Chapter 10

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except my season 1 box set, oh and I'll own season 2 when it comes out on Monday.

Hey guys, I'm back from vacation, not very tanned as the weather wasn't very good, but that meant I could do heaps of writing! Now all I have to do is type it all up, which takes me ages, but hey, it's all written!

Here are my shoutouts for chapter 9, thanks for all the great feedback!

smartiepantz: I know, i love Percy for a playstation, it just sounded so right! lol.

I-Believe-In-The-Butterflies: Don't worry, due to the awful weather I managed to write lots and lots! Hope you like this, I used your suggestion!

KC-Chick: lol, I know, I'm so mean leaving you with a cliffhanger but I didn't plan to do that, honest! Your review made me giggle cos I did actually take my tennis racket with me (to play actually tennis but you never know!) I nearly died when I read chapter 10 of In The Dark about half an hour ago, great minds, eh!

valkrys: Thankyou for your lovely lovely review, really glad you're enjoying it!

BrSoccerChic: wow! That's quite a compliment, thanks! It's loads of fun thinking of stuff for them to say!

GalootMaster: Yeah! I like those names, esp Nanna Ninentendo! Although Parcy rules too! No, don't worry, she's not going to Oliver's, this chapter took ages for me to be happy with it so I hope you like it!

EVCGLSB: So, you weren't gonna squee much huh! I counted 4 in that review! Only kidding, i love your squeeing, your reviews always make me giggle, you certainly are a hardcore RM fan aren't you! Which is good, yep, she's off to Ryans, really hope you like it and it's worth the wait!

Sis2ACesarSalad: Aw, bless you, thankyou very much for your lovely review! Hope this is worth the wait!

xGoingUnderx: Yes, good point about her not practising and still beating him, maybe Percy is a magic playstation! I don't mind you saying it in every review, it's really nice to hear it! I had a really nice vacation thanks, and i really loved chapter 9 of your fic!

emzylou: Thanks! Hope you enjoy this chapter!

As I said in a few people's shoutouts, it took me ages and ages to get this to a stage where I was happy with it, so I hope you like it!

XXXX

It wasn't until Marissa pulled into the Cohen's driveway ten minutes later that she realised how late it was; none of the lights in the house were on. She checked her watch: 23:57, and deliberated for a second whether to turn around and go home or sneak around the back to the poolhouse. She chose the latter, climbing quietly out of the car and going round the side of the house, hoping that Ryan was still awake. She had stopped crying, for now, but her face felt red and swollen, she knew she looked dreadful but she didn't care. She breathed a sigh of relief as she turned the corner and saw the poolhouse lights on. Quickly but quietly she made her way to the door and knocked softly.

"Go 'way Seth, I'm asleep." Ryan mumbled, Marissa gave a small smile in spite of herself and opened the door.

"Doesn't look like it to me." She choked, her tears suddenly returning.

"Um, hey." Ryan said stunned, putting down the book he had been reading. "What's the matter?"

"I...it's...I..." She tried to say through her tears. Ryan jumped off his bed and went over to the doorway where she still stood, enveloping her in a huge hug. Marissa buried her head in his chest and sobbed noisily for a few minutes while he stroked her hair and held her feeling utterly bewildered, he had no idea what was wrong.

"You gonna tell me what's wrong?" He asked quietly after a few more minutes had passed.

"Um, yeah...sorry. It's my Dad, he's-" She stuttered.

"Is he ok?" Ryan interrupted worriedly.

"Yeah, it sounds stupid really.." She sniffed, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Ryan gathered the cuff of his sweater in his hand and dabbed them, one of his arms still supporting her against him.

"Go on." He encouraged.

"Him and Hailey, they're moving - to Maui." Marissa finished in a whisper, determined not to cry.

"Oh, c'mere." Ryan murmured, seeing her bottom lip tremble once more. "It's ok." He said gathering her once more in a hug and squeezing her tight, he knew how close she was to her Dad. She began to cry again, despite her best efforts not to.

All of a sudden, before she knew what she was doing, Marissa had reached up and began to kiss Ryan desperately and fast, still crying. If he was at all taken aback by this he didn't show it. Ryan simply placed one of his hands either side of her face and pulled her head away from his, back onto his shoulder. He couldn't blame her, she was confused and had no idea what she was doing. Marissa suddenly came to her senses and gasped.

"Oh my God, I am so sorry." She pulled away and looked at him, tears streaming down her face. "I should go." She whispered, biting her bottom lip as hard as she could. "I'm sorry." She turned and nade to leave but Ryan wasn't letting her go anywhere. He grabbed her arm.

"No, it's ok. Stay."

"No, it's not, I'm so sorry." She said again, trying to free herself from his grip.

"Yes it is, I understand, you're upset, you didn't realise what you were doing. I get it." He soothed.

"Stop being so nice to me." She cried, suddenly angry. "And get off me."

"No." Ryan said stubbornly. He knew that if he let her go now, she would probably go and do something stupid. He let go of her arm but before she had chance to move, he grabbed both of her hands with his.

"Let go." She demanded.

"No." He whispered, looking her straight in the eye. "Marissa, I know you're upset but it's ok."

"Let go." She said again but he could tell she was crumbling, she wrapped her arms around him so tightly that he thought his ribs might break but he didn't care.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." She cried into his shoulder "It's just my dad and-"

"Hey, it's ok, I understand." Ryan said gently rubbing her back.

"Everyone's leaving me." She said sadly after a while.

"I'm not." He reminded her quietly.

"I know, but you probably hate me."

"Don't be silly, Marissa I don't hate you."

"Are you sure?" She asked in a tone reminiscent of a small child.

"Positive." He assured her squeezing her tightly. Neither of them moved for a few moments, they stood in the middle of the poolhouse embracing tightly. Eventually Marissa stopped crying, her breath coming in short stuttered gasps.

She pulled away and said quietly "I'm just going to get a tissue."

"No need." Ryan murmered, again using the sleeve of his sweatshirt to wipe her eyes.

"Gross!" She giggled. "I'm freezing." She announced shuddering.

"I'm not surprised." Ryan said smiling wryly "considering what you're wearing." Marissa looked down at her clothes, she was wearing very short shorts and a strappy top.

"Oops, I kinda forgot I was in my pjs." She giggled.

"I gathered. You wanna sweater?" Ryan asked going over to get her one.

"Yes please." She said moving over to sit on the bed, he pulled out a sweater and handed it to her, she put it on gratefully and laughed.

"What?"

"I'm privileged ."

"Huh? Why's that?"

"I get to wear your Chino gear." She said laughing.

"If you weren't so upset I'd probably hit you right now." Ryan teased picking up the phone.

"So what? You calling for back up?"

"No." Ryan paused. "I'm calling your Dad."

"What?" Marissa asked panicking "Why?"

"To let him know where you are. He's probably worried sick."

"Like he cares." She said sulkily, flopping back down on the bed dramatically.

"Marissa." Ryan said gently. "He does care. He loves you."

"Yeah? So why's he moving to Maui then?"

"I dunno." Ryan answered honestly after a pause. "But...you know you could always go with them." He said sadly.

"No way." She said immediately, Ryan's heart lifted. "This is my home, all my friends are here" She wrinkled her nose "my Mom's here, and ...you're here." She added, almost in a whisper getting up to kneel on the bed. She made her way to the edge and held out her arms. Ryan out the phone down and went over to her.

"I'm glad you said that." He whispered into her hair.

"Said what?"

"That I'm here."

"Well, you are here."

"You know what I mean."

"Yeah." She sighed. There was a pause. "Ok, you can phone him."

"You sure?" Marissa nodded slowly.

"Tell him I hate him though." She said sticking out her bottom lip, looking adorably annoyed.

"I'll do no such thing." Ryan said frowning slightly "Because you don't hate him. you love him."

"Hmph." Ryan picked up the phone and began to dial, Jimmy answered after one ring.

"Hello, Mr. Cooper? It's Ryan. Yeah, she's here...she's ok, just a bit upset..."

"A bit?" Marissa scoffed raising her eyebrows.

"No...I think she's gonna stay here... yeah, in the guest room." He added quickly blushing. Marrisa smiled. "Yeah...ok...I'll tell her. Bye."

"Tell me what?" She demanded as soon as he'd hung up.

"That he loves you." Ryan said simply as he started to walk towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Marissa asked pouting slightly.

"To set up the guest room."

"Oh no. I'm not staying in there." She said quickly "It's haunted."

"Says who?" Ryan laughed.

"Seth." She lied, Seth had said no such thing but Ryan didn't know that.

"When did you start listening to him?"

"I don't wanna stay in there." She said ignoring him. "Can't I stay in here with you?" She whined.

"Marissa...I promised your Dad."

"So what?" Marissa snapped. "He doesn't care." Her eyes filled with tears again but she wiped them away, dtermined not to let them fall. "Please." She begged, eyes wide. Ryan's heart melted.

"Ok then." He said relenting "Come on." He took her hand and led her over to the bed, pulling back the duvet before tucking her in and kissing her lightly on the nose.

"Where are you gonna sleep?" She asked quietly.

"On the floor." Marissa shook her head.

"Ryan, this bed's huge." She patted the large empty space next to her. He started to protest but she was having none of it. "I'm not taking no for an answer." Then she giggled, remembering "I promise I won't try and hit on you again if that's what you're thinking."

"No, it wasn't." Ryan replied honestly, he didn't know what was stopping him.

"Well, come on then." She pulled him down next to her and flipped off the light. "Ooh, deja vu." She giggled.

"Huh?"

"Me and you. Best. Date. Ever."

"Oh yeah, forgot about that." Ryan lied

"Liar." She said poking him playfully in the side.

"Am not!" He said indignantly. There was a pause then Marissa sighed, suddenly remembering why she was in Ryan's bed in the first place. "I can't believe my Dad's leaving me." Ryan turned to face her prooping himself up on his eyebrows.

"I know." He whispered, stroking her cheek with the back of his fingers "But itll be ok, Summer, Seth, me, we're not going anywhere."

"You promise?" She asked quietly

"Promise." Ryan turned so that he was lying on his back again, her hand found his in the darkness and she held it tightly. Ryan lay awake for much longer than she did but her grip didn't loosen once.