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.

Sorry for taking so long. I had a serious lack of inspiration for that story. So anyways, I hope I didn't loose all my readers.

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Chapter 23 – To forgive, forgave, forgiven

Marissa walked in the club, tightly holding Alex's hand. Last time her girlfriend has seen her staff, she had been a total bitch to them, and the brunette had to call them up, along with Jodie, to persuade them to keep working for her, and how she was going through a rough time. Of course, they also re-hired Stephen without leaving a notice to Alex.

- Alex! Jodie called, hugging her friend. Good to see you back.

- Can't say the same for the others, the blonde replied. She wasn't blind : she saw the way they all looked at her.

- Considering the way you treated them, Marissa whispered in her hear, holding her from behind, I think they are being very nice to you right now. Alex hit her in the stomach with her elbow.

- You're supposed to be by my side! She said. Marissa held her tighter.

- Just being honest babe. And you really need to drop that hitting habit. Alex rolled her eyes and followed her girlfriend upstairs.

- How come Jodie took care of the club? She asked. Where is Mike?

- God knows. Alex was about to ask for more information about her assistant when she felt someone's presence behind her. She turned around and came face to face with Stephen. Her cheeks turned red.

- I have to… not be here, Marissa said and disappeared. Stephen smiled at Alex and held out his hand.

- Hi, I'm Stephen, the new technician. Jodie hired me while you were…

- Being an idiot, Alex completed for him. Can't believe I took it on you, I'm sorry… She pushed his hand away and hugged him instead.

- Don't worry about it. Come on downstairs, I'm sure some other people would like to hear your apologies, he winked.

Marissa walked down the stairs and sat at the bar, waiting for her bottle of water.

- We need to talk, Jodie said.

- Jodie, not now! Marissa replied. I got a girlfriend to take care of…

- If you don't help me out, both Alex and Summer won't speak to us again.

- Why us? Marissa replied. You're the one who did all that. Why would they be angry at me?

- Because you covered for me. Behind Jodie, Marissa could see Alex struggling to apologize. She got up.

- Where are you going? Jodie asked.

- Just got an idea, the brunette replied. Wait here. Jodie watched the brunette walk over to her girlfriend and whisper something to her. They talked for a while and Alex left the club while Marissa came back.

- What happened? Jodie asked.

- I sent her home, Marissa replied. We got work to do.

XxX

Alex pulled out of the driveway, but instead of heading home as she told Marissa she would, she drove to the Cohen's residence. She needed to talk to Ryan. She parked the car and got out, hoping he would be there. Seth is the one who answered the door.

- Alex, hey, he greeted her. What's up?

- Is Ryan there? She asked.

- Harsh. When its not Marissa, it's Ryan? You never came for me, did you? She rolled her eyes and pushed him playfully. That's when she heard footsteps.

- Alex? Ryan called. What are you doing here?

- She came for you, Seth winked, earning another hit from Alex.

- Dude, careful, she's dangerous, Ryan joked.

- I'm unwanted. It's cool, I got it, Seth said. I'm going… out, he said and disappeared.

- So what's up? Ryan asked Alex as his brother left.

- I need to talk to you, she said. About the night it happened. He nodded.

- Yea, I figured you might. Let's take a walk.

XxX

Summer was going crazy in her room. She couldn't even correctly design the clothes that were due for Monday. Since this whole Malex tragedy, she had to take care of both her and Marissa's work at the job, and didn't find the heart to ask Marissa to get her ass back to work yet. Alex probably needed her, and Summer wanted Marissa to be there for her girl. Sighting, she tried once more to arrange the dress.

- The cut it too low, someone said behind her, making the brunette jolt.

- Seth!

- Sorry, he apologised. Was bored at home… the dress you're designing, the cut is too low. I draw a lot, he explained, I would know about proportions…

- No, you're right, she told him and arranged the line. Oh my god that's it! She jumped to his neck. Thank you so much! I've been staring at that thing for hours and couldn't put my finger on it.

- Glad to help, he told her, holding her tightly. That's when Seth realised so long it has been since he hugged her.

XxX

- You're sure this will work? Jodie asked her.

- Well it's worth the try, Marissa replied, looking at all the decorations they had hung up in the club with the help of a couple of workers. Marissa was relieved when she realised that not all the staff hated her girlfriend. She walked over the club, looking at her work.

- So basically, you want me to take that mic and tell everybody how I built up that tape to break you guys up? Jodie asked Marissa as if the brunette was crazy.

- Well, yea, Marissa replied. Alex will forgive you, and when she does, it will influence Summer's opinion of you.

- How can you be so sure that Alex will forgive me?

- I just know she will, Marissa assured her. Noticing the club was getting packed, Marissa checked her watch.

- Wow, it's getting late, she said. I should call her.

- Do you mind calling Summer too? Jodie asked. I don't think she wants to talk to me right now… The brunette rolled her eyes as she was waiting for Alex to pick up.

XxX

Alex and Ryan were walking down the beach, eating their ice cream. The blonde was too busy hating him for no reason, therefore, she never had the chance to realise how much of a good friend he could be.

- I'm glad we finally got to know each other better, she told him.

- Me too, Ryan replied as he sat on the beach. You know, you should forget about it. You're innocent, that's all that counts. She shook her head.

- No, it's not, she replied. Ryan, it doesn't make sense. If I really was drunk, how come I ran away after you got stabbed? Wouldn't it make more sense if I fell on the floor somewhere, fast asleep? He looked at her as if she was crazy.

- You weren't alone, he said simply.

- … what do you mean…?

- You really can't remember anything, can you? The blonde was about to reply when her cellphone rang. She checked the caller id and smiled. It wasn't a good timing thought. Apologising with her eyes, she got up and answered. Ryan lay down on the sand and watched the calm waves of the ocean. Alex had no idea that Mike was there? Why didn't Mike tell her?

- Sorry, Alex said as she came back. It was Marissa. She needs a ride. Ryan was about to reply when his own cellphone rang.

- Okay, he told Alex as he noticed Marissa was calling him too. He had a feeling that Marissa didn't really need a ride.

XxX

Sitting in her car, Alex called Marissa to let her know she was there. The brunette replied she would be there in a second.

- Hey girl, Marissa greeted her. Come on, let's get in.

- I thought you needed a ride…

- Duh. That's what I told you, the brunette replied as she opened the driver's door and pulled her girlfriend out of the car.

- Rissa I tried this morning, Alex said. I hate how they look at me…

- And so what? You're going to abandon your club forever? She entwined her fingers with Alex's and dragged her inside. The club was drowning in darkness and Alex could not hear a single noise.

- Rissa what did you do? She whispered angrily. She felt the brunette squeeze her hand and guide her in the dark without answering her question. When she stopped walking, Alex stood next to her, waiting for what will happen next. A spotlight hit the stage where Stephen was standing.

- Hey Alex, he smiled. You're probably wondering what the heak happened with your club. Well, we closed it for the night to make a v.i.p party. And you can't fire me for that, it was your girlfriend's idea, he added right away, making the audience laugh. Alex smiled at the comment.

- Needless to say, you had a lot going on in your life lately and you took it on most of us. But we though of something. Nobody suffered as much as Marissa did, and yet she's currently holding your hand. So if she forgave you, then you're probably worth something. So we decided to forgive you too.

Someone else climbed on the stage. It was Jodie.

- Hey Alex, she said. You know how self-absorbed I am, so before talking about you, I got to tell you something about me. I made a huge mistake, and I need to come clean. I'm the reason why you had to go through all this. I made up that tape of Ryan and Marissa. I never thought you would overeact this way. Believe me, I wouldn't have done it. So anyways, I tried to fix it by proving your innocence to the court and organising this event with Marissa, but I realised that without your forgiveness, I'll always have this feeling of guilt eating me. Please Alex, will you forgive me?

Marissa kissed Alex on the cheek and gently tapped her back, telling her to go on stage. Slowly, with the help of the spotlight clearing her way, Alex got to the front and Jodie helped her up. They stared at each other for moment. Then, Alex walked forward and took Jodie in her arms. Relieved, Jodie hugged her back and lifted up her thumb in Marissa's direction. Then, she let go of Alex.

- It's your turn to be forgiven, Jodie smiled. Now, I agree with almost everything Stephen just, except for the part where we forgive you. Speak for yourself Stephen, she told the technician, because I don't think Alex should get away that easily. So here's how it will work. For tonight only, you're nobody's boss, and your staff can make you pass whatever test they want to before judging you are forgiven. Are you down with that? Alex smirked.

- I guess I don't really have a choice, she said.

- I knew you would understand! She winked. You already passed my test by finding it in your heart to forgive me, Jodie said. But I think some got some more challenging tests for you. So good luck girl, she winked and left the stage as Sabrina, a bartender with who Alex used to goof around a lot with, got up, holding a bag.

- What is that? Alex asked.

- It's a teletubbies costume. You're gonna have to wear that and break dance for me. Alex raised an eyebrow.

- Oh, I'm serious, Sabrina said.

XxX

- This is so great! Jodie said as she sat next to Marissa at the bar. People are really enjoying it, and I think Alex is being forgiven. Marissa smirked.

- I just hope they won't kill her with their crazy tests, she replied while Alex was taking her 20th shooter.

- I can't believe she's still not drunk, Sabrina told them.

- She's tough like that, Marissa smiled. Noticing Summer, she left the Jodie alone and disappeared.

- I thought you didn't do it, Summer said. Jodie jolted and looked at her.

- I was very ashamed, she confessed. Please, can we put this behind us? The brunette smiled.

- Well, I guess that if Alex and Marissa forgave you, I can too.

Marissa smiled as she watched them hug.

- Looks like it's the forgiveness night, Ryan commented.

- Looks like it, Marissa smiled.

- You're going to need some of it's magic. Noticing her confused glare, Ryan pointed to a very angry Alex walking over.

- Oh… Marissa said. As Alex arrived, Ryan had disappeared.

- Hi babe, Marissa smiled.

- Someone is in trouble, Alex told her.

- And someone had too many shooters, Marissa completed. Come on, alcohol and anger does not make a good match with you, she told her, dragging her to her office upstairs.

- I'm not angry, Alex said, just worn out.

- Oh, you are? Marissa asked, sounding disappointed as they finally got upstairs.

- I would like to see you pass all those tests! Alex said. Marissa reached the manager's office.

- Well you didn't pass mine yet, she told her.

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