Haven't updated in ages I'm sorry but I'm gunna do Apple of my Eye next so look out for it.

It's late and I have nothing more to say so enjoy and please review.

Chapter 5

Ryan watched the screen as Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader battled it out. Seth was yapping in his ear about Summer. Whether it be the girl or the season he neither knew nor cared. He nodded absentmindedly and agreed when he sensed there was a long pause before turning his attention back to the screen. His gaze wandered to the kitchen where Sandy was perched on a stool the phone glued to his ear.

He didn't look happy.

Ryan watched as he protested with whoever was on the other line and got to his feet. He paced the kitchen and waved his arms obviously trying to make a point. Suddenly he stopped defeated and the phone dropped from his ear. He turned to the boys in the den and sighed. "Hey guys I gotta talk to you."

Ryan wanted to cry. He wanted to pout and moan but he couldn't. He simply nodded and made his way out to the pool house. "What did he mean altercations?" He sighed and took a seat in one of the wicker chairs by the door of the pool house.

Five weeks.

Thirty-five days.

Eight hundred and forty hours.

Fifty thousand four hundred minutes.

They had extended her stay. Or at least that's how Sandy worded it. Kirsten had called with the bad news and tried to break it as gently as she could. Normally they would have taken it well knowing that whatever she needed they'd support but they missed her too much. It was becoming apparent that the Cohens weren't the Cohens without the Kirsten.

Ryan watched as Seth left the pool house and sighed in relief. He just wanted to be alone. Granted he hadn't exactly been blessed with company the past few days but the last few hours had certainly taken their toll on him. He was right about Oliver. He was a nutcase and it had taken a potentially dangerous and life threatening situation to make them believe him.

Maybe he really was still the street thug from Chino who wasn't to be taken seriously.

His thoughts were interrupted by a small figure making its way across the patio. Ryan smiled realising that some more company could be welcomed. Kirsten pulled the doors open and climbed into the darkened pool house. Ryan fixed his eyes closed pretending he was asleep. He heard the rustle of fabric falling to the floor as the mattress dipped at the end. She crawled along his body and settled her length on top of him. She kissed his square on the lips and he opened his eyes, "Hey you," she whispered smiling sadly. Ryan placed his hands on her hips, the cotton of her shorts soft to the touch. Ryan pulled her closer to him by placing her between his legs and bringing her closer to his face. He could taste the liquor on her lips but he knew she's had some drinks with Sandy that night and pushed it to the back of his mind. "You okay?" she asked delicately. She balanced her chin on his chest and watched him intently. Ryan nodded and kissed her forehead.

"I'm fine."

"I'm sorry I didn't believe you." She said softly remembering his expression when she told him he was being ridiculous.

"It's fine. I'm just… I was surprised you didn't believe me. I mean… you even stopped coming to see me." he replied remembering the past week he'd spent alone in the pool house knowing only she and he were home.

"Well you were grounded. You had to learn." She said putting on her most authoritative voice. She laughed softly. "To be honest with you it wasn't because I thought you were being ridiculous. I was… well you were going on about Marissa and worrying all the time I guess I didn't think you'd wanna see me. I guess I was… well jealous." Ryan stared at her in shock. All this time they'd kept their relationship physical. No words or feeling were ever exchanged that could possibly change their real relationships but Kirsten had crossed the barrier. She was actually jealous of Marissa.

"You were? Jealous? Of me and Marissa?" he said incredulously. Kirsten nodded sheepishly. Ryan frowned, "So it's not okay for me to worry about my girlfriend but you and Sandy giving a floorshow in the mornings is allowed?" his face was serious and Kirsten couldn't tell if he was kidding or not.

"We're… we're not that bad." She said quietly obviously embarrassed. Ryan's frown grew deeper.

"That's what people call foreplay. And in front of Seth. That's called child abuse." Ryan suddenly smiled and Kirsten stared open mouthed still trying to figure out a response. Ryan couldn't deny that Kirsten and Sandy's harmless flirting didn't get to him but he would simply leave the room knowing that it was his turn next.

Kirsten sighed softly, her head settled on his chest. Her hair smelled like peaches and he breathed it in longingly. She always smelled good. Always fresh. Not like Marissa who always stank of expensive French perfume. Kirsten's breathing grew heavier and he realised she had fallen asleep. It was new to them. Usually she'd leave before either had a chance to fall asleep but they hadn't even had sex yet and there she was dozing on his chest. Her left hand clung to his and her right was by her face. He laughed a gentle snore came from her seemingly angelic figure. His laughter shook his body and Kirsten's head jerked up in surprise. She turned to Ryan, "I fell asleep?" she asked softly. Ryan nodded. Kirsten made to get up from the bed but Ryan held her to him, "Ryan I can't fall asleep here. What if I sleep in and Seth finds us?" She pushed his hands away and climbed off the bed picking up her dressing gown on the way to the door.

"I want you to stay." He said softly. Kirsten turned back to his, her hair tousled around her face.

"I hate leaving you."

"So stay. If Seth walks in we can say you came into check on me and we got to talking and we must've fallen asleep." Kirsten hovered on the spot as if deliberating his offer, "I'll set the alarm." He continued reaching for the clock. Kirsten sighed smiling.

"You're so sweet." Ryan climbed out of bed and went to her. She fell into his embrace and sighed breathing in his scent. He smelled like outside. She knew that didn't make any sense but he always reminded her of when her sister was young and would go out to play. She would always come back smelling of something Kirsten had simply called outside. That was Ryan's smell.

He led her over to the bed and laid her down. She pulled him down onto of her and placed kisses along his jaw line to his ear where she tugged at his earlobe with her teeth but Ryan pulled away and lay next to her. "I just wanna lie with you." He whispered. Kirsten grinned eyebrows raised and nodded.

"Okay. Let's lie."

Ryan sighed. He was back where he started.

Five weeks.

Thirty-five days.

Eight hundred and forty hours.

Fifty thousand four hundred minutes.

He missed her.