The last scene begins back at the beach. Caleb is pacing on his cell phone, eagerly awaiting news on Dan's location. He is totally oblivious to those around him as they are to him. Everyone else is enjoying their holiday, eating, laughing, and having fun but at different portions of the beach; some a far distance off. Jane, Kirsten, and Zoe have returned from swimming and are sitting together eating. Seth and Summer are playing in the surf while Jimmy, back from fishing although Neil and James went back out, and Sandy are sitting in beach chairs, talking, Jimmy is completely unaware of Sandy's nerves because the other man is attempting to hide them.
Sandy: So Jimbo, can I offer you anything to eat or drink? I'm a little hungry myself, so I thought I'd over to see the ladies and fix myself a plate. Do you want me to grab you anything?
Jimmy: Na, I'm fine. I'm just going to sit here and continue relaxing. You go though, I'm good.
Sandy: (He looks at him for a second before standing up and leaving.) Alright, be back in a few. (The camera pans to Caleb who is, once again, on the phone. This time though, his side of the conversation can be heard.)
Caleb: You better not be calling me with an update again to let me know that there are no updates. (He pauses while the person replies.) What do you mean you got a tip? Where is he? (He pauses, but when he speaks again his tone is fearful and upset.) You've got to be kidding me! Send the men, take them off of the beach and meet me there as soon as you can. I'm leaving now! (He snaps his phone shut and looks around to see who he could take with him to help. First he sees Sandy but shakes his head profusely. Then his eyes land on Seth who is still playing around with Summer. This time he speaks out loud.) Absolutely not! (Finally, he spots Jimmy just lounging in his chair watching the ocean roll into the beach. Raising his voice, he yells to him.) Jimmy, get up, let's go. I need your help! (Jimmy looks at him for a moment, curious and startled, but Caleb is already off running to his car, and, Jimmy, knowing that it must be serious, gets up and runs after him without saying a word to anyone or to Caleb in protest. Just as the two men reach the car and drive off, Sandy turns around to go back to Jimmy and notices that he is no longer there. Scanning the beach he does not find him and then notices that Caleb is gone, too. Finally, he turns to the parking lot and notices that Cal's car is gone as well. Turning to Kirsten, his voice is forceful as he needs her to help him.)
Sandy: Kirsten, where is Sherry?
Kirsten: (She doesn't notice his tone right away because she is preoccupied, but Jane picks up on it immediately and tunes into the conversation.) I don't know. I think Seth and Summer said something about her heading off with Zach so they could talk alone. Looks like you were right…. (He does not let her finish her thought as he interrupts her by turning towards Seth and Summer and calling out for them.)
Sandy: Seth, Summer, come here! (The pair look at each other curiously but listen to what he requested and go up the beach to speak with him quickly.)
Seth: What?
Sandy: (His voice is anxious and he speaks rapidly.) I need you to go and find Sherry and Zach. I need them to meet me at the house as soon as they can.
Kirsten: (She is now starting to get worried and demands answers.) Sandy, what's going on?
Sandy: I'm sorry; I don't have time to explain. I need to get the cops called and stop Caleb before he does something stupid. (He goes to walk off, but she steps in front of him to stop him.)
Kirsten: I want to know what's going on before you leave, now Sandy!
Sandy: (He lets out a sigh and speaks quickly in order to say what he needs to so he can leave.) Caleb has had men following Dan or at least attempting to and men also guarding Marissa. His men lost track of Dan and Caleb called off Marissa's guards for the afternoon because he thought she'd be here all day and put them on the perimeter of the beach to stand watch. She left though, Ryan went after her, but Caleb remained because he still didn't know where Dan was. A couple of minutes ago, I saw him head out with Jimmy like a bat out of hell, so I assume he heard something. I want everyone, including the cops, to meet me at the house so that I can call my contacts from there to try and find them. If we don't get there before your Dad or soon after him, he might do something that he'll regret and ruin the case.
Kirsten: (Her tone displays that she knows what he is implying.) He's going after Dan himself, isn't he? (All Sandy does is shake his head.)
Sandy: I've got to go. (He leans in and kisses Kirsten softly more out of hope and fear than anything else and begins to talk away. Seth and Summer go after Zach and Sherry, but turn around and yell back at Sandy.)
Seth: We're coming with Zach and Sherry, Dad, and you can't say anything that will make us change our minds.
Kirsten: (She walks after Sandy.) And I'm coming with you.
Jane: (She stands up and goes as well.) As am I. Marissa is my Granddaughter. I have to be there.
Sandy: I don't like this, and besides, who's going to stay with Zoe?
Zoe: I want to come, too! (She begins to stand up and go after the adults, but two arms wrap around her and pick her up, slinging her over their shoulders. Unbeknownst to anyone, Luke had wandered up the beach and joined them hearing the end of the conversation. Although normally he is self-centered, he realizes that the Cohen's need him now, and they have been there for him in the past, so this is a chance for him to repay the favor.)
Luke: I'll stay here with Zoe. (Kirsten looks at him warily, unsure of whether or not this is such a good idea.) It's okay. We'll be fine. Remember, I have two little brothers. I have a lot of experience watching kids. We'll stay away from the water, too, if that makes you feel any better. I'll teach her to golf; we'll build sand castles. It'll be fun. (He brings Zoe down off his shoulder and hangs her upside down for a moment before putting her up on his shoulders to sit. She giggles and Kirsten smiles at him despite the situation. Sandy, who's in a hurry to leave, starts walking away again and Jane follows. Seth and Summer leave to find Zach and Sherry, and Kirsten speaks with Luke briefly.)
Kirsten: Luke, if you need anything, just call my cell. If James and Neil come back, please let them know what's going on….and thanks. I really appreciate it.
Luke: Don't sweat it Mrs. Cohen. It's the least I could do. Now go before Sandy leaves you here. (Kirsten smiles at him one more time and then turns around and runs off towards Sandy and Jane. Luke and Zoe watch them leave for a moment before he walks off with her still on his shoulders to find something to do.) So, Zoe, what exactly do you want to do?
Zoe: (She thinks for a moment before squirming around on him to let him know that she wants down. After he puts her back on the ground, she runs off to the tables where the food is at and lifts up the table cloth and pulls out a shovel. Dragging it towards him, she hands it to him and speaks up with a large, ornery smile on her face.) Let's dig for buried treasure! (Luke looks at her with a shocked and disgruntled look on his face, but doesn't say anything. Giving her a grimacing smile, he lets her lead him to where he's supposed to dig. The camera pulls away from them and goes back to the Cohens' house where Dan is still holding Marissa and Hayley there against their will. Marissa is still sitting on the bed, holding her bleeding, aching head in her hands and trying to remain defiant and strong in the face of the monster who is out to harm the person she loves most in this world, while Hayley is slowly regaining consciousness, but it is obvious that she is struggling to remain awake. Once she's fully untied, Dan steps away from her but keeps the gun pointed on either Marissa or Hayley the entire time. Turning towards Marissa, he yells at her.)
Dan: Get up off of the bed. (She is slow to move due to her head injury.) Now! (Marissa manages to scramble off of the bed and stands there awaiting his next orders while she shakes her head and blinks trying to regain control of her senses.) Go over and stay by your little friend. (Using the gun, Dan points in Hayley's direction and Marissa does what she is told. While she does this, Dan backs up while keeping the gun trained on them and approaches his bag which is located near the door. Bending down but still keeping the weapon on his hostages, he reaches inside of the duffel and pulls out a rolled up blueprint. Going back to the bed, he unrolls it and puts random objects on the corners to keep it down. Marissa notices that he has a blueprint and her mind begins to race as she tries to think of which one Ryan said he was missing. Finally, the memory clicks and her mouth drops open in shock and horror at her realization.)
Marissa: That's a blueprint of this house, isn't it? (Dan whirls around to face her, anger flicking in his eyes.)
Dan: Who said you could open your mouth!
Marissa: (Never one to take orders, insults, or disrespect without a battle, Marissa opens her mouth and fights back with Dan.) No one, but I don't take orders from anyone either! I will speak when I want to. (Hayley puts her hand up to take hold of Marissa's arm in an attempt to get her attention, but Marissa, too angry, shakes it off and just matches Dan glare for glare.)
Dan: I always knew Ryan was the weakest Atwood, but to date a bitch like you, I never would have guessed that! You may be hot, but women should only be seen and not heard. All you're good for is fucking. Men don't need to hear you speak or know that you can think. I just can't believe you're Ryan's woman!
Marissa: (She grimaces at what he said.) I'm not anyone's woman. Ryan and I are partners, equals, and it appears to me that the weakest Atwood is you, because you're the only one with absolutely no humanity. It takes a bigger man to love than it does to hate. (This sends Dan over the edge and he goes over and grabs her arm and drags her towards the bed. Pushing her towards it, he holds the gun in the small of her back so that she doesn't try anything.)
Dan: That's enough out of you! Now, do you see what this is? (He points to something on the blueprint.)
Marissa: Yes. (He expects her to say more, and when she doesn't he laughs.)
Dan: You're learning. We'll get along much better if you stick to one word answers. (She goes to turn around to confront him, but he pushes the gun further into her back making her stay where she is.) Now, we're going there, the three of us, and you two are going to open it for me. (Marissa starts to laugh and it sets Dan off even more.) What's so goddamned funny!
Marissa: How are we supposed to open a safe we don't know the password to? It appears as if your genius plan has a few holes in it.
Dan: You seem to think you're so smart, let's see how well you work under pressure. We don't have all day. Someone will figure out something's wrong, my guess, Ryan will come here looking to rescue you and then you're opportunity to appease me will be over. You either get that safe open before I get caught or someone is going to die. (He pulls the gun out of her back and twirls it around in the air, pointing it at both Marissa and Hayley, and then laughing.) And I can guarantee you it won't be me!
Marissa: (Because the gun is no longer in her back, she turns around to face him.) Like your word is trustworthy. Even if we get the safe open, what is to guarantee us that you don't kill someone anyway?
Dan: Oh I am going to kill someone, Ryan. That bastard does not deserve to live after he did nothing to help me and left me in that jail to rot while he lived it up here in Newport in the lap of luxury, but if you get the safe open for me, I won't kill your innocent friend her. Hell, I might even be persuaded to let you live.
Marissa: I won't let you kill Ryan! (He laughs at her while grabbing her arm roughly and dragging her after him.)
Dan: I'd like to see you try! Turning around as he walks with Marissa, he looks at Hayley and yells at her.) Come on! Get your ass in gear or I'll shoot her now! (Hayley scrambles out of her chair and moves as quickly as she can, but she's weak and tired so the going is not easy. Getting tired of waiting for her, he grabs her by the arm, too, and drags her along with Marissa out of the room towards Sandy's office. Hayley whimpers as he pulls her along because he is hurting her, but Marissa just continues to fight back.)
Marissa: You might have the advantage now, because you have the gun, but you're stupid, you're impatient, and you're angry, a combination that does not create a steady head who can think straight. You'll mess up and I'll be watching you, and when you do, I'll jump in and I'll take the advantage from you. I don't care what I have to do, you will not hurt Ryan.
Dan: (They arrive in the office and he tosses them aside and they both stumble onto the chairs in front of Sandy's desk. Hayley collapses down on one, exhausted, while Marissa stands her ground and watches Dan's every move. He turns his back on them to focus on the shelves, tearing things off of it and letting them fall on the floor. Books land at his feet, but some of Sandy's personal mementos made of breakable material, shatter when they hit the ground. While he is not paying attention, Marissa moves behind Sandy's desk and begins to rummage though his drawers as silently as she can, but before she can find anything useful, Dan turns back around and she freezes and acts as if she was just standing there twisting a strand of hair in her hand nervously. He turns back around once more to feel the wall for the safe, and while he does so, she grabs a cordless phone off of the desk and gives it to Hayley silently telling her to hide it on her person. Once Dan has the portion of the wall which was blocking the safe opened, he turns and grabs Marissa and pulls her towards it and shoves her in front. As he goes to grab Hayley as well, Marissa yells out.)
Marissa: Let her sit. She won't be any help to either of us if you make her stand and she looses consciousness. She can help me think of codes while she's sitting and I'll just punch them in.
Dan: Fine. (He sits down in Sandy's chair behind the desk and twirls the gun around in his hand once again as he watches the two women work. Before Marissa puts in the first guess, she turns back around and faces Dan.)
Marissa: You've seen the blueprints. Was there anything on them about the details of the safe? What if we put in the wrong code too many times? Does it set off an alarm; does it automatically shut the system off?
Dan: How the hell am I supposed to know?
Marissa: (She smirks at him.) You see, this is what I meant by your plan having some flaws to it. A smart criminal would have done research on the safe and learned every detail about it, perhaps even found out how easy it was to crack the safe without knowing the code, but not you.
Hayley: (Her voice is quiet but pleading.) Marissa, please! Do not bait him!
Dan: (He stands up and walks around to the girls, pinching Hayley's cheek and turning towards Marissa.) You know, you should really listen to your friend and keep your trap shut. If not, I'll kill her right here in front of you, and I doubt you'd sleep very well with her death on your conscious! (Hayley starts to panic, breathing hard and shaking. Dan sees this and laughs at her.) Aren't you the little wimp! Next we'll see you piss your pants in fear.
Marissa: (Her voice is cold and demanding.) Leave her alone. (She searches for something to distract him.) You know, Dan, you sound a little parched. Sandy has an excellent bar in here. Why don't you help yourself while I work on the safe? (She points out where the alcohol is, and although he watches her for a second, he moves towards it and takes a bottle with him back to Sandy's chair behind the desk.)
Dan: I know what you're doing, and it won't work. I can hold my liquor with the best of them. You're not going to get me drunk and then pull one over.
Marissa: (Her tone is biting.) Trust me, I've heard enough stories to know all about your substance abuse problems and to know that you have a high tolerance. I was just hoping you'd be occupied enough to leave Hayley alone.
Dan: (He laughs again, mocking her while he opens the bottle and takes his first drink, sighing in satisfaction.) What a nice, sweet friend. (Marissa turns around and faces the safe thinking about what to put in as a password.) I must say, this Cohen guy has good taste in Scotch.
Marissa: (Without turning around to look at him, she replies.) I'm sure he'll be pleased you liked his alcohol. I'll make sure I pass along the message.
Dan: (He laughs.) If I let you live. (Ignoring him, Marissa turns around and talks to Hayley.)
Marissa: I'm going to need your help. I haven't known Sandy near as long as you have, so you'll probably have a better idea what his code would be. I'm going to try everyone's birthday first, Seth's, Zoe's, Ryan's, and Kirsten's. (Hayley nods her head but does not say anything. As Marissa types in the birthdays, all of which don't work, and Dan keeps drinking. All of a sudden, startling Marissa, Hayley speaks up. Her voice is shaky but resolute as she believes what she is saying.)
Hayley: Sandy's too smart to make it something as obvious as someone's birthday or middle name. It would have to be a strange word that no one would guess, a law term, or something that has significance to him. (She thinks for a moment.) Try yogalates.
Dan: (He hears this and laughs in an angry way.) I might not be from Newport Beach, but even I know that is utter nonsense. (He stands up and walks towards Hayley, holding the gun to her head.) And here I thought you were the one cooperating. Give her a serious guess or I'll shoot you right now!
Hayley: (She is starting to panic again, tears running down her face, but she speaks anyway.) I am serious when I say that. It's a type of exercise class my sister goes to and my brother-in-law has always teased her about it. (He pulls the gun away from her head and points it at Marissa as he walks back towards his chair.)
Dan: Try it. (She does but it doesn't work.)
Hayley: Swamp rose. (Marissa tries it. It doesn't work. This pattern continues, Hayley suggests words and Marissa types them in, but nothing works.) Berkley (Marissa types.), bagels and smear (Marissa types.), Solomon Burke (Marissa types.), Over the Top (Marissa types.), Steve McQueen, (Marissa types, but this time when it fails, Dan jumps out of his seat and goes to the window because they all three hear a car door slam. As his back is turned, Marissa signals for Hayley to make a phone call and just let them listen in to the conversation. She barely has time to do so and hide it under her shirt again before Dan turns back around to cock the gun with a large, evil smirk on his face.)
Dan: It looks as if we have company. (He laughs. Just then, the three of them hear the front door open and Ryan's voice calls out.)
Marissa: Marissa, where are you! (His voice is panicked, as he would no doubt see that not only was the Range Rover there, which she drove, but so was a car he did not recognize, the car Dan drove. Before Ryan can check Sandy's office as he goes off towards the family room and kitchen and before Dan can say or do anything to attack Ryan, Marissa calls out to him.)
Marissa: Ryan, get out of here right now! He wants to kill you. I have this covered, please, just leave! (While she's yelling, Ryan moves to the office not listening to her pleas and sees Dan go up to her and grab her by the hair roughly and pull her back so she can hear him whispering menacingly.)
Dan: You're not helping yourself or you little friend here stay alive. One more outburst like that, and I'll do worse than kill you both, I'll leave you so broken and used, (He runs his eyes up and down her body causing her to shiver in fear.) you'd wish I would have killed you. (With that, Ryan reaches the doorway just as Dan punches her in the small of her back and makes her fall to the ground in pain. Kicking her once, he barks an order at her before Ryan can get to her side.) Stand up! You have five minutes to get that safe open or I'll just kill you all and steal what I can! (As she struggles to stand again, Dan goes to hit her once more but Ryan jumps in front of him and pushes him away.)
Ryan: If you touch her again, I'll kill you with my bare hands! (Dan just laughs and points the gun at Ryan's head, but Marissa jumps in front of Ryan to shield him. He goes to push her away, but she continually fights him.)
Marissa: Dan, listen to me. The cops aren't here yet, you can still get away, just please, don't kill him, please! We'll help you gather everything we can, Kirsten's jewelry, the silver, all the electronics, anything valuable. No one has to die! (Before he can respond to what she said, there is a loud humming noise that comes from Hayley. The dial tone of the phone can be heard as the line was cut off when the other end was hung up. Marissa rushes to Hayley's side as Ryan runs after her and they block Dan from her. He begins to scream, waving the gun around as he yells, furious.)
Dan: What the hell was that! (No one answers him.) That's it! I'm sick of these little games. Who's going to be the first to die? (He points the gun at all three of them and then stops at Marissa.) I think it would be fun to see Ryan watch you die. Besides, after all the shit you've pulled today, it will be a pleasure to watch you suffer in pain! (Just as he goes to press the trigger, Ryan jumps in front of Marissa and pushes her away, but the gun does not go off. When they look up, Caleb and Jimmy have Dan restrained and the gun has been knocked away. Hayley scrambles to it and puts the safety back on before resting back against the wall and practically collapsing. Ryan moves to Marissa's side and sits down with her and takes her in his arms as she finally breaks down and begins to quietly cry. He buries his face in her shoulder just savoring the fact that they are both still alive. Suddenly, surprising everyone, Dan starts to laugh hysterically at the situation they are all in. The others just watch him, but he does not say anything.)
Caleb: Jimmy, do you have him? (Jimmy moves one of his arms and wraps it around Dan's neck and holds him tightly.)
Jimmy: He's not going anywhere, (He tightens his grip around Dan's neck making him stop laughing and almost gag from the force.) are you?
Caleb: I'll be right back. I'm going to go and get some rope. (Caleb, actually running, leaves the room. Jimmy, though he's still holding on to Dan so he won't leave, turns to the others, especially Marissa.)
Jimmy: Are you alright? (Still crying, Marissa does not answer him but just holds onto Ryan tighter as if she's afraid he'll disappear or he'll be hurt if she lets go. Ryan answers for her.)
Ryan: She's alive. At this point, that's all I can think about. She needs to see a doctor though as soon as we can get her there. (This makes Marissa look up and talk.)
Marissa: No, no doctors. I'm fine, just this gash on my head and a few bruises, nothing serious.
Ryan: I'd feel better if you'd go.
Marissa: (She whispers.) I don't want to leave you. Please, I don't want to go to the doctors. I swear, I'm fine.
Ryan: (His voice is reproachful.) Marissa…..
Marissa: Ryan. Look, if I get a really bad headache or anything, I'll go, but I'm not going to the hospital when there's nothing wrong with me. I don't have insurance and it's a waste of money.
Jimmy: Jesus Christ, Marissa, (He's annoyed with her reasoning.) I'll pay for your goddamned doctor bill!
Marissa: (She is also adamant when she speaks.) No! (She looks between Ryan and Jimmy tagging up against her.) I'm not going to the hospital and that's final, but someone needs to take care of Hayley. (She looks over at Hayley who has lost consciousness.) Hayley, Hayley, HAYLEY! (Marissa nudges Ryan to go over and take care of Hayley but he just holds on tighter to her.) Ryan, I'm fine, go check on Hayley, please. (Before Ryan can answer, Caleb runs back in with the rope. Jimmy pushes Dan down into a chair and holds him there while Caleb ties him. Once Jimmy lets go of Dan's neck, he gasps for air and rubs at it.)
Caleb: Ryan, stay with Marissa. I'll check on Hayley as soon as I get him tied up. (Pulling on the rope to make sure it is taunt, Dan yelps out in pain.)
Dan: Hey, not so tight! (Caleb just pulls it even more and Dan scoffs and cusses at him under his breath. Once he's finished, he steps aside and checks on Hayley. Kneeling down beside her, he notices that she's still breathing.)
Caleb: What did he do to her?
Marissa: I'm not sure. When I got here, she was unconscious and tied up in a chair. He woke her up and was dragging her around, but she's sick. (Caleb whirls around and faces Marissa when she says this.)
Caleb: What, like the flu or something?
Marissa: Not quite, but I'll let her tell you. It's not my place. (Before Caleb can reply, they all turn quickly when they hear Jimmy go off and punch Dan as hard as he can. Caleb stands up and walks towards him as Jimmy glares at Dan and talks to Ryan.)
Jimmy: Want your turn, Ryan, for what he did to Marissa?
Ryan: (Marissa's eyes get big as she thinks he's going to leave her to beat up on Dan.) No thanks, I'm staying here. (She looks up at him adoringly and kisses him softly before wrapping her arms around his neck. Although she whispers Caleb and Jimmy can hear her.)
Marissa: Thank you….for staying with me. I know you'd love to hit him, but that would just put you at his level and you're so much better than he is. (Caleb stops in his tracks and smirks at what Marissa said, shaking his head and unclenching his hands. He was going to go and take a few swings at Dan himself, but not wanting to disappoint Marissa, he restrains himself. Ryan leans down and whispers back to Marissa while the two men just look on.)
Ryan: I'm not going anywhere…ever. (Interrupting their moment, unintentionally, Jimmy turns to Caleb and speaks.)
Jimmy: So what should we do with him now?
Caleb: (Rubbing his hands over his face and sighing, Caleb finally speaks in a dejected tone.) Just call the cops. Let them handle him. (Walking in behind the two men is Sandy leading Kirsten and Jane. The two women survey the situation quickly and then Ryan nods to Hayley and Kirsten rushes to her side.)
Sandy: (He goes up and shakes Caleb's hand.) I couldn't agree with you more, Cal. (He lowers his voice.) Thank you. (The two men exchange knowing glances and then Sandy speaks again.) And the cops are already on their way. They should be here anytime.
Kirsten: What's Hayley doing here? (She addresses her question to Marissa and Ryan.)
Ryan: She's home…for good now. (Smiling despite the situation, Kirsten turns back to her sister and tries to take care of her, brushing her hair back and just soothingly comforting her unconscious form. Jane just watches by with Jimmy as everything enfolds in front of them and they stay out of the way. Just then, a commotion can be heard in the entry way and then four armed officers rush into the room. Sandy moves up to talk to them.)
Sandy: Can we do this in another room. I don't want my family exposed to anything else. (The head officer nods his head and goes over to where Dan is sitting. He signals one of his men over and they untie Dan and then cuff him as they begin to read him his rights.)
Officer: You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law…. (As they lead him out of the room Sandy and Caleb follow as they recount everything that Dan has done to their family and that afternoon's events to the two officers not leading him.)
Jane: Is there anything I can do to help? (She directs her question to Kirsten who is still in shock over what she can tell has happened to her sister and her son's girlfriend, so Marissa answers. She is now sitting up and just holding Ryan's hand as he gently rubs his thumb over her palm in a soothing manor.)
Marissa: Why don't you get a cold cloth. Perhaps it would shock her awake.
Jimmy: And me?
Marissa: The gun, (Marissa points to Hayley.) she's hiding it somewhere. She put the safety on it, but the cops will need it and, frankly, I want it as far away from me as it can get. (Jimmy goes over and grabs the gun and leaves the room to give it to the officers. As he exits, Seth, Summer, Sherry, and Zach all rush into the room. Sherry moves right to Marissa because she sees her first. She tries to look at Marissa's cut on her forehead from the pistol hitting her, but Marissa brushes her off and points to Hayley.)
Marissa: I'm fine, but she's not. (Zach starts to pick up the broken pieces of glass from the things Dan broke and throws them away while Seth and Summer watch shocked, incapable of moving. Jane reenters carrying the cold cloth and hands it to Sherry who presses it against Hayley's forehead and then leaves again not wanting to interrupt. Slowly, Hayley begins to regain consciousness, and as she does, Ryan stands up and, despite Marissa's protests, picks her up and carries her in his arms.)
Ryan: We're going home. Marissa refuses to go to the hospital, but after the afternoon she's had, I'm going to make sure she has a quiet, peaceful evening, and I want to be able to take care of her. I'll talk to the cops on the way out and tell them how they can get in touch with us. I'll call you tomorrow. (Marissa starts to speak up, but Hayley's voice stops her.)
Hayley: Wait, what about me?
Kirsten: You're not going anywhere. We're taking you to the hospital, (She turns to look at Sherry who shakes her head yes agreeing with her.) and then you're staying right here so I can take care of you.
Hayley: But my things are all at Ryan and Marissa's….
Kirsten: (She turns to them.) How long has she been here?
Ryan: Just the weekend. Listen, you guys need to talk.
Hayley: But my medicine…
Kirsten: What medicine?
Sherry: Whatever it is, we'll get you more at the hospital. Do you know what you're on? (Hayley nods her head, but she looks afraid. Marisa notices this and speaks to her calmly.)
Marissa: Hayley, everything is going to be okay. Just tell them, and if you need anything, anything at all, or you want to come back and stay with us, call and we'll come and get you, right Ryan? (She turns to look at him and he nods his head to agree.)
Ryan: Of course.
Hayley: Are you sure?
Marissa: Positive.
Kirsten: (She's starting to get worked up.) What's going on!
Marissa: (Her voice is soothing.) Kirsten, Hayley's sick, and you need to listen to everything she says to you before you say anything. Just, please, remain calm. She can't handle any added stress right now, and she needs you more than she ever has before. (Kirsten's face goes white, as does Seth and Summer's, but she nods her head to show Marissa that she understands. Caleb and Sandy reenter the room.)
Sandy: Where are you two going?
Ryan: We're going to talk to the police briefly and then we're going home.
Caleb: I think that's a good idea. Do you want my driver to take you? (Ryan's shocked by his offer but smiles as he declines.)
Ryan: No, it's fine. I can drive, but thank you Mr. Nichol. (Shocking everyone, Caleb puts his hand on Ryan's shoulder and squeezes it.)
Caleb: It's Caleb, and Ryan, (Ryan looks him in the eye.) take care of her. (Caleb nods towards Marissa. Ryan just smiles.)
Ryan: Always. (With that they leave. Zach notices that this is no time for him to be in the room, that what is about to be discussed is a family matter. He goes up to Sherry and puts his hand through her arm to help her up.)
Zach: Why don't we go and move the car up and get it ready to take Hayley to the hospital. (She goes with him without a word, and the family turns back to face Hayley after they leave.)
Seth: (He finally breaks his silence and clears his throat first before he speaks.) It's serious, isn't it? That's why you've been avoiding my phone calls and emails?
Hayley: Partly, but I've been busy preparing for the move, and once I was in LA, I didn't check my email at all.
Kirsten: Hayley, what is it? Are you pregnant, cancer?
Hayley: (She looks around at the faces of the people she loves, her family members, and takes a deep breath before she speaks.) No, I'm not pregnant and I don't have cancer, although those would be preferable. (Their expressions become almost panicked at this point.) I have AIDS. (The room remains silent as everyone tries to absorb the news and the camera fades out and the episode ends.)
End of Episode #18