The following fan fiction is a collaboration of the O.C. RPG website (www) avidgamers (com/schoolofrock)

Story By:

Ryan – Colin (Coolcolin5)

Marissa – Erin

Edited By:

Ryan – Coolcolin5

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The O.C. Season 3 - Episode 1 – "The After Math" Scene 2 -A Night With The Coopers

Ryan sat next to his brother's side, seeing a quietness in Trey, something he had never seen before in him. He had stayed there for days now, in fact, Ryan had always been by his brother's side and had hoped to change him, the way Ryan thought he had changed himself.

"Visiting hours are over now, young man."

"Alright," Ryan said, forcing a smile at the nurse.

This whole year he had tried to change, try to become something he wasn't. He had tried to fit in and as soon as Lindsey left, he knew he couldn't wear this mask any longer. If only Trey hadn't come. If only they would have dropped him off at his friend's house as soon as he was out of jail. If only Ryan didn't have to try and save every human being that ever crossed his path.

Ryan walked out of the hospital to see Seth in his father's car, ready to pick him up.

"Everything all right," Seth asked.

"Fine," Ryan responded.

"Do you want me to come with you next time?"

"There isn't going to be a next time, I'm not going to visit him anymore."

Seth pulled out of the parking lot wishing he could say something clever and funny, except he knew whatever he said, would just make things worse.

"I just want to go home and hide in the pool house," Ryan said, smiling at the thought.

"Dude you've been doing that a lot lately, it's starting to remind me of when Lindsey left and no one wants to see Saving Private Ryan 2."

"What?" Ryan said confused.

"You sort of had to be there… but no go on the pool house plan, the one where you hide. The Coopers are coming for dinner."

Any hope of a quiet night that still resided in Ryan left, as he thought of a whole night with Marissa. They hadn't talked in a few days and their last conversation was to say the least, heated.

Seth pulled up onto the driveway, shut off the car and got out, Ryan following behind.

"Tonight will be fun Ryan, whenever we all get together like this, something interesting always happens."

Marissa looked up from where she was sitting at the couch. Seth and Ryan walked into the living room. Marissa stood to greet them. She was hoping that she could talk to Ryan tonight, apologize. The last time they spoke she was stressed, and said things that were maybe a little harsh.

"Hey." she said quietly, standing in front of them.

Ryan stopped in front of her.

"Hey." he answered.

"Look- I'm really sorry about what happened at the hospital. I shouldn't have been mad at you... you didn't do anything wrong." she started.

There was silence for a few seconds.

"I was just hoping we could talk... if that's ok with you?" she asked, looking down.

"That's fine," Ryan said with a dull face. He was so unsure of how he felt right now. He had already forgiven and thanked Marissa for shooting Trey, but there was something he was holding back, but he didn't know what.

Sandy sat down on a arm chair next to Jimmy and leaned in to ask a question he knew Marissa couldn't hear.

"What did the authorities say?"

Jimmy and Julie, who sat next to him, shifted uncomfortably.

"They haven't ruled one way or the other. She still could be charged."

Seth walked over to his father. He was pretty worried about Ryan lately. He knew that if anything ever happened to Ryan, he would be devastated. But Seth knew that right now he should probably leave him alone. There was nothing he could say to make it better.

Sandy gave Seth a look of pity, "How's he doing?" he asked, looking towards Ryan.

Seth looked up sadly, "Not great. He doesn't want to visit him again though... I just wish there was something we could do or say." he answered.

"Well..." Sandy left it at that. There really was nothing any of them could do to fix any of this.

Ryan sat on the couch next to Marissa. Marissa found it hard to speak, she felt really awkward around Ryan now.

"Do you think..." she broke the silence, "do you think its possible for things to go back to the way they used to be?"

She asked the question doubtfully. She was sure she knew the answer, but maybe there was a chance he still loved her. She sat quietly, patiently waiting to hear whatever it was he had to say.

"The way things use to be," Ryan started, trying not to raise his voice, "Marissa what was ever so great about the way things use to be."

For a moment Marissa felt her world dissipate from under her.

"I think we should start things new and never go back to the way we were."

Marissa looked confused.

"What do you mean?" she asked, "...as friends... more than friends? What?"

Marissa was kind of upset. She had gone and made a mess of things again.

"Ryan just tell me what you want. I'll listen..." she paused.

"...I owe you that much." she said finally in a small voice.

Ryan smiled when he saw the worry in Marissa's eyes, "I think we've talked enough."

Ryan grabbed Marissa's arm and pulled her out of the living room and into the kitchen, the parents barely noticed their disappearance, but Seth raised an eyebrow.

"Ryan, are you mad at me? I can't just be friends with you…"

"Good," Ryan said with a smile. "I couldn't just be your friend either."

Ryan slowly moved towards Marissa, the bottom of Marissa's back pushing softly into the counter. Ryan held a inch away from Marissa's lips and then after the paused captured her in a kiss, their eyes locked.

"Parent alert! Parent alert!" Seth warned as he rushed into the kitchen, knowing what they were up to.

Sandy walked in just to see Marissa pushing lightly on Ryan's chest, heeding Seth's warning.

Sandy cleared his throat and Ryan had just enough time to regain his composure before Jimmy and Julie entered the kitchen.

Marissa smiled, pleased with how everything always seemed to turn back around to the two of them being together. She tried to make a bit of a more serious face.

"So Seth, have you heard from Summer lately?" she changed the subject.

"Yeah I spoke to her today, she still in a bit of shock... but I think she'll be ok." he looked down, he wanted her to be here with him now, he missed her.

"I still can't believe all this has happened. That Trey boy made quite a mess," said Julie carelessly.

Jimmy immediately looked at her, it wasn't a great comment.

"Yeah… Can we not talk about it please." Marissa said.

Everyone was silent for a moment.

Ryan and Marissa kept glancing at each other and smiling, and Marissa was finding it harder and harder not to laugh. Eventually she burst out laughing, for no reason, and excused herself.

She walked out of the kitchen and headed over to the pool house, Ryan and Seth followed.

"Hey, dinner will be ready in about an hour okay." Sandy called after them.

"And Seth," Sandy called, "Watch over those two, you shouldn't need to give parent alerts like that."

Seth laughed, while Marissa and Ryan nervously looked back at Sandy. Sandy closed the door and walked back into the kitchen.

"What's a parent alert?" Julie asked, confused.

"Well…" Sandy started before a loud pounding came from the living room. Sandy, Jimmy and Julie all ran out of the kitchen to see the Cohen's front door swing open and watched as three police officers rushed in.

"Can I help you?" Sandy asked.

"Were looking for Marissa Cooper."

Jimmy stepped in front of Sandy, not to be rude, but Sandy had already fought to many of his battles for him.

"What do you want with her," Jimmy said defensively.

"We have a warrant for her arrest."

"What," Julie cried, "Sandy they can't arrest her can they. She saved Ryan and now they're arresting her, they can't do that."

Sandy walked over and glanced at the papers, which the officer was holding in his hands.

"I'm afraid they can."

Marissa, Seth and Ryan sat in the pool house. It would have been more fun if Summer were there- Seth would have felt less out of place.

"Hey so do you guys think I should call her?" he asked Ryan and Marissa, who were sitting on the bed.

Marissa looked at Ryan and then at Seth.

"She was pretty upset before, but you could see if she wants to hang out." Marissa said, kind of guessing.

Ryan noticed he didn't seem so happy.

"Is everything ok with you guys? Things working out alright?" He asked him.

Seth looked up at them again.

"Well yeah its fine... why wouldn't it be?" he asked accusingly.

Ryan shook his head.

"Just asking." He said, smiling to Marissa.

They were interrupted when they saw 3 policemen approaching the pool house. They all looked at each other then got up as the policemen walked in the door.

"What's going on?" Marissa asked, as the parents followed the officers into the room.

Looking around, each face had the same expression. Down, sad, shocked. They all knew the answer to Marissa's question, even Marissa.

One of the officers spoke, breaking the silence.

"Marissa Cooper?" He asked.

Marissa nodded her head shamefully, she had never been more scared in her life.

"I'm afraid you're under arrest." the officer's voice was loud and clear, confirming all their assumptions.

"You have the right to remain silent…"

"And I suggest you use that right," Sandy interrupted.

"You have the right to an attorney…"

"That would be me," Sandy interrupted again, giving a warning look to the officer who was now putting the cold metal cuffs on Marissa's hands.

Ryan sat frozen, caught in memories of the past, but then jerked forward and stood. He couldn't be in the past right now; Marissa needed him in the present.

"Marissa don't say anything, they have already questioned you enough," Sandy instructed as they lead Marissa out of the pool house and into the kitchen.

"Dad," Seth whispered, "They can't convict her…right."

"They probably barely have a case," Sandy answered, making sure everyone could hear it, hoping it would calm everyone down.

As they approached a front door, a man, dressed in a suit spoke.

"Sandy, I'm afraid we have all the evidence we need, plus a new witness."

Sandy gave the detective a faint smile, "The only people who were there and could testify were Ryan, Seth and Summer. And I don't think they're going to help prove your side of the story."

"Our witness may not have been there at the time, but she will proved the motive and rule out self-defense."

"Who?" Ryan asked.

The detective opened his notebook and peered in.

"Her name is… Jessica Sanders."