Title: The Consequences
Author: In Fair Verona
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Seth and Summer engender a 'rumor' which travels around Newport and learn the consequences of their actions when the unexpected happens.
Shipper: Seth x Summer
Disclaimer: It is all property of FOX, every last bit of it. I don't own anything in this story or related to it.
A/N: Allright. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. It took awhile to get out, and I apologize for that- but it was fun and it is longer than most chapters so it was worth it. There is an introduction to a couple of made-up characters in this chapter. I really dislike putting original characters into my fics, because I don't want to get Mary-Sue or whatever. But these are men, so it's all good. This is where I wrote in Summer's doctor's character. I hope you guys like him. He is sort of based off of Mr. Lorry from "A Tale of Two Cities" and Teabing from "Da Vinci Code". This was just a fun, light-heated chapter to write. There is also a lot of Summer and Ryan interaction, and you know that equals fun. So thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, and even those of you that didn't but at least read. Here you go!
-
A month and a half had passed by, leaving 4 1/2 left of Summer's pregnancy. The Cohen's punishment was still withstanding, and Seth had only gotten to see her rarely in the house or at school. Things became awkward in the Cohen house for everybody, and Ryan was thrown into the middle of it all. Seth slightly resented the guy, the Cohens expected him to be their loyal lap dog, and Summer treated him like her slave. It was a little hectic, he barely had time to do anything with Marissa.
Speaking of Marissa, during this time period while Ryan was chauffering Summer around Newport, she and Seth became closer friends again. Although, Marissa was getting quite fed-up with this punishment too, because she missed her boyfriend and all Seth talked about was Summer. Marissa was already best friends with Summer, and all Summer talked about was Summer, and now Seth had caught onto the trend as well.
Summer was handling it well, on the surface at least. She didn't want to oppose the Cohens, nor have them think badly of her after all they had done, so she abided by the rules. Although deep inside, there was a longing to break them. She had come close on several occasions, ready to say, "Cohen, to hell with your parents, let's run away to Vegas", or perhaps something not that extreme but close. But she never did. Something always held her back. The most she ever did was an almost hidden smile here and there when they passed in the halls.
And Seth? Out of all the teens, it was obvious that Seth took it that hardest. It was his punishment after all. The apprehension and anxiety was driving him mad. Anything could happen to Summer or to their child when he wasn't there. He just couldn't stand being cooped up in the poolhouse, playing Final Fanasty VIII was fun and all, but he wanted to be in the house with Summer. He couldn't even sit at dinner with them all. Despite the fact that his parents spoiled him by letting him order pizza and pigging out, playing video games and whatever, he knew they were not doing it to be nice. They had hidden motives, and they were really getting to Seth, just like chinese water torture. During Summer's second doctor appointment, all Seth could do was pace back and forth in the poolhouse, ready to kill himself if he didn't get an update from Ryan, and stat. Of course, nothing happened. She got some medications prescribed and the baby was healthy, but nonetheless, it drove Seth insane.
Sure, before Ryan came along, he had gotten used to the idea that Summer would never speak with him. But then she did. They got close. They got more than close. And for her to be taken away so adruptly, treated like an object that could be revoked from the offender, himself, it was just wrong on so many levels. But his parents, his father who used to fight for justice for deliquents like himself (well, not quite like himself), they didn't care. In fact, Seth highly predicted they were enjoying it. Sure, they were sympathetic with their 'sorry son, but this is the way it's gotta be' smiles, but those smiles weren't going to fix anything.
That was what Seth had just finished complaining to Marissa about on the front steps of Harbor. The girl simply rolled her eyes and nodding, bordering on falling asleep any time now.
"And then, do you want to know what sick and twisted metaphor my dad made?" Seth asked.
"If it's sick and twisted, not really." Marissa responded in monotone.
"Allright. So, he said that I had to get used to not being around Summer, because I could've been carrying an STD, and I could've killed Summer by having intercourse with her. What in the hell is he trying to put into my brain?"
"I think he's trying to make you feel guilty." Marissa muttered, dropping her head into hands, mentally pleading him to stop.
"He should be the guilty one! They both should be! It's been over a month! It's the beginning of December! Christmas is almost here, they can't keep the family apart at Christmas!" Seth exclaimed.
"Of course not." Marissa mumbled. "Do you know where Ryan is?" She asked, cutting him off.
"Um, hello? Haven't you been listening to a word I've said?" Seth admonished. "Ryan's taking Summer to her doctor's appointment. Her third one." He twiddled his hands together nervously. "What if they find something wrong?"
"If you keep being paranoid and thinking like that, then they will!" Marissa told him, annoyance bordering her tone. "My poor baby." She sighed, thinking of Ryan.
"YOUR poor baby? MY poor baby. I mean, Ryan's great, but he's not exactly paternal material here." Seth huffed.
"As opposed to the boy who's obsessed with watching cartoon network?" Marissa retorted.
"Hey, I resent that. It's not my fault that the only half-way decent anime comes on that channel at midnight."
"What? I didn't get that."
"Ah, don't bother." Seth shook his head, standing up. "I think I'm going to go home. And you know, have virtually no life." He nodded, setting down his skateboard and riding off into the distance.
-
"RYAN!!!" Summer shrieked, her shrill siryn call ringing in his ears. Ryan Atwood quickly walked into the room, his eyes unusually wide and alert. He blinked twice, looking around the small doctor's office.
"Summer?" He questioned.
"Ryan!" She snapped, grabbing her purse and tossing it at him. "I just got this huge craving for gummi bears, go to the store and buy me some, okay? While you're there, grab some picante." She demanded.
"Summer, I'm not allowed to leave you alone." Ryan pointed out.
"Ryan, I have a craving. Do you know what happens to pregnant women with cravings?" Summer asked him threateningly. Luckily, Ryan was spared by the doctor, a man of about 50 years of age with a shiny bald spot on his head. The doctor walked into the room, waving his arm to a chair for Ryan before approaching Summer.
"How are you feeling, Summer, I mean, Ms. Roberts?" The doctor asked.
"Like, hungry." Summer told him, shooting a dark glance in Ryan's direction.
"Well, that's quite normal." The doctor, who's name was Dr. James Janney, checked off something on his clipboard and set in aside. "We're just going to go through the routine check-up right now." Dr. Janney told Summer, putting his stethoscope on and holding it up to Summer's stomache. "Mmhmm." Dr. Janney made a few more comfirmative grunts before scratching down specific notes onto his clipboard. "Any your symptoms, Ms. Roberts?"
"Ugh. I've vomited twice already today, and I've been doing that everyday this week, and then I feel kind of dizzy and nauseous, and I get tired and fatigued quickly, like, by noon." Summer told him.
"Have you been getting enough sleep?" Dr. Janney inquired.
"Well, I try, but I mean, I have to do homework or else I'll fail AP Bio." The doctor cast a glance at Ryan.
"You're the... father?"
"Uncle." Ryan corrected. That damned doctor asked him that during all of Summer's appointments. You'd think he'd just write it down on that damned clipboard.
"Right. Mr...?"
"Atwood." Ryan mumbled, growing annoyed. The doctor never remembered him, although he'd gone with Summer to all her appointments.
"Mr. Atwood, I'm sure that you wouldn't mind helping Ms. Roberts with some of her homework, right?" The doctor asked him with a friendly yet forceful tone.
"Sounds exciting." Ryan mumbled in response. Shit. Now he was stuck with even more of Summer's stuff. This punishment was ridiculous and Ryan wanted out, pronto.
"Ms. Roberts, why doesn't the father accompany you to your appointments?" Dr. Janney inquired, glancing at Ryan once again. Ryan wanted to bang his head against a clipboard. They'd been over this before.
"Dr. Janney, I told you last time that he's grounded." Summer replied, her tone also growing impatient.
"Indeed!" Dr. Janney agreed with vigor. He moved around Summer, picking up different doctor untensils and completing her check-up. When he was done, the doctor purposely kicked Ryan in the leg to wake up the boy who had nearly fallen asleep, and then he turned innocently back to Summer as if nothing had happened, not noticing Ryan's death glare directed at his back.
"Finished?" Ryan inquired with a murmur, fishing in his pockets for the car keyes. Dr. Janney nodded enthusiastically.
"Indeed we are! Ms. Roberts, here is a renewed prescription for the medication that I prescribed at our last visit, just take that to the pharmacist, allright? Everything's looking good, you're on schedule, and no, you're not too fat, you're doing just perfect." He reassured her, knowing that Summer would inquire that since she had during the last two appointments. "Hopefully next time the father will be able to join you, though." He told her, with a suspicious twinkle in his eye. "Oh, by the way, how's your father?" Dr. Janney asked her. When Summer had first met Dr. Janney, which was recently, she was very surprised to find out that Dr. Janney was an old associate of her father. Summer's father also worked in medicine, which Summer suspected was a reason why her step-mom was as drugged up as she was. Apparently, Mr. Roberts and Dr. Janney had even gone to Colombia together, and Dr. Janney was an usher at Summer's parents' wedding. Also, according to the doctor, he'd known her since she was born. This onslaught of recently revealed information which Summer had no memory of was a just a little bit creepy. But then again, Dr. Janney was just that- a little bit creepy in that off-course kind of way. Summer didn't understand how a man like her father, who gave birth to a girl like Summer, was ever able to get along with somebody like the doctor. But, the doctor was a good doctor, albeit forgetful at times, he was still the best doctor for pregnancies in all of Orange County. So Summer put up with him.
"I don't know." Summer replied honestly, shrugging her shoulders. "It's not like Daddy's ever at home anymore." She added, somewhat bitterly.
"That's a shame. Well, when he gets back, tell him to stop by." The doctor suggested. Suddenly, the doctor cut himself short, glancing at Summer oddly. "Summer," He said, calling her by her first name, "Your father does know that you're pregnant, right?"
"Um, duh!" Summer told him, forcing a laugh.
"Well, that's a relief. You almost gave me quite a fright there, kiddo. Er, Ms. Roberts." Dr. Janney corrected himself. "Allright, here is your prescription," He handed Ryan the slip of paper although he was speaking to Summer, "And your records," he handed Ryan a manila folder, "out you go now, I have an appointment with a French woman carrying triplets, and you know how the French are." He murmured under his breath, pushing Summer and Ryan out of the room. "The front office will schedule your next appointment, and I will see you then, Ms. Roberts, and Mr. Um..."
"Atwood." Ryan mumbled through gritted teeth.
"Right! Have a nice day!" The doctor waved them off cheerfully, closing the door behind them.
-
"So why did you lie to Dr. Kill-Me-Now?" Ryan inquired as he pulled out of the hospital driveway. Summer shrugged.
"It doesn't make a difference if Daddy knows or not. I just told Dr. Janney what he wanted to hear."
"Since when did you do stuff like that?" Ryan wondered out-loud, mentally slapping himself for doing so. Summer glanced at him darkly, as if ready to make a snappy comeback but instead decided better than that and instead replied honestly,
"Since I became pregnant." There was a short-lived silence as Ryan drove onto the street that led back towards their neighborhood, and Summer quickly stopped him by exclaiming out of nowhere, "Wait! Where are you going, Chino!?"
"Home." Ryan replied simply.
"Well, don't!" Summer remarked. "Turn around, we're going to South Coast Plaza." She ordered.
"What!? Why?" Ryan asked incredulously.
"Christmas shopping, duh. Don't tell me they don't celebrate Christmas in Chino."
"No, we're going home." Ryan objected. "The deal was that I would take you to your appointment, and to school, and then we go home. I haven't talked to Marissa since lunch today, and I need to call her." Ryan explained.
"Oh no!" Summer mocked a dramatic gasp, "Since lunch? However will you survive? And you can call her, it's called a cell phone." Summer told him, pulling hers out of her purse. "And we can go shopping and get Marissa a gift, since I am her best friend and I know exactly what she wants." Summer added.
"But she might be waiting for me at the house. If I'm not there, she'll be angry."
"Ryan," Summer began, using his first name for once, "Who are you more afraid of? Marissa? Or me?" Summer inquired persuasively. Ryan didn't even need to pause to think on that one, he made a quick U-ie and headed in the other direction towards South Coast Plaza at top speed.
The two had arrived at the popular and expensive mall and within their first step inside, Summer had already raced off in one direction, leaving Ryan to tag along behind like a lost puppy, much to his chagrin. He had never been there before, and judging by the mall's grandeur in size, following Summer (a shopping veteran) probably gave him less chances of getting lost.
"So how long will we be here?" Ryan asked, weaving in and out of the make-up department, having to pause every now and then when Summer spotted lipstick in a brand new shade that totally fit her.
"Until I'm done." Summer told him, putting the make-up back on the counter and leading him to the jewelry section. "First, we'll get Coop out of the way." Summer announced, beckoning Ryan over to the counter. "See that necklace down there? The heart with the little ruby pieces encrusted into it? Coop has been eyeing that necklace for months. She wouldl've bought it too, but then that whole thing with her dad happened. When we still come, she'll always go straight here and just admire it." Summer explained, looking at Ryan expectantly.
"Wow." Ryan commented, peering down through the glass case at the necklace, which hung on a thin gold chain. "So, that would be her perfect Christmas gift?" He asked for reassurance.
"Yeah," Summer nodded, "But she'd never admit it. If you asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she'd just cling onto your arm and probably say 'all I want for Christmas is you' or something really lame and fluffy like that."
"You must really be best friends." Ryan stated, looking up from the glass case to Summer.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. That's exactly what she said when I asked her what she wanted for Christmas." Ryan told Summer with a slight smile. He turned back to the display. "So how much is it?" He asked, fishing in his back pockets for his wallet.
"Uh..." Summer leaned over the glass display case, looking inside at the tiny little piece of paper laying next to the necklace. "Only $2,150." She answered with a bright smile.
"Only $2,150!?" Ryan repeated, clutching his wallet tightly. "I can't afford that."
"Whatever, Chino! You know you can." Summer retorted. "I mean, what do you spend your Crab Shack paycheck on? Fruit of the Loom wife-beaters?"
"Well, it's a lot of money to spend all on one gift. I don't want to put Marissa in an uncomfortable position either because she can't... you know..."
"Coop will get over it." Summer told him firmly. "She'll make a pouty face and earn your sympathy by saying that she couldn't afford much for her own gift or whatever, and then she'll get over it, because she wants that damned necklace."
"...That will probably happen." Ryan agreed.
"Come on, Chino, don't be stingy. You live with the Cohens, Caleb Nichol practically owns Newport, you don't even really need a job. Use your own money on Marissa, use their money on yourself." Summer proposed.
"I got a job because I didn't want to take their money." Ryan told her.
"Then I guess you'll have to walk around Newport shirtless for awhile, huh?" Summer smirked. Ryan sighed, shaking his head and pulling out the credit card the Cohens had given him, looking at Summer for reassurance and then putting it on the counter. Summer waved her hand at a salesperson walking around the display area, and the man quickly strided over to the two of them.
"How can I help you?" The genteel man inquired, clasping his hands behind his back.
"He would like one of those." Summer told him, pointing to the necklace they had decided to get for Marissa. "And for me, a pair of the matching earrings." She smiled. Ryan furrowed his brow, looking at her oddly.
"Wait. You're getting her the matching earrings? But, they're cheaper..."
"Exactly." Summer nodded, handing the man her credit card and grinning at Ryan evilly. After paying for Marissa's gifts, the duo headed out of the expensive department store area and into the food court which had many small shops placed around it. Ryan pulled them both to a halt infront of a comic book store.
"Hey, I'm gonna go inside and check it out." Ryan announced, turning into the shop.
"Ew, comic books. Why would you want to - Ryan! Ryan come back! Ryan! Wait!" Summer grabbed her shopping bag, running into the tiny and cramped store after him. "This place reaks of dweebiness."
"I didn't know dweebiness was a scent." Ryan responded. "Or a word, actually."
"Whatever, just please make it quick." Summer told him, walking away to a different part of the store. She dropped her bags near the counter, leaning against it and folding her arms across her chest as if striking a pose. A talk-to-me-and-die pose. Nonetheless, the friendly comic book store cashier decided to strike up a conversation.
"Hey," He tapped her on the shoulder from over the cashier's desk, which was connected to a glass display case which held rare plastic wrapped comics, the types which were endlessly bidded on at Ebay. Summer glanced over her shoulder expectantly. "Don't lean on the glass case." The cashier said, pointing to a sign which Summer had ignored.
"Whatev. Wouldn't want to harm a bunch of cheap pages somebody colored in with crayola crayons, now would we?" Summer retorted.
"Hey, you underestimate the average comic book." The cashier said, obviously a little offended but he seemed to have the air about him that he had been looking for somebody to challenge him about the worthiness of the average comic book. The cashier reached behind him, pulling out a comic - Fallen Angel, and handing it to her. Summer looked at the book in disinterest.
"What is that?" Summer inquired.
"Fallen Angel." The cashier explained. "Hey, I'm not into it myself but chicks seem to dig it. And..." He trailed off, lowing his voice to a whisper. "It's rated for Mature Audiences. Now I know you're interested."
"Give me that!" Summer snatched it from his hands, flipping it through. Hmm. Red hair chick. Sleeping with older guy dude. Helping out foreign drug lord dude. Sounded like something Marissa would read if she was into comics. "Nah." She tossed it back to the cashier. "I'm amazed there actually is sex in comic books." She told him. "Because you know, comics are done by people who can't get laid."
"That's so not true." The cashier countered. "Sex is even better when you read comics."
"Ew. Too much info." Summer replied, scrunching up her face. Suddenly, curiosity struck her. "But... how is it better?" She couldn't have stopped herself from asking even if she tried.
"Ha. Roleplaying, baby. Roleplaying." The guy nodded. Now Summer was officially creeped out.
"Well..." Summer trailed off, looking away. "The creep factor is most definetly rising."
"Hey, don't take it the wrong way. I mean... I'm not trying to brag or anything. I mean, look at me. I don't have much to brag about." He told her honestly. And Summer did look at him. A shock of shaggy carrot-orange hair topped his freckly face along with outrageously thick black glasses. He seemed to be a follower of Seth's novelty t-shirt trend too.
"You're right, you don't have much to brag about." Summer told him honestly. Well, it was the truth. Summer wasn't going to lie for the sake of being nice. The guy wasn't exactly hot. But... "Except a pretty good sense of humor... and a likeable personality." She threw in. Hey, for a geek he was pretty easy to talk to. He didn't talk in 'leet' or whatever it was called.
"Ha." The cashier laughed out loud. "I've never heard that before. Most girls just lie and pour their pity down on me."
"I'm not most girls." Summer responded, smiling sweetly. "Now," She leaned over the counter, still disregarding the 'do not lean on the glass counter' sign. "Do you have anything about Wonder Woman?" She requested.
"Wonder Woman? So you're a Wonder Woman type of chick." The cashier nodded, bending down behind the counter and returning with a few comics, all of which were of the Wonder Woman series.
"What other chick can you be in the comic world? Aside from that Fallen Sex Angel chick, anyway."
"Well, while Wonder Woman is the trademark woman of DC comics, there are many women featured in comics. Supergirl, Batgirl, Catwoman, not too mention all of the reporters aka damsels in distress. Oh- and the Birds of Prey, Elektra, and the X-men girls: Jean Grey, Storm, Rogue, Shadowca-"
"Okay!" Summer cut him off. "I get the point. But I'm not into that whole damsel in distress thing. I mean, did you see the Spider-Man movie? How pathetic was Kirsten Dunst as Mary-Jane? She kicked more ass as a cheerleader in Bring It On." Summer pointed out. "The only smart thing she did was kiss the geeky spider boy."
"Whoa. Intense." The cashier commented. "But I have to agree. And she was so much hotter in Bring It On." He nodded.
"Yeah, totally. Red so isn't her color. Oh, and Batgirl and Supergirl? First of all- talk about having a really lame code name. I mean, if you want to hook up with BatGIRL or SuperGIRL you can do find Anna Stern." Summer told the cashier, slamming her fist down on the glass counter. "Because I am all woman!" She declared proudly. The cashier took a step away from her, looking frightened out of his wits.
"I believe you." He nodded. "So... uh... who's Anna Stern?" He inquired.
"You don't want to know." Summer retorted. "Look, I'll just take those Wonder Woman comics there."
"Awesome. I knew you looked like a smart cookie." The cashier grinned, ringing up the comics. "Nobody comes into this store without buying anything on my shift." He commented.
"Cookie? Did you just call me a cookie?" Summer asked.
"I didn't mean it." The cashier responded with a grin, handing her the bag of comics. "So... uh... I was just wondering, if you're not doing anything on Friday..."
"Oh muh god! You're asking me out!" Summer exclaimed.
"Way to blow my cover." The cashier laughed. "But yeah, I am." He nodded.
"But like... you don't even know my name!"
"Your taste in comics says enough."
"Whoa. Okay. Why hasn't anybody told me sooner how fricking sweet geeks are?" Summer wondered outloud. "Every girl should have one." She added thoughtfully.
"Is that a yes?" The cashier asked hopefully.
"I'm sorry," Summer began, looking at him apologetically. "But I already have my geek. And um... I don't really think you'll want to..." She stepped away from the counter, putting her growing stomache into view. The cashier blinked twice, his eyes growing huge in surprise.
"Oh, w-whoa. I'm sorry, I didn't notice. I..."
"It's allright." Summer laughed. "But what a relief that I can still get a date if it's not that noticable."
"Hey, we can go now." Ryan said, approaching Summer. He glanced at the shopping bag in her hand from the comic store and then at the cashier in confusion. Summer bought a comic book. "You know, it was getting a bit chilly in hell." Ryan told her.
"Whatever, Chino." Summer rolled her eyes.
"Oh, he... he must be the... oh, I see." The cashier said softly, his mouth forming a big 'o'. "I didn't mean to hit on your girl, I just... you have muscles." The cashier stated, looking at Ryan.
"What is he talking about?" Ryan asked Summer, who simply shrugged.
"H-have a nice day." The cashier waved them off. Summer couldn't help but chuckle. That guy actually thought that Ryan had been the father. What a joke! Ryan a father? He didn't exactly have a good experience with parents.
"So can we leave now?" Ryan asked Summer, taking all of her shopping bags for her so that she didn't strain herself.
"Like, no. I still have one more person to shop for." Summer told him.
"Right, Seth." Ryan nodded.
"No, not Seth."
"Then who?" Ryan inquired, arching an eyebrow.
"You!" Summer poked him in the chest. "Duh. You've been putting up with me forever now- you'll be rewarded." Summer smirked, leading him into a department store.
"You don't have to get me anything." Ryan insisted, following her inside. "Not from here anyway. I mean, we can just go to Wal-Mart or something. Pick up a three pack of Fruit of the Loom wifebeaters..."
"Ew, gross. First of all, I'm not stepping a perfectly pedicured toe into that place, and really Ryan, you need more variety in life."
"I think I've had enough variety." Ryan sighed, following her around.
"Chino, stop following me. How am I going to buy you a gift if you keep following me!?" Summer asked. "Go check out some cologne or something!" She ordered, pushing him off. Ryan complied, because it was futile to argue against Summer, and walked away. Summer, being relieved of him, headed towards the men's clothing department. The hunt for her perfect Christmas gift for Ryan Atwood was about to begin.
Nearly an hour later, Summer and Ryan exitted South Coast Plaza. Ryan had a gigantic stack of shopping bags- Summer didn't only want to buy Christmas gifts for her friends, but for herself too. In fact, she spent the most money on herself. But they were both exuasted. Because of the pregancny Summer didn't have the shopping stamina that she used too. Ryan? Well he had never been a large fan of shopping and it had been very tiresome, but he had survived. The two were both glad to return to the Cohen home.
-
December 24th, 11:30 PM.
Exactly two months would have gone and come during which Seth had been grounded from Summer by tommorow, Christmas Day. Tonight, Seth lay alone in Ryan's bed, staring at the poolhouse ceiling. He never seemed to get any sleep lately. His parents completely disregarded the fact that Seth was clausterphobic. So Seth lay awake, his hands folded across his chest, wondering if he would still be alive on Christmas Day or if all the oxygen would be sucked out just as midnight approached.
While in the midst of his thoughts over this non-existant dilemma, he barely heard the sound of the door knob turning and the door itself as it squeaked and was pushed open. Suddenly, Seth bolted up right in his bed. Seth was not only clausterphobic, but paranoid too. Strange squeaking and opening of the doors and strange figures in the doorway did not help. But before Seth could reach for his baseball bat and bash the intruder over the head- the moonlight illuminated the figure's face and he realized who it was, calming himself down. Until he remember that he was grounded from her and that if his parents knew that she was here, violating the punishment, there would be much hell to pay.
"Summer?" Seth questioned, rubbing his eyes. "What are you doing here?" He asked.
"Shh." Summer put her finger to her lips, stepping towards him. Seth looked up at her expectantly, Summer was standing above him clad in her nightrobe. She didn't bother to answer his question as she undid the tie on the robe and it fell to her feet, revealing...
"Oh my Jesus and Moses." Seth felt his breath get stuck in his throat at the sight of Summer in a Wonder Woman costume. He looked up at her as she approached him, his eyes twinkling with joy. Summer kneeled down to his level, looping her 'invisibility' rope around his neck and drawing him closer to her. "What- I- Wow- Um-" Seth couldn't find the words to speak.
"Shh." Summer quieted him again. "Roleplaying, baby. Roleplaying." And with that, she pressed her lips onto his and they both fell back onto the bed.
Author: In Fair Verona
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Seth and Summer engender a 'rumor' which travels around Newport and learn the consequences of their actions when the unexpected happens.
Shipper: Seth x Summer
Disclaimer: It is all property of FOX, every last bit of it. I don't own anything in this story or related to it.
A/N: Allright. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. It took awhile to get out, and I apologize for that- but it was fun and it is longer than most chapters so it was worth it. There is an introduction to a couple of made-up characters in this chapter. I really dislike putting original characters into my fics, because I don't want to get Mary-Sue or whatever. But these are men, so it's all good. This is where I wrote in Summer's doctor's character. I hope you guys like him. He is sort of based off of Mr. Lorry from "A Tale of Two Cities" and Teabing from "Da Vinci Code". This was just a fun, light-heated chapter to write. There is also a lot of Summer and Ryan interaction, and you know that equals fun. So thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, and even those of you that didn't but at least read. Here you go!
-
A month and a half had passed by, leaving 4 1/2 left of Summer's pregnancy. The Cohen's punishment was still withstanding, and Seth had only gotten to see her rarely in the house or at school. Things became awkward in the Cohen house for everybody, and Ryan was thrown into the middle of it all. Seth slightly resented the guy, the Cohens expected him to be their loyal lap dog, and Summer treated him like her slave. It was a little hectic, he barely had time to do anything with Marissa.
Speaking of Marissa, during this time period while Ryan was chauffering Summer around Newport, she and Seth became closer friends again. Although, Marissa was getting quite fed-up with this punishment too, because she missed her boyfriend and all Seth talked about was Summer. Marissa was already best friends with Summer, and all Summer talked about was Summer, and now Seth had caught onto the trend as well.
Summer was handling it well, on the surface at least. She didn't want to oppose the Cohens, nor have them think badly of her after all they had done, so she abided by the rules. Although deep inside, there was a longing to break them. She had come close on several occasions, ready to say, "Cohen, to hell with your parents, let's run away to Vegas", or perhaps something not that extreme but close. But she never did. Something always held her back. The most she ever did was an almost hidden smile here and there when they passed in the halls.
And Seth? Out of all the teens, it was obvious that Seth took it that hardest. It was his punishment after all. The apprehension and anxiety was driving him mad. Anything could happen to Summer or to their child when he wasn't there. He just couldn't stand being cooped up in the poolhouse, playing Final Fanasty VIII was fun and all, but he wanted to be in the house with Summer. He couldn't even sit at dinner with them all. Despite the fact that his parents spoiled him by letting him order pizza and pigging out, playing video games and whatever, he knew they were not doing it to be nice. They had hidden motives, and they were really getting to Seth, just like chinese water torture. During Summer's second doctor appointment, all Seth could do was pace back and forth in the poolhouse, ready to kill himself if he didn't get an update from Ryan, and stat. Of course, nothing happened. She got some medications prescribed and the baby was healthy, but nonetheless, it drove Seth insane.
Sure, before Ryan came along, he had gotten used to the idea that Summer would never speak with him. But then she did. They got close. They got more than close. And for her to be taken away so adruptly, treated like an object that could be revoked from the offender, himself, it was just wrong on so many levels. But his parents, his father who used to fight for justice for deliquents like himself (well, not quite like himself), they didn't care. In fact, Seth highly predicted they were enjoying it. Sure, they were sympathetic with their 'sorry son, but this is the way it's gotta be' smiles, but those smiles weren't going to fix anything.
That was what Seth had just finished complaining to Marissa about on the front steps of Harbor. The girl simply rolled her eyes and nodding, bordering on falling asleep any time now.
"And then, do you want to know what sick and twisted metaphor my dad made?" Seth asked.
"If it's sick and twisted, not really." Marissa responded in monotone.
"Allright. So, he said that I had to get used to not being around Summer, because I could've been carrying an STD, and I could've killed Summer by having intercourse with her. What in the hell is he trying to put into my brain?"
"I think he's trying to make you feel guilty." Marissa muttered, dropping her head into hands, mentally pleading him to stop.
"He should be the guilty one! They both should be! It's been over a month! It's the beginning of December! Christmas is almost here, they can't keep the family apart at Christmas!" Seth exclaimed.
"Of course not." Marissa mumbled. "Do you know where Ryan is?" She asked, cutting him off.
"Um, hello? Haven't you been listening to a word I've said?" Seth admonished. "Ryan's taking Summer to her doctor's appointment. Her third one." He twiddled his hands together nervously. "What if they find something wrong?"
"If you keep being paranoid and thinking like that, then they will!" Marissa told him, annoyance bordering her tone. "My poor baby." She sighed, thinking of Ryan.
"YOUR poor baby? MY poor baby. I mean, Ryan's great, but he's not exactly paternal material here." Seth huffed.
"As opposed to the boy who's obsessed with watching cartoon network?" Marissa retorted.
"Hey, I resent that. It's not my fault that the only half-way decent anime comes on that channel at midnight."
"What? I didn't get that."
"Ah, don't bother." Seth shook his head, standing up. "I think I'm going to go home. And you know, have virtually no life." He nodded, setting down his skateboard and riding off into the distance.
-
"RYAN!!!" Summer shrieked, her shrill siryn call ringing in his ears. Ryan Atwood quickly walked into the room, his eyes unusually wide and alert. He blinked twice, looking around the small doctor's office.
"Summer?" He questioned.
"Ryan!" She snapped, grabbing her purse and tossing it at him. "I just got this huge craving for gummi bears, go to the store and buy me some, okay? While you're there, grab some picante." She demanded.
"Summer, I'm not allowed to leave you alone." Ryan pointed out.
"Ryan, I have a craving. Do you know what happens to pregnant women with cravings?" Summer asked him threateningly. Luckily, Ryan was spared by the doctor, a man of about 50 years of age with a shiny bald spot on his head. The doctor walked into the room, waving his arm to a chair for Ryan before approaching Summer.
"How are you feeling, Summer, I mean, Ms. Roberts?" The doctor asked.
"Like, hungry." Summer told him, shooting a dark glance in Ryan's direction.
"Well, that's quite normal." The doctor, who's name was Dr. James Janney, checked off something on his clipboard and set in aside. "We're just going to go through the routine check-up right now." Dr. Janney told Summer, putting his stethoscope on and holding it up to Summer's stomache. "Mmhmm." Dr. Janney made a few more comfirmative grunts before scratching down specific notes onto his clipboard. "Any your symptoms, Ms. Roberts?"
"Ugh. I've vomited twice already today, and I've been doing that everyday this week, and then I feel kind of dizzy and nauseous, and I get tired and fatigued quickly, like, by noon." Summer told him.
"Have you been getting enough sleep?" Dr. Janney inquired.
"Well, I try, but I mean, I have to do homework or else I'll fail AP Bio." The doctor cast a glance at Ryan.
"You're the... father?"
"Uncle." Ryan corrected. That damned doctor asked him that during all of Summer's appointments. You'd think he'd just write it down on that damned clipboard.
"Right. Mr...?"
"Atwood." Ryan mumbled, growing annoyed. The doctor never remembered him, although he'd gone with Summer to all her appointments.
"Mr. Atwood, I'm sure that you wouldn't mind helping Ms. Roberts with some of her homework, right?" The doctor asked him with a friendly yet forceful tone.
"Sounds exciting." Ryan mumbled in response. Shit. Now he was stuck with even more of Summer's stuff. This punishment was ridiculous and Ryan wanted out, pronto.
"Ms. Roberts, why doesn't the father accompany you to your appointments?" Dr. Janney inquired, glancing at Ryan once again. Ryan wanted to bang his head against a clipboard. They'd been over this before.
"Dr. Janney, I told you last time that he's grounded." Summer replied, her tone also growing impatient.
"Indeed!" Dr. Janney agreed with vigor. He moved around Summer, picking up different doctor untensils and completing her check-up. When he was done, the doctor purposely kicked Ryan in the leg to wake up the boy who had nearly fallen asleep, and then he turned innocently back to Summer as if nothing had happened, not noticing Ryan's death glare directed at his back.
"Finished?" Ryan inquired with a murmur, fishing in his pockets for the car keyes. Dr. Janney nodded enthusiastically.
"Indeed we are! Ms. Roberts, here is a renewed prescription for the medication that I prescribed at our last visit, just take that to the pharmacist, allright? Everything's looking good, you're on schedule, and no, you're not too fat, you're doing just perfect." He reassured her, knowing that Summer would inquire that since she had during the last two appointments. "Hopefully next time the father will be able to join you, though." He told her, with a suspicious twinkle in his eye. "Oh, by the way, how's your father?" Dr. Janney asked her. When Summer had first met Dr. Janney, which was recently, she was very surprised to find out that Dr. Janney was an old associate of her father. Summer's father also worked in medicine, which Summer suspected was a reason why her step-mom was as drugged up as she was. Apparently, Mr. Roberts and Dr. Janney had even gone to Colombia together, and Dr. Janney was an usher at Summer's parents' wedding. Also, according to the doctor, he'd known her since she was born. This onslaught of recently revealed information which Summer had no memory of was a just a little bit creepy. But then again, Dr. Janney was just that- a little bit creepy in that off-course kind of way. Summer didn't understand how a man like her father, who gave birth to a girl like Summer, was ever able to get along with somebody like the doctor. But, the doctor was a good doctor, albeit forgetful at times, he was still the best doctor for pregnancies in all of Orange County. So Summer put up with him.
"I don't know." Summer replied honestly, shrugging her shoulders. "It's not like Daddy's ever at home anymore." She added, somewhat bitterly.
"That's a shame. Well, when he gets back, tell him to stop by." The doctor suggested. Suddenly, the doctor cut himself short, glancing at Summer oddly. "Summer," He said, calling her by her first name, "Your father does know that you're pregnant, right?"
"Um, duh!" Summer told him, forcing a laugh.
"Well, that's a relief. You almost gave me quite a fright there, kiddo. Er, Ms. Roberts." Dr. Janney corrected himself. "Allright, here is your prescription," He handed Ryan the slip of paper although he was speaking to Summer, "And your records," he handed Ryan a manila folder, "out you go now, I have an appointment with a French woman carrying triplets, and you know how the French are." He murmured under his breath, pushing Summer and Ryan out of the room. "The front office will schedule your next appointment, and I will see you then, Ms. Roberts, and Mr. Um..."
"Atwood." Ryan mumbled through gritted teeth.
"Right! Have a nice day!" The doctor waved them off cheerfully, closing the door behind them.
-
"So why did you lie to Dr. Kill-Me-Now?" Ryan inquired as he pulled out of the hospital driveway. Summer shrugged.
"It doesn't make a difference if Daddy knows or not. I just told Dr. Janney what he wanted to hear."
"Since when did you do stuff like that?" Ryan wondered out-loud, mentally slapping himself for doing so. Summer glanced at him darkly, as if ready to make a snappy comeback but instead decided better than that and instead replied honestly,
"Since I became pregnant." There was a short-lived silence as Ryan drove onto the street that led back towards their neighborhood, and Summer quickly stopped him by exclaiming out of nowhere, "Wait! Where are you going, Chino!?"
"Home." Ryan replied simply.
"Well, don't!" Summer remarked. "Turn around, we're going to South Coast Plaza." She ordered.
"What!? Why?" Ryan asked incredulously.
"Christmas shopping, duh. Don't tell me they don't celebrate Christmas in Chino."
"No, we're going home." Ryan objected. "The deal was that I would take you to your appointment, and to school, and then we go home. I haven't talked to Marissa since lunch today, and I need to call her." Ryan explained.
"Oh no!" Summer mocked a dramatic gasp, "Since lunch? However will you survive? And you can call her, it's called a cell phone." Summer told him, pulling hers out of her purse. "And we can go shopping and get Marissa a gift, since I am her best friend and I know exactly what she wants." Summer added.
"But she might be waiting for me at the house. If I'm not there, she'll be angry."
"Ryan," Summer began, using his first name for once, "Who are you more afraid of? Marissa? Or me?" Summer inquired persuasively. Ryan didn't even need to pause to think on that one, he made a quick U-ie and headed in the other direction towards South Coast Plaza at top speed.
The two had arrived at the popular and expensive mall and within their first step inside, Summer had already raced off in one direction, leaving Ryan to tag along behind like a lost puppy, much to his chagrin. He had never been there before, and judging by the mall's grandeur in size, following Summer (a shopping veteran) probably gave him less chances of getting lost.
"So how long will we be here?" Ryan asked, weaving in and out of the make-up department, having to pause every now and then when Summer spotted lipstick in a brand new shade that totally fit her.
"Until I'm done." Summer told him, putting the make-up back on the counter and leading him to the jewelry section. "First, we'll get Coop out of the way." Summer announced, beckoning Ryan over to the counter. "See that necklace down there? The heart with the little ruby pieces encrusted into it? Coop has been eyeing that necklace for months. She wouldl've bought it too, but then that whole thing with her dad happened. When we still come, she'll always go straight here and just admire it." Summer explained, looking at Ryan expectantly.
"Wow." Ryan commented, peering down through the glass case at the necklace, which hung on a thin gold chain. "So, that would be her perfect Christmas gift?" He asked for reassurance.
"Yeah," Summer nodded, "But she'd never admit it. If you asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she'd just cling onto your arm and probably say 'all I want for Christmas is you' or something really lame and fluffy like that."
"You must really be best friends." Ryan stated, looking up from the glass case to Summer.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. That's exactly what she said when I asked her what she wanted for Christmas." Ryan told Summer with a slight smile. He turned back to the display. "So how much is it?" He asked, fishing in his back pockets for his wallet.
"Uh..." Summer leaned over the glass display case, looking inside at the tiny little piece of paper laying next to the necklace. "Only $2,150." She answered with a bright smile.
"Only $2,150!?" Ryan repeated, clutching his wallet tightly. "I can't afford that."
"Whatever, Chino! You know you can." Summer retorted. "I mean, what do you spend your Crab Shack paycheck on? Fruit of the Loom wife-beaters?"
"Well, it's a lot of money to spend all on one gift. I don't want to put Marissa in an uncomfortable position either because she can't... you know..."
"Coop will get over it." Summer told him firmly. "She'll make a pouty face and earn your sympathy by saying that she couldn't afford much for her own gift or whatever, and then she'll get over it, because she wants that damned necklace."
"...That will probably happen." Ryan agreed.
"Come on, Chino, don't be stingy. You live with the Cohens, Caleb Nichol practically owns Newport, you don't even really need a job. Use your own money on Marissa, use their money on yourself." Summer proposed.
"I got a job because I didn't want to take their money." Ryan told her.
"Then I guess you'll have to walk around Newport shirtless for awhile, huh?" Summer smirked. Ryan sighed, shaking his head and pulling out the credit card the Cohens had given him, looking at Summer for reassurance and then putting it on the counter. Summer waved her hand at a salesperson walking around the display area, and the man quickly strided over to the two of them.
"How can I help you?" The genteel man inquired, clasping his hands behind his back.
"He would like one of those." Summer told him, pointing to the necklace they had decided to get for Marissa. "And for me, a pair of the matching earrings." She smiled. Ryan furrowed his brow, looking at her oddly.
"Wait. You're getting her the matching earrings? But, they're cheaper..."
"Exactly." Summer nodded, handing the man her credit card and grinning at Ryan evilly. After paying for Marissa's gifts, the duo headed out of the expensive department store area and into the food court which had many small shops placed around it. Ryan pulled them both to a halt infront of a comic book store.
"Hey, I'm gonna go inside and check it out." Ryan announced, turning into the shop.
"Ew, comic books. Why would you want to - Ryan! Ryan come back! Ryan! Wait!" Summer grabbed her shopping bag, running into the tiny and cramped store after him. "This place reaks of dweebiness."
"I didn't know dweebiness was a scent." Ryan responded. "Or a word, actually."
"Whatever, just please make it quick." Summer told him, walking away to a different part of the store. She dropped her bags near the counter, leaning against it and folding her arms across her chest as if striking a pose. A talk-to-me-and-die pose. Nonetheless, the friendly comic book store cashier decided to strike up a conversation.
"Hey," He tapped her on the shoulder from over the cashier's desk, which was connected to a glass display case which held rare plastic wrapped comics, the types which were endlessly bidded on at Ebay. Summer glanced over her shoulder expectantly. "Don't lean on the glass case." The cashier said, pointing to a sign which Summer had ignored.
"Whatev. Wouldn't want to harm a bunch of cheap pages somebody colored in with crayola crayons, now would we?" Summer retorted.
"Hey, you underestimate the average comic book." The cashier said, obviously a little offended but he seemed to have the air about him that he had been looking for somebody to challenge him about the worthiness of the average comic book. The cashier reached behind him, pulling out a comic - Fallen Angel, and handing it to her. Summer looked at the book in disinterest.
"What is that?" Summer inquired.
"Fallen Angel." The cashier explained. "Hey, I'm not into it myself but chicks seem to dig it. And..." He trailed off, lowing his voice to a whisper. "It's rated for Mature Audiences. Now I know you're interested."
"Give me that!" Summer snatched it from his hands, flipping it through. Hmm. Red hair chick. Sleeping with older guy dude. Helping out foreign drug lord dude. Sounded like something Marissa would read if she was into comics. "Nah." She tossed it back to the cashier. "I'm amazed there actually is sex in comic books." She told him. "Because you know, comics are done by people who can't get laid."
"That's so not true." The cashier countered. "Sex is even better when you read comics."
"Ew. Too much info." Summer replied, scrunching up her face. Suddenly, curiosity struck her. "But... how is it better?" She couldn't have stopped herself from asking even if she tried.
"Ha. Roleplaying, baby. Roleplaying." The guy nodded. Now Summer was officially creeped out.
"Well..." Summer trailed off, looking away. "The creep factor is most definetly rising."
"Hey, don't take it the wrong way. I mean... I'm not trying to brag or anything. I mean, look at me. I don't have much to brag about." He told her honestly. And Summer did look at him. A shock of shaggy carrot-orange hair topped his freckly face along with outrageously thick black glasses. He seemed to be a follower of Seth's novelty t-shirt trend too.
"You're right, you don't have much to brag about." Summer told him honestly. Well, it was the truth. Summer wasn't going to lie for the sake of being nice. The guy wasn't exactly hot. But... "Except a pretty good sense of humor... and a likeable personality." She threw in. Hey, for a geek he was pretty easy to talk to. He didn't talk in 'leet' or whatever it was called.
"Ha." The cashier laughed out loud. "I've never heard that before. Most girls just lie and pour their pity down on me."
"I'm not most girls." Summer responded, smiling sweetly. "Now," She leaned over the counter, still disregarding the 'do not lean on the glass counter' sign. "Do you have anything about Wonder Woman?" She requested.
"Wonder Woman? So you're a Wonder Woman type of chick." The cashier nodded, bending down behind the counter and returning with a few comics, all of which were of the Wonder Woman series.
"What other chick can you be in the comic world? Aside from that Fallen Sex Angel chick, anyway."
"Well, while Wonder Woman is the trademark woman of DC comics, there are many women featured in comics. Supergirl, Batgirl, Catwoman, not too mention all of the reporters aka damsels in distress. Oh- and the Birds of Prey, Elektra, and the X-men girls: Jean Grey, Storm, Rogue, Shadowca-"
"Okay!" Summer cut him off. "I get the point. But I'm not into that whole damsel in distress thing. I mean, did you see the Spider-Man movie? How pathetic was Kirsten Dunst as Mary-Jane? She kicked more ass as a cheerleader in Bring It On." Summer pointed out. "The only smart thing she did was kiss the geeky spider boy."
"Whoa. Intense." The cashier commented. "But I have to agree. And she was so much hotter in Bring It On." He nodded.
"Yeah, totally. Red so isn't her color. Oh, and Batgirl and Supergirl? First of all- talk about having a really lame code name. I mean, if you want to hook up with BatGIRL or SuperGIRL you can do find Anna Stern." Summer told the cashier, slamming her fist down on the glass counter. "Because I am all woman!" She declared proudly. The cashier took a step away from her, looking frightened out of his wits.
"I believe you." He nodded. "So... uh... who's Anna Stern?" He inquired.
"You don't want to know." Summer retorted. "Look, I'll just take those Wonder Woman comics there."
"Awesome. I knew you looked like a smart cookie." The cashier grinned, ringing up the comics. "Nobody comes into this store without buying anything on my shift." He commented.
"Cookie? Did you just call me a cookie?" Summer asked.
"I didn't mean it." The cashier responded with a grin, handing her the bag of comics. "So... uh... I was just wondering, if you're not doing anything on Friday..."
"Oh muh god! You're asking me out!" Summer exclaimed.
"Way to blow my cover." The cashier laughed. "But yeah, I am." He nodded.
"But like... you don't even know my name!"
"Your taste in comics says enough."
"Whoa. Okay. Why hasn't anybody told me sooner how fricking sweet geeks are?" Summer wondered outloud. "Every girl should have one." She added thoughtfully.
"Is that a yes?" The cashier asked hopefully.
"I'm sorry," Summer began, looking at him apologetically. "But I already have my geek. And um... I don't really think you'll want to..." She stepped away from the counter, putting her growing stomache into view. The cashier blinked twice, his eyes growing huge in surprise.
"Oh, w-whoa. I'm sorry, I didn't notice. I..."
"It's allright." Summer laughed. "But what a relief that I can still get a date if it's not that noticable."
"Hey, we can go now." Ryan said, approaching Summer. He glanced at the shopping bag in her hand from the comic store and then at the cashier in confusion. Summer bought a comic book. "You know, it was getting a bit chilly in hell." Ryan told her.
"Whatever, Chino." Summer rolled her eyes.
"Oh, he... he must be the... oh, I see." The cashier said softly, his mouth forming a big 'o'. "I didn't mean to hit on your girl, I just... you have muscles." The cashier stated, looking at Ryan.
"What is he talking about?" Ryan asked Summer, who simply shrugged.
"H-have a nice day." The cashier waved them off. Summer couldn't help but chuckle. That guy actually thought that Ryan had been the father. What a joke! Ryan a father? He didn't exactly have a good experience with parents.
"So can we leave now?" Ryan asked Summer, taking all of her shopping bags for her so that she didn't strain herself.
"Like, no. I still have one more person to shop for." Summer told him.
"Right, Seth." Ryan nodded.
"No, not Seth."
"Then who?" Ryan inquired, arching an eyebrow.
"You!" Summer poked him in the chest. "Duh. You've been putting up with me forever now- you'll be rewarded." Summer smirked, leading him into a department store.
"You don't have to get me anything." Ryan insisted, following her inside. "Not from here anyway. I mean, we can just go to Wal-Mart or something. Pick up a three pack of Fruit of the Loom wifebeaters..."
"Ew, gross. First of all, I'm not stepping a perfectly pedicured toe into that place, and really Ryan, you need more variety in life."
"I think I've had enough variety." Ryan sighed, following her around.
"Chino, stop following me. How am I going to buy you a gift if you keep following me!?" Summer asked. "Go check out some cologne or something!" She ordered, pushing him off. Ryan complied, because it was futile to argue against Summer, and walked away. Summer, being relieved of him, headed towards the men's clothing department. The hunt for her perfect Christmas gift for Ryan Atwood was about to begin.
Nearly an hour later, Summer and Ryan exitted South Coast Plaza. Ryan had a gigantic stack of shopping bags- Summer didn't only want to buy Christmas gifts for her friends, but for herself too. In fact, she spent the most money on herself. But they were both exuasted. Because of the pregancny Summer didn't have the shopping stamina that she used too. Ryan? Well he had never been a large fan of shopping and it had been very tiresome, but he had survived. The two were both glad to return to the Cohen home.
-
December 24th, 11:30 PM.
Exactly two months would have gone and come during which Seth had been grounded from Summer by tommorow, Christmas Day. Tonight, Seth lay alone in Ryan's bed, staring at the poolhouse ceiling. He never seemed to get any sleep lately. His parents completely disregarded the fact that Seth was clausterphobic. So Seth lay awake, his hands folded across his chest, wondering if he would still be alive on Christmas Day or if all the oxygen would be sucked out just as midnight approached.
While in the midst of his thoughts over this non-existant dilemma, he barely heard the sound of the door knob turning and the door itself as it squeaked and was pushed open. Suddenly, Seth bolted up right in his bed. Seth was not only clausterphobic, but paranoid too. Strange squeaking and opening of the doors and strange figures in the doorway did not help. But before Seth could reach for his baseball bat and bash the intruder over the head- the moonlight illuminated the figure's face and he realized who it was, calming himself down. Until he remember that he was grounded from her and that if his parents knew that she was here, violating the punishment, there would be much hell to pay.
"Summer?" Seth questioned, rubbing his eyes. "What are you doing here?" He asked.
"Shh." Summer put her finger to her lips, stepping towards him. Seth looked up at her expectantly, Summer was standing above him clad in her nightrobe. She didn't bother to answer his question as she undid the tie on the robe and it fell to her feet, revealing...
"Oh my Jesus and Moses." Seth felt his breath get stuck in his throat at the sight of Summer in a Wonder Woman costume. He looked up at her as she approached him, his eyes twinkling with joy. Summer kneeled down to his level, looping her 'invisibility' rope around his neck and drawing him closer to her. "What- I- Wow- Um-" Seth couldn't find the words to speak.
"Shh." Summer quieted him again. "Roleplaying, baby. Roleplaying." And with that, she pressed her lips onto his and they both fell back onto the bed.