A/N: I'm still getting used to this site, and I'm not quite sure how to check to see if I've gotten any reviews yet.. So, if anyone could help me out, that'd be great:) I combined two chapters into one for this, so it'll probably be a bit longer than upcoming ones. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

"Thanks for doing this, Sandy." Jimmy stopped pacing the room the moment he acknowledged Sandy's presence. "I know that you have problems of your own, and probably have a lot on your mind right now.."

"Nonsense," Sandy replied, silencing the nervous wreck that was Jimmy Cooper. "Marissa saved Ryan's life, I couldn't be anymore grateful." he took a sip of his coffee and sat down in the nearest chair. He was trying his best to concentrate, but his mind was evidently elsewhere. Kirsten was sitting in rehab, oblivious to the night's events. Maybe that was for the best. The last thing she needed was yet another catastrophe to concern herself with. The last one had taken quite a toll on her drinking.

Jimmy watched for a moment as Sandy stared off into space and decided that it would probably be best to leave him alone. So, he walked off to the other side of the room where Julie was sitting. "How ya holdin' up?" he sat down next to her and placed his hand cautiously on her thigh, unsure whether or not it was appropriate.

"Not so good." she replied, ferociously flipping through an old magazine.

"Hey, take it easy." he said in a calm, gentle voice. "We'll make it through this."

"Will we?" she put down the magazine and turned toward him, her eyes wide. "I'm not so sure anymore. The only family trip we may be taking is to the local juvenile delinquent center."

"That's crazy. It was self-defense. There's no way she'll get charged.."

"But will the judge see it from the same perspective?"

This last comment silenced them both. Jimmy couldn't think of any other arguments, so he simply stopped talking.

From another section of the room sat Ryan. He was crouched down on the floor, just as Marissa had been no more than a couple of hours ago. There were plenty of open seats available, but he chose the floor. His mind was racing. He was finding it difficult to process the night's events. He was still trying to comprehend the newly discovered information that Trey had attacked Marissa, let alone the fact that someone whom he had known for his entire life was dead- and his girlfriend could be charged with the murder. It was all too much for him to take. It was just one traumatizing event after another.

"Ryan?" he recognized that voice all too well.

"I-uh, don't really feel like talking- not right now." It wasn't even necessary for him to look up. He knew that the person hovering over him was Seth. Summer was probably just inches away.

"We just thought you might want some company.." Seth replied persistently. "We don't have to talk." With that, he plopped down on the floor right next to Ryan. "Now, I know you like to brood privately.." he continued, motioning for Summer to sit down next to him. "but we just couldn't stand to see you sitting here all by yourself."

"Thanks." Ryan forced a smile thus recognizing the kind gesture. Maybe he wouldn't have to go through this alone. It was a comforting feeling- knowing that he wasn't all by himself.

Kirsten took a long look around the cramped room and couldn't believe that it would be her home for the next couple of months. Occasionally, she would hear gossip about women she knew being sent to rehab. Never did she consider the possibility that she could potentially be the next topic. She was still trying to accept the fact that she had a problem and needed help. It was difficult for her to rely on other people. She wanted so badly to believe that she could quit drinking on her own, but she had attempted that already and the outcome could've been tragic.

"Kirsten?"

Startled, she whipped her head around- perhaps a bit too fast- to see the doctor- the very same one who had earlier staged the intervention- poke his head in the doorway.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. If you'd like, you're welcome to come downstairs and meet some of the other patients."

She took yet another look around the room and sighed. She couldn't call home for three days, so there was certainly nothing better to do..

"Okay." she agreed and followed him out the doorway.

Marissa had been sitting in the same room for two hours now. Despite all of the prior events, it was still unbearably boring. To pass the time, she simply fidgeted with her fingers or tapped her foot against the hard, concrete floor. Needless to say, it was not very entertaining. About an hour ago, she was interviewed by a policeman. He was short, heavy, and nearly bald. He spoke with a raspy, monotonous tone of voice that, under any other circumstances, would've entertained her to some extent. But no, not tonight. How could she be entertained when every person who walked through the door treated her like a criminal? It was very depressing. She was using every last bit of self-discipline she had not to consider the possibility that she could actually be a criminal. She didn't have any other choice but to shoot him. She would rather spend the rest of her life in jail then have something happen to Ryan.

Very suddenly, the door creaked open, interrupting her train of thought. Her eyes lit up with hope.

Sandy walked through the door looking very distressed.

She couldn't help but be dissapointed. She was hoping for Ryan, even though it was a pretty senseless ambition considering the fact that no visitors were allowed. Her dissapointment didn't last too long, though. Once she snapped back to her senses, she realized that she was willing to see anyone- just so long as they didn't wear a badge. Of coarse Sandy wouldn't treat her like a criminal.

He set his briefcase down on the table and sat directly across from her. He then simply sat back and closed his eyes, welcoming the silence. This was very abnormal. He certainly was not the silent type.

"Uh.. Mr. Cohen?" Marissa finally said, unable to withstand the silence.

He sat up and looked her directly in the eyes. "Now Marissa," he began. "I know I'm your defense attorney, but please.. call me Sandy."