Hi, this one's a little shorter; I just wanted to get something out there. I might not be able to update until sometime next week; I'm not going to be home for the next little while.

Broken Seatbelts

Chapter 12: The Rekindle and the Truth

"Hi." Seth said stopping just before reaching the couch. She looked up and smiled at him, cocked her to the side and lunged into his arms, pulling his tall frame down and bringing her lips to his for a passionate kiss. The kind of kiss where the girl's foot pops up and her knees go weak and they don't notice anything in the world except how the other feels against them.

After a few more seconds of the mind-blowing kiss, Seth pulled away and gazed at her questioningly and completely in love.

"I'm sorry." Summer offered as an explanation, but Seth wasn't going to let her off the hook that easily.

"Not that I don't like it when you are the one to apologize, but why?"

"Seth, come on, you know why."

"Yeah, I do. But do you?"

"Yes, I do." With a frustrated sigh, Summer sat down and motioned him exaggeratedly to sit down, with a scowl on her face as he did. "I'm sorry for everything." Her features softening she looked him in the eyes and continued. "I was stupid and scared and totally wrong. I… I love you, and that should have been more than enough to give it, us, a shot. I just didn't want to hurt you, and I didn't want to get hurt. But Ryan-"

"Ryan?" She nodded and hushed him.

"But Ryan made me realize that either way, I'd regret something. And regretting not being with you would be worse than regretting to be with you." Off his slightly offended look, she regressed. "No, I don't mean it like I regret ever being with you, I just mean that-" He smiled and brought his hand to her cheek.

"I understand, and it's okay."

"No, Seth it isn't okay. I did exactly what I didn't want to do; I hurt you."

"Sum, life is about hurting. But it's also about love, and commitment, and happiness. And a million other things other than hurting that play just as big a role as hurting. And I feel every one of them when I'm with you. I wouldn't want it any other way."

"But what if it doesn't work, Seth?"

"Hey, we're only seventeen. And I know this is going to work, because when I think about the future, Sum? All I see is you and me and our future. Together. This isn't high school love for me, Summer Roberts, it's the real thing."

"For me, too, Seth." She had tears in her eyes, and hen she laughed, embarrassed. "How do always do that? Say all the right things, make me weak in the knees? Make me love you even more with a few words?"

"It's a gift. I do have with words, you know." He smiled at her and leaned in to give her the most sweetest kiss she had ever experienced in her life.

"Oh, thank god!" They pulled apart to see Sandy and Kirsten in the entrance of the room at the kitchen holding bags of take out. "It's about time!" Sandy said.

"Yes, does this mean you'll be taking showers regularly now, Seth?" His mother asked hopefully.

"Uh, yeah, of course."

"Good, now, we picked up some Chinese, Summer, I got your Lo Mein in case you showed up, so stay!" Kirsten smiled brightly at the embarrassed couple. "Now, come on, Sandy, help me set up." They left the room, with Mama Cohen dragging Papa Cohen away.

The couple looked at each other and within milliseconds were making out.

Ryan and Marissa walked in to the Cohen dining room hand in hand to see Kirsten, Sandy and Summer sitting at the table, and Seth nowhere in sight.

"Summer?" Ryan asked in confusion, still standing in the kitchen, while Marissa took a sit next to her best friend.

"Hi, Ryan."

"What are-" Ryan felt two scrawny arms wrap around him in a tight hug and quickly struggled to loosen his attacker, who just so happened to be his best friend's grip while the rest of the occupants of the room laughed. "Get off me, man!" Seth finally relinquished his hold and stepped into Ryan's view, grinning broadly. "And you thought I had feelings for you."

"Ah, you have learned the art of a comeback in comedy."

"You showered."

"Summer's here. Which I have you to thank for." He continued, sincerely. "Thanks, man. Next time you have trouble with the ladies, I'll make sure I give you a helping hand."

"Please don't." Ryan smiled. "And, really, it was completely for my benefit." He clapped his brother on the back and continued his way into the dining room with Seth happily following behind him.

As dinner progressed, it became reality that everyone was virtually happy; Seth and Summer were back together and blissfully happy, Ryan and Marissa were still the golden couple, and Kirsten and Sandy were content knowing their kids were safe. But it wasn't over, there was still the court date they all had the pleasure of looking forward to. Only the kids didn't know.

"So, I have some news, regarding the accident." With that simple statement all conversations and silverware dropped and the heads five people turned to face the head of the table.

"What's going on, dad?"

"I'm meeting with the DA's office on the seventh."

"Why, I thought you were representing them?" Kirsten asked her husband.

"I am. I'm just getting a consult from someone who isn't emotionally involved, just for a objective view."

"Do we, uh, need to go, too?" Ryan asked uneasily.

"No, I think the least you kids are involved directly the better."

"How can you say that? We were the ones involved-"

"Seth, so was I. It's too much for you guys right now, okay?" Seeing Seth reluctantly nod, he continued. "Besides, you guys have to get ready for the witness stand."

"We're going to court?" Summer asked.

"Yes. I didn't tell you before because I didn't have all the information, but we are. And we'll make sure Zach gets what he deserves."

"Everything will be alright." Kirsten tried to reassure the teenagers in front of her.

"No offense mom, but cliches aren't what we need right now."

"What do you need, then?" Sandy asked.

"The truth. From here on out; I want the truth. I know you were in the accident, too, dad. But all four of us have, too. We wanna know." Seth looked around at his friends for the support and received a round of nods.

"Okay, that's what you'll get." Sandy smiled at his son. "Now, enough with the drama, what do you guys say we go to a movie? We haven't been out with you kids in awhile."

"I think that's a good idea, sweetie, I've been wanting to see The Perfect Man."

"Ugh, mom!"

"Shut up, Cohen! It looks sweet." Summer hit her boyfriend on his arm.

"Yeah, I want to see it, too." Marissa looked at her boyfriend with enthusiasm, but he was looking back at her with a scared look.

"Great idea, dad."

"Well, us boys can go see Batman and the girls can go see their little chickflick."

"I thought this was a family outing?" Kirsten asked pointedly to her husband.

"Sorry, boys, the ladies win." He smiled apologetically to the boys who groaned.