A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Onto the next chapter!

DISCLAIMER: Only own the plot!

Chapter Five: The New Couple

"Well what do you think?" asked a proud Julie Cooper as she led her two daughters' through the small but nice house.

"It's nice Mum," smiled Marissa as the walked into the pale blue room, which would be Marissa's, "Can we afford it?"

"With my new job we will," said Julie happily, "It is small, but maybe once I have paid off some debts we can move into a bigger place. Not like the mansion, but something bigger."

"Why do I get the pink room?" whined Caitlin in her preteen manner.

"Because you just do," said Marissa, "Well, lets get unpacking!"

As Marissa grabbed a box from the lounge room, her phone rang in her back pocket. She flipped it open to have Casey's number flashing at her. She hit the answer button and held it to her ear.

"Did you read the paper?" asked Casey not replying to Marissa's hello.

"No… I have been busy. Why?"

"Summer's father has been charged with abuse to her. Apparently he beat her up during the week some time."

"During the week?"

"Hang on… on Wednesday night. So two days ago."

"Oh my gosh," gasped Marissa, "I have to call her."

"It says she has been taken in by the Cohen family as they are close friends and Mr Cohen is her lawyer."

Marissa sighed, "Naturally. I'll go see her once I'm done unpacking. Talk later. Bye."

"See ya Riss."

Marissa hung up and slipped her phone into her pocket before picking up her box and heading to her room to begin unpacking.

OC

Summer hadn't gone to school on the Friday either, spending it watching her room being redesigned. In the afternoon she spent it catching up on schoolwork brought home to her from Ryan, Seth and Anna. But Saturday was the end of a horrible week. Sunday she could have a fresh start before returning to school on the Monday to face the questions.

She headed down to the kitchen dressed in a white knee length skirt and a black tank top on. Her hair was wavy, with her beaded jewellery on. She smiled at the Cohen's and Ryan, but Seth merely handed her the paper. Summer took it and her eyes landed on the front-page article about what her father did to her.

"Now everyone will know the truth," said Summer dropping the paper in disgust, "Everyone will treat me different."

Kirsten put her arm around Summer's shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze, "Let them talk. But you can prove to them you are stronger then their words."

"Beside's," said Ryan, "You have me, Anna and Seth to support you."

Summer smiled gratefully at him and took a bagel handed to her from Sandy, "Thanks… for everything."

"You already said that," teased Seth earning a playful shove from Summer, "Hey just pointing out the truth!"

"You want to go to the beach today?" asked Ryan, "Just to hang out?"

"I would but I can't," said Seth regretfully, "I have an essay to write for English."

"I'll go," said Summer, "I have no homework due that I know of."

OC

Summer and Ryan arrived at the beach to see it was closed from the strong current across the shore.

"Well we can still walk," said Summer, "Swimming in the beach isn't my fave thing to do anyway. To much sand floating around."

Ryan laughed and they both climbed out of the car. Summer flinched a little as the door brushed against her ribs. She sucked in a deep breath and followed Ryan down the sand dunes to the hot sand. They both ran quickly to the damp sand just wet from a wave.

"Oh, this is nice and cool," sighed Summer with a smile at Ryan, who nodded, "So, um… how was your first day back at Harbour?"

"It was great," said Ryan with a nod, "Everyone did the whole whispering thing, you know, 'Marissa shot his brother', or 'His brother tried to kill him'. But that was bound to happen."

Summer nodded and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, "That school just loves to gossip. It's like the only thing they are good at. No need to study, Daddy can support you for life, or you can take over Mummy or Daddy's business when they retire. They have no idea how to work for everything."

"Well, the real world will shock them if they ever go to it."

Summer nodded and both walked in a comfortable silence for a few minutes. Occasionally they would accidentally bump shoulders or their hands would brush together. Each time Sumer felt a blush on her cheeks and Ryan would feel butterflies in his stomach.

It was wrong, they both knew it. He was Seth's bestfriend and she was his ex-girlfriend. It was a dangerous path to take, plus Marissa would no doubt be against it.

"Weather is nice," said Ryan suddenly, "Thanks to the cool breeze."

"Yeah… it is. The sun isn't too hot," replied Summer with a small smile, "So um… did Taylor Townsend try to annoy you?"

"No… she did try to fish out information on you though," said Ryan with a smile, "That girl… she is insane."

"I know! She totally thinks everyone likes her, when they all hate her. I mean, how stupid is she?"

"Obviously very stupid."

Summer smiled, which Ryan returned warmly.

"So… heard from Trey at all?"

"Not since that text message I told you about. But you know, least he is getting his life together."

"Yeah," agreed Summer.

"Summer!"

Both Ryan and Summer stopped and turned around to see Taylor Townsend running towards them. Summer cursed as she knew her cut and bruise were still visible. But she smiled charmingly at Taylor who grinned back.

"Hi… Taylor," said Summer pretending to remember her name.

Taylor looked a bit put off, but made a gasp at seeing Summer's cut and bruise, "I read about your incident in the paper this morning."

"So has everyone in Newport," replied Summer under her breath so that only Ryan could hear before speaking clearly, "Well I can't control the media."

"Oh it must have been traumatic. Just know you can take as long as you like on the crepe paper and napkins."

"Gee, thanks Taylor, you are just so generous!"

Taylor smiled and hugged Summer, who grudgingly hugged her back with a pat on the shoulder.

"Well I will see you on Monday," said Taylor warmly, "Bye Ryan."

Ryan gave a small wave and Summer groaned once Taylor was in the distance.

"She drives me insane! Extra time! To pick out crepe paper and napkin designs! I'll just get orange and black crepe paper and black napkins! Wow!"

"What does she want with crepe paper anyway?"

"Oh I don't know. Probably to make a orange and black Dean Hess crepe paper sculpture."

Ryan snorted at the idea, causing Summer to laugh. They started walking and reached the rocks. Both climbed up them and sat down on the rock where Anna and Ryan had found Summer a week or so before in tears.

"Ah, the breeze is so cool here," sighed Summer closing her eyes and leaning back on her elbows before opening her eyes and looking at Ryan who was just staring at her with a odd expression, "What?"

Ryan looked away coughing a little, "Nothing. So are you settling in at home?"

"Yeah. I need to repay Kirsten and Sandy for the room. They didn't have too."

"That room was… well ugly before they changed it for you."

Summer laughed a little, "It was. But you know… just change the quilt."

"Paint the walls…"

"New furniture…"

"A touch of Summer Roberts," smiled Ryan, "Perfect."

Summer smiled and sat up with a sigh, "Ryan… the kiss."

"It was nothing," lied Ryan.

Summer shook her head, "It did mean something… don't lie to me."

"But Seth… he still loves you and Marissa."

Summer sighed, knowing he was right. But she couldn't help it. Ryan understood her better then Seth and knew how to make her smile and laugh when she needed too. Same with her knowing him. She knew when he was silent, he wasn't brooding- most of the time, he could just be daydreaming or thinking. That she learnt from yesterday afternoon when she needed to ask him something.

"I guess it was just never meant to happen," said Summer finally, "Maybe we are seeing something that really doesn't exist."

"Maybe," nodded Ryan looking at her.

Summer looked up from her feet and met his blue eyes. She leaned closer to him, as he did. His lips brushed hers gently before one hand raised to her cheek, his thumb caressing it gently before both met in a gentle, yet passionate kiss. Summer placed her hand on his shoulder drawing him closer to her body as the kiss got more heated with passion, lust and other emotions. Summer leant back towards the rock as Ryan slid one hand down the side of her body. Then Summer's phone rang.

They both broke apart and Summer sat up, grabbing her phone from her pocket with a little cough. Ryan sat beside her in silence as she flipped it open.

"Marissa," sighed Summer hitting the answer button and holding the phone to her ear, "Hello."

"Hey... Summer," came Marissa's voice, "I heard about the thing with your father."

"You and everyone in Newport."

"Well I didn't read it… Casey did. She rang and told me."

"I thought you were living with Casey."

"I have been. But Mum found a place and we have moved in. Just this morning actually."

"Oh, nice."

"You can come live with us if you want. We'll have to share but."

"I'm living with the Cohen's. I like it there."

"But you and Seth…"

"Have patched things up. We are friend's… I have someone else on my radar."

"Oh… who?"

"Oh, don't worry. I have to go anyway. Thanks for calling."

"Oh… okay. Bye."

"Bye Coop," said Summer shutting the phone. She looked at Ryan who was looking out at the midday sun with a lazy gaze.

"You can't tell me that meant nothing," said Summer in a serious tone.

"I'm not," came Ryan's reply, "It meant a lot."

Summer gave an aggravated sigh, "Well… what do we do?"

"Become a couple."

"What about Seth, Marissa and Anna? What do we tell them?"

"What has Anna got to do with it all?"

"Atwood, she is my bestfriend for one thing and knows everything! We can't leave her in the dark!"

Ryan pulled out his phone and typed in a message, sending it to Seth, Marissa and Anna, "Let's go. We have to meet them at the diner in twenty minutes. But… I never did this with Marissa and want to say it to you."

Summer looked at Ryan in confusion, "What? Please don't tell me you are going to be a dork like Cohen."

Ryan grinned and took hold of Summer's hand, "Close to it… but not completely. Summer will you be my girlfriend?"

Summer smiled and nodded, kissing her now boyfriend, Ryan Atwood on the cheek, "Come on. We have people to confront."

OC

Marissa walked into the diner with the best burgers and spotted Anna and Seth sitting at a booth talking away with a smile. She walked over to them and Seth looked up at her with a wave and smile. Marissa slid into the booth and smiled at Anna.

"I didn't know you were back," said Marissa with a smile at Anna, "How have you been?"

"Good! I'm happy to be back," smiled back Anna, though it looked forced, "So um, you get the message from Ryan?"

"Yeah," nodded Marissa, "How is Summer?"

"She is doing good," replied Seth with a little nod, "I think she has nightmares, but you know, those things will pass."

"I never knew that was happening to her. While I was there he never bothered her."
"No one suspected it," said Anna quietly, "But Ryan reckons he picked up on something when well… you know, the break up."

At that moment the diner's door opened. The three looked up and just stared as Summer and Ryan walked in hand in hand. The two walked to where the three sat but no one said a word. Seth, Anna and Marissa just stared at Summer and Ryan in a stunned silence. Summer shifted from foot to foot and Ryan gave a little cough.

"Ah… hi," said Ryan, "You all came."

"What is going on?" asked Marissa, "Why are you both holding hands?"

"This is who I was telling you about on the phone," said Summer, "Ryan is my… ah… boyfriend."

"What?" said both Seth and Marissa while Anna was torn between shock and happiness.

"Summer and I are going out," said Ryan, "Seth I'm not doing this to hurt you and Marissa… Summer is getting back at you and neither am I. I like Summer. She is funny… look we connect."

No one said anything, but finally Anna stood up and hugged them both smiling.

"At least you are both doing it for yourselves," she said with a grin, "Although I never would've guessed you two to be become a couple."

Summer smiled with a nod, "Neither did I, but you never know what is going to happen."

Marissa and Seth were still sitting in silence, but were no one stunned. It was Seth who sighed first out of the too and looked at Ryan, then at Summer.

"Seth," said Summer before he cut her off.

"Seth now? Not Cohen? So are you going to call Ryan Atwood?"

Summer shook her head, "No… that would sound stupid."

"So, calling me Cohen just sounded better then saying Seth?"

"Are you dating Ryan because he was the one who came to your rescue the other night?" cut in Marissa in a cold tone.

Summer let out an annoyed sigh. Yes she knew this would happen, but the questions were cutting away at her nerves. Ryan placed a hand on the small of her back in a reassuring way, obviously to keep her calm.

"No, Marissa. I am dating Ryan because I have I have genuine feelings. I know you are mad because you're his ex and we are or were friends. It's awkward I get it! But I can't help what I am feeling!"

"Rule 101," replied Marissa standing up with her purse, "Never date your bestfriend's ex."

"News flash!" cried Summer as Marissa walked from the table, "You aren't my bestfriend!"

Marissa stopped for a second before walking out the door. Summer sighed and a hand through her hair before looking at Seth.

"I don't know why I called you Cohen. I… I give you an answer to that," admitted Summer, "But I did love you Seth, I just don't have those feelings anymore."

Seth shrugged, "What I think doesn't matter anyway. You both are still a couple no matter what."

Seth stood and left, through the same door as Marissa. Summer sat down and Ryan sat beside. Anna patted Summer on the hand sympathetically.

"Anna, what's your opinion?" asked Summer looking up at her bestfriend.

"Well," said Anna leaning back, "I always say follow your heart regardless of the consequences. Those two will come around. Give them time."

"Seth has to cool down about it," said Ryan, "We live in the same home."

OC

"Marissa! Marissa!"

Marissa spun around to give Ryan a piece of her mind but was surprised to see Seth running towards her. He caught up to her and took a few deep breaths to catch his breath from running.

"You alright?" asked Seth looking Marissa in the eye.

"They… they… they just had no right is doing that to us!" cried Marissa in anger pointing at the diner, "They are our exes and supposed bestfriend's!"

"Well your not Summer's… Anna is."

"Whatever. I hope they break up."

Seth sighed, "I don't think they will, for a long time at least."

The two walked over to the pier stairs that led down to the beach. The afternoon sun beamed down on them causing Marissa to roll her sleeves up on her shirt.

"What makes you say that?" she asked curiously.

Seth sighed, "The way I've seen them behave at home. They do connect, better then I ever did with Summer. She knows his moods and spends a lot of time talking to him in the pool house."

"I still hate them for getting together so soon… I'm not even over Ryan," admitted Marissa with tears in her eyes, "I miss him."

"You're not alone," said Seth, "She's in the room across from me and I can't even go a kiss her."

Marissa rubbed Seth on the shoulder in a friendly matter. Seth smiled and nudged her with a laugh as Marissa stumbled sidewards. Laughing Marissa picked up a handful of sand and pelted it at Seth before running away. Seth took off after her before pulling her by the shirt and the both of them toppling into the cold sea water.

Marissa cried out in shock but cracked up laughing as Seth sat up with seaweed stuck to the side of his cheek.

"That's gross," laughed Marissa pulling it off and flinging it away, "Oh it's cold!"

"Come back my place and we'll dry," said Seth standing up and pulling Marissa up.

"But they will be there. My place is pretty much unpacked, if not you can help us."

"There is always a catch when it comes to you Cooper women," said Seth as he followed Marissa.

"That's why everyone loves us," joked Marissa.

OC

Monday morning came with Sunday being the day Ryan and Summer told Sandy and Kirsten of their relationship. Ground rules were laid firmly by Sandy and Kirsten about what was and wasn't allowed. No sneaking into each other's rooms at night, no more then kissing, rules that any parent laid when a child had someone the opposite or in some cases the same sex over.

Summer dressed for school applying foundation around her eye and cheek, but the bruise still showed. Summer sighed and through her foundation bottle onto the vanity as Kirsten walked past. Kirsten stopped and walked back in looking at Summer with sympathy.

"Won't hide?" she asked with a sympathetic smile.

"No," snapped Summer in frustration, "That stuff is like totally useless. Everyone will be totally staring at me like some freak show!"

"It will fade over the days," said Kirsten, "You'll live."

Summer nodded and clipped her hair in place and straightened her white singlet top with thin straps and lace above her chest with little sequins sewn onto it. She stepped back to make sure it suited her orange gypsy style skirt and white slip on shoes. With a satisfied nod, she left the bathroom, collected her books from her room and went down stairs to meet Ryan. Ryan was waiting in the kitchen with a silent Seth.

"Ready?" asked Ryan with a smile.

Summer nodded and looked at Seth, "Coming Seth?"

"Dad is giving me a lift," replied Seth stiffly.

"Actually I can't," replied Sandy walking, "Something came up so you'll have to go with Ryan and Summer."

Seth grabbed his bag and stormed out the front door with Ryan and Summer following.

The ride to school was silent with no radio playing. Seth stared purposely out the window and Summer wasn't game to even speak to Ryan in case Seth snapped at them. Once at the school, Seth got out of the car and left without a word. Summer and Ryan sat in the car watching him.

"He can't be mad forever right?" said Summer looking at Ryan in slight distress.

"At this rate, anything is possible," sighed Ryan as they climbed out.

As soon as Summer got out of the car people began looking at her and whispering or texting someone on their phone. Ryan walked around the car to Summer and slipped his hand into hers. He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it softly, this alone caused people to begin whispering even more.

"Come on," said Ryan, "They will find something new to gossip about by lunch time… look, Taylor has toilet paper stuck to her shoe."

Summer looked to where Ryan was pointing and burst out laughing. Sure enough Taylor did have toilet paper stuck to her shoe. Summer calmed down and smiled at Anna who was waiting by the front steps.

"Good morning!" greeted Anna with a smile at Ryan before hugging Summer, "Seth is in a wonderful mood."

Summer sighed, "Don't remind me. I could slap him at the moment, on the bright side, Taylor has toilet paper stuck to her shoe."

Anna chuckled, "She deserves it, regardless of her no friend thing she has going on."

Summer and Ryan smiled before heading into the school corridor. Everyone was looking, some even came close to check out Summer's bruises and cut.

"Give us a look Summer!" said a guy walking over. He grabbed Summer by the face and squeezed, causing her to cry out from it hurting her bruised cheek.

"BACK OFF!" shouted Ryan shoving the guy away, "You all had your fun, now get!"

"Hey man, I was just looking," protested the guy with his hands up in a sign of truce.

"You hurt her!" cried Anna, "How is that looking?"

"Let's just go," replied Summer pulling Ryan by the shirt and leading him away.

Anna shot them a dirty look before following. Summer led them to the outside cafeteria area and they sat at their usual table.

"I'll go get us some coffee's," said Anna walking back into the school.

Ryan slid closer to Summer and put an arm around her shoulders. Summer leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed.

"You okay?" asked Ryan softly.

"I'll be fine. Like you said, by lunch time they will be over it," replied Summer, "Maybe Seth will be more social by then."

Ryan nodded and kissed Summer on the forehead, "Maybe."

A/N: There you go. Hope you all enjoyed! Please review!

Bye for now!

Love yas!

Love Coz!