Disclaimer: All I own is Lee…the rest I'm just borrowing…

A/N: Sorry about the delay, school's been insane! Many thanks to Spykid18, SVOC Luva, Co, Dogsbody, Kursk, jhhhhjfjk89, slimkay, Leentje, Cynthia, and Sharkie2008 for the reviews. Happy reading!

Chapter 8 – Criminals & Cotillion

Lee examined herself in the mirror for the third time since she had changed. They were going to the club for cotillion practice, and Lee to find something from the 'Kirsten' portion of her closet to where. Her outfit was not too dressy; it was just a blue and white skirt with a matching blue top, but Lee still felt self-conscious. It was one thing to play dress up in the department store with Kirsten, but to actually go out like this was just not her. Even the cocktail dress for Casino Night was easier, because at least with that it was formal wear, not casual prep. She slipped on the matching ballet flats, grabbed her purse, and headed off to the kitchen to find the boys.

"Hey," she greeted almost nervously when she came across Seth and Ryan standing near the counter talking. In a blue sweater over a white collared shirt, Seth had clearly 'prepped' himself up for the club, but in black pants and a black t-shirt, Ryan looked normal.

"Now don't you look Newport," Seth smiled and Ryan hid a smirk behind him.

"Thanks," Lee slammed her purse on the counter and put her hands on her hips and glared at her brother, "Don't even start with me."

"I didn't say anything," he shrugged

"But I know what you are thinking, so stop," she walked over and poked him in the chest for affect, "I am not wearing any of this by choice."

"So someone dressed you?" Ryan teased.

"Kirsten suggested I wear this," Lee smiled, "And unlike you I want to stay on her good side."

"Ryan's not on her bad side," Seth broke in, "Because if he was neither of you would be here."

"But you have to admit that I've won points in the behavior department, because I haven't committed arson, stolen a car, or gotten into any fights," she listed triumphantly.

"That was an accident, you've never been caught, and you've spent all your time with me and Seth," Ryan listed back.

"Wait," Seth's jaw dropped, "You stole a car?"

"I was really more of an accessory," she brushed off and turned back to Ryan, "I want shopping with Marissa, had coffee with Summer, and met Luke without punching him."

"Give it a couple of weeks," he told her knowingly.

"So what does it mean that you were an accessory?" Seth asked, clearly still caught up on the fact that Lee had a criminal past.

"It means that I did nothing to stop the crime and that I facilitated it in some way," she shrugged.

"Facilitated?"

"I was a decoy a couple times," she shrugged.

"Wow," Seth shook his head, "If my mother found out…"

"Found out what?" Kirsten entered the kitchen.

"Nothing," he answered quickly, "I was just being melodramatic. You know me mom."

"Right," Kirsten smiled, knowing that there was more to it, but also that it would be unnatural for them to tell her everything, "You ready to go?"

"Yeah," Lee grabbed her purse from the counter.

"You look nice," Kirsten smiled at her.

"Thank you," she smiled back, "You too."

"Thanks," she turned to the boys, "Do you have your jackets?"

"Yeah, Mom," Seth held up his tan sports coat while Ryan grabbed his black one from the chair.

"Good, then let's go."

"Why is Cotillion so important?" Ryan asked as the pulled up in front of the club.

"It's the annual debutante ball," Kirsten explained handing her keys to the valet, "And is the premier event in Newport."

"Until whatever's next week," Seth muttered.

"It's the day when Newport's most accomplished young women make their formal debut into society," Kirsten continued, ignoring her son.

"Or another excuse for them to get wasted and throw up on themselves," Seth threw in.

"Hey I was lead deb at this same country club not so many years ago," Kirsten shot him a glare.

"The year was…" Seth trailed off mischeviously.

"Hey!" Kirsten warned as they walked in.

"You know what," Ryan looked around the lavish country club hesitantly, "Maybe I should skip it."

"You have to go," Kirsten shook her head, "It's a family tradition and you are part of the family."

"Hello!" Peggy, the event coordinator came over.

"Hi Peggy," Kirsten air kissed with her, "And how's it going?"

"It'll be fine. You know how it is," Peggy sighed and then pointed at the teens, "Two White Knights and a junior deb?"

"Yes," Kirsten smiled, "My foster kids Lee and Ryan."

"Excellent," Peggy smiled, "Seth you remember where we practice?"

"How could I forget," he answered and she stared at him expectantly, "Right, we should get going."

"I'll pick you up at 3," Kirsten told them as she and Peggy went off to work on some other details.

"Did she just say three?" Lee's jaw dropped, "Are we seriously going to be here for three hours?"

"Um, yeah," Seth led them down the hallway.

"What the hel--heck are we going to do for the next three hours?"

"Stupid cotillion stuff," he answered vaguely, "Bowing, curtsying…"

"And dancing?" she looked over his shoulder to see couples standing around dancing on a dance floor.

"Dancing?" Ryan stopped him from walking in, "You didn't tell me there was dancing"

"Well," Seth shrugged, "If I told you there was dancing, I would be here by myself right now."

"I warned him that you didn't like to dance," Lee told her brother.

"That's because I don't," Ryan brooded.

"Uh huh. Nether do I. I just move well," he did this rolling shoulder arm thing, "I'll teach you that one. Huh? Maybe later. You ready?"

"We're ready," Lee smirked, clearly amused by Seth's dancing.

"Hey guys," Marissa found them the minute they stepped into the room. As lead deb, she was checking everyone in on her clipboard, "Lee, I was so excited when Kirsten called to tell me you were going to be a junior deb. You're going to have so much fun."

"I hope so," she plastered on a fake smile.

"Trust me, you will."

"Good," Lee looked over Marissa's shoulder to see Seth mockingly mouth 'you will' back at her, "So where do I go?"

"The junior debs and their partners have a shorter practice and will meet on that side of the room," she glanced down at her clipboard, "I put you with Matt Ward, since you've actually met him."

"Sure," she looked at Ryan before heading over to her side of the room, "Have fun."

"You too," he snarked back at her.

"Now can I introduce you two to your debs?" Marissa asked in her business voice, although clearly amused by the siblings.

"We've already met," Summer sidled up to an awkward looking Ryan.

"Actually, Summer," Marissa corrected, "Ryan's already been promised to someone else."

"I believe that would be you," a redheaded girl joined them.

"I didn't give my date appendicitis," Summer argued, "This is not my fault."

"Hi, I'm Kat Winters," she ignored Summer.

"Ryan Atwood," he shook her hand.

"What about me?" Summer demanded with her hand on her head.

"You're with Seth," Marissa smiled.

"Coop," she grabbed her friend's arm, "A word?"

"Yeah, Sum?" she asked as Summer pulled her away.

"You put me with Cohen?"

"His grandfather's Caleb Nichol, the most powerful man in Newport. I thought you like powerful men."

"I do, but he's Seth Cohen."

"Deal with it, Sum," Marissa laughed and returned to the group, "Kat, Ryan, let me show you where you'll be."

"Well, don't just stand there, Cohen," Summer snapped insistently.

"Seriously?"

"Just remember my choice of date got sick," she led the way to the dance floor.

"Well, don't worry, nothing will put me out of commission," Seth rambled happily, "I will fight through any, and I do mean any, disease to be here."

"Just, don't!" she shuddered and faced him from their spot, "Don't talk to me."

"All right. I get it. Our connection is a little bit deeper than words," he held out his arms and Summer dutifully placed her hand on his shoulder with a nauseated look and a glare, "That's it. I'm done. I'm sorry. A chockfull of quiet starting now."

"We meet again," Matt smiled when Lee walked over to the group of junior debs and their escorts.

"So we do," Lee smirked, "Why do I feel like you arranged this?"

"All I did was ask Marissa not to put me with Cammie Barrington."

"Who's Cammie?"

"My ex-girlfriend who thinks we're soul mates," he groaned, "She's in the brunette in the green dress at two o'clock."

"I see," she casually looked at the other girl, who was the typical Newport teen, "I'm just a diversion then."

"So I'm using you," he shrugged, "But you really lucked out."

"Really, how so?"

"Because I'm one of the best dancers here."

"Good," she laughed, "Because I am clueless."

"I don't believe that."

"They don't exactly do ballroom in Chino," she bit her lip apprehensively. Unlike her brother, Lee did dance but her specialty was of the hip-hop and R&B variety.

"As I said, I'm an excellent lead," he took her right hand in his, "We hold hands like this."

"Mmhmm."

"And then you put your hand on my shoulder," he told her and she did, "Now don't be afraid to squeeze those muscles."

"What muscles?" she gave his shoulder a squeeze.

"That hurts," he pretended to be wounded, "But I'm a runner, so you're right. The upper body isn't our forte," he placed his hand on the small of her back, "And now we're ready to dance."

"Except that they haven't started the music yet," she smirked.

"Well, this is practice," he began to hum softly, "Just follow me lead. One, two, three. One, two, three."

"Sure," she sighed, but quickly fell in step with Matt.

"You're a natural," he smiled, spinning her once before stopping their practice.

"Thank you," she smiled and gave him a curtsy.

"I see you've got that down," he grinned, "So I guess you're more of a deb than you thought."

"Thanks," she swatted him on the arm and he laughed.

"Okay. So you guys will be over here. If you want to go ahead and get into waltz position," Marissa led them over to their spot on the dance floor only to have to two of them look completely lost, "Which means Kat, you put your left hand on Ryan's shoulder.

"Like this?" Kat placed her palm on his shoulder.

"Um, No. Here. Watch," she gently nudged Kat out of the way and correctly placed her hand on his shoulder, "Okay? Now, Ryan, you put your right hand on my back," she laughed when she felt his hand on her shoulder blade, "Lower."

"Better?" he asked, after slowly sliding his hand down her back.

"Uh yeah," she answered, suddenly uncomfortable after the moment they just shared, "Good."

"I'd be pretty jealous right now if Chino wasn't gay," Luke walked over with Holly and her date, who laughed at his joke. Marissa stepped out of Ryan's arms but shot Luke the patented girlfriend death glare, "What? No. It doesn't bother me. I mean he's born that way right."

"Thanks," Ryan told Marissa softly without looking at Luke, "I can take it from here."

"Okay," Marissa smiled and gestured for Kat to return."

"You're into her, huh?" Kat observed as Ryan watched Marissa walk away, "Man, are you in trouble."

"I know," he sighed.

"Yeah," she placed her hand on his shoulder, "Come on."

"Sure," Ryan got into position, but his eyes remained on Marissa and Luke doing the same across the room. Peggy started the music and began counting out the beat, so Ryan was forced to look away from the 'happy couple' and focus on the dancing.

"So you're the kid from Chino," Kat said once they fell into a rhythm.

"Uh yeah," he looked at her in surprise, "Is that okay with you?"

"I don't care," she shrugged, "It will probably piss of my grandmother, but that doesn't bother me. I don't want to do this, but she insisted. That's why I didn't have a date. I was hoping I'd have no White Knight and get out of this."

"I'm sorry for messing up your plans."

"I can deal," Kat smiled, "My parents are missionaries and are getting done with their latest trip at the end of the summer, which means I'll be back to my life in Chicago, and I can start erasing this last year from my memory."

"Is life here really that bad?" he looked a little worried.

"No."

"You're lying."

"Only partially," she bit her lip, "There are worse places than here, and my grandmother made it difficult for me. You're staying with the Cohen's so you've already got the nicest family in Newport."

"How do you know so much about me?"

"Don't worry, you'll get used to the gossip too."

"Three hours of dancing," Ryan groaned as they walked over to where the junior debs were getting some last minute instructions on how they would assist debutantes the next night.

"I feel like I could go for three more," Seth said dreamily.

"Ryan!" Marissa joined them quickly, "How was Kat? I figured that since she's not the typical Newport girl. Did it work?"

"Yeah," he smiled awkwardly.

"Great, good," she smiled back.

"Hey!" Holly came up to Marissa and gave her a hug.

"Hey, Hol," she smiled, "I was just going to tell them about the cookout tonight."

"Yeah," Holly popped a piece of gum into her mouth, "It's at my house. I do it every year for Cotillion."

"You didn't do it last year," Seth looked confused.

"Yeah, we did," she popped her gum.

"Ouch," Seth grimaced when it dawned on him.

"See you tonight," she smiled at Marissa and walked away.

"See you there!" Seth called after her.

"You really think that's such a good idea?" Ryan glanced at Luke, who was talking to some friends.

"Yeah, I do. I mean you're living here now and there's no reason we can't all hang out, right?"

"I can think of a reason," Seth muttered.

"Hey Lee," Marissa ignored Seth, "I was just telling the guys about this cookout tonight at my friend Holly's. You should come."

"Um," Lee hesitated and stole a quick glance over at Matt who had joined his brother.

"There will be some great people there," Marissa shared a knowing look with her, "Think about it."

"Yeah, I'm not going," Ryan said once Marissa walked away."

"Wait. Dude, I don't want to go alone," Seth said quickly.

"What about me?" Lee looked upset.

"You're a girl, you don't count," he brushed her off and turned to Ryan who was watching Seth with his arms crossed, "Listen to me. We're like brothers now. Okay? That means we do stuff for each other. For instance, if you do this for me, somewhere down the line, I'm going to be able to do something for you. I don't know what it's going to be yet, but it's going to be awesome! Please?"

"How can you say no to that face?" Lee threw in.

"Fine," Ryan relented.

"Great!" he clapped hi s hands in glee, "It'll be great, I tell you, great!"

A/N: So, what did you think? Let me know! Next chapter will be the party, and it will be different (in a good way) than the show's version, I promise.