Title: Standing on the Edge of Me
Author: Karleen
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Warner Brothers. I do not own The OC or any song (if there were) used in this fanfic. This was just written for fun. Thank you for your reviews, as always your words are greatly appreciated. I will try and update as soon as possible.

Chapter 2 :: Doorbell Rings

"It's been a week and no bruises no nothing, mommy is going to be so proud of me." Seth said as he gave Sam a bath.

"Yes she is, at least you haven't tripped yet." She said as she splashed her father with soapy water.

"How many of my clumsy stories had she told you?" He asked as he wrapped a towel around her.

"A lot." She giggled as Seth tickled her as he dressed her in her pajamas.

"Ok now go to sleep. You're going to spend some time with Grampy and Granny tomorrow, sounds like fun?"

"Yeah! I like surfing with Grampy."

"As long as you're enjoying yourself." he kissed her forehead. Doorbell rings. "Ok goodnight sweetie, I'm going to check whose at the door."

With that he left her and closed the door of her room. It was ten o'clock and he wasn't expecting anyone to drop by his apartment at this time. He tiptoed towards the door and careful not making any sounds. He lived in a safe neighborhood but he was just taking extra precaution. He looked through the peep hole and saw someone familiar. He stopped his ridiculous tiptoeing and opened the door.

"Summer?" He asked. She appeared to have been crying and Seth was utterly confused. "What's going on? what's wrong?" He directed her to the living room.

"I'm so ...sorry."she spoke slowly as she sobbed through it. "It's really late and I don't know who else to turn to."

"What happened Summer? I thought you were still in New York. " He said as he was still confused.

"The conference.. I was finished... A week early. I thought I'd...come home and surprise him.. I'm the one who gets surprised with a bimbo on our bed!" She looked away slightly but he grabbed her hand. "How could he do this to me?"

"He doesn't deserve you." He said softly.

"When.. I finally feel like I'm getting somewhere with him.. I don't know what I'm going...to do now. I can't live there now." She said with a little more composure.

"You won't have to. You and Sam can stay with me for as long as you need."

"I can't do that to you. I can't impose any further."

"Yes you can, ok? You're busy enough and I don't want the two of you living in some random hotel. Summer I'm here to help." He said sincerely.

"I know, you always are." She looked at him. "Are you sure? I mean I don't want to interfere with your life."

"Of course I'm sure, Summer if I wasn't I wouldn't have asked would I."

"I really don't know what I would do without you." She hugged him.

"You're welcome here anytime." Then they broke off the hug slowly. "You can sleep in my bed for now and I'll sleep out here in the sofa."

"Is Sam asleep?" She asked.

"Yeah, she's in her room if you want to see her."

"It's ok, I'll wait tomorrow. I don't want her to see me like this." mentions her puffy red eyes.

"all right."

He went into his room and came back out and offered her his clothes for her to sleep in. She called his name softly and he responded with an affectionate look. She asked if he wouldn't mind to stay with him until she fell asleep, which he obliged willingly. He thought all was well with her relationship. He hated seeing her in pain. He remembered how she was when they broke up, how they were. He loathed that feeling, that was why all this time he didn't try anything to jeopardize their friendship. He knew he wanted something more, but all she really needed now was a friend.

He woke up at two o'clock in the morning and forgotten for a second that Summer had been next to him. A little startled, he slowly got up and covered her with a blanket. He closed the door softly and went to the sofa with a pillow in his hand. He thought of what happened earlier on that night as he tried and closed his eyes. He couldn't help feeling a little happy that Summer and Sam were staying with him and yet he felt culpable when he thought about the reason for it.

xxxxx

A couple of weeks passed and things slowly got better for Summer. She indeed broke up with Jason a few days later. Seth helped her move out. He moved her into his guest room so that she could have a room of her own. Summer didn't want him to go through anymore trouble for her but he insisted upon it. Everyday she was amazed by him. He cared for her and she felt it. He sacrificed his living situation to make her feel less alone. He was the only one who cared about her that way. He was the only one who really made her feel safe and she knew it. She wanted to deny their attraction but she finally let a little bit of denial slip away.

to be continued...