Later that afternoon the girls were walking down Newbury St. examining the shops that lined the streets. They held hands and stole glances at each other every few seconds. Neither knew how to hide their excitement about being back together.

"I was thinking about going back to my natural hair color." Alex said breaking the silence.

"Huh, what?" Marissa asked unsure of Alex's last statement.

"I want to go back to my natural hair color…"

"Which is?"

"Dark brown, I miss it. I haven't had it for at least three years now. Things are changing and I want to change my hair color as well."

"Okay… I can picture you as a brunette. I think you would look really good. It would go good with her skin."

"Yeah. I just thought I should tell you. I didn't want you to go back home and then when I saw you next I looked drastically different."

"Hey, Chanel, can we go in here?" Marissa asked.

"Sure, do you want anything; you haven't let me get you anything. I want to get you something Ris."

"Al, all I want is you. You don't have to buy me, I am all yours."

"I just want to get you something; I was never able to before. I never had any money, now I do and I want you to know that I want you here with me. Please, let me just get you something."

Marissa leaned in to Alex and whispered in her ear, "No, Alex." She backed up and looked as Alex as she said, "You have gotten me enough. Dinner last night, everything I have eaten since I've gotten here two days ago. Not to mention I am staying with you, in your apartment, sleeping in your bed…"

"Fine. We should probably head over to the club soon. It is 7 and the show starts in an hour. I still want to grab something for dinner, it is on me."

"Why do you insist that you pay for everything? I am not with you because of money; it has never had to do with money. I don't want you to think you have to buy my affection or love, because you don't."

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I just finally have money of my own that I can use when ever I want to and I don't have to worry about."

"Hey, don't worry about it. Let's go to the club and we can grab something to eat there and maybe later I can make you dinner."

"Marissa Cooper can cook?"

"Yeah, but shh… don't tell anyone, because then I will be making meals for them. You're the only one I want to cook for."

Alex smiled as they left the store and got into a cab. It took them thirty minutes to get to the other side of the city to where the club was. They cuddled in the back of the cab and couldn't keep their eyes off of each other. The cabbie could tell that the two young girls were in love. When they got to the club there was a line down the street to get into the show.

"Good thing we got here. It looks like it is going to be packed tonight." Alex said as they walked to the front door and she talked to the bouncer. "Hey CJ, how's it going?"

"Good Alex. I thought you weren't working tonight." The bouncer replied.

"I'm not; Rachael Yamagata is one of my favorites though, so I thought I would come catch the show."

"Cool, so who is your friend?" He asked.

"This is my… Fri—I mean girlfriend, Marissa. She is visiting from California for the week." Alex said as she looked and Marissa with a huge smile on her face.

"Hi, Marissa. I'm CJ, I'm the head bouncer here at the Wharf."

"Hi CJ. Nice to meet you."

"Likewise. I'll you two later. Have fun in there. The show is supposed to be amazing tonight!"

"Thank CJ. Make sure you don't let too many weirdoes into my club tonight." Alex said as CJ let the two girls into the club.

"So this is it? Boston's Bait Shop." Marissa said as she looked at the club.

"Yep… this is it."

Alex brought Marissa to her office. "So, this is my favorite part of the club. My own space, where I can lock the door…" Alex said as she locked the door behind her. "I can do whatever I want to in here…" She continued to speak as she put her arm around Marissa's waist and pulled her close. She whispered in her ear, "What do you feeling like doing?"

Marissa leaned her head into Alex's neck and started by kissing her collarbone. She worked her way up to Alex's neck and continued kissing her until her mouth reached Alex's mouth. She teased her a bit before actually kissing her. They both smiled and finally their lips met. At first it was slow and sensual, but after a little while both the girls really got into it. When the kiss ended both girls were gasping to catch their breaths. They looked at each other and continued to smile, at times they figured it was the only thing one another knew how to do.

"Wow… so do you do this with other people in here?" Marissa asked slyly.

"You're the only one and it is going to stay that way, so you don't have to worry." Alex said softly into Marissa's ear. "Come on we should go watch the show. It is about to start. I don't want to miss any of it."

"Okay…" Marissa said as Alex took her hand and guided her to the main floor of the club. Marissa saw just how big the place was. It was huge compared to the Bait Shop. She started to wonder how big the new place in Hampton was going to be if Alex thought that place was huge. She looked around and took everything in, this was going to be her life soon. She was going to be apart of this new life with Alex Kelley, the love of her life. The only person she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Marissa decided on the plane that before she went back to Newport she was going to tell Alex that she loved her. Now all she was waiting for was the right time. There had been so many times she almost said it, but refrained from actually vocalizing her thoughts. She was afraid that Alex would think it was too fast. She looked over at Alex who was now getting them drinks at the bar. She was behind the bar and she looked like she belonged there. She had a huge smile on her face and was talking with the bartender, a tall young looking guy. Probably a student in the city. The two looked as though they were joking around with each other. Marissa felt a small pang of jealousy at seeing Alex with this other guy. She knew it was nothing, but for the first time she felt jealous towards Alex.

She walked over to the bar where Alex was talking to the bartender. "…is great. You have to meet her, oh look here she is now. Hey babe, I was just telling Tim here about you."

"Hi, I'm Tim. It is good to finally put a face to the name Alex is always talking about." He said as he extended her hand towards Marissa.

"Marissa, oh gosh… half the bad stuff she says isn't true." Marissa joked. What, she always talks about me? What is this, well we do need to continue talking about everything. But whatever she was probably all the bad stuff, like how I let her walk away and how I wasn't a good girlfriend, how I ignored her…Marissa continued to think about all the bad stuff Alex might've said in the past about her and their relationship.

"Oh, none of it was bad, at all. Alex speaks very highly of you." Tim announced. "You're pretty lucky to have a girl like Alex, who loves you so much." Marissa immediately looked over at the young blond next to her, who's face was completely white now. Neither of the girls knew exactly what to say. Tim got the hint and realized he said something he shouldn't have.

"Umm… Alex, I think I left my sweater in your office. Can you please come with me to get it." Marissa asked quietly looking away from Alex. She wasn't upset but she wasn't happy either. She was confused, very confused.

"Ahh, yes. We can go do that, now…" Alex looked at Tim angrily. She knew he would say something like that, he always said stuff like that.

They got to Alex's office and Marissa closed the door the moment both of them were in there. "What is that guy talking about…?" Marissa said slowly.

"I don't know. He says stuff sometimes that isn't always the truth…"

"Oh, so you don't love me then?" Marissa said slowly and quietly.

"Right… wait no, yes, no… I love you." Alex finally announced as she continued to confuse herself. Yes she loved Marissa, but she didn't want Tim to be the one to tell Marissa that. Marissa quickly pulled her close and kissed her passionately on the lips to let her know that she reciprocates the feelings. "I hope that was a good kiss…" Alex said quietly as the kiss broke.

"I love you too." Marissa smiled brightly at Alex.

The two girls just continued to look into each other's eyes. They didn't speak, they didn't need to, their smiles did all the talking. The held each other and exchanged small kisses.

"Hey, the show has started, we should probably go watch…" Alex said softly as Marissa nuzzled her neck.

"Mmm, okay. Let's go." Marissa took Alex by the hand as they left the office. Marissa guided Alex to the front of the stage where Rachael Yamagata was singing her new song, "Jesus Was a Crossmaker."

Sweet silver angels over the sea

Please come down flying low for me

One time I trusted a stranger
'cause I heard his sweet song
And it was gently enticing me
though there was something wrong
When I turned he was gone

Blinding me his song remains reminding me
he's a bandit and a heartbreaker
Oh but Jesus was a crossmaker

Alex and Marissa held hands as they listened to the smooth, sultry voice of Rachael Yamagata, fill the room. The music was amazing, the two girls could not have asked for a better show that night, everything was going perfect for them.

The next morning both the girls were lying in bed. Marissa was cuddled up to Alex's side and had her arm around Alex's waist.

"So what are we going to do today?" Marissa asked as she tucked a few strands of loose hair behind Alex's ear.

"Well, we talked about going to New Hampshire to check out the new club. If you want to do something else we can. It is up to you."

"Oh yea. I forgot, no I like the idea of going to New Hampshire. It is supposed to be a very nice day today. The Weather Channel website said high 50s."

"The Weather Channel website? Who are you, Al Roker?" Alex joked.

"I didn't know what kind of weather you had here so I looked up the ten day forecast before I left, so I would have some sort of idea what to pack. But that still didn't really work seeing as I brought about half my closet."

"You're so adorable. Wait, those suitcases are only half your closet, oh dear god. So yea, today would be a fun day to drive up to the beach."

"Yeah… I'm going to shower, is that okay?"

"Yeah, that is fine. I'll shower after you. Do you want anything, I'll go to Dunkin Donuts while you're in the shower?"

"I'll have a caramel swirl latte with skim milk and three sugars."

"Okay, I'll be back in a few." Alex said as she jumped out of bed and threw on the same clothes from last night.

"Wait, you're leaving me all alone in bed…" Marissa joked.

"You just said you were going to shower. I'll be gone like ten minutes, not even. I'll be back soon. Hang in there babe." Alex said as she sat on the bed next to Marissa. She kissed her forehead as she got up and left to get their coffees.

Marissa stayed in bed for another thirty second before she went to the bathroom to take a shower. After last night she just needed to make sure everything was real. Things with Alex were perfect right now and the last thing she wanted was to find out that everything over the past few days was just a dream. On her way to the bathroom she saw a picture frame turned upside down on the shelf. She picked it up and noticed a picture of Marissa smiling off to the side. On top of the frame was the word 'love,' Marissa picked it up and put it back upright. She smiled as she entered the bathroom.

Alex arrived back to her apartment fifteen minutes later, Marissa was still in the shower. "Hey Ris. I'm back." Alex said as she stuck her head in the bathroom.

"Okay, I'll be out in a few minutes Al." Marissa replied.

"Okay." Alex walked into her room and put the coffees down on the shelf next to the bathroom door as she took off her shoes. She saw the photo of Marissa standing upright and smiled to herself slightly. Everything was going great with Marissa, though it was only a few days into their new relationship, it was so much different than before. They weren't rushing this time, there was nothing to prove to anyone this time around. They could talk the relationship at their own pace and not worry about anything that might be in their way. She took their coffees out to the kitchen and put them on the counter. She took out two cereal bowls and started to set the table. After about ten minutes Marissa made her way out of the bedroom with a pair of tight jeans and a fitted long sleeve shirt. She looked amazing. "It is easy for you, isn't it?"

"What is easy for me?" Marissa asked, having no idea what Alex was talking about.

"Looking gorgeous all the time, you just put on clothes and wow, I'm speechless…" Alex admitted as she walked towards Marissa. "Well, even without clothes you look gorgeous, but I think you know what I mean."

"Me, are you kidding me Alex. I look like crap right now. I had no idea what to wear. Jeans and a fitted tee, seemed good. You on the other hand look amazing, morning, noon, and night. Everything about you is gorgeous Miss Kelly. Don't ever forget that." Marissa said as she put her arms around Alex's neck and leaned in to kiss her girlfriend.

Alex continued to move in until their lips were connected. They shared a passionate kiss and when it ended they looked at each other as Alex pecked Marissa lightly twice on the lips. "You're amazing, don't forget…" She said softly into Marissa ear.

The girls ate breakfast side by side while they stole short and sweet glances at each other every few seconds. They were both smiling brightly and if someone was looking on they could tell the two girls were very much in love. After breakfast Alex showered and by 12:30 the two girls were on the road, heading to New Hampshire. It was Thanksgiving Day so there was a close to no traffic on 95. It took them about an hour and fifteen minutes to get to the beach.

At Hampton Beach, New Hampshire it was sunny and cool. The weather was in the fifties and the beach was close to empty. 98 of the shops and restaurants were boarded up for the winter months. It sort of looked dead, Alex hadn't really been able to see all of Hampton before because it was dark, but now she understood more of what Nat said. After the strip the beach was calm, small hotels, houses, and even fine dining. Alex and Marissa parked their car at the opposite end of the beach, about a mile and a half from the new club. They figured they could walk to the new place. When the ocean became beach they decided to walk along the sand, the beach was deserted, well almost. There was a young girl, about the same age at Marissa and Alex sitting on the rocks listening to an iPod. Every few minutes the girl looked up from the notebook in front of her and stared out into the ocean.

"Hey, we should go talk to her. She probably is a local." Alex spoke up. "We could ask her about the beach."

"Hey, that is a good idea." Marissa added as the walked up the young girl on the rocks.

"Hi…" Alex spoke first, the young girl turned to them and took her headphones off.

"Can I help you two?" She asked quickly.

"I think so, I'm Alex and this is my girlfriend Marissa. I manage a club in Boston, called the Wharf and the owner just bought the Casino here. The two of us are planning on managing it next summer."

" I'm Audrey, I go the shows there a lot, my dad has a skybox."

"So you live around here I take it?" Marissa asked.

"Yea, do you see the house right over there with the yellow awning? That is where I lay my head at night." She pointed over toward where the two girls parked Alex's Jeep.

"Cool, we actually parked over there."

"So is there anything else you wanted to know?"

"Well, we just wanted to get acquainted, chances are we will be seeing you this summer." Alex replied. "What is the beach like in the summer time?"

"Crazy, tourists everywhere, it is quite annoying. They come from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Canada, Maine, New York, all over really. My father owns a lot of property here at the beach so I'm used to meeting new friends on a weekly basis."

"So what do teens do for fun around here?"

"Party. A lot. There really isn't much else, there is a small movie theatre in town. There is a mall about twenty minutes away and same with the outlet stores. I go away a lot actually. I have friends who live in New York City, so I go there twice a month. In the summer however, there is a lot more. Arcades, concerts, parties, stupid tourists, water slides, Water Country, the beach, surfing, shopping, tanning… the list goes on."

"What kind of music do you listen to? I'm trying to get a list of prospective artists for this summer."

"Acoustic stuff, indie rock, alternative… let's see what bands, Death Cab, Modest Mouse, Rise Against, Reel Big Fish, Rachael Yamagata, Imogen Heap, Iron and Wine, Ozomatli, Snow Patrol, James Blunt, Brand New, AFI, Damien Rice… the list goes on forever, Blind Melon, Daft Punk, Nada Surf, Dios Malos, The Walkmen, Rooney, Bell X1, Rogue Wave, Of Montreal, October Falls, Early November… like I said I could go on forever."

"Wow, that is some good stuff, you should think about coming down the Wharf sometime, a lot of those bands are set to play there this winter. Rachael Yamagata was there last night and Imogen Heap is playing there in a week."

"Oh I was supposed to go to Rachael Yamagata last night, my mom did want me to go because family was coming in for the holiday, but the holiday is boring anyways…"

"You missed an amazing show." Marissa spoke up.

"Yeah, I bet."

The three girls continued talking for forty five minutes until Audrey's phone rang. "Hang on a second, I need to take this, it is my friend Marina." She said to the two girls. "Hey Marina…not much, how are you?...I'm down on the beach right now… I'm talking to these two girls who are going to manage the Casino this summer… okay. I'll meet you there around 8:30… No, they won't even notice that I left… yeah, I'll ask them… okay I'll call you back in a little bit… yep…bye M." Audrey hung up the phone and turned to Marissa and Alex. "Sorry about that, that was my friend Marina. We're going to a party at her café tonight. Do you want to join us?"

"We don't have any place to stay, thank you though." Alex replied.

"You can stay at my dad's hotel… he's away with his girlfriend. I can let you in a room and everything. Normally I would say you could stay at my place, but since it is the holiday all the family is here."

Marissa and Alex looked at each other. They smiled and decided silently. "Sure we'll go. And if it really isn't a problem, we'd love to stay at you dad's place." Alex responded aloud after the girls decided they would join in on tonight festivities.

"Yeah, we can head over there now if you want?"

"Sure…" As Alex said this Audrey stood up and they all walked back across the street to the Atlantic, one of Audrey's father's nicest properties.

Audrey showed the two to a third floor oceanfront room. "Everything you should need is here. I should probably go, Turkey Day dinner is in a little bit."

"Okay, thanks again for everything."

"No problem. I'll come by around 8ish to pick you two up. I'll see you then." Audrey said as she made her way to the door to leave.

"Sounds good. We'll see you then." Alex added. "Bye Audrey."

"Bye." The young girl left and Marissa and Alex stood next to each other.

"Wow, she was really nice Alex. I'm really looked forward to next summer now. Well, not that I wasn't before, but now we have a friend here who is willing to show us around."

"Yeah, she is. What kind of party do you think it is tonight?" Alex replied.

"No idea, probably some high school kegger."

"I doubt it, she seems a little too mature for a high school party. Plus she said it was her friend's café."

"Well, what ever it is, hopefully it will be fun and we can meet some more people, so it should be a good time." Marissa added as the two turned to each other and Marissa put her arms around Alex's neck.

"Well, we still haven't made it down to the club yet. Do you want to head down there now. I think I saw at least one restaurant that looked open when we drove by." Alex said as Marissa placed light kisses on Alex's neck.

"Yeah, we could, or we could stay here for a little while… All alone, with no distractions. Just you and I having an amazing time, together." Marissa said seductively as her eyes met with Alex's. Both girls had huge smiles on their faces as Alex moved closer to Marissa and begun to nuzzle her neck and lightly suck on a piece of skin.

"I say we stay here for a little while, we could sleep, it has been a long day. I think we should stay in bed, have a little fun, just the two of us." Alex suggested as she fell back onto one of the double beds in the room.

"Sounds very good to me Miss Kelly." Marissa responded as she fell on top of Alex and began kissing her neck, slowly making her way to Alex's lips. The two girls smiled and laughed as they enjoyed each other's company tremendously. "Do you want to know something?" Marissa whispered into Alex's ear.

"A secret? I like secrets. Everybody has a few." Alex responded as she leaned up and kissed Marissa lightly.

"It isn't really a secret, because I would shout it for the world to hear if I could, but right now, I just want to tell you, in your ear quietly."

"Really now. What is it you want to tell me?"

Marissa leaned into Alex and kissed her neck softly. She brushed her lips over Alex's cheek and sucked on her ear for a moment. "I love you Alexandra Spencer Kelly." Marissa quietly spoke into Alex's ear. Alex smiled brightly and moved her head to kiss Marissa's lips. She kissed Marissa passionately and both girls worked to deepen the kiss. Alex was the first to pull away, she looked longingly into Marissa's eyes.

"I love you too Marissa Ashley Cooper." Alex said as their eyes were locked on each other. Marissa leaned in to kiss Alex again, the two shared another passionate kiss. They knew that they needed each other. They needed the fell of each other's naked skin on each other. They longed for the feelings of passion they had once shared many times before. Marissa moved her hand down to Alex's side and pushed her shirt up as she put her hand up Alex's shirt. Alex closed her eyes and laid back and Marissa rubbed her hand over Alex's breasts. Marissa's touch was so soft and when she rubbed her thumb over Alex's nipple, Alex moaned softly. Marissa just smiled. When Marissa's hand had past Alex's breasts, she had Alex sit up so she could remove her shirt. "Are you sure you want to do this? I know we said we'd take it slow…I don't want to make you feel rushed into anything." Alex spoke.

"I'm so beyond ready for this. If you want me to stop I will…" Marissa said softly, Alex could hear the want and need in Marissa's voice to continue, Alex needed Marissa as much as Marissa need her, but she just wasn't ready to take their relationship to that level, not right now at least.