I'm sorry this chapter has taken so long to get up, and I also hope it's not too long! Please review, it really helps me to know what you want to see in this story, and what you think of how it is so far. I promise in the next few chapters we will see some Seth/Rachel time, which I know is needed. Happy reading!

(Later on. Kirsten is sleeping and someone is at the door. Rachel is lying on her bed, reading. When no one gets up to answer the door, she gets up to, thinking someone had better answer it. When she opens the door Julie is standing there)

Julie: Oh, hello, I didn't know Kirsten had company… I can come back later…

Rachel: Oh, no, it's okay. I'll just get Kirsten for you. (She's about t go upstairs when she pauses, realizing she doesn't know who Julie is) Who should I say is here…?

Julie: Oh, uh, just tell her Julie's here.

Rachel (smiles) Okay. (She runs upstairs and stands outside Kirsten's door. She knocks gently and when there is no answer, calls out) Kirsten? Kirsten, Julie's here to see you.

(Kirsten stirs in her room and opens her eyes wearily. She just catches Rachel saying "Julie's here" and she sits up and rubs her eyes).

Kirsten: I'll be out in a minute. (She sighs and gets up and puts on her robe. Rachel returns to her bedroom. Kirsten goes downstairs and into the kitchen where, once again, Julie is making coffee.)

Julie: Oh, Kirsten! Here, I made you some coffee, thought you might need it…

Kirsten: Thanks (takes the coffee off Julie). I see you're feeling better.

Julie: Oh, well, I added a little extra something to my coffee this morning if you know what I mean, really makes you feel better…

Kirsten: Uh huh. (She takes a sip of her coffee. There is an awkward silence, neither of them knowing what to say. Finally, Julie addresses the issue that is causing the tension between them)

Julie: Listen, Kiki, about last night…

Kirsten: Yeah, that was… a mistake? (They look at each other, and then Julie bursts out laughing)

Julie: We were so wasted. (Kirsten, looking relieved, laughs too)

Kirsten: Yeah, we were. It was fun though. (Realizes what she's said) I meant the clubbing.

Julie: (Grinning) I'm offended!

Kirsten: Yes, well…

Julie: So, anyway, who was the girl that answered the door?

Kirsten: (The grin fades off her face) Oh. That would have been Rachel.

Julie: Oh, so that's…. (She trails off)

Kirsten: Yeah.

Julie: Well, maybe you should invite her to come out with us today. A day at the spa, perhaps? We could all use a little relaxation. And Rachel is practically family, so I suppose I should get to know her… and we'll have to introduce her to Marissa at some point… although I don't know when, Marissa didn't take the news much better than I did, from what Jimmy told me.

Kirsten: I'm not surprised. I can completely relate to how she feels… I'm still getting over the whole Lindsay saga.

Julie: Well, we'll just have to do our best to help Marissa through this. How are you holding up? This can't be easy for you.

Kirsten: Well, I'm getting used to it. I feel bad for Rachel though. She's been practically ignored since she got her and I feel really guilty, seeing as I'm what she came here for.

Julie: Well, all the more reason to invite her out today! Why don't you go get dressed, I'll make the reservations. (Kirsten grins)

Kirsten: Good idea.

(At Harbor. Marissa is sitting on the couch in the café by herself, when Ryan comes in and sits down beside her)

Ryan: Hey.

Marissa: Hey.

Ryan: How are you?

Marissa: I've been better. How're you?

Ryan: I'm okay. A little tired, but okay. (Marissa is silent). But are you sure you're okay? I'm worried about you. How did it go with your dad after…?

Marissa: Ugh. It was…weird. It's just so hard, you know? Now I knew how Kirsten felt with Lindsay.

Ryan: Yeah. Seth's not taking it so well either. In fact, I don't think he's said a word to Rachel since she got here. (He pauses) Do you… do you want to meet her? She is your sister, after all.

Marissa: Of course I want to meet her. I just need some time to get my head around it first.

Ryan: Okay, well, if you ever need to talk…

Marissa: Thank you. (Pauses) What's up with you today? You seem awfully keen to talk, and normally you don't say two words.

Ryan: Well, I just know this must be hard for you. I know I wasn't there for you like I should have been with Trey and I want to make it up to you. (Marissa just looks at him, shocked, and then kisses him. Seth and Summer walk over and sit down on the couch opposite)

Seth: (loudly) Oh, well, I was going to talk to you guys, but I guess you're busy, so…

(Ryan and Marissa break apart and turn around to look at Seth and Summer.)

Marissa: You really know how to ruin a moment, don't you Cohen? (She grins at him)

Seth: Well, I've had practice… it's like all you two ever do, fight or make out...

Summer: Cohen! (She elbows him in the ribs)

Marissa: (Still grinning) so, what did you guys want to talk about?

Summer: Cohen and I have to cancel on you tonight.

Marissa: What? Why?

Seth: Well, we have this history paper due, very important…

Ryan: You guys are going to Summer's to spend the night making out.

Seth: Not just make out, Ryan, we were going to have dinner too, and maybe, if Summer's up for it, and I know she will be because…

Summer: Okay, Cohen, that's enough. (Smiles at Ryan and Marissa) So we won't be able to make it tonight, sorry.

Marissa: (Turns to Ryan) guess it's just you and me then.

(At the spa. Julie, Kirsten and Rachel are in the sauna)

Kirsten: So, Rachel, you're a major in architecture? You know, Ryan is really good at that too, I think he's planning to take that at college too, maybe you two could get together sometime and you could help him out?

Rachel: Yeah, that would be cool.

Julie: So, Rachel, tell us a bit more about your life before college.

Rachel: Well, I grew up not too far from here actually. I was an only child in my family, so I got a lot of attention and always had comfortable living. There's not really much to tell about my life before college; I had a pretty normal upbringing. I went through a sort of rebellious stage and left home at 16, but eventually got my life on tack enough to go to college, and obviously I'm glad I did. After I'd finished college I realized I now actually have to face the real world… when I realized I'd never met my real family. I knew I had to do that before I could start my life properly, so here I am…

(Everyone is quiet, then)

Kirsten: Well, I'm glad you came.

Rachel: (Skeptical) Really?

Kirsten: It was hard at first. I mean, it was so unexpected, and it just bought up old feelings, and my family wasn't very happy with me, as you can imagine, but it's sorted now, and I'm glad to get the chance to get to know you. (She smiles at Rachel, who smiles back. They're silent again).

Julie: So, I'll have to introduce you to your father sometime. And your sister. I know they both want to meet you. (She pauses) Well, maybe not Marissa so much, but she'll come around.

Rachel: Wait, you're married to my dad?

Julie: Yes, I am.

Rachel: Oh, I had no idea. Guess that mean's you're my step mom.

Julie: Guess so. (She smiles at Rachel)

Rachel: And Marissa… she's dating Ryan, right?

Julie: Yes, Ryan mentioned her?

Rachel: Yeah, he did. Wow, weird how everyone is kind of linked…

Julie: And we live right next door.

Rachel: That's convenient. (They sit there for a while longer in silence, when Kirsten finally speaks up)

Kirsten: Who wants lunch?

(Later on. Ryan and Marissa are alone in the Poolhouse. Sandy is at work, Seth is at Summer's, and Kirsten and Rachel aren't back yet).

Ryan: So, we have the whole house so ourselves.

Marissa: I guess we do (She leans over and kisses him)

Ryan: What do you think Seth and Summer are doing?

Marissa: I don't know, but I know what I'd like to be doing... (They start making out)

Ryan: (Pulls away from her) Wait, what if Kirsten comes home?

Marissa: We could get caught…

Ryan: We could get caught. (They look at each other, and then just start making out again).

(Later on again. Kirsten, Julie and Rachel come in with Thai. Rachel goes upstairs to change. Just as Kirsten starts to get the food out, Ryan and Marissa come in.)

Kirsten: Oh, hey guys, I didn't know anyone was home.

Julie: We have Thai, anyone hungry?

Ryan: Starved.
Kirsten: Well, Rachel's just getting changed, she should be down in a minute… (Trails off as she realizes Marissa hasn't met Rachel yet)

Julie: (Jumps in) Marissa, honey, Rachel is the sister your dad told you about, if you're not ready to meet her yet, I'll understand, you and Ryan can always go out for dinner somewhere else…

Marissa: No, it's okay. I want to meet her. Why not now?

Julie: Well, if you're sure you're okay…

Kirsten: Is Seth home?

Ryan: No, he's at Summer's. He might be there a while.

Kirsten: Hmm, I should have known. Well, Sandy's going to be late tonight, so I guess it's just us. (Just then, Rachel walks downstairs and into the kitchen)

Kirsten: Aw, hey, Rachel, we were just getting dinner ready. (Rachel walks further into the kitchen. Marissa sees her and stiffens.)

Marissa: Oh my God. (Rachel turns around and sees Marissa)

Rachel: Oh, my God.

Marissa: Rachel?

Rachel: Marissa?