, I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I think it's about time we were getting back out there, or your girlfriend will start getting worried!"

"Summer! No offence, but no way. Look I haven't told anyone else, so can you, um not. I don't know if I'm ready yet."

"Your secret is my secret Coop. Now let's go, I'm hungry and Cohen's probably boring them all to death out there."

Alex looked up at the feel of a hand on her shoulder. "We're back guys! Did you miss us?"

"We thought you'd gotten lost or something. Who knew wonder woman couldn't handle a toilet!" Seth cracked up at his own joke, which promptly turned into an indignant yelp when Summer grabbed a freshly arrived chip off his plate and jammed it at his head.

Marissa slid into the booth after Summer, her hand grazing Alex's leg under the table. Alex tried her best not to smile. Hooking her foot over Marissa's under the table she grinned at another of Seth's jokes.

Maybe this isn't so bad. Friends, not so bad at all.

(and yes, I know it was quite long, but I feel bad for making you all wait.)