AN: Thank you for the reviews for chapter two! ItalHunni28… the SS scenes at the beginning and end are dedicated to you especially, and the rest of the chapter goes to

KC-Chick, Rainygal, and ILuvDanBen33. I'm really sorry guys, but with Theresa and Trey entering the story more, I'm gonna have to give them fonts for thoughts, too… Theresa's going to be in the italicized bold, and Trey will be underlined italicized bold. I know it's confusing, but I don't want to start confusing thoughts with words or narration.

Chapter Three: A Chance of Thunderstorms

I don't know what happened yesterday, but I really hope it was all just a bizarre nightmare, because if Theresa really is… and I really said to Cohen what I think I did… and I actually helped Marissa ruin her life… than that was one crappy day… Who is knocking on the door? If that is the Step-Monster…

"Cohen, what are you doing here? I need to study for a test for… something… at school… but why are you here?"

"Summer, I need to talk to you. Listen, since yesterday, I haven't been able to think of anything but how much I've screwed up. I am so incredibly sorry. I just… I need you to listen to me, to just… if you have any feelings left for me, than please give me a chance."

"I don't know how I feel right now. I just need time… and space… I just think it would be a good idea if we started seeing other people."

"Summer, please don't do this! I don't want to lose you again. Last time it was my fault, and it's still kind of my fault, but I just need one more chance… if I blow that than I can totally understand you never giving me another one, but please… please…" Seth's shoulders sagged, and his eyes inadvertently filled with tears. The anger that had been flashing through Summer's eyes softened, and hurt slowly seeped in.

"Cohen, I gave you my body and my heart, and very frankly, you've betrayed both. I just… I can't help feeling hurt… I just need some time and space to figure this out… I'm sorry." She gently closed the door in his face, sighing as she saw his features crumple right in front of her. She had to hold back the tears as she looked discreetly out the window at him walking away, shoulders sagging; defeat evident.

Summer… If I could take back the moment I agreed to do the graphic novel, the way I lied to you about Reed, and just the way I've been lately, I would. I am trying so hard… I just can't help it. We haven't been the way we used to for too long now to just dismiss it… I wish I could wipe away the tears that I know you're too stubborn to cry right now; I wish that I wasn't the reason you're trying to hold tears back. If I could do Friday all over again, I would leave that party with you, I would've waited until we were both calmed down and talked to you about it for real, just the two of us. I don't want to be this way anymore. I just want you back… I just want us back. Please, please just let me prove to you that I will never hurt you like I did before ever again. I need you… I love you… Summer…

Marissa blew her nose and wiped some of the dampness from her face. After doing that for the last three hours, she'd become a pro at shooting the dirty tissues into the trash can. She groaned when she heard a knock at the door. Caleb and Julie were gone for the weekend "exploring their feelings," so she was there all alone… again…

"Trey? Is something wrong? I didn't expect to see you here… what's up?"

"No, nothing's wrong. I just… um, it sounds ridiculous… but I just thought that you might, um, need someone… just to talk to about this whole mess." He shrugged his shoulders and grinned sheepishly, kicking lightly at the imaginary stones on the front steps. "You look kind of like you might wanna be alone right now, though, so…" He turned around, walking quickly down the driveway.

"Wait!" He turned around slowly with such a vulnerable, hopeful look on his face that she could hardly keep herself from smiling. "Truth be told, having someone to talk to might be kinda nice… I'll meet you at the pier in forty minutes?" he nodded, a small smile on his lips. "Bye, Trey."

"I'll see you in forty minutes, Marissa."

Trey is so adorable when he's nervous... in a completely brother-sister way, of course. He really should just say something… this is getting to be plain old awkward. I guess I'll break the silence.

"Got a hot date?"

"W-w-what? There is no… date. I'm just going to meet a friend… Marissa, actually."

"Are you serious? You really like her, huh?" she teased, surprised at what she saw. Theresa watched his facial expression change about three times from shock to guilt to skepticism before resting on the final one. "Oh my gosh, you can't do that to Ryan!" she exclaimed softly.

"I'm not… and besides, if we're going down that road, I think that I'm a little better-off than you. All I'm going to do is talk to Marissa… God knows she needs someone to help her through this."

"That's what she has Summer and Ryan for," Theresa pointed out, confused by the anger boiling inside her.

"Look, not to be rude, but Summer's not exactly the most comforting person… she'd just as soon knock out your adversary as simply lend a sympathetic ear. If you really think that Ryan's in any shape to be thinking about anything other than the fact that he has a son he never knew about and a girlfriend who broke up with him so that he could get back together with you, than you really are delusional!"

"SO MUCH FOR NOT BEING RUDE!" she screamed, turning around on her heel.

Trey and I never have gotten along well. Mom always used to say that we invented things to bicker about when we were younger. Oh, no… I forgot that Charlie was still sleeping.

Theresa picked up Charlie and started rocking him back and forth in her arms, desperately trying to calm him down. "C'mon, sport… it's okay. Mama's sorry for waking you up. Yes she is."

I love watching her hold him. The two of them look so perfect together… I always knew she would make a great mom. Ryan's gonna go nuts for both of them when he sees the two of them together. At least I'll still be there for Marissa… I don't like where any of these thoughts are going…

"Can I… can I hold him?" He queried softly, looking hesitantly at the delicate baby.

"Of course. Here, you wrap this arm around the edge of his body that's facing away from you and use your elbow to support his head, and then you take your other arm and put it like this," she instructed, positioning his arms. When she looked up, she was inches away from Trey. "You're a natural," she whispered quietly, backing away.

"Hey, little man. I'm your uncle Trey. I helped bring your daddy up, and let's just say I wasn't always the best influence. That's all going to change now, though. I'm going to make sure that you never get into trouble, and when you're old enough, if you even think about stealing any cars… I'm gonna kick your butt." Theresa laughed slowly as Trey leaned down to examine his features. His nose stuck out a little bit like Ryan's, and his pudgy baby face framed Theresa's mouth and eyebrows. He had her silky, black hair and Ryan's baby blue eyes. He was perfect. He was Trey's nephew. He didn't even notice that Charlie had quieted down.

"You better be going, huh?"

"Shoot, you're right. Okay, I'm going to go to the pier to meet Marissa… you know what? Why don't you let me bring Charlie with me? You must need a break, and I bet Marissa would love to get to know the little guy a little bit more." Despite her dubious expression, Theresa got his diaper bag and car seat.

"Just make sure that you feed him at ten, okay?"

"Don't worry. Just… have fun. Give yourself a pedicure, or whatever it is that girls do… just don't stress. We'll be fine, won't we Charlie?" Theresa laughed as they walked out the door, staring down at her fingers when they left.

"I haven't had a second alone to myself for the past two months," she grumbled. "Now I have over an hour. The question is… what do I do?"

Where is he? Maybe I shouldn't have come… if I'm right about what I think is going through his mind, than I definitely shouldn't have… it's not fair to lead him on… but what if he's the only chance I get at happiness? Ryan said we would talk today after he walked me home, but he hasn't called or come over to my house… even if he doesn't fall for Theresa, he's gonna love Charlie, which means bye-bye to Marissa… and hello to Ryan Atwood's instant family.

"Hey! Marissa!" She turned around when she heard Trey's voice and raised her eyebrows when she saw him coming toward her carrying Charlie. "I hope you don't mind. I just thought that since you two never got a chance to become properly acquainted, you might enjoy a chance to hold him and everything."

"That sounds great. Here, I'll take Charlie and you can get all his stuff settled on the bench. I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of getting us Subway."

"Well, I've never been one to refuse food. Oh, here, let me show you how to hold him…"

"I know how to hold a baby. I have a little sister, remember?" she said, laughing. "Hey there, little guy. I love that bib of yours. It's so cute! Look at you. I almost think you're listening to me. You remind me so much of your… of your…" she stuttered uncertainly, suddenly losing the contented expression she'd had just a moment ago.

"It's weird how much he reminds you of Ryan, huh? I mean, he does have some of Ryan's features, but for the most part besides his eyes, you would never think it would hit you in the face like that…"

"Yeah, I know what you mean. I've been trying to hard to do the right thing with all of this. I just… I keep on wishing that I hadn't said anything. I know it's terrible, but it's true."

"It would've eaten at you if you hadn't said anything. You wouldn't have been able to face Ryan, and it would've killed you on the inside. You did the right thing."

"That's what I keep on telling myself. It just doesn't get any easier." A tear spilled out of her eye, and Trey reached out and swiped it away. Such a simple, innocent gesture carried too much meaning. She looked into his eyes and held his gaze. Neither one said a thing, and they ate in silence, not saying another word until Marissa said goodbye to Charlie and Trey because she had a "thing." Neither one of them believed her, and Ryan wouldn't have if he'd been within earshot of their conversation from where he was sitting in his car, hurt, silent, and angry.

I never thought that Trey would do this to me. Not Trey. He's my brother. I should've guessed. They always had a thing for each other… maybe Marissa was just waiting for a reason to dump me and get with him. Is that what happened? I thought I knew them, I really did. I guess that it's pretty obvious, though, that I didn't. I can't believe that after everything, after all this time, Marissa and I can't make it work. Too bad I had to learn that through Trey, though.

Theresa jumped slightly when she heard the doorbell ring. It couldn't be Marissa, and she doubted that Summer would be visiting her.

"Ryan! Oh my gosh, what's wrong? Are you okay? You look like you've just been run over by a truck!"

"Do you know if Marissa and Trey are… I mean, do you know it they're…?"

"Honestly? I wouldn't be surprised. You really shouldn't jump to conclusions though… they're both just scared, and confused… and if anyone knows what type of things can happen when you're scared and confused, it would be me." Her voice dropped off at the end.

"Look, why didn't you just tell me the truth? I really… I really wanna be a part of my son's life. Did you think that I wouldn't?"

"No, I didn't. I could tell, though, that you weren't happy with you and me living in the same house, sleeping in the same bed, but not being… together. I just… I love you Ryan, and I only want you and Charlie to be happy. Please, please don't be mad at me… I get now that what I did was wrong. I just didn't…" Her shoulders were shaking, and Ryan awkwardly came and embraced her, hoping, praying it was the right thing to do.

"I love you too, Theresa. Maybe not like you want, but I'll get there some day. I just… I want to make this work. Both of us alone don't make any sense," he said, envisioning Trey and Marissa at the pier again. It was only then that Theresa's arms encircled him as well, tentatively reaching out, hoping to mend the heart that was breaking inside him. If only she knew how impossible that task was.

"Summer? What are you… I mean why are you… you know what? Never mind. Umm… come in." Seth ushered her inside, not quite sure what was going on. He winced when he saw her red-rimmed eyes, knowing that he'd played a huge part in her having those.

"Look, Cohen, I was wrong… I was so busy thinking about how you hurt me and how I was feeling that I didn't stop to think about you or the position that I put you in. I know that it seems like I'm jerking you around or playing games with you, but if you're… if you're willing to give us another chance, than I promise you that I will never play another game with you again."

"I… I don't know what to say, other than yes. I'm sorry about everything. I know that I probably should've figured it out and…"

"Hey Cohen," Summer said, coming closer to him.

"Yeah?"

"Shut up," she replied, closing the distance and kissing him.