A/N: Thanks 4 all your great reviews…here's the next chapter. I skipped most of the latter fight scene but they'll be more later in the story don't worry. Also in this story Marissa isn't dating Luke but Luke wants to date her.

At the end of the show Marissa waited for Ryan out the front of the hotel when Luke approached her.

"Hey babe. You looked hot on stage." He stepped close to her trying to kiss her. She moved away.

"Luke. I uh…don't think this is going to work out. You and I." Marissa has been on one date with the guy and he was like every other guy in Newport. He wasn't like Ryan.

"What! Marissa I-" He was interrupted when the blind kid from before approached them.

"Hey Marissa. The show was-" Ryan started when Luke blurted out.

"Who's this guy?"

Marissa, embarrassed by Luke's behaviour, politely introduced them. "Luke this is Ryan Atwood. Ryan this is Luke Ward."

"Hey. I'm the one that tripped you." Ryan held his hand out and Marissa tried to stifle a laugh. Luke, blushing, knocked back his hand. "Freak." Then he stalked off

Marissa and Ryan immediately cracked up.

"Wow…interesting company you keep there" Ryan remarked.

"Never mind him. So are you and Seth coming to the after party? I'll give you guys a lift." Marissa offered. "Besides you're living here now so there's no reason we all can't hang out."

"Uh…sure. Could you point me in the direction of Seth?" Ryan asked embarrassed, with so many noises he couldn't hear him.

"Yeah. He's behind you" A male voice spoke up behind Ryan, startling him. It was Seth. "You know I live for party's not that I've been to one, but let's go."

With that the trio headed off to the beach party.

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Pulling up at an expensive beach house, crowded with teenagers, Ryan, Marissa and Seth stepped out of the SUV.

Ryan could hear millions of conversations, loud music and could even smell cocaine which was being sniffed inside.

"Welcome to the dark side" Ryan smiled following Marissa inside as a song stopped playing. Seth chuckled and set out to find Summer.

"Do you want a drink?" Marissa asked pulling Ryan through the sea of people.

"Sure" Then the ear piercing music started again. Ryan winced in pain, dropping his cane and covering his ears. People watched as Ryan cowered in pain in the middle of the party.

"Ryan!" Marissa ran to him worried. She picked up his cane and led him outside to the beach, the quiet.

Ryan regained his balance and gratefully took his cane from Marissa.

"Sorry I-" Ryan began embarrassed.

"No, no need to apologise. What happened?"

"My hearing's more sensitive because I lost my sight. It felt like knives piercing my ear drums."

Marissa nodded understanding Ryan's pain, she wished she could take it away.

"Want to sit on the beach?" She offered seeing not many people on it.

"Sure. Thanks." He smiled as they walked towards the dark ocean.

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Luke watched from afar as Marissa helped that blind kid. He couldn't understand why she blew him off for that trailer trash. Asking around he had discovered Ryan was from Chino, and was taken in by the do-gooder Cohens.

After a few beers with his mates his anger boiled when he saw Marissa put an arm around Ryan's shoulder and they sat on the sand.

"I seriously don't like that kid man." Luke spat out as he chucked his beer bottle away.

"Is he with Marissa? Tat chick you want?" Luke's right hand man Saunders asked.

"Yeah"

"You gotta tell that punk, back off." Saunders seriously told as he noticed Seth Cohen walk by. There was nothing he liked better than messing up a freak. He roughly shoved him.

"Go home geek." Seth was taken aback as Luke joined in.

"Who invited you suckass?" They laughed as more waterpolo players closed in.

"You guys wouldn't hurt me because that would be so cliché." Seth tried getting away until they all picked him up laughing.

"I think Cohen needs a bath!" Luke shouted as he and his cronies carried him towards the beach. A squirming Seth trying to break free.

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Ryan was completely absorbed in her. It was as if it was only the two of them on the beach. He felt Marissa's warm breath on his cheek, he swallowed nervously.

"Ryan…" Marissa began holding his hand.

"Yeah?"

"I-" She was interrupted, however, when Ryan heard taunting voices and one which sounded just like Seth.

"Dude, get off…"

Ryan heard the voices come closer. Seth was in trouble. He reluctantly let go of Marissa's hand and stood up. She followed, confused. Here she was about to pour her heart out and he pulls away.

"C'mon Cohen! Swim!"

"Let go…"

Ryan, holding his cane, ran towards the voices, their soundwaves creating a shadow to follow.

"Hey! Put him down." He shouted and sensed them stop in their tracks. Not believing someone would stand up for the comic book geek. "Put him down."

Seth bent his head back, still in the air, and found a pissed off Ryan standing in front of the group.

"Hey Ryan. What's up?" He tried to joke even though he had a major wedgie.

Luke smirked. Was this guy serious? He would get pummelled into the sand. He motioned for his team to let Seth go.

"You got a problem dude?" Luke stood up to him, seeing his own reflection in Ryan's sunglasses.

Marissa understood now why Ryan had pulled away but became worried as she saw he was about to deck Luke.

"You tell me" Ryan glared and squarely punched Luke in the jaw, he fell on the sand hard.

The Harbour Waterpolo Pirates stood in shock. A blind kid just knocked out their captain with one punch. Seth stood in awe and Marissa covered her gaping mouth in shock and worry. Luke, however, was the most shocked as he felt himself crash into the sand which a throbbing jaw. Stumbling up, he tried to break Ryan's nose but somehow Ryan ducked and Luke clumsily punched the air. Ryan followed the soundwaves made by the ocean, the party, the waterpolo team, Seth and finally Marisa. He was angry, with his past and was now taking it out on Luke. It was therapy.

Marissa looked on terrified for Ryan's safety as the waterpolo team advanced on him. She rushed in.

"Um…Ryan… one tiny problem"

Ryan left a crouched over Luke and focused on the six other guys ready to smash his face in. This was not good.

A/N: Reviews greatly appreciated :-). I'm planning on doing a flashback to the fight because I didn't really cover it this chapter. And it is now the holidays in Australia so will probably update soon.