The following fan fiction is collaboration of the O.C. RPG website (3W's)avidgamers (dot com) schoolofrock/".

Story By:

Ryan – Coolcolin5

Edited By:

Ryan – Coolcolin5

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The O.C. Season 3 - Episode 2 – "The Pay Off" Scene 2 - Lawyer Trouble

Sandy took a deep breath before opening the door to see the Coopers standing in the doorway. Marissa stood quietly, the worry of her trial obviously on her mind. Julie and Jimmy stood smiling, which caught Sandy somewhat off guard not because of Marissa's situation, but because they seemed happy together.

"How's it going Sandy," Jimmy said, patting him on the back as he entered the Cohen's house.

"Pretty good," Sandy replied, knowing that everything was far from good.

In fact, Sandy was in trouble. After discussing the case with an old friend he knew that he couldn't win Marissa's case. The trouble wasn't the testimony of Jessica Sanders; most people tend not to believe drug abusers, the trouble was the attempted rape. In fact, if the children had said nothing to the officers when they arrived, none of this would have happened. Marissa wouldn't be in court and her future wouldn't look so grim. Unfortunately, they all panicked. The officers split the kids up, took statements and each told the story. Summer, Seth and Marissa's stories were sketchy at best, but Ryan's statement was by far the worst. Sandy didn't have the heart to tell Ryan, that because of his statement, Marissa would surely go to jail. The problem was he was being called as a witness, for the prosecution.

" You said this meeting was urgent," Julie said, "Has something changed?"

"There may be a problem."

"What kind of problem?" Marissa asked sharply.

"Nothing you need to worried about right now," Sandy said, trying to sound convincing. "Ryan and Seth are in the pool house, why don't you join them, I'll come and get you if we need you."

"No," Marissa said harshly, "Is something wrong?"

Sandy glanced over at Jimmy, looking for support.

"Kiddo, why don't you go see Ryan and Seth. I'll get you if there is something you need to hear, I promise."

Marissa nodded, comforted by her father, and walked out of the entrance and towards the pool house.

Now the hard part, Sandy thought. He had to tell the Coopers that it would be best if they got another lawyer. A high priced lawyer that could win.

As soon as Marissa walked out of sight of the adults she stopped dead in her tracks. She glanced behind her to make sure that no one had followed. She knew something was very wrong, most likely about her case and the last thing she wanted was to hear a sugar coated summary of Sandy's words from her parents.

Taking another step forward she hid just out of sight, but in complete earshot. If Sandy had something that he needed to say about her case, she needed to hear it.

"So Sanford, what do we need to hear?"

Sandy could barely look Jimmy in the eye, but he just managed to and could see that although Jimmy seemed normal, his eyes gave away how worried he really was.

"As you've probably guest, it's about the case. But before we get started can I get anyone a drink?"

That caught Julies attention, which had been occupied by how dusty the house had become since the departure of Kirsten.

"I'll have a beer," Jimmy answered. "If you have any."

"I hide a few in the back of the fridge," Sandy said as he got up and moved towards the kitchen.

As soon as Sandy had offered drinks, Marissa started to panic and her first instinct was to race for the door and run out to the pool house, but instead she took a deep breath and tried not to panic. Sandy had stood and was moving this way and was only a few short steps from Marissa. Marissa dashed behind the island in the center of the kitchen, just in time. As she crouched on the floor, she could hear the fridge door open and the clanking of beer bottles being fetched from the back of the fridge. She should have just said she was getting a glass of water or something, if Sandy found her hiding down on the floor, eavesdropping on their conversation she would be very embarrassed and might even lose the respect of the only person that could save her.

"Do you want a beer also Julie?"

"Um… no," she replied, rather sarcastically. "Have anything else?"

"Not with alcohol."

"I'll have water."

Marissa didn't even have time to breathe as she quietly scurried to the far side of the island, again just missing Sandy as he grabbed a cup and filled it with water and then left the kitchen, drinks in hand.

Marissa got up quietly, calmly moved back into her original position and waited.

"So what about the case?" Jimmy asked, taking the beer from Sandy.

"Well," Sandy said, taking a deep breath, "I've been talking it over with some old friends from law school and it is worse then I expected."

"What changed?" Julie questioned, "I though everything was going well."

"So did I," Sandy replied, "But I just read one of the reports the boys gave to the police officers that night and it doesn't look good."

"But she'll still be acquitted, won't she." Jimmy gasped.

Sandy looked away from Jimmy and focused on his words. "I don't know anymore Jimmy. I wish I did."

"What do you want us to do?" Jimmy asked, the worry in his eye now replaced with panic.

"I think you should get another lawyer, I just don't think I can win."

The sound of Sandy's voice echoed towards the kitchen and when it hit Marissa's ears, tears immediately began to build in her eyes. Marissa's head softly hit the back of the wall as she slid down the counter until she met the floor, devastated. She hadn't even thought of going to jail, everyone knew she was innocent, this wasn't suppose to happen.

I know it's a little short, but I had to do this scene all by myself… the next one should be a lot longer. As always, make sure you review.