Title: Everybody's Changing

Summary: A Ryan/Marissa fic. Set summer before/early S3, and the summers after.

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I own nothing, characters and sections of plots are from the writers and producers of the show.

AN: This is my first attempt at writing a fanfic- so please go easy on me. Reviews are appreciated; I'm always up for advice and new opinions.

"Where are we going?" Marissa asked as she noticed the scenery of mansions and large buildings fading into a more empty setting. It was getting dark and she wondered what lay in store for her.

"It's a surprise," Shane grinned as she rolled her eyes at him.

She sighed and stared back out the window. I wonder what Ryan's doing right now. He looked so hurt when I went off with Shane. Doesn't he realize that I only care about him?

"We're here," he announced as they pulled into a small driveway in front of what looked to be an abandoned beach house that had seen better days.

"Shane, what are we doing here?"

"We're here to talk. Isn't that what you want, too?"

"Well, yeah. But I don't see why you had to take me all the way out here to do so."

"Just come on," he said trying to grab Marissa's hand. She quickly pulled her hand away and followed Shane into the dark building.

Shane's face was illuminated as he took out a lighter and lit two candles that were sitting on a dusty table next to a couch covered with a white blanket.

"What is this place, anyways?" she asked as she glanced around at the emptiness of the rest of the room.

"It's where I've been staying since I've come here to California."

"Why? You have enough money to get a suite at the Four Seasons. Or are you playing the little rich boy who's slumming it?"

Her insults didn't seem to faze him as he just smirked and sat down on the couch. He motioned for her to sit next to him and she sat as far away from his as she possibly could.

"So let's talk," Shane said turning slightly to face her.

"Okay."

"We don't have to make this really complicated. I think I've made myself clear in letting you know that I want us to get back together. I don't see why you keep saying no."

"Look, Shane, as I've also made very clear, I don't want to be with you," Marissa explained.

"Give me a good reason why."

"Hmmm... maybe because you walked out on me right after we got engaged. You didn't even try to contact me until now."

"Don't you believe people deserve a second chance?"

"Sometimes people do, but not you. I've already moved on and I'd really appreciate if you'd just butt out of my life. Things are finally getting good again and I don't want them to get messed up."

"By this you mean that you and Ryan are finally getting back together."

"Well," she paused. "Yeah."

"Come on, Marissa. Don't you see? You're just afraid of getting hurt again. Ryan is obviously the safe choice and that's why you keep running back to him."

"I...I love, Ryan," Marissa said trying to push the fact that what Shane was telling her might actually be true.

"Marissa, I still love you and I know that you still love me too," he said tenderly. "You don't have to hide it from me."

"Shane, you can't just come back and say all of this to me," she said already feeling herself let her guard down. How can he always do this to me? He's always making me second guess myself. Now, I'm not even sure if I should stay with Ryan.

"It's okay. I know how you're really feeling. You secretly know that you want to be with me too," Shane continued as he lured Marissa back to him.

He rushed up to brush his rough fingers against Marissa's soft skin.

Before she knew it Shane was kissing her and she was kissing him back. He slid his arm around her waist and played with the bottom of her tank top.

"Wait, what are we doing?"

"Picking up where we left off a few months ago," he murmured kissing her neck.

"I...I can't do this," she said pulling back. "I'm with Ryan- I can't cheat on him."

"Marissa, don't think about it like that. We're still engaged, so if anything you've been cheating on me with him."

"Come here," Shane told her as he reached up to pull her down next to him. Marissa sat there with her head resting on his shoulder as he stroked her hair. Shane's not such a bad guy when he's with me. Maybe this could work out was the last thing that popped into her mind before she drifted off to sleep.

Ahh sorry this was such a short chapter. I'm just trying to jot down my ideas as they pop into my head. I'll try getting the next chapter up this weekend- I already have an idea of what's going to happen next. Thanks for reading!

- Margot