This is set at the very beginning of Season Three. EXCEPT the kids have graduated high school and gone to college (Marissa is alive but it doesn't really matter). Also, Kirsten has been out of rehab for a while now and Charlotte is gone. Jimmy has his money problems and they are still a secret. Sandy is running the Newport Group and is not Caleb-like.

This chapter is practically set at 3x03 'The End of Innocence.'

Disclaimer: I don't own The O.C. or James Blunt's lyrical genius.

'Maybe I'll find some peace tonight' – Angel by Sarah McLachlan

OoOoO

Sandy sighed as his final meeting ended. It had been a long day. Running the Newport Group had required him to travel to Las Vegas for meeting with investors. Sandy was thankful that his hotel had everything he needed. That way he didn't have to leave and get into the traffic and congestion. Not that he didn't love The Vegas because he did. But going alone on business was not what it was cracked up to be.

His last meeting had been in his hotel. It finished around 8. Sandy was exhausted but thankful that this trip was only one day. He was already prepared to get back home to real people. Well, one real person.

He went downstairs and ate dinner in one of the hotel's restaurants. After eating, he went to his room, got a shower, and slipped into bed. It was 10:00. He grabbed his cell phone and began dialing. Before he finished, it began to ring. He smiled; they were so in sync.

"Hey baby. I was just calling you."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I was dialing when you called." She smiled.

"How were your meetings?"

"Long. I'm exhausted."

"Oh. Well, then I guess I'll let you go. So you can sleep."

"No, no, no." He pleaded into the phone. She smiled. "You're not keeping me from anything." He insisted.

"Are you sure?" She teased.

"Yes." He paused. "It's so good to talk to you."

"I know what you mean."

"How's your day been?"

"Fine. I went to lunch with Julie, came home, cleaned up. Pretty uneventful."

"In Newport? Wow. I didn't know they had uneventful."

"How was yours?

"Just meetings, meetings, and more meetings. They were good though. Went in our favor."

"That's good." There was a comfortable silence between them.

"I miss you." She whispered.

"I know what you mean."

"I'm not going to be able to sleep." She chuckled.

"I'm lucky I'm exhausted." They shared another silence. "I love you." He added.

"Mm. I love you, too."

"I'm ready to come home."

"Good."

Sandy thought for a moment. "Is it bad that we're so addicted to one another?"

"It is when I'm trying to sleep."

"Wait. So you didn't sleep over the summer?"

"Not well." She admitted softly.

There was a short pause.

"Me neither." He added quietly.

"Speaking of, I better let you go."

"Oh, Kirsten. Don't let me go." He teased.

She chuckled. "Get some sleep, my business man."

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

They exchanged goodbyes and hung up. Kirsten put on her pajamas and got into bed. It was so much larger without Sandy there. She turned the light off and pulled her sleep mask down over her eyes, shielding them from any light. It was 11. She pulled the blankets up to her chin, noticing how cold it was without him next to her.

At 1 o'clock, the phone rang. Kirsten lifted the mask to find herself on Sandy's side of the bed. She rolled over and answered the phone.

"Hello?" She said groggily.

"Kirsten?" The reply was slurred.

"Who's this?"

"It's Jimmy!" He yelled into the receiver.

"Oh. Jimmy. Why are you yelling? Actually, better question. Why are you calling me at 1 in the morning?"

There was silence at the other end as Jimmy processed the words. At last, he spoke.

"What?" He shrieked into the phone.

Kirsten rolled her eyes. "Why did you call, Jimmy?"

"I can't drive!"

"Well, I would agree with that. And as happy as I am about you not driving while intoxicated, why didn't you call Julie?"

Another silence, followed by "What?"

"Julie? Your fiancé? Why didn't you call her?"

"I did."

"And?"

"She said she might need some help picking me up or something." After a few moments of silence, he spoke up. "Kirsten. Please."

Kirsten sighed. "Where are you?"

"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you." He said hurriedly.

He told her the name of the bar and they hung up. Kirsten threw on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt of Sandy's. She got into the Range Rover and drove to pick up Jimmy.

Around 2 o'clock, Sandy woke up with a start. His eyes sprung open and he sat up slowly. His head hurt and he was extremely nauseas. He felt like he wasn't supposed to be here. It kind of felt like he had forgotten something. Or maybe needed to do something. The feeling quickly spread over him and made him feel very nervous. He attempted to shake it off. He rolled over, shut his eyes, and tried to go to sleep.

At 3 o'clock, the phone rang. Sandy rolled over and picked it up, checking the caller ID. It read "HOME."

"Hey baby." He answered sleepily. "Still no stripper." He said with a smile.

"Sandy." The other line said. It was not his wife's voice.

"Julie?" He asked after a moment of contemplation. He looked at the phone's screen again. It still read "HOME." He put the phone back to his ear.

"Yeah it's me." She said shakily. Her tone frightened Sandy, along with the fact that she was calling from his home and it was 3 o'clock in the morning.

All that he could think of was what he had left in that house. All he could think of was blonde hair and blue eyes, long eyelashes and a huge smile.

"What's wrong, Julie? What's happened?" He asked earnestly.

The space between Sandy's question and Julie's answer seemed to last an eternity. At least to Sandy, it did.

As he waited, time stopped for a moment. Don't say it. Don't say her name. Not her. Please. He shut his eyes.

Julie sniffled. "It's Kirsten."

As his fears were confirmed, his eyes tightened and his jaw clenched. He heard Julie scrambling for words, none of which he could register.

He cut off Julie's failed attempt at an explanation of what happened.

"I'm coming. I'm on my way." He slapped his phone shut and threw some clothes on. He grabbed his luggage and went straight to the LV airport. He prayed for a miracle.

He quickly walked up to the counter. "Where are planes headed tonight? I mean, today? This morning?" He fumbled.

"We only have two going out within the hour. One to New York. One to Dallas."

"What about buses?"

"The station only receives after 12."

Sandy turned away and started praying again. It was to late/early for car rental. He wasn't sure how far a cab could take him. Hitchhiking still wasn't out of the question. His eyes scanned the airport. There were a handful of people inside. Sandy's eyes landed on a pilot. A miracle.

David Pennington was a tall man in his late 30's with short brown hair and brown eyes. He had been the pilot for the Newport Group before Caleb died. He and Sandy had met several times. They shared a love for the Yankees and quiet digs at Caleb while his back was turned.

David was talking to a stewardess when Sandy walked up. David recognized him immediately.

"Sandy!" He exclaimed as he pulled him into a hug.

"Hey David."

"It's good to see ya!"

"You too."

"Well what's up? Whatcha been up to?"

"Just trying to keep the Newport Group going."

"Ooh. Good luck with that."

"What are you doing now?"

"Still a private pilot. Just flying rich people around."

"Did you just get in or are you about to head out?"

"Just got in."

"Oh. Well, do you think you could fly me to Newport?"

David checked his watch. "Uh… sure, Sandy." For the first time he noticed how pale Sandy was. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"It's Kirsten. Something's happened but I don't…" He rambled dejectedly.

Apparently, that's all David needed to hear. "Let's go."

Before Sandy knew it, they had been granted liftoff and landing. Apparently, Caleb Nichol's name still intimidated even after death. When the airport heard that Caleb Nichol's pilot was planning on landing in approximately 45 minutes, they didn't hesitate in saying yes.

As they took off, Sandy closed his eyes and thought back to before he left for Las Vegas.

"I could always go with you." She had said as they lay close together.

"You could but I'll just be gone one day. And all I'll be doing is going to meetings."

"Yeah but you could go to your meetings," She picked her head up from his chest to look at him. "And I could be waiting for you afterwards. In the hotel room. So I could help you…" She looked down at his chest and began to draw imaginary circles with her finger. "Unwind."

He chuckled at her but remained silent. When her offer wasn't immediately taken, her head popped up in realization. She gave him an intense stare of shock.

"You don't want me to go so you can get a stripper!" She shrieked incredulously.

"What?! Kirsten." She gave him a look that said she was all-knowing and had him completely figured out. "Baby, no. I get it so much from you I don't have enough strength for a stripper." She slapped him playfully. "Well, it's the truth!" He defended.

She smiled and looked back down. She couldn't disagree with him. With the boys away at college, they couldn't keep their hands off of each other. She brought her eyes back up to meet his. He tucked a piece of hair that had fallen into her face behind her ear and cupped her cheek with his hand. She held his hand there with hers.

"No stripper." She stated. "Promise?"

"Yes." He said obediently.

"So if it's not a stripper, why can't I go with you?" She gave him those puppy dog eyes and watched his face falter. He couldn't resist.

"Actually, I don't think I can." She said as she rested her head again on his chest. "Julie and I are supposed to meet for lunch so we can go over things for her shower and ceremony and God knows what else."

"Shouldn't Jimmy be forced to help pick out silverware and napkins?"

"He's busy with work. Selling yachts is tedious business, I guess."

"Ah yes. Naturally." Sandy said without conviction. "Are you going to be okay by yourself?" He suddenly became protective.

Kirsten rolled her eyes and picked up her head to look at him. "Sandy, do you want me to go with you or not?"

"I want you to be safe."

She smiled sweetly. "I'll be fine."

Fine. I'll be fine.

Before he knew it, they were there.

"I'm sorry this is so rushed and I kept you up. Made you fly down here and go back." Sandy rambled apologies.

"Sandy, please. Go. I hope she's okay."

Me too. Sandy rushed out of the plane. He was in Newport, now he had to get home. Kirsten had driven him to the airport so he'd have to get a cab. Coming to Newport after living in New York, he could definitely tell the difference among the taxis and their drivers. There was something off about Newport cabbies. Sandy was completely annoyed by them. He would have to take it though.

As he walked though the lobby, someone called his name. He turned and saw a police officer jogging toward him. It was Steve Harris. Sandy knew him from working at the PD's office.

"Hey Sandy! Long time, no see."

"Hey Steve. I know." They began to catch up as they walked toward Sandy's cab.

"Flying early, aren't you? And privately. Nice."

Sandy put his suitcase in the cab. "I got a call. Something's happened. With Kirsten."

"Is she okay?" Steve's tone and face completely changed.

"I don't know." Sandy said quietly.

"Well, come on." Sandy looked up, not completely understanding. "Let me drive."

Sandy grabbed his suitcase and went with Steve to his patrol car.

"Where to?" Steve asked as they buckled up.

"Uh… home, I guess." Sandy realized he wasn't sure where she was; hospital? Morgue? He became nauseas at the thought. Julie had called from his house so that was his best guess and his greatest hope for the moment.

"Pelican Cove?"

"Yeah."

With the siren and lights on, it took no time to get there. Not that there was much traffic but not having to stop at all lights and signs was definitely appreciated. The 15 minute trip only took 5 minutes. Sandy was thankful for his second miracle.

Steve turned off the sirens and lights to enter the neighborhood, knowing Sandy wouldn't want the publicity.

"I hope she's okay."

"Thanks." As soon as Steve slowed down enough, Sandy jumped out of the car with his suitcase and ran to the front door. As soon as he was in the door, Julie was near him. He dropped his suitcase.

"What happened? What's wrong?" He asked Julie. His eyes searched the room and found Jimmy passed out on his couch.

"Sandy…" Julie struggled and wouldn't make eye contact. Sandy could tell that she really did not want to be the one to break the news to him. "she, uh…" Her eyes met his and saw his desperation. "she was raped."

Sandy shut his eyes as he digested the news. His throat closed and his lungs deflated. Something sharp and hot was thrust into his heart, as his stomach became heavy.

His eyes opened and Julie saw the tears that rimmed the lids. He was looking at the floor as if searching for something.

"I know a million questions must be running through your mind right now." She rattled off potential questions that he could be thinking.

"Where is she?" He asked softly.

"Huh?" She asked, not hearing him.

"Where is she?"

"Oh. She's in your bedroom." Sandy turned to go to his room. "Sandy…" Julie put her hand on his shoulder and he stopped to look at her. "She hasn't said one word since we brought her home. She only talked to the doctors. And even then…"

"Thank you, Julie." He whispered sincerely and continued to the bedroom.

He knocked lightly on the door so he wouldn't frighten her. She didn't answer but he hadn't really expected her to. He walked in slowly and shut the door quietly. He could see her under the blankets, on his side of the bed. He kneeled beside the bed and looked at her. Her hands were holding on to the pillow. He covered her left and stroked her wedding ring.

As his skin made contact with hers, her eyes opened and Sandy could tell that she had only been pretending to be asleep, in case he had been Jimmy or Julie.

"Hey baby." He whispered.

"Hi."

Their eyes held the others. He looked deep into her eyes, staring into her soul. She looked into his eyes, drinking in every drop of comfort they offered. He lifted his hand from hers and put his arm underneath her neck. He pulled her close and felt her tense body relax. Her hands held onto his shirt. She breathed deeply and exhaled, finally receiving comfort. They remained in an embrace for a few minutes, neither saying a word. He stroked her hair and she closed her eyes.

Sandy pulled his head out of the crook of her neck and kissed her cheek. He looked her in the eye.

She began to speak, shakily. "Did…" Her mouth was dry and hoarse. She swallowed thickly before trying again. "did Julie… did she tell you…"

"Not the details…"

Her eyes suddenly had a bit of panic in them. "I want to tell you… but…"

"Not tonight. It's okay." He said soothingly. He tucked a piece of blonde hair behind her ear and smoothed the rest of it. "I just wish I could fix this."

Kirsten lifted up the covers and made room for Sandy to get in. He saw that she was wearing her comfort clothes, pajama pants and one of his sweatshirts. He got up from his knees and slid in next to her. He lay on his side and pulled her close. Her head rested on his chest and she could hear his heart beating.

He smoothed her hair down once more and kissed the top of her head. His hands slowly rubbed up and down her back. She hugged him tightly and buried her head into his chest. A feeling washed over her, the same way Sandy always made her feel. Safe. And she finally began to cry.