"The Most Eligible Bachelor"

Summary: Summer and Seth are leading separate lives now, but what happens when Summer's story for a leading magazine forces them together?

Disclaimer: I'd like to stake a claim on Adam Brody's dimples, but really, I don't own any of the O.C. characters or story lines.

Chapter Sixteen: Gathering Information

The next morning, Summer woke up rather early, and decided to take Blanche for a walk on the beach. It was Friday, and Charley's flight for New York would depart at 4:15 p.m. Summer would spend the first part of her afternoon interviewing Ryan.

Seth and Summer had planned to lay low on Friday night, and Saturday morning they were leaving with Ryan and Marissa at 10 a.m. to head back to Newport. Summer tried to contact her dad to tell him that she was in town, but being the predictable man he was, she was not surprised to find out that he and the new stepmonster were out of the country.

As she walked down the beach, Summer thought about what to do with Seth. She knew that she could not go back to her life in New York as it had been. She had never exactly stopped loving Seth or thinking about him, but she had finally reached a point in her life where she realized that nothing would probably ever happen between them again. That was before she got her big assignment. From the moment she had first seen him in his office until now, standing on the beach, she never wanted to be away from him again.

But then there was her life in New York. She loved living in her apartment on Fifth Avenue with Blanche. She loved living life on her own terms. And most of all, she loved her career, because it was something that she had worked her ass off for, and it finally seemed like all the work she had done had been worthwhile.

Noticing that she had walked a long way away from Seth's, she turned around and started walking back. She saw a tall figure approaching her in the distance, and as she got closer, she smiled, realizing that it was Seth.

"Good morning, Summer," he said, out of breath, when he got into ear shot.

"Hey Cohen," she replied, stopping and smiling sweetly at him. "How'd you know where to find me?"

"I don't know. I just knew that whatever was bothering you was probably something that you'd want to think about, and I know that you always come out here to think. Well, at least when you're in California." Seth paused for a moment. "Where does one go to think in New York?"

Summer laughed a little. "I like to go to my roof. I guess it doesn't seem like it would be that peaceful to some, but I think the whirr of the cars going by and the feel of the cool air is really soothing," she said, looking down. Seth smiled a very intrigued smile, before looking off into the distance. Noticing his sudden silence, Summer took a sideways glance at him. "What are you thinking about, Cohen?"

He shook himself out of his thoughts and met her gaze with a soft smile. "I don't know. I guess it's just like, ever since you got here, I've felt like nothing's really changed between us. But when you talk about your life in New York, I realize that I've missed so much."

Summer nodded in understanding. "I know what you mean," she said softly.

"Summer, would you please tell me what's bothering you? I just want to help," Seth pleaded.

She looked up into his eyes, but then quickly looked down, realizing how vulnerable she was becoming. She took a deep breath and looked up at him again. "Seth, I just really need some time, ok? All I need from you is your support and understanding." She paused and looked down at her watch. "It's 8:30. We better get back and get ready for work," she finished, pulling on Blanche's leash to get her attention.

"Ok," Seth replied, a look of confusion and hurt in his eyes. As the two walked back, Seth told himself that he had to respect Summer's wishes and let her have some time. His bones just ached at the thought that something was really bothering her, and he couldn't know about it, especially after all they had shared in the last five days.

Back at the penthouse, Summer and Seth hurried to get ready for work, doing so in relative silence. Summer had her big interview with Ryan today after lunch, and Seth had to sort through the 100+ applications and resumes that had passed over his desk since he had posted the VP position two days ago.

Summer walked out of the bathroom, and Seth walked out of the bedroom at the exact same time. They looked at each other and laughed a little bit at the humor of the situation. Seth turned serious and walked over to Summer taking her in his arms. "I just want you to know that I love you Summer, and I hope you find a way to figure out whatever it is that is bothering you," he said sincerely.

Summer felt a lump rise up in her throat and felt tears spring to the corners of her eyes. She pushed her face into Seth's chest, gave him one final squeeze, and pushed away to meet his eyes. "I love you, too. Have a good day at work," she said, forcing a small smile. With that, Summer walked across the room and grabbed her briefcase. She was going to spend a few hours at a coffee shop before her interview with Ryan, preparing some notes, and also writing some drafts for her story.

As she walked out the apartment door, Seth looked after her, worried. He could tell something was really bothering her, but he wasn't quite sure what it was, even after much contemplation. Realizing it was after nine, he quickly gathered his things, said goodbye to Rooney and Blanche, and headed out to his car.

When 1 o'clock rolled around, Summer found herself in front of Atwood and Associates Architectural firm. The building the business was run out of was brilliant, designed by the president himself, and Summer felt somehow very touched by one of her best friend's talent.

After walking in and waiting for the secretary's approval to enter the office, Summer walked in and laughed at the sight of Ryan playing PS2. "So this is what the big hot-shot architects and entrepreneurs do all day, huh?" she joked.

"Oh, hey, Summer," Ryan said, quickly putting down his remote and rising to greet her. "What can I say? It's the only way I'd ever beat Seth," he said with a sheepish smile.

"So, where do you want to do this?" Summer asked, motioning between the sitting area and the desk.

"Summer, you act like we're not friends. I have a feeling this is going to be pretty casual," he said, allowing himself to sit in one of the leather arm chairs.

As Summer sat down and got out her recorder, Ryan watched her face intently. "What, Chino?" she said finally, using his old 'pet' name from high school. "Do I have something on my face from lunch?"

"No, no," Ryan said, looking down in embarrassment. "It's just that, I had lunch with Seth today," he said, quickly glancing up to search Summer's eyes for her reaction.

"Oh my god," she said, seemingly frustrated. "What did he tell you!"

Actually, nothing. Which makes me think something's wrong between you two. He barely touched his Pad Thai. He sat with Captain Oats propped on his chest all throughout lunch, and to top it off, I think he said like two words the entire time. He made me sound talkative."

Summer's face dropped and a wave of sadness washed over her. "Oh," she said softly. Not willing to allow her personal life to interfere with her professional life, she shook her head and started her recorder. "So, what's it like coming from such humble beginnings and now being one of the most successful architects in the business at 25?" Summer asked, daring Ryan with her eyes to ask anymore personal questions.

"Well," he said, clearing his throat, and the interview went on from there. Summer asked him questions from details of Marissa and his relationship to what his favorite weekend activities were over the next 2 hours. At the end, the two talked about their plans to head back to Newport for the following day, and then Summer rose to leave.

"Summer, I know you don't want to talk about whatever it is that's bothering you, but don't take it out on Seth," Ryan said seriously, reaching over to touch her arm. "He loves you. Don't doubt that."

"I know, Ryan," she said, meeting his eyes. "And I love him back, just as much, but sometimes love is not easy, especially when we both have so much going on in our lives." Ryan raised an eyebrow at this comment.

Summer realized that she might have said a little too much, so she quickly gave Ryan a hug and walked towards the door. "Thanks for your time, Atwood. And thanks for the advice, too. I'll keep it in mind," she said, giving him a thoughtful smile before leaving.

Giving enough time for Summer to leave the building, Ryan put in a call to Seth. "Hey buddy, it's me. I didn't get much, but I might have some insight…ok…yeah…I'll be there in about an hour…alright…Seth, I'm not going to say I love you…ok, fine…ditto…bye." Ryan shook his head and hung up the phone.

"So, you think it has something to do with our careers? I mean, do you think that she thinks that my career would force her to move back to California, or do you think that she has something big going on in her career? Oh my god, does she think that she would like ruin my life or something? Because seriously, man, you know that I would do anything to have her back. Do you think that she thinks this," Seth paused, motioning around his office, "means more to me than her? Because that is totally not what I've been trying to convey to her."

Ryan's eyes were wide, as he stared in amazement at yet another Seth Cohen ramble. It had only been the twentieth in the course of an hour, but he didn't understand how one simple phrase from Summer could elicit twenty ramblings from his brother. "How do you do that, Seth? I told you, all she said was that it's complicated because of all that the two of you have going on in your lives."

"Sorry, Ryan," he said softly, feeling bad for making his brother listen to his incoherent rants. "I just can't lose her this time. I won't. Whatever it takes. I just wish she would talk to me," he finished sadly.

"I know, man," Ryan said, feeling slightly bad. He reached over and patted Seth on the shoulder. "It'll all work out. Just give her some time to tell you. I mean, you guys should still hang out and stuff, but I could tell she was pretty stressed. Just be patient."

"Right, because that's always been one of my strong suits," he replied, dryly.

"Hey, you're being sarcastic again! I thought I'd lost you for a moment," Ryan said, jokingly.

"Dude, how many times do I have to tell you?—"

"Right, I'm not the funny one, I know," Ryan said, rejected, and the two brothers shared a laugh.

Seth returned home to an empty apartment, but soon noticed a piece of paper on the kitchen table.

"Cohen,

I rode with Maury to take Charley to the airport. I'll be back around 5:30 or 6:00, depending on traffic. I thought we could have movie night tonight. You order the pizza, I'll pick up some rentals. You know what I like.

Love,

Summer"

Seth smiled at the note and picked up the phone to order the pizza. "Hi, it's for delivery. I need one large pizza, half veggie lover's, half pepperoni, and then, a 2-liter of Dr. Pepper, please."

Summer sat in the front seat of the limo, replaying the things that her boss had said to her at the airport.

"Summer, dear. I don't want you to be so stressed out about this decision. If you need to stay here and be with Seth, I understand. I once heard this quote that said, 'What if finding the love of your life meant changing the life that you love?' I know that it doesn't really offer you much help, but maybe you have to change some things to make it work," Charley said, taking Summer into a large hug. "I love you so much, Summer. As much as I want to be selfish and tell you to take the job, I just want you to be happy."

Summer's eyes teared up and she hugged her boss back tightly. "I love you, too, Charley. I haven't made my mind up yet. But I'll let you know soon."

Maury pulled up in front of Seth's and came around to open up the door for Summer. "If you don't mind me saying so, you should smile more," Maury said, shaking Summer out of her reverie. "You have one of those smiles that could light up someone's world."

"Thanks, Maury," Summer said, grinning from ear to ear. "I'll keep that in mind," she said, waving goodbye and walking into Seth's building.

"Oh, Summer," Maury yelled, running towards her. "Don't forget these!" He held up the two DVDs that they had stopped to rent on the way back to the apartment.

"Oh, yeah, movie night. Thanks Maury," she smiled, and stepped into the elevator that had just arrived.

A/N Thanks for all of the good reviews and encouragement. I'm trying to pump this one out as fast as I can. I think I'll have it done by next weekend, and then I'll take a break for a couple of days and start on part 2. I think that this one will end by around Chapter 30, and in terms of the story will be in Summer's second week there. She might end up cutting her vacation short though, so beware. Review, please. Peace

A/N2 Thanks to kalexgurl for that quote in Charley's speech. I liked it, so I ripped it off 0)