Sandy and Kirsten walk into the living room to see Luke and Ryan wrestling on the carpet, Seth officiating.
"Excuse me boys," Kirsten interrupts. "Luke, Ryan, we need to talk to Seth for a minute." The two boys share a look and go upstairs to Ryan's room.
Seth notices the serious looks on their faces and their business attire. "What's wrong? Somebody die?"
Sandy shakes his head. "No, of course not. It's just…well, Kirsten and I went to Child Services this morning and we told them we want you to stay with us. But," he adds at Seth's hopeful look, "there's a catch. Because you're a minor, the only way they're going to allow that to happen is if we assume all legal responsibility for you."
"I get it. With all the trouble I've caused since I've been here, I can understand why you wouldn't be willing to do that."
"Oh, kid. We want to have you here. We're asking you if you want to be here." Sandy says, turning to Kirsten.
"We've all talked about it. And we want to be your legal guardians. We want you to be part of the family. If you want to be."
"Well, what if it doesn't work," Seth asks, looking back and forth between his prospective guardians. "What if something happens and you two change your minds?"
"Like what? You get caught with pot? You burn down a house? You get in a fight with the captain of the water polo team?" Sandy snorts out a laugh. "Those ships have sailed my friend."
"You just have to promise us that you'll stay out of trouble. No more pot."
"You're still on probation and Child Services will be up our ass all the time."
"No more trouble, I promise." Seth smiles at them.
Kirsten and Sandy smile at each other.
"Well," Sandy says, standing up and shaking hands with the newest Cohen, "welcome to the family."
"Thanks guys."
Kirsten pulls him into a hug. "Now you can go find Ryan and Luke and share the good news." She releases him and Seth runs upstairs to tell Ryan.
"So I really feel like we just came from here," Seth says as they pull up to the country club.
"That's because we did. Vegas Night was last Saturday, remember," Ryan tells Seth.
"Why are we coming back so soon? Do we have to take the stuff down?"
"No Seth. That's what the help is for," Kirsten says, stepping out of the Rover. "This week is the annual Debutante Ball. It's Newport's biggest event."
"For the girls, it is. For us…"
"For us," Luke finishes for Ryan, "it's an excuse to get crunk!"
"Luke…" Kirsten warns.
"Just kidding, Mrs. Cohen."
"It's the day when Newport's most accomplished young women make their formal debut into society. I was a deb. I made my debut at this very country club not so many years ago."
"So what are we doing here?"
"You boys are going to be the escorts. And for that you'll need tuxedos."
Kirsten greets the host and Seth mouths the word 'tuxedos' at Ryan with a questioning look. Ryan just shrugs his shoulders.
"Thank you. Come on, boys. It'll be fun." Kirsten leads them to the fitting area in the back of the country club. They walk into the fitting area and see Marissa and Taylor picking up garment bags, most likely containing their dresses. Ryan and Luke walk over to greet their girlfriends, closely followed by Kirsten and Seth.
"Marissa. I was going to call you. Since you're lead deb, I thought you would know if any of your girls need a last minute escort." Seth waves at Marissa.
Marissa and Taylor share a look. "Oh, I think we might be able to think of someone."
"Hi. Uhm. I'm picking up for Summer Roberts?" Summer taps her foot impatiently, waiting for the tailor to bring the garment bag containing her dress. She looks over in Seth's direction and, catching his eye, smiles at him. Seth smiles back at her.
Marissa and Taylor catch this exchange. They grab the garment bag being offered to a dazed Summer by the tailor, and drag her into the changing room to 'try it on.'
"Come on, Corona," Luke says, throwing his arm around Seth's shoulder, "let's go get some fresh air." He and Ryan drag a protesting Seth outside.
The girls
Summer is sliding on the dress that she chose, Marissa and Taylor sitting on the chairs near her.
"So, Sum, is Zach still going to be your escort," Marissa asks her friend.
"Hell no, Coop! After that shit that he pulled at the model home? Not to mention that, somehow, the FBI found out where his mom was hiding. The only person that could have found that out would have had to have some serious political connections or money, or both."
"Oh my," Taylor says. "Do you think that Zach would really do something that terrible?"
"Who knows," Summer says, sliding on her white gloves. "There's no proof of anything seeing as how his mom left. I'm done with him." She pulls off the white gloves. "Eww, these gloves are giving me serious sausage arms."
"So what are you going to do about cotillion, Summer? You can't go without an escort!"
"I don't know, I may not even go." Summer sits down on the empty chair next to her friends.
"You have to go, Sum." Marissa looks over at Taylor, who nods. "Besides, we have a date all lined up for you."
"I'm not going with some charity case loser, Coop."
"Summer, this isn't a charity case. You're going with Seth."
The guys
"So, Corona, what is up with you and Summer?"
Seth lets out a huff and leans against the rail. The boys are outside the country club, looking out over the ocean. "I don't know. I think maybe she likes me, but we haven't really talked since the Vegas Night debacle. I've kinda had other stuff to worry about the past few days."
"Dude, you can't use big words like 'debacle' around Luke. They make him nervous."
"Just because I don't understand what you're saying Cohen, doesn't mean I can't tell you're insulting me."
"Sorry buddy. So back to Seth and Summer. How do we get them together," Ryan asks Luke.
"You know, I think we could probably put in a word with Marissa and Taylor," Luke suggests. "That is, if they're not already in there talking about you."
"Why would they…Oh, I get it."
Ryan gives him a look. "Not really much of a ladies' man in Corona, were you?"
Seth looks offended. "Hey! I had some cute girlfriends. A couple cute girls. One major one really. Ok, there was this girl I kinda stalked for awhile and that was pretty much it."
"Enough with the rambling, bro. I get enough of that from Taylor."
"Dude, that girl will totally talk your ear off if you let her," Luke says, laughing.
"So what is the story with you five," Seth asks. "How'd you all end up together, or not together, as in Ryan and Marissa's case?"
"Well," Ryan begins, "you already know about Marissa and me. I met Luke in 2nd grade. Our dad's were trying to teach us how to surf."
"Cohen sucked by the way," Luke interrupts.
"Anyway, we've been hanging out since. Luke met Marissa through me and, one make-out session in the back of the bus on the way to the museum of tolerance later, they were dating."
"Cohen here met General Townsend that same trip. I seem to remember a make-out session of their own," Luke says, smiling at a blushing Ryan.
"I don't get it. Why do you call her 'General' Townsend?"
"Because she co-chair's the social committee with Marissa," Luke says. "Between the 'General' and 'Commandant' Cooper, I think they could probably convince any student at school to do anything they want."
"They're bulldozers," Ryan adds. "They get pretty much everything they want."
"Including you two, I would imagine. So what's Summer's story? I mean, I know she has been friends with Marissa and Taylor for forever, but how'd that happen?"
"Maybe you should ask her yourself. At cotillion."
"Wait, what?"
The girls
"Well, I guess he's kind of cute. I mean, I dig the whole nice guy thing. He's kind of a gentleman, and I've never really dated one of those guys before."
"No offense Sum, but you're taste in men is pretty terrible. You've always kind of leaned towards the empty-brained jock than someone that would actually treat you right."
"Coop! You biatch," Summer says, laughing.
"She is kind of right, Summer. I mean, just look at the latest. He may have been a senator's son, but he was an idiot. Apple fell pretty far from the tree on that one." Taylor hangs Summer's dress up against the mirror and sits back down.
"Well, I admit that Zach was a serious mistake," Summer says, joining her two friends. "But he was cute and tan. What else was I supposed to do?"
"Put him to sleep," Marissa grumbles. At Taylor and Summer's open mouthed stare, "Only kidding. Kind of."
"Well, I don't know too much about Seth, but he seems pretty smart and very funny, both of which I know you enjoy." Summer looks confused so Taylor elaborates. "We all know that you seriously crushed on that cute smart kid in the 6th grade. Marissa and I both felt for you when he moved away the next year."
"Awww thanks you two." Summer hugs her two girls. "You're the best friends ever."
"So, Sum, what are you going to do about Seth? I'm sure the boys are out there trying to pump him up and get him to ask if he can escort you to cotillion, but this might be something you have to take care of yourself."
"Yeah Summer. He doesn't really seem like the type to declare his intentions towards you in a public setting."
"Says you Townsend. We got to talk a little at the country club for Vegas Night and I got to know a little bit about him. He is a little sarcastic, but he just uses that to keep people away. It's like a defense mechanism I guess," Summer says with a shrug. "He moved so much when he was a kid that he was always new. Nobody ever really noticed him so he got attention by getting smart with people. Poor kid got beat up a lot but I guess bad attention is better than no attention. Sorry Tay," she says to her auburn haired friend.
"Well, it's no secret that my mother is a little impersonal, but, Summer, you sound like you've already got a thing for him!"
"No way," Summer yells. "I mean, yeah, he is pretty cute and interesting to talk to and kinda funny, but he's from Corona. Eww."
"Uh oh, Tay. Our little girls in love," Marissa says in a sing-song voice.
"I know, Cooper! I can feel the heat over here." Taylor fans her face with her hand.
Summer holds up a small fist. "That's because I'm about to light your hair on fire Townsend!" She drops her fist, realizing that she just threatened to burn her friend's hair off. "Sorry Tay."
"Rage blackouts, I know. It's ok. I love you anyway."
Coop stands up and grabs the garment bag containing Summer's dress. "Let's go find those boys before they scare away Seth." The girls walk out to meet their boys, who are currently sifting through the different tuxedo racks. Marissa hands Summer her dress and taps Luke on the shoulder. "You still haven't picked out your tuxes yet?"
Luke kisses her on the cheek in greeting. "I've got mine." He motions to the tailor, who is currently putting his choice in a bag. "Pretty boy Cohen over there is still looking."
"Well let's go then. We'll see them at the rehearsal tomorrow." Marissa waves at her friends and leads Luke out of the country club.
Taylor walks over to Ryan. "So why haven't you picked out your tuxedo yet?"
"We were talking."
"Uh huh. You mean Seth and Luke we're talking? Let's go over there and look at the Armani tuxedos. I love you in Armani."
"You love me out of Armani," Ryan tells her and kisses her on the forehead.
"Can I talk to you for a second," Summer asks Seth. He nods and they move toward an empty corner.
"Be nice to him, Roberts," Ryan warns.
"Trouser it, Cohen."
"So…Seth…" Summer slides up close to him. "I don't have a date to the cotillion. Would you be my escort?"
"I…well…I mean, uh…" Seth stammers.
"Great," Summer says and kisses him on the cheek. "Looking forward to it." She walks off.
"Cotillion rocks," Seth says to himself as he watches Summer walk away.
Summer is walking out of the country club when she is stopped by a hand grabbing her arm. "Zach. What the hell do you want?"
"I just wanted to apologize to you directly, for-"
"For what, jackass? For beating up Seth at the model home on my birthday? For ratting out his mom to the feds?" Summer punches him in the shoulder.
"I'm sorry, I really am. I just want everything to go back to normal. Can we start with cotillion?" Zach moves close to Summer, intending to hug her, but she pushes him away.
"There is no way in hell that I am making my debut into Newport society with an arrogant, ignorant, self-centered asshole for an escort."
"What are you talking about? You can't make your debut without an escort," Zach says, smug smile on his face.
"I already have an escort. Now leave me alone." Summer walks away but is stopped by Zach painfully grabbing her arm. "Ouch! Let me go!"
"Who's your escort? Is it that fucker from Corona?" Zach squeezes her arm harder.
"Stop, Zach! That really hurts!"
"Is there a problem here," Ryan asks as he walks up to Zach and Summer.
"Fuck off, Cohen. This doesn't concern you."
"Actually, that's one of my friends you're hurting. So, yes, this does concern me. Now let her go."
"Or what?"
"Or this time, I try lighting you on fire," Seth says as he joins Ryan.
"Boys! What's going on?" Zach drops Summer's arm at the sound of Kirsten Cohen's voice. Kirsten joins her two boys, looking concerned.
"Oh nothing, Mrs. Cohen. I was just checking to see if Summer had a ride home." Zach puts on his best plastic Newport smile.
"Actually," Seth says, "she's good. We're dropping her off at her place, right Summer?"
"Right. Thanks." She rubs her arm where Zach had painfully yanked on it and follows the Cohens to their vehicle.
Zach watches them walk off, fuming.
"That's too bad. My sister always did know how to ruin a moment."
"Lindsey Nichol. What the fuck do you want?"
The redhead walks from her position behind Zach to face him. "Well, I couldn't help but overhear Summer Roberts turn down your offer to escort her to cotillion. Instead, she's going with that little nerd my sister and her family took in. That must have really hurt your…" staring down between his legs "pride."
"Is there a point to this conversation or are you just going to keep insulting me?"
"Marissa Cooper couldn't be bothered to get anyone besides her friend an escort. Not that I want her help any way. So now I need an escort to cotillion as well. Going with a senator's son would do wonders for my social life. Add in that I would be getting an opportunity to one-up those three little bitches my sister loves so much and it sounds like the perfect night to me."
"Well what do I get out of it," Zach asks her.
"You mean besides an opportunity to attend cotillion? Well, I'm sure my father, Caleb Nichol, would be willing to provide you with some form of compensation for your time. I might be able to think of a few ways to say 'thank you' as well." She starts to slowly stroke him through his jeans.
Zach considers it for a few seconds. It would give him a chance to show up with the youngest daughter of the King of Newport. He could always ditch her when Summer regains her senses. And even if she doesn't, he thinks to himself, Lindsey had shown that she was willing to 'take care' of him.
"I'll see you at rehearsal."
The ride to Summer's
Kirsten and Summer are in the front seats of the Range Rover, talking cotillion things, while Seth and Ryan are in the back seats. As the women talk about Summer's dress, Seth is asking Ryan about his own worries for the evening.
"So am I going to have any time to actually dance at this thing or am I going to be watching my back all night," Seth quietly asks Ryan.
"Probably not," Ryan whispers back. "Zach probably won't be there anymore since he's not escorting anyone. Nordlund and Saunders will be, but they won't do anything stupid without their leader there."
The car pulls up to Summer's house and she turns from the front seat to face the boys. "Thanks for the help today, you two. Seth, would you like to walk me to my door?"
Seth begins to stutter until Ryan smack him upside the head. "Yeah. Sure. Of course." He follows her out of the vehicle and walks with her up to her stoop.
"Thanks for trying to protect me today. That was pretty brave of you." Seth nods his head and she continues. "So, I'll see you tomorrow?" She kisses him on the lips and walks inside, shutting the door. Seth remains rooted to the spot for a few seconds before Ryan yells at him.
"Hey, lover boy. You gonna be okay?"
"Just come help me to the car before I pass out on her doorstep."
The next morning, Kirsten opens the door to see Luke, Marissa, Taylor, and Summer standing on the stoop.
"Hey Luke, girls. Come on in. Ryan and Seth are getting their jackets. They'll be down in a second."
"Actually, Mrs. Cohen, I need to talk to the guys for a minute. Are they up in Ryan's room?"
"Yeah, go ahead and go up Luke." Luke goes up the stairs.
"Actually, we need to talk to you about something too, Keeks."
"Taylor, if this is about me catching you with my son out in the pool house, I've already said my piece on the matter. As long as you're using protection and I don't catch you, as far as I'm concerned it isn't happening."
Taylor turns bright red and starts stammering. Summer and Marissa are both laughing.
"Actually, Kirsten, this is about something else," Marissa says, trying to stop laughing. "But I'm really glad that I heard that because now Sum and I have something to tease Ryan about."
Kirsten looks apologetic. "Sorry Taylor. And tell my son sorry for me when these girls start giving him grief. If you want, I've got some stories about Marissa, from when she was younger, that I could share?"
Marissa pales a little. "Okay, I think that's enough of that. It's actually kind of important that we talk to you. It has to do with cotillion."
"Oh, I hope you girls aren't leaving my boys out to dry. Seth especially is looking forward to it since Summer asked him to be her escort," Kirsten says smiling.
Summer joins Taylor in turning an embarrassed shade of red. "We've been looking forward to cotillion since we were eight, Mrs. C. There's no way that we're not going. This is actually about your sister, Lindsey."
Upstairs
"I'm not going," Seth says. He sits down on Ryan's bed.
"Just because Zach is going doesn't mean you can't go, man," Luke explains. "Matter of fact, you pretty much have to go. Summer kept saying the entire ride over here how happy she was to have a date to cotillion. She'd probably kill you if you ditched on her. The girls have to been looking forward to this since they were little."
"Yeah, I've heard of these infamous rage blackouts," Seth says. "So she said she was excited to go with me, huh? I can't blame her. I am pretty good with the ladies."
"Way to go," Ryan tells Luke. "Like he needs a bigger ego." He turns to Seth. "Look, Zach won't be stupid enough to start shit while we're at rehearsal or cotillion. The only place he'd try anything at would be at Holly's place for the pre-cotillion barbeque, and we can just skip that."
"We got your back, dog." Luke gives him a knuckle tap.
"Thanks man," Seth says, rubbing his knuckles. "Hey, why don't we something here? I mean, I know we won't be able to drink, but we can do a little night swimming, maybe chill with the ladies. I can throw something on the grill."
"You can barbeque? No offense Corona, but you don't really seem like the cooking type."
"Trust me, man. If there is anything we Jews know better than long treks through the desert and self-pity, it's how to cook the meat of a dead animal."
"That doesn't make any sense," Ryan says, looking confused.
"I know, just go with it."
Luke shakes his head. "Man, you two were born to be brothers. So you think your folks will go for it?"
"Only one way to find out." Ryan stands, grabs his jacket, and the other two boys follow him down the stairs. They hear Sandy and Kirsten talking to the girls in the kitchen and head that way. Sandy sees them walk in.
"So I'm sure you guys were upstairs talking about what we were discussing down here?"
"Yeah. We've got a plan to stay away from Zach," Seth says.
"And don't worry about him being there with Lindsey," Kirsten says, trying to help Seth out. "It helps Ryan to think of her as more of a cousin than an aunt, since they're so close to the same age."
"Who's Lindsey," Seth asks, looking confused.
"Ryan, you didn't tell him about my sister?"
"I wasn't really sure how to bring up the subject." Ryan shrugs.
Everybody groans and grabs a seat at the counter as Sandy begins to try and explain their convoluted family history. "Obviously, everybody here has heard this story before, but it looks like we'll have an audience."
Marissa whispers in Seth's ear, "If you think of it as an episode of Jerry Springer, it helps."
"I heard that young lady," Kirsten says as she pours herself a tall glass of wine.
"Oh honey, she's right. This is straight out of white trash television."
"Get on with the story, Sandy."
"Well, it all started when Lindsey and her mother moved here in the 4th grade…"
Fifteen minutes later
"Wow."
Marissa pats Seth on the shoulder. "That's what I said."
"And if I know Dad, then he's probably in ecstasy that his baby girl is attending cotillion on the arm of a senator's son." Kirsten looks over at the tiny brunette in at the counter. "Sorry Summer."
"It's ok Mrs. C. I'm totally over that asshat." She smiles at Seth, who almost falls off of his stool. Nobody seems to notice.
"I've told you before sweetie, you can call me Kirsten. And don't say asshat." Kirsten sips her wine.
"So since we're trying to avoid Zach, is it okay if we skip out on Holly's party and just hang out here," Seth asks hopefully. "We could do a little swimming, cook a little food?"
"Well, I don't see why not. Kirsten and I have dinner reservations but we trust you guys. Just don't burn down the house," Sandy says with a smile.
"Funny," Seth says.
"You boys better get going if you want to get to rehearsal on time." Kirsten throws them the keys to the Rover and they head out.
At rehearsal
Rehearsal goes fine, except for the glares passed between Zach's group and the other three boys. The girls even got in on it, whispering foul names at each other when nobody was looking. As soon as the dancing ends and they are dismissed, Ryan, Luke, and Seth grab the girls and make their way to the parking lot, trying to avoid any incidents. Reaching the door, they see they've already been beaten there by Zach and his idiots.
"Come on Stephens, let us out. We know you're not going to do anything stupid with all the adults around here."
"Look around Ward. You see any adults?"
Luke looks around the hallway, which is indeed empty.
"Seth, take the girls and get out of here," Ryan growls.
Zach holds his hands up. "No need to do anything rash guys. In fact, I came with a peace offering. Hand over the geek and I'll let you back on the team, no retribution or anything. You just take the girls and walk away. What do you say?"
"I say go fuck yourself," Marissa says, spitting at Zach.
"You better get a handle on your bitch, Ward, or I'll let my people handle her for you." Chip and Doug check Marissa out, licking their lips.
"I'm gonna fucking kill them," Luke yells, launching himself at Zach. Seth and Ryan catch him and hold him back.
"Now's not the time man," Ryan says in his ear. "Soon, but not now." He turns back to Zach. "We're out of here. As for your offer? You've got a better chance getting Nordlund and Saunders to stop blowing each other than getting us to take you up on your deal. See you at cotillion." The three boys grab their girls and leave the country club. Ryan fishes in his pocket for the keys to the Rover. He hands them to Taylor, who looks confused. "Why don't you take the car and Marissa and Summer and go get your swim stuff. Luke, Seth, and I will start setting up for tonight." He kisses her on the forehead and follows Luke to his truck.
At the Cohens'
"Alright boys, we're leaving for dinner. We've got our cell phones so if you need anything, call us."
"Thanks, Sandy," Seth says, flipping the chicken. "You think you can pick us up a case of beer before you go?"
"Sure, why not?"
"Really," Luke asks, looking up.
"Yeah, sure! It may take me about five years to get it back home, but you'll get it. And I'm going to need cash up front. Fifty bucks." Sandy holds out his hand.
"Mom," Ryan yells.
"You boys deserved that one," Kirsten says as she comes out the door.
"Get out of here, you two."
Ryan's parents take off for dinner.
"What about our dinner, Corona? I'm getting hungry."
"Chicken's done, steaks will be ready in a second."
Seth finishes grilling and places the meat in front of the waiting teens. Everyone eats their fill and they all retire to the living room to watch a movie. They eventually fall asleep, Taylor in Ryan's arms, Marissa in Luke's, leaving only Seth and Summer awake. He motions to her and she nods and follows him out to the patio. They sit down on a lounge chair and Seth pulls out his Altoids tin.
"Wanna burn?"
"Sure."
Seth lights up, takes a few hits and passes the joint to Summer. She takes a drag and starts coughing. Seth begins to laugh.
"Not…funny…ass," she says around coughs.
"Sorry."
Summer stops coughing but shakes her head when Seth offers it back to her.
"So why is it that you smoke?"
Seth thinks for a minute. "My mom actually got me on it. She said I was too neurotic and high strung. That the weed would help me out."
"Did it?"
"No." Seth laughs. "I was 12. I think I was just being a kid, trying to get my mom's attention."
"That's totally screwed up!"
"Yeah, well this is it anyway. The Cohens are giving me a really good chance here and I don't want to mess it up, which means no more smoking. Won't be too difficult seeing as how the crap they sell here is barely pot anyway." He puts out the joint and throws it away.
"Well, I wouldn't know. That was kinda my first time. And probably last."
"We'll quit together then. Deal?"
"Deal."
They lean back on the lounge chair, talking and staring at the stairs, until they too fall asleep.
Later
Sandy and Kirsten arrive back to a darkened house, but see the TV on as they walk in. They walk in to investigate and see Taylor asleep on Ryan's chest and Marissa cuddled up with Luke on the floor. They look around for Seth and Summer, not finding them. Kirsten taps Sandy on the shoulder and points out to the pool area, where they can see two bodies, huddled close together on a pool chair.
"What do you want to do," Kirsten asks her husband.
"Let's let them sleep. We'll get them up in the morning for breakfast and send them home to get ready." He turns the TV off and follows his wife upstairs.
"At least they were wearing clothes this time," Kirsten says.
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that."
"I'm going to pretend I didn't see it."
"Wake up buddy." Ryan tries to shake his adoptive brother awake and is greeted with a grunt. "I have coffee." He waves the cup in front of his nose.
Seth sits up. "Contrary to popular belief, bribery will get you everywhere." He takes the cup and looks over to the empty spot next to him. "Where'd Summer go?"
"Mom came down earlier, got the girls up, and took them home. I guess they had to do their hair and their nails. Get up and we'll go get some breakfast at the diner. We haven't had any Seth/Ryan time in awhile."
"Seth/Ryan time. I like it. You just come up with that?"
Ryan smiles and shrugs.
Diner
"So you excited about cotillion with Summer?"
Seth takes a drink of his coffee. "I'm still a little worried about Zach but I'm more focused on seeing Summer tonight."
"So are you falling for her?" He passes Seth a platter containing pancakes and waffles.
"Maybe I am. I haven't known her for that long, but we just work together really well."
"What did you guys end up doing outside?"
Seth takes a massive bite of pancake and chases it with a drink of coffee. "We were just talking about things, kind of learning about each other I guess you could say. I've never met someone that I could talk to for that long." Ryan raises his eyebrows. "You don't really talk all that much, buddy," Seth clarifies. He lifts his mug up to take another drink but sets it back down. "How did you know we slept outside anyway?"
"You mean besides the fact that I woke Summer up and brought you coffee this morning?"
"Good point. I'm still gradually waking up."
They finish eating, Ryan leaves the tip, and they head back to the house to get ready.
The Salon
"So we just ended up laying there on the chair, looking up at the stars until we fell asleep."
The girls are currently getting their eyebrows waxed, hair done, and fingernails and toenails painted simultaneously, in preparation for cotillion.
"That is so romantic," Taylor crows.
"We just connected on this really basic level. Is that what it was like for you guys," she asks her friends.
"Well, with Luke and I, it just seems…right when we're together. Like we're supposed to be together. Two pieces of a puzzle. It's hard to explain I guess," Marissa says to Summer and shrugs her shoulders.
"Ryan and I are kind of the same. With us, there's this spark that connects us. I can feel it whenever I'm with him and it just draws us together, like magnets. It's hard to-"
"Explain, I get it," Summer finishes. "So how will I know that's what it is for me?"
"You already do Sum."
"What are you talking about, Coop?"
"She means that you're already falling for him," Taylor clarifies. "Somewhere in your heart, you've already decided that you like him and you want to see where it will go."
"And listening to your heart is the first step on the road to love," Marissa contributes.
"Coop, that's beautiful! Did you just make that up?"
"I wish. I think I read it on a Valentine's Day card from Luke."
"Coop!" "Cooper!"
The girls laugh.
"So why are getting our nails done if we're wearing gloves," Summer asks.
"Because our parents are paying for it," Marissa offers.
"Good reason."
Luke, Seth, and Ryan step out of the changing room, adjusting their bow ties and straightening their tuxes.
Luke high fives Ryan. "Dude, we totally look like pimps in these things!"
Seth looks at his glove covered hands. "I have to say it: white gloves. Ready for a comeback."
"I feel like Fred Astaire," Ryan says. He sees Luke's confused look. "I'll explain later."
The girls walk in right then, taking the boys' breath away.
"There's my Ginger Rogers," Ryan says and gives Taylor a kiss.
"So I guess that means we're going to be lighting up the dance floor, huh," Taylor says with a smile. She looks over and motions Ryan to do the same. They see Luke and Marissa making out. "Cooper, stop it. You'll mess up your make up."
They stop and Marissa playfully slaps Luke on the shoulder. "Yeah, stop. You'll mess up my make up."
"It's just my way of telling you that you look beautiful." They begin to make out again.
Ryan just shrugs and points over to Seth, who is currently trying to stumble his way through a compliment to Summer.
"Wow. You…look…just. I mean…wow. Your hair is…" He makes some strange motion around his head. "And your dress is…white. Awesome. My gloves are white."
"Spit it out, Seth." Summer smacks him on the back.
Seth coughs. "You look amazing. Like an angel, beautiful in white. You're gorgeous and perfect and-" He's interrupted by Summer planting a kiss on his lips.
"Trouser it, Roberts."
Summer gives Ryan the finger and breaks off the kiss. She follows Taylor and Marissa into the debutante's prep area. Seth has a dreamy look on his eyes and begins to follow Summer.
"Unh, uh buddy." Ryan grabs Seth by the shoulders and drags him out to line up. They meet up with Luke, who is already there. Luke points out a tall figure entering through the door.
"Stevens."
"I'll kill him," Seth says.
Zach sees the three boys standing in line, staring at him with violence in their eyes. Instead of making his way in their direction, he heads towards a group of parents.
"Mr. Fisher? I'm Zach Stevens, a friend of your daughter's." Zach holds out his hand, which Greg Fisher takes.
"I know of you. Your father is a senator, right? What can I do for you?"
"Well I know that Jimmy Cooper handles your investments for you-"
Greg looks confused. "How do you know that?"
"-and I thought that you might want to see this. Apparently the SEC has been investigating Mr. Cooper for fraud."
"Young man, I don't know how you got this but…Wait, did you say fraud?" Greg begins looking around the ballroom, presumably for Jimmy Cooper.
Zach removes an envelope from his tuxedo breast pocket and hands it to Greg, who takes it in a daze.
"Taylor Townsend, daughter of William and Veronica Townsend." Taylor joins her father in the stage and loops her arm through his. Ryan walks up to them, bows and escorts Taylor down to the dance floor.
"Lindsey Nichol, daughter of Caleb Nichol." Zach repeats the process Ryan just completed, escorting Caleb Nichol's youngest daughter to the ballroom floor.
"Summer Roberts, daughter of Neil and Linda Roberts." Seth bows to a smiling Summer, Dr. Roberts gives a disapproving glare, and Summer takes Seth's arm as she is led down to join the other couples.
"Marissa Cooper, daughter of James and Julie Cooper." Marissa, being lead debutante, is introduced last and is escorted by Luke to join their friends.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating this year's debutantes." Peggy leads all of the adults present in a loud round of applause. The music begins and the couples begin to dance.
Ryan & Taylor
"It was pretty cool of your dad to come out here for your debutante ball."
"Yeah, it was," Taylor says with a smile. "Ever since Kirsten talked me into getting back in touch with him, we've been getting along really well."
Ryan looks troubled. "I don't have to worry about losing you to your dad, do I?"
Taylor shakes her head and smiles. "That part of my life is over, Ryan. He has another family now. I'm still his daughter, but I belong here, with you."
"So you're all mine then?"
"For better or worse."
"Hopefully better. Let's light this dance floor on fire then." Ryan turns Taylor into a spin.
Seth & Summer
"Well my dad was really interested to know how I ended up with a felon instead of a politician's son for my escort to my debutante ball."
"Technically, I'm not a really a felon. I'm more of a misdemeanor-or. Misdemeanorie? Misdemeaneer?"
"Ouch!" Summer hits him in the chest. "Try and focus. You're missing your steps and hitting mine."
"Sorry, I'm not very light on my feet. So, back to your dad, he's not as bad as your ex, is he?" Seth looks a little worried.
"No, he's much worse. He actually cares about me." She looks over and sees that all of the color has drained from her escort's face. "Take it easy, Seth. My dad loves me and I like you, so it makes sense that he will like you too. He just needs to get to know you. Now, we need to go over your cover story. I'm thinking government agent. CIA, FBI, something like that."
"How about JLA?"
Luke & Marissa
"Have I told you that you look amazing tonight babe?" Luke smiles as he leads her in the waltz.
"Only about 15 times. Have I told you how much I love hearing you say that?"
"My guess is about 15 times."
"Good guess. So what's on the agenda for tonight," Marissa asks her boyfriend.
"I was thinking we could have everyone over to my place. Listen to some tunes, kill some brews, what do you think?"
"I think that as long as we end up in your room, I'm fine with whatever," Marissa purrs.
"Babe," Luke says, pleading, "we're in public. You can't say stuff like that. I'm getting turned on."
Marissa gets an evil glint to her eye. "Well, you'd better hold me closer then, don't you think?"
They are interrupted by yelling coming from the direction of the tables. Marissa looks over and sees Greg Fisher in her father's face, yelling. "No, I'm not going to keep it down. That is my money! That is my retirement! My kids' tuition! You son of a bitch!" Greg punches Jimmy in face and knocks him down onto the floor. He climbs on top of him and punches him again. "You thief! You took my money!"
Sandy runs over to try to pull Greg off Jimmy and is sucker punched for his trouble. Ryan and Luke grab Greg by his arms and drag him off the floor while Seth checks on Jimmy.
Later
"You okay Dad?" Ryan hands him an icepack.
"Now I know why I don't get into fights anymore." Sandy holds the ice pack up to his cheek.
"What are you talking about? He sucker punched you," Kirsten says incredulously. "You didn't have to jump in like that. Defend Jimmy."
"Eh. I always had this thing for the underdog."
Kirsten smiles.
"Hey Dad? I was thinking that maybe we could all hang out at home so Marissa won't have to be alone. Is that okay?"
"That should be fine." Ryan smiles and turns away. "Oh, and son? I'm proud of you for keeping your temper in check and not punching Greg Fisher in the face, as much as he deserved it."
"Thanks Dad." Ryan walks over to where Luke and Seth are standing, coats wrapped around their dates' shoulders, bowties untied.
"Hey man. Luke's got some important info."
"What's up," Ryan asks.
Luke hands him the piece of paper he has clinched in his fist. "I found this in my jacket pocket when I was giving it to Marissa. I don't know when it got put there."
I told you I'd have my people handle your bitch
"Oh shit." Ryan looks worried.
"I know. Don't tell Marissa. She's already stressed enough as it is. What does Zach have to do with what happened," Luke asks, looking around.
"Let's worry about it tomorrow. For right now, let's just take the girls back to my place and try to get Marissa feeling better."
"Great idea, my friend," Seth says and points to the door. "Homeward!"
The wheels were already turning in Ryan's head, however. It would take some real money and power to get illegal information like that. There was only one person in Newport with that much wealth and influence, along with a questionable set of morals. No matter which way he cut the deck, every card came up the King of Spades: Caleb Nichol.
A/N: So I'm sorry that this one took a little longer to get out there but I was having computer issues last night when I was typing it up. It's a lot longer to make up for that. I hope that this helps establish some background for the characters in this AU. Random fact of the chapter: The Cotillion is a dance that came from France in the 1700s and was originally made up of four couples in a square formation. In the United States, Cotillion has become training that children and young adults attend to learn manners and proper social behavior in the context of formal dance. So the show wasn't quite factually correct. Enjoy and please review!!
AZ
