Summary: It's a mid-September weekend at the Cohen's. And all that creep through house is Marissa, Seth and Ryan's baby boy. This is a series of short acts, which comprised the weekend.

Story Notes: This is the start of a new phase. Senior year has begun. The summer and metaphorical bridging between summer and senior year, Comic-Con, has passed. This is essentially season three, or what could be season three. I won't be adding many elements of how season three is being written on Fox. An occasional character like Taylor Townsend may appear, but you can ignore everything else both in terms story and character. The only outside story you will need to know for the this and coming chapters is that marital issues between Sandy and Kirsten carried over from last season and Kirsten had been away for the summer on her 'retreat'. For my purposes that doesn't mean rehab. Think of it as a sabbatical. But don't worry about that too much. It'll be of slight reference.

Title for this chapter comes from "Home Life" by John Mayer.

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"Marissa, hey."

Marissa nodded back to Seth.

"Seth," Marissa said as she rested her hands in her pockets. "So what are you still doing here? I thought you had a family trip this weekend."

"Yeah, I did. Well I just thought my parents needed a break, alone. Ya know?

"Yeah, totally. They've been through so much over the last few months. I really hope they can get through all the issues."

"I think they are. I mean I hope they are."

"Hey, Seth. It's your parents, the Cohen's. They're going to be cool. You're going to be cool. They love you and that's what should matter."

"Yeah, I know. So what's going on? Why are you here?"

"Ok, I'm glad you're so happy to see me."

"No, I am, I just mean. Ok, this is awkward."

"Hmm, I guess. Anyway, I'm here to watch Ryan's little boy."

"Wait, Ryan left the baby here all alone, and with me?"

"Uh, you didn't know he was in the house?"

"Well, why would Ryan leave him with me! I mean, I don't do kids. I mean…"

"Ryan is visiting his mother and brother in prison. It's not exactly the best time for him to tag his kid along."

Marissa cocked her eye.

"But I'm still a little concerned you didn't know he was in the house. We should go check on him right now."

"No, I'm cool."

"Seth?"

"No, you should go. I'll, I'll be up stairs, if you need me."

"Oh my God you are totally scared of the baby."

"Me, nawww. It's just he asked you to watch him right. I wouldn't want go against Ryan's…"

"Seth," Marissa said as she pulled him by the arm and smiled. "You're not going to kill the kid just by changing a diaper."

"Diaper! Can't I just read him some Legions or something?"

Marissa pulled a little tighter and led Seth to the back room of the house where Ryan usually set up the baby area whenever the kid stayed with the Cohen's.

Marissa came over the crib and started to make babyish cooing noises. Seth's head turned to his right side and watched on as Marissa slowly retreated from her normal self and turned into a fumbling baby just like the one in the crib. He was a bit taken back and it was clear he was bewildered by the whole experience.

Ryan's little bundle of joy was flashing bright smiles and attempting to stand on two feet, but he fumbled back to the safety of the mattress pad. Seth suddenly smiled when he connected the little one's joy with Marissa's behavior. He rather enjoyed watching Marissa play the motherly role.

"So I totally think he needs a diaper change. Can you…"

Seth facial expression quickly changed and his hands came up making strange movements.

"No, no way."

"Seth, relax. Can you just move the changing table over here? I won't have you dealing in baby poop just yet," Marissa said with a devious smile.

Seth sighed and then went for the table brining it close to Marissa.

"So, you're just staying here all night," Seth said.

"That's the idea. I'll probably just sleep on the couch. It's cool."

"No, take the guestroom."

Seth stopped himself short. He didn't say another word. He couldn't believe he had just implied that she stay in the room directly across from his.

"Oh, ok. You sure that's cool?"

He wasn't about to make a big issue of it now. It would cause too much attention to divert to his still lingering feelings for Marissa.

"Cool? Should it be a problem? I mean come on. You'll be right across from me so if you ever need anything."

"Need anything?"

"You know, water, bedtime story, someone to make the monsters under the bed go away."

"I think I'll be ok, but thanks," Marissa said with a genuine smile. She was very much pleased that Seth seemed to care, even if he was acting a little out of sorts.

"Are you ok?"

"Never been better."

"You want to play some PSP," Seth eagerly asked Marissa.

"Not really while I'm changing a diaper."

"I mean when you're done."

"Seth he still has to be feed and then I have to give him a bath and I could really use your help. I'm glad you're here."

Seth hesitated before opening his mouth. He was alarmed by all that needed to be done just to care for Ryan's little boy, but he was equally pleased that Marissa needed his help and still enjoyed his company.

It had been just a few weeks since their fateful kiss, impromptu splitting, and Seth's improvised return for Comic-Con. In these passing weeks they had done their best to retain a friendship. That's what they agreed they would be when they sat across each other at the diner eating mountains of pancakes on their final day of their trip to Comic-Con. They ultimately agreed keeping the friendship intact was the best for everyone. Moving into a romance would just muddle everything up and possible hurt the one amazing thing they didn't want to end, their friendship. Suddenly, kissing, holding hands, it was put into the back of their minds because they knew the friendship they had built over the summer was something grander, something they truly needed to cherish and not take for granted.

"So peaches or peas?"

"What?"

"The baby food, peaches or peas?"

"Bananas!"

Seth's face lit up like a little child

"Ok, why don't you check if there's any in his diaper bag."

Seth handed her the jar.

"So would Seth like some too? Should I do the little airplane…?"

"Hahah, very funny Marissa. Look just because I like to eat baby food doesn't mean…"

"You're a baby?"

"I'm a mature, wise, old man."

"Well you do go for the early bird specials at the dinner."

"Hmmhm," Seth said as he nodded.

"And you play Mahjong with the Nana and all her friends."

"See."

"And you also read comics to the patients at the Newport nursing home." " So it's official you're an old man. You're just not wise or mature."

"I resent that."

"It doesn't change the truth."

And Seth knew she was right so he never said anything in return to her comments.

"So the kid gets the mush bananas, what are we eating?"

Marissa placed another jar in his hands.

"Here. It's good and nutritious for you."

Marissa smiled and tilted her head.

"No, seriously. We need real food." "I'll save this for my after dinner snack," Seth said with a childish grin.

"I don't know. I think I saw some Thai take-out coupons on the kitchen table. Should we order in?"

"Well mom left me some food in the fridge. But there is no substantial proof that what she left me wasn't cooked by her hands. So yeah, let's order in."

Marissa laughed and Seth smiled back.

--- -- ---- --- -----

"Hey, who knew this would work so well."

"What? Me, you, just hanging out. I kind of thought since, you know, that we would never be able to get back to this."

"You mean kiss. You can say it Marissa. We kissed. It was hot and steamy and you dream about it nightly."

"Not really, no."

Seth's smile quickly turned to a frown.

"I mean it was just a kiss. It wasn't like Leo kissing Kate or anything."

"Ah, compare me to a over-hyped Hollywood actor who shaves his chest."

"He doesn't shave his chest."

Seth's face changed again. This time he looked annoyed and rather displeased. Marissa took note of his look and started to change her words.

"Right, not helping." "You know I think it's just I'm cool with this. I didn't think I'd just fit into it so well, the friends thing, but it's working for me."

"Well good. As it should be."

"And for you?"

Marissa's head lifted off the ground and waited on Seth's response.

"Of course. Kissing you was kind of like kissing a frog anyway."

Marissa gave Seth an evil grin.

"Ok, it wasn't but hey."

"Yeah but you turned into a rather nice prince. I'm still Marissa."

"Excuse me?"

"I don't know. It just seemed you really changed and evolved through all of this. I just stayed the same."

"Are you kidding me? You changed. Believe me you changed. If anything I'm still the same."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Maybe we both changed."

"Perhaps," Seth said.

Marissa shed a half smile.

"By the way…"

Seth's head perked up as Marissa continued to talk.

"That kiss of ours does creep into my dreams. Not more than once or twice a week so don't let it get to your head."

Seth flashed a huge grin. Marissa put down her box of take-out and playfully punched Seth in the shoulder. Seth reached over to rub over his obviously hurt body part.

"Hey, that hurt."

"Sorry."

"You're getting more violent and physical as the months go by."

"It's just to show how much I love you."

"Somehow I can relate to that," Seth said with a smile.

--- -- ---- --- -----

"Baby monitor, check. Face washed out with Cucumber moisturizer, check. History of Punk Music book, check." "Uhmm, my snuggly and prettier than ever Shear …," Marissa said as she brought the bear into her front view and squeezed tightly on its arms.

Knock, Knock

Seth gently knocked on the door.

"Hey, can I come in?"

"Sure."

Seth peeked through the door as he opened. He wasn't sure if he hoped Marissa was or wasn't decent. He entered cautiously.

"Decent right?"

"Yeah totally. I was just cuddling into bed. So what's up?"

"I was just wondering… actually this is more on behalf of…"

"Captain Oats!"

Marissa quickly took notice of the horse griped in Seth's hand. Seth followed her wandering eyes. He than brought Captain Oats into her clear view.

"Awwnn," Marissa said as she inched her way up the bed. She playfully started to pet Captain Oats.

"So what brings you here?"

"He was just wondering…. He was a little lonely and he…"

"Do you miss Shear Bear," Marissa said directly to Captain Oats.

"Yes," Seth said.

It wasn't clear whether he was talking for himself or his companion, or if he was referencing the bear or Marissa herself.

"He can totally stay in my room if he wants," Marissa said.

"Well he was rather hoping she could come over to his place."

"No, no way. Seth, he'll do things to her. She's still so young and impressionable. If I can't watch over her than no."

"Fine break a stallion's heart." "Its ok. I'll be here to sooth your lonely heart. Yes, blame the master," Seth said in Captain Oat's direction.

"Hey, that's not fair. Fine, she can stay with you two. But if I start having nightmares and such and then have no one to hold on to I am coming into our bedroom and stealing her back."

'You could always hold onto me, sweetheart,' Seth silently thought to himself. His mind quickly passed over visions of their bed kisses. When the thought was processed he instantly shuttered. It was not a thought he needed to be having right now. But it passed and Seth could now return to reality.

"Fair enough," Seth said in reply to her final words.

--- -- ---- --- -----

"Hey, that's what I like to see."

"Me teaching him the rules of proper comic book handling?"

"No, the two of you bonding."

"We're bonding?"

"Yeah, it's sweet." "I mean just look at the way you look at him. The way you hold him. You're making a great uncle."

"Uncle?"

"Well yeah, I mean Ryan is totally like a brother to you. So that means you're his uncle."

"God I am an old man."

"The kid takes to you well. You should be proud. Maybe one day you'll have a kid and get to read him the rules of proper comic book handling."

"Hey it's what every good father would do for his child."

"So you want to be a father some day?"

"Well not tomorrow or anything, but yeah I think so." "You?"

"A mother you mean? Well, just as long as I don't turn out like my mother. That could be rather scary for a child."

"Well, just think about the child having her for a grandmother. Anyway, I wouldn't worry about the mother issue. You're nothing like Julie. You're actually kind and caring when you want to be. And you'd never sleep with your daughter's boyfriend."

"Or my son's girlfriend," Marissa said with a smile.

"Ok, that would be weird but oddly hot."

Marissa smirked and playfully pushed Seth away from the crib.

--- -- ---- --- -----

"And then Bruce Wayne said…"

Seth's hands fumbled over the pages of his Batman comic and he yawned.

"Marissa, Marissa you awake. You should take him back to his crib. I'll hit the monitor."

Marissa's lifeless body slowly shifted to the opposite side and came into Seth and the baby. It was clear she was only half awake.

Seth yawned again as he tried to balance the baby and grab for the baby monitor. His hand could barely reach and the baby was snuggled into his side. He relented and went back into the couch.

"Caffeine. Coffee. Starbucks. Baby food…," Seth muttered as he pleasantly smiled and sighed.

His eyes were heavy laden and it was clear he wouldn't be able to resist falling into a sleep. Suddenly his eyes started to close and his head tilted back into the couch. But he lost a bit of his balance and his head slowly shifted to his right side and fell onto Marissa's shoulder. With the baby safely wrapped in his arms he fell into a deep sleep. Marissa mumbled, but not another sound was heard after it. The two of them had collapsed into each other and found a perfect place of rest and peace. It had been a long weekend, but now it was coming to a just close.