6/5/2005

Diclaimer- I feel like such an idiot when I have to do this. (Sigh) I don't own The O.C.

A/N- Wow. You guys are amazing. Thanks so so much for the reviews, I love hearing your reactions. Knowing that I can make an impact on someone through writing is one of the most gratifying feelings in the world.

Chapter 7

It was six o'clock, and the shades of a pink sunset began to appear in the sky. Marissa drew the blinds open to her bedroom, and walked back over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. They had spent the entire day together, taking long walks down the pier. Time was completely lost, nonexistent. He would lean over and kiss her cheek at the most spontaneous moments, and their hands stayed complacently intertwined. Now, they were standing by the end of her bed, caught in each other's stare.

"So…"

She pressed her lips against his and felt his arms wrap tightly around her waist.

"This has been a good day, right?"

"Mmmmmmhm."

He agreed through his kiss, and stepped in closer to her. Marissa laughed and pulled away, running her hands down his chest as she walked over to the other side of her room. She opened the second window and let the cool air caress her face. Ryan came up behind her and grabbed her hips, resting his forehead on the side of her face.

"The day's not over…"

They both smiled as he trailed a line of kisses down her neck. Marissa let her body lean back into his, taking his hands. His lips began to sweep over her shoulder towards her chest, and she turned to face him, stopping him short. Her eyes fell on the slightly ajar door, and she walked towards it, shutting it gently. Ryan sat down on the edge of her bed, happiness radiating through his face. Through both of their faces. She walked back over to him and sat down on his lap, wrapping his hands across her waist and leaning back into his strong body. His head rested on her shoulder, and she turned to him, placing her lips on his. She could feel his hands slide down her sides, resting low on her hips. Ryan fell onto her bed, his heart beating faster than before against her chest. Marissa kissed him passionately, taking in his hard breaths. Their movements became faster and more powerful; his fingers running down her legs, her body moving over his. Ryan moved his lips down to the neckline of her shirt, feeling her heavy breath against his shoulder.

"Mariss…a"

Julie barged into the room, stopping short at the sight in front of her. Immediately, the couple pulled apart, shock and embarrassment running across their faces. Ryan's realized that his hands were still lingering on her waist, and he pulled them off awkwardly as she lied down next to him. They were all rendered speechless, waiting for someone else to say something.

"Umm…we're having dinner at the Cohen's. To, umm…celebrate, for you know, the case…"

Julie attempted to articulate herself, but the situation was too awkward for words. She stared at the faces in front of her, shock still apparent in their eyes. Diverting her glance, Julie walked towards the door, but paused over the threshold.

"Ryan…you should go home."

With that, she yanked the door closed, her heavy footsteps rushing briskly down the hallway. Ryan turned onto his side and started pulling loose threads out of the pillow seam.

"Your mom hates me again."

She laughed slightly and leaned a little bit closer to him, trying to catch his glance.

"She doesn't hate you…She's just…protective…"

"She blames me…for, for last night."

"No, Ryan…she doesn't. It's just, you know her…"

Marissa tried kissing him, but he pulled back as her lips touched his.

"I should go. See if Sandy needs help getting ready."

He could read the hurt in her eyes, and stroked her arm delicately with his fingers.

"I'll see you soon though, right?"

She smiled and nodded, accepting the kiss he was leaving on her lips. It lasted for a few seconds, and they pushed themselves off the bed, walking towards the door. Slowly, Ryan leaned into her, placing his lips on the nape of her neck. She closed her eyes, holding onto the moment, before they parted quietly, each with longing streaming through their bones.

XXXX

Ryan set the last fork at the head of the table and leaned against its chair. It was a beautiful night; the air was barely humid with a cool breeze, and the sky was painted in a deep blue. Sandy had pulled out a collapsible table and set it up next to the glowing infinity pool. It was his first time entertaining guests without the help of his wife, and he was afraid of failing miserably.

The doorbell echoed through the kitchen, and an anxious Sandy rushed to get it. He paused, taking in a deep breath, and opened the door.

"Hello, Summer."

He smiled warmly and greeted her with a paternal hug and kiss on the cheek.

"Is that new cologne, Mr. C?"

"Alessandro Dell'Acqua," he replied mockingly.

"Oh well, it's very attractive."

Seth heard the conversation taking place and stepped out of the kitchen, making his presence known.

"Okay, dad, please stop hitting on my girlfriend…"

"Actually son, I think it was the other way around."

"Great, my dad and my girlfriend…as if this town isn't twisted enough."

"Hey, it happened to Julie Cooper…"

The three of them stood silently, remembering the awkward time when Julie had been sleeping with Luke. The same disturbed look quickly crawled onto each of their faces. Fortunately, the sound of the doorbell relieved them of their thoughts, bringing them back to a much less perverse reality.

"Julie Cooper!"

Sandy announced her name enthusiastically as he pulled the door wide open. She was taken aback by his tone of voice, a look of question coming over her.

"The dinner is tonight, right?"

"Yes, of course. Come on in."

"I hope everyone likes Thai," Seth added.

Ryan could see everyone shuffling towards the glass door that led outside. As they stepped into the night air, the first person he completely noticed was Marissa. His eyes were fixated upon her, unable to waver in any other direction. A soft blue dress clung to her body, exposing her tanned shoulders. Her golden waves of hair fell loosely down her back, and her deep set eyes seemed brighter than ever.

"Wow…" he stuttered. "You look…"

He was rendered speechless, no words able to describe her beauty. Instead, he just stared at her, overwhelmed by the magnitude of feeling that rushed through him. She smiled and took his hand, walking over to the table. Everyone took their seats, and Marissa kept her fingers intertwined with his. Their knees bumped underneath the table, and neither he nor she moved from the contact.

Julie cleared her throat, unsure of how to initiate her thoughts. She rested her hand on the tablecloth and slowly stood up, catching the attention of everyone around her.

"So, first of all, I'd like to make a toast. To all of us-for pulling through this. Together."

She smiled sincerely and paused, apprehension becoming vivid on her face. Only Jimmy knew what she was about to say.

"And, you know, Jimmy and I couldn't have asked for better friends. You…and Kirsten…you've been great to us, through everything. Not just this."

Sandy seemed a bit bemused by the heartfelt speech.

"Thanks Julie…any you know I…we…are always here for you."

"Even if we're, well, not in Newport?"

The faces around her fell.

"What are you talking about?" Sandy asked, his voice dropping to a suddenly concerned and serious tone.

"With everything that's happened this year, we're…"

"We're moving."

Jimmy finished her thought, and they scanned the table, anticipating the reactions of the other five people.

Ryan impulsively squeezed Marissa's hand. They looked at her parents numbly, disbelief masking their faces. It wasn't possible. Her eyes widened as she struggled to speak intelligible words.

"What?"

Her voice was high and quiet, and she looked to her parents for a reasonable response. They had been joking. It was just a small joke to lighten the mood and any second now Jimmy would start laughing hysterically. Marissa waited. It never came. No laughs sounded from anywhere. Happiness was drained from inside their bodies with the two words…

"We're moving."

They echoed over and over in her head until the numbness subsided, shoved away by a sudden pang of sadness. It settled into her, filling her entire body. She felt it rising to her eyes, and before it could release itself outwardly, Marissa stood up and rushed away from the table.

"Marissa…"

Jimmy called after her, but she didn't turn around. Her limp body disappeared into the pool house, and Ryan stood up, silently excusing himself from the table as well. He opened the large glass door, his heart dropping as he witnessed her pain. She held her head weakly against her left palm, shaking with tears. Ryan sat down next to her on the edge of the bed. She felt his weight shift the mattress, but didn't look up. His arm wrapped around her bare shoulders, causing her to cry louder than before.

"It's okay," he whispered.

"It's okay…you still have time. We…we still have time…"

"How long? A week?"

She looked up at him, the blueness of her eyes deluded with a flood of water. There wasn't a single answer that resonated with him. He didn't know when they were leaving, but he didn't want to let her go. A wet sensation began to build in his eyes. He shut them softly, urging himself not to cry. Instead, he wrapped his arm around her as tightly as possible, and closed his eyelids with more force than before.

Marissa let the tears stream down her face.

And he let the tears stream down his heart.

XXX

A/N- Okay, guys…I know the end to that chapter wasn't exactly happy. But it's like the great Josh Schwartz once said, not all of the episodes can end happily! I really hope you enjoyed it, please Review and I'll have more up very soon!