Roberts' Patio

The table was laden with food as usual. Neil was reading the financial pages of the LA times as usual, alone as usual. He was dismayed to discover his stocks were not performing as hoped when he saw his daughter approach. This was unusual. What was more unusual was she looked like Summer. The red sundress made a change from that awful grey tshirt. Her hair had been washed and the sunlight danced over it illuminating it. The bruises had more or less faded. Neil put down his paper as Summer sat down.

"Morning sweetheart," he said apprehensively.

His daughter replied, "Morning daddy, would you pass me a pastry."

Neil was stunned she was eating solid food as well.

"Where's Julie?" asked Summer.

"She is at kickboxing," Neil stated matter of factly.

Summer raised an eyebrow.

Neil continued, "What are you going to do today?"

"I'm going to see Seth and I might pop in Ryan too, see how he is," Summer replied.

Neil watched as Summer finished her pastry. He was stunned. Yesterday she was wallowing in despair. To be fair she had perked up slightly after the whole beach incident but Neil was at a loss as to why she suddenly had improved.

Seth's room

Summer walked in.

"Seth!" she said loudly.

The lump on the bed moved. She came closer.

"Cohen!" she yelled.

Seth rolled over and grumbled.

"I'm here to talk," she said evenly.

Seth stared at her for a minute.

Summer sighed, "Well talk Cohen."

"I…." He grumbled.

Summer looked exasperated. "Ok, Cohen. Here's the deal. My wallowing is over. Life is moving on so before I checked in the parallel universe known as grief we were a sort of couple getting over the whole Brown deal. Then there was the sex and Anna. So where do we stand?"

Seth took a minute to process before asking, "What do you want?"

Summer replied quietly, "I want my life back and that means you."

Seth lifted the side of the duvet up and allowed Summer to slide in next to him. For the first time in a while a smile made its way across her face. Seth's smile was tinged with anxiety.

Cohen kitchen

Ryan was examining the contents of the fridge. It was full but nothing took his fancy. He started to make coffee when a squeal startled him.

"Ryan!"

Before he knew what was happening a brunette was hanging round his neck. It was Taylor.

She released her grip.

"How are you?" she asked in a concerned tone.

He hesitated before saying, "Ok, I guess."

"Now don't go putting a happy face on it. Bottling it up isn't good for anybody. If you ever need an ear I'm here," she offered.

Ryan didn't know how to reply. Luckily he was saved by the arrival of Seth and Summer.

The first thing Ryan noticed was how Summer's hair was taller than he remembered. He put it down to she was wearing heels unlike that night at the beach. The second thing he noticed was how she was clinging to Seth's hand.

Taylor announced, "I'm so glad you guys are all here. There is a party at Holly's beach house tonight. Please say you'll come."

There was a silence.

Summer's eyes met Ryan's. He found himself saying he'd go. Why did he agree to go to a stupid party? He decided to stay for an hour after all it might get Sandy and Kirsten off his case if he socialised.

Holly's beach house- party in full swing

Ryan wandered into the house. The lounge was a seething mass of writhing tanned bodies. The kitchen resembled a brewery and well he didn't really want to know what was going on outside. He felt out of place in his black tshirt and jeans. The tee was tighter than he would have liked but the female half of the party evidently liked it from the number of eyelashes which were being fluttered in his direction. He surveyed the room for Seth and Summer. He didn't see them. He felt a hand on his back. Ryan turned immediately expecting it to be Summer or Seth. It wasn't. It was a perky blonde in a red bikini. Her arm was snaking its way around his waist.

"So, Ryan how are you?" she cooed

Ryan eyed her shiftily as her realised her hand was heading asswards as she pulled herself closer.

"I know I could make you feel better," she said huskily.

Ryan looked around the room again. He saw Anna. This was his out. He extracted himself and headed towards Anna. Ryan was barely ten feet from her when Seth appeared out of no where. Anna hugged him enthusiastically before the pair headed outside. Ryan set of in the direction of the kitchen when he heard Summer call his name. He headed over to her and Taylor hoping she hadn't seen Anna and Seth.

"Hey Ryan how are you feeling? Remember to stay away from the alcohol," chastised Taylor.

Ryan opened his mouth to reply when suddenly Sung-Ho arrived. Taylor and him engaged in an enthusiastic lip lock. Ryan looked at his feet.

"You fancy that drink?"Summer said with a smirk which was suppressing giggles.

Ryan led the way. He could feel the heat of Summer's body close behind him as the weaved through the crowd.

On the kitchen counter was every known type of liquer as well as several kegs.

Summer picked up two cups. "Beer or the hard stuff?" she motioned towards the bottles.

Ryan didn't know if drinking was a good idea. But he figured it might get him more the party mood. He poured a Jack Daniels for himself and a vodka orange for Summer. There was an awkward silence.

Ryan said softly, "So you and Seth are back together."

"Yeah we seem to get through everything," Summer replied.

"Summer!" squealed Taylor, "come dance with me and Anna!"

Taylor grabbed Summer's wrist and pulled her away barely leaving enough time for her to hand Ryan her drink. Seth walked up to Ryan.

"Hey man, how are you?" Seth inquired.

Ryan replied, "Ok."

"You sure? You've got two drinks," said Seth.

Ryan replied curtly, "One of them belongs to your girlfriend."

Ryan shoved the cup towards Seth sloshing a little liquid over his hand.

Ryan made his way outside. He had to get some air. Ryan made his way across through the garden and onto the beach. He took a deep breath of salty air. A familiar face approached him.

It was Luke, "Hey man."

Ryan was surprised to see him, he thought Luke had returned to Oregon. "What are you still doing here?"

"You not glad I'm here," Luke mocked. He continued, "My mom is remarrying some Newport dude."

Ryan couldn't resist saying, "A straight one."

Luke mocked offence.

"Anyway how are you with the whole Marissa thing?" Luke asked.

Ryan trotted out his standard answer, "I'm ok. It wasn't like we were dating or anything."

Luke seemed sceptical. In the distance a female voice was calling him. He left Ryan alone on the beach. Ryan walked a little further past the couple making out and sat down.

About an hour passed and he decided to make his way back to the party. On his way back through the garden there were a lot more drunken bodies than on his previous trip. He stepped through the door looking for his friends. Taylor and Anna were slumped on a sofa. Summer was dancing herself. She caught sight of him.

"Hey Ryan come dance with me? Seth is being boring!" she squealed at him.

The music changed from hip hop to slow R and B. Summer twirled wildly ignoring the change in beat.

"Woah we don't want you falling over," Ryan said trying to steady her. She puts one arm round his neck and suddenly wobbles. She steadies herself by putting both arms round Ryan's neck. He feels her body getting heavier.

She whispers guiltily, "I'm wasted, I should get Seth to take me home."

Ryan replied, "Its ok I'll walk you,"

Summer wobbled.

"Or I'll just carry you."

The street.

Ryan is giving Summer a piggy back. Her chin is resting on his head. Pieces of her hair are tickling is face and her arm keeps banging his mouth. Ryan looks mildly amused.

"Your gel tastes funny," Summer piped up

Ryan replied, "Your perfume tastes of vanilla."

They arrived at the Roberts' front door.

"Keys?" asked Ryan.

Summer handed him her purse. He found the keys and opened the door.

Summer's room

Ryan placed Summer on the bed. Gently he took off her shoes. He headed toward the door.

"Ryan, stay," said Summer in a quiet voice.

He turned to look at her. Without saying anything he lay on the bed next to her. There they lay not touching.