Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with the OC

"Ry, I think we are done. This house is spotless!" Seth and Ryan had been cleaning non-stop for 4 hours trying to get the house back to its normal stage.

"You got the guest rooms right?" Ryan asked looking up from his spot on the floor where he was picking up some final plastic cups and cleaning up a beer stain.

"Yeah. You got the kitchen?"

"Yeah, I think we're good." Seth stepped back and put his arms on his hips eyeing the living room. "They won't suspect a thing. I have to say man, we threw one hell of a party. Not that you would remember, you drunk," Seth said jokingly.

"I wasn't that drunk. Just a little buzzed is all."

"Okay, whatever you say. Hey Ryan?"

Ryan turned around. "What?"

Seth flicked him on the forehead. "Ow, what the hell!" Ryan said stepping back from Seth and holding his forehead.

"If you weren't drunk then you wouldn't have a hangover, and if you didn't have a hangover you wouldn't have a headache, and since obviously that miniscule flick hurt your head you most definitely have a headache which you would only have if you had a hangover which only occurs in the after event of drinking too much. Which you did."

Ryan just stared at Seth. "What?"

Seth sighed. "What I'm saying is that the flick hurt you because you have a hangover. You don't just get a hangover for no reason."

"Seth. You flicked me hard. That would hurt anyone. Hangover or no hangover. How would you like it if I flicked you? I'd be happy to demonstrate what you did to me. Just come over here."

"I'm okay without it. But thanks for the offer."

"No seriously. Just come over here and let me show you what you did." Ryan started walking towards Seth with his hand outstretched ready to flick.

"Ryan! Stop it! I have a very sensitive skull! I don't think you'd want to be the one responsible for giving me permanent brain damage because I doubt my parents would like that."

"I doubt it would make a difference." Ryan said advancing towards Seth.

Seth turned around and ran out towards the front foyer. Ryan quickly ran after him and before Seth was even at the front door Ryan had tackled him to the floor.

"Owwwww!" Seth yelled covering his face and turning away from Ryan's oncoming hand. "Leave me alone you devil child! Leave me alooonneee!"

"Boys? What are you doing?"

At the sound of Kirsten's voice Seth breathed a sigh of relief. Ryan wouldn't hurt him in front of his parents. As Ryan got up off the floor and let Seth go he made sure to give him a hard flick to the top of his head.

"Ow. Jeez, man." Seth walked over to his parents and hid behind Sandy peeking around his fathers shoulder and sticking his tongue out at Ryan.

"Seth. Ryan. What are you two doing?" Sandy asked stepping away from Seth and looking at the two boys.

"Ryan was chasing me around the house! He flicked me! Did you not see what just happened right before your own eyes? He flicked me!" Seth ranted.

"I only flicked you because you flicked me first."

"Yeah, but only to prove that you're hungov……" Seth stopped and abruptly looked over at his parents who were now frowning.

"What were you saying, Seth?" Kirsten asked.

"Uh, I wanted to prove the point that Ryan was…….um……"

"I'm pretty sure he was, uh, speaking in metaphors." Ryan cut in.

"Yes, exactly. Because, you see, we had such a good time this weekend just hanging around at home, all alone, and I was just saying that the two of us are hangover from all the fun we've had these past 48 hours. You know, it's like sort of the same as a hangover, except without the headache and all tha…."

"Ryan, what happened to your face!" Kirsten broke in.

Ryan touched his cheek where his shiner was. "Oh. That. Um, well actually, funny story. Uh, yesterday I woke up in the middle of the night and I, um, fell out of bed."

"And landed on your cheek." Sandy said, obviously not believing their cover story.

"Well, I landed on a weird angle. I'm not really sure how it happened. I guess I was still, uh, a little bit asleep I guess." Ryan said, not meeting Sandy or Kirsten's gaze.

"I was there," Seth broke in, sensing Ryan was fresh out of ideas. "Saw the whole thing. It was very funny actually. And man, he really landed on a strange angle. It was like nothing I've ever seen before. He sort of fell out of bed face first and landed right on his cheek. And yes, I know you're probably not believing that he landed on his cheekbone but would I lie to you? No. Absolutely not."

Kirsten continued to glare at the two boys while Sandy took the bags into their bedroom.

"And you're not lying to us, are you?" Kirsten asked. "Because if you are, now is the time to come clean about it."

"Mom, I swear to you we're being hon…."

"OH MY GOD!" Seth was broken off by Sandy's yell. "SETH, RYAN! GET IN HERE NOW!"

Ryan and Seth nervously glanced at each other. Kirsten ran ahead of them to see what the matter was.

"You didn't get my parents bedroom?" Seth asked.

"No, that was your job! I got the kitchen, the bathrooms, the backyard, the dining room, and the living room. Your only job was to get all the bedrooms, and you forgot to do that!"

"Shit."

"We are so fucking screwed. Thanks a lot Seth."

"Ryan, you should have checked."

"Why? It was your job, why should I have to check it?"

"Ugh, whatever. Let's just go and get this over with."

The two boys walked into their parents' bedroom to find the room turned upside down. The sheets and duvet had been torn off of the mattress and thrown on the floor amongst the many piles of clothes. The bed was sideways and Kirsten's make up had been scattered across the room.

Seth and Ryan quickly glanced at each other. Neither of them had thought one room could be messed up as much as this one had. And out of all the rooms in the house it just had to be Sandy and Kirsten's.

"Do either of you want to explain this?" Sandy asked. He looked livid. His arms were on his hips and he was pacing the floor, dodging the clothes, make up, and sheets that littered the room.

"Uhh……" Seth started.

"We're really sorry. We were going to have a few friends over and it got a little out of hand. We meant to clean everything up. We know we disobeyed you and we're ready for whatever punishment you see fit." Ryan cut in, not meeting Sandy or Kirsten's angry eyes.

"After we specifically told you not to do anything like this you go ahead and do it anyway. I can't tell you how angry and disappointed I am in the two of you," Sandy said.

Seth and Ryan looked down at the floor.

"The two of you will clean up this room until it's spotless. And along with it, you'll be cleaning the rest of the house. You can't use the car, no PlayStation, no TV, no computers, and no girls. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal." Seth said as Ryan nodded.

"Don't get smart with me Seth. The two of you are in big trouble. I mean it. You can start cleaning up this room now. I want it clean by the time I go to bed tonight. Your mother and I are going to go determine how long you boys will be grounded." Sandy walked out of the room.

"I'm really disappointed in you guys." Kirsten added before going out the same way her husband had.

"Well, I have to say that wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it was going to be. Let me tell you, when my dad gets mad he turns into the hulk. Minus the shirt ripping off, thank God. And his muscles don't instantly grow either. And he doesn't turn green. So he doesn't actually turn into the hulk but figuratively speaking he does."

"Seth, were you listening to what they just said? How can you think we're not in trouble?"

"No, I know we're in trouble. But I was just expecting something a lot worse. Like maybe being condemned to sleep in a cellar or something."

"Do you even have a cellar?"

"No, but it's the scariest sounding room I could think of. It wouldn't sound anywhere near as dramatic if I had said we'd be condemned to sleeping in the guest room."

Ryan sighed. "Lets start cleaning this up."

The two brothers worked together to straighten the bed and then began picking up clothes and cosmetics. After an hour straight of cleaning, the room looked like it had before Sandy and Kirsten left.

"I have to say man, we're good. We managed to straighten out this room and when we started it looked like a herd of water polo players had gotten in here. Actually I bet that's how this room ended up this way."

"Let's go get your parents. They probably want to make sure we did a good enough job."

"Ry, this room is spotless, there's no chance in hell it's not good enough for them."

Ryan walked out of the bedroom closely followed by Seth.

As they walked by the front door on their way to the kitchen Ryan noticed a person standing on the outside of the door.

"Hold on Seth. There's someone at the door."

Ryan walked up to the door and opened it. Marissa was standing there in a denim mini skirt and a blue Lacoste shirt. As usual, Ryan thought she looked stunning.

"Hey, Marissa. What's up?" he asked after pulling her into a kiss.

"I just wanted to come by and see if you were able to come down to the pier with me. Are Sandy and Kirsten back yet?" she asked stepping into the doorway.

"Um, it might be better if we went around the back. Seth, can you just say I went back to the pool house to get a sweater or something?" He asked turning to face Seth, who was still standing there.

"Yeah, sure. But don't take to long."

"I won't," he assured Seth. "Come on let's go." Ryan closed the door behind him once he and Marissa had gotten outside.

"So how come we can't go through the house? I thought you guys cleaned up everything." Marissa asked leaning into Ryan.

Before turning the corner to the backyard Ryan stuck his head around the edge to make sure they were out of view.

"Well, we thought we did. But we forgot Sandy and Kirsten's room."

"Ouch." Marissa scrunched up her face in sympathy. "Are you guys grounded?"

"If we aren't then I'll be very surprised. But I didn't see you at all last night and I'm willing to risk adding a week's grounding if I get to spend a little bit more time with you." He smiled at her as he pulled her into a kiss.

"Yeah, where were you last night? I was looking for you."

"I don't exactly remember."

"What do you mean you don't remember?"

"I think I was drunk."

Marissa laughed. "You? You know, I don't think I've ever seen you drunk. I'm sorry I missed out on it."

"It's nothing great. Seth told me I just had a slur and told him that I loved him."

Marissa laughed again. "Then I'm really sorry I missed it. I love hearing you say you love people. Especially me."

"I…..love……you." Ryan said in between kisses.

Marissa smiled against his lips. "Glad to hear it. I love it when you say that." Marissa put her hands in his hair pulling him even closer to her body. "And for the record," she said pulling away for a second and looking into his eyes, "I love you to."

Ryan smiled. "Glad to hear it."

When they reached the pool house Ryan had his arm draped around her waist and Marissa was leaning into him.

"Aren't we pretty visible to Sandy and Kirsten right now? I thought they were in the kitchen." Marissa asked, glancing towards the house.

"Seth said he'd cover for me. He probably knew that we were coming here so I guess he took them into another room. They're not there. At least I can't see them." Ryan said looking over towards the main house.

"Well, let's get inside just in case."

Ryan opened the door and walked in after Marissa.

When he closed the door behind him and turned around he jumped. Sandy was standing there with his arms crossed and a stern expression on his face.

"Ryan. Say goodbye to Marissa. I want to talk to you."

Ryan turned around to face Marissa. She gave him a small smile before quickly pecking him on the cheek and rushing out the door. Ryan turned around to face Sandy who was still wearing the same pissed off expression on his face.

"Did we not tell you just an hour ago that you weren't allowed to see the girls for a while?"

"Um, yeah. Uh, I actually was coming to get my sweater though, and I uh, saw her so I said hi."

"And asked if she wanted to come back to the pool house."

"Sorry." Ryan said, looking down.

"Not only were you just grounded, you also know the rule of not having a girl in the pool house if Kirsten or I don't know about it. So you just broke two of the rules that you should know. You've just added a week to your punishment."

Ryan didn't say anything but continued to stare at his feet.

"I expected better of you, Ryan. I'm really disappointed in you. You're grounded for 5 weeks and Seth will be grounded for 4. I expect you to be in the house for dinner in 25 minutes. Don't leave the pool house until then." With that Sandy left the pool house leaving Ryan standing with his hands in his pockets and his head facing the floor.

He walked over to his bed and sat down. Even under the circumstances he couldn't keep the smile off his face. Marissa had looked so beautiful this evening and now he couldn't get her out of his head. Not that he could usually but now it seemed more then ever. With every day he fell more in love with her.

Ryan's default ring tone shook him from his thoughts of Marissa. He looked over at the caller I.D and saw that it was the main house. Confused, he picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Dude, what did The Sandman say? I tried to keep him away but he didn't buy the sweater thing. He said that it was 25 degrees and you didn't need a sweater so he went out to the pool house to see where you were. I tried to stop him, I swear," Seth said in one breath.

"I just got grounded for an extra week. No big deal."

"No big deal! Are you insane? I'm grounded for a month and I don't think I'm going to make it. That's a whole 30 days without my babies."

"Your babies?"

"Yeah, Play Station, my music, TV, and every other single luxury we have in this house. I have nothing left to do other then read. Maybe now would be a good chance to re-start Atomic County. I have some good story lines in mind for Kid Chino and The Ironist to have. Such as a crazy party and the torture the parental figures will put them through when they get home. This can be like an autobiography only in graphic novel form. How awesome would that be?"

"Wait, are we allowed to use the phone?"

"No, but just make sure you're not near a window. And don't talk too loud. And if they come in and you're on the phone say you're ordering a pizza or something."

"Why would I be ordering a pizza?"

"Uh, because your hungry. God Ryan, you are so dim sometimes."

"Thanks Seth."

"I was joking, man. But dinner's soon so we should probably get off the phone. I'm sure mom or dad will be in soon to tell us both dinner's ready."

"Are you in your room right now?"

"Yes I am. If you moved over to the window facing the ocean I'd be able to see you. I'll see you at dinner."

"Okay, see y…"

"Ryan, sweetie. Din….were you on the phone?"

Ryan froze with the phone still next to his ear.

"Um……well, yes."

"Why? We just told you that there was no phone allowed." Kirsten said crossing he arms and putting on a stern voice.

Ryan thought frantically. He said the first thing that came to his head. "Uh, I was just ordering a pizza. I was hungry."

Kirsten looked confused. "Didn't Sandy tell you that dinner was almost ready?"

"Yeah but uh, I wanted to order, um, a small pizza, uh, because I was really hungry. And you know, for like…..snacks……you know, like during the night" He put a hand on his stomach for effect.

Kirsten stared at him for a minute. "I just want you to know that I don believe you for a second, but I think your punishments long enough as it is. I won't tell Sandy about this but if I catch you on the phone again you can expect something much worse."

"Thank you."

"Your welcome. Dinner's ready so I want you to come in now. We're having dinner as a family tonight."

"Okay." Ryan followed Kirsten out the door and into the main house. The two of them walked into the kitchen to find Seth sitting at the table with his head down and Sandy glaring at the top of his sons head.

"What happened?" Kirsten sighed as she sat down opposite Sandy.

"When I went in to tell Seth dinner was ready, I found him on the phone."

Kirsten looked over at Ryan. Ryan looked over at Seth.

"Oh, well I think we can let this go. But Seth?" Seth looked up from the spot on his lap he had been staring at and looked at his mother. "If this happens again you're in even bigger trouble. Understood?"

Seth nodded.

The dinner was a silent affair aside from the clanging of knives and forks and the occasional cough.

"So," Ryan started. "How was your trip?"

"It was good. Would have been even better if we came back to a clean bedroom." Sandy replied. Ryan looked down.

"Sandy, they've learned their lesson. They're grounded and they won't do it again. Let's just try to have a nice dinner now okay?" Kirsten said staring at her husband.

"Okay. I'm sorry, Ryan. It was good, thanks for asking. You should see the San Fernando Valley from where we were. The hotel we stayed in was amazing. The view was absolutely beautiful. We got pictures to show you boys."

"That sounds cool, dad." Seth spoke up. "Why'd you go somewhere so close to home?"

"We just wanted a little getaway. Nothing big. And besides we only had 2 days." Kirsten said.

"So you boys want to tell us a little bit more about your weekend?" Sandy asked.

Seth and Ryan glanced at each other. "Uh……"

"I already know about the little party you had. You made it pretty obvious," Sandy said. "What I really want to know is how Ryan got that shiner."

Okay, here's the next chapter! I hope you liked it. Please review! The end was kind of rushed but my dad was making me get off the computer since I spend way too much time on it. Lol. So sorry about the ending. Thanks for reading! You can expect the next chapter to be up soon. Sometime in the next week for sure.

Next chapter: how is Ryan going to explain his shiner? And more Ryan/Marissa.