A/N: I'm glad you all like the story. In mine Marissa is a much stronger person than on the OC. Also in my story Caleb is not Kirsten's father, but she works at the Newport Group.

"Come in" The older man responded to the knock on his office door. Sandy walked into the luxurious Newport roup Office and was confronted by Caleb Nichol.

"Sandford, always a pleasure." Caleb held out his hand but Sandy refused to shake it.

"Look Mr. Nichol. I know why you've called me here. And my answer's still the same."

"Sandy…construction's a dirty business ok? The man wasn't supposed to be there though. My guy was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time." Caleb tried reasoning with the man in front of him. He knew this conversation was pointless.

"I'm sorry Caleb I saw you guy standing over the body with a gun." Sandy explained.

"You can't testify Sandy, it'll destroy the company."

Sandy knew this but he had little compassion for the Newport Group except the fact his wife hated working here.

"Mr. Nichol I'm a public defender. I see scum bags go free and innocent victims destroyed. There is nothing preventing me from telling the truth on that stand." Sandy solemnly stood up and shook Caleb's hand.

"Well it's your decision. See you in five months for the trial." Caleb watched Sandy leave and he knew he would get rid of him sooner or later.

-------

"Are you ok?" Marissa asked Ryan as they walked down the pier. Ryan smiled.

"Yeah. But I got to tell you it hurt." Marissa smiled embarrassed and hooked her arm under Ryan's as he followed her lead.

"Where did you learn to fight like that?" Ryan asked enjoying Marissa's warmth against his.

"My dad makes me train with a different self defence teacher, since I was five." Marissa explained.

"Sounds like he wanted to turn you into some kind of warrior."

"No…just so I'm not a victim. Ever since my mum was killed he became very protective." Marissa retold sadly.

Ryan listened as Marissa talked and sensed a crack in the ground he lead Marissa around it.

"Watch your step." He said as she followed his lead.

"Oh thanks…I didn't even see…wait how did you do that? How did you do the park?" Marissa asked intrigued.

"Well being blind and growing up in Chino you got to learn to defend yourself." He had already explained to her why he was in Newport.

"So how long are you staying with the Cohen's?"

"The weekend…my mum may bother to find me otherwise I'm going to child services."

Marissa looked down disappointed and sad. A weekend was too short and she needed to get to know him. Also she couldn't believe a mother would just abandon her child. Wanting to see him again she asked

"Uh…this may sound like whatever but…I'm throwing this charity thing and the Cohen's are going. Do you want to come?"

"Sure. I'd love to." Ryan smiled genuinely. Marissa was glad Ryan couldn't see her blush happily.

"I'm glad you bumped into me today Ryan."

"Hey I didn't even see you" Bursting out laughing the teenagers continued to walk across Newport Beach.

For the rest of the afternoon Ryan and Marissa talked about everything. It felt like they could tell each other anything. Marissa had finally met someone who didn't see her as little miss perfect and Ryan had finally met someone who treated him like a person, not the blind kid. They both connected so quickly it excited but scared them about what their future held.

-----

"Dude, that was like four hours, not twenty minutes."

Seth complained as he and Ryan walked up the driveway of the Cohen house.

"Sorry man…I got caught up." Ryan apologised but smiled as he thought about why he was caught up. What was it about this girl? She was so different to anyone he had ever met that all he wanted to do was be in her presence. Marissa treated him like any other normal guy that talking to her came naturally. Yet underneath her "perfect" exterior inside was a secret, a reason why she was different. Ryan knew that Marissa was more than a perfect Newport girl and that was what intrigued him.

"Caught up with Marissa Cooper?" Seth interrupted Ryan's thoughts. Ryan just continued walking tapping the ground in front of him with his cane. Seth. However, pressed on.

"You know her dad's the billionaire James Cooper? So in my opinion I advise you to marry the girl immediately"

Ryan laughed at this statement "Ill take it into serious consideration"

Reaching the door and entering the Cohen house Seth called out.

"Dad? You here?"

"No, your dad had a meeting but you can show Ryan the poolhouse now." Kirsten entered the foyer reading a business file.

"Yeah sure. C'mon dude." Seth started walking towards the back door but Ryan stopped.

"Thank you Mrs Cohen."

Not waiting for a response Ryan followed Seth's footsteps leaving a smiling Kirsten.

------

Marissa sighed as she walked down the driveway to her large house. It always seemed pointless to her to have such a big house and only two people living in it. Her father, though, insisted this mansion was what his wife wanted. Julie Cooper, Marissa's mother, was killed when Marissa was only five and although Marissa didn't really remember her she did miss her. Her lullabies, her beautiful decorating skills, her hugs, her kisses and her singing while she made her favourite baked beans on toast.

"Daddy? I'm home!" Marissa's voice echoed as she entered the oak doors. There was no answer. She walked past the closet to find him…The closet….

"Rissa sweetie…c'mon wakeup…" Julie worriedly woke her five year old daughter.

"What's wrong Mummy?" Marissa mumbled getting out of bed and Julie gave her Share bear.

"Remember daddy and I told you to hide in the closet when we asked? Well I need you to do it now." Julie nervously carried Marissa down the ridiculous number of stairs.

"Do you need me to hide and be really quiet again?" Marissa asked as her mother put her down and opened the dark closet. Julie smiled and crouched down.

"Yes please sweetie. And no matter what happens, whatever you may hear you stay in here and keep quiet. You promise me?"

"I promise Mummy" Marissa nodded and went inside. Julie sadly gave her daughter a tight hug and a kiss.

"I love you Rissa bear."

"I love you Mummy bear."

They both smiled then Julie closed the door leaving Marissa with just the light from the cracks in the door.

Right on queue the doorbell rang and a wary Julie opened the door to be faced with two men.

"Can I help you?" Julie acted dumb even though she knew exactly why they were here.

"James here?" The larger man asked.

"No he's out of town. So if you'd please leave—" Julie tried to close the door but the other man stopped her. They walked in and Julie stepped back nervously.

"Well you can tell us the safe number." The smaller man demanded and pulled out a gun.

Marissa could see everything and she began shaking. I can't speak. Mummy said not to….

"I'm not telling you that!" Julie shouted using every bit of courage she had left.

"Tell us! Now!" The larger man spat. Julie didn't respond and in a fit of rage the smaller man pulled the trigger.

BANG! Marissa's eyes widened in fear. She saw Julie drop to the floor, blood everywhere. The two men left empty handed. Running out of her hiding spot she dropped to her knees crying.

"Mummy? Mummy bear?" No answer. Only the sound of blood dripping on to the floor.

Marissa swallowed hard. She hated reliving that moment. The moment her mother died in front of her. When her mum died to save her family. From that moment her dad made sure no one would ever hurt Marissa. So he hired a different self defence instructor every year to make sure she knew how to protect herself. When he wasn't there to protect her.

Walking up the stairs to her large ensuite, Marissa kicked off her shoes and walked onto her balcony which overlooked the beach and the Cohen's backyard. She smiled as she saw two figures walk towards the Cohen's poolhouse. Seth Cohen and Ryan Atwood.

Ryan Atwood. In her whole lifetime she had never met a person quite like him. He was smart, funny, kind and, she couldn't help but notice, hot. And although he was blind he saw life in an entirely different light than any other clone in Orange County. She didn't care he was from Chino, or he stole a car or he was blind. All she cared was that she would see him again tomorrow night.

A/N: I hope you understand Marissa a bit more. Next chapter is the fashion show and the after party. Stay tuned and review. By the way, Victoria thanks so much for your support. :-) Best bud!