This is the final chapter for this story. Hope everyone enjoyed it, the ending is a little different but I left it open in case anyone want a sequel to it. I have a few ideas for one. Thanks for all the reviews, they definitely make the writing more fun.

Marissa slipped into the black dress that had lain on her bed all morning, procrastinating until there was no time left. She despised funerals, they were so final, and as much as she did not want to attend this one, she knew she had to. She had been there that night, had watched him stare into her eyes until death took him away from a fatal gunshot. It had happened so quickly, her mind unable to grasp the situation until a few days later but now the nightmares allowed her to see everything in slow motion.

They all started out the same, receiving the phone call that her mother and sister were being held captive and Seth and Summer driving her to them. Ten minutes to get there before her sister was shot, ten more and it would be her mother's turn. Not enough time to think or get help, just barely enough time to get there.

There was that kid Ryan had saved her from, waiting for them with a gun. Their hands were tied and their mouths gagged with cloth. They sat there waiting, the few hours feeling like weeks, because the man knew Ryan would come and try to save them. Ryan would grit his teeth past the pain, do nothing foolish to put them in jeopardy, and come to their rescue despite the odds because that was what he did. He would sacrifice everything if it saved a loved one because he was loyal, he would take on the pain so they wouldn't have to because he was a tough kid out of Chino, and he would step in front of a gun to protect them because he loved unconditionally.

When he came, they all knew it would be when and not if, two people were saved within minutes because he took their place. She watched his eyes, even as he yelled at them to go, so full of love and passion. His own life was not above theirs, not because he was foolish and reckless, but because it was his way of repaying back the life they had given him.

He fought with fury, even with the odds stacked up against him. She had been terrified, but when he showed up it was like a warmth had spread over her and she knew he would save her. The guns drawn, the yelling, looking at the barrel pointed at her with the bullet inside, her name written on it.

Gunshots filled her ears, nothing like the sound on T.V., and Ryan lying on top of her. His smile, the one she believed was just for her, that told her everything his words didn't, and then his eyes rolling back and the sticky warmth of fresh blood. She would scream his name and then she would be awake, screaming it as it all hit her again.

The nightmares were the worst, she thought as she slipped on her black heels. They were so real and vivid that it was just like living it all over again. Almost, because in fact, they were worse. She knew what would happen and no matter how hard she tried, the ending never changed. The choices had already been made, there was no way to go back to make new ones, and the consequences of those choices haunted her to the near point of insomnia.

The clock on the wall told her if she was going, she had to leave now. The cemetery would take her some time to get to and even though she dreaded going, she knew if she didn't she would regret it. She could be brave, just as Ryan had that night, and the thought of him began the quiet trail of tears down her face as she walked out of the room.

…

"Coop," Summer said, rising out of her chair to give her new friend a hug.

"Hey Sum," Marissa replied quietly, needing the hug worse than she thought.

The tragedy they had endured together four days ago had forged an unbreakable bond between them. No one besides Seth could relate to what they had gone through and because of that, the two of them had grown close between the talks, tears, and events that had enfolded since then.

"You should have called," Summer said, noticing Marissa's clothes, "I would have went with you."

"I didn't go to pay my respects, I went to make sure it was finally over."

"Still, you didn't need to do it alone."

"How is he?" Marissa asked, not wanting to talk about the funeral, her father's funeral, anymore.

There had been no ceremony with a large gathering of mourners, instead just a wooden box, two gravediggers, and her. He had been a terrible man, causing her a life of running and fear, and that she was the only one there proved that. A small part of her had tried to argue that he was still her father and that as horrible as he was, she hadn't wanted him to be laid in his place of rest alone. The bigger part knew she was there to watch him be lowered into the ground so that she wouldn't have to ever look over her shoulder again, that his hold on them was finally over. The fact that no tears had been spilled had given her the answer.

"He's still in a coma," Summer answered, "They can't say for certain when, or if, he'll wake up due to how weak he was because of the fight earlier that day. His body went through so much and then the loss of blood…"

Summer trailed off, rambling as a result of nervousness, because Marissa knew all of this already. They all did, but after four days with no response they were all on edge and handling it differently. Kirsten cried constantly, hardly ever leaving Ryan's side for very long; Sandy bombarded the doctors with questions; Seth, for once, was barely saying a word – Summer taking the nervous rambling trait over; and Marissa worried and cried and relived the horrible moment over and over again. In two short years, for most of them, Ryan had become their rock and the thought of losing him was something that no one could imagine.

He had come to Newport an outcast criminal, but over time, he had worked his way into each of their hearts. He was the one to turn to in trouble, the one that could be depended on, and the one that held everyone together in rocky times. Now he was laying in a hospital bed, a coma keeping him there, and no one could help him the way he had done for them.

"Everyone else?" Marissa asked, the news of no news killing her slowly each day.

"Sandy's trying to track down another specialist, Seth still hasn't come out of his room since he saw Ryan the first day and refuses to talk, and Kirsten won't go home until he wakes up," Summer informed her, nearly the same report from yesterday word for word, "How about you?"

That was all it took for the weak barrier Marissa had attempted to put up on her way over to come crashing down. She began sobbing uncontrollably, Summer comforting her as they held each other. Marissa wanted to be strong for him, wanting to do what he would do if the roles were reversed, but she couldn't. Each day got harder and harder, the hope being crushed more each visit.

"It's all my fault Sum," she cried, her body shaking violently as the emotions flooded out, "He would be alright if it wasn't for me. I love him so much and he's lying in there because of me."

"Don't say that sweetie," Kirsten said with new tears in her eyes, coming out of the room as she heard Marissa, "No one blames you at all."

"I'm so sorry Mrs. Cohen," Marissa cried as Kirsten hugged her now, "I'm so sorry that I did this to your family. I just want him back so bad."

"We all do," Kirsten said softly, hugging Marissa tighter as they cried together, "but we both know Ryan would not want you blaming yourself for what happened."

The three women held each other, grieving for a guy who had changed all their lives. They each held a special place in their hearts for him, though the love they felt for him was completely different. No matter the way, he had touched each of them in a unique way that only he could.

"I'm going to go see him," Marissa said, excusing herself after the three had dried their tears for the time being.

She walked into the room, Summer and Kirsten staying in the hall to give her some privacy, and sat down next to his bed. He looked peaceful, as if he was merely sleeping, despite the few bruises covering his face. She grasped hi hand, her thumb rubbing up and down, as she gazed at him. She had known the worst kind of man and after Ryan came into her life, she had known the best. She wouldn't give up on him, just as he wouldn't with her, because the time they had spent together wasn't enough. There wasn't enough time in the universe for a guy like him and as the thoughts came to her, she spoke them out loud for him to hear.

When she sat up, her back stiff from leaning over so that her head could lay on his chest, she knew Kirsten was wanting to get back in by him. She stood, leaning down to kiss his forehead as she said good-bye for a brief rest before she came back tonight.

"I love you Ryan Atwood," she whispered in his ear, squeezing his hand before she turned to go.

Her fingers began sliding out of his hand then she felt him. She whirled her head around but saw him lying, eyes closed, just as he was seconds ago. She could have sworn he squeezed her hand back, but maybe she wanted it so badly that she imagined it. She turned to leave again, her prayers unanswered, when she heard something that froze her in mid-step.

"I love you too Marissa."

She didn't want to turn around, not knowing if she could take another let down after imagining those words. It would destroy her but she did it anyway because taking a chance with Ryan was worth a million let downs for what you got in return.

His eyes were open, adjusting to the light and he had on a small smile that melted her heart. In an instant she was crying again, hugging him tenderly, placing a light kiss on his lips. There was so much she wanted to say, so much she wanted to express to him but only one thing would come out.

"I love you."

Two months later

Ryan stood bent over at the waist, hands on his knees as he caught his breath before turning around and starting his jog back. Each day his strength came back a little more and he was nearly back to his old form. It had taken awhile, his body having gone through hell and back, but he was a survivor.

They had released him from the hospital a week after he had woken up from his coma, minus some strength but plus a glass jar containing a bullet. His memory was hazy leading up to the moments where he had been shot but if he had learned anything, it was not living in the past. Life was too short, each day was a blessing, especially with his life.

A few weeks after arriving back home, Sandy and Kirsten had surprised him with adoption papers. He would be an adult in a few months but he eagerly signed. He was now officially a member of the Cohen family and it was the best gift he had ever received. He no longer had to worry about whether he should move out or not or if he was welcomed back for the holidays because he now knew where he belonged.

His relationship with Marissa had also grown in strength, both of them grabbing each moment and going with it. She no longer had to fear her past catching up to her and he no longer had to worry about her moving away. Now that they could relax, their problems not weighing them down, they could just be themselves which only made them fall in love even more.

The whole experience was not something he wanted to go through again, but it made all of them closer and appreciate more. What was important was that the people he loved were safe and for that, there wasn't anything in the world he wouldn't do.

"Hey," a voice called out as he reached his ending point.

"Hey yourself," he replied, his knees weak, not from the running but from her smile.

"Looking good out there," Marissa said, kissing him deeply as they met, before noticing the blood on his wife beater, "Oh my god, you're bleeding Ryan!"

"Still splits open when I over do it," he said, looking down at the wound.

"Well then, it looks like we'll have to stay in tonight," she teased, aware of the effect she had on him.

"School starts tomorrow, we should do something to finalize the summer," he remarked, taking her hand as they walked to her watchtower.

"I honestly can't wait," she replied once they were sitting high above in each other's arms, starring out into the ocean, "It will be nice to settle down into a school and put all the drama of the summer behind us."

"We're in Newport and it's our senior year," Ryan informed her, knowing how unaware of this place she was yet, "I can bet the drama is just starting."

Once again, thanks to everyone who read the story and especially to those who reviewed!