As the last scene begins, Ryan and Marissa are just making it back to the party. They stop outside of the entrance to put their shoes back on. As they make their way inside, they talk.

Ryan: So, are you hungry?

Marissa: Starving. We must have walked at least a few miles out there. What is there to eat?

Ryan: If this party is anything like the last one, just about anything you could ask for. I thought we could hit the buffet, find a table, and eat in peace. Afterwards, though, we better find Seth and Summer, because if we avoid them all night, we'll never hear the end of it.

Marissa: And then maybe you could give me that dance you owe me.

Ryan: What dance? (He asks this very playfully. Marissa turns to him and smacks his arm lightly.)

Marissa: Oh no you don't. Do not even try to get out of this dance. Besides, the last time we danced together, I don't remember you complaining that much.

Ryan: Fine, I admit that dancing with you is not that bad, in fact, I rather enjoy it, but you better not tell anyone I said that.

Marissa: And what are you going to do about it if I say anything? I know you won't not dance with me, because the last time you threatened that, I countered with my own threat of finding another dancing partner and you caved within seconds, so what are you going to try this time?

Ryan: I won't kiss you anymore.

Marissa: Oh really? (She stops walking which makes him do so as well. She leans into his face very closely, their lips are almost touching.) So, you're not going to kiss me anymore, are you?

Ryan: Did I say that? I must have been suffering from some sort of temporary loss of sanity to say that.

Marissa: Must have been. (She leans in even closer.)

Ryan: Yeah, because kissing you is too fun to give up, even for a worthy cause.

Marissa: Good. (She pulls away and starts to walk towards the buffet. He follows her.)

Ryan: Hey, where are you going? I thought you were going to kiss me.

Marissa: What, here, at this formal party. I don't think so, Ryan Atwood. Besides, I have to give you something to look forward to later for when we're back in your poolhouse.

Ryan: That is something to look forward to. Would you like to go home now?

Marissa: Nice try, but we're not leaving for a while. We still need to hear your Dad sing, we still have to eat and dance, and we still need to build the anticipation a little more.

Ryan: You and your anticipation.

Marissa: You enjoy my building of the anticipation. Didn't anyone ever tell you that instant gratification is not worth having?

Ryan: No.

Marissa: Well, now I have. (They reach the food table and begin to put things on their plates. She turns and kisses his cheek.) Now come on, I'm starving. No more flirting, not while we're eating. (He laughs and they both continue to fill their plates. Meanwhile, the camera pans away to James Sr. and Jane. They had been talking to friends, but as the couple leaves, they are left standing alone outside. After a moment, they spot Marissa.)

Jane: James, is that who I think it is? I know we've only seen pictures of her, but I could never forget that a face that beautiful.

James Sr.: I don't believe it. Jimmy's been frantic to find Marissa, and this whole time, she's been in Newport. And look who she's with.

Jane: Ryan, Kirsten and Sandy's Ryan. You don't think….

James Sr.: It has to be his girlfriend. Can you believe it? Our granddaughter is dating her father's high school sweet heart's son, small world.

Jane: Especially if you consider the fact that Marissa grew up in Pennsylvania and just recently arrived here. Why, think about it, they must have started dating as soon as she got here. They were already together at New Year's.

James Sr.: She looks happy though. That's a good sign. Do you think we should go find Jimmy? He'll want to know that his daughter is here.

Jane: Yeah, we should tell him. I just hope that their reunion goes smoothly. If she left home, she might not want to be found.

James Sr.: That's not our decision to make, Jane.

Jane: I know, I know, I just hope that she doesn't take off again after she learns that her father is back in Newport.

James Sr.: Time will tell, but come on, let's go find Jimmy. (They leave and the camera goes back to Ryan and Marissa who are now sitting down at a table eating. As they are sitting there, Sandy, Kirsten, Seth, and Summer all see them sitting there and they head over to speak with them. Both couples arrive at the same time.)

Ryan: Looks like a few people have been looking for us.

Marissa: They don't look very happy. Do you think something is wrong?

Ryan: I don't know. (Everyone arrives at the table.) Is something wrong?

Sandy: Marissa, we have some questions for you, and we don't want you to panic, but we think that there are some people here that we should warn you about.

Ryan: What's going on?

Seth: What's your Mom's name, Marissa?

Marissa: (She is hesitant because they have made her nervous.) Julie, why?

Summer: Oh no, and your father?

Marissa: (She is scared. She has dropped her fork and is holding Ryan's hands in both of hers, practically squeezing the blood out of them. Her face is pale, and she is beginning to shake as she begins to realize what is going on.) Jimmy.

Kirsten: And you have a sister named Caitlyn and your last name is Cooper?

Marissa: Oh my God! Please don't tell me they're here. How did they find me? (She is becoming hysterical. She stands up, as does Ryan, who puts his arms around her protectively.)

Sandy: They don't know you're here, at least not yet, we don't think, but you should probably leave before they see you.

Ryan: I'll take her, come on.

Summer: Coop, do you want Seth and I to come along?

Kirsten: I don't think that's a good idea. People may become suspicious if both you and Ryan left, Seth. Besides, Marissa probably wants to be alone right now. (Marissa doesn't say anything. She just keeps staring at Ryan, basically saying to him with her eyes, help me, get me out of here. Ryan grabs her purse from the table, and starts to lead her away from the table, but before they can escape, Marissa sees Jimmy and Caitlyn and they see her.)

Seth: Ugh oh.

Sandy: Ryan, get her out of here, right now. Kirsten and I will run interference. Seth, Summer, clear a path for them to the car, now, quickly. (Everyone starts to move in their respective distances. As Marissa leaves, Jimmy tries to reach her, but Kirsten and Sandy cut him off and block his way.)

Jimmy: What do you think you're doing? Please, get out of my way. I need to speak with my daughter.

Kirsten: (Playing innocent.) What are you talking about, Jimmy? Caitlyn is right here.

Jimmy: Not Caitlyn, Marissa.

Kirsten: Oh, is that your other daughter's name?

Jimmy: Yes, and she's right there, she's leaving, and she's with your son and his fiancée and another young man.

Sandy: Oh, that's Ryan, our other son, but that girl's name is not Marissa.

Jimmy: Of course it is.

Sandy: Nope. We've known her for some time now, that's….Amanda. She and Ryan grew up together, and she's been visiting him for years. They just started dating, but I've never met a Marissa before. You must be mistaken, but I now how it is. As we get older the eye sight goes first.

Jimmy: (He tries to push Sandy out of his way.) Get out of my way. That girl is not named Amanda, that is my daughter, Marissa, and you two know it. Why won't you let me get to her?

Kirsten: We wanted to talk to you. We thought we should all get together this week, you know become re-acquainted.

Jimmy: Sandy, let me pass, now!

Sandy: I can't let you do that. Besides, AMANDA is probably already gone now. Why don't you go back to the party and enjoy yourself. The champagne is excellent. Have you had any yet? Here, come with me, we'll get you some. (He starts to pull Jimmy towards the bar, but Jimmy pulls away.)

Jimmy: I don't know what's going on here, but someone better start talking. Why don't you want me speaking with my own daughter? Why did she run out of here when she saw me? And most importantly, where the hell was she going?

Kirsten: We don't know where your daughter is, Jimmy.

Jimmy: Fine then! Tell me where this Amanda is going?

Kirsten: We can't do that, Jimmy, sorry. Now, like Sandy said, some champagne?

Jimmy: I can't stay here, excuse me. (He spits out this last line, furious with Sandy and Kirsten for whatever they are up to. He pulls Caitlyn after him and goes to find his parents.)

Kirsten: I hope they got out of here without seeing Julie.

Sandy: We should be so lucky. What are we going to do?

Kirsten: I can't believe we just lied to him and said that Marissa was named Amanda, but did you see her face when she saw him?

Sandy: Yes, I did. What happened between their family?

Kirsten: I don't know, but whatever it was, it was not good, that's for sure. I can't believe this is happening. Should we stay here, or should we just go home and see what we can do to help?

Sandy: Why don't we find the manager, tell him that we're leaving, and ask him to make an announcement, letting everyone know that they are to enjoy the party but that we had to leave for a family emergency.

Kirsten: Good idea. He's probably in his office inside. (They walk off and go inside. The camera fades away from them and goes into the parking lot. There Ryan is supporting Marissa as they quickly walk towards the car and Seth and Summer are still walking with them.)

Summer: I know they said we should stay, but I don't see what that will help now. We're coming with you.

Ryan: Thanks. (As they approach the car, Caleb is heard calling for Seth. Seth turns slowly around, afraid that Julie might me with Caleb and she is.)

Caleb: Seth, leaving so soon?

Seth: Yeah. Summer and I aren't feeling so hot, so we thought we'd go home early. Talk to you later, Grandpa. (He turns back around but Caleb is not deterred that easily.)

Caleb: Who's Ryan practically dragging to the car? Is that your friend, Marissa?

Julie: Marissa? (She is beginning to panic, and when Marissa hears her mom's voice, she faints. Ryan catches her and picks her up in his arms and puts her in the back seat of the car. Once he's in, he yells for Seth.) You have a friend named Marissa?

Ryan: Seth, Summer, let's go, now! Seth, you need to drive. I have to sit with her, because she lost consciousness. (Seth and Summer get in the car and ignore Caleb and Julie. Seth starts the engine quickly and pulls out while burning rubber. Caleb and Julie are left standing there in shock over totally different things.)

Caleb: What the hell got into those four, and why did that girl pass out?

Julie: Marissa, Marissa is here?

Caleb: What are you talking about? Do you know Marissa?

Julie: Caleb, we need to talk, but first, I need a drink or I might just pass out, too.

Caleb: (He is uneasy and annoyed, but still kind to her because he does not know the extent she has gone to in order to avoid telling him the truth about her family.) Sure, let's go back inside. (They begin to walk back toward the party. The camera leaves them and goes back inside to find Jimmy and Caitlyn talking to Jane and James Sr. As they notice their son approaching them, they begin to ask questions.)

Jane: Did you find Marissa?

Caitlyn: I guess you could say that.

Jimmy: I saw here, but before I could reach her, she ran out with Ryan and Seth, Kirsten's sons, and Seth's fiancée, Summer. And then, I went to follow her, but Sandy and Kirsten wouldn't let us pass. When I said that I had to talk to my daughter, Marissa, who was with their sons, they said that Marissa's name was Amanda, claiming that there was no way she could be my daughter. Obviously, they were up to something, but why were they trying to stop me from seeing my own daughter?

James Sr.: Marissa did run away Jimmy, maybe she doesn't want to see you and maybe they know that.

Jimmy: We need to get out of here. I need to go looking for Marissa. Where do Sandy and Kirsten live?

Jane: It's a gated community; you won't be able to get in. They'll have the guards block us all out. You're just going to have to wait. Perhaps try to talk to Kirsten and Sandy in the morning, call them on the phone. Explain why you want to see Marissa, and then maybe they can convince her to see you.

Jimmy: (He is angry.) Why should I have to get permission to see my own daughter, and from people who don't even know her?

James Sr.: She's been staying with them Jimmy. We heard that Ryan's girlfriend had spent all winter break at their house, and now we know that Ryan's girlfriend is Marissa. They probably know her better than you think.

Jimmy: Well, where is she staying now?

Jane: My guess is that she's living with Ryan, Seth, and Summer in their apartment in LA. They all go to Stanford. I bet Marissa is going there, too.

Caitlyn: Wow, go Riss. (She whispers this while talking to herself outloud.) You really move fast don't you? Dmn, he's hot!

Jimmy: Caitlyn, what are you talking about?

Caitlyn: (She is embarrassed.) Ryan, he's hot, Dad, and if she's already found a boyfriend, friends, and a new family, plus an apartment and a new school, she's probably happy. You know she's always wanted to live out here. Maybe you should just leave her alone for a while, let her live her own life. When she's ready to see us again, she now knows how to find us.

Jimmy: I can't believe you're saying this! She's your sister!

Caitlyn: (She is now angry, too.)Yes, she is my sister, and I know her even better than you do, and I know that she doesn't want to be apart of our family right now. Did you not listen to a word she wrote in the letter? She said that she needed to be on her own, find out who she was, make a future for herself. She said she'd see us again in the future, but for now, she needed to be away from us, from the pressure you put upon her. Can't you just leave her alone?

Jane: Come on, let's go home. We're making a scene. We'll discuss this more after we get back to the house. (Everyone starts to walk towards the exit. As they reach it, they stop cold in their tracks as they come face to face with Julie and Caleb.)

Caleb: You're leaving already Jimmy? We haven't had that chat of ours yet. (Jimmy ignores Caleb and faces Julie.)

Jimmy: Julie?

Julie: Jimmy?

James Sr.: Oh no!

Caitlyn: (She whispers.)Great, she's back. (Now she starts to yell, and it is obviously that she is furious.) How the hell did you find us already? Why aren't you passed out drunk in a gutter somewhere, huh?

Jimmy: Caitlyn that is enough.

Julie: I am still your Mother, young lady. Don't you ever speak to me like that!

Caitlyn: You were never my Mother! (Julie raises her hand and begins to hit Julie, but James Sr. grabs her hand and stops her.)

James Sr.: Don't you ever lay one finger on my granddaughter. I think you owe us an explanation, Julie. What are you doing here? How do you know Caleb?

Jimmy: Yeah and where's my money, Julie?

Caleb: Oh my God! You (He looks at Julie.) and you? (He looks at Jimmy.) No, it can't be. Oh my God!

Jimmy: Yes Caleb, oh my God is right. Julie here, your date, I presume, is my estranged wife, the wife who left me and stole all my money.

Julie: Like you had much to start with, and it was our money, Jimmy, joint property.

Jimmy: Like you ever did anything to earn any of it!

Jane: This is not the time or the place, for that matter, for this conversation. Jimmy, let's go. (She starts to leave. Caitlyn and James Sr. walk away with her, but Jimmy is slow to follow. Eventually he begins to walk away, but Julie's bitter voice stops them all.)

Julie: What's Marissa doing her, Jimmy? I thought she had run away from you?

Caleb: Oh my God! Marissa is your (He motions between Julie and Jimmy.) daughter? I can't believe this is happening! (Everyone ignores his confusion and surprise.)

Jimmy: She did run away, but if anyone drove her to that, it was you. She lives out here now, we just found her.

Julie: Well, she didn't seem to be in too good of a mood to have just reunited with her father and sister. And then when she heard my voice….

Jimmy: What, what did she do?

Julie: She passed out. Thankfully for her, that Ryan was there to catch her, but they drove off before I could speak with her. (Julie sounds as if she is enjoying this, torturing Jimmy and her daughter. After her initial shock abated, she was able to go into B!tch mode, even though the revelations were sure to ruin her chances with Caleb or at least she thought so.)

James Sr.: Jimmy, we're leaving now! (Jimmy looks at Julie one last time and then turns around and leaves with his family.)

Caleb: I need a drink, and I imagine you do as well. Plus, I want an explanation, Julie, now! (He walks off towards the bar and Julie follows with a smile on her face, knowing that if he was giving her a chance to explain, she would be able to spin this in her favor. The camera leaves them and goes to the Cohen house where Ryan is carrying Marissa into the poolhouse with Summer and Seth following. Once they are inside, Ryan sits down on the bed, leans back, but still continues to hold Marissa. She has regained consciousness but is crying softly into his shoulder. Seth and Summer sit down on the side of the bed, too.)

Summer: I can't believe this is happening. Is there anything we can do?

Marissa: I know you want to help, and I also know we need to talk, but for right now, do you mind if I have some alone time with Ryan? (Seth and Summer stand up.)

Summer: Of course not. We understand. Come on Cohen. (She begins to walk out of the poolhouse with Seth following, but he stops.)

Seth: I'm so sorry, Marissa. This is just not fair. (He turns back around and continues to walk out of the pool house. They close the door behind them leaving Ryan and Marissa alone.)

Marissa: Ryan, will you help me get out of this dress?

Ryan: Sure. Here, turn around. (He helps her move so that her back is facing him. He unzips her dress. She raises her arms, and he pulls it off. Marissa is just sitting there in her bra and panties. He gets up and puts the dress over a chair. Then he gets into her suitcase and pulls out a nightgown, which he goes over and puts on her. Once he is finished, he takes her hair down, sits back down, and pulls her to him, holding her as tightly as he can without hurting her. They are silent for a moment, Ryan knowing that she would talk when she was ready.)

Marissa: I can't believe this is happening. I have to get out of here. (She pulls away from Ryan and goes towards her suitcase pulling out clothes, obviously in a panic.)

Ryan: What do you mean? Do you want to go back to the apartment?

Marissa: Yes, so I can get my car and get the hell out of here.

Ryan: What? What do you mean?

Marissa: (She turns towards him.) I can't stay here any longer, they found me.

Ryan: So, if you don't want them to get to you, I won't let them, but you can't leave. You're happy here. You have friends, a new life, you just started at Stanford, and you have your job.

Marissa: None of that matters. I can't be pulled back into their world.

Ryan: And there's me. What am I supposed to do without you? You can't leave me, I won't let you.

Marissa: (She starts to cry again.) Do you think I want to leave? I love it here, I love my new life, I love my new friends, I love being around your family, I love this new school, I love my new job and I haven't even started it yet, I love the weather, but most of all, I love you!

Ryan: (He speaks barely above a whisper.) I love you, too.

Marissa: And I know this is happening quickly, but….you love me, too?

Ryan: Yes.

Marissa: (She crumbles to the floor and continues to cry.) Why! Why did they have to find me? Why couldn't they just leave me alone? I told them I'd see them again, that I just needed time on my own, and they're here. (Ryan sits down beside her and strokes her hair attempting to show her that he is there and to comfort her. She looks up at him with so much pain in her eyes that it tears him apart.) What am I supposed to do?

Ryan: You're supposed to let me take care of this. I won't let them get to you, if you don't want them to. I already gave word that they are not to be allowed to enter the community. The guards at the gate won't let them in. They don't know where the apartment is, and we'll go back there first thing in the morning. They won't be allowed on campus, security won't allow it, they won't be able to find out where you work, that is confidential. If we're careful, you won't have to see them, you just can't leave. This is your home now; you can't let them make you leave. If you run away again, they'll just search until they find you, and then what? Are you going to run away your whole life? If you do, you'll never have one. You can't do this, and I know you don't want to.

Marissa: Are you sure they can't get to me?

Ryan: Do you really think I'd let them?

Marissa: (She stops crying and gives him a very loving smile.) I want to go to bed, I want you to hold me in your arms as tight as you can and never let go. I want to forget this night ever happened, at least for a few hours.

Ryan: I can do that. (He stands up, picks her up, and carries her over to the bed. He sets her down, pulls the covers over her, and turns the lights out. He then takes off his suit and gets in bed wearing only his boxers-briefs. Once he lies down, he takes Marissa in his arms and holds her just as she asked. The camera fades away from them and goes back into the house where Sandy and Kirsten have just gotten home. They go into the kitchen and Seth and Summer are sitting at the counter.)

Kirsten: How is she? Should I go and check on her?

Summer: I wouldn't. She wants to be alone with Ryan.

Seth: She's not good Mom.

Kirsten: I was afraid of that.

Sandy: What happened after you went outside?

Seth: Just as we got the car, Grandpa cornered us…with Julie.

Sandy: Oh no.

Summer: When Marissa heard her Mom's voice, she passed out.

Kirsten: Are you serious?

Seth: Unfortunately, yes. Ryan caught her, luckily, put her in the car, and we just left Grandpa and Julie there without explaining anything. She came to in the car and didn't say a word. Ryan held her the whole time. When we got home, he carried her into the poolhouse and then she asked to be alone with him.

Sandy: What happened in that family to make her react this way?

Kirsten: Well, we already know that Julie is an alcoholic and a terrible mother by what Marissa has said. That's enough to make any child resent her parents and hate her home life.

Sandy: I think there's more to it than that, though.

Kirsten: So do I. Has she said anything to you two?

Summer: Not really. I mean, she's said a few things that made us realize she didn't like living at home and that she hated her Mom, but nothing revealing.

Kirsten: I wonder what they're doing.

Seth: The lights were turned out a couple of minutes ago. We were hoping that she was going to go to sleep, get some rest. I guess in the morning we can talk to her. Oh, and Ryan told the guards….

Sandy: We know. We stopped to tell them, as well, and they let us know. We also put a block on Jimmy's parents.

Seth: Oh, we never thought of that.

Summer: I just can't believe this is happening to her. She was so happy earlier, everything was going her way, and now, bam, her world is just crashing down around her.

Seth: Where's Zoe?

Kirsten: We talked to the sitter, and she's going to stay the night there. We thought it would be best to keep her away from this as much as possible.

Seth: Yeah, that's a good idea. Is there anything you can do Dad, you know get restraining orders against them or something.

Sandy: I won't know until I hear her story. (Summer yawns really loudly on an accident.)

Summer: Oh, I'm soooo sorry. I've just been really tired lately.

Kirsten: Well, there's nothing we can do now, so why don't we all go to bed. We can figure this out in the morning. It's been a long day.

Seth: And an even longer night. (Seth and Summer begin to walk away to go upstairs but stop and turn around.) Happy anniversary you guys.

Sandy: Thanks son. I guess you can't accuse our parties of being uneventful.

Seth: (Laughs ironically.) You could say that again, but for once, I wish a party would just be peaceful and not wreck havoc upon someone's life.

Kirsten: I know what you mean. (Everyone is quiet for a moment contemplating this.)

Summer: Well goodnight. (Seth and Summer walk upstairs and leave Sandy and Kirsten alone. Kirsten goes over and turns the lights out. She then goes up to Sandy and puts her hand in his.)

Kirsten: Come on, let's go to bed, and tonight, I'm definitely going to need you to hold me close.

Sandy: Every night. (He kisses her softly in an attempt to comfort her and they walk back to their bedroom. Before the episode ends, a musical montage watches all three couples as they lie in bed together, holding onto each other as they attempt to comfort each other and forget the horrible evening and the events that occurred. It starts with Ryan and Marissa, goes to Seth and Summer, then to Sandy and Kirsten, and finally ends back with Ryan and Marissa. As the camera pulls away from them, it films the outside of the poolhouse, and then the ocean and fades back, making the picture a vast shot of the empty abyss that is the ocean, a very depressing site at night. The song should be: Depeche Mode's Precious.

End of Episode #3