Summary: Following the abandonment of Ryan and Summer, Seth and Marissa seek comfort from whom neither had ever anticipated: each other.

Disclaimer: Still, nothing..

Rating: Clean.

Pairing: Seth/Marissa.

Feedback:

Not as many reviews this time.. I'm gonna give ya guys the benefit of the doubt and just pretend you were too busy to write me any comments. hahaha. Thanks to those who did:)

Laugh-a-Lot Bear- Hey! I'm really, really happy that you like the it! There are way too few stories out there with this pairing.. Anyway, you will find out very soon what will happen when Summer and Ryan come back. Not in this chapter, though.. (see A/N.. lol) :)

moon,gates,slaying- Hi! Well, there's no Ryan and Summer in this chapter, but you will see them very, VERY soon. Oh, and yes, I agree, the last chapter was pretty short, as is most others. This next one's longer, though. Anyway, I'm glad ya liked it and I hope you like this next one, too:)

A/N: Finally, a chapter dedicated entirely to Seth/Marissa bonding. I hope that makes you happy, if not then I will be back to my usual fast pace in no time, so bear with me.

Oh, and I'm sorry.. no Ryan and Summer in this one.

(Hint: Wait for the next chapter. -hahaha.)

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Seth showed up at Marissa's doorstep dressed casually in jeans and a death cab t-shirt. He rung the doorbell, praying that anyone but Julie would open it.

"Ah, the boy that knocked up my daughter.." No such luck. "Great to see you, Seth." she said in a cynically mocking tone of voice.

"Always a pleasure.." he replied, bowing his head a couple of inches. "I'm assuming Marissa's up in her room?"

Julie placed a firm hand on his shoulder, preventing him from walking up the stairs. "Like I'd ever allow you up there again," she said in a distrusting manner. "I'll retrieve her myself."

Seth smirked as he watched Julie make her way up the spiral staircase. He was previously known as every parents dream- the emo geek that would never make a move on their daughter. And now he was some kind of sex-craved animal that couldn't be trusted? His amusement, however, was short lived on account of Julie's death glare that she took the time to turn around and send to him. It was not wise to get on Julie Cooper's bad side..

Moments later, Marissa appeared and Seth watched as she jogged down the staircase. Her caramel, blonde hair was pulled back into a french braid that went along very nicely with her laid-back outfit of jeans and a t-shirt. "Ready?" she said once reaching the bottom.

He nodded eagerly and allowed her to take hold of his arm and escort him to the car.

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"You took me to a carnival?" she said, laughing at her surroundings.

"Well, I figured that you might be craving fried food, and I couldn't think of a better place to get it at."

"You're sweet." she replied, smiling at him gratefully. "But I can't eat anything until I go on a few of these rides."

"Are you sure?" he pointed to her stomach, reminding her of the person growing inside of her. "That can't be good for the baby.."

"So we'll go on something low key. I'm sure the baby wouldn't mind the ferris wheel."

"The ferris wheel it is." he said after a moment of hesitation.

Marissa lead the way, dragging Seth to what was, without a doubt, her favorite carnival ride.

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They hopped onto the two-seater and pretended to listen as the attendant rambled on about rules and regulations.

"Keep hands and feet inside the cart at all times; Secure all lose articles…"

And so on and so forth..

By most, the man would be considered as a typical carnie: Old, worn-out jeans, excessive amounts of facial hair, cigarette permanently attached to his fingers.. If Caleb Nichol hadn't previously died of a heart attack, the likes of him would've done it.

Finally, he lowered and fastened the safety bar. "Have a nice ride." his raspy voice lacked sincerity.

As the ride started, and they were sent, slowly escalating into the air, Marissa couldn't help but be reminded of her former beau. Even though nothing about it was the same.. At this point, Ryan would be hyperventilating.. But Seth sat, calm and collected. He seemed to be enjoying it.

In just a couple of weeks they would say their vows.. And here she was, thinking about another man- his brother, to be precise. She bit her lip guiltily, thankful that he couldn't read her thoughts.

"The ferris wheel.. This really gives you the kicks, huh?" he said, glancing over at her and proving that Ryan was not the only one who could pull off a half-smile.

"Yeah," she replied, returning the smile. "It's been my favorite ride ever since-"

Seth looked over at her intently, waiting for her to bring up Ryan and initiate what would undoubtedly be an awkward silence.

"I was a little girl." she finished, catching herself on time and covering up her flaw. The last thing either of them needed was to be reminded of the many memories..
Suddenly, the ride stopped and jerked a few times until they were sitting at the very top. Marissa glanced down and tightened her grip on the safety bar, having forgotten just how high up they were. "What is it with me and ferris wheels?" she wanted to know, asking no one imparticular.

Seth, being the only one who heard her, decided to answer the question that was meant to be rhetorical. "Look, I'm not really one for the big, romantic gestures.. And I don't have much practice with heartwarming speeches.."

Marissa slowly turned toward him, giving him her undivided attention. Her eyes were filled with both curiosity and anticipation.

"But I do know how to pay off a carnie." he finished, a sense of pride distinguishable in his voice.

She smiled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.. And slowly preparing herself for what would be, according to her, their first real "moment".

"So.. Do we kiss now?" he asked eagerly, having had very little experience when it came dating.. Particularly Marissa.

She nodded, and all previous thoughts (including those of Ryan) slid to the back of her mind as they inched closer, minimizing all space between them. Softly, he placed his hand on the back of her neck, lightly pulling it toward him. Finally, their lips met, and the two shared their first meaningful kiss.

Making out at the top of a ferris wheel.. Something that was not a first for Marissa.. But something that was a first for Marissa and Seth.

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"The ferris wheel has yet to disappoint me." Marissa said as the two walked along the dusty path toward the food stands.

Seth smiled and accepted Marissa's extended hand. "Giving all the credit to the ride, huh? What about the mastermind behind it all?" Seth had never been the modest type..

"You were great, too." she said with a laugh.

Before he could respond, a man working at a carnival game called out to him.

"Hey! Death Cab, why don't you step up and win something for your beautiful girlfriend?" Evidently, he was referring to him by the t-shirt he was wearing. "Prize every time." he didn't hesitate to add.

"Darts?" Upon seeing the game he was asked to play, he couldn't help but laugh. "Funny the guy from the shooting game didn't even attempt to harass me."

"Why is that funny?" Marissa replied, failing to detect the sarcasm in his voice. "You have no aim."

"I was being sarcastic, but thanks.. For that." he said, narrowing his eyes in on her. "And I do too have aim.." he added, hoping to convince himself as well as her.

"Then prove it." she replied, nudging him suggestively. "Play some darts. Win me a prize."

"You heard the lady." the man at the game said, cutting in on their conversation. "That'll be five dollars."

"Five dollars? What a rip-" he stopped mid-sentence upon seeing the hopeful expression on Marissa's face. Reluctantly, he withdrew his wallet from his back pocket. "You can't put a price on love."

Marissa nearly burst out laughing. "You are so cheesy, Cohen.. But I like it."

The carnie accepted Seth's five dollar bill and, in return, placed three, measly darts in the palm of his hand. "Good luck."

After displaying his best efforts, Seth only managed to hit one balloon. The carnie, staying true to his word, handed over a stuffed animal no larger than the size of his fist.

"Thanks.." Seth said sardonically.

"Thank you." the carnie replied, turning his attention to his next victim..

"Congratulations," Seth said, handing the stuffed animal over to Marissa. "You are now the owner of the proof that shows.. Seth Cohen does have aim."

"Thanks," Marissa said slowly. "What is it?"

"I want to say a fish.." he replied, taking a closer look.

"Well, whatever it is.. I think I'm gonna name it Seth."

"I agree," he responded. "I mean, the resemblance is undeniable."

She glanced down at the small creature. It looked like a cross between a fish and something else that was undistinguishable. "No arguments here.." she said with a laugh.

"So.." he began, heaving a sigh. "Are you ready for something deep-fried and greasy?"

"Always." she replied, taking hold of his hand and leading him off toward the nearest food stand.

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