Disclaimer: I do not own The OC or its characters. And some of the lines in here are from The Return of the Nana.

This is my first fanfic so please read and review! I'll only continue on with it if you like it. The idea for this just popped into my head one day-an alternate ending for Season 2.

Kirsten looked in the mirror, scrupulously checking her make up. Why was she paying so much attention to her looks for Carter-why did she even invite him to dinner at her place to begin with? And why did the name alone bring something of a smile to her face and a feeling suspiciously resembling happiness?

She had tried-she was trying-so hard to fight these feelings. Trying so hard to convince herself that she thought of Carter as a friend and workmate and nothing more, but every time she saw him those thoughts grew less and less convincing.

She should be happy that he was leaving, Kirsten thought. He'd have a great job and she wouldn't have to spend each day alone with him, terrified that her true feelings would suddenly come blurting out. But at the same time, she didn't know how she would cope not seeing him. Or how she would cope handling the loneliness she'd felt before he came, that would certainly return with a vengeance once he was gone.

Oh, God-when had it all become so screwed up? Kirsten sank down the wall and rested her head in her hands. Had it been the summer the boys left? Was it when Rebecca came and complicated things? When Carter arrived? Or was it like a dominoes effect-one thing leading onto another, complicating things further? Whatever the case, her "perfect" marriage had been far from perfect for quite some time. And now the boys were in Miami while Kirsten was organising a romantic dinner for her and Carter in her house-Sandy's house.

Drawing in a deep breath, Kirsten collected herself and faced the mirror once more. She didn't like what she saw in front of her-she hadn't in awhile. The words "traitor" and "hypocrite" seemed to scream back at her, and the wedding rings on her finger were a painful reminder of what she was endangering.

Sandy started it, she told herself defensively, grimacing at the realisation of how childish those thoughts sounded. She had done nothing with Carter, Kirsten told herself firmly. There was nothing for her to feel bad about.

Try as she may to believe that, it didn't stop Kirsten from applying another layer of foundation to her face, in an attempt to cover every freckle; every slight imperfection. To cover herself.


"I think that was the best meal I've ever had," Carter announced, carrying some dishes to the sink.

"Well, I'm glad you liked it," Kirsten replied, dropping off her dishes at the sink. "I'll tell the chef."

"I thought I was telling the chef," Carter said.

"Okay…confession," Kirsten said, the whole situation striking her as funny.

"Yeah?" Carter asked, obviously not showing the effects of the wine as much as she was.

"I had the meal catered," Kirsten admitted. "I am the world's worst cook."

Everything with Carter just felt so natural to her. Their conversation just always seemed to flow, and dinner tonight had been no exception. The dinner had actually been great-mainly because she'd used wine as a means to drown out the fact that Carter would be leaving her. Just like Seth and Ryan. Just like Sandy.

"Well, okay," Carter said with a smile. "But you went to all this trouble-why blow your cover now?"

"Oh, maybe it's the wine," Kirsten answered, growing solemn. She looked up in his eyes, "But I think it's because I can't lie to you."

"I know the feeling," Carter quietly confided. "So, while we're being honest with each other; you know this incredible job I was just offered? I almost didn't take it. Because I didn't want to leave."

Kirsten felt a flutter in her stomach, not being able to push down the hope that she had been part of the reason.

"Well, that's nice," Kirsten said, trying to act nonchalant. "Because in the beginning you hated Newport."

She watched Carter hesitate and she knew. The butterflies intensified as she realised that she definitely had been a part of the reason.

"Well, it wasn't Newport I didn't want to leave," Carter told her.

Kirsten didn't try to pull back as Carter leaned towards her-she couldn't. This had been what she'd wanted, and had been fighting against, for so long. And as their lips met, the rational side of Kirsten worked its way through her tipsy brain: she had to pull back. Now. But her heart was revelling in being kissed by someone who hadn't left her. Someone she could trust to take the loneliness away, just by being there-like Sandy used to. And Carter was quite like Sandy, Kirsten admitted to herself.

At last they drew apart, but Kirsten kept her eyes shut. She was convinced that she could feel the earth gently moving beneath her-something she thought only happened in romance novels.

Kirsten opened her eyes to wish Carter luck in his new job, but her eyes narrowed in confusion as the earth continued moving before recognition kicked in.

"Carter," Kirsten whispered, looking into his eyes in fright and holding on to his arms.

Her eyes widened in shock as the earth gave a fierce, ominous jolt. Kirsten screamed as a stronger jolt followed almost immediately and she fought for her balance as the whole world was shaking in front of her.

Carter tightened his grip on Kirsten, and lead her shaking body to the doorway.

"Kirsten, stay here, alright?" Carter yelled to be heard.

Kirsten grabbed onto the doorway as hard as she could as Carter glanced around holding tightly onto the kitchen island, looking for something to take refuge under.

As if it was in slow motion, Kirsten watched a cookbook come sliding off the top of the wobbling fridge, right in her direction.

The earthquake seemed to be intensifying, Carter realised, his eyes darting around desperately. He was distracted by the sound of something being hit and a scream.

Turning around quickly, he saw Kirsten swaying on the spot loosing consciousness, blood forming on her forehead and an open book on the floor.

Carter watched in terror as Kirsten begun falling forwards at the same time and in the same direction as the fridge. It would crush her, Carter frantically realised.

"Kirsten!" he yelled, racing over to her.

Her pushed her out of the way and watched her fall backwards, missing the fridge, but it was too late for Carter.

Before he realised what was happening, he was pushed to the floor under the weight of the fridge, his hand falling on Kirsten's leg.

Please review and let me know what you think and if I should continue!