Episode #12: The Bended Knee

As the scene opens up, it is Tuesday, almost two weeks since the Seder dinner. It is late at night. Marissa is curled up on their bed on her laptop typing away when the scene starts. She is dressed ready for bed in a pair of Ryan's boxers and one of his wife beaters, while he has just walked out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist. There is music on in the background. The song should be South's "Loosen Your Mind". As Ryan walks in front of her, Marissa's eyes scan up from the screen and watch him walk into their closet. When he disappears from her view, the smile which had been on her face quickly leaves and she goes back to working. All of a sudden she gets an instant message from Kirsten. While she reads it, she tells Ryan what it says and then they discuss her replies back and forth between the bedroom and the closet.

Ryan: Hey, is that your computer or mine?

Marissa: Mine, but it's Kirsten.

Ryan: Everything's okay right? (Marissa laughs at his paranoia.)

Marissa: Yeah, she just saw me on her buddy list and sent me a message to say hello. Anything you want me to say from you?

Ryan: Just tell her I said hi.

Marissa: Will do. (The sound of her fingers typing is the only other noise in the room except for the music until she speaks again.) Hey Ryan?

Ryan: Hm?

Marissa: What do you think if I invited your parents up here this weekend? We always go there, and with finals coming up next week, I just thought we probably shouldn't go home, but that doesn't mean they can't come and see us. What about Sunday? We could spend the day with them and then all go out to dinner?

Ryan: Sounds good to me. Do you think we should check with Summer and Seth first?

Marissa: I'm not ready to talk to her yet, and I'm not really in the mood to talk to Seth right now, too sleepy. Besides, even if they can't make it, your parents, Zoe, you, and I can all spend the day together and it will be fun. (He laughs at her enthusiasm.)

Ryan: Okay, whatever you want. (She laughs.)

Marissa: That is what I like to hear. (She starts typing again. Ryan comes out dressed in just a pair of pajama pants, but his hair is relatively dry form using the towel on it. He puts the towel in the bathroom and then goes to his desk to shuffle his papers and organize them before turning off his computer.) So, what do you think we should do?

Ryan: These are your plans, what do you want to do?

Marissa: You're not going to help at all are you?

Ryan: Hey, I'm going, and besides if you really want me to organize the day we'd probably end up driving around the hills looking at the old, classic mansions from the 20's.

Marissa: That wouldn't be that bad. We should do that sometime.

Ryan: Really?

Marissa: Definitely, just you and me though. I don't think that Zoe would really appreciate your ideas. (He laughs.)

Ryan: Why don't you just ask her; she might have some ideas in mind.

Marissa: Hmmm….not a bad suggestion. Okay, give me a sec, we'll get this all lined up, and then I'm all yours and we can go to sleep.

Ryan: I actually had other things in mind.

Marissa: Let me rephrase what I just said. Then I'm all yours and we can go to bed.

Ryan: Much better.

Marissa: Oh, hey that's a good idea. (Ryan gives her a slightly confused look which she notices so she explains.) She wants a tour of the studio, so after they get here, we'll head there, and then we'll just have to find something to do while waiting for dinner.

Ryan: I'm sure there is something in this city that we can all agree on.

Marissa: Well then it's settled. Let me just log off, and then I'm all yours.

Ryan: Really, already? That was a quick conversation.

Marissa: I told her I'd have to talk to her later; I was getting ready for bed. (He leaves his desk after finishing with what he was doing before and turns off the music and walks over to her. Standing in front of her on her side of the bed, he reaches over and takes her hand in his, pulling her up into a sitting position and helping her scoot over so that she is sitting on the edge of the bed. He gets down on his knees in front of her and leans into her body as her legs surround him. She laughs as she watches him methodically set them up and smiles the entire time.)

Ryan: What's so funny?

Marissa: You, what's this all about?

Ryan: Marissa, there's something I want to ask you.

Marissa: Yeah, Ryan, what is it? You're acting a little mysterious and….

Ryan: Sshh. (He puts his finger gently to her lips to silence her. She looks at him confused.) Don't worry, it's nothing bad. I know where that mind of yours is taking you. Trust me, I think this is a great thing, and I'm hoping you will, too.

Marissa: Okay. (She sounds unsure but she's playing along with him. He takes her hands back in his and kisses each one before speaking.)

Ryan: So, do you remember how we had discussed going away together, just you and me and no one else, not even Seth and Summer, to interrupt us?

Marissa: (Instantly, she starts to smile widely, and her smile is infectious as it spreads to his face as well when he sees how happy she is.) How could I forget? Those plans we made when we talked that night are all I've been thinking about since.

Ryan: Me, too.

Marissa: So…..

Ryan: So what? (She laughs and playfully pushes his hands out of hers and slaps his chest.)

Marissa: Ryan! Come on you brought that up for a reason, what is it? Have you picked a date?

Ryan: What would you say if I did?

Marissa: I'd say you better tell me when I'm going away with you so that I can be ready!

Ryan: You don't need to get anything ready, just show up.

Marissa: Oh, and what about packing?

Ryan: And who said you're allowed to where any clothes? (She laughs.)

Marissa: That would definitely be non-traditional.

Ryan: What, we're going to be on a beach?

Marissa: Not a nude one. (He laughs and concedes, putting his hands over hers which after slapping him lightly settled on his chest. He holds them over his heart as he talks.)

Ryan: Fine, you can take some clothes, but I get to help pick them out. Oh, and just to let you know, someday I'm getting you on a nude beach.

Marissa: Haven't you learned anything. You can get me nude on a beach as long as no one is around. (His mind drifts off to that memory, but she does not let him linger there long before speaking and bringing him back to reality.) You still haven't told me when we're going?

Ryan: Next weekend. We leave as soon as our last final is over, which I checked and it's at 4:00 Thursday.

Marissa: What about work?

Ryan: I already talked to them.

Marissa: Ryan!

Ryan: What, oh come on, you know that you deserve the day off, and they were very understanding when I told them.

Marissa: You told them!

Ryan: No, no, I glossed it over. Don't worry, I didn't tell them all the hopefully juicy details.

Marissa: Oh, it will be juicy, that I promise you. (Before he can say anything or even laugh, she crashes her lips against his so passionately that his eyes only show shock before the pleasure takes over. He wraps his arms around her and picks her up, standing up himself as he cradles her in his arms as he kisses her. Her arms snake around his neck. Breathless they pull apart and stare in each other's eyes.)

Ryan: You do know that after next weekend, nothing will ever be the same. We'll be on a whole different level.

Marissa: I know, and I can't wait. (This time as they kiss, it is tender. He walks around the bed to his side, and sits down with her still in his arms never breaking the kiss. The camera pulls out and fades as they begin to lie down together.)

Credits and Commercial Break

The next scene begins in the kitchen of the apartment Wednesday night as Marissa cooks dinner, Chicken Tortellini Casserole with garlic bread and a Caesar salad, while Seth sits on the counter talking to her and eating the croutons off the already prepared salad. Marissa is too busy at first to notice him as she is cutting the bread, buttering it, and putting the seasoning on it. They talk the entire time.

Seth: So Marissa, we've discussed everything from how the revisions on Atomic County are going, to the Nana and the Seder dinner, to you and Ryan, Lollapalooza, and we even debated the merits of me getting a haircut next week before we all go home to Newport for the summer. Don't you think we've avoided the topic long enough?

Marissa: When you're right Seth, you're right.

Seth: (Clearly shocked by how easy that was, he is flabbergasted.) I am!

Marissa: Yes, you are. We really need to talk about our final schedules next week in case we'll have to make special dinner plans or eat later than normal. (Seth stares at her incredulously.)

Seth: You know that's not what I'm talking about Marissa, and I'm not going to take the bait, I am going to keep my mind off the food you just mentioned, well more like the food you alluded to and I just filled in the blanks for myself, but…..no, no, I said that I wasn't going to let myself get distracted….

Marissa: Do you want anything particular? (Knowing that as long as she keeps pressuring him, he would not be able to worm his way out of this one and that he'd drop the topic at hand and focus on his stomach, she keeps pushing the issue.)

Seth: Dmn it, Marissa, you know my weakness!

Marissa: Weakness, you make it sound like you only have one! (Seth throws a baby tomato at her which makes her laugh. When she turns around, after picking it up, to throw it back at him, she notices that he has been eating off the croutons. She throws the tomato and as he shields his face against it, she grabs the salad and leaves the kitchen. When he puts his arms down, he notices that she is gone.)

Seth: Hey, where did you go? (He looks around the kitchen and notices his snack has disappeared.) Oh, I get it. (Getting off the counter he goes and grabs a piece of bread she hadn't prepared yet. When he hears her approach the doorway, he shoves the whole piece of bread in his mouth trying to chew as quickly as possible. He swallows it with difficulty and starts to cough. As she walks in, her face is slightly concerned.)

Marissa: Are you okay? (He waves her off and pretends that it is nothing, but she begins to suspect him.) Seth…..what did you do, or perhaps more accurately, what did you eat?

Seth: Nothing, please, I was choking!

Marissa: Uh-huh, why I don't believe you?

Seth: Perhaps because you've been spending too much time with Ryan lately.

Marissa: Yeah, not buying it. I've always spent a lot of time with Ryan. What did you eat Seth!

Seth: Look, Marissa, honestly, I didn't eat anything. I saw how mad you were at me after I ate all the croutons….

Marissa: You didn't eat them all. I somewhat anticipated this so I had some hidden where you wouldn't know to look.

Seth: Oh good, because I really don't like a little salad without a lot of croutons and dressing.

Marissa: Why am I not surprised. So, you were saying?

Seth: Yes, I was telling you that I saw how mad you were so I wouldn't do it again by eating food I did not have permission to. (She watches him for a moment, eyeing him warily due to her lack of faith in his word, but she eventually breaks the stare and turns back to the counter only to instantly recognize that he did in fact eat a piece of the bread.)

Marissa: Seth!

Seth: What? (He tries to feign innocence but it just comes off scared.

Marissa: What happened to my bread Seth!

Seth: Ryan ate it. (She glares at him.) Okay, so Ryan didn't, but it was an accident. You see I was messing around with the cherry tomato and I hit the piece of bread off the counter. After it hit the floor, I couldn't let you use it, but yet I didn't want to waste any food, so I just sacrificed myself and ate it as quickly as possible.

Marissa: Really, thanks Seth, that was just too nice of you! (She walks towards him a smile on her face, but when she reaches him, she smacks him upside the head.)

Seth: Hey! Alright, alright, I'm sorry I ate your stupid bread, but do you really have to hit me? Summer's been so mad at you and Ryan, but especially you lately that she's completely forgotten about her pact to torture me everyday, and I was just beginning to get all my old bruises healed. I don't need a concussion now! (The smile on Marissa's face fades as Seth says Summer's name, but he doesn't even notice.)

Marissa: So, next week, finals?

Seth: I only have one.

Marissa: What!

Seth: Yeah, for the rest I just have either a paper to turn in or a project, so I'm done Monday at noon for almost four blissful months no doubt filled with sailing, sunning, sex, and sleeping.

Marissa: Wow, you aim high. (She rolls her eyes at the end of her comment.)

Seth: You know what, I love this! A few years ago I was the only one sarcastic, and now look at all of you guys, stealing my comedic technique and completely ruining it for me!

Marissa: Seth, focus, please. Is there anything you want to request next week for dinner before we move on?

Seth: What are we moving on to?

Marissa: Summer. I have to face her sooner or later, right, and it looks as if that will be sooner as dinner is almost finished. (She picks up the tray of bread that is now finished and puts it in the broiler turning towards Seth once she is done.)

Seth: Hm….let me think.

Marissa: And just to let you know, Ryan and I won't be here after Thursday afternoon.

Seth: What?

Marissa: We're going away for the weekend….alone, and no you do not get to find out where.

Seth: What about an emergency?

Marissa: Didn't we already cover this that day when we were shopping with Branning and Summer?

Seth: That was concerning your honeymoon, this is just a trip.

Marissa: So, you're still not getting any numbers, and we're certainly not telling you where we are going. In fact, even I don't know.

Seth: What, that's ridiculous!

Marissa: We're not arguing about this Seth. Nothing you cold possibly say could change my mind, so let's just get this done with. Food first, is there anything you want?

Seth: Nah, just surprise me. Now, about Summer….

Marissa: I don't even have any idea where to begin.

Seth: Well then it's definitely a good idea that you're talking to me first, because…

Marissa: She's furious at me.

Seth: It's more than that.

Marissa: What do you mean?

Seth: Ryan didn't tell you that she is also jealous of you?

Marissa: Sure he did, but that was just then, right? I mean, she's over that now isn't she?

Seth: (He refuses to look at her when he speaks.) Actually, I think that it's only getting worse. In fact, the anger's gone, and I know that she feels guilty for yelling at you and for what she said, but the jealousy is still there and increasing ever so rapidly.

Marissa: I don't know what to do! I mean, how do I stop her from being jealous of something I can't control?

Seth: You can't do anything. You're just going to have to let time work its magic. Summer will adjust to this, she will get over this jealousy she has towards you, and she will accept our fate, but you have to know that there will be awkward and probably hurtful times. You just have to remember that Summer loves you, and no matter what, you're still her best friend. There will be normal days, weeks, hell maybe even months, but then everything you have that she can't will make itself apparent and you'll be right back where you started.

Marissa: So, basically you're saying I'm at the mercy of Summer's moods.

Seth: Glad it's you and not me! (He cracks a smile, and even though what they are saying is true, neither of them can help but laugh because of the startling reality of what they both said.)

Marissa: And how has she been today?

Seth: Pretty good. I think being back to work and seeing that part of her life a success was good for her. Feeling like she failed at something is where a lot of this animosity is stemming from.

Marissa: Did she tell you that?

Seth: What, Summer, speak about her feelings, I don't think so. I've been researching her condition online, and then when I have questions I call her doctor. I'm sure the nurses there all know my number now on sight. Speaking of which, I might want to switch phones so they keep answering. They warned me the last time I called that they weren't going to answer any more. Good thing we have the home phone as well, and when that number becomes memorized, I can always borrow your cell phone and Ryan's and there's always pay phones and the phone down in the lobby. They won't know what hit….

Marissa: Seth! (When she says his name loudly, it brings him out of his phone revelry and back to reality and he stops talking.)

Seth: What?

Marissa: Shut up! I get it; there are a lot of phones you can use. Congratulations, but I don't need to hear about all of them. Now, (She gets up and opens the oven and pulls out the casserole.) I'm going to go and put this on the table. Can you please grab some plates and silverware and meet me out there and we'll get the table set. The garlic bread should be done in a few minutes.

Seth: And then I can eat? (He starts grinning from ear to ear.)

Marissa: And then WE can eat. (She stresses the we to make the point that the food is meant for more than just Seth and that they will all eat together. As they both walk out of the room carrying their said things, the camera leaves them and goes to Ryan and Marissa's room. Ryan is working at his desk on designs while music is playing in the background. The song should be The Vines' "Don't Listen to the Radio". He is startled out of his work by a knock on the door.)

Ryan: Marissa, why are you knocking? (He laughs and goes over to the door swinging it open while he speaks.) What, are we going to play some kind of game? Isn't this too close to din….Summer.

Summer: And obviously you weren't expecting me, big surprise there. Sorry to disappoint, but no Marissa is not here to play some sick sex game with you.

Ryan: What do you want?

Summer: What is this crap? (She signals to the radio.) Definitely doesn't sound like Journey.

Ryan: It's something of Marissa's. (He picks up the remote and pauses it.)

Summer: And you like it? What are you, going over to the dark side?

Ryan: What do you want Summer? (His voice is forceful.)

Summer: (She hesitates a moment before saying anything.) Can we talk?

Ryan: We are.

Summer: Ryan.

Ryan: What?

Summer: Please, can I come in. What I have to say I want to say in private. (He opens the door up wider and steps aside so that she can walk in. Once she does, he shuts the door and motions for her to sit down at his desk. When she does, she swivels the chair around and looks at his designs for a moment not wanting to face him.) These are good.

Ryan: Thanks, but I don't think that you came here to discuss my designs. What do you want Summer?

Summer: To fix this….us. I don't like not getting along with you.

Ryan: Well maybe you should have thought about that before you so flagrantly insulted Marissa and I in our own bedroom, someplace you were not even supposed to be. (She starts to talk, but he stops her.) Listen, I know that you've just recently gotten news that no one woman should ever have to hear, and I'm sorry, I truly am, and I know there is no way that I can understand what you're going through, but Marissa did not cause it. All she wants to do is help you, and you just keep shutting out the one person who might be able to at least commiserate with you on some semblance of the same level.

Summer: So she's not mad at me?

Ryan: As soon as she found out what happened, any anger that she was harboring towards you vanished, and that wasn't much. She was mainly worried about you after your little outburst and I think afraid to see you again. I was the angry one. I think if there is any emotion she's feeling right now it would be guilt.

Summer: Guilt! Why does she feel guilty? She didn't do anything to cause this!

Ryan: I don't know, Summer, why don't you tell me why she's feeling guilty. Could it be because someone made her feel like this was all her fault just because she is able to still have children?

Summer: (Her voice is soft, barely audible.)That wasn't my intention.

Ryan: I don't know what you intended to do, Summer, but that's what it caused. Now Marissa is afraid to speak to you, afraid that she'll somehow hurt you even more even though this is so far from her fault.

Summer: Yeah well, at least she can have kids….like you said.

Ryan: You're right, she can, and you'll be their aunt if you quit pushing her away. They might not be your own kids, but you know that they'll come to you when they're mad at Marissa and I, that you guys will have a special bond, and that you can be with us through every step of the pregnancy, doctors appointments, co-Lamaze coach, although Seth is not getting anywhere near the delivery room, chief decorator of the babies' rooms, and then when you and Seth get your baby through adoption, we'll be for you, too…if you let us. (Summer is crying silently, not caring enough to wipe the tears away, but Ryan does not approach her because he is still a little annoyed with the way she's been acting.) Look, you can't focus on what you can't have; you have to focus on what you can and will have. As I told Seth, think about it this way. If you adopt, at least this way your kids will have a chance of being athletic and popular, because they won't be able to take after Seth, and besides, you won't have to ever comb through a Jew fro.

Summer: (She smiles and the tears start to subside.) Hey, not to mention the fact that they won't be able to inherit my rage blackouts.

Ryan: (He feigns innocence.) Oh yeah, we forgot about those. That didn't come up at all! (She laughs.)

Summer: Oh, I'm sure, nice try Chino. That's probably the first thing Cohen thought of! (Ryan laughs and shrugs his shoulders.)

Ryan: Just to let you know, he's sorry about the suggestion he made, (Her smiles leaves her face when he mentions this.) and don't worry, I set him straight for you. (However, it reappears after he says that he spoke to Seth about it.) I don't think he'll ever even think about that idea again. (She stands up and walks towards him. When she approaches she gives him an awkward hug which he softly returns, but neither is very comfortable with each other yet. After just a second, they both pull away and step back so that they are not close to each other.)

Summer: Thanks…for everything.

Ryan: Glad I could help, so about Marissa?

Summer: I'll talk to her soon, promise, but I can't do it tonight. I need to get my thoughts all in line and think about what I'm going to say. I don't need to have any Coheny moments where I stick my foot in my mouth especially since so much is hanging on what I say.

Ryan: Okay, but make it soon. It's not fair to Marissa to…

Summer: (She interrupts him.) I know it's not fair to make her think she did something wrong and to suffer for nothing.

Ryan: Just so we understand each other. (She shakes her head yes and then starts to walk towards the door. She opens it and goes to step out but stops and turns around to speak one last time to him.)

Summer: Hey Ryan?

Ryan: What?

Summer: Are we….

Ryan: We'll be fine Summer. (She smiles at him.)

Summer: Good. (With that she leaves the room shutting the door behind her. Ryan turns the music back on and goes back to his desk to continue working. The scene fades out and goes to the Cohens where Kirsten is sitting at the kitchen table working on paperwork. All of a sudden the door opens and Sandy is heard walking through the house. Kirsten looks up at the clock and sees that it's 6:30 and she smiles to herself. As he walks into the kitchen he sees the mess of paperwork on the table and laughs as he approaches her and kisses her forehead.)

Sandy: Now look who's the workaholic!

Kirsten: (She laughs.) Very funny, but your information, I was just getting a jump start on tomorrow's work. Zoe was too busy to entertain her mom this afternoon, so I had to find something to do to occupy myself.

Sandy: Well if someone ever asked me what I'd do with a few free hours, I'd definitely say routine paper work as well. (She stands up and wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him quickly on the lips.)

Kirsten: Would you have preferred for me to wait and do this tonight after you got home, because personally I can think of a few other things we could do.

Sandy: (He laughs.) It was a brilliant idea honey to do your work while you had some free time. At least you didn't decide to try and cook.

Kirsten: (She slaps his chest playfully and pulls herself free of his arms walking off towards the kitchen cupboards.) And for that, we're not ordering in tonight. You can cook and I'll watch. (She sits down on the stool and motions for him to begin to work. He takes off his tie, throws it at her which makes her laugh, and rolls up his sleeves as he prepares to cook.)

Sandy: And what should I grill up tonight?

Kirsten: (She thinks for a moment seriously and then laughs.) I don't even know what we have in the freezer.

Sandy: (He opens it and looks in.) What happened to the fresh salmon I picked up yesterday?

Kirsten: Oh, I put that in the fridge. (He shuts the freezer and opens the fridge taking out the salmon.)

Sandy: Well, not as fresh as it would have been yesterday, but it will do. Then I can make a salad and I'll throw some potatoes in the oven and bake them. Any thing you want?

Kirsten: What are you making us for dessert?

Sandy: (He laughs, puts the food down on the counter, and walks towards her with his arms open like he is going to envelop her in a hug.) Me, baby!

Kirsten: Uh-huh, care to explain that to your daughter, because I'm sure she'll be really curious why she doesn't get any dessert tonight and why Mommy gets Daddy for dessert. (His arms fall to his sides, the smile drops from his face, and Kirsten just laughs at him.)

Sandy: Way to ruin the fantasy honey. (She just raises her eyebrows at him to question him.) Alright, alright, we'll let Zoe decide.

Kirsten: You do realize that will mean going out to get ice cream?

Sandy: Good, and then we'll all take a walk on the beach while we eat it. It will be fun and good for us, as a family.

Kirsten: After dinner of course. (She smirks at him and then moves her eye towards the food indicating that he should begin. She watches him work the entire time. First he puts the potatoes in the oven after poking holes in them, then he picks up the salmon and heads towards the grill, but on his way out the door she stands up and slaps his butt. He laughs at her flirting nature, but they both freeze when they hear a little voice.)

Zoe: Mommy? (Sandy starts to laugh as he goes out the door. Before she turns around to look at her daughter, Kirsten sends a pleading look to Sandy to ask him to help her out with this. All he does is walk out the door, continuously laughing and teasing her.)

Sandy: Have fun with this one! (She glares at him before turning around to look at her daughter.)

Kirsten: Hey honey, are you done playing upstairs with your dolls?

Zoe: Yeah.

Kirsten: Did you put everything away?

Zoe: Uh-huh.

Kirsten: Good girl. So your Daddy and I were wondering what you'd like for dessert tonight? (She walks to the counter where Sandy piled out the vegetable for the salad and starts to wash them.)

Zoe: Duh Mommy, ice cream.

Kirsten: So we surmised, so what do you think about going to the beach after dinner is over, getting ice cream, and then we'll take a walk while we eat?

Zoe: Can we build a sand castle afterwards?

Kirsten: It will be dark, but if you're a good girl tomorrow morning while Mommy's working, then we'll go to the beach where Seth keeps his boat tomorrow afternoon and we'll build a sandcastle down there. That way, we can keep it up for a long time and you can show it to Ryan, Marissa, Seth, and Summer the next time they come home.

Zoe: Are they coming home this weekend? (Sandy walks in here and goes to get the salt and pepper along with thongs to flip the meat.)

Sandy: Yeah, Mommy, are the kids coming home this weekend?

Kirsten: Actually, since you asked, we're going to LA this weekend to see them. Marissa invited us down to go out to eat Sunday night and we're getting a tour of the studio where she works that afternoon. Because finals are next week, they won't be able to stay the whole weekend, but this way we'll still be able to see them.

Zoe: We are! (She starts to jump up and down excitedly.)

Sandy: I have to go to LA this weekend, voluntarily and not for something work related? (His voice is whining.)

Kirsten: Or you could stay here by yourself and pout and Zoe and I will go by ourselves. Your choice.

Sandy: Like there is a choice in there! I know exactly what will happen if I stay here this weekend while you two run off gallivanting in Los Angeles. Besides the fact that the US economy will get a substantial boost from all your shopping on Rodeo Drive, I'll also be in the dog house, somewhere no man enjoys spending his time. (Kirsten laughs, but Zoe looks at her father with a confused expression.)

Zoe: We have a dog house? Where? Can I get a dog?

Kirsten: You can take this one Sandy, and by the way, I was successful at avoiding the last one. (She smirks at him. Because she is done washing the vegetables, she gets out a cutting board and begins to cut them up.)

Sandy: Zoe baby, when I said dog house I just meant that your Mommy would be mad at me, but I said it in goofy way. We don't really have a dog house. (When she starts to speak up again, he stops her short by talking first.) And no, you can't get a dog. Seth's allergic, so a dog would make him sneeze and cough. (Zoe laughs.)

Zoe: Then we should definitely get one! (Sandy turns his back to her for a moment and laughs with Kirsten silently before turning back to his daughter and talking once again.)

Sandy: Zoe, that's not very nice, and besides, you don't want Seth's allergies to act up, because when they do, he cries all the time and whines like a little baby.

Zoe: He does!

Sandy: Yeah. (He shakes his head in a very serious manner which makes Zoe wince at the thought of Seth complaining over his symptoms.)

Zoe: Okay, no dog, but Dad?

Sandy: What? (He's trying to go back outside because he has what he needs now.)

Zoe: If you were bad, why wouldn't Mom just spank you again instead of getting mad? (Sandy laughs and goes back out the door yelling over his shoulder.)

Sandy: Thought you said you escaped that one, honey! (Kirsten glares at him while he walks away and Zoe just stares at her waiting for an answer.)

Kirsten: Would you like to help me make the salad Zoe, because I've heard you're quite the helper in the kitchen.

Zoe: The Nana told me that I am a better cook already than you are! (Kirsten laughs and picks up her daughter and sets her on the counter.)

Kirsten: Now what I want you to do is rip the lettuce off of the head and put in the bowl, just make sure that you make the pieces small enough, okay?

Zoe: No problem Mommy. (She starts to rip the lettuce and then turns back to her Mom.) Mom?

Kirsten: Yes?

Zoe: Why did you spank Daddy? (Kirsten blushes and does not look her daughter in the eye as she replies and keeps working. When Zoe realizes that her mom is not going to look at her, she goes back to ripping the lettuce while she listens.)

Kirsten: I wasn't spanking him honey. I was just…..trying to get him to….to hurry. It was more like a push to get him to go outside and make dinner.

Zoe: (She seems slightly confused but goes with what her Mom said anyway.) Oh, okay. (Both girls continue to work as the camera fades out and shows Sandy standing by the door laughing at them and then going back to the grill. The camera leaves the Cohen house and goes to the living room of Jimmy's parents' house. Inside, sitting on a couch are Jimmy and Caleb. They are eating pizza, drinking beer, watching basketball, and Jimmy is enjoying himself while Caleb just seems out of place although he is trying to relax, something that is impossible for him to do.)

Caleb: So, what's the latest information that you have for me on this nurse? What was her name again, I think she said Nurse Williamson?

Jimmy: She lied. (Jimmy is trying to pay attention to the game.)

Caleb: Well then what is it?

Jimmy: O'Brien.

Caleb: Full name Jimmy. (Jimmy is lost in the game, so Caleb reaches out and mutes the TV, keeping the remote in his hand. Jimmy turns to him.)

Jimmy: What are you doing? You can't mute the TV in the middle of the game!

Caleb: Answer my questions, and then you can spend the rest of the night totally oblivious to the rest of the world. Hell, I'll give you my courtside tickets to the Staples Center if you would just focus for five minutes.

Jimmy: Really, courtside?

Caleb: Now do I have your attention?

Jimmy: Completely.

Caleb: What is the nurse's full name?

Jimmy: Sharon Kathleen O'Brien, but her friends call her Sherry.

Caleb: Good, and what else have you learned about her?

Jimmy: The important aspects of her past are that she had a previous drug problem, but she got herself clean by going to rehab. Her old dealer just happens to be one of Lance's cronies, so my guess is that she owed him some money and in order to pay him and get him off her back, and trust me, you'd want this guy off your back, she took their deal. Now she has family out east, her Dad, mom's dead from cancer, and two older brothers, but they live in Philadelphia and she flew to Raleigh. That's where we're searching for her as of now. We think she may have gotten a job there, but which hospital and when she starts we haven't figured out yet, but when we do, I'll fly out on the first plane and confront her.

Caleb: How long do you think this should take?

Jimmy: All depends upon how soon she starts building a life there and how quickly she starts this job. All we need is a paper trail, and if she stays there, she'll eventually get an apartment, get a phone number, something. We've searched and so far we haven't found any family who lives there, but she must be staying with a friend or something because she hasn't used a credit card to check into a hotel.

Caleb: Are you trying to track down the friend?

Jimmy: Yeah, the PI's and I are going through her year high school year books and nursing school class records and searching for any which may be from Raleigh. Like I said, as soon as we get an address, I'm gone. Now, is there anything else you need to know or can we get back to the game?

Caleb: (He stands up and begins to pace back and forth in front of the TV. Jimmy just sighs and listens as he talks.) I need to figure out what my next step is with Julie.

Jimmy: I thought Sandy told you to do whatever you had to keep her happy?

Caleb: He did.

Jimmy: And I think that's a good idea. If Julie gets what she wants, she'll back off and let her guard down. Perhaps she'll even pay Lance off and then we won't have him dogging our every move.

Caleb: What?

Jimmy: Just because we were following him before doesn't mean that he can't follow us, which is exactly what he's been doing.

Caleb: Great. You don't think he'll go after this nurse do you?

Jimmy: He has to get our information first. He might be following us around, but those PI's of yours know what they're doing, and they haven't left anything for him to get his dirty hands on. She's safe for now, but I would feel better if we get to her sooner rather than later.

Caleb: So would I.

Jimmy: Are you going to listen to Sandy?

Caleb: I think so, but do you realize what that means?

Jimmy: Yep, you're going to be proposing to my very soon-to-be ex-wife.

Caleb: You two aren't divorced yet?

Jimmy: Our final hearing is this next week.

Caleb: Banner day for you!

Jimmy: Oh I'm celebrating. You're welcome to join me, because that night I'm going to be living it up like a bachelor for the first time in years.

Caleb: You mean you haven't….

Jimmy: I wanted to wait until I was legally safe from Julie filing for anything. There's no way I was going to be paying that woman alimony. (Caleb laughs but Jimmy's face is just one of pure hatred and completely serious.)

Caleb: So you're losing her next week, and I'm going to be gaining her even if it is only temporary.

Jimmy: And speaking of temporary, you're not going to get her a real engagement ring are you?

Caleb: Hell no. It's going to be as fake as she is, but she's going to believe that it's real. Speaking of the ring, handle that for me this week.

Jimmy: You want me to find a fake diamond engagement ring for you to give Julie?

Caleb: Yeah, besides, you should know her taste. You were married to her for over twenty years.

Jimmy: Trashy and tacky.

Caleb: Trashy and tacky what?

Jimmy: That's Julie's style. (Caleb laughs.)

Caleb: You got that right!

Jimmy: Anything else we need to discuss?

Caleb: No, but how's your daughter, Caitlyn. I haven't seen her….

Jimmy: She's fine, now can I please watch the game? (Caleb laughs and gives the remote back to Jimmy as he settles back onto the couch. Jimmy turns the volume back on and both men grab more pizza as they put their feet up on the coffee table and settle back in to watch the game. The camera leaves them and goes to the apartment again. Seth and Summer are sitting at the table quietly talking when Marissa brings in the garlic bread and sets it down.)

Seth: And you're going to do it…talk to her?

Summer: Yeah Cohen, I promised Ryan I would.

Seth: When? (Marissa walks into the room and Summer clears her throat quietly. When Marissa sees that Ryan's not there, she looks to Seth and talks to him.)

Marissa: Why didn't you let Ryan know that dinner was ready like I asked you to?

Seth: Um….forgot, but hey, now you can, and we both know he'd rather be interrupted by you then me.

Marissa: Fine, but if you eat anything before I get back with him, you're dead Seth! No home cooked meals for two weeks!

Seth: (His eyes get wide with fear.) I won't even look at it, I swear! (Marissa walks off and he turns back to Summer.) When?

Summer: I don't know…soon.

Seth: Why not tonight?

Summer: I'm not ready.

Seth: She's not mad at you.

Summer: (She whispers this but Seth can still hear her.) Maybe I'm mad at myself.

Seth: Summer, stop it; she doesn't want you to feel like that either. She understands that it was just your pain doing the talking and that she just happened to be the target it was directed at.

Summer: Yeah, but what I said to her….

Seth: Just talk to her. She's worried about you, and she doesn't want to lose your friendship.

Summer: I don't want that either, but I need more time.

Seth: For what?

Summer: To think about what I'm going to say.

Seth: But remember, you promised Ryan, and he won't take that lightly.

Summer: I know, I know. Just give me a day or two, okay?

Seth: (He leans over and kisses her forehead.) Okay. (Ryan and Marissa walk back out of their room and sit down. While everyone dishes out the food, there is an awkward silence because no one knows what to say to each other. Before it can go too long though, Marissa decides to speak up. As she goes to talk, she takes Ryan's hand under the table and squeezes it for reassurance.)

Marissa: I just wanted to let you know that I talked to Kirsten last night and invited them up Sunday for dinner. I wasn't sure if you had plans or not, but we'd love it if you could join us. We're going to the studio in the afternoon for a tour, and you're welcome to come to that, too. (She is silent for a minute and then thinks of something else.) Oh, and we should have Branning over on Friday night for dinner. With school ending for the summer, we won't be seeing him as much, so we should take advantage of the time we have while we can.

Seth: That's a good idea, and I'm sure we can go out with you guys on Sunday, right? (He turns to Summer to ask her, but she is smiling mischievously and thinking of something else.) Oh Summer, where are you? Hello! (He starts waving his arms in front of her face.) Earth to Summer! (She smacks his hands away and stands up quickly.)

Summer: Cohen I was ignoring you, I'm not deaf, although after that screaming fit, I might be on the road to needing hearing aides! (She starts running out of the room.)

Seth: Ah, Summer, what are you doing? (He stands up and goes after her, but she stops and turns around to talk to him. Ryan and Marissa just watch in curiosity.)

Summer: I have to go make a phone call, but you should stay, eat. Besides, if you come with me, you'll only just end up salivating all over our room as you think of eating and imagine what it will taste like.

Seth: Don't forget while I smell it wafting in the air.

Summer: (She rolls her eyes.) I'll be back in a minute. (She runs out of the room, Seth shrugs his shoulders, and then he sits back down and the three of them begin to eat talking comfortably.)

Seth: So Ryan, what big job plans do you have lined up for this summer?

Ryan: Does it really matter what I do, I'll still be making more than you! (He throws a piece of his garlic bread crust at Seth who dodges it. Marissa and Ryan laugh.)

Seth: Well, I'll have you know that I have quite a few sailing lessons lined up for this summer. Chester is back from boarding school, and he's bringing some friends, well a friend and I'm not talking about his hand. (Ryan and Seth snicker while Marissa makes a disgusted face.)

Marissa: Seth!

Seth: What! (He laughs, though not in innocence, as he knows exactly what he did. As the three continue to enjoy themselves, the camera leaves them and goes to Summer. She is sitting on her bed, crossed legged, on the phone. Only her side of the conversation can be heard.)

Summer: Hey Zach, it's Summer. I was calling to see if you were free this upcoming weekend? (As she continues to talk, the camera pulls back from her and fades out as the scene comes to an end.)

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