The fifth scene begins at the apartment in LA. Seth and Summer have just left their room, dressed and ready to go out and meet Sherry for dinner. Branning and Hayley are sitting awkwardly together in the living room on opposite ends of the couch just staring at the TV which is set to, of all things, the weather channel. As soon as they hear Seth and Summer reappear, they quickly shut off the TV and they both jump up and walk towards them.

Seth: (His voice is teasing and slightly disbelieving.) Were you two just watching the weather channel?

Summer: You know you just hit the interactive menu and the full 5 day forecast will come up for you instantly instead of waiting for them to show the west coast.

Seth: Not to mention the fact that we live in Southern California and it's August. What are your weather options, sunny, partially sunny, or hotter than hell?

Hayley: (Her tone is dismissive and she waves off their comments with a flip of her hand.) I like one of the weathermen. He's kind of cute in a sophisticated, buttoned up, smart guy way.

Seth: (He turns to Branning and mocks him.) Well, we all know you're not crushing on any of the female anchors, so does that mean you and Hayley are lusting after the same meteorologist? (Ignoring Seth, Branning grabs his keys off of the table behind the couch and starts to walk towards the door.) Hey, where are you going?

Branning: Home, to change, and then out.

Hayley: (She gets excited.) Oh, out where?

Summer: Nowhere you're going! Branning, you're not leaving.

Branning: Yes, I am. Hayley is an adult; she does not need a babysitter.

Hayley: Thank you!

Seth: This is the same adult who started sending me porn when I was ten in an attempt to encourage a healthy sex life…..

Summer: (She whispers to herself.) Well that sure explains a lot. (Hayley and Branning attempt to hold in their laughter but can't while Seth's face turns a deep shade of crimson.)

Seth: So that was mildly horrifying, but moving on. She also gave me marijuana one year for my birthday back in high school.

Hayley: (She shrugs her shoulders and rolls her eyes.) It was for medicinal reasons. You were too uptight; I was trying to loosen you up. (She thinks for a moment.) What did you end up doing with it?

Seth: I still have it somewhere packed away with all of the other weird gifts you gave me. (Hayley begins to smile mischievously, but no one seems to notice her. Seth turns back to Branning.) I really think you should stay Branning, get to know my aunt here, talk a little about any subject….perhaps what we were discussing this afternoon, you know, the for Atomic County.

Summer: Cohen, shut the hell up and go get my purse. (She pushes him towards their room.) Look, Branning, I'm not stupid and I haven't been dating Ernest there off and on, mainly on, but anyway, for six long years to not know when he's up to something. He wants you to stay here and use Hayley as a resource for my birthday surprise, and if you have a charitable bone in your body, you'll do it so that I don't end up with Bubbles the Clown making balloon animals or at a freaking Indie concert.

Branning: So let me get this straight, what exactly do you want for this said surprise?

Summer: I don't care as long as it's loud, fun, and exciting!

Hayley: Oh, so a strip club? (Her eyes are dancing in mirth.)

Summer: And tasteful and classy with no naked, steroid popping men with man boobs.

Hayley: Strippers out then.

Summer: Uh, yeah. (She turns back to Branning.) Are you staying or not? (Seth reappears with her purse and walks up to her side. Summer and Seth both have their backs to Hayley so they can't see her, but Branning can, so he notices when she motions, determinedly, that he should stay.)

Branning: I'm staying.

Summer: Don't wait up, kids. (Laughing she scoots back to Hayley and gives her a hug, which Hayley returns with a bemused expression on her face and then Summer runs over to Branning, kisses his cheek quickly, and, before they know it, she's out the door. Seth, mockingly, opens his arms first to Hayley and then Branning, imitating that he wants a hug. Hayley walks away and Branning puts Summer's light jacket in his arms and then pushes him out the door before closing it and turning around to face Hayley.)

Branning: Now, what are you up to?

Hayley: Well, if I were to go out and my Dad, sister, or Marissa found out about it, Seth would be disinherited, disemboweled, and starved to death respectively, and although he's annoying, he is my nephew, and if anyone is going to torture him, it's going to be me, but, it's a Friday night and I refuse to not have fun. So, I'm going to raid Seth's junk, find that pot, and you're going to smoke it with me, because it's no fun getting high alone. Then, and only then, will we work on this ridiculous task of figuring out a surprise for Summer from Seth.

Branning: How did you…..

Hayley: Know that he didn't come up with one on his own yet, because he's never been able to come up with anything on his own. I've given him instructions for every birthday, Christmas, Valentines Day, Sweetest Day, and anniversary present he has given her.

Branning: (He laughs.) I should have known.

Hayley: You should have, but that's not important right now. Are you with me?

Branning: (He laughs and motions her towards Seth and Summer's room.) Lead the way. (Laughing, she makes her way towards the bedroom with Branning following, shaking his head and chuckling to himself. The scene shifts away from them and goes to Ryan and Marissa who are walking into the formal dining room of their Las Vegas hotel, his arm protectively slung lowly on her hip with his hand holding her tightly and pulling her towards him. Marissa has on a crisp, cream suit, pants fitted at the top but loose around her legs, and jacket, from the back, conservative, but in the front, it has a plunging neckline, only one button, a slightly exposed abdomen with no shirt underneath. She is wearing all of her hair back and up in a tight chignon at the nape of her neck, and her eye makeup was is dark and mysterious. Ryan is just in a basic grey suit with a cream pinstripe, sans tie much to Marissa's pleasure. As they approach the room, the maitre-d walks up to them.)

Maitre-d: Mr. Atwood and Miss Cooper I presume?

Ryan: Yes.

Maitre-d: If you will follow me to your table, I'll seat you. Mr. Welsh just called down and asked me to give you the message that Mrs. Welsh is running late and they'll be here in a few minutes. (Ryan nods to the gentleman and then he and Marissa follow him to large, secluded table in a private, back room of the restaurant. As the maitre-d goes to place their menus down on the table, Ryan speaks up.)

Ryan: Actually, we're just going to step outside onto the balcony for a moment to enjoy the view. If Mr. and Mrs. Welsh arrive, would you let them know where we are, please?

Maitre-d: Of course, sir.

Ryan: Thank you. (The man leaves them alone, and Ryan takes Marissa's hand in his and leads her out onto the balcony. During his whole conversation with the maitre-d, she had not been paying attention and just stared off into space. When they reach the balcony, Ryan looks around and is quite happy to see that it is deserted and that they are by themselves. Turning to her, he takes her other hand in his and tries to get her to look at him.) Marissa?

Marissa: Hm? (Like the excuse he gave the maitre-d, she is looking out at the Las Vegas skyline and appears to be mesmerized by it.)

Ryan: Will you talk to me now?

Marissa: About what? (She still refuses to meet his eye.)

Ryan: About what's been bothering you. It's obvious something still is.

Marissa: (She sighs, sounding somewhat annoyed.) Ryan, please, not now.

Ryan: (He raises his voice and lets go of her of hands to grab her upper arms to force her to look at him.) Yes now. This has gone on long enough. You're really starting to scare me here. (He lowers his voice but his tone becomes even more emotional and he pronounces each word individually with emphasis.) What is wrong?

Marissa: It's nothing that can't wait until after dinner.

Ryan: Why then?

Marissa: Because this dinner is important for your job. All it's going to do if I tell you now is upset you and then you won't be able to concentrate on this meeting.

Ryan: Like I'll be able to concentrate when I'm this worried about you, especially after that comforting reassurance. You're not sick are you?

Marissa: No, I'm not sick…. (He looks as if he is about to protest.) I swear. (He goes to speak again, but she interrupts him and continues.) Like I told you before, it's not as if something is….wrong, it's just that I've been thinking a lot about something, and I've made a decision.

Ryan: And it affects us as a couple?

Marissa: How could it not?

Ryan: (Starting to slightly panic, he lets go of her arms and takes her face in his hands gently, looking deeply into her eyes as if he'll be able to read what she's thinking from them.) And you're not leaving?

Marissa: Never. (She covers his hands with her own and leans in and kisses him softly.) Now, can we talk about something normal until the rest of the group arrives? I've missed you this week.

Ryan: (Leaning his forehead against hers, he smiles.) Sure.

Marissa: Tonight is going to suck, isn't it? (Her blunt, accepting tone makes him laugh loudly.)

Ryan: Yeah, I'd say the chances of tonight….well the dinner portion…. going well (She smiles at him and his eyes regain some of their sparkle.) is about as good as Caleb taking Sandy to a father/son outing for the Newport Group. (Marissa laughs, making Ryan smile.) I don't think you're going to get along with my boss' wife either. She's a little high maintenance, at least that's what he told me.

Marissa: Summer's high maintenance, and she's one of my best friends.

Ryan: Yeah, but there is more to Summer than just her love of shopping; Mrs. Welsh, not so much.

Marissa: I'll survive. Besides, it's not the end of the world. After your inspection of the hotel tomorrow morning, we have the rest of the weekend to be alone.

Ryan: True, and speaking of being alone, I must tell you, this outfit you have on….

Marissa: (She smirks at him.) Yeah?

Ryan: (He looks her up and down as a lazy grin appears on his face.) It should keep her talking for at least an hour, so we can fool around under the table. (Marissa giggles.)

Marissa: I don't think that's such a good idea; what if we get caught?

Ryan: I'll be discreet. (She rolls her eyes.)

Marissa: The last time you were discreet, (She says the last word with air quotes.) we ended up having sex in the bathroom of the restaurant.

Ryan: (He smiles at the memory as he thinks back to it, getting lost momentarily.) Oh yeah, that was a good night! (Marissa laughs which brings him out of his revelry.) But seriously, where did you get this? I know it's not Summer's because she's so short, she'd be swimming in pants that long.

Marissa: I borrowed it from the wardrobe department. Luckily me is the exact same size as the lead actress on the show, so I can use her wardrobe any time I want.

Ryan: That's a nice perk.

Marissa: (She wraps her arms around his waist, letting her hands fall low so that she can flirtatiously brush them against his ass.) One that we're both enjoying?

Ryan: Definitely….(He leans in and whispers to her.) but I can't wait to take it off of you. (Just as he goes in kiss her, she pulls back and plasters a fake smile on her face, turning away from him, and taking his hand in hers and pulling him close to her side. Turning to look at what she saw, he sees his boss and his boss's wife making their way towards them.)

Jeff: Ryan, Marissa, there you are. What are you two doing out here? (He puts his hand out and shakes Ryan's hand. When Marissa puts her hand out for him to shake, he waves her off and pulls he into a hug, surprising her and making her feel slightly uncomfortable. Exchanging anxious glances with Ryan to signify that she is uncomfortable with the situation, Ryan clears his throat and begins to talk, causing Jeff to pull back.)

Ryan: We were just talking and getting a view of the skyline at night. (He turns to his boss's wife.) Good evening, Mrs. Welsh.

Mrs. Welsh: Yes, hello there. Jeff, I'm starving. Can we please sit already?

Jeff: (Rolling his eyes he begins to walk into the dining room as she follows, leaving Ryan and Marissa alone.)

Marissa: (Laughing.) Well, that went well. (Shooting her a look to show that he didn't think her sarcasm was that funny and that what she said was the understatement of the night…so far, she just laughed at him.)

Ryan: It's going to be a long night. (He wraps his arm around her as they begin to follow the other couple inside.)

Marissa: Speaking of which, I need you to do me a favor.

Ryan: What?

Marissa: Whatever you do, do not let me order anything other than white food. (Ryan laughs.) It's not funny. If I get something on this suit, I have to pay for it, so I guess tonight I'll be practicing what's it's like to have to eat like an 80 year old woman in a nursing home. (This just makes Ryan laugh harder as he leans in and quickly kisses her cheek making her smile softly.)

Ryan: And what if they insist that the table orders red wine?

Marissa: (Without batting an eye, she quickly replies.) I'm allergic to grapes. (As they near the table, Ryan is still chuckling as he pulls out Marissa's chair for her and they sit down to wait for the clients. The camera pulls away from them and goes to Sandy and Kirsten's where they are sitting around the family room with Caleb and Zoe. The adults are talking, but Zoe is sitting on Cal's lap and listening to everything they say as if she is a vital part of the conversation.)

Kirsten: I can't believe everything went so smoothly with the trial. He was convicted, end of story?

Caleb: Kiki, how many times do I have to tell you this? (Sandy snickers and Kirsten glares at him.) He was found guilty and sentenced to six to ten years in prison, pending his parole hearings, which because of his record, in all likelihood, will not go his way.

Kirsten: But normally things like this don't work out so well for us.

Caleb: Things are looking up for the Nichol family. (Kirsten raises her eyebrow at him in a questioning manor.) Or perhaps it was just time we caught a break, but whatever it was, the justice system worked and the guilty went to jail like they always do.

Sandy: (He laughs.) Then why aren't you in prison?

Caleb: (He smirks.) Extenuating circumstances.

Zoe: What are those?

Sandy: Extenuating circumstances in your Grandfather's case are large, foreign bank accounts.

Kirsten: Sandy!

Sandy: I'm kidding, honey, I'm kidding. (She looks away from him, and when she does so, he shakes his head no to Zoe to show her that he was not joking, making her giggle. Kirsten whirls around to look at him, but by that time, he's just sitting there with a mock look of innocence on his face. Caleb just ignores the whole situation.)

Caleb: Although I am fascinating, I prefer putting others in the hot seat, so let's talk about you, Sanford.

Zoe: Yeah, Sanford! (Caleb puts his hand out for Zoe to give him a high five, making the little girl giggle. Kirsten smiles on as she watches her father play with her daughter while Sandy just shakes his head.)

Sandy: What about me, Cal?

Kirsten: Dad, this is not the right time for this.

Caleb: I think it's the perfect time for this.

Sandy: (He turns to Kirsten, annoyance clearly written all over his face.) I thought we agreed not to involve your father in this.

Kirsten: Sandy I didn't….

Caleb: (Interrupting her.) Oh give it a rest, Sandy, she didn't betray your confidence. I could just tell she was upset, and all she admitted was that it was about you. What did you do this time, try to take in another stray kid, threatened to bring charges against my company again?

Kirsten: Dad, please….

Sandy: No, Kirsten, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions and assumed you told him or think that he would ever in a million years respect our privacy.

Caleb: Of course not! I haven't done that the previous 23 years you were married, why would year 24 make any difference?

Kirsten: (She mutters under her breath.) Maybe it could be our 25 anniversary present. (Sandy chuckles and Zoe just watches everything unfold around her rather amused at the adults' bickering.)

Caleb: Are you going to tell me what's going on or am I going to have to make a few phone calls?

Sandy: I'm considering running for DA. There, that's it; are you happy now?

Caleb: As long as it's not for Orange County, I don't care if you run for mayor.

Kirsten: Thanks Dad, that's supportive.

Caleb: Oh you've got to be kidding me! You back him on this crazy plan. (Sandy goes to interrupt but Caleb keeps talking.) Please, he won't like being DA anymore than he enjoys be an ADA. I don't know why he left the PD's office in the first place. He's never liked any of his jobs since then!

Sandy: I really don't think you are in the position to speak for me!

Kirsten: (She stands up and walks towards Caleb and Zoe, picking her daughter up off of Cal's lap and putting her down and taking her hand as they walk out of the room. The two men just watch them leave.) While you two put each others' ego to the test, Zoe and I are going out for dessert….alone! Don't wait up. (Silence takes over the room until they hear the front door slam shut. As soon as it does, they both explode, speaking at the same time and saying the same thing.)

Sandy and Caleb: Now look what you've done! (They stare at each other.) Me? (Pointing incredulously at themselves, they then turn their finger and point to the other person.) Not me, you! (Getting annoyed, they both sulk, cross their arms in front of their chests, sink back into their separate couches, and glare at each other. The camera leaves them and goes back to the restaurant where Ryan, Marissa, his boss, and the boss's wife are sitting with the two gentlemen who are their clients. Dinner is over, dessert has been served and eaten, and now the men are about to speak business. Marissa, who was bored with the small talk, is actually looking forward to this part of the conversation, because she enjoys hearing about Ryan's work and thinks he is adorable when he gets lost in his ideas, but she is not going to get to stay, because Mrs. Welsh has other ideas. Standing up, she motions for Marissa to do so as well. Marissa does stand, but she is confused as to why she is standing and what she is about to do. She looks at Ryan who just shrugs his shoulders as confused as she is.)

Mrs. Welsh: I know what happens now. You men will discuss business, and, sorry, but that is the last thing I'm about to sit and suffer through. Marissa and I will go out and sit on the balcony and get to know each other better while you make me lots of money to spend.

Marissa: Well….um…..actually….

Mrs. Welsh: (She turns around and looks at her pointedly.) What is it, dear? Spit it out.

Marissa: I was going to stay here.

Mrs. Welsh: And listen to the business talk? Are you trying to get put to sleep?

Marissa: (Her voice is somewhat defensive.) I like hearing about Ryan's work.

Mrs. Welsh: Honey, you already caught him, there's no sense in suffering to prove you're interested.

Ryan: (He attempts to defend Marissa.) No, she actually asks about my work all the time and even helps me with ideas.

Mrs. Welsh: That's lovely, Kyle……

Jeff: It's Ryan honey.

Mrs. Welsh: Whatever. Let's go Marissa. (She takes her hand and pulls her away. Although Marissa goes, she looks over her shoulder at an apologetic looking Ryan one last time. Once they reach the balcony, Mrs. Welsh kicks off her heals, opens her purse and pulls out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter and leans up against the railing.) Want one? (She puts the box of cigarettes out offering Marissa one.)

Marissa: No thank you.

Mrs. Welsh: (She laughs.) Are you always this well mannered?

Marissa: Excuse me?

Mrs. Welsh: You politely make small talk at dinner, you insist that you want to listen quietly to the boring technical talk of the new hotel…..

Marissa: But I did want to.

Mrs. Welsh: Well, that's sad, but you're young. Give it a few more years, and you'll be so sick of architectural talk, you'll want to scream every time you hear anyone utter the word blueprint.

Marissa: I disagree. (She is trying to remain polite, but Mrs. Welsh, who still has never actually introduced herself, is annoying her.)

Mrs. Welsh: We'll see. To be honest with you, I thought you'd have more of a backbone. I read about you in the paper, how you stood up to…. who was it, Ryan's psychotic father and brother. That was quite a story, right out of the pages of a cheap paperback novel.

Marissa: If you wouldn't mind, I'd rather not discuss that. That is something that is a part of my personal life. It has nothing to do with Ryan's work.

Mrs. Welsh: And, as I've already told you, his work bores me, and this doesn't. Doesn't it make you nervous to be with a man who has relatives like that?

Marissa: Ryan is nothing like his biological brother and father and he would never hurt me.

Mrs. Welsh: Oh, that's right; he was taken in by the Sandy and Kirsten Cohen, Caleb Nichol's daughter and son-in-law.

Marissa: (She obviously tries to change the subject.) So, what are your plans for tomorrow?

Mrs. Welsh: Shopping, what else?

Marissa: There are several museums and gardens you could go to see.

Mrs. Welsh: I'm on vacation not taking a humanities course in college, and besides, I wasn't finished before. What about children? Jeff tells me you two are pretty serious. Do you really want to have someone's children who has insanity and violence in his genes?

Marissa: I think his genes will fit well with the alcoholic, cheating stripper and selfish, neglectful lying genes that I inherited from my parents. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go get ready for bed for the man who you don't approve of for me! (She turns around to leave, but cannot walk away without saying one more thing.) Oh, and those cigarettes are just ruining all Dr. Roberts' fine work on your fake face. (Mrs. Welsh stares at her in shock.) Yeah, I did my homework on you, too. (With that, Marissa leaves the older woman standing there perturbed and embarrassed. As she runs through the dining room, tears coursing their way down her face, the anger fading quickly to be replaced by pain and hurt, Ryan sees Marissa's retreating figure and stands up to excuse himself. No one else at the table saw Marissa run out.)

Ryan: If you will excuse me. I'm sorry about this, but I'm not feeling well. Mr. Welsh, is it alright if I just go back to my room?

Jeff: (He eyes him suspiciously, but notices the silent pleading in Ryan's eyes and then scans across the room to see his wife leaning smugly in the doorway to the balcony.) Of course. We'll just continue this tomorrow. (The other three gentlemen stand up and shake hands with Ryan before he leaves in a hurry to see what was wrong with Marissa. The camera leaves the restaurant and goes to another one where Seth, Summer, and Sherry are all sitting together. While the two women are done eating, Seth is finishing off his second dessert.)

Seth: You two should really order some of this mousse? It's like pudding but richer and silkier…..I wonder if this is Marissa's recipe?

Summer: (She just rolls her eyes at him.) Cohen, there are a few other people on this earth besides Marissa who can cook. (Seth looks up at her puzzled, but quickly ignores her and goes back to eating.) And Sherry and I are fine with the one dessert we each had. Not all of us are gluttons who have to try everything on the dessert menu.

Seth: (With food still in his mouth, he responds.) That's not true. I only ordered the three things that I'd never had before. It's not my fault they're always adding new things to the menu, and curious stomachs want to know how they taste, Summer.

Summer: (She kicks him under the table and whispers threateningly and quickly to him.) Stop talking with your mouth full, ass! (Sherry just snickers at them, making Summer whirl around to confront her.) And what do you find so funny?

Sherry: (She looks shocked at Summer's outburst and is attempting, rather unsuccessfully, to keep her laughter in check.) Nothing.

Summer: Yeah, that's what I thought, because just wait until you're out at a decent restaurant and Zach does something as Coheny as talking with food in his mouth.

Sherry: I don't think Zach would do…..

Summer: (She interrupts her.) Ssh! I don't need to hear any more about Zach's attributes; they just make me realize how much Cohen here is lacking. (Sherry, despite her efforts, laughs anyway.) Laugh it up, someone ought to enjoy my misery.

Seth: Please, Summer, you're such a drama queen! You like that I'm rude and have no manners, because it makes you look better! (Undetected by Sherry who is wiping tears away form her eyes and Seth who is staring into his dish of mousse, Summer grabs a butter knife off of the table and jabs it into Seth's leg under the table, causing him to jump and squeal out of pain. As the other customers turn to look at the rather loud and obnoxious party of three, Summer smiles apologetically and offers an explanation.)

Summer: Don't mind him; he's schizophrenic, thought he was bit by a spider.

Seth: (Mumbling under his breath) Yeah, a sterling silver, rosewood patterned spider.

Summer: (She turns to Sherry ignoring Seth who eventually goes back to eating.) So, what is this big news you have to tell us. We already discussed the trial to the fullest detail, shared our personal news, and covered all the latest gossip, so I think the only thing left is your surprise.

Sherry: (Without making a big deal out of the revelation, she just says it.) Well, since the trial is over, I have no reason to stay in Newport and I never intended to, but I've decided where I'm relocating to. In fact, I already have a job somewhere else.

Summer: That's great. Where are you going? I hope you're not going too far, San Diego perhaps.

Sherry: San Francisco actually.

Seth: Hey, Zach lives there.

Sherry: Yes, he does. (She smiles coyly.)

Summer: OH MY GOD! You and Zach are moving in together; you're going to be shacking up!

Seth: (Before Sherry has a chance to confirm Summer's guess, Seth interrupts.) You do know that he doesn't put out, don't you? (Summer snickers but Sherry is shocked into a stuttering mess.)

Sherry: I uh….um…..how do you know that?

Seth: The dude turned down Summer, the ultimate sex kitten, in high school when all those hormones were raging and swirling around and that was during his sexual peak. He's almost past that now, so there is no way you're getting any out of him, O'Brien. (Sherry buries her head in her face because she is so embarrassed.)

Summer: I hate to do this and I hardly ever do, but I have to side with Cohen here Sherry. Zach's staying a virgin until he gets married, and unless you two plan on tying the knot soon, you're going to have to find some other way to amuse yourselves when you're alone.

Sherry: You know there is more to a relationship than sex?

Summer: (She snorts in refuting Sherry's statement.) Tell that to Ryan and Marissa!

Seth: (He is in deep thought.) No, you're right Sherry, there is more to a relationship than sex. There's also foreplay, making out, bickering, making up, which is best done with sex, but you're entering a very long and frustrating dry spell, so that won't be happening, and food. (Summer thinks about what Seth says and shakes her head in concurrence.)

Sherry: Do you guys know how sad that is that you describe a relationship like that?

Seth: Hey, we're honest.

Summer: And it's not a bad thing.

Sherry: It's not?

Seth: Well, for us it's not, but for you…well let's just say you might need to invest in some DVD sets of Sex and the City for inspiration! (Summer laughs while Sherry looks confused.)

Summer: Oohhh…the rabbit, I remember that!

Sherry: The rabbit? What are you guys talking about? (Summer throws up her hand and motions the waiter.)

Summer: Check please!

Seth: But I'm not done eating yet.

Sherry: Where are we going?

Summer: We have an emergency here. Cohen, grab my purse for me, we're going shopping for Sherry! (Seth jumps up excited, food forgotten.)

Seth: Are you getting new toys, too? (Sherry's eyes widen as she realizes what type of shopping they have in mind.)

Sherry: Oh no…. I don't think so! We are not doing this!

Summer: (She stand up as well, and together with Seth, they each take one of Sherry's arms and pull the horrified woman out of the restaurant. As the waiter approaches them, Seth quells his worries.)

Seth: Don't worry about it dude, I left you plenty of cash to cover the dinner and give you a very generous tip for putting up with us. We're in a hurry though, so whatever change there is, it's yours. Happy uh….Labor Day! (Seth pats him on the chest and then continues to drag a hesitant Sherry out of the restaurant as the camera pans away from them and goes to Ryan and Marissa's hotel room. When Ryan reaches it, the lights are already out and Marissa is in bed, silently crying. Without saying anything, he strips down and climbs in bed with her, taking her in his arms despite her weak protest initially. Kissing her hair and pulling his arms around her even tighter, Ryan sighs before he speaks.)

Ryan: What did she say to you?

Marissa: (She mumbles.) Nothing.

Ryan: Marissa, please…

Marissa: (She sits up in bed and just cries harder.) She brought up your Dad and brother and made a big deal about it, questioning whether or not it was a good idea I was with you. I mean, where does she get the nerve to say things to me like that! It's none of her business, and if I don't have any worries about that, why should she think she has the right to!

Ryan: I do. (This stops her dead in her tracks and the anger vanishes.)

Marissa: What?

Ryan: I worry about that, that I'll pass down their genes to our kids.

Marissa: Ryan, we've already talked about this, months ago.

Ryan: I know…and it's not realistic, because we're not our parents and their problems came from their nurturing or lack there of and not nature, but the part of my brain that forgets logic and overreacts can't help but think…..

Marissa: Ryan, listen to me! (She moves closer to him and moves his face, holding it in her hands as she stares into his eyes.) I'm not saying this to hurt you, but if there was a single doubt in my mind that you were a potential danger to our children or that they would somehow turn out to be like your father or brother, I wouldn't have children with you, but, you see, I'm not afraid of that at all, I swear.

Ryan: Are you sure?

Marissa: (She laughs ironically.) That's one of the few things I am sure of. Come here. (She pulls him down so that he is laying on her chest, their arms wrapped around each other. They are both silent for a moment as they take comfort from the others embrace, but Ryan wants more. He wants them to comfort each other the ultimate way. Lowering his lips to hers, they share a gentle, soft, yet passionate kiss that slowly escalates into desire for each other, need for each other. There is no foreplay as their instincts and urgency for reassurance takes over. Just as he is about to enter her, Marissa pulls away slightly and, breathlessly speaks.) Ryan….do you…..have…..a

Ryan: (He leans down and places soft kisses on her face in between his words.) Why don't we….not. Dan and Trey are locked up, we're ready for this, so, let's go back to the way were before. (Startling him, Marissa pushes him away and breaks down in tears, curling up in a little ball as if to protect herself.)

Marissa: I'm sorry….I can't. (Ryan sits there stunned for a moment, before he flops back down on his side of the bed, confused, dejected, and hurting while Marissa cries to herself the whole time. Unable to take her pain even though he's now hurting, too, he moves over to her and spoons against her naked body, pulling her in gently to him and softly, soothingly massaging her stomach. Leaning further into her so that his lips were by her ear, he whispers as he slowly realizes what has been bothering her.)

Ryan: Hey, hey….. (She hiccups as she tries to get her breathing and tears under control.) It's going to be okay. Whatever this is, whatever is bothering you, we'll get through it together. Marissa…..I….I love you.

Marissa: (Making him smile faintly, she turns around so that she can lean her head on his chest and wrap her arms around him as well. She whispers quietly back to him.) I love you, too. (The camera pulls away from them slowly as the scene comes to a close.)

Commercial Break