This is where Jess comes in. Be prepared, it's a little graphical. Also, Ryan and Marissa talk about their relationship, from the beginning. This fic won't stop at Valentine's Day!

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The Bait Shop was down by the foreshore, and attracted every crowd. Not many had never heard of the club, other than bookworms and science geeks. Anyone who was anyone hung out at the Bait shop, including Ryan, Marissa, Seth and Summer.

Speaking of them, the foursome was sitting at a table in a corner, further away from the psyched up crowd. Most of them were drunk, high or had mental issues. Some they knew, some were the type that only came out at night to drink and party hard. Marissa remembered herself like that, but so did Ryan and Summer. Seth, on the other hand, preferred to play ninja's or Star Wars, bless him.

'People are going pretty hard tonight', Seth commented, 'Last time I did that, I confused falling into garbage with being stelth. Lat time Summer did it she kissed me by the pool; Marissa got drunk with Lindsay and Ryan…Ryan HASN'T gotten drunk. Wow, dude, how have you managed that? Being sober for Ryan is like being funny…didn't your mum teach you not to drink alone?'

They all laughed, though the mention of Lindsay's name dulled Marissa mood a little, and Ryan saw it. No matter how much they tried to hide things from each other, it never worked.

Ryan knew he had hurt her that night, after he lashed out. It wasn't her fault, Lindsay just simply drunk and drunk. 'I know, it seems like a million years ago we dated, but it wasn't. And okay, maybe you're over it. Maybe it doesn't mean anything to you anymore. Maybe it never did. But it meant a lot to me. You meant a lot to me. Still do.' Those words had struck him so hard, all the air was sucked out of his lungs. Maybe it was right then, that he realised he still loved her. Maybe, he had always known it.

Pulling her closer, Ryan kissed her gently on the cheek.

'It's ok, I'm here now'.

Though it was simple, Marissa found it comforting. Snuggling into his shoulder, she felt more reassured than a few moments ago. She couldn't help but worry though. There were so many other…normal girls out there, one's with a straighter mind than her own. And, chances are, there were other girls who were much prettier, even if Ryan said she was beautiful.

'So, you haven't told me what Seth got you?', Marissa said, obviously changing the subject.

'Actually', Summer said matter-of-factly after she noticed Ryan's amused expression. 'It was really thoughtful. He got me a subscription to Vogue, and a gold necklace with a heart, and our names engraved inside'

Summer smiled at Seth, who smiled back in return. Ryan had never been able to figure out there relationship. They were always fighting, yet seemed so totally in love. Seth was always trying to impress her, and was a nervous wreck when it came to other girls. Summer, on the other hand, had nothing to worry about. Seth loved nobody else, as she felt the same way, though he didn't believe her.

'Only the best for my girl', Seth responded lovingly, pulling Summer up on his lap and kissed her on the cheek.

'Now, look at this happy little bunch'

The group looked behind, only to see Jess saunter up to the table and bump in beside Ryan. The platinum blonde was barely wearing anything, and was totally wiped. She was pungent with alcohol, as it wafted over the group.

'Bugger off, Jess', Ryan mumbled, but couldn't help a laugh when he saw Marissa scrunch her nose up in disgust.

The two girls had never gotten along well. Jess had always been associated with drugs, where as Marissa had despised the substances ever since the first health class. When Ryan had first come to town, Jess had her eyes on him, when Marissa came into the picture. Actually, a lot of girls did, but never persisted like Jess had. And, she still wanted him for herself.

'Why?' she said loudly, 'Aint I good enough for yah?'

'Well…I don't think he wants to date druggies', Marissa piped in, glaring coldly into the drunk, high girls distant eyes.

'I don't think you can talk, whore. YOU'RE the one who overdosed in T.J, not me!'

At the mention of that night, all the blood drained from Marissa's face. The same deep, sickening pain came flooding back. Clinging tightly to Ryan's arm, she struggled to stand. Ryan was surprised. She never broke down like this. Ever. Not since he left for Chino. But, even then she hid it well. Maybe it was because they never brought up the whole T.J subject.

'Hey babe, are you ok. You know she didn't mean it? It's ok', he said soothingly, holding her waist close to his side. She rested her head on his shoulder, body shaking slightly

'Yes I did! Marissa is a druggie, a skank and a whore! First she slings around with Luke, goes with Ryan and then the yard boy! Come on Ryan, wake up! I'm better!'

It all happened in a flash. Ryan hardly saw it. Anger coursed through Marissa's veins as she reached out and slapped Jess fair across the face, forcing her to the ground in sobs. The music stopped and the crowd looked over. Marissa stood above her sobbing victim; the realisation of what she had just done hitting her. She, Marissa Cooper, had just hit another girl. Even better, it was Jessica. A look of triumph quickly turned to a look of terror when Jess stood up and punched her in the jaw, then kicked her repetitively when Marissa toppled to the ground. It felt like hours before Ryan was able to pull Jess off, though he did it quite easily, and pull her to her feet.

A shadow was cast over them all. And, just when they thought that the trouble had ended, a new problem arose. A tall, dark man pulled Marissa by the arm. She squealed out in pain, slamming into his chest. The same smell on Jess, alcohol, was also on this man. It was on most people at this joint, actually. She breathed heavily, in more shock than pain. Distressed, she tried to struggle over to Ryan, who was also being held back by another man twice his size and weight. No bouncers were around, most of the time they acted like they were customers rather than employees.

'You gonna' hurt my girl now, are yah pretty lady? Yah gonna pay for it'

Ryan struck out with one leg, and managed to loosen the man's grip on his elbows. People were amazed at what he could do when the love of his life was in trouble; it sent him into drastic defence for her.

It wasn't exactly surprising that Seth stood back. He wasn't much use, and he knew it. He would only get in the way. Instead, he fended off weaker guys from whisking away Summer in the heat of the moment.

Ryan rushed over to Marissa once he was free. She was whimpering in pain, pulling and fighting at every possible moment. How had one night gotten so bad? This was supposed to be fun. All the happy, exiting memories of that day melted away with the jabbing of fingers in her sides.

Ryan swung a fist to the man's face, almost shattering his hand in the process. The man, bewildered and shocked, stepped back a bit. His big, sweaty palms let loose of Marissa, finally, and she ran to Ryan's arms. He enfolded her inside him, kissing her tenderly on her damp cheek. There was no time to share any parting words before he was ripped away and slapped up against a pillar. From then, many guys took turns in beating his face in repetitively, or till blood spilled over their hands. Ryan groaned, yelped and quite often lost consciousness. Marissa, on the other hand, was screaming for them to stop, or let off. Tears plummeted down her face, streaming down her cheeks and neck. Jess was gone, and now they were hitting Ryan for the fun of it.

Eventually, they got tired and stopped, allowing Ryan to fall to the ground. He had passed out long ago. Blood smothered his face, and he was barely recognisable. Marissa ran over, falling to his side.

'Oh my god. Ryan?', She questioned desperately, 'Ryan, are you with me? Come on...It's me, Marissa!'

At the mere mention of her name, he stirred. And, before long, he open his eye's to find his head being cradled in Marissa's lap, with her hunched over sobbing. He was no longer in the club, no longer being pounded by an unknown pair. He was in the pool house, alone with his girlfriend. All was silent, except Marissa's rhythmic sobs.

'Hey', he said, groggily

Immediately, her head snapped back up. She wiped one hand across her face, and managed a small smile, though, he could see inside her soul, and it was torn.

'Hey. How are you feeling?', she asked, leaning in for a quick kiss.

But to her surprise, he pulled her lips in closer and engulfed her mouth with his own, entwining tongues. She emitted a soft groan, before they broke away.

'I love you, Marissa. And, if I hurt you tonight, I didn't mean to', he said softly, slowly sitting up.

'I love you too...more than you can imagine. Though, I think we need to talk about some things, about what's happened. About our relationship, from the beginning.' she said tentivley, running her finger gently across his chest.

'Does it hurt?'

'Yes, but not when you touch it', he sighed, lying back down.

Marissa laughed, lying down beside him. He always knew how to lighten the mood.

'We should start now.'

Ryan was silent, thinking about what had happened over the past few years. So much had gone on it was hard to imagine life back then, and how easier it seemed. There were good times, and the bad. But one moment reigned over all.

'I suppose, that's the night on the driveway'