A/N: Thank you so much for your reviews! Only 4 more chapters after this, but as soon as I'm done posting this story, I'll start posting my new SS one. Ooooh. So, keep reviewing! You've all been making me write like crazy.

Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own neither Seth nor Summer. sob

XXXXXXXXXX

"Seth, I am really impressed with this work," Dr. Stine said, looking up at Seth's project. Seth relaxed a bit in the chair facing Dr. Stine's desk.

"Thanks, I'm glad you like it. Took me a lot of time," Seth said.

"It definitely paid off. The Ironist's feelings are so honest, so realistic. That's what's oftentimes missing from comic books. When you have caricatures, not characters, you don't feel for them as much. But this, this is great. I felt myself rooting for the Ironist all along."

"Me too," Seth slipped out. Dr. Stine looked up.

"Does that mean…"

"Nothing. I sometimes get very involved with my characters, think that I'm one of them…"

"Seth, you are."

"No, the Ironist isn't me, it's just based on me."

"So then I take it that you and Little Miss Vixen…"

"Everything is cool with us," Seth lied. "I'll be going back home at the end of this week."

"Oh, really, then I guess I shouldn't mention…"

"Mention what?" Seth asked.

"Have you heard about the International Comic Convention in New York?"

"Oh, of course," Seth said. "It's the one that you have to be someone or know someone to get into."

"Precisely. I'm going to be the keynote speaker, and the department just gave me funding to take along another person, as an assistant. There's just so much going on, and I'll be in many meetings during the event, so the department figured that I could use someone to work the floor, pick up editions, report on what is going on. Naturally, I was going to ask you, but since you're busy…"

"Wait, Dr. Stine," Seth said, pausing. "I'll take you up on that offer." He let out a breath. Although he had been waiting for weeks to get to see Summer, to find out if he was wrong in thinking that they were over, wrong in trying to move on, this was an opportunity of a lifetime. Spending a week with his favorite professor, mentor, and comic book lover, exploring the Big Apple. This would be big. And it's not like Summer made any effort to get in touch with him.

"That's great. I hope that the Vixen won't be upset."

"Of course not, what we have is strong," Seth replied, wishing that it was true.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Summer looked down at her nails. She had bitten them down to the nailbed over the past few weeks. She wished that she wasn't a coward, that she could just pick up the phone and call him. But after the window of opportunity closed and the almost-kiss with Tim, Summer knew that it would be impossible to just dial him now and think that everything would be okay. Instead, she planned to talk to him when he was back for Spring Break and when she could hold him and kiss him and…

"Summer," her thoughts were interrupted by Carrie's voice.

"Yes?"

"What are you doing next week?" Carrie asked. Cohen, Summer thought, emitting a small giggle. She calmed herself and replied.

"Nothing."

"I have a great opportunity for you, then. The Battery Conservation Society in New York is having a meeting with several conservancy groups across the country. Now, I had intended to go, but with all of the wedding preparations I don't think I can. God, this weekend I have to address about two hundred envelopes, get fitted, try cakes."

"Yum."

"Wedding cakes? Not so tasty. The hotel and flight are already booked and easily transferable. Do you think that you could represent the Coastwatchers in my absence? It would be a really big deal and you'd have the nights free to explore the city."

New York. Wow, Summer thought. She had never ventured there. Vacations were usually at a resort in Mexico or a tour throughout Europe. Her first trip to the East Coast had been to visit Brown. And this would be a big deal. A really big deal. But no, Seth was coming in less than a week. This was her chance to resolve any issues that they were having. New York. Seth. New York. Seth.

"I'd love to take your place," Summer replied.

"Perfect, I'll make the arrangements. A car will pick you up from here at two on Friday and take you to the airport, so just bring your luggage with you to work. I'm glad that I can put so much trust in you, Summer," Carrie said with a smile before returning to her desk. Summer smiled back and when Carrie was out of eyesight, her face changed to a frown. She needed to call Seth, confess, beg for him back, hold him. If only she had the guts to pick up the phone.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I know mom. And I miss you too. Tell dad I say hi. I know, but it's a great opportunity. Okay, love you. Bye." Seth hung up the phone, looking around the Logan Airport terminal. His Boston-to-New York flight had been delayed and so he decided that it was the peak opportunity to inform his parents that he was not going to bask in the California sun over spring break. His parents weren't thrilled with his 1-in-3 track record of actually getting back to Newport since leaving, it was their worst nightmare, actually, since they knew he had planned the great East Coast escape years before. But this was a career-starting move, he rationalized, and they accepted it. He knew he had one more call to make. He opened up his phone, but hesitated. She couldn't punch him through the phone line, he figured. He worried about the consequences. He...

"Flight 481 to New York is now boarding. If you are in seated in rows 20-45, please make your way to the gate immediately." Saved by the flight attendant, he thought, putting his phone back in his pocket and picking up his carryon bag.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Summer sat in her seat, sipping her diet coke and reading the New Yorker. Summer a year ago would be reading US Weekly or People, but that was so shallow, she decided. She needed a magazine with substance. And it was smart. The guy to the left of her was checking her out, nearly peering down her shirt when she became engrossed in a short story. Ew, Summer thought, as she looked up at him, who gave her a guilty smile as she caught him red handed. She stared out the window. The plane was descending. In just a few minutes she would be in the city that never sleeps.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"That wasn't long at all," Seth exclaimed as he got off the plane and walked towards the baggage claim at LaGuardia with Dr. Stine.

"Nope, I would normally take the train, but since the department's paying…" Dr. Stine saw his suitcase and lifted it up. "I'll go get in line for a cab. Just come out when your bag gets here."

"Sure thing," Seth said, focusing on the conveyor belt. He waited a good five minutes before seeing his bag, grabbed the suitcase and headed towards the Ground Transportation door. He lost focus and felt his body knock into someone elses.

"Watch where you're… Cohen?" Seth looked up and saw a startled Summer.

"Summer?!? What… what are you doing here?" The two stood awkwardly, neither knowing whether it was appropriate to embrace or if the other one was mad.

"I should ask you… I thought you were going to be home this week."

"Plans changed. There's a comic convention… which you're not going to, I'm assuming."

"No. Symposium for work. But that doesn't explain why you didn't tell me you'd be here," Summer whined.

"You never called," Seth said, softly. "I'd love to talk, really, I'd love to but my professor is probably holding a cab for me right now. But I have my phone, so just call me." He grabbed his bag and hurried off.

"Okay," Summer replied, to no one in particular.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Will Summer and Seth finally have the talk? Or will both chicken out? Review and you shall see.