Marissa drove up the long drive that lead to Julie's mansion. Marissa pulled the car to a stop behind her mother's and slowly got out of her car. Marissa took a step towards the front door and then stopped, suddenly thinking maybe it wouldn't be a good idea to be alone with her mother right now. Marissa took a deep breath and slowly stepped towards the house again. When she reached the door, Marissa held her hand on the knob for what seemed like forever before finally turning it and stepping into the house. Marissa quietly stepped into the house, leaving the front door open. She surveyed what part of the house she could see, but didn't see Julie anywhere. Marissa slowly moved deeper into the house and began to hear the music of Bob Segar softly floating through the air. Marissa kept moving towards the sound, and finally spotted her mother sitting on her back patio, drinking a glass of wine, and staring out towards the ocean. Marissa slowly stepped towards her, close enough so that she could hear her, but far enough way at the same time.

Marissa: You know I never wanting things to be like they are…with us.

Julie jumped slightly, startled by Marissa. Julie turned and looked at her daughter.

Julie: What are you doing here, Marissa?

So much for the touching reconciliation.

Marissa: Why are you doing this, mom?

Julie looked soft, as if she'd been broken; Julie looked down at her glass of wine and brought it to her lips polishing off the glass. Suddenly Julie stood up and walked over to Marissa.

Julie: I don't have to answer to you.

Julie walked back into the house and headed towards the kitchen. Marissa followed, still keeping her distance. Julie was searching the kitchen for something, but then finally found it. She pulled an old bottle of wine out from the back of the liquor cabinet, opened it and filled her glass back up. Julie brought the glass up to her lips and began drinking as she walked out of the kitchen and back onto the patio. Once again Marissa followed.

Julie: So what the hell do you want, anyway?

Marissa: What do I want?!? I want things to go back to normal, I want you to stop sabotaging everything that's good in my life, I want you to drop this stupid case you have going against Kirsten.

Julie laughed slightly and looked at her daughter.

Julie: That's not going to happen.

Marissa: So you want me to tell everybody about you and Luke.

Julie: Please Marissa, who do you think people are going to believe, you or me? Besides, it was so long ago, it's yesterday's news.

Marissa: Oh, so you didn't see Luke last week then.

Julie immediately looked at Marissa. Marissa could see the shock in her face, and then suddenly, Julie's face turned cold, showing no emotion.

Marissa: It's simple, you drop the case against Kirsten, and I'll drop my case about Luke. Do we have an agreement?

Julie stood up from her seat again and walked towards Marissa.

Julie: You know all Caleb ever tried to do was help you, give you a normal family, nice house…

Marissa: Normal, you think this is normal. I can't believe you are standing up for him.

Julie: He is a good man!

Marissa: He's a thief and a con. God, he blackmailed me into living here in this so called normal life with you.

Julie: Stop lying Marissa, he would never do that.

Marissa: Oh really, he told me he wouldn't buy The Lighthouse from dad and Sandy unless I moved in here, he's a criminal that belongs in jail, and I hope he stays there!

Before Julie realized it, she had slapped Marissa. Marissa's head flew to the side, while Julie stood in shock at what she had just done. Marissa looked back at her mother and suddenly a smile crept onto her face.

Marissa: We're done.

Julie took a step back and looked into Marissa's eyes.

Julie: No, Marissa…I'm sorry, you don't mean…

Marissa: I want one thing from you…stay out of my life.

Julie opened her mouth to speak but no words came out.

Marissa: I'll come back tomorrow and get my stuff, I'm moving back in with dad.

With that Marissa turned and walked away, leaving Julie standing on the patio questioning what had just happened. Julie was in a daze, she slowly walked back into the house and returned to the kitchen, pouring herself yet another glass of wine. Julie downed a good portion of the glass before reaching over, picking up the phone and quickly dialing a number. The phone rang a few times before a male voice answered.

Julie: (On Phone) Hello…Detective?

Detective Sullivan: (On Phone) Yes, Julie, what can I do for you?

Julie: Drop it.

Detective Sullivan: Excuse me?

Julie: The case against Kirsten Cohen, drop it.

Detective Sullivan: But what about…

Julie: No buts; just do it!

Julie slammed the phone back onto the receiver and let out a yell that echoed through her house.

Marissa had just settled back into her car and turned it on when she heard her mother let out a scream. A faint smile appeared on Marissa's lips once again, she put her car in drive and quickly drove away from the house. About ten minutes later, Marissa found herself pulling up the Cohen's driveway. She parked the car and got out before she even realized where she was. She had forgotten completely about going to her dad's, and had somehow gone on autopilot towards Ryan's house. Marissa made her way around the side of the house walking towards the pool house. Marissa stepped into the pool house to find Summer, Seth and Ryan sitting around talking.

Marissa: Hey.

Summer immediately shot up and walked over to her friend.

Summer: Hey Coop, are you okay?

Marissa: Yeah, I'm fine.

Summer gave Marissa a hug before returning to her seat. Ryan was watching Marissa, and immediately took notice that she was wearing the same clothes she had on earlier. Marissa walked towards Ryan and saw the look of worry and confusion in his eyes. Marissa sat down next to him on the bed. Ryan looked over at Marissa and immediately saw that her cheek was red and looked aggravated.

Ryan: What happened?

Marissa turned towards Ryan and looked at him but didn't say anything.

Ryan: Marissa.

Seth and Summer exchanged glances.

Seth: I think that's our cue.

Summer nodded and the two stood up quietly slipping out of the pool house.

Ryan was still staring at Marissa, while Marissa watched Seth and Summer leave.

Marissa: It's okay.

Marissa moved slightly, but Ryan stopped her, cupping her cheek in his hand and running his thumb softly over the reddened area.

Ryan: Who?

Marissa looked down and a tear escaped her eye.

Marissa: My mom.

Ryan felt his stomach tie up in knots as he pulled Marissa towards him and hugged her tightly.

Ryan: What happened?

Marissa: I went to my mom's house…

Ryan: (Interrupting) You what!

Marissa: I had to Ryan…it's okay though, it's over now.

Ryan: What?

Marissa began telling a confused Ryan about everything that happened with her mother. Marissa broke down a few times while telling the story, finally coming to realization that she had just cut her mother completely out of her life. After Marissa had finished telling Ryan everything, they both sat looking into each other's eyes.

Ryan: Is there anything I can do?

Marissa: Don't be mad.

Ryan smiled and looked down.

Ryan: I'm not mad…at you; you're mother maybe, but not you. I just wish you'd told me; I would have gone with you.

Marissa smiled and moved in the bed so she was sitting on Ryan's lap, facing him.

Marissa: You know; there are some things that you're going to have to let me do on my own.

Ryan wrapped his arms around Marissa's waist.

Ryan: Yeah, I know.

Marissa leaned down and kissed Ryan. Ryan started moving back and pulled Marissa down with him so she was lying on top of him.

Ryan: Do you still want to go out?

Marissa: No, I think I'd rather stay in…you were always a much better distraction anyway.

Ryan smiled and the happy couple continued their make out session.