The Hearing

Summer looked in the rearview mirror and applied a coat of her favorite cherry lip gloss. Stepping out of her car in the Cohens driveway she smoothed down her skirt as she walked through the front door and hugged Kirsten hello. Sandy was sitting at the island in the kitchen infront of his briefcase.

"Sandy... i can't thank you enough for doing this for me" Summer said hugging him next.

"Its the least i can do... your important to Seth, and the only time he's happy is when your around" Sandy commented and Summer blushed happily.

"Is he..."

"He's in the pool house getting ready" Kirsten smiled "Why don't you bring him a cup of coffee" she said handing it to her, knowing they would like a few minutes alone.

Seth heard the door open and quickly through the bag of coke into his nightstand drawer. He turned around to see Summer and smiled, just seeing her face was enough to make him happy.

"Hi" She smiled

"Hey" He said taking a sip of the coffee she handed him.

"Seth...thank you so much" She began but Seth stopped her quickly

"No... thank you... just for being here" Seth smiled, once again she had saved him from another day of being stoned out of his mind. Summer could sense that something was wrong, but decided to wait a while, maybe he was just nervous.

Summer sat next to sandy infront of the judge. Collin walked in next and sat with his lawyer, she refused to look at him, he had intimidated her so many times in the paswt but not today. Seth sat behind her with Ryan and Marissa and she could hear Ryan telling Seth to calm down. After today her life would be different, she would never have to fake a smile or a laugh again, not around Seth Cohen anyway.

Her thoughts were interupted by Sandy nudging her as the judge asked them to stand.

"Mrs. Roberts, I've reviewed your motion carefully, and although the senator has pleaded with me to dismiss it, i think its only appropriate that as a citizen of this community you feel safe. Therefore i have decided to grant a restraining order against Mr. Worthington... you are not to contact Mrs Roberts in any way or come within 500 feet of her or her home... your lawyers will both recieve final notifications and paperwork shortly"

His voice faded out as a smile came over her face. Sandy Cohen was the best lawyer in the county but she had a feeling the power of the newport group and Kirsten Cohen had something to do with this. She could see Collins mouth drop open in shock and he began yelling at his lawyer as everyone left the courtroom. Seth waited for her outside and she jumped into his arms begining to cry softly.

"Thank you so much" She whispered.

"Hey Summer... i'm glad your ok" Ryan smiled hugging her next. He rarley spoke, but when he did it was always the right thing to say.

"So... now that this drama is over, we can focus on your wedding" Summer smiled at Marissa. "We should get back to the house for the party"

Marissa sighed, she still wasn't sure how she had let Kirsten and her mother talk her into one of those classic newport engagement parties. She rubbed her stomach, a little nervous to tell Ryan her news. Hes going to be happy... she tried to convince herself , but in all reality she was worried he didn't want this child at all.

Summer walked into the pool house looking for Seth. He obviously hadn't heard her or he would have atleast tried to hide it. He starred down at a small bag of coke on his nightstand. "Cohen" She whispered, and he looked up shocked, having no idea how to explain himself. "What are you doing?"

"Summer ..."

"No ... why are you doing this still, i thought you said you didn't do it all the time"

"Sum i'm not ... i wasn't"

"Bullshit" Summer said stomping across the room, she grabbed the bag that sat infront of him ran into the bathroom and flushed it down the toilet. She came back out and walked to the door. "You want to throw your life away thats fine, but dont expect me to stick around and watch you do it"

Seth watched as she turned away from him... reaching for the door. Was he really just sitting there letting her walk out on him again?

"Summer wait!" he yelled "Your right, i'm sorry, but i need you... please dont leave again... i can't live without you" He said begining to cry. "I've tried Summer, and this is what happens to me when im not with you"

"Cohen dont you dare put this on me..." Summer choked out tears sprouting to her eyes.

"I'm not... i didnt mean to...lm sorry" Seth said stepping toward her. Every time she cried it killed him "Please dont cry Sum"

"Stop it..." Summer said as he reached out tryihg to hug her. " Dont apologize... maybe your right maybe this is all my fault...if i hadn't left for Paris after graduation... none of this would be happening and we would probably still be..." Summer caught herself before she said it... she couldnt let him see the truth, because in all reality she never gotten over Seth Cohen. She went to Paris and moped around for three months before realizing she had made a huge mistake, she was being a coward... running from the one good thing in her life and using her fathers disaproval as an excuse. "I left because i was scared... i left because i was starting to picture this entire life with you..."

"Thats because you belong with me" Seth said stepping forward and taking her hand

Marissa saw Ryan standing alone looking out over the ocean and knew she probably wouldnt find a better time to tell him. She came up behind him putting a hand on his shoulder. "Hey" He smiled widley.

"Hi" She said "So i have some news about the baby"

"What? Is everything ok?" Ryan said begining to panic

"Yea... were fine" Marissa smiled at his concern "Its a boy Ryan..." She said quickly waiting for a reaction. He turned to her smiling happily obviously pleased.

"I Love you Riss..." Ryan said holding her tightly "I'm so excited"

Marissa sighed in relief... maybe for once in their lives things would go smoothly, her pregnancy would be normal and they would finally live happily ever after like she had always dreamed they would one day.

Summer stepped closer to Seth, not wanting to leave. Her heart was telling her to give up and let him back in, and let herself be happy, but her head was screaming for her to turn and run. "I can't keep loosing you like this... over and over... especially when i know your just running scared. I know that you belong with me and only me Summer... whether you like it or not"

Summer reached up placing the palm of her hand on his cheek. "After all this time, after everything thats happened with Zach and Paris... and Collin... you still want that Cohen?"

"I have never wanted anything more in my life" He said so sincerely she could barley keep herself from kissing him and after a few moments of fighting it ... her heart finally got the best of her and she stepped closer to him, never taking her eyes off of his... her body now pressing against his "Cohen ... everytime Zach kissed me, everytime Collin touched me... i would close my eyes and prey that when i opened them... that it would be you standing there."

"Summer...please just stay with me..." He whispered. It was hard for him to even breathe holding her so close.

Summer stood there, not knowing what to say or how to react. The man she had been so deeply in love with for years stood in front of her near tears, begging her to be with him.

"I'm sorry for the drugs ... i just didn't know how to let you go... i still dont... infact i dont think i ever will. Summer im in love with you and i won't pretend i'm not anymore" he said and without hesitation kissed her. She kissed him back and he tightened his grip on her trying to prove to himself that it wasn't a dream. Their kisses became more passionate and Summer pulled away gently. She took his hand and led him back to the bed happily.

"Summer we dont have..." Seth started but Summer put a finger over his lips as she layed back on the bed and he crawled ontop of her.

"No more talking Cohen..." She whispered pulling his lips back to hers.