Hello people…I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Julie, and I'm a sporadic poster on my fanfic. Sorry everyone who has been dying. I know how that is as a fan myself. Here's some good stuff to tide you over to the next chapter.

Chapter VII: Little Miss Sunshine

Marissa sat on the private dock just outside her room. The sun was soaking her slender body with sweat as she enjoyed her first actual free time to herself since she had gotten on the boat. Everything had happened so fast ever since she stepped off that plane and back into her eager dad's arms.

Flashback

"MARISSA!" Jimmy screamed across the airport as he spotted his beautiful daughter walking out of the terminal. He noticed right away that she looked tired and burdened, but he would wait to get to that later. Right now, all he wanted was to look her in the eyes and tell her how much he had missed her.

Marissa heard her name being called, and looked around the fairly crowded airport to see her dad, tanner and toner than she had remembered, motioning for her to come towards him. As she did, she couldn't help but feel like a little girl again, so excited to see her dad that she broke out into a run and tackled him to the ground. Jimmy let out an exasperated but content sigh as he and his daughter rolled around the airport floor laughing and squeezing each other tightly. People were staring and some were laughing, but at that moment, neither of them cared.

As Jimmy pulled away, he could see Marissa was crying. He couldn't quite gauge what emotions were driving her to tears, but he could sense that it wasn't just happiness to see him.

"Maybe we should get up and give the on-lookers a break….," he joked, hoping to bring a smile onto his daughter's face. It worked, and as they stood up, Marissa wiped her tears with her jacket sleeve.

"So, kiddo….it's so great to finally see you again. I know…last time…we didn't end on the best of terms. In fact, I was pretty sure that you weren't going to want to see me ever….,"

"Dad, it's okay," she interrupted, "I was angry, but you're my dad, and I understand."

They made their way to the baggage claim hand in hand, just relishing in each other's presence.

"So, how is your life? I know I missed a lot of important things this last year….how was graduation?"

Marissa let the memories wash over her again….the ugly caps, the endless pictures her mother and Neil took, Summer crying, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan. She shook her head to let the memories rest as she struggled to her answer her father's question without showing too much. But, he knew that look very well. And, even though he was tempted to let it slide and not bring it up, he knew that it would have to be talked about sooner or later, so he might as well try to get it out in the air.

"I know that look…it's your "Ryan" look. It may have been a while since I've seen you, but I'm still your father, and I know you." Sensing her discomfort at just the mention of his name, he treaded very carefully. "Now, I'm not gonna push you to talk about it just yet," he smiled as she raised her eyebrow at him, "but, I can tell something's up…and, we got a long time to talk about it. For now, let's just get your stuff and get you home. I'll bet you're jet-lagged…,"

Marissa was thankful that he wasn't going to push the topic today. She wordlessly followed him as he grabbed her bags off the belt and directed them towards the door. The car ride home that followed was also mostly quiet, although Jimmy's hand did give her shoulder a comforting squeeze. He could sense that something had hurt her, and it was hard to keep from protecting his daughter from any guy that would make her feel this way. But, he knew Ryan, and his intentions with her were nothing but pure. It must have been a misunderstanding. If there was something that Ryan and Marissa didn't need any more of, it was misunderstandings.

Once they got to the dock, Jimmy woke Marissa up from her half-asleep state. She jolted a bit with surprise, slowly re-orientating herself with these unfamiliar surroundings. As she exited the car, stretching gently to ease the strain caused by her uncomfortable sleeping position, she took in the sight before her. The boat was massive, even bigger than she had imagined it would be, and full of working people getting everything ready for the set-off day tomorrow. The skyline was just getting dark, but she could still see the twinkling of the shining ocean below. She glanced over at her father, and when she saw his face beaming with the pride that can only come from getting your life back on track, she began to feel at ease, even eager for the adventures to come.

"Wow…it's…," Marissa said, struggling to find the words to describe the scene before her.

"I know…you see why I wanted you to come?"

She smiled at her dad, hugging him tightly as they sat watching the sunset for a few moments.

"You ready for the grand tour?" Jimmy asked, motioning for her to follow him as he started his way up the ramp. Taking a deep breath, she obliged, letting her father's infectious excitement slowly infiltrate her every step.

Present Day

That was two months ago. As she lay back onto her waiting lounge chair, Marissa realized that a lot had probably changed in Newport since she had been gone. She wondered if Ryan had a new girlfriend, or if he was going to stay true to his promise even after the way they had left each other. There hadn't been enough time for Marissa to even think, let alone find someone to date. They were in Spain now, and her dad had gone to the local market to stock up on fresh food supplies. Being the captain's helper had sounded like it would be easy and fun, but Marissa had quickly learned that it was hard work. Whenever her father wasn't available, she was the first person people came to. A change in course, weather concerns, unhappy guests, and employee disputes. Marissa had a newfound respect for sailors. Being anywhere with all these strangers 24-7 could really stress a girl out.

But, it wasn't all bad. She had made friends with this guy, Paolo, who was around her age. He worked in the dining area, and sometimes, at night, they would sneak out of their rooms and meet for a midnight pig-out session on the days' leftovers. They would sit on the edge of the dock, talking, telling stories about their homes, and curing their hunger pains from the day's worth of being too busy to eat. Sometimes, Paolo would stare at her in the moonlight, and she could feel that he wanted there to be something more between them. However, when Marissa gave him the short version of her relationship with Ryan, he knew that it wasn't the time.

Paolo had left for a two-day vacation back to Portugal yesterday. He had invited her to come along and meet his parents, but Marissa had decided that she needed a day to herself. Looking disappointed but understanding, Paolo told her not to get too lonely without him. As she waved goodbye, Jimmy watched from a short distance. He could sense his daughter's hesitation to get close to Paolo, and, knowing that things with Ryan may never be fully resolved, he decided now was the time to talk.

Flashback

"Hey kiddo…," Jimmy smiled as he approached his daughter on the back loading dock of the giant boat. It was a beautiful day, with the sun was beating down onto the water, making it look almost clear in reflection. Jimmy noticed that his daughter's hair had turned significantly lighter and her skin was a dark tan. She looked thin, but more muscular than he had remembered. 'Probably from lifting all those first aid supplies yesterday,' he thought to himself and grinned. His little baby was really growing up.

"Hi dad….," she said, distractedly.

"I'm alright…..," he said, "Paolo leaving?"

Marissa broke her gaze from where her friend had just been and looked into her father's eyes. She nodded softly, sensing that there was something he needed to say to her.

"So, what's up?" she asked.

"Oh…I just wanted to see if you wanted to come with me to town tomorrow. I have to get some fresh fruits and vegetables for the chefs. Remember…we're having that banquet Saturday?"

Marissa remembered the banquet. Her friend Maili had told her about it, and how fun the last one had been. It was for the employees only, while the guests were docked for a night in Ibiza. Paolo had hinted that he wanted to ask her, but Marissa wasn't sure if she wanted to go. She had had more than her fair share of formals and dances in Newport, and it had been somewhat refreshing not having to get dressed up and pretend to be something she wasn't. Her dad knew that, so he hadn't pushed her.

"Yeah….I don't think so. I think I'm just gonna stay here, relax, get some sun, sleep…You know, I hear the captain is a slave-driver," she joked, trying to change the subject.

Jimmy laughed, shooting her a sideways glance.

"Oh…come on, I'm not that bad."

"I know, you're great dad…I'm just….not really ready to go to another dance. You do know I got a little burned-out on them in Newport."

"Yeah…I know, me too kiddo. You don't have to go….it's just…," he said, treading carefully, "I know that Paolo wanted to ask you."

Marissa's head dropped, knowing that she couldn't avoid this topic any longer.

"I know he does….it's just…with the way things ended with Ryan, I just have no idea where we are. And, if I did that, when I went back, it would be that much harder….you know?"

Jimmy's heart hurt a little when he heard her say "when". He had known that she would have to leave sometime. But, he had guessed he had thought maybe he could entice her to stay forever with the amazing scenery and family atmosphere. However, it had to be hard for her to be away from Ryan for so long. He quietly put his arm around her, and they stood silent for a bit, basking in the sunlight.

"You should call him……at least, to find out what you should do. I know that the way things ended didn't leave you with much closure, but you can't just pause your life for something that you don't know for sure is going to be there when you get back. Look at me and your mother….we split up, I left, and she moved on with Caleb. Now, I'm not saying that Ryan is ANYTHING like your mother….but, you just need to know that life goes on. He wouldn't want to hold you back from experiencing anything…or anyone," he noted, hoping to get his point across, "while you're here."

The tear that Marissa had been fighting to suppress finally fell with the realization that her father was right. She could be missing out on something with Paolo by not letting go of what happened with Ryan. Maybe she should call him.

"Thanks, Dad…," she said as she wiped the tear away. "I guess I'll see you later. Gotta get that last shipment of toiletries in by tonight or Mrs. Leibermann is going to have a fit."

As she walked away, Jimmy silently hoped that he hadn't pointed his daughter in the wrong direction.

Present Day

Marissa sighed quietly as she grabbed her new issue of Vogue and slathered her body with more sunscreen. As she sat back to delve into the world of fashion and beauty that seemed to be only a distant memory, her phone began to ring. Lifting herself back up with a heavy, frustrated grunt, Marissa reached for her cell phone. Without looking at the caller ID, she answered it.

"Yes…," she said curtly, hoping it was a wrong number so she could get back to her tanning.

"Coop?" the voice on the other end said meekly. Marissa perked up at this, knowing immediately who it was and sensing something very wrong with her voice.

"Summer? Are you okay? What's wrong?" she asked, her former impatience and aggravation gone from her tone as she wondered what was wrong with her usually perky friend. She heard a few loud sniffles before Summer spoke up.

"It's….it's Seth. I don't know, I was packing last night for Brown. And, he just called me, and he said something about deciding he was going to transfer here to Berkeley."

At the mention of Berkeley, Marissa knew that this had something to do with Ryan. Usually, when Seth and Summer would fight, she wouldn't worry too much because they would always find some way to work it out. But, if Seth was talking about staying in California, something must be up.

"Sum….wait, hold on. What made Seth decide to do this? It doesn't have anything to do with…," Marissa said, growing silent with curiosity. Unable to finish her train of thought, she was overcome with all of the possibilities. Was Ryan okay? Why did he need Seth to watch after him?

Summer drew in a deep breath, not exactly knowing how she was going to break this news to her best friend. She didn't want to tell her the hard truth, that Ryan's brooding had pushed him to the irrational decision to defer college. Marissa deserved to have a happy, stress-free vacation without having to hear about Ryan's incapability to move on. But, if, or hopefully when, she decided to come back, would she have been gone too long to repair what had been broken?

"Summer….what is it? What happened?" The panic in Marissa's voice had become very evident as her heartbeat involuntarily increased. This is what happened every time that Marissa worried about Ryan. Just the thought that he may not be okay sent her into worry overload.

Summer sniffled, holding back her tears, knowing that this could possibly affect Marissa's decision to stay on her dad's boat or come back to Newport.

"Well…Coop, Ryan hasn't been doing so good. I mean, we expected his usual post-Coop brooding session. But, it's been two months, and he still hasn't shaken it. Of course, he would never talk to anyone, and I think it's really getting to him. Last Monday…he told Sandy and Kirsten that he had decided to defer college for a semester. And, that's when Seth decided that he was transferring to Berkeley…so that Ryan would change his mind and want to go again."

Marissa gasped in shock. She couldn't believe that Ryan would do something like that. There had to be something more to this…Ryan wouldn't just drop all that he had worked so hard for because of a fight with her….would he? The thought that while she had been sailing around Europe, flirting with Paolo, he had been staying up late not able sleep, really made her feel guilty. But, even though Ryan had been known to dwell on the negative, she still couldn't believe that he would just drop his dreams. No, there had to be something else….something Summer wasn't telling her.

"Summ…what happened? Believe me, it has been hard for me, too…wondering where he and I stand, wishing that I could take back some of the horrible things I said, hoping that there is still a chance…but, I just can't believe that Ryan would throw away the future he's worked so hard for over a fight we had. There has to be something else…what is it?"

Summer shook her head in defeat, not entirely surprised that Marissa had been able to see through her so easily from halfway around the world. She guessed that that's why Marissa was her best friend; she knew every trick Summer would use, seeing straight through them even when she wasn't physically there.

"Listen, Coop…I really can't talk right now. There's someone beeping in on the other line…maybe it's Seth," she said, the tears returning to her eyes as his image once again flooded her brain.

Before Marissa could formulate an excuse to keep her on the phone, Summer hung up. Marissa pulled the phone away, looking at it to make sure of what had just happened. She knew Summer wasn't telling her something, and she could only imagine what it may be.