Lies 29

Summer had left the room supposedly to get a drink, but Anna knew she was really going out to help Seth with his mom. Surprisingly, it didn't bother her in the least. She'd been captivated by Ryan on the drive to L.A., discovering new aspects of his personality in conversation. Talk between them had been easy and playful, and she'd been impressed again by his intelligence and maturity. At one point, he'd reached over and grabbed her hand. When she turned to look at him, he'd given her an almost shy smile that at the same time was so hot her stomach flipped and she'd almost driven off the road. Sparks. Unquestionably. They'd been making their way across the parking lot when he'd suddenly stopped and muttered, "Damn it". She'd instantly been concerned and asked if something was wrong, and it was then that he'd leaned his crutches against the Mercedes on their right and somewhat gently pushed her into the car on their left.

"Yes. There is." His body pinned her against the car window and then his lips connected with hers. After a long kiss, he pulled away just far enough to whisper. "I've wanted to do this since you walked into the pool house."

"And there was always a BMW in your plan, so that's why you waited till now?" Anna ran her hands over her favorite places on his back.

He pulled back and looked at her wryly. "Yeah, smartass. Wait till you see what happens when we're near an Infinity."

"Ooh, I can't wait." She shivered as his mouth explored her neck. "I think there's one three rows down."

He raised his head abruptly and watched her closely. After several long seconds, he spoke again. "Don't tempt me."

He said it teasingly, but the look in his eyes shook her to the core. No one had ever stared at her like that before, and he made her feel beautiful and sexy and wanted. Those were heady and powerful emotions, but there was an element of danger in those blue eyes that made it all the more exciting. "Right."

"We'll stick with the BMW for now, ok?"

"Uh huh." She pulled him back into a kiss, and tried to slow down her suddenly creative imagination. "Infinity later."

When Ryan had collapsed in the hallway, fear for him pushed some new feelings to the surface. They'd been friends for quite a while, so of course she was worried, but this concern was at a higher level that included a new possessiveness. Since last night it seemed like they were in a beginning phase, but really together. After the news about Marissa, all bets were off. His ex-girlfriend was gone and Ryan must be devastated, even though he'd come to see her so he could move on. Anna wondered if he even wanted her there in the hospital room with him. He probably felt guilty for being with her last night.

She stayed seated in her chair after Summer left the room.

"Are you all right?" His voice came weakly from the bed.

"You're asking me? You ARE the one in the hospital bed, you know." She kept her tone light and joking.

"I know." He sighed.

"Can I get you anything? Soda, juice?"

"Come here?"

"Ok." She crossed the room and stood uneasily by the bed, suddenly not sure where to put her hands. "I'm really sorry about Marissa. It's so sad and awful."

"I'm sorry too. I hoped she would get a chance to...get things straight."

There was an awkward extended silence that Anna couldn't handle. "Look, Ryan. I'm gonna give you some time alone; I know this must be horrible for you." She bolted from the room.

Ryan watched her go, baffled. She was acting entirely different from this morning. He guessed all of this had become too much for her to handle and she was backing away now. He couldn't really blame her. "See you later." His voice was soft.

He lay back on the pillow and reminded himself that things could be worse. If he was still living with his mom and been in a car wreck, he would most likely be completely alone in the hospital. He had a new family and friends that cared about him now.

He finally allowed his thoughts to stray to Marissa. They'd been dancing around her in his head, not ready for her situation to become reality just yet. He went slowly, as if tentatively probing with his tongue after a fist to the jaw, checking to see how badly his mouth was torn up inside. If it hurt too much, he'd quickly pull away from it.

Seth and Summer came around the corner and down the hall, arguing.

"I still think w – you'd look inCREDible in a Porsche Boxster. Ok, I have an idea; let's do it this way. How much did the Corvette cost? You should have an idea of what you can spend."

"What's wrong with a Hummer? A nice, stealthy black one for covert operations? And how should I know what it cost? When I turned sixteen I left a message with my dad's answering service and said I wanted a Corvette. It was in the driveway when I came home from school the next day."

Seth came to a halt, stunned. "That's AWEsome! It's like you have a car fairy or - or a personal genie. A touch-the-phone instead of rub-the-bottle kind of genie, not to bring up disturbing images of vintage Christina Aguilera. In that case, call and ask for a Hummer AND a Porsche. Incidentally, try for a Play-station 4; perhaps there's a prototype by now. Problem solved."

Summer rolled her eyes and spoke sarcastically. "Whatever would I do without you, Cohen?"

"Well, at this point, you'd be a car-less, boyfriend-less, ring-less, sex-less –"

"Speaking of sex? Stop talking if you ever want to have it again."

Seth blinked. "Hold up for a minute. I'm sensing a pattern here. Are you always going to threaten a loss of naked privileges when I'm pissing you off?"

"Of course! It's a well-known, completely effective tool to keep a man in line, since like, the beginning of time. Or was it the 60's? – Oh well, same thing! ... Anyway - Welcome to Relationships 101, Cohen."

Seth nodded. "Uh huh. You really think I can't go without? I went without up until now, didn't I? Naturally I'd much rather NOT go without, because well, it's you and you're like – you –" His gaze swept down her body "- and DAMN - but you don't have me under your thumb, Summer. I have the determination, strength, and independence. Like Wolverine. I'm not your little puppet to jerk around with your every whim." He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, challenging her.

She sighed and put her hand on her hip. "If I thought you were, I wouldn't want you, Cohen."

"...Oh."

"Are you done being dramatic?"

"I'm – I'm not sure yet." He pouted. She'd thrown him off by not arguing with him. He uncrossed his arms, and she took the opportunity to get on her tiptoes and kiss him.

"Would it help if I told you that you're really hot when you tell me off?"

He held her gaze for a few seconds then looked away. "It might."

She kissed him again. "How about if I told you I love you?"

He moved to lean down and kiss her, but caught himself. "Maybe."

"How about if I..." She lowered her voice and whispered the rest.

Seth pushed himself off the wall and put an arm around her, leading her down the hall. "Positively and definitely."

Summer shook her head, smiling. "You're so easy, Cohen. Wolverine, huh?"

He threw up his hands. "Ok! I admit it - I'm your slave. Happy? I don't think any guy that has eyes in his head would blame me, though. Or any guy that really got to know you."

Her expression softened and she made him stop, staring up at him with warm eyes. "Aw-aa-awww, Sethy, you say the sweetest things. I have to kiss you again." She wrapped both arms around him and pulled him close while he leaned down to kiss her. Finally hugging her tightly, Seth lay his head on top of hers.
.
"Does that mean we're done fighting? And never, ever, under any circumstances call me Sethy again."

She pushed him away gently. "Whatever, Sethy. That wasn't fighting, that was just...discussing."

"Good to know. And you should appreciate, that in the spirit of love and long, meaningful kisses, I won't pursue the 'Sethy' thing. For now. Back to the discussion - Beamer or Mercedes?"

"Neither. Boring."

"Hummer or Navigator?"

"Hummer."

"Summer, what does a princess girly-girl like you want with a Hummer?"

"It's big and safe."

"But you're a top-speed, classy, elegant girl, not to mention inherently dangerous - all attributes presented by a Boxster."

"Is that how you see me?" She stared skeptically at him.

"Well, yes. Why would I say it otherwise?"

"Because you think you'd look good driving my Porsche?"

"Uh... Completely irrelevant. I say it because I believe this car defines you. Which begs the question – do you want a Hummer because YOU see yourself as small, frightened and insecure?"

"That's ridiculous! I can take care of myself! I'm perfectly capable of out-bitching and kicking the ass of anyone that –"

"– Tries to get close to you. I know. You're a strong girl, but what's all that attitude and hostility really covering up inside, Summer? You're not that frightened child anymore."

"When did you become psychic? You don't know how I feel! And when did changing me become tops on your priority list?!!" Her voice was rising to a decidedly un-hospital-like level.

"Shhhh! I don't want to change you - I want to help you! You said yourself you knew what the counselors said was true but you couldn't feel it. I just took this discussion as an opportunity to show you -"

"You know what? Butt out, Cohen. I don't need your therapy, ok? God!" She limped quickly away from him.

"Summer!"

She lifted a palm to him and kept walking.

Anna was sitting further down the hall in another lounge, knees pulled up against her chest and a tear slipping down her cheek. Stopping outside of Ryan's door, Summer turned to a quickly approaching Seth and jerked a thumb toward Anna. "I'll take Ryan."

"Summer, we need to talk – "

"Shut up and go help Anna." She pushed open the door and disappeared.

Seth sighed heavily, then continued down the hall.

"Hey. How ya doin', big guy?" Summer sat gingerly on the side of the bed.

Ryan opened his eyes and focused. "Hey. Tired."

"I'll bet. Mind if I hang out?"

"It's cool. What's wrong with Anna?"

"Uh, Anna?" Summer didn't want to get him upset.

"You told Seth to go help her."

"What? Do you have dog-ears or something? You heard that?"

"Is she ok?"

Ryan's eyes bored into her and she didn't see the point in lying. "She's crying in the lounge."

He closed his eyes and shook his head. "I need to go." Propping himself up on his hands, he moved to swing his legs out of the bed.

Summer stood up quickly; ready to stop him. "Whoa! No, you're not! Why do you think you're in this bed, Superman? Exhaustion? Ring any bells?" She stared him down, and he fell back against the pillow, defeated. "What happened? Did you guys fight?"

"No. She just ran out." He sighed. "I'm not such a great catch, Summer. I've got a lot of baggage."

"Did she say that?" Summer was skeptical.

"No."

"What did she say?"

"That she was gonna give me some time alone." He shrugged.

"You guys need to talk."

Ryan just nodded.

"How are you doing, Ryan? Really. I can't believe Coop's – gone." She felt the hot sting behind her eyes threatening again.

"I know. It's – " He was silent when he realized he was near tears. Looking up at Summer, he saw her fighting them also. He sat up and hugged her as she began crying; taking comfort from her too. They grieved together as only the two people closest to Marissa could.

Summer sniffed. "I went to her room. I had to talk to her, you know? Oh Ryan!! You never got to, did you?"

He shook his head. "It's stupid, but I had a dream that I talked to her, and she knew I felt guilty. She told me it – wasn't my fault, and that I made her happy. I know it sounds weird, but I feel better. I feel like I got to say what I wanted to her."

Summer was staring at him, wide eyed. "Oh. My. God. Ryan! I had, like a dream that I talked to her too! She said she had to leave and wanted to say goodbye – "Summer's voiced choked up. "- And other stuff."

Ryan was shocked. "When did that happen?"

"When Seth and I were in her room. I was crying and laid my head on the bed next to her. I guess I fell asleep for a few minutes or something. Seth came over to tell me he had to go, and I told him she was gone. I knew that she was, like, not in there anymore. I don't know how to explain it. Her soul was gone?"

They stared at each other.

"Do you think?" Summer asked him in awe.

Ryan shrugged, seeming bewildered. "It felt so real..."

"I know, right?"

"What felt so real?"

Summer and Ryan jumped, turning to see Seth coming in the door.

"We both –" Anna followed Seth in and Summer decided to save the explanation. "I'll tell you later." Her voice softened. "Are you ok, Anna?"

Her eyes flicked nervously to Ryan and she smiled unconvincingly. "Yeah. Fine! Everything's good."

Seth rolled his eyes. "What did we just talk about, Anna? I can't believe you – Oh. Oh that's appalling. I sound exactly like my mother."

Ryan nodded, alarmed. "Stop."

"Yes. Stopping. Anyway, Anna and I just had a talk, and she totally ignored my words of wisdom and enlightenment. Holy time warp!! Is this what parenting feels like? I might just be feeling empathy for th– oh. No, never mind. It was just my stomach growling. "

Summer couldn't help but smile with affectionate amusement before turning her attention back to the other couple. "Listen; learn a lesson from me and Cohen, ok? We wasted a lot of time not saying what was on our minds because of stupid stuff. I was scared; he assumed he knew what I thought, blah, blah, lameness and whatever. It's apparent that you two are headed down the same catwalk and not communicating your individual fashion sense to each other."

Everyone looked perplexed for a second, then Seth's expression cleared with understanding. "Yes. Ah... A very...interesting analogy, Summer, thank you. So talk to us. How did you guys go from acting out the new couple 'everything-you-say-is-brilliant-fascinating-and/or-hilarious' and 'let's-make-out-anywhere-the- mood-strikes-us' scenarios this morning, to acting out a commercial for anti-depressants?" Silence. "Ryan?"

He stared at the bed. Finally he mumbled. "We should talk by ourselves."

Seth sighed. "Yes you should, so you both can skirt around the issue until you're uncomfortable with each other and finally hit bottom by no longer speaking to or seeing one other. Consider this is your official intervention. Payback for giving me the good advice to drop to my knees and beg Summer for forgiveness and another chance. Answer her question, bro. Nobody said any of this was easy."

Ryan was quiet for a moment, and then looked up. "She's sick of all the mess going on. It's too much to deal with, to be with me." He looked down again.

Seth crossed his arms and turned to Anna. "Your turn."

She was watching Ryan in confusion. "I figured he didn't want me here. After the news about Marissa, I thought he would feel guilty about being with me – I mean, he's in love – he was, with her, and I'm just - new. We don't have anything like what they did... This must be so painful for you, Ryan."

He lifted his eyes to hers. "It is. But like I said before, if she woke up in an hour, that doesn't mean I'd get back together with her. I love her, but she's not what I need in my life." His gaze dropped to the bed again and his voice got softer. "I didn't want you to go. I – I uh – kind of need you. Unless this is too weird. I get it."

"No..." Anna crossed the room and sat on the other side of the bed. "I'm sorry I left." She grabbed his hand and he weakly pulled her into a hug.

"Aw, look at that. I guess you guys won't be wanting us hanging around, huh?" Summer stood up. "Let's go, Cohen. Our work here is done."

Seth thoughtfully watched the couple hugging on the bed. "This is nice. But strange. Usually our work is done only when the room is filled with chaos and disorder."

"We can't be the life of the party all the time, Seth."

"Bite your tongue, woman. Seth Cohen IS the party, all the time."

"I'd rather bite yours." She grabbed his hand as they left the room. "Take me home, baby."

Seth was surprised. "You're not mad about my automoble therapy anymore?"

"Life's too short. You were right anyway. I just didn't like hearing it."

He stopped in the middle of the hall. "I'm sorry - WHAT did you just say? Because I could almost swear...that you said I was right. I misheard that, evidently. Jump in here and laugh at my absurdity at anytime."

"Don't make me hurt you, Cohen. I'm tired; I don't feel well and kicking your ass sounds like a lot of work. You said what you thought I needed to hear. You're actually right in this case, and my denying it is the same as lying. Everything about this last week, these last few months - would be different if all of us had just said what we really thought – told the truth. No. More. Lies."

"Mmmm." Summer stretched lazily. "This is heaven." After driving back to her house, Seth had doled out their medication and then helped her out to the hot tub, gently removing her clothing, then his own.

"Tomorrow night's gonna suck beyond description, though. Beyond even the wildest, most bizarre description of the ultimate suckage." After a long soak, he'd pulled on a pair of pajama bottoms and helped her into one of his tee shirts. It was way too big on her, but he decided she still looked cute as hell in it. After lighting a fire, he threw cushions from the couch and chair in front of it for her to sit on, then positioned himself behind her. "Pfffffft. Sleeping in separate rooms."

"Oh, I know. I looove sleeping with you. It's so nice to wake up in the middle of the night and feel you next to me, and I can snuggle up and go back to sleep all happy."

Seth finished drying her hair with another towel and started pulling a comb through it. "You do that?"

"Yeah, silly."

He smiled to himself, picturing it. "I might accidentally get lost on the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Or sleepwalk into your room."

"We could set the alarm and make sure you were back in your room before your mom got up." She giggled.

"We'll figure out something. Ok, your hair's done." He laid the comb down and ran his hand over the long damp strands. "It's so – nice. Pretty." He felt his face turning red, still not comfortable giving specific compliments to Summer.

She turned with difficulty to look at him over her shoulder. "Thank you, sweetie."

"Sure, sure. Now it's time for the Seth Cohen deluxe back rub."

Summer saw how excited he was, all so he could help her again. She gave him his favorite little smile. "I already feel better, Seth. Let's just relax."

"No, no! You still hurt; this will help. Trust me. C'mon, let's get you onto the bed – or would you rather stay here in front of the fire?"

"You're a doll, but you don't have to give me a massage. I feel better now."

Seth's voice was flat. "Guess what? You don't get a say in this, Roberts. Bed? Or fire? Pick one. Now."

"Oooh, Cohen!" She purred. "I like that 'take charge' voice. Ummm. Bed."

He stood then bent down, helping her get up. "Lean on me." They slowly walked to the bed, where he pulled down the covers.

She sat on the edge of the bed, looking up at him. "You're spoiling me again."

"That's my job." His eyes traveled over her shoulders and arms. "Your bruises are fading."

"Yes. I'm a lovely shade of green now instead of black and purple." Her tone was sarcastic.

"Quit it. You're beautiful." He touched her cheek. "Your scrape is almost healed and the bruise on your face is gone. They'll all be gone soon." He bent to kiss her and his cell phone rang. "That's not really my phone ringing." It rang again; he groaned. "Damn. It is." He stood and turned, picking the phone up off the table to check the Caller ID. "Mother, of course. We might be discovering sex or something!"

He hit the "talk" button. "Hey, Mom." He rolled his eyes. "She's fine. You're not planning to use her health as an excuse to call every hour or so are you? Just in case we're doing anything besides sleeping? She needs her rest ...... Ryan did what? .........Why is everything a crisis for you? Just because she was lying on the bed with him doesn't mean they're sleeping together. They just got together last night, neither of them are that easy, and really, mom, whether Anna and Ryan or Summer and I, for that matter, are sleeping together is none of your business ......... ...Yeah, yeah, it's your responsibility to what? We're not stupid; we've seen enough of the pod people have abortions and fall down the alcoholic well afterward or ruin their Ivy League futures to know to be careful............... No, that does NOT mean we're having sex. Oh wait. Yes, you called right in the middle of it. Summer, moan for mom, would you?............Ok. I suppose that WAS juvenile, crass, and unnecessary. I sincerely apologize. Listen. Let me just break this down for you. If we should ever want to have sex we'll have it whether or not we're sleeping at Summer's house or at ours. You do realize that, right? Unlike YOUR generation, as I'm gathering from your behavior anyway, kids our age don't have a problem with sex during the daylight hours, you know?.........I don't feel like I AM being disrespectful, other than the part that I already apologized for. I'm just trying to make you see that you're being a little overzealous about guarding my virginity .........Do I need to bring up your past with Mr. Cooper again to make my point? As much as it disgusts and pains me to even think about it, I'm guessing sex was had while you two were together in high school............Uh huh. You have a good night too, mom. And don't worry, I'm so traumatized by these conversations with you today that I'll probably be 30 and on my 5th shrink before I'm able to consider having sex again......... No. I did not just admit to having sex because I said 'again'. I said 'consider it'. Again. Goodnight mother. I'm hanging up now. Summer is doing the 'Dance of the Seven Veils' and she's down to number three." Seth hung up the phone, turned off the ringer and set it back onto the nightstand. "Oh my God! She's insane!"

"No, she's not. She's doing what a mom's supposed to do – make sure her kid's responsible and ready for things more adult than comic books. That's why parents set limits. They've been there before and don't want you to grow up too fast. You know. Like I did." She poked him in the chest. "Because she loves you, dumbass. I'll bet you never did anything wrong or gave your parents any problems before Ryan showed up, did you?"

"I'll have you know that comic books are – "

She cut him off impatiently. "Cohen, I'm not slamming your comic books. Focus for me. You KNOW what I mean."

He sighed. "Yeah, I see the point. And you're right. They didn't understand me or know how to talk to me, and I never went anywhere to get in trouble. I had no friends to do anything with until Ryan came."

"So look at her side. Their formerly withdrawn, lonely kid suddenly has friends and goes out, and found a girlfriend that he bought a ring for, and he's spending the nights at her house. You went from 0 to 60 on her in less than a year, and it's going to take a while for her to catch up."

He thought for a minute. "You're very wise."

Summer poked his stomach. "And don't you forget it, buster. So. Get busy."

"Huh?"

"Backrub? The one you insisted on giving me, remember? Get to work, slave."