Part IV

Marissa looked down at the girl beneath her. She instinctively kneeled down to see if the blonde girl was alright. She turned her around and let the girl's head rest on her lap. She was looking up at Joyce who was leaning down against the bar chuckling. She smiled. As her eyes looked down to the girl in her lap, Marissa was astonished with the crystal blue eyes she had longed to see looking wearily back at her.

"Alex…" Marissa whispered.

Her heart felt being freed from all the torment she had been experiencing since their separation. She ran her fingers through Alex's blonde hair smiling at the touch.

Joyce who was above them watched them closely. It seemed as though Marissa knew the girl. And her friend's smile has never been this loving.

They were both startled when Jean appeared looking down at the passed out customer.

"What happened here?" She asked kneeling beside Marissa.

"She passed out." Joyce went back to serving drinks knowing very well Jean would have ordered her to anyway.

Marissa held Alex's hand and tried to look for her pulse. She was worried. But at the same time happy. Two years of not seeing each other. Who would have thought she would find the love of her life passed out in the bar she was working in?

"We should take her to my office." Jean suggested taking Alex's other arm.

Marissa just nodded and took Alex's arm on her shoulder. She held on Alex's waist, pulling the blonde closer to her. Jean didn't notice though.

Alex… I love you… I can't believe you're in my arms. Alex… Oh Alex…

Marissa closed her eyes as they walked into Jean's office. She laid Alex onto the couch in the office. Jean walked out to check another ruckus on the bar leaving Marissa alone to tend to Alex with the blonde's head on her lap.

Alex was on LALA-land but she could smell Marissa in her blackout.

Marissa… Honey… Please… I love you…

Momentarily Marissa caught Alex looking up at her. Their eyes met and Alex furrowed her brows. She knew the blonde was still too drunk and must think she's dreaming. But Marissa didn't want to waste time. Closing her eyes, she leaned down to kiss Alex's lips. Alex did the same but her head was saying you're too drunk to comprehend what's happening. But there was a memory that played in her head.

"Um… You look… Beautiful…"

"Can you please stop staring? You're making me feel embarrassed."

"I can't…"

"You can't?"

"I can't…"

"May I ask why?"

"I don't really know. I can't help but look at you that's all."

"Well there's got to be an explanation. With you looking at me like that and all."

"I just think some things are best left unanalyzed."

"Can you keep a secret?"

"Uh huh."

"I'm in love with you."

"I promise to keep it till the day I die…"

"Can you keep a secret for me too then?"

"Sure."

"I'm in love with you too."

"Marissa…" Alex muttered as they kissed.

Marissa smiled bringing her lips to the blonde's forehead.

"I love you Alex… So much…"

Behind the wooden door of Jean's office, Mark saw their exchange. He furrowed his brows. It couldn't be the Alex Cohen Marissa talked to Joyce about. The Alex Cohen that Marissa was searching for. He watched Marissa laid Alex's head on the couch with a huge smile on her face. She kissed the blonde's cheek a few times as she put pillows under her head.

Marissa stood up. Smiling at the person she loved dearly. She had found Alex. It was more than she could ever ask for. She didn't realize Mark was standing behind the door because Jean abruptly came in.

"How is she?"

"She's fine: Just passed out. She's going to have one heck of a hangover tomorrow." Marissa smiled looking at Alex's peaceful rest.

Jean shook her head.

"She's lucky she's cute." The older girl said looking at Marissa while wriggling her brows.

Marissa giggled and walked out, smiling at the peeping Mark as she did. The boy frowned. But he wasn't that much of a quitter. He's going to try and win Marissa's heart. And no blonde girl can stand in his way.

----

Alex stirred the next day. Her head hurt like hell. She grimaced in pain rubbing her forehead. Then she felt it. A hand rubbing her cheek. She opened her eyes and found Bianca beside her. Summer was hovering above her. The two were certainly smiling.

"I have a headache that might actually split my skull and you two are smiling."

Alex turned her head to face Bianca who was still grinning.

"And when did you arrive?" The blonde asked but the two girls just giggled.

Jodie appeared from the kitchen with three mugs of coffee on a tray.

"Did you tell her yet?" Jodie asked looking at the two girls around her best friend.

Summer and Bianca shook their heads.

"Told me what?" Alex asked sitting up abruptly.

But she fell on the couch again as she felt the world spin around.

I swear I saw Marissa. I felt her lips. On mine.

Alex closed her eyes not realizing she wasn't paying attention to her friends.

"Alex… Didn't you hear me? Marissa called us. She took you home." Jodie grinned placing the tray on the coffee table.

"She did?" Alex eyes grew wide and jumped up out of the couch.

"I have to see her." Alex tried to grab her wallet but Summer stopped her.

She looked behind her as Bianca put her hand on her shoulder.

"Rest. She'll be dropping by tonight. Better make yourself presentable Cohen." Bianca grinned placing a kiss on Alex's cheek.

Alex walked towards the window and watched her friends talk and giggle. She stared out and watched the sun rise.

Marissa. Finally.

----

"Um… Jean? Can I have the night off tonight? It's just pretty important…" Marissa fumbled with her pen as she asked her boss.

"What's tonight Cohen? Got a date?" Jean grinned.

She was going to allow Marissa but she did find shy-Marissa adorable.

"Um… I… No… Not a date. Just dinner. With a friend…"

"Does this friend have blonde hair and crystal blue eyes?" Jean asked tapping her pen on her chin.

Marissa just looked down at her feet with a smile.

"Has a drinking habit that can make me a millionaire?"

Marissa blushed as she looked up.

Jean stood up and gave Marissa a tap on her shoulder.

"Go already. And bring her back tomorrow ok?" Jean smiled as she watched Marissa make her way out the door.

Marissa wore a smile till she got out of the door.

Alex. I could hardly wait.