Wow, okay, so if any of you guys want some clear points for this story, read kay.note's review. I'm kind of impressed. And cut Ryan a little slack. He's not a bad guy, even in this story. But I guess I'm kind of flattered because I seemed to really have caused some strong feelings. None of it belongs to me, but please leave a review to tell me how I've messed it up for better or for worse. Peace and love...

Sandy was feeling guilty. Not only had he been avoiding his family more and more lately, he had chased his son out of the house. And his other one wasn't going to be sticking around much longer. He loved them. He did. It just was getting harder to recently. When Seth was younger, he could just yell at him and the kid would start crying and apologize. At twelve, he started yelling back. At twenty five, he probably hated him. Ryan did have a point, but Sandy wasn't the kind of person to stay too angry long. He had said some things that had gotten Sandy a little emotional and now both of his sons were angry at him. Ryan was angry at everyone, mostly Summer, and Seth was god knows where. Kirsten probably hated Sandy the most. Because while he had chased away his sons, he had also chased away her boys. But he had to yell. It had been inside of him since he saw Seth again and it had to come out at some point. But Kirsten wouldn't hear it. He had chased away her boys.

Ryan slept late the next morning, which was really weird for him. Jenn kissed him lightly on the forehead when she left for school and as she was walking out the door, he lifted his head up. It suddenly felt like it weighed more than his whole body.

"Hey, honey. I'm sorry about last night."

"It's okay, Daddy."

"I was really...angry, I mean, I don't know why. I just, like, blew. And it wasn't your fault. It was just...so much."

"Daddy?"

He looked up at her and had his deer-in-the-headlights look on.

"Yeah?"

"Who are you talking to?"

"You."

"Are you sure?"

"Who else would I be talking to?"

"You were yelling, but you weren't yelling about me."

"Since...since when are you so smart?"

"I learned from the best."

She smiled and Ryan returned it with a nod and mouthed 'thanks.' She smiled a far away smile and walked out of the room, Ryan finally seeing Theresa in her.

Jenn skipped into the kitchen and sat at the kitchen table. She grinned at Summer leaning against the counter in her purple tank top and plain pajama pants and wet hair. Summer raised her spoon from her cereal in recognition.

"Are you mad at Daddy?"

"Your daddy? No. I think your daddy's mad at me."

"He's not. He's sad."

"I think your dad's kind of confused."

"You should kiss him. That would make him feel better."

"Did he tell you to say that?"

"No."

"How do you know it would make your dad feel better if I kissed him, then?"

"Because he liked kissing you before."

"Oh honey. It's not that easy. And your dad and I weren't very good at kissing."

"Oh. Why not?"

"It just didn't work, honey."

"You could've been my mommy."

"Baby. Do you remember your mommy?"

"No. Daddy tells me about her though."

"What does he say?"

"He says she was very pretty and that's why I'm very pretty."

"He's right."

"I don't think I'm that pretty."

"You should. You're very, very pretty. Look at your hair. I would kill for that kind of hair."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Did you know my mommy?"

"Not very well. She was very pretty though."

"Did my daddy love her?"

"I think so."

That seemed to satisfy her, because she nodded and kissed Summer's cheek on her way out of the kitchen. Summer called after her.

"Do you have a ride?"

"Grandpa said he'd give me and Chris one."

"Okay."

Summer leaned back against the counter and dipped her bowl back to get the last drops of milk. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and put her bowl down. She sighed lightly and gave in to walk up the stairs.

She knocked on the door and opened it and the "it's open." She opened the door and leaned against the door frame.

"Are you mad at me?" Summer picked at her fingernails, chipping one and peeling it back.

"Why would I be mad at you?" Ryan was looking at the ceiling.

"I don't know. Are you?"

"I don't know."

"I'm sorry, if that helps."

"For what?"

"I don't know. Yelling at you? Calling you jealous?"

"But I was jealous."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Because I was finally fitting in. And I always was just the pool boy. But then I wasn't. But Seth's always been able to shrug things off and win the girl in the end. And him being here kind of reminded me that I'd always be in second place."

"That's not true. Believe it or not, but you are good for some things." Summer looked at him, and saw his eyes flicker to hers for a second.

"Aw, thanks." He still wasn't looking at her, but a smile was tugging at his lips.

"It's true. You're kind of cute around the edges. You're always there if I need someone punched. And you give the best hugs."

He grinned and sat up in the bed that was completely unmade in every aspect. Summer smiled and glanced down at her feet.

"So are we okay?" She smiled softly and already knew the answer to her question.

"Yeah. We're okay."

"Would it be completely inappropriate if I hugged you right now?"

"I couldn't blame you. I give the best hugs."

She grinned again and walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his back. He hugged her back and leaned his head on her shoulder. He didn't love her like she loved Seth either. It just had been easy. Summer was always there and he did love her. So easy had been better than actually trying to find someone else.

"You get it, right? I mean, I love you too much to want to put you through the crap I'd have to put you through to be my boyfriend."

He nodded against her shoulder and kissed her cheek as she pulled back. She smiled and walked back to the door.

"Summer?"

She spun around with her hand on the frame.

"Could you tell Seth I'm sorry? That I'd like to talk to him like civilized people?"

"No. You tell him."

"You know, that whole bossy thing that you think is so cute isn't actually that cute."

"Yeah I know. But I'm also usually right."

She grinned and walked away. Ryan got out of the bed and into the bathroom. He shut the shower door and turned the water hot. As the mirror started to fog up, he started to remember what it had been like when Seth was gone. And how they hadn't known if he was dead or alive or sick or happy. And how he had placed a thousand calls to find out, each one less hopeful than the last. And then he had had to yell at him. His brother.

Summer didn't have to go in today, her boss was already so happy with her because of 'the absolute triumph' the day before. She pulled her hair up into a high ponytail and wore jeans for the first time in a month. She grabbed a band tee shirt that she had seen with Ryan and Marissa. Something Corporate. Marissa's idea. Not a bad show.

She caught a taxi to the airport and bought a ridiculously priced cup of coffee, even though she'd already had two cups that morning. She sat on the chairs that felt like the hard plastic they were and bought the new Jane. The first new one in four years. She curled her legs underneath her to make the red plastic at least a little more comfortable, but gave that up quickly. She glanced at her watch at tapped her foot against the hard seat along with the beat of the chorus.

"She's a brick and I'm drowning slowly. Off the coast and I'm headed nowhere. She's a brick and I'm drowning slowly."

Seth hadn't brought everything with him. Although, she had seen that that picture of her in the red and white polka dotted dress was gone. Some guy muttered something on the loudspeaker that she couldn't comprehend, but before she knew it a thin woman in a leather jacket was throwing herself on top of her.

"Whoa, good to see you too."

"I can't believe you came. Don't you have work?"

"I had the day off."

"So why in hell did you want to come here? Is Chris here too?"

"He has school."

"Did he grow at all since I saw him?"

Marissa rolled off of her into the seat next to her. Summer shook her head.

"Same size."

"He's short."

"So were you. You both grew."

"Okay."

"Where's...that dude you're married to?"

"Brendan? I dunno; I ran ahead."

"Why'd you run? You didn't know I was going to be here."

"I saw you through the window. So what's up, what's new, who's hot, who's not? By the way, I cannot believe you are wearing that tee shirt; you were the one complaining the whole time."

"Nothing's up, a lot's new, you're hot, my new client's not. And I did complain, but they were pretty awesome."

"Elaborate on the new stuff."

"You want to do this in the middle of an airport?"

"We can't leave without Brendan. I can ditch him, but I don't think he'd like us deserting him in the middle of an airport. So spill."

"Okay, well, I completely nailed that account. The girl loves me now and the guy's always drooling over me when his fiancé's not looking. And...Chris was really upset for a while and Ryan got mad at me last night, but everything's okay now. I think."

"Why was Ryan mad at you?"

"It's a long story."

"I think Brendan's lost. I have time."

"Well, it's kind of hard to explain."

"Liar. Tell me."

"You won't believe me. But you can help me fix it and see for yourself."

"I don't wanna wait. Tell me now; I'll believe you later."

Summer leaned back in her chair and started humming and singing under her breath.

"I don't wanna wait, for our lives to be over. I want to know right now; what will it be? I don't wanna wait, for our lives to be over. Will it be yes, or will it be, sorry?"

Marissa shook her head but sang anyway. "So open up your morning light, and say a little prayer for I. You know that if we are to stay alive and see the love in every eye." She stopped singing and rolled her eyes. "You know, you're really annoying."

"You know, you really wouldn't believe me."

"You think you can distract me with Dawson's Creek theme songs, but I will get it out of you anyway. Is it...a guy?"

"More than a guy."

"Ooh, the guy? What's his name? Do I know him?"

"You used to."

"Oh my god, is it Luke? I thought you got over him a long time ago."

"I didn't get over Luke, because there was nothing to get over. That was a mistake."

"A mistake that landed you with the most beautiful baby in the world."

"That's true."

"So if it's not Luke, who is it?"

"Marissa...how...can...you move...so fast?" A good looking guy with black hair who looked seventeen but was actually thirty stumbled to sit next to his wife and place a kiss on her cheek.

"Skill, sweetie. Sit."

"Wait, Marissa. How was Paris?" Summer sat back up and smiled lightly at Brendan McKnight.

"Fine. Who is it?" Marissa's eyes grew bigger and she tapped her foot impatiently.

"Riss, let's get your bags and then I can show you."

"Sum..."

"She's right, Marissa. We should get our bags."

"Fine. Be that way. Let's go."

Marissa grabbed Brendan's hand and pulled him to baggage claim. Summer followed them, running her hand through her hair to try to work through the knots from the swim she had had with Chris that morning.

Brendan had called ahead and so a limo was waiting for them once they had found all four of Marissa's bags and all two of Brendan's. Marissa and Brendan sat across from Summer, Summer telling the driver where to go.

"So, Riss, really, how was Paris?"

"It was fun. A lot of wine that was good. And really cheap too. Brendan was always gone though."

"I had to be, baby, we were there because I had work. You knew that."

"I know. I missed you, that's all."

"Well, you slept the whole plane ride, so I missed you even though you were right there."

"I was tired. You got home every night at, like, 11 so we could only really do stuff after that. I didn't get any sleep."

"You could've slept all day."

"But I didn't. I watched American sitcoms in French."

"Why?"

"The culture."

"Okay, okay."

Brendan looked out the window and Summer bit back a laugh. Marissa pushed her hair back and shrugged.

"What?"

"You guys are so married."

"Okay?"

"No, you guys just talk like you're married."

"That's because we are, Sum. Good job." Marissa threw up an enthusiastic, very overly sarcastic, thumb up.

The car stopped at the Mermaid Inn and Marissa scrunched her forehead. This time it was Summer's turn to shrug.

"People always go to the same places. I didn't know where he was, so it was either here or Chino. Chino's too far."

"You going to tell me who it is now?"

"One sec. I have to go and I'll be back for you guys."

"You're not going to get all Courage Under Fire on me, right?"

"I'll be back. And you're not going to die in a limo."

"Okay."

"Okay. Be right back. Promise."

Summer got out the limo and found the main lobby. She walked up to the first male concierge she'd ever seen.

"Do you have a Cohen?"

"Yes, ma'am. Is he expecting you?"

"I don't think so. Can you just give me his room number?"

"That's against policy."

"Please? I promise I'm a friend."

"Well...just this once. Number 207. Do you want me to tell him you're coming?"

"No, it's okay. I don't want him to run. Thanks."

"It's my..." She left before he could finish his last sentence.

Summer found the room and knocked softly on it. She heard a voice from inside shout "just a second, Summer." She leaned against the wall and a few seconds later, Seth opened the door with a towel wrapped around his waist and a few drops of water slipping down his chest.

"How'd you know it was me?" Summer brushed a few drops off his shoulders.

"Who else would it be?"

"You want to see Marissa and her husband?"

"When I have pants on."

"So go."

"Go get them."

He shut the door again and Summer went down the stairs and back to the limo. She opened the door and cocked her head toward the Inn. Marissa and Brendan got out and Summer led them back to Seth's room. She opened the door as Seth pulled a tee shirt over his head. Marissa's eyes grew as her mouth dropped.

"Oh my god. Seth?"

She ran over to him and hugged him so hard that he fell down on the ground.

"Uh, hi Marissa."

"Omigod, when did you get back?"

"A few days ago."

"And Summer didn't tell me!"

Marissa crawled off of him and helped him stand up. She looked him up and down and nodded her approval.

"You look good."

"Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself."

She shrugged it off as if she did it all effortlessly, a gesture she had learned after a few too many magazines screamed "You're beautiful! What's your secret?" Because when you were in the spotlight, there was always a secret.

"So, I, uh, I heard you got your hands into fashion design." Seth ran his fingers through his hair nervously, not sure how to small talk with someone who had obviously completely changed.

"Oh, yeah. It's not a big thing, just a few pieces."

"That's cool."

"Yup."

"Yup."

"Oh, right. This is Brendan. My husband. Brendan, Seth Cohen."

Brendan offered a business hand and Seth grasped it roughly.

"I'd, uh, jump you too but I think my wife already took care of that." He finished it off with a movie star smile.

"Thanks."

Marissa exhaled and grinned through her heavy breathing. She clapped her hands together.

"I need to see my nephew! And my niece! I have presents for them."

Marissa had adopted Chris and Jenn as if they were hers and the tiny legal/blood thing didn't matter at all. Just like Summer was Jenn's aunt. They all were family. Jenn and Chris never had known any different.

"More presents, Riss? They're still moaning over all that chocolate you gave them from Greece."

"But I went to Paris. And I didn't get them food so it's okay."

"What'd you get them? And what did you get me?"

"I got Chris this adorable little French painter hat that he'll hate and a model of some Da Vinci statue that he can learn how to build like a replica or something. I got Jenn a replica of that light peachy dress that she liked and a painting of Paris's night life, minus the streetwalkers. And I got you another dress of mine and the original, like the real thing, of that painting you liked so much. You know, the one with the guy and the girl watching the boats take the people to the Tower? And I got Ryan something that I can't remember. And I got Mr. and Mrs. Cohen this great bottle of wine that has to be at least 69 years. Oh! But Seth, I didn't know you were here. If someone had called me..."

"No. That's okay, Marissa. Really."

"Well, it was awesome to see you, sweetheart." Marissa kissed both of Seth's cheeks and used her thumbnail to wipe the lipstick off. "But I must see my kids. Come on, Brendan. You coming, Sum?"

"Um, I'm going to stay here a while. I'll catch a cab back."

"Yeah, sure. Brendan will give you the number of his limo thing."

"Riss, that's okay."

"No, it's fine." Brendan shuffled through his pockets and pulled out a slip of paper. "That's my company. Call them anytime you want to go home. They'll put it on my bill."

"No, it's really okay. Brendan, you're a sweetheart, but I'll get a cab."

Brendan shook his head and thrust the paper at her. She took it hesitantly and slipped it into her pocket. "I insist, Summer. You've been perfect to my wife and a honey to me, so you're family."

Summer smiled gently and kissed Brendan's cheek and Marissa's and waved goodbye as they left the room. Seth brushed off his jeans from his encounter with the floor.

"Since when was she so happy?"

"Somewhere after their first anniversary."

"It's good to see her like that. And he seems nice."

"He is nice. And very no drama, which is definitely good for Marissa."

Seth nodded and grabbed a comb from the dresser.

"So how's Ryan?"

"He feels really bad. He wants to apologize."

"What happened last night? Do you know?"

"I think it's just nine years worth of stress. And you were the easiest person to dump it on. Same thing for Sandy."

He nodded slowly.

"How's my mom?"

"Pissed at your dad. You should call her."

"I will. How are you?"

"I'm okay."

"So you just came here because..."

"I was never mad at you."

"Oh. And that whole Ryan thing..."

"I took care of it. It wasn't really even a thing. And whatever it was is over, so..."

"So. When does Chris come home?"

Summer glanced at her watch and shrugged. "Three hours."

"So you can stay here a while? I can...get to know you?"

She nodded. He nodded too. She looked up at him through heavy eyelids and extended a small smile. He walked gently over to her and brushed his eyelashes against her cheeks. She stretched her arms around his neck and looked at his darkening eyes.

"So who are you, Seth Cohen?"

He thought about it a minute while she left kisses on his jaw and neck. He pushed a finger under her chin and pulled her face up to look at his.

"A guy that thinks he might be in love with you. Again."

She smiled and kissed his ear, before whispering into it, "Right answer."

She turned her head to kiss him and he kissed her back all too willingly. He pushed her slowly back onto the freshly made bed and trailed his kisses down her neck.

"Since when do you like Something Corporate?"

"Marissa."

"Oh."

 He pushed his hands up the bottom of her shirt, and left it bunched around her chest. He kissed her stomach that was faintly sticky from a mix of sweat, suntan lotion, and chlorine, but was still perfect. She pulled at his slightly wet hair and kissed a straight line from his forehead to the base of his chin.

"Who are you, Summer Roberts?"

She didn't even hesitate. "A girl looking for something like you."