Fix You

Author's Note: Lucky, lucky people. Two chapters in a row and after the cliffhanger of the last chapter I'm sure you guys are glad that I'm not leaving it at that. That last part was so hard to write because I want my happy Roadie of earlier chapters, the scenes are writing themselves though.

Chapter 13: Stupid (Mistakes)

Are you lost or incomplete?
Do you feel like a puzzle, you can't find your missing piece?

Seth was shocked and hurt and he didn't he didn't know what he was doing or how any of this had happened. His marriage had been perfect. Everyone said it was remarkable how the two least likely people to ever make a relationship work ended up with a marriage that seemed to mirror that of his parents whose marriage was a sacred thing in Newport. Everyone admired the Cohens for making it work.

Now, it seemed that what people had predicted to happen was happening. They were falling apart. Maybe they weren't meant to be together. Maybe the tangled web of relationships, the drama that had been formed back in the year Ryan had first arrived was really how it was supposed to be. A long time ago, Seth had agreed with that, but not anymore.

Not since he'd fallen hard for Marissa Cooper.

Ignoring the off looks his received from his friends as he headed away from the party, or more like stalked sulkily, he went into his office and almost slammed the door. He restrained himself though because he wanted Allie's party to be perfect and drama free, even though it seemed obvious to him now that nothing in Newport could ever be that way.

Sitting behind his desk, he leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath. How had this happened? What was he going to do? What exactly was it he had seen. He knew Marissa was kissing his one-time best friends and brother, but who had kissed whom? Had Marissa pushed him away right after he left? Did it mean anything to her?

"Cohen?" Summer stepped cautiously into the room, a look of concern etched on her delicate face.

"What Summer?" he asked tiredly.

"Look, I know we haven't talked in years, but I know something is wrong," she said, taking a step closer to him.

Seth stood up, shaking his head, "Everything is wrong."

"What are you talking about Cohen?" She furrowed her eyebrows, looking at him strangely.

Seth paused, looking at his first love and then suddenly threw all his caution to the wind. If Marissa was going to be still in love with Ryan, if she was going to kiss him at their daughter's birthday party out of the back porch then screw it. Grabbing Summer, he pulled her towards him and kissed her hungrily.

Summer responded almost immediately, her tongue slipping into his mouth, her hands running down his shoulders. Seth knew how wrong it was, especially considering that kissing Summer was in no way going to make him feel better about things, only worse.

One of the doors to his office flew open.

The two jumped apart.

Everyone in Newport stood in the living room, including a frazzled looking Marissa.

Allie looked at her father with wide eyes.

Seth stood there, watching the looks of his family and friends, of his daughter and his saw his son's head buried in Kirsten's neck. He wanted to crawl into a hole and die. Things were certainly not getting any better for him.

Well I feel like they're talking in a language I don't speak
And they're talking it to me

Marissa pulled away from Ryan, tears welling up in her eyes as she touched her lips gently. Shaking he head she mumbled, "No. This isn't…I don't…"

"I'm sorry," Ryan offered.

"I just cheated on Seth," she held back a sob, but a small hiccup escaped her throat, "I love him Ryan. I just…I can't do this. I don't love you…not anymore."

Ryan nodded slowly. He felt his heart break. Never would he have thought that when he sat down to punish Cass for something she had done and she would try to get out of it, as usual, he would end up in Newport facing the past he had long ago tried to escape. "I get it."

"We should…I should go inside…find Seth," quickly, Marissa turned on her heels and headed into the house.

Ryan followed en suite, heading back into the living room where most of the guests now were, waiting for Allie to open her presents. Looking around the room carefully, Ryan noticed that there was no sign of Seth in the room. Summer seemed to have disappeared from view as well.

As if to answer his question, Allie jumped up off her seat where she'd been chatting with Alex and Anna and went over to a door behind her, "Do you want to see daddy's new drawings? I caught him the other day and know where he's hiding them.

Throwing up the door with remarkable force for a six year old, she froze in spot. Ryan saw immediately why. Seth and Summer jumped apart from the embrace they had been sharing seconds ago. Summer turned a bright shade of crimson as everyone stared at the two of them.

Marissa stood frozen and then quickly turned around, heading for the door.

"Marissa!" Seth shouted, trying to run after her. She was already gone though and Seth whirled around seeing Ryan immediately.

"This is you fault," He took a step towards Ryan, "Ever since you came to Newport you've managed to screw up every good thing that you've ever managed to bring into my life!"

"I think if it's anyone's fault it's yours," Julie Cooper spoke up coldly, "You were the one who hurt Marissa by cheating on her."

"I would never have kissed Summer if Ryan and Marissa hadn't been making out in the backyard," Seth growled, "She's my wife man, can't you accept that you left and you lost her?"

"You kissed me to get back at Marissa?" Summer sounded slightly hurt by this.

"Daddy," Ryan glanced over at Allie who was standing beside them now, sniffling, "Why were you kissing her? Where'd mommy go?"

"We'll talk later Allie Bean," Seth promised before turning back to Ryan, "I think you should leave. Now."

Ryan noticed that Zach and Luke were backing up Seth on this one. Everyone else in the room seemed to agree that Ryan and Summer should make their exit now. He knew that they would turn their back and be angry with Seth for hurting the Queen of Newport later, but right now their kind stood together to throw out the intruders.

Summer and Ryan walked out of the Cooper-Cohen home. Once in Summer's car, his companion heaved a sigh, "This was probably the stupidest mistake we've ever made."

Ryan couldn't help but agree.