Part XIII: When You Know

2 DAYS BEFORE VALENTINES

Alex and Marissa lay on the couch in Alex's office. They spent the night just holding each other close. They didn't sleep. They were both afraid for the next day to come. Alex ran her hands on Marissa's hair, the other girl closing her eyes.

"I thought about you everyday…" Alex whispered kissing Marissa's forehead.

"Sometimes it hurt… Sometimes… I… Don't even know what I to feel…" Alex added resting her forehead against the brunette.

Her lips touched Marissa's nose, slowly planting soft kisses on it.

"I was wrong… To let you go…" Marissa looked up, kissing Alex's chin.

Alex didn't reply. She just closed her eyes and let Marissa hold her tight.

"You were gone when I realized, I couldn't…" Marissa began to say but tears held her back.

She buried her head in Alex's chest as she began to cry.

"I love you…" Alex whispered, breathing out everything hanging in her chest.

"I love you…" Marissa looked up and stared at her eyes.

"I love you…" Alex whispered again leaning to bring her lips to Marissa's.

"I love you…" Marissa replied again.

Their eyes closing as their lips met. They shared a sweet, gentle kiss. They pull apart but they remained close to each other. They both wished the sun didn't have to rise up. But, they knew it would.

----

Katie held Jessie's hand as they walk along the beach. They were both seemingly content holding each others hand. Katie's mind was more at peace this morning. Jessie softly woke her up, afraid that Katie would burst out in tears if she took a walk alone again. They sat on the shore and watched the sun rise. Jessie rested her head on Katie's shoulder. Katie held her by the waist, pulling her closer.

"I'll miss this when we get back…" Jessie said softly.

She ran fingers hands through Katie's arm, sending goosebumps to Katie's skin. Jessie smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"You think Eli will work tomorrow night?" Katie asked not looking at the blonde.

"Um… I don't know… Why? It's only the 13th." Jessie sat up and looked for answers on her girlfriend's face.

She noticed Katie began to blush.

"Oh… Nothing really. I was wondering if we can have some alone time." Katie grinned.

Her eyes decided to stare at her lap.

"Got something planned Miss Singer?" Jessie grinned.

She gave Katie a slight nudge then gave her another kiss on the cheek.

"What gave you that idea?" Katie smiled widely, but her cheeks turning red.

"Just you… Blushing… Ever so… Sexy…" Jessie gave her a wink then kissed her on the lips.

----

Seth and Summer were having breakfast when Ryan kicked the door open. And I mean literally kicked the door wide open.

"Where is she?" He angrily asked.

His lungs almost starving from the lack of air in every breath he took. His eyes almost on fire, leaving Seth utterly scared.

"She uh… She uh…" Seth stammered.

He was unsure whether he wanted to run or pee in his pants. He didn't really want to do the latter. But in this state, he wouldn't be surprised if he did.

"You!" Ryan pointed at Summer.

"You told me you were just going to take her for a vacation! You told me she was going to be better! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO BRING HER TO LA?" Ryan angrily lashed out on Summer, but the girl was less than startled.

"She is better Ryan. She is better." Summer replied standing up to get a glass of water.

Knowing Summer would rather freak him out with her point per point replies, Ryan turned to Seth.

"Where is she Cohen?" He took his friend's collar while Seth shook in fear.

"Club. Almost five blocks from here. It's not hard to find." Seth replied, his breathing started to fail him.

Ryan pushed Seth and just glared at Summer on his way out. He was going to take Marissa back home. He could get rid of Alex once. He knows he could do it again.

----

"Take care. Call me if you need anything." Alex whispered as she held Marissa close to her.

She didn't know if Marissa would decide to stay or not. But she wasn't going to hold her back. It was enough she told the girl she loves her. It was more than enough.

"Is this the part when your head thinks, you're going to let me choose my path? If I come back to you it's meant to be. If I don't then it's not?" Marissa sobbed on Alex's shoulder not really wanting to let go.

"Umm… Yeah…" Alex said softly.

She pulled away from Marissa and smiled at the brunette.

"I want to be with you. That's what I choose." Marissa searched for Alex eyes which were surprisingly happy.

"I know. But you have to settle whatever it is you left in Newport. Your mom…. Ryan… I'll be here in LA. Just a few hours away… Just a phone call away… Whether you choose to end things there, and start anew with me. Whether you choose to finish school first then be with me… I'll be here… Be your friend or whatever. I just want you to be happy."

"You make me happy." Marissa replied holding Alex tighter.

"So does Summer…"

"Why are you pushing me away?" Marissa asked pulling away from Alex with tears in her eyes.

"I'm not pushing you away. I just don't want you to jump in without thinking things over. You have school… You have friends there… You don't have to make this decision right now. I don't want you to change your life just like that again because of me. Do you understand?" Alex pleaded putting her hands over Marissa's should.

The brunette nodded.

"Go back now. I don't want Summer to worry. Call me. Ok?" Alex gave her one last kiss on the lips before letting her go.

"Ok…" Marissa replied slowly turning her back to head home.

Marissa took a taxi cab, not wanting to walk all by herself. Tears started to fall from her eyes. This is going to be hard.

----

"Hey Eli!" Jessie shouted as her brother was about to go out of the apartment.

Katie was in the shower, so Jessie took the opportunity to ask a little request from her brother.

"What is it? Better hurry. I need to help Alex and Jodie to clean up the club." Eli replied tapping his finger on his watch.

"Um… Can you make sure you're not here tomorrow night?"

"What?" He asked still not sure if he heard his little sister right.

"Can you make sure you're not here tomorrow night?"

"Well… I'll be working… What gives?" Eli asked but Jessie just blushed.

His little sister looked away from him, obviously embarrassed.

"Wait a minute… You're going to do it are you?" Eli's light bulbs turned on.

"NO!" Jessie sternly said, blushing a little bit more.

"Jessie's got game!" He cooed earning a number of slaps from his sister.

"Fine! Fine! I won't be home till lunch the next day. Just to make sure I don't catch you in a very, very compromising position." Eli wriggled his eyebrows making his sister literally blush bright red.

He turned around smirking back at his totally embarrassed sister. And just thought to himself. Kids these days.

----

Alex mopped the floor while Jodie fixed the trash bins. They were doing this silently with the other employees in the club. Suddenly Ryan burst in about to swirl his fist towards Alex.

Alex caught his arm, and then stepped back.

"Well hello to you too Ryan."

"Stay away from MY girlfriend." Ryan hissed.

He was about to lunge Alex but Eli and another employee took both of his arms to stop him.

"I did stay away. But what can I say? We're good friends." Alex smiled at him.

Her smile wasn't devious. It was just really a simple smile.

"You know it's another of her antics. Another plan to piss of Julie. So just stay away from her."

"I would if you tell her to stay away from me." Alex replied her temper rising now.

"Don't be so full of yourself Kelly. You're just a tool."

"I maybe a tool to her, once or twice. But she's happy. And that's all I want her to be." Alex replied turning her back from Ryan.

By now, Ryan couldn't reply anything to burst Alex's bubble. She said she knows she's just a tool. And she still wants Marissa to be happy. And she knows she's happy. Alex makes Marissa happy?