A/N:- I'm so sorry I haven't updated this sooner, I had it written up and everything, but this is the first chance I've had to post it. I hope you're still all willing to review, as I read and love every single one of them : ). Anyway, please comment on this chapter, as I wasn't too sure I liked it, sorry its so short. But here it is…oh, and just one thing, everything in italics is a flashback.

For What It's Worth

Chapter Two -Memories

Ryan twirled around in his office chair, turning so he could face the person he was talking to. It was two after the unsuccessful meeting had happened, and to be honest, nothing much had happened. Marissa wouldn't answer his calls, and it wasn't as if e was about to walk in the house. She had long since made sure he knew he wasn't welcome there.

"Ryan? Are you still following?" Ryan's publicist, Abby, tried to make herself known as he shook his head full of thoughts.

"Oh, right, sorry." Ryan gave a quick smile, and leant forward on his desk. "You were saying?"

"Well, the impending award ceremonies, premieres, events that you were due to attend with Marissa…" Abby looked up from her folder again, as Ryan once again had let his mind drift. As he sat with his head in his hands, he couldn't even think of a word to say. How this had all happened, how had this all ended so quickly? And now they were discussing who got which piece of furniture.

"Um, I guess I'll just have to go to them alone, I mean, its not that big a deal is it?" Ryan answered, wearily.

"Ryan, you were due to present "Best Actor" together at the Oscars." Abby gave him a look as he sighed. She weakly smiled as she saw his tired face.

"Why don't you go home?" Abby said, shutting her folder and standing up. "I mean, it's pretty obvious we're not going to get any work done with you like this." Ryan looked up and returned her weak smile.

"Yeah, I guess I have been pretty tired…" Ryan replied slowly, as Abby nodded and shut the door quietly as she left him alone in his office. Ryan got up, picking up his suit jacket and his cell. Looking back at his desk to check he had left nothing behind, he saw the sliver frame that was glinting in the evening twilight, a picture of him and Marissa from years ago, back in college. They had both decided to follow their original plans, and go to Berkeley Sandy and Kirsten had reluctantly allowed them to buy an apartment together, knowing they would just spend all their time at the others dorm room anyway. The picture had been taken in the tiny kitchen of their small one-bed roomed apartment, when Seth and Summer had come back from Brown for Chrismukkah. They had all been laughing at the joke presents they had brought back with them, a Santa's hat for Ryan, and a pair of brown furry reindeer antlers for Marissa. There was no way in hell that Ryan was ever going to wear them in public, but somehow Marissa managed to get it onto his head whilst Summer was flashing her camera about. Even though he had his arms around her, the look of shock was evident on his face as was Marissa's face where she was widely smiling. They were happy.

Ryan walked over, and picked the picture up, remembering the day. He sighed again, placing it back, face down. Knowing things could never go back to the way they were.

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Considering Ryan was no longer living in the house he had bought after Ryan and Marissa had got married, his set his car to display the route to his new apartment in Central L.A. He pulled his black Lamborghini into the automatic garage, he finally was home. He got up out of his car and groaned inwardly as he saw the silver BMW that belonged to Seth parked across the street. As he entered his apartment, to which Seth had managed to get a spare key too, he sure enough heard his voice.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Ryan entered his lounge to find Seth and Summer sitting on his couch. Double trouble.

"Hey, Seth, Summer." Ryan said, sliding his shoes off as he collapsed tiredly into the armchair which graced the corner of the room. "You know, this is getting kind of creepy, you two being here even before I get home."

"Well, you know, just making sure you're not too lonely." Summer smiled as she answered, clinging onto Seth's arm as they sat next to each other. "Plus, we have news."

"Some news, huh?" Ryan said, getting up and walking into the kitchen which followed through from the lounge, and flicking on the coffee machine.

"Heck yes, we have some news, Ryan." Seth replied, having followed him in and was presently leaning against the kitchen counter. Both he and Summer had debated whether to break the news considering the current situation, but they both figured, or rather hoped both Ryan and Marissa would be supportive in whatever they chose to do.

Ryan stared at the pair as they gazed lovingly into each others eyes, and in turn rolled his own. If they were going to say what he thought they were, they were too late. Sandy had already told him on the phone today, and told him to brace himself. Seth and Summer were engaged.

"We're getting married!" Summer squealed, squeezing Seth's hand as they both looked at him expectantly. Ryan gave them a smile.

"Yeah, I know."

"What? What do you mean you know?" Seth replied, eyebrows furrowed as he wondered where Ryan got his information from.

"Your dad told me today, over the phone." Ryan forced another smile, and stepped forward to hug them both, congratulating them.

"Ah, the Sandman. I always said he should be a new character in Atomic County, he does, after all, know all." Seth said, reinforcing his statement by nodding. Summer giggled, and slapped him lightly on the arm. The two stayed for dinner, take-out of course, and then Ryan saw them out. It wasn't that he wasn't happy for them, of course he was. He knew what it was like to be in their position. The truth was, he wasn't even sure he was in control of his position at the moment. Ryan knew Marissa was doing the best she could, surrounding herself with her friends and going out partying. But he knew inside she was hurting just as bad. The divorce had been a shock to them both, but knowing their marriage had completely broken down like that was a stab to the heart. Everything about his life had changed from the minute she brought the divorce papers home in her handbag, leaving them on the kitchen counter with a short note explaining what they were, and why, she felt they were there. Then she had left, to finish filming in London for her upcoming movie, the remake of Vanity Fair. With her as the lead role, of course. Ryan sat down on his bed as he remembered. It seemed that that was all he was doing these days, remembering. But that was all he could do. After all, he had played as much part in this divorce as she had.

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The glass smashed loudly as it hit the wall, the result of Marissa's anger. She stood in the middle of the room, whilst Ryan paced the room, with his fists clenched.

"How could you do this to me!" She kept screaming, tears rolling down her face. Ryan knew better than to reply to her, not wanting to provoke her again for another round of the shouting match they had entered. Ryan also knew she was drunk, and this wasn't the first time. Countless times before, Ryan had had to put up with it. But he stayed, and so did she. Because, they both knew they couldn't survive without the other. The torment was tearing both of them apart inside, and Ryan knew he had nearly reached the end of his tether.

"I'm going out." Ryan grabbed his keys, walking into the kitchen, where he could access the garage.

"Yeah, that's right, walk away!" Marissa shouted after him. "Like you always do…!" Ryan turned back, striding back to her and standing before her. Marissa was suddenly quiet, not wanting to move as they stared into each others blue eyes. Before they knew it, Ryan's hands were round Marissa's waist, and their lips were connected, both of their bodies tumbling back onto the sofa…

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"Marissa, are you coming?" Nicola's voice shouted up the stairs, but Marissa couldn't hear it as she sat on her bed, staring down at the object before her. Her eyes closed and she felt a wet tear roll slowly down her cheek.

"Shit." Marissa whispered as she looked at it again, closing her eyes to stop the tears from falling. She got up from her bed, and threw it in her bin, taking one last look, before turning away and grabbing her jacket.

"Yeah, I'm coming!" Marissa replied, walking out of the room, her head clouded with thoughts. This was the last thing she had ever dreamed of happening; in fact this was the one thing she just couldn't handle right now.

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A/N :- Thanks for reading! Hope you liked it! Review, as the more reviews I get, the sooner I will update : )