Ryan awoke the next morning, a wide grin creeping onto his face as he realised who he was waking up to. Moving his hands beside him, he felt for her body, instead he found empty space. Marissa wasn't there. He did find though, on the pillow her head once lay on a cardboard square.

Picking it up, he ran his fingers across it coming across engraved writing. Tracing the writing, it spelt out "You, Ryan Atwood, are cordially invited to attend The Black and White Ball at the Grande Hotel plus one."

Guess he'd have to pull out the tux.

----

Marissa felt as if she was walking on the clouds. Packing her briefcase full of papers she checked out of the New York Times after turning in her first article to the editor. He had been very impressed. Striding out of the office into the elevator she also thought of the man she was in love with.

She had finally reunited with him in a way she'd never even imagined. It had truly been the most beautiful nights of her life; she had never felt so beautiful, sexy and alluring all at once. It was all because of how Ryan made her feel. She hated leaving him this morning but all was well, she would see him tonight at the ball.

----

Ryan nervously adjusted his tie as Seth gave the door attendant his invitation into the Grande Hotel. Yes, tonight Seth had insisted he be Ryan's plus one. "Come on dude, I'm a plus one, plus one's don't get anywhere by themselves that's why they need someone to take them." He had explained to Ryan earlier today.

The last time he had been to a fancy party was back in Newport, boy had that been a while ago. Seth led him into the ballroom, where the party was in full swing, complete with New York's society. Ryan, however, was only concerned with finding one particular person. He was about to go in search of her when Seth stopped him in his tracks.

"What?"

"Up there man." Seth answered in awe, looking up at the second floor of the ballroom, a large staircase leading to it. Ryan then smelt her vanilla oil and it was hard to think of anything else.

"Dude, I...I wish I could lend you my eyes for one night."

Ryan smiled at his brother, he could only imagine what she looked like, "It's like that huh?"

"It's like that."

Marissa anxiously looked down into the crowd below her, searching for Ryan. She'd let her dad go and talk with his business colleagues and remained up the top of the staircase. She was surprised she'd made it on time. She'd taken nearly all day to get ready, just to look beautiful for Ryan. She wore a white sleeveless gown, with softly curled hair and continued to look into the crowd for him.

Finally she caught sight of him making his way through the crowd, his cane out in front and climbing up the stairs to meet her. Just the sight of him in his tux sent her heart into overdrive and his smile seemed as though it was only rehearsed for her alone. He finally reached her and leant forward close to he neck, sniffing.

"Now I've found you." He smiled, kissing her shoulder softly until Marissa softly captured his lips, leaving him breathless.

"I'm glad you did."

Neither one could remove the goofy grins from their faces.

----

For Ryan and Marissa, nothing in their mind could ruin this evening for them. After much cajoling and sweet nothings Marissa had managed to drag Ryan out onto the dance floor. Although she wasn't complaining at his motion to just make out in the cloakroom. Folding his cane and putting it in his pocket, he took her hand trustingly and followed her steps to the dance floor. Taking the lea she gently grabbed his unsure hands, placing them on her hips as she thread hers behind his neck. Slowly they swayed to the music, enjoying each others warmth and presence.

Marissa looked up at Ryan, his dark sunglasses still hiding his eyes; she wanted to look into them just as she had done the night before. Tentatively she reached up asking, "Do you mind?" carefully removing them and placing them in his suit pocket.

Ryan shook his head, "No I don't mind...it's just my eyes make some people feel uncomfortable."

Marissa smiled, softly tracing her thumb over his closed eyelids, as if by her loving touch she could heal them.

"Not me." She replied from her heart, she looked into his wandering pale blue eyes, the scars marring their corners. So he couldn't stare back into her eyes, yet she'd never felt more connected to someone in her life.

Ryan savoured her loving touch and words; this was why he loved her. He sighed sadly.

"I wish I could see you now."

Marissa held him tighter, leaning her head on his strong chest.

"You know, the only reason I got dressed up tonight was so I could look beautiful for you...I know you're the only person who sees me Ryan."

Ryan's heart swelled at her words, completely oblivious to other couples dancing around the. He kissed her oft hair lovingly, swaying to the music.

----

Jimmy Cooper, after many meets and greets, sat down for the first time that night, exhausted. From his table he had a view of the dance floor and in the middle, intimately swaying with another man was his daughter, Marissa. He smiled at how happy and content she looked, leaning her head on the mans chest. Jimmy recognised soon after, the man was Ryan Atwood, the same blind kid from back in Newport. Boy, he had grown up.

Jimmy had always regretted taking Marissa away from him, away from Newport. So many nights she had cried herself to sleep, whimpering Ryan's name; it had killed Jimmy every time. Yet if there was one thing he'd learnt in his life, he'd do anything to protect his family. He'd already failed his wife; he wasn't going to fail Marissa.

Marissa had then giggled at something Ryan had said, flashing her infectious smile. He knew Ryan really loved his daughter, finally she was safe. Safe from a man who could destroy everything. Thank god he was out of their lives.

"Good evening James." A cold voice spoke up by his ear, causing Jimmy's to freeze instantly.

"You know you are a really hard man to find. But here we are."

"How did you find me?" Jimmy eyed the owner of the voice closely.

"Well after you so cowardly disappeared I've been tracing you. Waiting for you. You really let me down James."

Jimmy swallowed nervously, knowing he should call security but his mind and limbs weren't working on the same level.

"What do you want?"

"Just to chat..." Caleb Nichol vehemently shrugged, sitting beside Jimmy as if they were old friends. They were anything but.

"Wow, is that Marissa? My how she's changed...and with Sandy Cohen's kid I believe. Shame what happened to him huh?"

"You leave her out of this." Jimmy spat back, growing more anxious.

"Poor girl, her mother killed right before her eyes..."

"Leave now!"

"Ok, alright just saying goodbye old friend." Caleb countered slipping a red carnation from his lapel into Jimmy's front pocket. "Just saying goodbye."

And with that he left. Jimmy scoffed, pulling the carnation from his pocket. Wait, Sandy Cohen's body was found with a red carnation so was his wife's... Instantly Jimmy turned cold, desperately searching for his daughter. Thank god, she was ok, still dancing with Ryan. It was times like these he was glad he had given her self defence classes. Signalling his bodyguards he mad e his way onto the dance floor to his daughter.

Marissa, who was so caught up in Ryan, almost didn't see her father come towards them. His anxious face interrupting their own interlude.

"Dad, what's wrong?" She asked, unwrapping her arms from around Ryan's neck. Her father's expression looked all too familiar. Ryan in turn frowned worriedly, unfolding his cane.

"We need to leave now. To the airport."

"Airport? Dad? I can't--"

He didn't explain this time as he walked out of the ballroom with security; leaving her dumbstruck to just follow, Ryan also following in line.

Catching up, she was being hustle into a limo by a security guard.

"Dad. Stop! I can't go."

"Ok. I'll send for you later sweetheart. Please, just stay with Ryan." He hugged her softly and climbed into the limo.

And with that he was gone. Not aware Trey Atwood was boarding his same flight to Newport, Orange County that night.

----

"Are you on the plane?"

Trey listened over the business class phone and checked Jimmy Cooper was a few rows away.

"Yes sir. He's here too."

"Good. Now, you know what I need you to do?"

"Of course sir. Place the note on his body. But I don't understand why though." Trey frowned, holding a note in his hands. Caleb had instructed him to leave it with Cooper's dead body.

"I need to get rid of this Daredevil. He's bad for business here."

"I see. But sir, do I still get to kill my brother?"

"All in good time Trey. First you kill Cooper, then Ryan's girlfriend."

----

"I can't believe he just took off like that." Marissa laid her head on Ryan's shoulder as they sat on his bed, the morning after. Ryan sadly smiled, "I'm sure he'll come back or try to contact you."

"I hope so..."

Ryan softly kissed her head as she smiled faintly.

"Thank you." She merely stated.

"For what?"

"Being here." She leant in closer, bringing his lips to hers. She softly removed his sunglasses and he pulled her down on the bed with him. The kiss deepened, their desire for each other growing until--

Ring, ring...

"I'm sorry." She winced sitting up frustrated and answered her cell. Ryan merely chuckled putting his glasses back on.

"Marissa Cooper speaking."

Ryan heard, yet he also heard Marissa's breathing very clearly. She stopped for a moment.

"I...no..."

He heard her choke out and her breathing became ragged he immediately frowned, she was afraid.

"Thank you for telling me...b...bye." She closed the phone and Ryan cautiously cam beside her.

"Is everything ok?"

Not responding Marissa merely let out a loud sob and embraced Ryan tightly, soaking his shirt with her teas. Ryan held her tightly, kissing her neck softly. He wanted to say something...anything.

"It's Dad. He's been killed."

But he was blind and now mute.

A/N: This has been a long break between chapters but I hope you still enjoy it. Stay tuned for the next chapter will be the climax.