(A/N:Sorry so long for the 7th chapter. I just moved and was without a computer for two weeks. But, I'm back now and I hope that you enjoy reading my story. Thank you all for your reviews and reads!)

Chapter 7: First Kiss

Ruthie rolled over on her side and clutched her pillow close to her. She thought for a second that it might have all been just a bad dream but knew instantly as she sat up in her bed realizing that she had fallen asleep in her clothes from the night before. She walked over to her mirror and saw how puffy her eyes were from crying. She glanced over at the clock and saw that it still thirty minutes til it was time for her to get up for school. She decided to go ahead and get ready early before everyone else.

Across the street, Martin was up too. He was pacing his room and still mad at Peter. He didn't want Peter to hurt Ruthie and he was going to have talk to him today. But, his main concern at this moment was Ruthie. He didn't want to leave her alone outside to wait for the bus; he decided that he was going to drive her to school. He started getting ready so that he could.

Ruthie felt much better after taking a nice long shower and getting ready for the day. Her eyes didn't seem too puffy now and she felt like perhaps she could just move on and forget the whole mess with Peter. She came downstairs to Martin sitting at the kitchen table having some cereal with Sam and David. She smiled and was happy to see him.

"Hi" she said and then adding, "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I thought that you might need a ride to school and seeing that I am going there myself, I thought that I could give you a ride?" Martin said.

"Sure," Ruthie said sitting down reaching for the cereal from Sam who was reading the back of the box.

It became instantly easier for her to forget the whole thing with Peter as she sat there and looked at Martin. He was so kind and she knew that he would never ever hurt her or not trust her. She smiled and said, "It was nice of you to come by."

"Anytime," Martin said.

They finished their breakfast and Annie waved bye to Martin and Ruthie as they headed outside.

Ruthie almost screamed when she saw Peter standing there at the bottom of the steps and she reached for Martin who was already standing in front of her.

"Peter, what are doing here? Go away, I told you I don't want to see you anymore." Ruthie said stepping out from behind Martin.

"See, this is what I was talking about. I'm out of the picture for not even a day and you are already running back into his arms. I knew there was something between you two." Peter said.

Martin looked at Ruthie and then back at Peter and said, "I don't really have time to deal with you right now, but, you need to get out of my way."

"You want me out of your way, make me!" Peter snapped back.

"You're not worth it", said Martin as he reached for Ruthie's hand and walked by Peter and headed across the street to his car. They walked quickly and Ruthie couldn't help but look behind them to make sure that Peter wasn't there. Peter was still standing in her driveway by his car and she was scared. She never knew that Peter could make her scared. She tried not to cry, but, couldn't help as she sat down in Martin's car while he walked around to the driver's side.

Martin looked back towards Peter who was standing facing him arms opened saying, "Come on, Brewer. You chicken?"

Martin rolled his eyes and opened his car was sadden to see Ruthie upset. He reached for his bag in the back and grabbed a clean t-shirt and brought it up to Ruthie's face. "Don't cry."

"Why does he have to be so mean?" Ruthie said.

"I don't know. But, he's not going to hurt you. I won't let that happen." Martin said putting his hand on her shoulder.

Peter couldn't see what was happening in Martin's car, he was so mad he could scream. He went back to his car and slammed the door shut. He saw Kevin and Eric headed over to him. He was worried about what they were going to do.

Kevin walked up to Peter's window and knocked. Peter slowly rolled it down.

"You are to leave Ruthie alone." Kevin said.

"And what makes you think that she wants me to leave her alone?" Peter said.

Eric stepped up closer to Peter and Peter saw Eric more furious than he had ever seen him, "You will leave my daughter alone or I will have a restraining order put against you. I am sorry that you are so angry and upset right now. But, you really need to talk to someone and I'm sorry, that can not be me. I will not stand by and let someone harm my daughter. So, I hope that you understand me and Kevin when we tell you, not ask you, tell you that you will leave Ruthie alone."

Peter had never felt so little in his life. He never thought that it was possible for Eric to get this upset. He immediately straightened up in his car and nodded as he pulled away respectfully and went down the street.

Kevin looked over at Eric with a huge grin, "I'm proud of you, Dad."

Eric looked over at Kevin and said, "No one hurts my family."

"I know exactly how you feel; I'm glad that you talked to him. I think that you got through to him." Kevin said.

Kevin and Eric went towards the house and didn't even realize that the whole time Martin and Ruthie were still sitting there in Martin's car across the street.

Ruthie felt better and turned to Martin and said, "Thanks for coming over today, I don't know what I would have done if was just Peter and me by myself. He scares him now."

"Has he ever been like this before?" Martin asked.

"No. Well, I guess not. He just always had this thing about you. He didn't like it when I talked about you at all." Ruthie said almost blushing remembering how just yesterday she had admitted to Martin that she loved him years ago.

"Well, you don't have worry about Peter. I would never let anyone hurt you as long as I am around." Martin said.

"I know", Ruthie said with a small smile.

"Well, we better get going; you don't want to be late for school." Martin said.

"Do you think that you could miss a day of your scouting?" Ruthie asked somewhat joking.

"Ruthie Camden, are you suggesting what I think you are?" laughed Martin.

"I was just kidding, sort of. I really don't feel like going to school today and I definitely don't want to face Peter." Ruthie said.

"Well, school will be over before you know it and how about we do something afterwards." Martin suggested.

"Really?" Ruthie said as they headed off towards school.

"Yes, really. Why do you seem so shocked?" Martin asked.

"No reason. That'll be nice. I'll just let my mom know later." Ruthie said.

"Okay." Martin said smiling. He actually felt better and felt like he could have a chance with Ruthie if he took things slowly.

Ruthie sat there thinking about how much her life changed in the past 24 hours. She was very content sitting in Martin's car beside him as they drove off to school. It brought back many memories as well as many feelings. Ruthie thought that she could easily forget how much she loved Martin, but, little did she know, those feelings were going to come back to her stronger than ever.

Ruthie wasn't paying attention and rested her hand down beside her to only find her hand right next to Martin's. She took a breath and decided to hold his hand. She would see how he would respond. Martin took hold of hers and smiled but didn't look at her. She liked that he smiled; she liked a lot of things about him.

They got to school and Martin parked out by the track near the coach's office.

"Well, we are here. Are you ready for a full day of school?" Martin said smiling as he turned to Ruthie.

"Yes, but, I do want to tell you something." Ruthie said.

"What's that?" Martin asked.

"Thank you. Thank you for being there for me." Ruthie said and she leaned in to kiss him on the cheek.

But, that's not where the kiss landed. Martin and Ruthie had found themselves in their first kiss. They kissed for a few seconds before Ruthie backed away suddenly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean too." Ruthie said blushing.

"I'm not sorry. And I hope that you meant too. I have wanted to kiss you for a long time." Martin said.

Ruthie smiled.

Martin leaned in towards Ruthie and kissed her once more. Ruthie could feel her heart pound and knew from that moment on, Martin was the guy she had been waiting for all along.

Stay tuned…