Title: When It All Just Fits

Author: Sara and Lizzie

Rating: R

Disclaimer: Obviously, its not ours.

Summary: Summer, scared at the intensity of her relationship with Seth, left him four years ago. Since then she's been all over Europe. Finally, four years later, she wants to return home to Seth. Funny when she does, he's engaged. Not like that's going to stop Summer.

"Sometimes, I think this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again." -Death Cab For Cutie

Summer strolled through the unlocked back door of the Cohen household just like had four years ago, before she left.

She noticed that there was no coffee in the maker, and figured that Sandy and Kirsten must not be awake yet. She glanced at the Cartier watch on her wrist and wince. 7:27. This Molly person sure as hell didn't waste anytime in the morning.

Summer opened the cabinet she knew would contain an array of Colombian coffees, and selected a particularly strong one. She went through the motions of putting it in the coffee maker, and when she turned around, she was facing Kirsten Cohen.

Kirsten had been watching Summer make coffee. For the first 2 seconds that she had seen her, Kirsten had been angry with her. Any mother would be when the girl her son is in love with leaves him in a hospital bed.

But it faded, and she realized she wasn't mad. She realized that Summer's return might just be the answer to everything. Because she would have bet her house, her car and her job that Seth didn't really love Molly. Which wasn't too hard to figure out. She was... difficult.

Kirsten smiled when Summer turned around. She looked so nervous. "Hey Summer." She said warmly.

"Hi Kirsten." Summer responded. "I'm so-"

Kirsten shook her head. "Water under the bridge babe." She said with a smile. Just then, Molly's heels clicked into the kitchen.

"Good morning Kirsten." She said briskly. She looked Summer up and down, obviously appraising her. Summer stood coolly in front of her, with raised eyebrows. She did not let Molly make the first move.

"Summer Roberts." She said, extending her hand.

"Molly Flynn." She said, shaking Summer's hand. "How do you know the Cohens?"

Kirsten couldn't help but watch in amusement as Summer grinned slyly. "Old friend of the family. I used to live in Newport. I'm Marissa Cooper's best friend. I went to Stanford with Seth."

A bit of comprehension seemed to dawn on Molly. "Oh." She said stiffly, withdrawing her hand. "And when did you get in?"

Summer grinned again. "Late last night. You know how it is. Red eye from Europe."

"Yes." Molly agreed. "Well I must be going. I'm going to Seattle this weekend. Wedding plans. There is just so much to do. It's going to be a perfect wedding." She said condescendingly. She looked Summer up and down again. "Do you have a boyfriend?" Molly asked.

Summer smiled tightly. "No."

"Hmm." Was all Molly said. "Well. Lovely to meet you. Bye Kirsten." Kirsten watched Summer intently, who remained motionless until Molly clicked out the front door. She let out a shaky breath.

"God, she's horrible!"

Kirsten saw the tears reflecting in Summer's eyes, and she opened her arms. "I know. Come here sweetie." Summer hugged Kirsten, and cried a little bit.

"Why her?" she whispered to Kirsten.

"I have no idea." Was all Kirsten could say.

Seth winced from the patio. The door was open ever so slightly, and he had heard parts of the exchange. This was not going to be pretty. He was about to push open the door and ask his mom for a private word with Summer, but he stopped himself upon hearing the high pitched shrieking coming from his kitchen.

It was coming from Marissa and Summer who were hugging each other and jumping around at the same time. Seth smiled. Some things never change. He watched from outside as Summer spotted Ryan and pulled him into a hug as well.

Seth blinked a few times as his Dad walked into the kitchen, drawn, no doubt by the noise. He looked at Summer and grinned, and she threw her arms around him as well. Seth was torn between joining the reunion and retreating to the pool house to think it all over. It would be too awkward for them all to be together right now.

Ryan and Marissa were not big Molly fans, that much was clear. And he was sure Marissa sent the car to LAX for Summer, since her dad was vacationing, so they must know why Summer came back. His mom was already comforting Summer from Molly's bruises. This was not the time.

Seth walked back into the pool house and sank down in his chair. He ran a hand through his hair. He felt like he had clarified something, seeing that, but he couldn't figure out what it was.

Maybe he was so lost in thought that he didn't hear Summer slip in the door, or maybe he was half expecting her, and let her get the element of surprise. Regardless, when she grabbed his hand, he gasped.

She gently pulled him out of his chair, and kissed him. It was a long kiss, and Seth felt like it was giving him everything that he needed. When she finally pulled away, Seth felt distinctly light headed and breathless. Summer smiled.

"Take your time." She whispered, before bringing their lips together again.