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.

Ok another chapter. Once again, I thank you for the reviews. You got no idea how much it means.

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Chapter 7 - Lack of communication

The rest of the week went pretty well. Both girls worked really hard, Marissa because she was re-designing a whole house, and Alex because she had to deal with the recording group each night, and therefore, they would come home exhausted and head to bed right away. Normally, both girls should be happy about this, since Marissa never had that much fun working, and Alex's club was more packed than ever, partly because of the new sound system, and also because people would wait in line to buy the recorded shows. That Dean guy was really helping her business. However, eat - work - sleep routine was getting hard on them since they barely spoke to each other during the whole week. Needless to say they haven't slept together neither, since Alex was working really late and Marissa had to get up early in the morning. Finally, friday came and Alex had to pack. Marissa felt like she didn't have Alex this past week, and her departure seemed harder than usual.

- You stay away from Dean, Marissa tried to joke, laying on the bed while Alex was putting her stuff in her bag.

- I don't have to sleep in that school you know, Alex said.

- Really?

- I could sleep over at Jody's place, she added with a wink. I'm sure she'd be okay if...

- On second thought, you could totally sleep in the school. Alex smiled, she did it by purpose.

- What's wrong with you? She asked, climbing on top of Marissa. Don't you trust me?

- Of course I do, Marissa sincerely replied, but what if I told you that I'm going to spend the night in Ryan's room...

- I wouldn't mind, Alex lied.

- Sure, Marissa said. How about that time in the tent... You didn't mind at all...

- Okay fine, Alex gave in. I'll sleep in my hotel room, all by myself. Alex got closer to Marissa, their lips only inches away. I kind of got used to it anyway... she sadly added.

- Good, Marissa said. She rolled out of her confused girlfriend's arms and got out of the bed.

- Now you better finished packing up or else you will be late for class tomorrow morning. Alex got up as well.

- You're right, she said. Her eyes were still on Marissa's lips. I mean, I have no time to loose... she walked closer to Marissa who kept moving backward until she hit the wall.

- Why are you running away? Alex asked as she put her hands on Marissa's waist.

- Because, the brunette replied, putting her hands on top of Alex's, if we start this now I won't be able to stop...

- Live for the moment, Alex whispered before she closed the space between them. Marissa walked her hands on Alex's forearms until she reached the blonde's waist, she grabbed it and pulled her girlfriend as close as she could, every inches of their bodies touching. Alex slid her hands under Marissa's shirt and started rubbing her bare skin. Shivers went all over the brunette's body as she deepened the kiss. They finally pulled back for oxygen, their bodies still touching. Alex got closer again and dropped some kisses in the brunette's neck, causing her to moan. Marissa closed her eyes, enjoying it. Alex went lower, until her girlfriend's shirt stopped her. Not a problem, she thought, as she pulled Marissa's shirt off, still dropping kisses here and there, until Marissa stopped her.

- Alex, stop, she begged, I won't resist much longer.

- Why are you even resisting, Alex teased her, as they were fighting with the shirt. One was trying to take it off, the other was pulling it back down.

- Because you have to go, Marissa said. She was still stuck against Alex's body and the wall.

- How about I leave tomorrow morning? Alex proposed, still trying to take the shirt off.

- You'll be stuck in traffic, Marissa replied with reason. Alex's eyes were begging. She got closer.

- But I want you... we barely did anything this week, and now I won't see you for the whole week-end... Marissa's body was trembling as she gave in and Alex finally pulled the shirt up and threw it on the ground.

- I want you too, Marissa whispered, her body on fire. She helped Alex to take off her shirt as well and they kissed again, their bare skins touching. Marissa's whole body was shivering and she felt like dying when Alex's hands got to her belt.

- You.. she said against her will, know... that we... can't. She could feel Alex's heart beat faster and faster as she was taking off Marissa's belt. Marissa passed her fingers in Alex's hairs, letting the girl undress her. Actions speaks louder than words. Alex stopped.

- You're right, she said, her hands still on the belt. Marissa was still playing with her hairs.

- I am? She asked, her eyes begging Alex to keep insisting. Alex gave her a weak smile.

- Why do you have to be so damn sexy? She joked without laughing as she backed off, grabbing her shirt from the floor. Marissa stayed speechless for a moment, not realising what was happening. She watched Alex zip her bag and swing it on her shoulder.

- Be a good girl, she said as she walked through the door. Marissa was still against the wall, shirtless. She heard Alex lock the door and start the car. At that moment, Marissa was needier than ever. And she couldn't think straight.

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An hour passed and all Alex could think about what Marissa's body and smell. That definitely meant something : She was in love with her. She could spend days and the hell, the rest of her life, not knowing what was up with Dean. I love Marissa, Alex said out loud, not Dean, and the simple fact of saying it made her feel good, happier than ever. But quickly, her mood went down again. This week was a total blur. Yes, her Club was getting more and more popular and yes, she was making a lot of money, but money has never been a problem for Alex, neither for Marissa. Come to think of it, Alex didn't need this whole Club renovation at all, they were perfectly happy with the old Exotica, which was still popular, simply not as much as it is now, and Alex did not need this school. She did not want to be in L.A right now, she wanted to be with Marissa. Her phone rang. If it's her, she thought with a smile, I'm driving back home.

- Hello? Alex said.

- Hey, what's making you so happy.

- Jody, Alex said, disappointed.

- I'm sorry for not being Marissa! Jody replied. I'll hang up so she might call...

- Jody come on, Alex said, I just thought... so what's up?

- Nothing much. I knew you're coming to L.A tonight so I thought you could spend the night over at my house.

- Marissa's going to kill me.

- What Marissa ignores, Marissa can't be mad about.

- No believe me, Alex said, Marissa will know.

- What, she's spying on you or something? Jody joked.

- Well, Alex sighted, I kind of promised her no more lies, and...

- That's so sweet, Jody sarcastically said, so now you got to do exactly what Marissa tells you to?

- No Jody, that's not it! Alex said, getting angry.

- That's exactly what it sounds like.

- Well you know what? You're wrong. I'm not doing anything because Marissa asked me to. Jody smiled.

- So I'll see you at height? Alex smiled as well.

- No you won't. And you know why? Because I don't want to. Goodnight Jody. Alex hung up.

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Marissa was filling up some papers since today was the recording company's last work day of the free week contract.

- Miss, that's the wrong form, the worker said.

- Oh, I'm sorry... Marissa apologised, putting away Exotica's work application forms, which she was about to sign.

- This was a rough week, uh? The man said again. Marissa sighted. Alex didn't call her at all. Not the mention what happened on friday night...

- Kind of, she coldly said.

- It's the first time I see you here, he said. And I've been in the club during the whole week. Marissa finally managed to sign the correct forms and handed them to the worker.

- I only work on week-ends, she replied. She then noticed he was about to reply, so she added :

- Thank you for everything. The worker got the hint and left the office. Marissa closed the door and lighted up a cigarette. God, she thought, finally gone!

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- Isn't she coming home tonight? Summer asked. She and Marissa were hanging around the bar. Marissa nodded.

- Okay... then what are you doing here? Coop, it's eleven o'clock! She might already be home...

- Maybe, Marissa said, but she'd be tired from her week-end. She's probably sleeping so she wouldn't mind if I come home late.

- I just thought, Summer mumbled, that you would be anxious to see her... Marissa raised her shoulders and looked away. The truth is, was Alex anxious to see her? Last friday, she just left, and she haven't called her at all during the week end... Maybe she wanted to stay in L.A with that Dean guy, or worse, with Jody. Marissa is probably the last person Alex wants to see right now, the brunette thought with pain.

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Alex turned off the engine once she had parked the car in the driveway and stayed in the car. A mess, that's what she was. She passed her fingers in her hair, trying to forget her week-end, but could only remember every details of it. Every single...

Knock Knock

- Alex, are you there? He said in his masculine, sexy voice. Alex turned around, her stuff still unpacked.

- Dean, she called as she opened the door. Come on in. She closed the door behind him.

- So, you came late tonight, he said. I should probably let you sleep a bit, you got a long day tomorrow. Alex checked the time.

- Yea, she smiled, I was doing some... stuff, she said, and lost count of the time. Dean got closer.

- Really? What kind of stuff... Alex blushed.

- Oh you know, work, she lied, blushing even more. Dean gave her the "I'll pretend I believe you" look.

- I see, he said. Anyway, sleep tight. He put his hand on her shoulder. Alex wanted to push it away, but it seemed impolite. Dean looked straight in her eyes. He must have taken her confused look as a good sign.

- I'll see you tomorrow, he said with a charming smile. Alex nodded as he left the room.

She was now in the car since twenty minutes. It was getting cold, however, Alex had all her time. She did not really want to get in the house. Well, not yet... She didn't want to see Marissa now. Not before she had completely forgot everything...

- Wow, gurl, you're a mess, he joked. Alex pushed him as she got to order her coffee.

- It'll be 2.59$, please. Dean handed a five dollar bill to the cashier. Alex pushed his hand.

- Dean, don't, she said. I can pay for my coffee. He gave her a look.

- Okay, he said, putting the money back in his pocket, but you owe me. Alex took her coffee and walked for class.

- I owe you because I paid for my coffee? She asked, trying to get the logic out of it. Dean smiled.

- How do you feel about sushi? He asked. Alex raised an eyebrow.

- Sushi?

- I'll pick you up around seven, he said, and left her there.

Sick! That's how she feels about sushi. Uncooked fish, with weirdly spicy vegetables next to it... come to think of it, sushi makes her sick. Why did she even go there, eat these stupid sushi's. Alex punched the sterring wheel, mad at herself... Guilt was eating her inside.

- What, already? She asked.

- We said seven, he replied. Alex checked the time, once again. We need to talk, she thought, and this might be my chance to clear some things with him.

- Okay, just let me grab my jacket.

Alex was now freezing, but she couldn't afford to go home. She will know, Alex was thinking. Her phone rang again. She checked the caller ID. It was Jody. Alex ignored it. She now had 9 missed calls, mostly from Jody... and some from Dean.

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Jody was driving since now 3 hours and her eyes were shutting by themselves. Seriously, what a boring road. How could Alex drive that long twice every month? She threw her cell phone on the empty seat next to her. She might be ignoring my calls, she thought with anger, but she won't ignore my fist. "Welcome to Newport Beach " a sign said. Jody speeded up. Finally.

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- Okay Coop, I'm like, really tired. I'm going home. Marissa stood up as Summer was leaving.

- What already?

- Already? Marissa, it's 2 AM! Summer screamed, out of it. I don't know what happened between you and Alex, but you can't keep me from going home because of it.

- What are you talking about, Marissa asked with denial.

- Yes Summer, a voice said behind them, what are you talking about? Both girls turned to face the voice's owner.

- Jody? Summer asked with confusion.

- What are you doing here? Marissa rudely asked. I mean, you know... away from home... where you should be.

- Why aren't you home? Jody asked in the same aggressive way. Summer's eyes were switching from Jody to Marissa, to Jody, to Marissa.

- Okay what's going on here? She finally asked.

- I don't know, Jody said with a smile. But someone is clearly avoiding her girlfriend... Marissa was about to reply.

- Yea, tell me about it! Summer said.

- What? Marissa said. Summer, I am NOT avoiding Alex!

- Of course not, Jody said, rolling her eyes.

- And what are you doing here? Marissa asked, getting closer to the Latina, trying to intimidate her with her length.

- I came to see Alex, Jody replied.

- She's not here, Marissa said, so you go ahead and leave.

- Okay, Jody said. I'm heading to her apartment.

- You mean OUR apartment.

- Oh, so you DO still remember that you two live together, Jody smirked.

- What is that suppose to mean, Marissa asked, angrier than ever.

- Nothing, I'm just thinking, you must be a hell of a girlfriend, not even being home to greet your lover after you haven't seen, nor talked to her for the whole week-end...

- How did you know we haven't talked? Marissa asked, worried, angry and jealous at the same time, realising that Jody knew more than she did.

- I didn't, Jody smiled. I figured it out. I mean, look at you face, why would she call you...

- OKAY THAT'S IT, Summer screamed, pulling Marissa closer to her as the brunette was about to jump on Jody.

- Yea, you better hold that bitch because if she makes a move on me... Jody started, not scared at all.

- Marissa, calm down, Summer said. Jody, I haven't seen you since two years so I'm guessing you got a good reason to drive all the way to newport, so spill it out. Marissa did calm down, interested.

- It's between me and Alex, Jody simply said. I got to see her. She... got me worried. And she won't answer my calls, she admitted.

- What's wrong with Alex, Marissa asked in a trembling tone. She didn't call me at all this week end... that's unusual. Summer took a deep breath. Okay Roberts, she thought, you'll regret this later on tonight, but Coop is your best friend...

- Jody, why don't you sleep at my house tonight? She proposed. You, she said to Marissa, you get your ass home and you check what's wrong with Alex. Jody could come over tomorrow morning to see her. Jody and Marissa were both staring at each other. Summer couldn't tell who wanted to kill the other one the most. She also couldn't tell which one of them was the most worried...

- Okay, Jody finally said. I believe that Al needs her girl right now, so you go ahead. I'll see her tomorrow morning. Marissa nodded. She knew Jody had just made a sacrifice, but she couldn't thank her. Too much pride.

- Good night, she simply said as she hurried to her car.

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They were sitting there since now an hour. Alex was on a red bench while Dean was sitting across the table, on a chair. The blonde had barely touched her plate. Sushi just wasn't for her.

- So, how's your club? Dean asked. Alex smiled and told him all the success Exotica was getting.

- Thank you, I guess, she finally said.

- You are more than welcome, Dean replied as he got up and sat next to her on the bench. Alex turned her head to face him.

- You know, she said, I appreciate all you did for me, I really do, but I think that you should help some other managers now. Exotica is having enough success and there's some pretty mediocre clubs around there, Alex joked.

- Hey, Dean said, there's no such thing as enough success. We can always have more...

- Yes, Alex said again, but greed is a terrible sin. We should enjoy what we have, while we have it... Dean's eyes were sparkling.

- We only live once, right? He said, getting closer. Alex's blood rushed. RED ALARM. That's totally not what she meant...

- That's why, Alex said, trying to keep focused on her words while Dean's lips were coming closer, I will not come to the manager's school anymore. I want to give my chance to other people too...

- You're such a thoughtful girl, Dean said. But believe me when I say it, I enjoy helping you...

- I know, I was just saying that you could do so much more than that with your abilities. Dean smiled and, without a warning, kissed Alex who got caught by surprise. It took her the time to realise what was happening to push him away. But it wasn't soon enough...

- ALEX! Someone screamed, bringing the whole restaurant's attention on them.

- Jody? Alex chocked. She still couldn't believe what she just did... and Jody had to witness it?

- WHAT ARE YOU DOING? The latina kept screaming, out of her.

- Jody please, Alex begged, aware of all the eyes staring at her. Be quiet...

- Hi, Dean politely said, I'm Dean...

- Ashmore, Jody cut him with discuss, yes, I know. Dean looked at Alex with confusion.

- Friend of yours? Alex nodded.

- Listen Jody, she said, why don't we talk about this later...

- Don't you slightly feel guilty? Jody asked. Like you know... a bit? AT ALL??

- Listen, lady, Dean said, I don't care if you're friend with Alex, but I will not allow you to talk this way with my girlfriend while I'm around, okay? Jody started to laugh hysterically.

- Your girlfriend? She screamed. Alex was more embarrassed than ever. Jody turned to face Alex. HIS GIRLFRIEND? She asked, still laughing, not believing her eyes and ears. How about Marissa?

- You mean Alex's co manager? Dean asked. Alex gave Dean a look. Co manager? That's what Marissa had told him?

- What does she have to do in all that? Dean asked. Jody's laugh became more hysterical than ever.

- TRUE, she screamed. What does SHE have to do in all that, uh? Nothing, nothing at all, she said. Right, Alex? I mean, if she's not important enough to call, I guess she's not important enough to mention neither... She's just useful when you're needy, right? OH, she's the new me. A FUCKFRIEND, nothing else... how sweet...

- Jody shut up, Alex finally managed to say, her body trembling. She was really feeling sick right now.

- That's enough, Dean said, putting his arm around Alex's shoulders, which made her feel even more sick. Come on honey, I'll bring you back home... Alex pushed him away. Her head was spinning. All she could see was Marissa. Marissa everywhere. And all she could feel was guilt. And shame.

- Don't call me honey! Alex said, looking straight in Dean's eyes. I am not your girlfriend, she said. Dean was more confused than ever.

- But you were flirting with me... Alex could hear Jody laugh louder and she really felt like beating the crap out of her.

- I was not! She screamed, trying to cover Jody's laughs. Tears started falling. That's just prefect, she thought.

- And here I was, admiring your honesty with Marissa... Jody started, but the truth is, you never cared about anyone but yourself...you're just a...

- That's it, Alex cut her, you've done enough. She took Jody's car keys from her hands and left the restaurant, leaving both Jody and Dean behind. She could hear costumers whisper as she walked near them. Great, she thought, just fucking great... She found Jody's car, took it and left.

Alex couldn't hold her tears anymore. Her face buried in her arms, she was sobbing in silent. Why the hell was she feeling this bad? Dean kissed her, not the other way around... That's what Alex kept telling herself on her way home. Dean kissed her... He wouldn't if he knew about Marissa. She did omit to mention her by purpose. She did gave him reasons to think he got a shot by accepting all his invitations... She was guilty. Her body was shivering. She was cold, she haven't ate a thing since now more than 24 hours, and she wanted to puke. But more than anything, she needed Marissa's warm body, although she didn't deserve it. And the simple thought of it, of never having Marissa again, made her heart ache in a scary way. She's got to forgive me, she thought... At that moment, she heard a car's engine and recognised Marissa's BM. The blonde haven't realised that the car was missing. What was she doing out this late? She thought.

Marissa quickly got out of her car and noticed the black jeep. She then noticed Alex in it. What was she doing in the jeep at 3 AM? Marissa hurried out of the car, more and more worried. And as she got close to the jeep, Alex finally opened the door and got out. They both started at each other, confused and scared.

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... yea. I'm sorry about making them cry. But the drama has just begun.

- Ethereal123