The waves lapped at the side of the boat as Seth Cohen grew closer to the landmass he called home. After fifteen years he still loved to sail, only now he got a bigger boat and this time, he didn't name it after Summer. He stood up, looked around and took a deep breath of air. He had traveled a good portion of the world, selling his comic series, but no matter where he went and how long he stayed there, it was never home. He was in England for two years and he loved it. He was in San Diego for about three years, making sure not to let anyone know how close he really was, and then decided to get away again. So this time he took his boat and set off to where ever the wind would take him. He ended up somewhere in Mexico and then after sailing for just about two months straight, somewhere near Australia. Out of all the places he loved it there the most; all the beaches, the temperatures, the girls in bikinis…after realizing what he loved about Australia was what he used to hate about Newport Beach he packed up and left again. Only this time he was going home. He jumped out of the boat and tied to the dock as he grabbed a few of his things and started for his old house. He hadn't talked to his parents, to Ryan…to anyone in fifteen years. He needed to get away, to start a new life. Somewhere where he wasn't Seth Cohen, Ryan Atwood's brother, Summer Roberts's boyfriend, the emo dorky kid. Now he was Seth Cohen, successful writer, seasoned traveler, respected by most…and lonely. Perhaps the reason he was there. He had missed Ryan like hell, especially since Ryan was like his wingman, but he didn't pick up the phone to call. Now standing at the door of this old house he looked at it and cocked his head. Was this a mistake? Did they even want to see him? Or did they already just write him off? Well there was only one way to find out.

"I don't care! Fuck you and fuck her too! I'm out of here ok? I can't take it anymore!" the blonde screamed as she threw open the door and stormed out, stopping suddenly seeing Seth who had his hand raised about to knock.

"Uhh…hi."

"Who are you and what are you selling? Oh right, I don't care," she snapped as she stalked to the car and got in.

"Elizabeth Marilyn! Get back inside this house right now!" a man bellowed as he stepped outside, obviously following the fleeing girl. Seeing the girl turn down the street in the car, he sighed and then punched the brick pillar in anger. "Fuck!" he yelled as he cradled his hand to his chest.

Seth backed up against the wall and turned, about to leave. This couldn't be his parents house anymore…who the hell were these people?

"Who are you?" the boy snapped as he looked at Seth.

"Uhh…I used to live here…" he replied hesitatingly. The last thing he wanted to do was make an ass out of himself in front of strangers. That era of his life was over, no more of doing that.

"Well we live here now. So bye," the kid said snottily as he walked back inside slamming the door. Seth sighed and turned to go but at the last minute turned back around and strode up to the door and actually knocked on it. Finally after a few minutes it opened to reveal a women.

"Hi," she said confused.

"Hi, my name's Seth Cohen. I used to live here…I was wondering if by any small chance if Sandy, Kirsten or Ryan Atwood still live here?" he said in a rush. The lady just gave him a weird look but let him in none the less.

"Hello?" a voice said as it walked into the hall looking for the visitor. Seth's face broke out into a broad grin. There he was, all grown up, and still the same person. Wifebeater and all…lord how Seth had missed his brother.

"Ryan," Seth said lowly.

The man stopped and turned to see the dark haired boy standing there in the foyer.

"Seth….?" He ventured as he walked closer.

Seth just kept his mouth shut looking at him, wondering if he thought he was someone else.

When the man didn't answer Ryan walked towards him apologizing. "Sorry, my brother used to look a lot like you. But he left a while back…keep thinking he's actually coming home," he said almost bitterly.

"And you thought I wouldn't or what?" Seth finally spoke up.

"Seth!" Ryan yelled as the two grown men embraced each other for a minute.

"Where the hell have you been! It's been what, fifteen years?" the sandy haired one of the duo suddenly exploded.

"I had to get out Ry. I couldn't take it…I mean you were having a hell of a time becoming a father, Summer didn't need me, my grandfather married Julie Cooper for Christ's sake…" he trailed off trying to get Ryan to understand.

"Fine. Whatever…but why didn't you call? I mean it's not hard!"

"I wasn't sure if you moved…or who lived here."

"Dad gave it to me in his will…." Ryan stopped abruptly as he said that avoiding Seth's stare.

"Dad's what!"

"No one knew where you were man…we thought you died somewhere too! He had a heart attack one morning and never came out of it….it was quick," Ryan recalled.

"When?" the brunette asked getting choked up.

"Three years ago."

Seth just nodded, crying. "It's cool," he muttered.

Ryan walked over to the boy that accepted him into his family and hugged him for a long time, both of them crying. Seth over the loss of his father, Ryan at the finding of his brother.

"Honey?" the women from earlier asked.

Ryan turned and looked at her. "Oh Rachel, this is Seth. Seth this is Rachel, my wife."

"Seth…your brother Seth?"

He nodded smiling. "He finally decided to make an appearance."

Seth nudged Ryan in the ribs and stuck out his hand. "Nice to meet you."

Rachel just smiled and replied in kind before making an excuse about needing to make dinner. As soon as she was out of earshot, Seth asked Ryan the ten million dollar question.

"What happened to Marissa? I thought you were two were married last I heard."

Ryan avoided his gaze and stared at the floor. "Yeah…." He muttered.

"What happened?"

"Life…got the best of her," Ryan said slowly trying to find the right words. Seth didn't say anything and just looked at him, waiting for the rest to be said.

"She started drinking again. It was fine, I mean it wasn't that bad. But apparently she was unhappy or something because a couple of years ago I walked into the bedroom and she was there. On the curtain rod," he said softly, tears pooling in his eyes.

"What!" Seth exclaimed. The blonde just nodded, not speaking.

Seth could hardly believe it. Marissa Cooper, the girl that he lived next door to for most of his life, killed herself! He had no idea…he wished that he had known, that he had been here…then maybe just maybe…oh who was he kidding? Like he could really talk Marissa out of ending her life. The two were close but not as close as say Summer and Marissa who could talk to each other about anything and listen when needed. Now this girl that grew to become something like a sister to him was gone. And he had no idea until today.