Episode #10: The Fete

The first scene opens up at the LA diner that the foursome frequent often. Sitting in a booth are Seth, Summer, and Marissa. Each of them have a drink in front of them, Seth a pop, Summer a milkshake, and Marissa a bottle of water. There is music on in the background and the song is The Magic Numbers' "Forever Lost". The three of them are talking as they wait for Ryan to arrive.

Seth: How much longer are we going to have to wait for Ryan, I'm starving.

Summer: Cohen, you ate a pre-late-lunch snack at the apartment before we left, and need I remind you that you also ate an early lunch to tide you over to your snack; how can you be hungry?

Seth: I'm a growing boy.

Summer: Hmph! I don't think so! (Marissa laughs lightly, but she is not in the brightest mood. Seth just ignores Summer and continuously flips through his menu practically salivating over the food. Sick of watching him, Summer grabs the menu away from him, hits him over the head with it, and then puts it beside her so that he cannot get to it again. He doesn't say anything but just pouts.) So, Coop, what time was Chino done with his last midterm?

Marissa: What?

Summer: Weren't you listening to a word I just said to you?

Marissa: Sorry Sum, but no; I just have something on my mind.

Seth: Open up Marissa, let out your pain, your anger, your fear, your thoughts. Summer and I are here to listen to anything you may feel like you need to unburden. (Summer rolls her eyes at Seth.)

Marissa: Thanks, but uh, no thanks. I'm fine; you know just a lot to think about.

Summer: Uh huh, especially since you're finished with your midterms, we're about to go on spring break, and you have a week off from work, totally a lot on your mind. Sorry Coop, not believing that one; try again. (Marissa looks up about to explain again that she didn't want to talk about it when she spies Ryan walking into the diner. When she sees him her face lights up and she stands up to greet him. Her arms circle around his neck and she pulls him for a quick kiss, but he diverts his head so that she kisses his cheek and not his lips before pulling himself out of her embrace and sitting down in the booth and taking a menu and immersing himself in it even though they know he'll order the same exact thing that he always does. Marissa is once again depressed and sits back down and does not say a word but keeps her eyes downcast. As they sit, their bodies do not touch at all, and unbeknownst to them, Seth and Summer have noticed every single thing.)

Seth: So buddy, last midterm, how do you think it went?

Ryan: Good.

Seth: And are we looking forward to a week off, plenty of time for some quality Seth/Ryan bonding sessions, hanging out at the beach, and perhaps a little canoodling in the poolhouse between you and the Purple Patch Princess? (Ryan just grunts and doesn't look up from his menu. Marissa keeps her eyes down, refusing to look at Ryan, even though he won't look at her either, or at their two best friends sitting across from them.)

Summer: So Coop, what do you think this big party's for that Kirsten's being so secretive about? I wonder if she and Sandy have some big news or something.

Seth: Oh my god, you don't think she's pregnant again, do you? (Summer elbows him.) Ouch, woman, what the hell was that for?

Summer: What's wrong with it if they are expecting again. At least someone in this family should be having babies, because we all know we won't be for a while! (Ryan finally looks up when Summer speaks shocked by her outburst and hesitant about the turn the conversation has taken. Without anyone noticing, he sneaks a glance at Marissa who is still looking down and it is obvious that she is holding back tears and is upset, especially after Summer speaks of children. However, he does nothing to comfort her and just winces before returning to his silent brooding.)

Seth: Summer? (Seth is hesitant when he speaks.)

Summer: What?

Seth: I was just teasing; of course I would be happy for my parents if they were having another baby.

Summer: You better be!

Seth: I am.

Summer: So Coop? (Marissa slowly raises her head but she refuses to look into Summer's eyes.)

Marissa: Hm?

Summer: Are we coming home for our self defense classes this week or are we just going to skip the sessions because we'll be in Newport?

Marissa: I don't know about you two, but I'm not missing one. I'll be coming back for both.

Seth: Well then, so will we. (Marissa smiles slightly at him before returning her gaze back to the table and her hands resting on it.) Now, where is that waitress? When we first got here, we couldn't rid of her, and now, when we can actually order because Mr. studious finally got here, she's no where to be seen! I wonder if she's purposely trying to unleash the hidden beast inside of me.

Summer: Cohen if you don't can it and give that poor woman a break, I'm going to make you eat your own shoe!

Seth: Well it would taste better than anything you've ever cooked! (He laughs briefly at his own joke, but the glare from Summer makes him clam up and gulp out of fear. He is speechless.)

Summer: What, not even an apology!

Seth: Sss…sss…sorry.

Summer: Ugh, I'm not dealing with you right now; I'm going to talk to Coop. So, Coop, we should definitely have a girl's day out and just catch up. I feel as if we haven't spent much time together in like forever, well at least since….. (Ryan looks up and glares at her.)

Ryan: What, since my brother tormented her, broke into our apartment, ransacked it, and then proceeded to threaten her life! Yeah, sorry she's been a little too preoccupied lately to worry about you Summer! (Summer is shocked and slightly hurt by Ryan's outburst but does not say a thing. Seth just watches Ryan with his mouth hanging open with his concern for his brother written all over his face. Marissa turns towards him, places her right hand in his left one and holds it tightly and then takes her left hand and pulls his face up and over to look at her.)

Marissa: (Marissa whispers this.) Come on, let's go. (Ryan turns to her gratefully and stands up to leave with her.)

Seth: Hey, what about lunch; I'm starving remember?

Marissa: How about a rain check Seth? You and Summer should stay and enjoy your meal. I'm not feeling well and we still need to pack, so we'll meet you back at the apartment and head from there together, okay? (Seth is about to protest, but Summer kicks up under the table and speaks before he can. As she talks, he sits there in silent pain.)

Summer: Okay. See you in about an hour?

Marissa: Sounds great. (As Marissa and Ryan walk out, Seth and Summer watch them. They don't say a word to each other, and although Ryan let her hand stay in his, they are not standing close together at all as a large distance sits between them both literally and figuratively. Once they are gone, Seth and Summer begin talking once again.)

Seth: What's up with them?

Summer: Where have you been Cohen? They've been like this since the whole break in incident, but I don't know why. Marissa won't say anything and you know Chino and he says even less.

Seth: Think they'll work through it this week? It could be awkward and unpleasant if they're like this all of break. Talk about a depressing week off!

Summer: Dang Cohen, can you get any more self involved! Instead of worrying about how this space has come between them and how to fix it for them, you're worried that your vacation will be ruined! Nice, Cohen, nice!

Seth: Fine, what do you want to do?

Summer: Well, we're going to be riding back with them to Newport this afternoon, so I think some sly investigating is in order. You sit and remain silent while I pry them for information. (Seth pouts, but as soon as the waitress walks over to them he stops sulking and smiles at her.)

Waitress: So, what happened to your friends?

Summer: We have no idea….. (She begins to whisper.) but I intend to find out! (The camera fades away and goes black.)

Credits and Commercial Break

In the beginning of the second scene, the four college students and friends are preparing to leave for their week back in Newport during Spring break. Seth and Ryan are off carrying down the suitcases, mainly all of them belong to Summer, while Marissa and Summer sit waiting the car. Summer is in the front passenger seat of the Range Rover while Marissa is sitting in the back aimlessly peering out the window and clearly distracted and upset. Summer sensing something is wrong between Ryan and Marissa breaks the air and starts speaking. The vehicle is off so there is no music playing.

Summer: So Coop….I haven't been hearing any light night moans and groans coming from your and Chino's room lately; have you to switched to being morning people? (Marissa does not respond with words but just rolls her eyes.) Okay, so I see you're taking the silent, brooding approach to this conversation, good thing I have a lot of experience with that because of Ryan. So, what's up; what's wrong with you two? Something been off since the night you were attacked and the apartment was broken into, and the tension between the two of you, (Marissa turns to look at Summer at this point with a questioning look on her face, almost as if she's wondering how much they'd noticed.) oh yeah, we've noticed, it's thicker and more suffocating than the hair on the top of Cohen's head! Spill!

Marissa: Really Sum, it's nothing. You're just overreacting, both of you. Ryan and I, we're fine.

Summer: Fine like in we're still together and aren't breaking up this week as far as we know or fine we're madly in love and want to spend the rest of our lives together? (Marissa just glares at her before turning back to look out the car window.) Right, so you're not going to answer that one, which, in itself, gives me my answer, but come on Coop, you have to open up to someone so just tell me what's wrong.

Marissa: I don't have to open to anyone, and if there was something wrong I would not discuss it with you, I'd discuss it with Ryan.

Summer: Well then, what are you waiting for? There is something wrong, whether you want to admit it or not, and if you two don't face the facts and fix whatever is between you, then you're going to fall apart.

Marissa: Summer! I said nothing's wrong, so drop it! I don't want to hear another word about it, do you understand me! Sometimes you need to learn to mind your own dmn business, and this is one of those times! It's my relationship with Ryan, not yours, Seth, Ryan's, and mine! Why don't you just worry about your own issues and quit trying to make some in my relationship! (With this, Marissa turns back to the window for the final time and Summer, mouth open in shock and hurt, turns around and sits in silence, completely flabbergasted that Marissa just said that to her. When she notices Seth and Ryan walking out of the building taking their sweet time, she honks on the horn annoyingly attempting to make them hurry. They do, and after quickly loading the vehicle with the suitcases they had been carrying, both guys get it, Seth in the driver's seat and Ryan in the back with Marissa. Summer and Seth exchange secret glances and both look into the backseat through the mirror, trying to see what happens between Ryan and Marissa and knowing that they can't talk just yet. When Ryan sits down and situates himself, Marissa turns to him and with a pleading look in her eyes, takes his hand in hers and pulls it up to her lips before kissing it and then holding it against her chest. He notices how upset she is, so he scoots over so that he can sit closer to her, taking her in his arms and holding her. She settles down in his arms, and the two both close their eyes preparing to drift off to sleep for the ride home. Seth starts the vehicle, keeps the radio off because of Ryan and Marissa, and he pulls out of the parking lot as both he and Summer sit silently in their seats itching to talk. The scene leaves the car and goes to the Harbor School. Classes have just been dismissed, and as Caitlyn walks out of the school to begin her trek home, Trey gets out of his car and goes towards her to talk. When she sees him, she tries to avoid him, but he corners her anyway.)

Trey: Hey there sexy, sorry I missed you last weekend, but I got busy…with work, but I got you something. (He pulls out Marissa's necklace from his pocket and holds it up for Caitlyn to see. She glares at him, glances at the necklace, and then diverts her eyes as she tries to get away from him. Wherever she moves though, he counters and blocks her progression away from him. Finally giving up, she returns her smoldering eyes to his face and confronts him.)

Caitlyn: Trey, get away from me! Did you not listen to a word I said in the message I left you!

Trey: Sure, but that was in the heat of the moment, surely you didn't mean it. I mean, come on, you know we have fun together. (He tries to put his arms around her waist, but she pulls away abruptly and pushes his hands away from her body. Her face which was angry to begin with just continues to show more and more ire as he continues to talk.) I said I was sorry, and I got you this necklace to show you just how bad I feel, what more do you want?

Caitlyn: First of all, jewelry, which is so not my style by the way, means nothing when the apology is not sincere, and you're not sorry that you stood me up! Where were you Trey, what so was so important that you couldn't even call and tell me that you wouldn't be able to meet me, hm! (As soon as she asks where he was, he avoids looking her in the eye, rubs the back of his neck, and starts to shuffle his feet, his discomfort in the turn the conversation has taken evident.) Hello, I'm waiting for an answer! (He still doesn't say anything.) Yeah, that's what I thought! Goodbye Trey, and oh, by the way, in case you were wondering, my Saturday ended up not being that bad. I went to the Baitshop, met some new friends, got drunk, and left with some guy I go to school with. How was your evening? (With this, she finally pushes by him and runs off. He is momentarily stunned, but quickly regains his senses and starts to chase after her.)

Trey: Caitlyn! Caitlyn, wait up, please! I deserved that, but can we talk! (Finally she stops running and whirls around to face him with an angry smirk on her face.)

Caitlyn: There's nothing to discuss. You stood me up, I got sick of your crap, and I decided to move on, end of discussion! Now, if you will excuse me, I have plans to get ready for! (She turns her back on him once again, but he does not let her walk away. Instead, he grabs her arm and pulls her around so that they are face to face.)

Trey: Look, like I said I'm sorry, but what I was doing was important. I was helping a friend who just got out of prison, I know it doesn't sound good, but he needed my help, and after everything we'd been through together, I couldn't say no. And I know, I should have called to tell you I wouldn't make it, but when he called, it was serious; I had to get there pronto, so there was no time for me to think. I just ran out of my apartment, jumped in my car and took off for LA.

Caitlyn: So you were in LA last weekend, but that doesn't explain why you haven't tried to contact me since then. Where were you all this week, Trey?

Trey: I can't tell you that.

Caitlyn: Well then I can't continue this conversation. Now let go of me! (At this point the other students milling around the parking lot start to watch the two fighting figures, but no one makes a move to help Caitlyn, enjoying the show too much.)

Trey: No! (He grips her arm even tighter, becoming angry at her resistance, but he is hurting her and she grimaces out of pain.)

Caitlyn: I said let go of me Trey; you're hurting my arm! (He doesn't let go, but he does release of the tension he had been applying to it.)

Trey: I'm not letting you go until you say that we're okay.

Caitlyn: I can't do that, and you're going to make me late!

Trey: Do you think I care if you're late for some date with another guy? I thought we had something going here!

Caitlyn: Obviously nothing that special if you stood me up and then didn't have the decency to trust me with the truth about what you've been up to!

Trey: It's not that simple, grow up Caitlyn!

Caitlyn: No, you grow up Trey! You can't solve all your problems with physical violence! Now let go of me now, or I'm going to press charges! (With the threat, Trey releases her arm and they exchange glares matching in equal fury.)

Trey: This isn't over!

Caitlyn: Wanna' bet! (Calmly, she walks away from him and continues her journey back to her house. He goes back and gets in his car, pulling away froe school parking lot as quickly as he could, leaving tire marks on the smooth pavement. The scene leaves the school and goes to the Cohen residence. Kirsten is sitting outside on the patio underneath an umbrella working at one of the tables on paperwork. She does not hear Sandy, who has just walked in, initially, but as he rummages through the kitchen, she becomes aware of someone's presence. Getting up she walks to the kitchen doors and speaks without looking up from the piece of paper she's reading.)

Kirsten: Hey kids. You're earlier than I thought you'd be. Let me just finish with this paperwork and I'll be inside in a minute. (She turns back around without looking up and begins to make her way back to the table she was working at when Sandy's voice stops her dead in her tracks.)

Sandy: That's not the proper way to greet your hard working husband! (He's teasing her, but what he says slightly irritates her. She slowly turns back around and removes her eyes from her work, but she does not walk into the kitchen to join him. Instead she remains right outside the door and they speak through the doorway.)

Kirsten: You're home early; to what do we owe this pleasure?

Sandy: (He laughs nervously.) Well I came home to grab some paperwork and to say a quick hello to the kids before I head back out.

Kirsten: Excuse me?

Sandy: I'm sorry honey but I have a dinner meeting tonight, so I have to run as soon as I see the kids. What time should they be here anyway, I'm already running late?

Kirsten: You're leaving…again, after you just got home! I can't believe this! Sandy, Zoe and I haven't seen you all week, and now when our sons are coming home for spring break, you're not even going to be here for the dinner tonight!

Sandy: It's not like we don't see them almost every weekend.

Kirsten: That's not the point! You're their father; you're supposed to be here for things like this, not to mention that you're my husband which means that we should at least see each other every day! Oh, and by the way, did you forget that less than two weeks ago, their apartment was broken into, Ryan and Marissa's room was ransacked, he was threatened, and she was attacked!

Sandy: Ryan and Marissa are fine, and we're looking for Trey and his accomplice. We'll find them.

Kirsten: Really, Ryan and Marissa are fine? Well, according to Seth and Summer, they are anything but fine!

Sandy: What do you mean?

Kirsten: They said that neither of them will really talk, that there is a strange tension between them, and that they aren't communicating. Looks like that's a problem for more than one Cohen couple!

Sandy: (He turns his back to her and opens his briefcase as he reads some paperwork as he talks.) What are you talking about; we're communicating right now.

Kirsten: No, we're not. I'm yelling and I'm angry, and you could care less as you continue to work and attempt to placate me instead of talking about this and practically ignoring every word I say!

Sandy: I really don't see what there is to discuss. If I could be here tonight, I would be, but I can't. You knew when I took this job that I'd be working late hours. I thought we dealt with this already.

Kirsten: I also distinctly remember you promising to call if you'd be late. Sandy, you've been late every night since you began this dmn job, and I haven't gotten a phone call once!

Sandy: (He turns around and faces her now angry as well.) Well I'm glad you're finally telling me what you think of my new job, but it would have been appreciated before I took it.

Kirsten: Oh please, when we discussed the job offer, you'd practically already said yes! It didn't matter what I said, you were taking it anyway!

Sandy: Fine, now here's your chance! What do you think of my job!

Kirsten: I think it's a mistake, that you'll never be happy there.

Sandy: Way to hold back, Kirsten! Come on, we've started this; you might as well let it all out now!

Kirsten: (Her voice quickly changes and instead of anger, it is dripping with sarcasm and is in a sugary sweet tone.) Well, if that's what you really want! (The sarcasm leaves as quickly as it came and is once again replaced by anger.) Oh come on Sandy, think about it! You working for the government, please! You hate the government! You've been a defense attorney for so many years, I'm surprised you don't burst into flames as soon as you step foot on the opposite side of the court room! Don't you realize that this isn't a game; you're stuck in this job, and it's not going to be all set ups, stings, and cops and robbers! Are you really going to be able to prosecute kids who only need a second chance like Ryan, or how are you going to handle it when someone like my Dad gets away with their crimes because someone in your department is crooked and not beneath taking bribes? This will happen, and then what are you going to do!

Sandy: I'll handle it; obviously without you supporting me!

Kirsten: Don't you dare start with that! You want to talk about supporting each other? I can do that! How much have you been there supporting me since you got this new job, how many times have you helped me with Zoe, watched her, played with her, bathed her, tucked her into bed? She's barely seen you since you began this new job! Then there are your sons, after the traumatic ordeal they've been through, have you even called them once since that night to just see how they were doing? (She waits for his answer but he refuses to give her one.) Wait, I know the answer to this one, not one time!

Sandy: The boys know I'm there for him if they need me.

Kirsten: They shouldn't need you for you to be there! You should want to spend time with them, catch up on their lives, be their Dad even when there isn't some sort of emergency for you to ride in on your white horse and make everything bad go away!

Sandy: I don't have time for this! Tell Ryan, Seth, Summer, and Marissa that I'll see them tomorrow and give Zoe a kiss for me. I have to get to my meetings. (He picks up his briefcase and begins to walk out the door, but Kirsten follows.)

Kirsten: You mean now you're not even going to wait to say hello to them!

Sandy: Yeah.

Kirsten: You can't just walk away in the middle of our conversation, Sandy!

Sandy: What conversation, we're not communicating right now, remember? So why don't you keep your anger to yourself and I'll just ignore you by leaving! (With that he slams the door in her face and leaves her alone. Kirsten looks around needing an outlet for all her fury and pain. She spots a vase full of fresh flowers, picks it up, and hurls it towards the stairs while yelling as loud as she can. The glass vase smashes into thousands of tiny fragments, the flowers are strewn all over the foyer, and water trickles down the stairs. The camera leaves her as she walks over to the mess to begin cleaning it up before the kids arrive and goes to Lance and Julie talking, once again, on the phone. As before, whoever is talking is shown in the camera. He is in a phone booth while she is lying out by Caleb's pool.)

Lance: Look Jules, I know you didn't want to do it this quickly, but I'm being followed.

Julie: What! By whom!

Lance: Don't you think if I knew that I'd handle it!

Julie: Just handle it anyway. I'm not telling him yet; it's too soon.

Lance: Wish you didn't have to, but if we don't start this now, we might never get the chance. I might not know who this guy is who's following me, but I guarantee you that he works for Caleb.

Julie: That's ridiculous, Cal's been out of town now for a week, and before he left, I never suspected anything. Besides, how would he know about you?

Lance: He's not stupid Jules, I'm sure he had you checked out as soon as he started sleeping with you. Not to mention the fact that you soon to be ex husband now works for him. Aren't they pretty thick?

Julie: Yeah, so what's your point?

Lance: You don't think he takes every opportunity to black ball you. I bet you he told Caleb all about your past, which means me, the adult film, and the affairs.

Julie: Sht!

Lance: Now your getting picture.

Julie: Fine, you're being followed, but it's not the first time. Why don't you just teach them the lesson that no one messes with Lance Baldwin like you've always done in the past?

Lance: Love to, but this guy's smart, which makes me think he either knows me or knows of me, because he doesn't go anyway without two armed guards, and I've never even seen them getting out of their car.

Julie: This cannot be happening!

Lance: Face it, we're backed into a corner, and if you don't set this all in motion soon, then it's over, everything we've done so far will be for nothing.

Julie: I can't let that happen.

Lance: Well then you know what to do.

Julie: But when, he's not even due back in town until the night of the party.

Lance: Then do it that night.

Julie: You can't be serious?

Lance: Actually, I think it would be the perfect time. Think about it, public place, hundreds of people, if you tell him there, he won't cause a scene and you'll have a better chance to avoid him most of the evening as you set the trap.

Julie: Is everything set at the hospital?

Lance: Almost.

Julie: Lance!

Lance: Look, it's been difficult trying to arrange everything with that PI shoved up my ss! It'll be done in time though, trust me!

Julie: That's not exactly something I feel comfortable doing.

Lance: Do you really have a choice?

Julie: No.

Lance: And besides, I wouldn't do that to you, Jules.

Julie: Aren't I lucky? (He laughs at her sarcasm.)

Lance: Listen, have you noticed anything strange lately, perhaps someone following you, too?

Julie: No. Why, do you think he'd have me followed as well!

Lance: If he's on to me, he's probably caught on that we met two weeks ago.

Julie: Great, just great!

Lance: Actually, it could be, use it to your advantage. Set it up to really look real. Go to the drugstore, late night food runs, perhaps a doctor's visit at the free clinic, anything that would lead them to suspect that you were….

Julie: Okay Lance, I get it.

Lance: And you'll do it?

Julie: If you think it will help.

Lance: I do. Now we shouldn't meet again, because that will be too obvious. I'll call you next week before the party and give you the final details, but I don't think we should speak until then. Oh, and just to make sure, I'm not using my cell or home phone to call you. I'm on a payphone and I'm only going to call your cell. The house phone could be bugged. You could use that to your advantage, too, though.

Julie: Ugh! I can't believe this is happening! Everything was going perfectly according to the plan.

Lance: And everything is still going to go perfectly, right?

Julie: Right.

Lance: Good.

Julie: Look Lance, thanks for calling, but I really have to go. You know, I do have this awful party to plan.

Lance: Sounds like we just love being a working woman!

Julie: If I liked working then I wouldn't be doing this would I?

Lance: (He laughs again.) Guess not. Talk to you next week, Jules.

Julie: Yeah, whatever. (She hangs up the phone and goes back to sunbathing. The camera flashes to him one more time as he's laughing and walking out of the phone booth, jauntily walking to his car to leave. After Lance walks away, the camera switches again and, this time, goes back to the Range Rover as the four friends drive home. Seth is still driving and Summer is sitting up front, but now that Ryan and Marissa are sleeping peacefully in the backseat, they are quietly talking. Seth has music playing in the background softly as well. The first song that can be heard is Of Montreal's "Wrath Pinned to the Mist and Other Game".)

Summer: (She turns to Seth with a worried expression on her face.) Hey Cohen, what do you really think is wrong between Ryan and Marissa?

Seth: Well what did she say when you tried to talk to her earlier before Ryan and I got in the car?

Summer: At first she was just defensive, saying that nothing was wrong and to drop it, but then, of course I didn't listen and I kept asking her questions, and she totally flipped out on me, saying that I needed to mind my business, that if there were problems between her and Ryan that she'd talk to him, and she accused me of trying to make problems for them.

Seth: That's ridiculous; we're just concerned, because they so have not been very Ryan and Marissa-ish lately.

Summer: Ever since the attack….

Seth: Marissa's been sad the whole time.

Summer: Trying to hide the fact that she does nothing but cry, but she hasn't been doing a very good job of it.

Seth: She hasn't been eating very much either.

Summer: Well neither has he.

Seth: All he does is brood.

Summer: He won't talk.

Seth: I don't think either of them have been sleeping well.

Summer: They're like a shell of their former selves.

Seth: You don't think….

Summer: That something else happened that they're not telling us.

Seth: Yeah.

Summer: Like what? You were there, do you remember anything else that seemed weird but went unexplained?

Seth: Nah, not really. Everything seemed accounted for.

Summer: What was it like?

Seth: What do you mean?

Summer: Watching them find everything that they'd done, watching Ryan worry over Marissa?

Seth: Surreal. It felt like I was dreaming and I kept hoping that at any minute I'd wake up and it would all be a nightmare, but I never did wake up and it definitely was real. The scariest thing was watching Ryan hold Marissa when she was unconscious. I didn't even know if she was alive or dead, but once she woke up, it didn't get much better. You should have seen her ribs, how bruised they were. I'm surprised that they weren't broken. It's a good thing she wasn't pregnant….

Summer: Oh my god! You don't think….

Seth: No, she wasn't pregnant, and you really need to stop accusing her of being so, because it's really starting to bother her.

Summer: Do you think they'll still let things…..happen naturally now that this has happened?

Seth: I don't think they'll have to worry about that for a while.

Summer: What do you mean?

Seth: (He turns to look at her briefly and then looks back at the road.) Oh come on, Summer, you know as well as I do, that the embrace they're in right now is the closest they've been physically since everything happened.

Summer: Yeah, because of her injuries.

Seth: She's healing rapidly; do you really think that's why they haven't been very couple like recently?

Summer: What else could it be?

Seth: Look, Ryan's never been very open about his past, about his family, but from what I've picked up over the years, I do know a few things. For one, he's scared to death of becoming just like them.

Summer: That's ridiculous; Chino's nothing like his family. I mean, look at what he's done so far in his life in high school and now in college. He's a freaking genius!

Seth: I know.

Summer: Yeah, and he'd never hurt a woman. He's always been so sweet to me and your Mom, Zoe adores him, and he's so gentle and loving to Marissa. He'd die before he'd let anything happen to any of us, especially her.

Seth: Maybe that's part of the problem.

Summer: What do you mean?

Seth: He wasn't able to protect her.

Summer: He wasn't even there.

Seth: You have to look at this from Ryan's warped, white knight perspective. He knew his family was dangerous and he let himself fall in love anyway, putting Marissa in harms way. If she'd never met him, then she'd never had been attacked.

Summer: That's crap, Cohen, and you know it!

Seth: Yeah, I do, but Ryan doesn't. That's how he thinks. So now he's shut down, he's pushing her away thinking that it's for her own good.

Summer: It's the worse thing he can do!

Seth: I know.

Summer: What's he going to do, spend his whole life alone afraid to take the risk of loving someone and being loved in return? Besides, even if he let Marissa go or pushed her away, she's still could get hurt, and it's not going to stop his feelings. He's stronger with her by his side; she gives him a reason to fight. And now, she's got us taking self defense courses! I'd love to see what happens to the next guy who gets in her face!

Seth: I'd purchase tickets to that show, too! She's like an animal during class!

Summer: I think they call that creative visualization. I imagine every kick, every punch is directed right at Trey.

Seth: I still can't believe that Ryan's family could do this to him, I mean his own brother?

Summer: Trey's not Ryan's brother anymore, you are, and you'd never do that, because you love him and you're a good guy.

Seth: Aw Summer, you make me blush! (He puts one of his hands up to his face to shield it in mock embarrassment while the song now changes to Scissor Sisters' "Take Your Mama". Summer laughs at him.)

Summer: Cohen, talk about chewing the scenery!

Seth: What are you talking about woman!

Summer: (She smacks him upside the head, but then as she sees him prepare to yell out in fake pain, she slaps her hand over his mouth and hooks her finger towards the back of the car.) Hello, Ryan and Marissa are sleeping for practically the first time in two weeks, if you dare wake them up, you won't be able to say another word for rest of your life because I'll cut your tongue out and feed it Hannibal Lector himself! And how many times do I have to tell you, do not call me woman!

Seth: (When he speaks, it is in a very whiny voice.) Why not?

Summer: Because it's sexually demeaning!

Seth: That's so not fair! You get to call me a dandy and a pansy anytime you want!

Summer: Well those names are true; you are a dandy and a pansy, Cohen!

Seth: Yeah, and you're a woman!

Summer: So, what's your point? (He sighs in frustrations.) Oh, do not even start with me! I'm not going to sit here and listen to your whining all the way to Newport!

Seth: (He speaks in a mocking tone as he copies what she says.) Oh, do not even start with me! I'm not going to sit here and listen to your whining all the way to Newport! (She smacks him again and again as she speaks.)

Summer: If you ever (Smack) do that again, (Smack) you will be celibate (Smack) from this moment until well after we're married! (Smack) And that includes (Smack) no sex (Smack) on our honeymoon! (Smack)

Seth: Fine! (He pretends to brood for a couple of moments before becoming bored.) What does that mean?

Summer: What celibate?

Seth: No, I know what that means! Hello, I've been experiencing it now for a few weeks already, so technically my punishment would have already have been in progress, but…

Summer: Cohen! What the hell do you want to know!

Seth: Oh yeah, I forgot. What does chewing the scenery mean?

Summer: Over acing, being overly dramatic.

Seth: Oh, you mean, your style! (He laughs at his own joke, and although she tries to be mad, she can't help but laugh as well. After a moment, they both stop laughing and are silently thinking.)

Summer: Cohen?

Seth: Yeah?

Summer: What do you think your Mom is up to with this party?

Seth: I have no idea, and to be frank, it scares the hell out of me! You know how these Newpsie parties always tend to come back and bite you in the butt, something always go wrong, there's always a fight, and some big secret is always revealed.

Summer: Nothing happened at the Valentines' Day party we threw for your Mom.

Seth: That we know about. I'm sure something happened, but you have to admit my gorgeous gooey gumdrop, that we did not spend much time at the actual party because we were too busy up in my room celebrating the holiday how it was meant to be celebrated! (She laughs.)

Summer: Okay, so you have a point, but don't you ever give me another nickname with the word gooey in it. That was just….ew!

Seth: Whatever you say.

Summer: Do you think the party's to celebrate your Dad's new job?

Seth: Nah, that's old news, and why would it be a surprise then. Besides, I don't think my Mom's too thrilled with my Dad's new job.

Summer: I still can't believe that Sandy Cohen is working for the government!

Seth: You, I think Ryan almost lost his cookies when he heard about it.

Summer: Yeah Ryan and the cops really haven't seen eye to eye have they, and now that they haven't caught his brother and his accomplice….oh my god!

Seth: What?

Summer: You don't think that the accomplice was his dad, do you? The age description Marissa gave would fit.

Seth: I thought he was still in prison, at least, if he got out, he never contacted Ryan.

Summer: Maybe we should mention it to your Dad and see what he could find out. It would make sense.

Seth: Yeah, I think you're right. We'll talk to him as soon as we get home. (He reaches over and grabs a hold of her hand, pulls it up to his lips, kisses it, and then lets their hands rest on the console together.) Aw, Summer, my little detective, what would the LAPD do without you?

Summer: That's a good question!

Seth: You should become their honorary crime fighter. Do you think they'd give you a badge! (Summer laughs.) I bet this all comes from all your experience fighting crime as Little Miss Vixen.

Summer: Cohen, please no comic book talk! We almost made a whole trip home having a semi-adult conversation; well at least it's been as mature as you can make it.

Seth: I can try, but I can't promise you anything. (Summer rolls her eyes and Seth goes back to thinking.) Maybe they got me a new boat, and this party is the surprise party to give it to me! (Seth's face contorts into a wide grin thinking about his "new boat" while Summer, once again, rolls her eyes and the scene fades to black.)

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