Hello dear readers. Do I really have to say that I do not own the characters, nor the show? I mean we all know that, right?

So well whatever this story takes places a few years after the second season, but in my version, Alex and Marissa never broke up and their relationship has only grown stronger since then. So yea, read and judge.

Thank you guyz a lot for the reviews!!! I'm glad you are liking the story, and I'll update A.S.A.P. Please keep reviewing so I know that some people are actually reading this. P

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Chapter 3 - Taking charge

The alarm was ringing since now 30 minutes, but Marissa wouldn't get out of bed. She rolled over Alex's side and hit an empty spot. Sighing, she remembered that the blonde was gone for two days. Marissa could still smell her girlfriend's perfume and therefore stayed there, until her cell phone rang. Marissa ignored it at first, but then decided that it could be important and finally got out of bed.

- Hello, she said in a tired voice.

- Yes, is this Miss. Cooper? A male's voice said.

- Uh-uh, who's this?

- I'm Mike, I'm, you know, Alex's replacement manager for the week end.

- Oh, Marissa said. Anything wrong?

- Well it would be nice if you could pass by, I can't find tonight's band's manager's phone number so therefore I can't reach them, and we are running out of vodka I don't know where is the warehouse around there.

- Don't you work at Exotica for like a year? Marissa asked, mainly pissed because he woke her up.

- Yea, as a bartender... I don't even have the keys to some rooms from which I need furniture.

- I'll pass by around 5 pm and get you some...

- FIVE?

- Okay at 4

- Miss I really need you to be here as soon as poss...

- FINE I'LL BE HERE IN TWENTY MINUTES! Marissa screamed.

- Euh, thank you.

Marissa hang off. She then took a deep breath and dialled Alex's number, but before she could press on "call", she stopped herself. No, she thought, Alex should be able to count on her. Putting the phone back on the counter, she got ready to head to Exotica.

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Alex had finally arrived. She could see the huge building from across the street. Dean told her that the classes begun around 10 am, looking at the clock in the car, she realised she had 30 minutes before officially being late. She drove until the principal door, where she got stopped by a gate.

" - Name and enterprise's number please" A male's voice came from a microphone that Alex didn't notice, which caused her to jolt.

- I'm Alex Kelly, Alex replied, I'm manager at Exotica club.

- ... Okay, the guy answered with a short delay during which Alex guessed he was validating the information.

- Good, you can get in, he finally said. "

The gate opened and Alex drove until she found an empty spot where she parked her car. She then took her travelling bag that Marissa had kindly prepared for her and got in her school. There was an information stand at the entrance.

- Hi, Alex said, I'm...

- Alex Kelly, right? The worker said.

- Yes, how did you know?

- Well Dean told us a new manager was coming this week and you have a "new manager's look "

- What's a new manager's look? Alex asked, insulted. The worker started to laugh.

- Nothing personal, she answered, you just seem lost. Here, up the stairs on you left, room 17, it's your hotel chamber. Here's you classes schedules and diner is downstairs at the cafeteria. If you get lost again, you can always come here. I hope you'll enjoy your week-end here, the girl said, handing to Alex her hotel room's card, with a binder that included her schedule and some information pamphlets.

- Thank you, Alex said, taking everything.

- Oh, I'm Cindy, the worker said.

- Glad to meet you Cindy, Alex politely smiled and left to her hotel room. "

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Marissa started her BM as she took a sip of her coffee. She wasn't used to drive her car, Alex would always take her everywhere. Sighting, she put her coffee, which she also made herself this morning, on the cup holder and got out of the driveway. Maybe if she wasn't that dependent, she wouldn't have felt Alex's absence that much. Chasing that idea from her head, she hit the main street when her cell phone rang again.

- Hello?

- Cooper? Already awake? Marissa smiled when she heard Summer's voice.

- Hey Summer, she said. Well yea, Alex is out of town and her club is a mess without her so I'm heading there.

- Interesting. So you want to go to the movies tonight with me Seth and Ryan? A car just burned a red light, forcing Marissa to instantly break so she wouldn't hit him.

- DUMBASS! She screamed, her heart beating really fast. Behind her, cars were honking.

- Marissa? Summer asked, not understanding.

- Hey can I call you back? Marissa asked as she finally arrived in front of Exotica. I got some dumb workers to tame.

- Ok, Summer replied. Take care."

Marissa hung up the phone and walked in the club and to the bar.

" - Ok can someone tell me who is Mike and where he is?

- I'm here, Mike said behind her. Marissa turned around to face a tall skinny boy with blond hairs and glasses. Mike had a wide smile and presented his hand to Marissa, waiting for her to shake it.

- So what's going on that was so hard for you to take care of alone? Marissa sharply asked as Mike's smile faded way. "

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Alex passed her card and opened her hotel room. It had a queen sized bed, along with a flat tv and a bathroom connection. From her window, she could see the busy streets of L.A. Not bad, she thought as she threw her bag on her bed and flipped open her cell phone to dial Marissa's number.

- The Lost Puppet's Manager's number? Marissa repeated. That's what you can't find? Mike nodded. Marissa opened Alex's office door and walked to the desk.

- This paper, on which we can read : "TLP's manager's no ", couldn't it be exactly what your looking for? Marissa asked angrily.

- Oh, Mike nervously said, TLP, the Lost Puppets, I... I didn't realise...

- Yea I'm sure you didn't, Marissa sighted. Here, call them. That's the warehouse's keys, she added, trowing some keys at him. It's downstairs, she added before he would ask where the warehouse was. Her cell phone started vibrating as she was running down the streets to check if everything was okay with the bartenders.

- Hello? She answered.

- Hi Baby, Alex's voice said, is everything all right there?

- Sure, Marissa answered back, feeling calm again. Everything is under control. How's your first day at school? Made some friends.

- Hey stop making it sound like I'm sixteen, Alex complained. And yes, I did made some new friends. Perhaps, a girl friend, Alex added.

- And should I be jealous? Marissa asked with a grin.

- Well she's extremely sexy... Alex lied, and she is totally over me.

- You're coming back home right now, Marissa joked. Alex laughed in her hotel room.

- Seriously, she said, the place is really neat. But I haven't really met anyone yet. Classes begins in ten minutes.

- Then I guess I'll have to let you go, Marissa said. Be a good girl and do not ask stupid questions.

- I'll call you later, Alex said.

- Have fun."

Marissa flipped her phone, still smiling, when Mike touched her shoulder. Her bad temper immediately came back.

- What again? She asked, exhausted. "

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Alex checked her schedule and headed to her first class, which was in room 202. Looking around her, she quickly realised everybody was heading in a different direction, therefore, she couldn't simply follow the crowd, which was what she had planned doing.

- Excuse me, are you lost? A familiar voice asked. Alex looked up and recognised Cindy's pink hairs.

- Oh hey again, Alex said. Do you know where the room 202 is?

- Sure, follow me, Cindy answered, taking the lead. Alex followed Cindy and checked her out. She had short pink hairs, a bit higher than her shoulders, a white face with eyeliners all around her eyes and a piercing on the eyebrow, and another one on the nose.

- Here you are, she finally said. Alex checked the room, there was around twenty students inside, some where in the twenties, others in the thirties, and some even looked older than her parents.

- Thank you, again, Alex said.

- No prob, that's what I do. Pick up lost students. Alex smiled and entered the classroom. Looking around, she realised the only empty seat was right in front of the teacher. Rolling her eyes, she sat there and waiting a couple of minutes for the teacher to stand up and start the class.

- Hello everybody, the teacher said, my name is Samuel Jackson, and today, I'm going to teach you how to deal with angry costumers. "

During the whole class, Samuel gave reasons why costumers would complain, and in each situation, he would ask one of the students how they would react, and he would correct them if there's a mistake in the actions they took. Alex found the class surprisingly useful, since he gave situations in which she would have normally lost her temper, however, Mr. Jackson would come up with smart ideas everytime, making the costumer feel like he had the last word each time. When the class ended, Alex checked her schedule. Next, she had "Dealing skills", which she guessed was a class about business.

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- Exotica's Manager, can I help you? Marissa answered the phone. No, you can't, she's out of town. Sir, I'm sure I can equally help you with your problem, Marissa insisted, pretty annoyed.

- ... Not before monday. Excuse me, could you hold on, I have another line.

- Exotica's Manager... oh, yes, you guyz are here? Okay perfect, I'll send some staff to greet you, of course, the lodge is ready. See you in a few. The phone rang again.

- Exotica's... aren't you the guy who just called?

- You hung up on me, that's really impolite.

- I told you I had a second line! Marissa answered back, trying to keep her calm.

- Whatever, I'll just call back when an actual manager will be sitting in this office.

- ... argh. fine, bye! The phone ran again but Marissa screamed and unplug the line. Her phone started vibing.

- What again? She screamed.

- Marissa? It's Stephen. The band is waiting outside should I guide them to their lodge?

- Oh, Marissa said, yes, of course, tell them I'm coming. " Leaving the room, Marissa started wondering how Alex could deal with all that everyday.

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Alex got in her room exhausted and checked the time : 9 : 00 pm. Smiling, she thought that at the same time tomorrow, she would be heading home, and a few hours later, she will be with Marissa. She took out her t-shirt, preparing herself to go to bed, when her cell phone rang. Alex picked it up, wondering who could call her at this time.

- Yes?

- You're in L.A, right? Jody asked.

- Yes, I am, Alex replied.

- Ha! Told you she would let you come! So how is it so far?

- It's okay, Alex admitted. I learned a lot of stuff...

- But?

- But I miss her, Alex sighted. This is like going back to school, well, in a school that we actually learn useful stuff, but it's still school, and here I am alone...

- You know what's your problem Al? Jody said, you're not having enough fun.

- Dude, I'm in a school, how much fun am I suppose to have.

- Come over here, Jody proposed, I'll show you how to fully enjoy your trip to L.A.

- I got classes to catch tomorrow morning... Alex warned her.

- Yea Yea, don't worry about that, you'll be here on time, Jody promised. Now get your ass here. "

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- Marissa Cooper, Marissa introduced herself to The Lost Puppet's members and manager, shaking their hands. I am replacing the actual club's manager because she's out of town for the week-end.

- Nice to meet you, the manager replied. This is a very nice place you got, he admitted, looking at the lodge's neatness. Mike gave Marissa a bad glance and left the room. Marissa rolled her eyes. Just because five minutes ago, she was accusing him of neglecting the clean-up.

- Thank you, she replied with a charming smile. I would like to introduce you to my technician Stephen, he will be telling you when to enter the stage and how everything will be working tonight. All right? I will have to go now, see you on stage in a few. With that, Marissa left the lodge and headed to the bar.

- You guys have everything you need here? She asked, hoping to receive a nod.

- We're out of ice, Tania said.

- MIKE, Marissa screamed. You heard them? Go get some ice. She handed him a 20 dollar bill. Mike nodded and left. Who would have thought this job could be so stressful! Marissa climbed up the stairs to the office.

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- Al! Oh my god, it's been so long! Jody greeted her friend with a warm hug. Come on in. Alex entered her friend's apartment and looked around.

- Are you looking for something ? Jody asked, raising an eyebrow.

- Yea, that Cindy chick, I feel like beating her up for fun.

- Kicked her out a few days ago, remember? But if you want to beat up losers, I know exactly where we can find some. Alex smiled.

- No, let's just go have some fun.

- Well, Jody said, grabbing her keys, it's at the same location.

- Yey, we'll go party with losers. Jody gave her a wink.

- Cute losers, she corrected."

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Marissa arrived home at 1:00 am, totally exhausted, and jumped on her bead with her clothes still on. Checking her cell phone, she saw height missed calls, but she didn't have the strength to answer them right away. Yawning, she put her cell one the counter and dropped herself back on the bed, and then, immediately, fell asleep.

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Far from the club, Alex could already hear the bass and got in the mood of dancing. Jody was closely following her. According to her best friend, this was the best club in L.A, the most popular one as well. As they got to the doors, Jody spoke with the doorman and they both got it, cutting the line. Alex gave a glare to Jody who simply smiled and took Alex's hand, pulling her with her through the crowd. Seeing all these linups in from of the bars, Alex remembered her own club and wondered how things were going there. She then took her cell phone and saw that she had no missed calls. If things would have gone out of control, Marissa would have called her. Relieved, she followed Jody to the dance floor.

" - What are you doing here, new girl? Alex turned her head and recognised Cindy.

- Oh, hey, Alex greeted.

- Don't you have class tomorrow morning?

- I'll be there on time, Alex said. Besides, All work and no play makes me a dull girl.

- Yea, I get what you mean, Cindy replied, getting closer so they could hear each others. Well I didn't know you knew the place that well, or you just got in the best club of L.A by luck.

- I'm like that, Alex replied. I just know all the cool places.

- I guess it goes together, Cindy said. Cool places, Cool peoples...

- Oh, so I'm cool now? Alex joked.

- Hey, lost people can be cool too.

- Yea, Jody said, suddenly interrupting the conversation. She's cool, and she's leaving. With that, she pulled Alex away from the dance floor

- You know her? She asked, whispering.

- Yea, she works in that school I'm going to, and why are we whispering? Jody raised an eyebrow.

- I don't know, Jody said. Anyways, it's late, we should get you home. You got a long day tomorrow.

- We were just talking, Alex repeated as they were sitting in Jody's car.

- Yea well you should have seen the way she was looking at you, Jody answered back in an accusing tone. Alex got mad.

- Jody what's wrong with you? You know I would never do that to Marissa! I just wanted to keep contact since she's the only friend I got here.

- ... With you, of course, she added when she saw Jody's expression.

- Okay fine, Jody said, starting the car, but be careful because I know these people, they don't care if your taken or not. Especially in these clubs. Shit, she said, looking at the gate. Al, how are you going to get in? Alex checked the gate she had passed trough this morning, however, this time, there was no one speaking at the microphone next to it. She thought for a second, then...

- Here, Alex finally said, passing her hotel room's card to Jody, pass this trough the fence, it might work... Jody did what she was told to, and the gates opened.

- Wow, hi-tech! Jody said. They both smiled and Jody stopped the car in front of the main entrance. You have... she said, looking at her watch, five hours to sleep and wake up for class.

- That would be enough, Alex said with a yawn, I'm not even tired yet. Good night.

- Stay away from Cindy, Jody screamed from the open window as she was leaving the place."

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Marissa woke up early that morning, got herself a nice cup of coffee before dressing up and heading to the club. She wanted to make sure everything was fine BEFORE a disaster occurs because she did not want to lose control like yesterday. Speaking off, she had some apologies to make to Mike with whom had probably been a little unfair for his first day as manager. While driving, she remembered that she had a few missed calls yesterday and took out her cell phone to check them out. They were mostly from Summer and Stephen. There was also a text message from Alex that said " Can't wait to see you ". Smiling, Marissa answered to Alex and got out of her car.

- Good morning, she said to the staff she crossed, Mike, could you come here? The replacement manager approached her, wondered why she would be screaming at him again.

- Yes? He asked, waiting.

- I want to apologise for being so stressed yesterday, Marissa honestly said, just like you, it was my first day and I can't handle pressure really well, she admitted. But I guess we'll have to learn to work together since once every two week, we'll have this whole club to manage together. Mike smiled.

- Your apologies are accepted, he said with a wink. Marissa waited, but Mike said nothing else.

- ... Aren't you going to apologise?

- For what? he asked, surprised.

- Well for being so lost and not knowing a thing yesterday! Mike rolled his eyes.

- I'm sure we will work together just fine, he whispered to himself as he left her there, still waiting for his apologies.

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Alex got out of her first class of the day and headed to the cafeteria to get herself a cup of coffee. Clubbing the whole night was a bad idea, she realised.

- Tired? Cindy asked, behind her.

- Oh, hi, Alex said, still yawning.

- Jeez, how much sugar you put in there? Cindy asked, looking at the three empty packs of sugar that were around Alex's cup.

- My girlfriend always makes this comment, Alex answered with a smile, not realising she just told Cindy she was lesbian.

- Oh, Cindy said, you have a girlfriend? Alex took a sip of her coffee and nodded.

- She lives in Orange County.

- Do you miss her? Cindy asked.

- A lot, Alex replied.

- Oh my god I'm late! Alex screamed as she saw the clock behind Cindy. Cindy turned around and checked the time.

- You better run, Cindy said with a smile. He might let you in. Alex drank half of her coffee and left in on the corner.

- You do what you want with the rest, she said and left.

- Who would drink that cup of sugar? Cindy screamed behind her, trowing the cup."

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Today, Marissa had done a pretty good job with Mike. Everything was at its place and nothing was missing from the counters. She sat at the bar and took a cup of vodka ice.

- You made it, Summer said, sitting next to her. Good job.

- Thank you, Marissa smiled. She checked her watch. She should be here tonight, she added.

- Come, Summer said, you still have height hours before she heads home, and we, still have four hours before the mall closes, so I say, you need a break. The brunette got up.

- The mall sounds great. Mike, she said, calling the blond, if you need anything, do not hesitate to give me a call.

- Yea sure.

- Wait, Marissa said, on second thought, call me only in case of immediate emergency. She left the club with Summer.

- Great idea Marissa, now we are sure he will leave you alone.

- That's not knowing Mike, Marissa answered. For him, everything is immediate emergency !

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Alex got out of her last class and headed to her hotel room. She packed her stuff, ready to leave, when someone knocked on the door.

- Come in, she said. Oh, hi, she added, seeing Dean Ashmore at her door. He was younger that she had expected, maybe in the early thirties, with short black hairs combed backward,

- How was your week end, miss Kelly? He asked.

- Pretty good. This is a nice school you got there.

- Thank you.

-... Okay, he said, I just wanted to greet you personally, and welcome you to my school. Now I'll let you go home, as you seem pretty in a hurry for it, and I'll see you in two weeks. Alex laughed.

- Oh, she said, dropping her bag on her bed, I'm not in a hurry, I just figured, since the classes were over, it was time to leave.

- No it is, it is, Dean replied. Unless you want to grab a cup of coffee with me? Alex got caught off guard. A cop of coffee with Dean Ashmore?

- It's a gesture I do, Dean explained, with the new students, I like to know them better.

- Yes, of course, Alex said, I'd like to.

- You get your stuff, Dean said, I'll wait outside.

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Dean Ashmore had brought Alex to the fanciest coffee place she had ever been to. Looking around, Alex sat on the chair Dean had pulled for her and looked at the menu. She didn't know that many kind of coffee actually existed.

- Pretty fancy, Alex said. Dean smiled.

- I like that place. Besides, I couldn't bring such a beautiful lady to a random coffee. Alex tried not to blush.

- You have a really good program in this school, she said, wanting to change the subject.

- It's my father's business, he admitted. He left it for me as an heritage when he passed out, two years ago.

- Oh, I'm sorry.

- It's okay...

- Are you ready to order? A waiter said. Alex looked up, not knowing what to take. Dean smiled and got her something.

- You're going to like it, he said.

- I'll trust you on that. They spent most of the time talking about business stuff and Dean taught her a lot about how to book a nice band.

- You see, he said, you have to give them the impression that you're used to receive some well known artists, so the manager will be tempted to bring his own band there, you know?

- But I can't lie, Alex said, the manager could easily make some researches.

- You don't have to lie. You avoid the truth, it's different, he said, making Alex laugh.

- So, she said, after taking a sip of her coffee, you never told me why you chose me to come to your school. I made some researches myself and learned that not all managers get the chance to study here.

- Hum, so you're pretty informed, Dean joked. Well, he said, I just thought you had some potential, and beside, you are young. It's by instructing the youth that we offer ourselves a better future.

- And how are you making profit if you are offering all the student's hotel rooms and food.

- I'm not, Dean said.

- The how come I'm not paying anything? Alex asked, lost.

- I told you, Dean said again, looking in her eyes, I think you have potential. Alex started to feel bad. Was is thinking what she thought he was?

- I... have to go now, she said, standing up. Thank you for the coffee. Dean didn't look offended by Alex's sudden movements.

- It's been my pleasure. He stood up as well. So I'll see you in two weeks?

- In two weeks, Alex nodded.

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That's it for today, it's getting late. P Tell me what you think of it.

- Ethereal123