Authors Note: First of all I'd just like to thank all my reviewers again. I was having a little bit of writers block recently on this fic, but when I went back and read all your reviews I somehow managed to be inspired to write more. I'm aware that this chapter is probably the weakest of all, I myself don't like it, or at least the last part. But I just wanted the plot to move on, so if anyone has a better idea do tell me!

(and I'm sorry it took me a long time again. I have more exams in a week though so that's been hectic.)

It was time to go soon enough. They decided to go in two cars, Summer and Seth in one, Ryan Marissa and Alex in the other. In the jeep Marissa and Ryan sat in silence, leaving Alex to fill in the emptiness with a running commentary on the state of indie music in California. By the time they reached Julie and Caleb's mansion even Alex had fallen silent.

Sighing Marissa walked up the steps to her old house, she hadn't been back since she came to pick up her things. Wishing she had Alex's hand in hers she balled her empty palms into fists, feeling the comforting coolness of her ring. Opening the door she entered the swirl of Newport elite society, followed closely by Ryan and Alex.

Alex was taken aback to say the least. She was used to the kind of parties where nobody noticed you enter and beer cans littered the floors. The pounding rock music of her experience was replaced by low key classical strings and the low hum of a hundred conversations. The hallway and rooms adjoining were filled with people. Each one looking like they had stepped out of the pages of a magazine. Perfect people with perfect lives. Alex got the distinct feeling she had entered a different world. It wasn't her world, it was Marissa's world, and she didn't fit in here. That scared her more than anything had before.

"Marissa sweetheart!" Julie Cooper's smile seemed plastered to her face as she approached her daughter. "I'm so glad you could make it, we've missed you."

"Save it Mom, I don't want to hear it. Alex, this is my mom, Mom, this is my room mate Alex."

Alex tried to smile, she thought it probably came out as more of a grimace. Julie meanwhile gave her a desultory glance and turned to Marissa taking her elbow to guide her into the crowd.

Alex gazed helplessly at their retreating forms before a hand on her arm distracted her.

"Come on, it's not as bad once you realise that all the perfect faces have cracks." Ryan whispered to her as he took her arm. Alex wanted to shake him off her, to tell him that she knew he wanted Marissa back and to stay away, but right now he was all that she had. So she smiled up at him, "Let's see if we can't make some new cracks then.". Laughing, Ryan led her towards the bar.

Marissa had been forced to talk to hundreds of her mother's friends. Excusing herself from the last pair she decided to search for Alex. Spotting Ryan's back by the bar she headed towards him, perhaps he knew where Alex was. As she approached she heard him laughing at something someone had said to him.

Chatting up some girl probably. White knight complex her we come again. Wonder who the pathetic case is this time.

Walking closer she caught a glimpse of the girl Ryan was talking to and her heart nearly stopped beating. Alex. No. Get away from her Ryan, she's mine. I won't let you "save" her. She doesn't need fucking saving. At least, I don't think she does…

Alex was having fun, despite the setting talking to Ryan was easy. They had a lot of things in common. In fact he was the only person here besides Marissa that she felt could understand at least a part of her. I can understand why Marissa fell for him. There's something there, behind the brooding good looks, a vulnerability. Before Jody, I might even have liked him in that way.

"Alex." Marissa's tone was cold. Alex looked away from Ryan, both seeming sheepish. Alex because she hadn't really tried to look for Marissa, and Ryan because he was holding a whiskey in his left hand. Marissa took it the wrong way needless to say.

"Ryan, do you mind giving Alex and I a moment?"

"Sure, um, it was nice talking to you Alex." Ryan wandered away into the crowd to find Seth and Summer.

"Hey Riss. Have fun sweet talking the crowd?"

"What was that about?" Marissa still sounded angry.

"What was what about?"

"You. Talking to Ryan."

Alex looked at her in shock. She couldn't possibly think…jesus this is screwed up.

"Riss. We were only talking. You did kind of leave me on my own, he was showing me around Newport Society. Nothing else."

Marissa scowled at Alex. Alex reached out to take her hand realising at the last instant where they were. As her hand fell back to her side she simply looked into Marissa's eyes, hoping that the other girl would understand how foolish she was being.

What am I doing? Thought Marissa.

"Alex, I, sorry. I don't know what came over me."

"I think someone was a little jealous" Alex teased. But of who? A thought niggled at the back of her mind.

Laughing Marissa put her hand up to her mouth and gently kissed her ring, eyes on Alex all the time. Alex smiled.

"Apology accepted Ms. Cooper."

"Now come on, there's something I want to show you Alex" Marissa smiled and led the way through the crowd.

Julie Cooper stood by the pool. She was busy talking to one of Caleb's richer business partners when she noticed her daughter climbing the outdoor stairs to the first level, blonde friend in tow. What the hell is she up to Julie wondered as she watched her daughter hit a spoon off a glass to get the crowds

attention.

Alex watched in confusion as Marissa silenced the people gathered with a pointed cough. About 50 of Newport's most influential people turned expectantly to the young girls on the steps.

"Firstly I'd like to thank you all for coming to this wonderful gathering" Marissa began in a clear voice. "And I'd like to thank my mother for organising it." Polite rounds of applause greeted this statement.

"I've asked for your attention so I could introduce someone to you. This is Alex Kelly." At this point she grabbed Alex's arm and dragged her nearer to her. "She has been living here in Newport for around 4 months. I'd like you to welcome her." More polite applause was generated, this time with a few puzzled faces. "It's important for you to know who she is, because today is our two month anniversary." Silence. Alex's mouth dropped open. "Yes, that's right, Alex is my girlfriend, and I'd just like you all to know that I love her more than anything." With that Marissa turned away from the shocked socialites, and swept Alex into a kiss, in full view of her mother's entire social scene. Breaking the kiss, she whispered to a shocked Alex "Happy Anniversary babe."

Speechless Alex stared at her. She was torn, on one hand Marissa's declaration had been the most romantic gesture she had ever received. On the other, it was sure to cause them trouble in the future, and definitely draw a whole lot of unwanted attention onto their relationship.

"Alex?" Marissa's eyes filled with worry. "What's wrong babe, I thought you wanted this?"

"I do" Stuttered Alex, "It's just.."

She was interrupted by an angry shout. "Marissa Cooper, get out of this house." Julie was storming towards them, with murder in her eyes. Marissa looked shocked. She hadn't expected her mom to react this passionately. "Mom, what?"

"I said get out Marissa. You are no longer welcome here." Julie's eyes burned with barely suppressed rage.

"And take that whore with you" She spat. Marissa couldn't do anything but stare in horror at her mother. She had known it would make her angry, but this?

"Come on Riss, I think it's time we left." Alex hooked her arm round Marissa's waist and led them out towards her jeep.