A/N: Finally we head into the final stretch(es)...

"His house is huge." Ryan said, when they pulled up in front.

"I know, even by Newport standards..." Seth agreed.

"You know what, let's just forget about it." Ryan sighed.

"No way dude, we made it all the way here and there is probably a kick ass party waiting for us inside those doors."

"It's Oliver's party, how kick ass do you think it can be?" Ryan asked tiredly.

"Okay, point taken, it will probably be lame beyond all belief, because Oliver is totally lame, but Marissa will be there, and you're not here for a page 6 spread, you're here to win back Marissa."

"Wow Seth- that was some pep-talk, have you been practicing?"

"Only three times in front of a mirror." Luke's car pulled in next to him.

"Didn't know he was coming..." Seth shrank back slightly in his seat as Luke gave them both a half- hearted wave. "Maybe you're right about this party being totally lame."

"C'mon Seth," Ryan said, as he opened the car door and slid to the ground.

"What? I don't get a pep- talk?"

"You don't need one. Where's Anna by the way?"

"Oh she said she had some stuff to take care of, and she'd meet us here." Seth climbed out of the car.

*****************************************

"So where's Natalie?" Marissa slinked towards Oliver, holding an almost empty glass that had been filled with some sort of vodka concotion.

Oliver's face fell slightly, "She couldn't make it. Something came up at the last minute."

"Oh, that's too bad." Marissa said, as she finished off her drink.

"Marissa! There you are!" Summer found her friend and wrapped her arm around her waist, "Come on, some people just came you should say hi to!" Marissa shrugged her shoulders half- heartedly at Oliver as Summer dragged her away.

Oliver glanced around, he hadn't spotted Ryan yet, that was good. Maybe that jerk wouldn't even show his face.

******************************************

"Wait, I wan' another drink." Marissa pulled away from her friend and towards the well- stocked bar where she poured herself a screwdriver that was far more vodka than orange juice. Summer just sighed. She knew her friend was anxious about her possible reconciliation with Ryan, but there would be no such reconciling if she was passed out by the time he got here.

"Pace yourself Marissa," She warned her friend gently, "It's still pretty early." Marissa shrugged her bare shoulders and took a long drink.

*******************************************

Ryan spotted Marissa almost instantly. She was standing near the bar, elegant fingers and long painted curled delicately around a glass, her head tossed back, revealing her slender neck, her hair cascading down her back. Her lips were pressed to the glass. Ryan found himself almost trembling with desire for her as he watched her take a drink. How he long to hold her warm body in his arms, to kiss her lips, to trace his fingers across the curve of her delicate collarbone and through her soft hair.

She put the glass down as he approached her, and smiled at him, her blue eyes twinkling mischeviously as she danced toward him.

"Hey Ryan," She threw her hands around his neck, "I've been waiting for you." She moved in to kiss him but he moved his head away slightly. She was obviously drunk, he could smell the sting of liquor on her breath. He wanted her, only God knew how much he wanted her, but not like this. He wanted real Marissa. Not this Marissa, with her eyes that sparkled a little too brightly, her cheeks that were slightly flushed, and that glance she threw towards Oliver- the one that said she wanted Oliver to watch. She was playing games, and Ryan was not in the mood.

He gently unclasped her fingers from around his neck, and put his arm around her waist protectively. She took another drink from her glass. He could smell how strong it was. Her body leaned against his, and he had to ignore his knee's pang of painful protest as he took on more weight than just his own. "Maybe you've had enough." He whispered softly.

She giggled, "Maybe."

"Why don't we sit down?" He suggested, guiding her towards a couch.

"Okay," She turned and started to nuzzle his neck.

"Keep an eye on her Ryan," Summer warned him before she walked away. She didn't need to see the two of them get all gushy with one another.

"What's going on Summer?" Luke asked, she could tell he was trying to sound non- chalant as he took another sip of beer. His face was still tinged with the yellow stains of fading bruises. She felt an odd stab of guilt. She and Luke hadn't even made eye contact since she had dragged Cohen away from fighting him. She wasn't even sure what to say to him.

She was pretty sure she was mad at him. After all, he said she wasn't worth fighting for, but then again, he had fought for her honor and still wore the battle scars.

She decided to follow his lead, "Nothing Luke, what's up with you?"

"Nothing." He said, spreading his hands wide.

"Good."

"Yeah. Good for you too." There was another moment of silence, "So... Does this mean..?"

Summer sighed, "Let's just pretend like nothing ever happened."

"Sounds good to me," Luke agreed, but his eyes still look concerned and was she imagining it- or did they look a little hurt?

"I need to go... Need to..."

"Right. See you around." Luke waved her away.

"Right, bye." And then she fled.

**************************************

"I can't believe this place!" Anna said, as she and Seth walked around in the backyard, taking in the view of the mansion.

"I know, it's amazing." Seth agreed.

"Seth... There's something I have to tell you..."

He turned and faced her, "What? You don't really like graphic novels? It's you or Captain Oats?" He grinned at her.

"No," She smiled slightly, "I'm being serious."

"Oh." Seth's smile slid off his face.

"Yeah... I'm..." She took a deep breath, "I'm moving."

"What? Where? Why?"

"I dunno... I just don't feel comfortable here. I thought it would get better but it really hasn't. So I'm moving back with my aunt. I miss my friends... I miss my school... I miss my old life. I just, don't fit in here."

"Well neither do I!" Seth protested, "I really don't fit in around here! Never have! You're the one person here who's the most like me! What am I supposed to do without you."

Anna fidgeted and looked away, she glanced up toward the house. "You're family's here, you're friends are here."

"Just Ryan..." Seth muttered.

"No, you have other friends." Seth realized she was talking about Summer.

"Anna, you have to know..."

"Seth, I know you tried. I know, well, I think I know that you wanted us to be able to work, but I'm not the girl you love. You love Summer, I thought I could change that, but I can't, and I don't want to stand in your way."

"You're not in my way!" Seth argued.

Anna sighed, "I won't be anymore. But Seth, this really isn't just about you, okay? I just... I'm leaving tomorrow. I need to get home... To pack."

"What? So you're saying...?"

"Yeah, this is good bye."