I decided to make this a series of one-shots. They go together, but the plots aren't necessarily linked. I don't own the characters or anything, except for my writing.

As Marissa approached the pool house, she lightly knocked on the door before throwing it open. Ryan stood shirtless in the middle of the room and she couldn't help but laugh. "Sorry," she said as she walked in and closed the door behind her.

Ryan tossed on a wifebeater and a blue button up shirt, smiling warmly at her. "I guess we're even now." He crossed the room, taking her in his arms. As his lips brushed against hers, her hands ran over his chest and arms, remembering the sight of his bare chest. She'd seen it plenty of times before, but it'd been a long time.

She pulled back and lied down on his bed, pulling him down beside her. She rested her head on his chest savoring the warmth of his body and listening to the familiar beating of his heart. His fingers ran through the soft tresses of her hair, and he kissed the top of her head.

"It's too bad your mom came back early."

Marissa turned to look up at him and smiled. "Yeah, definitely." She leaned up and kissed him. "She said it was because of the launch of the magazine, but I think she would have known about that before she left."

Ryan frowned. "Yeah. Is it me, or has she been acting a little...different?"

"Yeah, she's actually being sort of...nice. Oh, and apparently, she likes you now. She was like, thrilled when I told her we were back together."

"Weird," Ryan chuckled. "I hope you won't hold that against me."

Marissa shrugged and gave him a teasing smile. "Anyone who can get on my mom's good side without giving her money or sleeping with her has got to be pretty amazing." She thought back to the rager, when they'd been in her bedroom and he'd told her she was amazing. He seemed to be thinking about it too.

"Thanks again for helping me and Trey patch things up."

"I'm glad I could help." She hesitated before asking, "Has he talked to that girl from the party? Is she okay?"

"She's going to be. He went to go see her and she didn't remember him."

"Ouch! And here I thought it was impossible to forget an Atwood."

He smiled, tilting her head up so they were face to face. He lightly touched his lips to hers. She deepened the kiss by pulling his head down towards her, running her fingers through his hair. His body began to move slightly against hers and she wrapped one of her legs around him to pull them closer together. Her finger traced his belt buckle and tugged on it a little. He moaned, rolling her over so he was looming above her.

His eyes gazed into hers, clouded with lust. His hair was messy, as if he'd just rolled out of bed. His slightly swollen lips were parted as he breathed heavily.

Just as he leaned down to kiss her again, the pool house door flew open and Summer stormed in. "Hey Ryan, do you...Oh my gosh! I am so sorry!"

Ryan and Marissa quickly separated and Marissa smoothed out her clothes. "I really need to get a lock on that door," Ryan whispered to Marissa. "What's up, Summer?"

"I am so sorry. Ryan, do you know where Seth is? He's not in the house and I couldn't get him on his cell."

"I think he said something about working on the comic book...er, graphic novel."

Summer's eyes widened and Marissa could see tears forming. "Okay, thanks guys. Sorry, I'll just let you get back to...whatever you were doing."

"Sum, wait," Marissa gestured for Summer to come back and she gave Ryan a look telling him to give them some privacy.

Ryan got the hint. "I'm just going to go get some water. Do you want anything?"

"Do you guys have tea?" Summer asked.

"Sure, I'll go make some."

"Thanks!" Marissa called after him as he walked back to the house. "Okay Sum, what's going on with Seth?"

Summer sniffled, fighting back tears. "Reed. She's helping him and Zach with the comic book."

"The girl Zach brought to the party?" Summer nodded. "And your jealous because Zach's with someone else?"

"No! Not really, I want him to be happy, and she seems really great. Seth's the problem."

"What's the problem?"

"He's been acting really weird since he started working with her. And Zach said he's been really weirded out by the possiblity of him dating her because it might ruin the whole 'business dynamic.'"

"Oh, Sum, I'm sorry." Marissa hugged her tightly. "Just talk to him before you freak out. Seth loves you."

Summer looked down sadly. "I know."

"Why don't we go back to my house? We'll eat ice cream, watch chick flicks-"

"No," Summer interrupted. Marissa had waited for months to be back with Ryan and she wasn't go to get in the way of it. "Thanks, but I have to get home. The step-monster suddenly decided that we should bond."

Marissa giggled. "Okay, have fun with that."

"Trust me," Summer raised her eyebrows mischievously. "I will. Thanks Coop."

They hugged again and Summer was out the door. When Ryan came back holding two cups of tea, he looked at Marissa confused. "She okay?"

"I think so."

"What did Seth do?"

"You know how he's doing that comic book?"

Ryan nodded, then bit his lip and looked down. He could see where this was going.

"Has Seth told you about his new colleague?"

Ryan didn't reply, but his face said it all.

Marissa sighed. "I guess we're the functional couple now."

"Don't worry, I'm sure it won't last," he replied in a mock reassuring voice.

She playfully smacked his chest. "Oh yeah?"

Ryan smiled and pulled her close to him. "Yeah."

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