A/N Thanks for the reviews guys! I'm glad you like this fic, just to clear a few things up...Seth and Summer aren't engaged just going out, Ellie is Ryan's daughter and her mother is a woman named Emma, Marissa is going out with Jake. Seth and Summer are staying at Ryan's house whilst their new house is being built by Ryan and his company. Hope you enjoy this part and please tell me what you think.

Marissa stared out the window watching the tall sky scrapers get replaced by blocks of apartments and winding streets lined with trees and flowers. The sun was sinking low behind the towering sky scrapers that jutted out against the orange skyline and the golden light illuminated the car causing Marissa's golden blonde hair to gleam and Ryan's deep blue eyes to shimmer as he sped along the roads purposefully. She couldn't believe she was actually going to his house now…she would see her best friend who she hadn't seen in about a year but most importantly of all…she would see Ryan's daughter. She just wished she could fill the silence that hung heavily around them with something they could talk about that wouldn't hit a nerve or lead to another awkward pause, she hated the way things were now. They used to be able to talk for hours about absolutely anything and now she was struggling to even manage a syllable. She hated that things had changed so much and she would give anything to go back to the way things used to be, when she could talk to him, when she was in his strong arms, when she could hold him and kiss him and tell him how much she loved him. She let out a long sigh and glanced at her watch…she still had time.

Ryan turned the last corner and felt relief wash over him, finally he could escape the awkwardness and the tension that was building between them. He hated it. He used to be so carefree and easy going around her, he used to just look at her and start smiling but now every time he looked at her all the memories just came flooding back, good and bad. He just wished he could erase all the bad ones and just go back in time to when he had just asked her to marry him and start over…but then he wouldn't have Ellie. Maybe things were just supposed to be this way, maybe this was fate?

He pulled up into the large driveway through the lavish gates and pulled up to the huge, beautiful house not much different to the many McMansions that lined the streets of Newport. Marissa let out a small inaudible gasp as she gazed up at the house in front of her, it was beautiful. It looked like…the model home but, finished and it looked incredible. She looked up at the huge arched windows and the large wooden double doors, the gleaming marble pillars and the beautiful balcony that overlooked the central French doors at the front of the house. Wow…she thought, he had done well for himself. The car engine stopped and Ryan swung his door open and stepped out. Marissa shakily followed suit and stepped out onto the driveway her heels clicking noisily. She shut her door and looked over at Ryan who locked the car and strode up to the front door signalling for Marissa to follow him up. She tottered after him regretting wearing such ridiculously high shoes. Ryan pulled out his keys his heart hammering as he fumbled with the lock…was he really inviting Marissa Cooper into his house? God this was so weird… The door eventually opened and he stepped through.

"Sum?" He called loudly. Marissa frowned slightly…Sum? That's what she used to call Summer, Ryan and Summer had never been this close. This was so weird, mind you if they were living together… She felt her mouth drop open as she looked around the vast marble floored hallway and gaped up at the large archway ceilings, the whole place was beautiful. Ryan started up the stairs but he heard Summer calling him from the kitchen.

"Ryan? I'm in the kitchen." She called back. Marissa smiled slightly at her friend's familiar voice, god she had missed her. She didn't have any friends at the moment, sure she had friends who went around with her but they weren't REAL friends, friends like Summer who had known you since 2nd grade and knew everything about you. Friends that had gone through everything with you and who could finish your sentences and understood you totally. Summer was her only friend like that but she probably wasn't even her best friend anymore, she probably didn't know the first thing about her anymore. She swallowed slightly blinking back tears as she thought of everything she had missed out on. She followed Ryan as he walked through a huge living room then through into a gleaming kitchen with a second sitting room attached to the side. Summer was sat on the kitchen counter swinging her legs and shaking a thermometer in her hand, her hair was still thick and dark but slightly shorter and in choppy layers, she was wearing a tight fitting pink camisole and jeans. She didn't look up from the thermometer

"I'm just taking her temperature; I think she has a fever. She's in her room right now I think Seth's watching her.." She looked up and let out a scream and leapt off the counter.

"Marissa!" She shrieked throwing her arms around her friend. Marissa giggled and hugged her friend tightly enjoying finally being able to see her best friend again.

"Hey." She said breathlessly after having the wind knocked out of her from Summer's tight embrace. They broke apart both grinning and Ryan couldn't help but smile slightly as the two girls giggled and hugged again. Ryan cleared his throat slightly and they turned to his direction both pairs of eyes shining with tears.

"I'm just gonna go and um…check on Ellie, you guys catch up." He said smiling slightly and taking the thermometer from the side and disappearing from the room. Summer watched him leave her heart pounding in her chest and turned to her friend grinning from ear to ear. She couldn't believe she was here…she couldn't believe Ryan let her come in here! What was she doing here anyway? To be honest she really didn't care, all she wanted to do was catch up with her best friend.

"Oh my god ! It's so great to see you again! You look amazing!" She gushed looking her friend up and down and smiling. Marissa grinned back momentarily forgetting she was in Ryan's house.

"Thanks, but what about you! You look gorgeous and I love your show!" She said following as Summer lead her over to the couch and sat down.

"You watch it? Wow…Marissa Cooper watches my show!" She said sighing and smiling happily. Marissa laughed slightly

"What's with the whole Marissa Cooper thing? You not calling me Coop is freaking me out!" She said remembering how Summer had refused to call her by her first name all the way through high school and how the name had just kind of stuck.

"Sorry it's just…wow you're so famous and we haven't spoken for so long! How've you been girl? How is it living the high life?" She said leaning forward. Marissa couldn't stop smiling, she hadn't realised just how much she missed having her best friend around and being able to talk to someone. She decided to go for the easy answer though, she wouldn't tell her how she hated getting hounded by the press, the endless parties and shoots, the drinking, smoking, guys drooling over her and trying to grope her at every turn, everyone knowing her business and how every time her heart was broken it was splashed across newspapers for other people's entertainment…No she would go for the easy way out.

"It's great really. I love the clothes and I'm not complaining about the money either. What about you though eh? Your own TV show, living in a place like this!" She said looking around in awe at the stunning house. Summer flicked her hair back and sighed.

"I'm actually really happy at the moment, things with Seth are going great, I love my job and of course this place is amazing but it's not mine…hopefully our house will be finished soon. It's going to be amazing, not as beautiful as this of course but me and Seth don't earn as much as Ryan if we put our salaries together!"

Marissa's smile faded slightly at the mention of his name and looked down at her shoes remembering suddenly where she was and the real reason why she hadn't spoken to Summer, Seth or Ryan for so long. Summer watched her carefully and sighed, she reached out a hand and took Marissa's in hers.

" It's okay Coop, I don't hate you because of what happened. No matter what you will always be my best friend. I know how weird this must be for you coming here but trust me it's probably weirder for Ryan! You can't just go all silent everytime his name comes up in conversation…you guys need a fresh start. Forget what happened in the past and start over." She said looking Marissa straight in the eyes. Marissa stared back into her friend's deep brown eyes and smiled slightly, she knew she was right but this was going to be so hard.

" I know it's just…"

"Hard?...I know me and Seth have been there. Look, if you want him to trust you again and to be a part of his life even if it's only friends you need to prove to him that he can trust you…"

Marissa opened her mouth to reply but the words stuck in her throat as Seth walked through the door. Their eyes locked and Seth glared across at Marissa. What was she doing here? He thought angrily, why had Ryan let her in here? He stared at her for a few seconds watching her smile fade as she read his expression and then her gaze shifted over to Summer who was looking uncertainly between the pair.

"What is SHE doing here?" He asked harshly his voice dripping with distaste. Marissa flinched slightly at his tone and shifted awkwardly in her chair, Summer glared across at Seth angrily.

"SHE has a name and for your information Ryan invited her in okay?"

Seth's look of despise changed into confusion and Marissa rose slowly from her chair.

"I think I should just go…I'm gonna be late for my shoot anyway." She said awkwardly her hands shaking slightly as she gripped her purse. Summer gripped her arm not taking her gaze from Seth.

"No stay, Cohen's just being an inconsiderate a$$ face. Seth if you have a problem choke on it, I'm trying to catch up with my friend okay?" She said warningly her eyes flashing dangerously. Seth sighed and turned to leave the room but turned back slightly his wild brown curls bobbing slightly.

"By the way, if you think you can get your claws into Ryan again…think twice, you did enough damage last time." He spat angrily. Marissa felt tears sting in the back of her eyes and a lump formed in her throat…she had to get out of here. She stood up to leave but froze as she saw Ryan appear in the doorway looking between her and Seth his expression unclear.

Ryan looked across at his brother and then over to Marissa who was wearing an expression he had seen her wear many times…when she was going to cry but didn't want anyone to see it happen. His heart was hammering against his chest heavily as

"Leave it Seth." He warned his eyes flashing slightly. He looked back at Marissa and before he knew it the words were rolling of the end of his tongue easily before he even had a chance to process them.

"I'm sorry um…W…why don't you stay a while?" He stammered uncertainly shocked at what had just come out of his mouth…He felt his face fill with colour and he looked down at his shoes embarrassedly. What was he doing? Why was he asking her to stay? He was so confused right now…Why had he defended her when everything Seth had said was true? He sighed inwardly his mind racing with confused questions with no answer…Even after everything she still made him feel like this, even though he didn't want to. He looked up and watched her as she smiled slightly…

"Um…okay." She whispered shakily.

Summer looked between the pair and smiled slightly before shooting a glare at Seth.

"I'll make some coffee!" She said brightly.

Marissa felt her heart stop as Ryan asked her to stay…she felt a small smile curl at the corner of her lips. He wanted her to stay, he had defended her against Seth…his best friend and his brother. Maybe there was hope for them to start over after all? Her hands shook vigorously as she gripped the arm of the chair she was perched in and she looked up into his shining blue eyes and felt Goosebumps dance over her skin and she smiled.

"Um…Okay." She heard herself whisper, Summer leapt up from her seat next to her grinning.

"I'll make coffee." She said brightly before scuttling into the kitchen leaving Marissa and Ryan standing and staring at eachother awkwardly. Ryan couldn't believe he had done that, it had just come out of his mouth without thinking. Like an automatic response or something. He sighed inwardly and made to go and sit on the couch but a cry from upstairs stopped him in his tracks.

"I've just got to go and um…I've gotta check on Ellie." He stammered signalling towards the stairs. Marissa nodded numbly.

"Sure." She whispered watching him shuffle out of the room. She let out a long sigh and sank back in her chair and closed her eyes. Why couldn't she have just called a cab? This was so awkward, she shouldn't have come here…But it was great seeing Summer again. She opened her eyes and glanced over to where Summer was busy making coffee happily humming to herself.

"Err Sum? Can I use the bathroom?" She asked timidly. Summer looked up and smiled

"Sure, it's upstairs and the second door on the left. You can't miss it." She said looking down at the cups in front of her.

"You still take 2 sugars?" She asked. Marissa nodded and headed out of the room. She walked slowly through the vast marble hallway looking around in awe, the house was so beautiful. Walking up the large staircase she was suddenly aware of how huge the house was. She eventually reached the top of the stairs and came to face a large corridor in front of her with several doors on each side. She paused slightly, had Summer said second door on the left or right? Or was it the third? She groaned and figured it would have to be a case of trial and error. She ran a perfectly manicured hand through her shining blonde hair and let out a small sigh before heading towards the first door. Her hand hovered over the shining door handle uncertainly, maybe she should just ask Summer?...But she really needed to go. Marissa pushed the door slowly open and peered inside, the door revealed a perfectly immaculate cream guestroom. She sighed and shut the door turning to her right and trying the first door. She turned the knob…locked. The next one…guestroom number 2. This was ridiculous, how many rooms did this house have? She chewed on her bottom lip impatiently and tried the next door, she opened it slowly and stuck her head around the doorframe, she frowned. Uh oh…she thought to herself. The room was neutral colours of cream and beige and beautifully furnished. The large double bed was unmade and a few items of clothing hung on the back of the large leather armchair that sat in the corner. She looked around the walls and her gaze rested on the numerous photos that hung from the walls. This was Ryan's room…Her large blue eyes scanned across the various photos of Seth and Ryan, Ryan and Ellie…then one of Ryan with a tall beautiful blonde woman with large hazel eyes…definitely Ellie's mum, everything about her was the same except for Ryan's blue eyes. She looked at her for a while wondering where she was now and why she had left, why she had left Ryan and her daughter? She skipped across to the next photo and felt her hammering heart skip a beat, her breath hitched in her throat and she felt tears in her eyes as she looked at the smiling faces in the photos. Seth was carrying Summer on his back and they were both grinning in the bright Californian Sunshine, next to them were Ryan and herself. She had her arms around his shoulders and was resting her head next to his both grinning. She stared at it for a few seconds remembering the exact day it was taken and smiling sadly to herself…it was taken back when things were simple when she loved Ryan and he loved her back. When the fantastic four were still fantastic and when everything was perfect. She sighed blinking back tears and tore her eyes away from the sickly smiles unable to look at the picture anymore. She looked down at the CD rack in front of her not really looking at the rack but at the CD that lay next to it, the cover was slightly charred or smeared with charcoal. A lump grew in Marissa's throat as she stared down at the CD in disbelief…he still had it. He had kept it for all those years…She drew slightly closer and studied the picture on the front tears burning in her eyes as she read the title…The Model Home Mix. A door slammed somewhere in the house and Marissa jumped causing tears to drip from her eyes. She stumbled back out of the room and shut the door behind her. She stood alone in the hallway breathing heavily trying to slow down her racing heart…she couldn't be here anymore. She had to get out of here, she was gonna be late for her shoot if she didn't leave now anyway…She forgot about the bathroom and hurried down the stairs her heels clicking loudly, She blinked back her tears and tucked her hair behind her ears when Summer came out clutching two steaming mugs of coffee.

"Hey Coop! Here you go!" She said brightly handing her friend the mug, she watched her carefully. Her eyes were slightly red and she was shaking…what was up? Marissa took the cup shakily and smiled weakly at her friend.

"Sum thanks but…I really have to get to my shoot so…could you possibly give me a lift because Ryan's with Ellie…?" She asked timidly looking up at her friend. Summer frowned slightly then smiled

"Sure, let me grab my coat! You can chuck the coffee, probably would have tasted disgusting anyway." She said happily shooting Marissa smile and disappearing. Marissa smiled in relief and set her mug down on the counter and sighed shakily. She couldn't handle this right now…all these years she had tried so hard to forget and now it was all being bought back to her…the guilt, the sadness…everything! Summer re-appeared clutching her keys. They walked into the hall and Summer poked her head around the living room door.

"Seth I'm just going to drop Marissa at her shoot okay? Do you want me to pick anything up for you on the way back?" She asked. Seth looked up from the TV and smiled slightly

"Pudding?" He asked hopefully. Summer smirked slightly

"Yeah ok then, see you later." She said blowing a kiss. Seth smiled and glanced across at Marissa. He didn't really agree with her being here but he might as well be civil for Ryan at least.

"Um Marissa I…I'm sorry about earlier I…" He started but Marissa shook her head.

"It's okay…don't worry about it." She said quietly.

Summer tapped her fingers on the steering wheel impatiently as she waited for the lights to change and looked across at her friend who was staring out of the window her eyes glazed and tired.

"You alright Coop?" She asked watching as Marissa turned around smiled wearily.

"Yeah just tired…kinda confused as well. It's so weird seeing all you guys again, brings back memories you know?" She said looking down at her hands uncomfortably. Summer sighed slightly and looked up at the traffic lights which were still red before looking back to her friend.

"Yeah I do…I'm sure Ryan does too. Look I'm sorry about what Seth did, he's just really close with Ryan and I don't think he really understands what you must be feeling like right now." She started keeping her eyes on the road as the lights changed and she drive forward only to be stopped by another light. Marissa continued to gaze out of the window at the towering skyscrapers and the cars crawling slowly along the packed roads.

"Everything he said was true though…I just wish that I could take back everything that happened and that we could just go back to the way things were. I miss my old life, when I was happy." She said her voice cracking with emotion as tears dripped from her eyes smudging her make-up. She felt her hands shaking as she wiped her eyes and sniffed trying to pull herself together. She felt Summer's hand on hers and she looked up to face her, her deep brown eyes full of compassion and sympathy.

"I know sweetie trust me Ryan does as well…when you guys split he was a mess without you." She said sadly recalling how lost Ryan had been without Marissa so he had just thrown himself into his work instead.

Marissa looked back down back at her hands…WAS a mess without her, he didn't need her anymore. He had moved on but she was stuck back in the past still wishing that somehow she could change what happened and go back to the night before.

"Why did Ellie's mum leave? What happened?" Marissa asked chewing on an invisible hang nail not really caring that she might be spoiling her manicure, she could always get another one. Summer sighed loudly and the car inched forward a bit before grinding to a halt again. She looked down at the steering wheel and then turned to Marissa.

"Look, if I tell you this you can NEVER tell anyone okay? Ryan or Seth can't know that I told you okay?" She said seriously, staring into Marissa's eyes. Marissa felt her heart hammering in her ears and nodded unable to speak…

"Okay…Ryan was going out with this girl Emma and things were great it was the first time he was actually happy with someone. She moved in and things were going really well, Emma got pregnant and you know the rest…when Ellie was born there were a few complications and she was pretty sick. Emma took it hard and she got really depressed thinking it was her fault that Ellie was so sick. Ryan tried his best but he just couldn't help her. She started drinking and…you know how Ryan feels about drinking, the arguments started and Emma couldn't even come to see Ellie at the hospital which left Ryan doing everything…They got into a pretty serious argument and she threw a glass at Ryan and stormed out. She came back the next week to get her stuff, said goodbye to Ellie and just left. That's the last I saw of her." Summer finished sadly watching Marissa's horrified expression.

Marissa drew her eyes away from Summer unable to look at her anymore, she couldn't believe Ryan had been through so much. First her messing him about and then the mother of his child? Her heart was pounding in her ears and the silence in the car was deafening. How could she just walk out on them both? On her sick daughter? She opened her mouth to say something but she couldn't find the words. She swallowed and looked back at Summer her eyes shining slightly

"How could she do that?" She whispered, her voice shaking unevenly. Summer sighed and turned the corner towards the Hilton hotel.

"I don't know, Ryan didn't even have time to be upset over her leaving because he had to look after Ellie. Me and Seth tried to help him as much as we could but it was still a lot of work…You better hurry, you're late…Here's my number. Call me and we'll meet up sometime, catch up a little more?" She said hurriedly handing Marissa her card as several make-up artists and managers rushed over upon seeing Marissa in the car. Marissa leant in and hugged Summer tightly

"I missed you Sum…thanks!" She said hopping out the car.

"Bye hun…"

"Hello?" Marissa answered groggily as her cell phone rang shrilly.

"Sweetie it's Jake! I got the part!" He yelled happily. Marissa closed her eyes and groaned inwardly before desperately trying to inject some cheerfulness into her voice even though she was exhausted.

"That's great honey!" She said a little too brightly.

"Yeah but the thing is…I need to be in Paris next week and I'll be gone for 3 months…"

A/N I hoped you liked it, please review and tell me what you think and then hopefully I should post pretty soon!

Next Time: Marissa says goodbye to Jake as he leaves for Paris but when her apartment floods she turns to Summer for a place to stay...