I really liked your story and think it made some really good points about the R/M relationship. I'm not really a big fan of R/M or Marissa in general and I agree that he saw as an obligation. He thought it was his job to make sure she was okay. I also think he recognize the faults that you laid out here. I feel like he was so nice to Johnny in the beginning because he knew this is something Marissa does and he was trying not to repeat the whole Oliver thing but despite Marissa's many many faults I think he still loved her. I think the bitter tone is the correct one because no matter what he or how he acted the situation always turned out the same so by the time they broke up I felt like Ryan was just tired. Any way this very long post is just my way of saying that you story really had me thinking and I really enjoyed it.

i am sorry you feel that way. i just came across this story and read your other stories. your writing is so beautiful and it is always deep! so i am really sorry you missed the finer points in marissa character. she was confused and sad and impulsive but underneath it all she had a beautiful heart which is why ryan loved her so much! please i beg you to go through the season again... you'll realise what i am talking about!

Damn good writing and what a great insight into the whole f*ed up dynamic that was Ryan and Marissa's relationship.

well this was pretty good, but I think you made ryan a little out of character, don't you? I mean, you made it seem like he's so bitter and he's stuck with marissa and hates her? I know marissa isn't the most popular character on the show, but she isn't this bad...

however I can understand the idea of "going through the motions" because their relationship has been pretty lame this season, but I still think you exagerrated it a little... well other than that, this was pretty good, and interesting. :)

Lovely. I love it. It makes perfect sense, without completley dragging Marissa through the dirt (as satisfying as that would be). Perfect.

I loved your story pm153!! I am not a fan of the M/R couple. I agree, they don't belong together. You are right, Marissa is always flirting and spending a lot of time with guys (that she claims as "just friends") like oliver,trey and johnny. It was a very interesting take on how Ryan really feels about Marissa. Well Done!

This was very interesting. I happen to love Ryan and Marissa together, but lately I have been wondering some of the same things. Their relationship this year, after the third episode, has been without any passion and has turned Ryan into a blubbering idiot. So as much as I hate to say it, seeing how I am addicted to RM, this was a very insightful and good story. Nice job.