A/N: Thank you so much to everybody who has reviewed, I really appreciate all the feedback and I'm glad that you're enjoying the next part of the story! Oh and yes Katie and Jen are complete bitches (I actually kinda enjoy writing them though-in a wierd sort of way!) and you'll probably like them even less as it goes on! Suppose it's only fair to warn you as well that S/S won't always be a smooth ride, mainly because I think there's still some issues to address, but just have faith because I promise they'll work it all out!

"Can you believe them Coop? I mean they have no right to just judge him, I mean…Coop? Coop are you listening?" Summer demanded as she glanced across at her friend who was staring at herself critically in the mirror.

"Yes Sum, I'm listening but you do realise you've been talking about the same thing since I got here… which was about 45 minutes ago" Marissa said glancing at her watch before turning to face Summer.

"But don't you just see how out of line they were?" Summer pleaded, now looking a little desperate.

Marissa moved to sit by her friend on the bed "Sum I do get it ok…." She put a supporting arm around Summer's slender frame "They're bitchy and nasty and Seth does not deserve it. But we know that that's what they're like and Seth just happens to be in the firing line this week, try not to take it personally. You're happy with Seth…that's all that matters ok?"

Summer gave a small smile and nodded "Thanks Coop" She whispered.

"Besides…" Marissa began, getting up off the bed "I have no doubt you gave them hell for it!"

"Oh yes…that I did" Summer nodded, wide eyed

"Well what did you say?"

"I uh…well I…you know…I told them. I told them it wasn't acceptable" Summer replied with a satisfied smile.

"I'll bet, Did you treat them to a famous Roberts' Rage Blackout?" Marissa laughed.

Summer nodded fervently but said nothing

"Well come on then don't leave me in suspense! I want a full re-enactment…Oh my God did they cry?" Marissa asked excitedly. She'd taken her fair share of criticism from these types of girls before and was always delighted to see any of them brought back down to earth, especially by Summer.

"Err well…what I did was…" Summer stood up and began to use expansive hand gestures to compensate for her lack of words "I looked them right in the eye and I…well I used my scariest tone of voice…and I…err I…"

"Yes?"

"I…nodded" Summer finished in a small sheepish voice.

"You nodded?" Marissa asked incredulous

"Coop, I just honestly did not know what to say. I didn't know people could be that heartless." Summer sat back down on the bed and briefly buried her head in her hands. "I just kept seeing Cohen's face in my head over and over and thinking just how totally unfair it was. I used to be friends with these people and now they won't even give the time of day to theguy that I love."

"You really do love him don't you Sum?" Marissa asked gently, wiping away a stray tear that Summer hadn't been able to repress.

"So much" She murmured, then looked up at her friend "You know how you just want to be with somebody the whole time, and when they're not there they are all that you think about…and when you're together you feel…complete."

Marissa nodded and smiled; it pretty much summed up how she felt for Ryan.

"And I know…" Summer continued "That Cohen has had to deal with this kind of thing, and worse, before, but it genuinely tears me apart. I just want to be able to…"

"Protect him?" Marissa finished and Summer nodded, shrugging her shoulders.

"Stupid huh?"

"No, not stupid. But you can't right everybody else's wrongs Sum. You just have to be there…that's all he wants from you."

"You're right…I know you are. It's just that it seems so inadequate y'know?"

"I know Hun" Marissa said pulling her friend into a well-needed hug.

Seconds later they were disturbed by a knock at the door and Seth's head emerging from around the side of it. "Hey ladies. You ready to go? Ryan's in the car." Seth walked quickly across to Summer and kissed her, briefly but lovingly.

"We'll be there in a sec sweetie, can you just give us a minute." Summer asked giving Seth's hand a squeeze.

"Urm ok sure" Seth looked a little confused but made his way out of the room with a single, concerned glance back at Summer.

"Listen Coop…" Summer began, playing with her ring a little distractedly.

"You don't want me to mention anything to Seth?" Marissa asked reading her friend's agitated expression.

Summer heaved a sigh of relief. "Thanks. There are some things he's just better off not knowing."

"It's ok I get it Sum." Marissa gave her a reassuring smile and guided her towards the door. "Now come on…this is the part where you just have to be there for him."

"Hang on Ryan, I'll be back in a sec" Seth turned the key and pulled it sharply out of the ignition, clambering out of the car as he did so. "Summer wait up!"

The four of them had just returned from the movies and Seth felt like Summer hadn't been quite right all evening, unfortunately though, there hadn't been a chance for them to talk alone. It was still nagging at Seth however, and he knew that he was neurotic enough not to get a good night's sleep because of it, so he'd made a split second decision to go after her just as they'd reached the end of the driveway.

Seth, for once, didn't think Summer's odd mood was down to something that he'd done. It wasn't that she was cold with him, just a little distant. Although to be honest this worried him more...it was just so unlike her.

Summer, who had just reached her front door, turned at the sound of his voice and was surprised to see Seth running after her. "Cohen?"

Seth caught up with her and smiled. Seeing her bewildered look he felt a little silly for having chased her up her own driveway.

"Are you …um…" Seth faulted and got a little distracted as he lost himself for a moment in her eyes.

"What is it Cohen?" Summer asked; now a little worried by his unusually sincere expression.

"Erm…Is everything ok?" He asked gently, grazing his hand softly up her arm.

Summer's arms tingled at his touch and she smiled at his concern "I'm fine…really" She added, running her hands through his loose curls.

"You sure?...It's just I feel like something's not right…like there's something you're not telling me" Seth's eyes pierced her's, searching for an answer.

"No…there's not" she assured him "I'm fine, just a little distracted." Seth still looked a little dubious, so Summer pulled his body close and their eyes locked "I promise"

"Ok then" Seth said quietly then bent down to kiss her sweetly on the cheek. "Sorry for harassing you…I'll just be going now" he mumbled making his way back down the drive.

A soft laugh escaped Summer's lips "Night Cohen" She called "I love you" she added, loud enough for him to hear.

Seth turned and grinned "I love you too Summer Roberts!" he bellowed and blew her a goofy kiss before disappearing into the darkness.

Summer leant against the door for a second before letting herself in to the empty house and climbing the stairs to her room.

She knew that she shouldn't be so bothered by the incident from earlier but thoughts of it were still plaguing her mind. Although she was livid with the other girls for the comments they'd made, to be honest, part of her anger was directed at herself. For not defending him; for not even trying to explain to them how wrong they were.

What scared her more was the tiny portion of her brain that held her back, the little voice that said 'Seth is a geek'. Very briefly, she saw Seth through the eyes that she'd viewed him with 2 years previously.

It even occurred to her, however momentarily, how much easier things might be if Seth was more…well like Zach.

Luckily, these feelings passed quickly and she was able to sternly remind herself how little appeal a conventionally handsome, stereotypical OC guy held for her.

Cohen was different, and it was one of the many reasons why she loved him. His quirks entertained her, his neuroses endeared her and his faults made him real; real enough to love her like he did.

All the same, she couldn't deny the fact that the thoughts had crossed her mind. It scared her that the old Summer could resurface so easily. Clearly, old habits die hard.

A/N: Thanks so much for reading, please review!