It might be a while before I update again as I haven't got anymore written up yet and I have school exams and work piling up. Please review and let me know what you think. Thanks to summerdreams19 and IiI Elise IiI for your reviews, really appreciate it and glad you like it.

Chapter 24: Victory Lap

"Hey guys," Sandy said answering the door to Jimmy and Marissa. "Come on in. Ryan and Seth are on the playstation," he said to Marissa. She went to go and find them.

"Oh, hey Marissa."

"Hey, Kirsten," she said passing her. She heard Kirsten greet Jimmy in the background. Marissa walked up behind the couch that Ryan and Seth were sitting on, completely engrossed in their game. She crept over and placed her hands over Ryan's eyes.

"Guess who."

Ryan dropped his controller and turned around. His face immediately lit up when he saw her. He jumped up and half clambered over the couch. They leaned together and kissed passionately, roaming around each others mouths.

"Ah hah! Game over! I believe that calls for a victory lap for "Death Breath Seth"!"

Ryan suddenly stopped kissing Marissa and turned around. He looked at his characters mangled body then shrugged his shoulders. He turned back to Marissa and picked up where he had left off. There were definitely more important things than video games. She giggled as he put his arms around her waist. He started to clamber back over the couch which he was straddling the back of, whilst kissing Marissa's neck.

"Ryan," she laughed as he started to pull her with him.

"I might go and take that victory lap now," Seth said, jumping off the couch as he saw what was coming. Ryan fell back onto the couch as Seth got off, pulling Marissa down on top of him.

"You know I could have just walked around," she said, her face inches away from his.

"Yeah, but that definitely wouldn't have been as fun," he said with a cheeky grin.

"As fun as this?" she leaned down to him and let her lips collide with his. It got more passionate, neither of them caring that their parents were just in the other room. Ryan let his hands roam under her top, as they continued to kiss frantically.

"Mmm," Marissa said between kisses. "I think we should take this somewhere more private."

"Good plan," Ryan said kissing her quickly. "Wait, do you want to talk about what happened today?" he asked seriously.

"I've done enough talking for one day," she jumped off him and took his hand as they walked casually to the pool house.

Seth jogged into the kitchen where Sandy, Kirsten and Jimmy were all chatting.

"Seth? What are you doing?" Kirsten asked looking at him strangely.

"Victory lap." She looked at him blankly. "I just killed Ryan's character on "City War 7"."

"7?" Kirsten said in disbelief.

"Now I don't want you to think that it is a rare occurrence that I beat him. Ryan just seems to have a particular skill in games which involve stealing cars. Not sure why," he added sarcastically.

"Hey," Sandy said warningly.

"Plus, Ryan and Marissa were making out on the couch."

"Seth!" Kirsten said in surprise.

"Oh sorry. What do you want me to say? Romping?"

"Seth Ezekial!"

"That's the cue for the continuation of my victory lap," he said running to the stairs before his mom could say anything else.

"Well he's certainly a unique kid," Jimmy said laughing.

"That he is," Sandy said. "Wouldn't have him any other way."

"Well apart from maybe his snide remarks about my cooking," Kirsten said.

"Oh no, I think I'll keep that the same," Sandy said laughing while Kirsten folded her arms and glared at him.

"Well if there was anything that I could change about Marissa it would be to give her a simpler life."

Kirsten unfolded her arms and looked at Jimmy sympathetically.

"She seemed pretty happy just now," Sandy reassured him.

"The question is how long will it last?" Jimmy said.

"So how did it go today?" Kirsten asked him.

"Better than I expected actually. She told Zoe everything."

"Zoe?" Kirsten said, smirking at the glint in Jimmy's eye.

"Dr Lawrence," he said to Kirsten, pointedly.

"Well that's great that it went well," Sandy said.

"Yeah, I spoke to Dr Lawrence," he looked at Kirsten as he emphasised Dr Lawrence, "after and she told me everything. I guess that when she went to school…"

"You don't have to tell us if you don't want to," Kirsten said gently knowing it would be difficult.

"You guys deserve to know, especially after everything Sandy did. Plus she loves you. She would want you to know."

Ryan rolled over on top of Marissa. He was just wearing his jeans, his t shirt thrown to the side. He lowered himself down and kissed her as she ran her hands through his hair.

"I seem to be the only one who has lost any clothes here," he said suggestively sliding her top up to show bare skin. He moved down and kissed her bare, tanned stomach. She wriggled around under him and started to laugh.

"You like that?" he asked moving back up to her face.

"Ticklish," she said smiling. He started kissing her neck as he slid his hand under her top. He moved back to her lips as they kissed frantically, the passion heating up every second. Marissa let Ryan slide her top over her head as they continued to kiss urgently. Ryan looked at her perfect body before she grabbed his face and brought it back to hers. They sat up still kissing. Ryan started kissing her neck again as he reached around her back for her bra strap and she fumbled to undo his belt. Marissa slipped out of her bra as Ryan unzipped his jeans, never losing eye contact. Marissa fell back and pulled Ryan with her. She moaned gently as Ryan left a trail of kisses along her collarbone and to her breasts as he undid the button on her mini skirt. She reached to finish unzipping his jeans as they continued to attack each others mouths. Suddenly there was a knock at the door.

"Hey it's Kirsten," the voice said through the door.

Ryan's eyes widened as he jumped off Marissa.

"Ummm. One sec," Ryan shouted back. Marissa grabbed her top and threw it over her head. Ryan went to get his t shirt, tripping over the bed covers and falling with a crash to the floor. He struggled into his t shirt and did up his fly, as Marissa flattened her hair and answered the door.

"Hey Kirsten," she said as casually as possible.

"Hey," she replied glancing past Marissa to Ryan who was sitting on the bed, his hair sticking on end, clearly trying not to look guilty. Ryan saw something out of the corner of his eye on the bed. He casually got up picking up Marissa's bra with one hand and hiding it behind his back as he walked to join Marissa at the door.

"Just to let you know that we've ordered in some Thai."

"Is my dad still here?"

"Yeah, he's inside with Sandy."

Kirsten looked at Ryan and Marissa pretending she didn't know what was going on and hadn't seen what Ryan had picked up off the bed. She was pretty sure that they knew she knew what they were up to.

"Right well we'll be over in a few minutes," Ryan said breaking the awkward silence.

"Okay," Kirsten said smiling as Marissa closed the door. She smiled and shook her head as she heard Marissa laughing at Ryan. She was just so glad to see Marissa happy.

Marissa flopped down on to the bed on her back.

"You really need to get some sort of warning system." Ryan lay down beside her.

"You forgot this," Ryan said smiling, holding out Marissa's bra. She sat up and grabbed it off him.

"Oh God! Did she see it?" Marissa asked in surprise.

"Yeah probably, seen as my casual slipping of it behind my back wasn't quite as casual as I wanted it to be."

"Well with your hair sticking up like that…" Ryan sheepishly flattened his hair down. "Oh, and your belt."

Ryan looked down at his undone belt.

"I think it's safe to say that she definitely knew what was going on," Ryan said.

"Yeah, well it was worth it."

"Definitely," Ryan said moving towards her again. She put her fingers on his lips to stop him.

"As much as I would love to, I think we are expected somewhere," she said getting up.

"Mmm," Ryan groaned. He watched as she started to take her top off to put her bra back on.

"Hey, no watching."

"Oh, come on," he said. She just looked at him. "Fine," he said getting up from the bed, unimpressed. When she turned away he turned back and watched as he did up her bra and put her top back on. She turned around and saw him watching her.

"Hey!" she said smiling.

"Sorry. Couldn't help myself." Marissa slid her shoes on and checked her makeup as Ryan sorted his hair out. She took his hand and opened the door. She stopped when she noticed something.

"Uhh, you're belt," she said smirking at him.

"Oh," he said in surprise doing it up.

"Unless you want Sandy, Seth and my dad to know as well."

"Let's just keep it to Kirsten."

She took his hand again and they walked over to the house.

"Oh! Oh!" Sandy said getting louder and louder as he attacked the playstation controller. Seth looked on in shock at how bad Jimmy and Sandy were.

"And I thought I was bad at this game," Seth said in shock.

"Hey, I'm good," Sandy said in defence. "I just killed a guy."

"Yeah. He was one of your guys," Seth said.

"He was?" Sandy said in surprise and mortification, looking at Seth.

"Game over!" Jimmy said proudly, slamming his control on the ground looking very pleased with himself.

"What!" Sandy said in shock. "Seth!" he said annoyed, hitting him on the arm.

"Aahhh! Child abuse!" Seth shouted shielding his face with his arms. Kirsten shook her head and took a sip of wine.

"Hey," Marissa said happily as her and Ryan walked in.

"Oh, hey kiddo," Jimmy said smiling.

"Uh, Ryan. Why's your t shirt on back to front?" Seth smirked as Ryan looked down and Marissa looked at him, both of them blushing.

"I'll be right back," Ryan said, letting go of Marissa's hand and rushing back to the pool house.

"Guess the couch wasn't the only place they were romping," Seth said under his breath. Marissa's eyes widened in shock and embarrassment as she looked at Seth.

"Seth!" Kirsten and Sandy shouted at the same time.

"Marissa, why don't you come and help me with drinks in the kitchen," Kirsten said, sensing Marissa's embarrassment. She threw daggers at Seth as she followed Marissa to the kitchen.

"Ignore him," Kirsten told her.

"I'm sorry. You know for…." Marissa said blushing slightly again.

"Don't worry about it. I was 17 once too you know."

"Were you not with my dad when you were 17?" Marissa asked as Kirsten got out some glasses. Kirsten looked at Marissa not quite expecting her to say that.

"Uh sorry," Marissa said as Kirsten looked at her.

"No, no, it's fine. I loved him back then. I still do, not in that way though obviously. You know you and Jimmy mean a lot to me and Sandy."

"Thanks," Marissa said sincerely. Kirsten smiled at her warmly and handed her two beer glasses.

"Could you fill these with beer for Sandy and Jimmy. There should be a couple of cans in the fridge."

"Sure," Marissa said taking the glasses.

"So, Jimmy was telling me and Sandy that today went quite well."

"As well as it can go."

"Well you seem much happier."

"Yeah. I guess I needed to get it all off my chest."

"He told us what happened that day. I just thought you should know," Kirsten watched as Marissa poured a beer. "I hope it's alright that he told us."

"Yeah you guys deserve to know after all you've done for me. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you myself I just…."

"You don't need to explain it," she reached over and placed her hand on Marissa's. "Just concentrate on getting better." Marissa nodded as Kirsten gently squeezed her hand and went back to the drinks.

"The doctor sounds nice," Kirsten said. "Did Jimmy say her name is Zoe?"

"Yeah. Zoe Lawrence. Dad got on first name terms with her pretty quickly," Marissa said smiling.

"Well he deserves to meet someone nice, though his daughter's therapist probably isn't the best choice," Kirsten said smiling as Marissa laughed.

"Oh, that must be the food," Kirsten said as the doorbell rang. She handed Marissa a tray. "Could you take the drinks through?"

"Yeah sure."

"Thanks sweetie."

"No problem." Marissa started putting the drinks on the tray.

"It's okay. I'll get it," Kirsten shouted over to the couch where she could see the tops of Sandy, Jimmy and Seth's heads.

"Thanks honey," Sandy shouted.

"Marissa's in the kitchen getting drinks," Kirsten said to Ryan who was hovering beside them watching Seth and Jimmy play a game. He headed to the kitchen.

Marissa picked up one of the beer cans. She felt some in the bottom and tipped it back into her mouth.

Ryan was about to say something when he saw Marissa taking a swig of beer. He sighed knowing that the problems weren't over. Marissa hadn't seen him, so he walked in pretending he hadn't seen anything.

"Hey, you need any help," he asked cheerfully. He noticed Marissa flinch and quickly throw the beer cans in the bin.

"Uh, no, I'm ok thanks," she said smiling. "Kirsten will probably need help with the food though. Knowing Seth he will have ordered most of the menu."

"Okay," Ryan said, quickly kissing Marissa on the lips. She bit her lip as Ryan went to help Kirsten. She closed her eyes and sighed. She straightened herself up and carried the drinks through.

"Who wants a drink?" She asked cheerfully putting the tray down.

"Ah, Ryan. I'm glad to see there is one gentleman in the house," Kirsten said handing him some of the food to carry. Ryan smiled at her.

"Can I talk to you?"

"Yeah, sure. What's up? Thanks," she smiled at the delivery guy and handed him money.

"It's about Marissa." Kirsten closed the door and looked at him.

"She seems really happy."

"That's just it. She seems happy."

"What's the problem?"

"Well we were just having a great time in the pool house and then when I went into the kitchen a minute ago I saw her taking a drink of beer. It was like she changed for a second. I know you're mom battled with alcohol…"

"Ryan Marissa's hardly an alcoholic," Kirsten said bluntly.

"She drinks more than anyone realises."

"Look she's seeing a therapist now. Let's just have a good time tonight," she smiled at Ryan and walked away. Ryan watched her go. He sighed and looked up to the ceiling. He had seen the flash of fear and anger that appeared in her eyes when she lifted the can to her mouth. He just hoped he wasn't the only one who could see it.

"Hey man. You coming?" He looked over at Seth.

"Sorry, yeah."

Maybe Kirsten was right. They should just have a good time. He would try to anyway.

Please review! The next few chapters will be transition chapters for the drama that's approaching. Keep reading to find out!