I'm not sure if everyone has stopped reviewing because they've lost interest or what? I'd love to know if you are still reading. Thanks.

Changes

Ryan and Marissa returned to Sue's office with her to find out what they needed to do the next day to sort out the formalities. Sue helped them with all she could and as they sat filling out some forms her phone rang. After a few minutes on the phone she replaced the receiver and looked up at Ryan and Marissa.

"That was Nicole, down at reception. Obviously somebody noticed you when you arrived and there are now several photographers and reporters down there waiting for you. They are all asking questions about what you're doing here. I'm sorry to have brought you here if it means that you are going to have to face all that."

Ryan spoke to Sue but looked at Marissa as he spoke. "Don't worry about it. We're sort of used to it. But Emily has enough to cope with right now. We'd prefer it if the hospital would just give no comment. At least until we can get her out of here. It can turn into a bit of a circus and I don't think she needs that after everything she's been through."

Sue nodded. "I couldn't agree more. Don't worry about the hospital. Our official stance will always be no comment. Privacy rules dictate that anyhow. What I can't guarantee is that all our staff will be as equally tight-lipped but I'll do my best to keep a lid on it." Sue replied.

"I guess that's all we can ask for." Marissa stated.

Ryan finished signing the last of the documents and said. "Okay so if that's all we can do tonight then I guess we'll leave you and see you in the morning?"

"Where's your car parked?" Sue asked as Marissa and Ryan stood up to leave.

"Out the front, in the visitor's car park." Ryan replied.

"Why don't I show you the back way out. At least it's dark now, so as long as you don't go out the front doors, you should have a pretty good chance of being able to get to your car without anyone seeing you." Sue suggested.

"Thanks. That would be great." Ryan said as they moved to follow her.

"We really appreciate this." Marissa added as she took Ryan's hand and they followed Sue through some doors labelled 'Staff Only'.

"Given what you're doing for me … or at least Emily … it's the least I can do." She replied as they made their way down a flight of stairs and she opened a fire escape door that opened directly into the car park.

"That's our car just there. So thanks and we'll see you in the morning." Ryan said.

"Okay. I'll see you soon." Sue replied as she closed the door. She leant against it for a minute still wondering if she should pinch herself. None of her friends would ever believe just who she had been talking to.

---

Ryan and Marissa made their way to the hotel that Ryan had booked. He had stayed there before on business but had never had a 'companion' with him. He didn't know whether the looks they were getting were because of the fact that he actually had someone with him or just because of who he had with him. Either way it was a bit disconcerting. But they managed to get to their room without incident and that was all that really mattered.

After tipping the porter and locking the door behind him, Ryan turned to see Marissa standing at the window, silently looking out at the lights of the Oakland Bay Bridge. He walked up behind her and gently pulled her into his arms. She moved willingly into his embrace and he said softly. "Penny for your thoughts?"

She smiled and turned her head to look into his eyes. "Are we doing the right thing?"

"Does it feel right?" he asked. The truth was he'd been having exactly the same thoughts himself.

"Well it did. I didn't have any hesitation when we were in Newport. But now … after seeing her … I mean I want to help her more than ever … but … how do I? I don't know how to look after a child …. And especially one who has been through what she's just been through." Marissa replied, doubts filling her mind.

Ryan had to agree but he figured they were too far down the path to change their minds now. So all he could do was try to reassure Marissa. If they were going to do this then it had to be together. "Well, I'm not sure that I'm going to be much help either. I don't know anymore than you. But she trusts you .… and we both care about her … and I do know that we'll do whatever we can to make her life as good as it can be at this point in time. And right now, I think that's about all we or anybody can do for her." Ryan replied.

Marissa turned in his arms and put her arms around his neck. She realised that he was doing all of this for her; because she had felt a connection with Emily. "You do realise that your bachelor pad will now have more females than males. You're about to be out numbered." Marissa said giving him a soft kiss.

"Ah. But I'm hoping there are some fringe benefits that come along with sharing my space." He smiled returning the kiss.

"Exactly what sort of benefits were you looking for?" she asked kissing him again. This time the kiss was longer, her tongue slipping briefly inside his mouth.

Ryan returned the kiss and slowly moved his hands down to pick her up. Marissa wrapped her legs around him as he lifted her and moved towards the bed. She could feel his arousal through his jeans and the heat in her started to build.

"Maybe I should show you?" he suggested between kisses.

"I think you should." Marissa replied. "I need to know what I'm getting myself in to."

Ryan laughed.

"What's so funny?" Marissa asked.

"I was just amused by your choice of words. I figure I'm the one who's going to be getting into something." He kissed her again. "And right now that something is you." He added.

---

Monday morning, Marissa awoke early and lay in bed not moving. She could feel Ryan's naked body cocooned around hers and she sighed as she started to think about all the things that were going to change for them. She probably wouldn't be waking up like this anymore, for one. They would actually have to start wearing pyjama's in case a little girl came wandering in on them. And that was just the start. Marissa thought back to 'watching football' with Ryan and helping him 'clean up' when she wore the apron but nothing else. There would be no more of that if they had a four year old wandering about. Things were definitely going to change. She would miss it and she knew that Ryan would too. But they would cope. Hell, families with one child managed to find time to make a second or a third so there would have to be some opportunities for them to be together. They would just have to make the most of them. As the thought went through her brain she smiled thinking that there was no time like the present to start. She had an opportunity right now and she decided that she didn't want to miss it. Sure it was early. And sure Ryan was still asleep but she knew she could change that. And she intended to, starting right now. She gently turned over in his arms and then she started to kiss him starting at his forehead and slowly covering his face.

He started to smile as he felt her lips upon him but kept his eyes closed enjoying the attention he was getting. He thought it couldn't hurt to pretend to be still asleep and see where she was going with this.

Marissa knew that he was now awake and just pretending to be asleep but while he wasn't fighting back she decided to make the most of having a compliant Ryan. Taking her time, she moved lower, kissing over his shoulder and then down over his torso, now using her hands as well as her lips and tongue to touch and stroke him. She pulled the sheet off and pushed it to the end of the bed and she watched as her target grew before her eyes. She glanced back at Ryan who now had a smile plastered across his face but still with his eyes closed. By this time Marissa could feel the heat growing between her own legs. She couldn't believe that it could happen so fast and yet he had not even touched her. It was only the memory of what he could do to her and the expectation of what was to come; that was all it took to make her like this. As she neared her target the ache between her legs grew and so she slid her body over his and Ryan opened his eyes to find her legs now either side of his face. The smile on his face got even bigger as he took her unspoken invitation and he used his tongue to work his magic on her as she returned the favour to him.

---

When Marissa had recovered she rolled off Ryan and they were still lying top to tail. Ryan felt for her hand linking his fingers with hers.

"Trouble sleeping?" he asked.

Marissa smiled. "A little. But it was more about making the most of our opportunities while we still have some." She replied.

"You've thought about that too, huh?" Ryan asked.

"Yeah. I'm going to miss this." She commented.

"Don't say it like that. It sounds like we'll never get to do it again. And I sure hope that's not the case. We'll just have a few less opportunities." He said.

"A lot less I suspect." Marissa replied.

Ryan thought for a moment. "In that case. What time do we have to be back at the hospital?"

"Sue said to be there by 9. She was going to set up the interview with the people from Child Services."

Ryan propped himself up on his elbows, he glanced at the clock and then looked at her. "So we've still got a couple of hours. In that case …" He raised his eyebrows letting her know what was on his mind.

Marissa returned his look with a smile and a small nod letting him know that she was more than ready to go again. How were they ever going to cope on sexual rations?

---

They pulled into the hospital at 8:50. Ryan parked at the far end of the car park and they both sat in the car for a few minutes to see if there were any paparazzi still around. It looked like the coast was clear so they made their way to the main doors but were no sooner inside, than a flash went off in their eyes and a voice recorder was thrust in front of them.

"Can you tell us why you're here?" A blonde woman in front of them asked as she proceeded to walk beside Marissa. "Are one of you seeking medical attention?"

Ryan and Marissa ignored her and continued walking towards the lifts.

"This is one of the west coast's best facilities for infertility problems. Are you here to get their help?" the woman persisted.

Marissa turned to look directly at the woman. Much as she didn't want to make eye contact, the woman's last question had hit a nerve with Marissa. Here she was a little concerned with the fact that she may have been pregnant when she didn't want to be and this woman was suggesting that they were here to seek help with getting that way. It all seemed a little ironic.

The reporter held Marissa's gaze for a moment, noticing that she'd hit a chord and then rephrased her question. "Are one of you incapable of having children?" she asked again hoping to get a response from Marissa this time.

By now Ryan was fed up. He didn't like paparazzi at the best of times, invading his privacy. But this woman had stepped way over the mark. He moved between Marissa and the reporter using his body to shield Marissa from the reporter's persistent questions and then looked up to notice one of the hospital security guards moving towards them. Ryan was very pleased that the guard stopped the reporter and her photographer from following them any further.

Ryan pressed the up button on the lift and was pleased when the guard came back to stand with them. "Thank you." He said.

"No problem. In future, I'll get you to call me when you arrive and I'll meet you in the car park. I'm sorry you had to go through that." The guard said.

"Don't worry. Unfortunately, we're used to it." Ryan added.

"Well, I'll still try to make sure that it doesn't happen again. I've been assigned to look after you while you're here." He said.

Ryan turned to the guard surprised. "Well, in that case, I'd better introduce myself. I'm Ryan, Ryan Atwood and this is Marissa Cooper." He added.

"I sort of already knew that, but thanks and my names Keith." The guard replied.

"Keith, Hi" Ryan said and offered his hand.

"Hi." Marissa added.

"So you're off to see Sue right?" Keith asked as he shook Ryan's hand.

"Yeah." Ryan answered.

"Then where to?" the guard asked.

"We're not quite sure. Sue was setting up some appointments for us today. So I guess we'll be able to tell you after we speak to her." Ryan replied.

"Okay. Just fill me in when you know and I'll do my best to ensure you don't get bothered too much."

"Thanks. We really appreciate it."