Ok, so I am still very much Marissa/Ryan orientated so I will continue to dedicate my time to their stories. This one is set about 6 months after Marissa left Newport Beach to work on the boat. Once again, I own nothing in the OC

Marissa let her eyes scan over the vast ocean landscape. Sea-gulls circled overhead, squawking like a bunch of lunatics. Yet, somehow it was soothing. The water lapped at the sides of the boat, splashing and foaming. God, it was so beautiful out here. No matter how long she sat there and stared out at her surroundings, she never saw another soul. But that's what she wanted, wasn't it? It was her choice to come out here to work with her father. And, it wasn't like she hadn't had any fun. But something was missing. 'Ryan', she whispered to herself. Though he had let her go, they both knew that they didn't really want to part. It wasn't the same as two years ago when he left for Chino. This time their relationship was both bounded by love and friendship. The two weren't together when she left, but might as well have been. No matter what managed to tear them apart, they always ended up back in each others arms. And right now, that's where she wanted to be, in his strong muscular arms where she fit in so well.

Wiping away a small tear, she looked down at her notepad and read over the letter again,

Dear Ryan,

I am having a great time, thanks. Yes, the weather is great here. I have spent days on end just gazing upon it. The work is harder than I imagined it would be though. I suppose it is because I have never done any 'manual' labour before, as you said before I left. Dad has helped me a bit though, and the people are real nice. But it's not the same without you. I could just imagine you assisting my father, and then spending the night with me on the deck, staring up at the stars. You would love it; it's so clear and fresh. Remember when you were going to catch a boat to sail away from me? I feel pretty guilty, committing the exact same crime. But I shall return soon, hopefully. I never thought I would leave Newport, especially move away from you. But here I am. I wish you had come with me. Dad says that you would have been quite the 'skipper', whatever that means. I haven't really improved on my Boating Vocabulary, as you can tell.

This one day, we stopped off at an island that was uninhabited. It wasn't even on a map. Anyway, I jumped off in my bikini without putting any sunscreen on. We were out all day. It was so beautiful; you should have seen the birds I saw. Mick, that's Dad's friend, swore he heard an elephant. When we got back on board, I went into the bathroom to find myself bright red! I was like a tomato, and, when I took my bikinis off, you could really see the difference. I almost cried it was so painful. Haha, could you imagine Seth if he was in my position? Anyway, I peeled so badly for almost a week after that. But I got an excellent tan, so I suppose it was worth it, in a way.

How's things back home? I hear you leave for college next week. That should be great for you, meeting new people and some possible love interests. I gather that Seth and Summer are still together so say hi to them from me. My mum writes to me, but has slacked off a bit due to Caitlin keeping her on her toes. God, I love that girl. She is so much like me when I was her age. In a few years she will be the same age as us when we met. Wow, that seems like a lifetime ago. But you know what? I still have exactly the same feelings for you. The time on this boat has made me realise how much I miss and need you. When I get back in a few months, please be there. I can't wait to see you.

Love always,

Marissa.

She looked up again, smiling at the thought of him reading it along with her. Every word said in that letter was true. She yearned for his touch. And, as much as she hated to admit it, she couldn't wait to get back to start a new life. Go to college, patch things up with Ryan ect was her main concern. The time spent on the boat had made her realise just how much she truly loved him. Memories constantly flooded back of when they used to lay together in the pool-house for hours on end. When she was with him, she felt at home. Sure, Volcheck, Johnny, Luke and DJ were all special, but none as much as Ryan. They had a connection, nothing could keep them apart. After all, the one thing now was the ocean.

Folding the sweet scented piece of paper gently, she slid it into the envelope that lay beside her. It was a present from Summer when she left, so that she could 'send back some photo's of all the sexy islanders she met', much to Seth's distress. God, she loved those two. They were like comic relief when times got real hard. She wasn't friends with Seth in the start, but they had grown rather close over the last few years. He had been there for her when times got rough, though he often didn't like to admit it. Though she would never date him, Marissa felt a sense of belonging when by his side.

'Marissa', gleefully yelled the familiar voice from inside the cabin. Laughing as her dad leaped out in his now famous white captain's suite, she jumped up to join him in his antics. Though, she had just enough time to slip the letter into her dress pocket for safe keeping, though it would be taken out later and mailed to the one she needed, so far away.