A/N: Okay everyone, here's Part 2 to "It's You, It's Always Been You"! I've got my ideas all laid out, but it will take a while to get it all processed, so bear with me. Thanks for all of the great reviews…you guys are so inspiring! This part takes off a few months after Ruthie and Martin have been dating, but I'll give you a bit of background. Enjoy! Please r&r.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Ruthie waited patiently by the side of Martin's car, taking her sweater off to enjoy the hot weather. Martin was unusually late today and Ruthie wondered what was keeping him. He knew that they were riding home together, so where was he?

"Ruthie?" came a close-by female voice.

Ruthie turned to see Meredith and smiled unsteadily. Things with Meredith had recently gotten a lot better; they were on speaking terms now, but mostly just the odd hi in the hallway or at church. But now Meredith was heading straight for her. Ruthie always got nervous when Meredith was around.

"Hi Meredith," Ruthie greeted. "How are you?"

"Good, thanks. Sorry we haven't really spoken in a while. I guess things were harder for me than I thought," Meredith admitted.

Ruthie smiled. "It's okay. I'm just really sorry that I never got the chance to explain things to you."

Meredith held up a hand and shook her head. "Please don't. It's still not okay with me. I just thought that it would be a good idea to start talking again given we'll be spending prom night together."

Ruthie gave Meredith a confused look. "Prom night?"

Meredith blushed. "Martin didn't tell you?"

A wave of panic washed over Ruthie. Martin had been acting weird for the last two weeks. He was distracted and now today, he was late. Was he planning on taking Meredith to the prom?

"Mac asked me to go to the prom with him."

Ruthie gave a sigh of relief and almost giggled out loud over her silliness. "That's really nice, Meredith. And Martin's okay with this?"

"He was the one who suggested it actually. You have nothing to worry about since it's pretty obvious that the only thing on Martin's mind these days is you," Meredith assured. "But if you have a problem with Mac bringing me, I won't go."

Ruthie shook her head and smiled warmly at the girl who used to be such a great friend. "I think you and Mac going to the prom is a great idea. I think we'll all have a good time. I was a little worried over who Mac might be bringing. I'm glad it's you."

Meredith smiled and, impulsively, hugged Ruthie. "I should go," she stammered, stepping back awkwardly. "I'll see ya around."

As Ruthie watched Meredith walk away, she smiled to herself. Mac and Meredith! It made so much sense! Ruthie was glad that Martin had suggested it, showing that he was completely over his ex-girlfriend. Now if he would just show up soon.

"Sorry!" Martin called from across the now-empty parking lot. "I got caught up with the Guidance Counselor."

"Everything okay?" Ruthie asked, as Martin unlocked her door and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

Martin shrugged. "Just last minute college stuff, that's all. I did see you and Meredith talking. Everything okay on that front?"

Ruthie smiled and gave Martin a look. "Why didn't you tell me that she and Mac were going to the prom together?"

Martin shrugged. "I wasn't sure that Mac would actually ask her, or that you would be okay with it. So, you are, okay with it?"

Ruthie nodded. "I think it's a good match, so kudos to you!"

Martin put the car into reverse and backed out of his usual parking spot. He was parked at the gate, waiting for the traffic to disperse, to make his turn and head for home, when Ruthie put her hand on his leg.

"We still have a bit before supper," she pointed out.

Martin smiled at Ruthie, the girl he was crazy about, getting crazier by the minute. He knew what she was suggesting and it didn't take long for him to flip the car's signal in the other direction.

Since they had begun dating a few months earlier, Martin and Ruthie's relationship had been progressing nicely. They had weathered her parents' constant interference and 'advice' from her older brothers and sister. And they had discovered how easy it was to go from being friends to being a couple.

Martin parked the car in their usual spot; under a huge weeping willow tree with a gorgeous view of a small pond and an old oak-filled forest. Oddly enough, they had discovered this place completely by accident. Martin had been giving Ruthie one of her first driving lessons, which was not exactly working out well. Martin told Ruthie to go left, Ruthie went right, and into this secluded piece of heaven, they came. It was the one place where they could be alone and not have to worry about the Camden spy team finding them.

Most times they would sit in the car and talk about the things they hoped for, were scared of, wanted to cry over. Some times they would sit in silence, holding hands and enjoying the peacefulness of nature. Today, Martin sensed that Ruthie wanted something more than good conversation or peaceful silence.

Martin turned off the ignition and turned to Ruthie with an expectant smile. "So? We're here."

Ruthie threw herself into Martin's waiting arms, pressing her mouth fully to his. They kissed each other warmly, enjoying their cocoon of comfort. Ruthie loved the way she felt when Martin kissed her, especially when it was just the two of them. Without the worry of parents or nosy friends, Martin would kiss her fully, without hesitation or reserve. These were the kisses Ruthie spent sleepless nights fantasizing about.

Martin placed a hand behind Ruthie's neck, drawing her body into his, opening his mouth to hers and tasting Ruthie completely. As the car began to heat up, Martin, reluctantly drew his mouth away from Ruthie's, breathing heavily and placing both hands on the steering wheel.

"Something wrong?" Ruthie asked.

Martin's brow creased and he took a deep breath. "What's wrong is that I'm crazy about you, Ruthie Camden. And when we kiss the way we were just kissing, I want to throw you into the back seat of this car and do ungodly things to you. We agreed to tone things down a bit, didn't we?"

Ruthie straightened in her seat. The last time they had been together like this was at Martin's house, in his bedroom. Ruthie blushed, remembering the day like it was yesterday.

There was gentle music playing in the background, Lifehouse maybe. Ruthie wasn't sure and didn't care. All that mattered was how wonderful she felt being in Martin's arms, feeling his kisses on her neck, enjoying the steady warmth growing inside her.

How had they gone from doing their homework to lying on Martin's bed, involved in a pretty wild make out session? Who care! Ruthie told herself. Martin has never been like this with you and you're loving every minute of it!

Of course, it was bound to happen. Ruthie and Martin couldn't seem to ever get any privacy. If it wasn't a member of the Camden family spying on them, it was someone from the community. And then there was Mac, who had no girlfriend and wanted to hang out constantly with his two friends. It seemed like whenever there was a moment alone, Ruthie and Martin were kissing.

"Ruthie?" Martin asked suddenly, stopping his trail of kisses.

Ruthie couldn't speak. She couldn't form a logical thought in her head for the life of her! She looked deeply into Martin's mesmerizing eyes and pulled him back down for another kiss.

And that's how Ruthie ended up topless…

"Ruthie?" Martin asked, bringing her back to present day. "I think we should get going."

Ruthie nodded her head. "I'll try to do better."

Martin smiled and brought Ruthie close to his side, kissing the top of her head. "If this were anyone else it wouldn't be this hard. But I'm glad that it is."