A/N: Thanks for all your great reviews. Sorry if the latter fight sequence is confusing…I've never written one before. To truly understand it watch Daredevil (it's a really good movie). I've also not gone into much detail on Sandy, Kirsten or Seth. They are exactly the same as they are on the show.

The air was definitely different. Coming from Chino into Newport Beach there was a definite air quality difference. Ryan breathed in deeply and felt the cool air blow on his face from the open car window.

Sandy had offered to let him stay at his house for the weekend. This was until he could locate Dawn otherwise Ryan was going to be taken to child services. Ryan still felt abandoned but for now he was going to enjoy this new atmosphere. He'd heard Newport Beach was the most beautiful and reclusive beach in California. Although he'd never see it he could still hear the waves crashing, people playing on the sand, cars rushing by and the smell of fresh air.

Sandy looked out of the corner of his eye as he drove towards the end of the beach. He noticed Ryan taking in every sound, movement and smell and smiled to himself. All he had to do now was convince his wife Kirsten.

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"You brought him home?" Kirsten asked in disbelief.

"It's just for the weekend until child services opens on Monday." Sandy defended himself.

"Well it was only a matter of time before you started bringing home felons." Kirsten Cohen tried to act angry but this was what she loved about her husband.

"Ryan's not a felon" Sandy retorted.

"Did you not meet him in jail?"

"Yes. But this boy Kirsten….He's different, he's very bright….ok? He's just a kid who has no one and no where to go."

"Alright…he sleeps in the poolhouse…and only for the weekend. He won't mind the ugly sheets are on the bed will he?" Kirsten asked curiously. She didn't want the boy to think she had no sheet style.

"I don't Ryan will mind….um there's one other thing. He's blind. He was in an accident when he was fourteen."

Kirsten stopped in her tracks "Oh…his mother just abandoned him?" She couldn't believe it.

"Yeah…do you think Seth could show him around for a while?" Sandy asked hopeful.

"Ill go ask him."

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"Seth?" Kirsten lightly knocked on her 16 year old son's door and entered.

"Yeah?" Seth sat on his bed reading the latest Legion comic. Just another boring day in paradise.

"Your father brought a guest over. He's blind, your age I think." Kirsten sat next to her son on his bed.

"Guest? Not many of dad's guests are blind and are teenagers." Seth curiously put down his comic.

"He was in juvy, his family abandoned him. He'll be staying with us for the weekend so would you be able to show him around for a while?"

"Oh yes...me and the 16 year old teenager. Best friends." Seth replied sarcastically. "Ok where is he?" He asked standing up.

"Downstairs."

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Ryan made his way through the open doors and stepped onto the cool marble floors. This house was definitely not like in Chino. He felt so insignificant. He then heard two pairs of footsteps approach him.

"Ryan I'd like you to meet my wife Kirsten…"

"Hello Ryan…welcome to our home" Kirsten stood back nervously looking at the boy standing in front of her.

"And my son Seth."

Ryan didn't hear any greeting from Seth so he held out his hand to shake.

Seth stood back. He'd never seen a blind person before. Although Ryan looked like any normal teenage boy, except with a cane and sunglasses.

Ryan sensed Seth's uneasiness and tried to break the ice.

"Its ok I don't bite."

Seth then relaxed knowing this guy had a sense of humour he stepped forward and shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you"

Sandy smiled at his son. "So Seth you could show Ryan the diner, get something to eat. His room will be ready soon."

"Uh. Sure. C'mon man." Seth started walking out the door and making sure Ryan was following.

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Walking down the pier on the beach Ryan and Seth got along very well. Seth loved to talk (especially about Summer) and Ryan liked listening. Seth was so surprised how Ryan could interact in the world. Ryan even saved HIM from a speeding bicycle.

Reaching the diner and ordering Ryan spoke up.

"It's not too weird is it? Having to chaperone me?"

"No man. It's good to have someone to talk to. Besides I think you're the one chaperoning me." Seth smiled then he noticed Ryan's expression change.

Ryan stopped as he smelt something, sensed something. Someone was walking past the window and into the diner any second. He knew it was a girl. She smelled so sweet, like vanilla and he couldn't help but be enraptured by her.

"What? What is it?" Seth asked curiously following Ryan's movements.

"Entering the diner…now" Ryan heard the door open and his heart flip flopped.

"Seth looked at the door and saw Marissa Cooper enter. She was definitely beautiful and he couldn't help but notice Ryan's full attention on her.

"Dude she is really beautiful but…she kinda has a boyfriend and is really rich—"

Ryan stopped listening after she had walked in. He felt her sit two booths away and slowly he stood up to find her. It felt like he had walked that path his whole life.

Marissa was boredly reading her magazine when she felt a stick hit her leg. She didn't look up.

"Oh sorry…excuse me" Ryan apologised as his cane hit her leg. He could tell she hadn't looked up.

"No problem" Marissa mumbled and continued to read her magazine. Ryan then decided he needed a different approach.

"Uh... I was wondering if you had some ketchup."

Marissa rolled her eyes, probably just another guy trying to hit on her or to ask about her dad.

"Right in front of you." She boredly replied not looking up.

Ryan chuckled "Could you be a bit more specific?"

Marissa was getting sick of this guy, she put down her magazine and looked up "What are you bl—"

"Blind? Yeah." Ryan smiled.

Marissa instantly turned as red as the ketchup bottle she passed him. "I'm so sorry. Here."

"No problem. Thanks." They both laughed embarrassed. Ryan then held his hand out. "I'm Ryan Atwood."

Marissa took the hand of the mysterious teenager and felt her whole body tingle. There was an unmistakable spark between them. "Nice to meet you Ryan Atwood" She stood up, reluctantly letting go of his hand.

Ryan waited for her name but she just started walking off.

"I didn't get your name."

"I didn't give it" Marissa smiled and made her way out of the diner. Ryan chuckled and heard her exit the diner.

Seth then came up from behind and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Dude some people have no compassion for the handicapped."

Ryan laughed, "Apparently not. I'll meet you back here in 20 minutes?" He had to follow her.

"Yeah sure, 20" With that Ryan followed the scent of vanilla down the pier.

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Marissa knew he was following her. Every time she turned around he was there. For some reason though, she subconsciously wanted him to follow her. He was so intriguing and interesting she wanted to get to know him. However, she was trained against talking to strangers her whole life.

Stopping at the playground to see if he would find her, she waited. He found her and faced her.

"What do you want?"

"I just want to know you name. I don't want any trouble." Ryan replied savouring the sound of her voice.

"I don't like being followed…so don't." Marissa tried walking off but he grabbed her wrist.

"C'mon I jus—"

"And I don't like being touched" Marissa instantly turned her body around so he was holding her wrist in front of her body. It was the first thing she had learned as a child.

Ryan, surprised by her reflex, continued "Why don't we start with what you do like and go from there?" He then sensed her pull away and come in for a kick. He immediately stepped back keeping his cane in front of him.

Marissa was beginning to doubt this guy really was blind. They slowly circled each other.

"Are you sure you're blind?"

"Are you sure you don't want to tell me your name?" Ryan asked sensing this girl wanted a fight.

Marissa took off her jacket smiling and took her position. She just had to remember her training. Ryan threw his cane vertically in the air and took off his jacket (leaving him in his wife beater) and grabbed his cane as it came down.

Marissa made the first move trying to kick him, he blocked her. She tried again, he blocked her again. She stepped back as he moved towards her with his cane looking for obstacles in front. She stepped onto the see saw and he jumped on opposite. Marissa, giggling, tried to hit him again but he was too fast. Taking a second to breathe Ryan asked.

"Does every guy have to go through this just to get your name?"

"Try asking for my number." She smiled jumping off the see saw hoping he'd lose his balance. He didn't and jumped off too. She then tried to step on his foot but he grabbed her close.

"You're holding back." Ryan said feeling her gaze on him.

"Yes." She said embarrassed and feeling him gazing at her even though he couldn't see.

"Don't" He replied. She smiled and continued to give him everything she had. He blocked her every time. Making his way to the benches she almost hit him but hit his cane out of his hands instead. He smirked trying to grab it but she stopped him. She tried getting it but he stopped her. The blocking continued until Ryan grabbed one arm and holding it in front of her body and the same with the other. She was locked while he stood close behind her, talking into her ear. Both breathing heavily and laughing Ryan said, "Stop hitting me."

Marissa laughed, "Ok" She then stamped on his toes making him release her and she pushed him onto the bench. Holding her foot up to prevent him from moving, she smiled.

"My name is Marissa Cooper."

A/N: Love it? Hate it? Give me some feedback please :-) Next chapter Sandy gets into trouble and Ryan and Marissa blond.