So! This is the final chapter… Exciting, yes? It was quite fun to write, I enjoyed tying all the little pieces together. I hope you enjoy reading it! And reviewing! Thanks for sticking with this story, it's been fun.

"I fully understand your concern," said the nurse, who was standing in front of the door with a kind but firm expression. "But I assure you, Miss Cooper just needs to rest."

Alex fumed silently for a moment. Who was this testy looking woman with dyed red hair to know what Marissa needed? "I know perfectly well Marissa's medical situation," she said through gritted teeth. "I still want to see her. Now." She demonstrated her best 'give-me-what-I-want' glare.

The nurse sighed. "Fine, fine," she conceded, moving aside. "But if the doctor happens by, I'm not going to be the one explaining this to him." She stalked off, mumbling about pushy teenagers.

Alex pushed through the door, and her gaze immediately fell on Marissa, lying in between the starchy white hospital sheets. Her shoulders were covered with a pale green gown, and her light brown hair was messy, pieces of it spread across her pillow. Her face was very pale, and her eyes were closed. There was a small bandage taped to her left temple. "Oh, Marissa," sighed Alex softly.

Green-blue eyes flashed open, and Marissa sat up. "Alex!" she squealed. "Oh, I thought you were the nurse again, I just didn't want to answer any more annoying questions!" A wide, toothy grin adorned her face. "How'd you get in here, I thought they weren't letting me see anyone?"

Alex crossed the room in three quick strides. "Do you really need me to answer that?" She sat on the bed, smiling cheekily.

Marissa rolled her eyes. "I hope you didn't hurt that poor woman," she said. "They'll never let you back in here to see me."

Alex felt her smile fade a bit. "You're not going to be in here that long, are you?" she asked. "I thought you were pretty much all healed, the bullet only grazed your temple." Her gaze focused on the bandage. "There are no complications, right?"

"No, no, nothing too serious," said Marissa quickly. "I mean, I have a small concussion, but with some rest I should be absolutely fine." Then she sighed. "It's just... well, it's kind of my mom."

Alex groaned. She should have known. "Ugh, how did she find out? And why does she want you to stay in the hospital? I mean, even the doctors say you'll be okay if you take it easy."

"Seth told Sandy, who most likely told Kirsten, grapevine, yadda yadda yadda," Marissa shorthanded, making a circular motion with her hand. "So now my mom knows. And, although sometimes it doesn't seem like it, my mom is supremely protective of me." She shrugged. "I mean, it's not that bad. Just a bit annoying that I have to stay in bed."

"You'll miss Summer's party, you know," Alex pointed out. "And that means even though you're already in the hospital, there's a chance when you get out she'll just put you right back in."

Marissa snickered. "I guess that's a chance I'll have to take. It sucks to miss it, though, I've been planning that party for a month." Then she leaned forward. "Anyway, I've been completely cut off here, the only information I'm getting is incomplete texts from Seth. What's happening with Jonny and Adam?"

Alex felt a smug grin slide across her face. "Oh yes. This'll cheer you up." She launched into the explanation of what had happened after Marissa had blacked out. The police had showed up, and seeing the unmoving girl on the floor, and the gun in the hand of the man they were there to arrest, they had been a bit rough with him. This had pissed him off even more, so he had fought back as they handcuffed him. Last Alex had heard, they were considering upping his sentence by six months for resisting arrest.

As for Adam, everything had unfolded practically perfectly. Once they received the audio file with Booth's confession, charging Adam was simple. Since he was already in jail, he was simply having time racked onto his sentence. He had not requested a trial. Thanks to the recorded conversation between Booth and Alex, there was really no way out for him anyway.

After Alex finished explaining, Marissa sat back in her bed, smiling. "You know, no one should mess with us. We kind of kick ass."

Alex smiled back. "Yeah, when we're not being shot by our own BB guns."

"Oh, shut up," Marissa retorted, shoving Alex's shoulder playfully. The momentary contact sent a slight shiver down Alex's arm, a hint of embarrassed awkwardness returned to her. She couldn't help remembering that before this conversation, the last words she had said to Marissa had been three very important ones.

Marissa, who had been watching silently, bit her lip. Then she smiled softly. "Remembering something, perhaps?"

Alex hoped very much that she wasn't blushing. "How do you always know what I'm thinking?" she couldn't help asking.

The tall brunette shrugged, still smiling. "I don't know, really. I've just found that I can look at you and sort of read your expression." Her voice was very quiet. Alex felt a distinct lump in her throat. She prepared to speak, with a little difficulty.

"Yeah?"

Marissa's eyes looked very blue in the florescent light. She moved forward, and took Alex's hand. "Yeah," she said. "Listen, I've been sitting in this room for three hours, so I've had a lot of time to think. Mostly about you." She took a deep breath. "And what you said this morning. Alex, I-"

Suddenly the door burst open, revealing a breathless and red-faced Summer and Seth. "Coop!"

Alex threw up her hands and glared, exasperated at the pair of them. "Seriously? Right now? You guys have the worst timing of anyone, ever in world." She fumed silently. She was sure Marissa had been about to make a decision. But which one? Ugh.

"Well, sorry," said Summer hurriedly, closing the door securely behind her. "But we had to come." She glared at Marissa. "No way are you missing my party, Coop."

Marissa looked puzzled. "But it's in like, an hour. And I'm being confined to the hospital."

"Pfft," snorted Seth, rolling his eyes. "We got this. The only reason you're still here is Julie Cooper, who, last time I checked, is not a medical doctor. Therefore, we are sneaking you out."

Momentarily distracted from her annoyance, Alex cocked her head at Seth. "Sneaking her out? And how exactly are you planning on doing that?" She stared him in the eyes in mock concern. "You know you don't really have super powers, right?"

"That's what you think," countered Seth, pointing a finger at Alex before striding to the bed where Marissa was sitting. He was wearing a backpack, which he promptly took off and unzipped, producing a pair of pants and a tee shirt. "Here, put these on."

Meanwhile, Summer was peering out the blinds on the door. "Yeah, and hurry up, we have a window of about five minutes before those people at the front desk start to wonder why their coffee is taking so long."

"Come on, Alex," said Seth, grabbing her by the arm. "We're on hallway-watching duty." He walked past Summer and opened the door. "We stand out here and if we see any nurses coming to check on Marissa, we stall." He closed the door behind them.

Alex frowned at him. "Stall until what? Marissa and Summer climb out the window?"

Seth gave her a pointed look.

"Oh god."

Seven minutes later, sitting in the back of Summer's car, Alex was still dumbfounded. "I just cannot believe that worked," she said, shaking her head.

Marissa, who was sitting next to her, smirked. "Yep, escape number two from the hospital; success."

Alex looked at her. "You've done this before?"

Seth turned around to face the occupants of the back seat. "Yeah, but trust me, last time had way better outfits." He was swiftly punched in the arm. "Hey, concentrate on driving, woman!" Another punch. "Ah, should've seen that coming."

Arriving at Summer's house, the sun had already begun to set. The four teenagers got out of the car, with Summer squealing excitedly. "This is so cool! My party is in like fifteen minutes!" She wheeled around to face Seth, Marissa and Alex. "Okay, I'm going to go change my shoes. You guys get ready to surprise me!"

Seth watched as his girlfriend skip up to the door and enter the house. "One day, I'm going to teach her what the word 'surprise' means."

Alex smirked. "While you're at it, you should introduce the concept of not having to change shoes fifteen times a day."

"Yeah, like that's ever going to happen," laughed Marissa. She looked at Seth. "So, have you got your present all ready? You know, the extremely odd one."

Seth snapped his fingers. "Actually, I could use some help with that. It's next to the kitchen, in one of Summer's spare rooms, and it took a half hour for me to get there by myself. Can you guys lend a hand?"

Alex rolled her eyes. She turned to Marissa. "I'll get this one, you just got out of the hospital with a concussion. Too much heavy lifting's probably not a good idea."

Marissa smiled. "Thanks, Alex."

Alex's stomach flipped, and she grinned back. "Yeah, of course."

Seth led her into the house and past the kitchen. Entering the spare room, he smiled cheekily at her. "Very chivalrous of you, back there."

Alex looked back at him. "What was?"

Opening a closet, Seth gave her a wink, and put on a high pitched voice. "Oh don't worry Marissa, I'll save you from the big, bad concussion!" He reached into the closet and pulled on a very tall, flat, rectangular package, wrapped in sparkly purple paper. He managed to drag it all the way out, and stood looking at it, like an adversary. "I mean, if offering to help me carry this thing isn't a declaration of undying love, I don't know what is."

Alex gaped at the thing. "You know, I might have to agree with you on that. What is this, exactly?"

"It's a surprise," Seth said, in a mock mysterious voice. He grabbed one corner of the gigantic gift, then raised an eyebrow at Alex. "So, you're agreeing with me, huh? Undying love?"

Alex grabbed another corner. "I don't know if I'd be quite as dramatic."

Seth was quiet for a moment, as they manoeuvred the package out of the room. "You know, I've been meaning to talk to you about this," he said finally. "I mean, I guess you sort of figured that me and Summer don't want you and Marissa together. What with all the history, and Ryan basically being my brother and everything."

Turning a corner in the hallway, Alex swallowed cautiously. "Well, yeah, I did sort of figure. It's also kind of, well, I can't help thinking of when I was dating her and you guys put her in a tent with Ryan overnight."

The portion of Seth's face she could see around the bulky gift turned slightly red. "Yeah, sorry about that," he said, sounding genuinely sorry. "I guess we just weren't ready to come to terms with the fact that she wasn't with him. He was so broken up over Lindsay, and it seemed like the right thing to do. Looking back on it, we may have pushed things a little too far. For both of them. Sometimes I can tell Ryan just hasn't been right since Lindsay left, and as for Marissa..." He stopped speaking for a moment. They were standing in front of the kitchen, and Seth moved his head so he could look at Alex face to face. "I honestly think Marissa's been in love with you for two years."

Alex was silent for a moment, a tinge of relief calming her stomach. "I certainly hope so," she said quietly. "So you're saying its okay with you? I mean, if me and her can make this work?"

Seth smiled at her. "I know it would make both of you really happy, and you both deserve it. So yes, of course." He began to push the present into the kitchen so they could get it out the back door, and then stopped for a moment, looking back at Alex. "Also, it would be incredibly hot, and I am also all for that. You can send me any pictures, or videos, or-"

Alex knocked the package gently so it pushed Seth into a wall. "In your dreams," she answered, rolling her eyes. "C'mon, let's get this thing outside."

Between the two of them, they gingerly manoeuvred the large gift through the kitchen (with Seth's end dragging a bit on the floor) and through the back door into the yard. Stepping out into the evening, Alex noticed that the party planners had finally managed to pull everything together. The yard was lit with tall lamps emanating yellow light, the pool was decorated with light pink Christmas lights, and streamers and banners were draped tastefully across the back fence. Lastly, there was a large pedestal overlooking the pool, presumably for Summer to stand on to make her birthday speech.

"The pedestal wasn't my idea," came a voice from behind them. Alex turned around to see Marissa there, leaning against the door frame and smiling. "Summer insisted on it. She told me it was for aesthetic purposes, but I think it more so she could be taller than all her guests when she addresses them."

Seth laughed. "It would make sense. How tall is that thing, three feet?"

Marissa shrugged, still smiling. "I dunno. It's not as tall as your gigantic frame, though, at least there's that."

Alex turned to Seth, raising an eyebrow. "Gigantic frame? You got Summer a gigantic frame."

Seth grinned, grabbing his purple wrapped present and dragging it behind a streamer adorned tree. "You can laugh now," he said confidently. "But I shall be laughing later. Well, less laughing than being drowned in praise and compliments."

"At least he's got the drowning part right," mumbled Marissa to Alex.

The first two hours described pretty much what Alex assumed every Newport party consisted of. After Summer came downstairs, and a few miscellaneous guests had arrived, her father showed up in the yard, carrying a wrapped gift, which turned out to be keys to a brand new Mercedes. Dr. Roberts left the party quickly, announcing he was off to a fund raising event and warning his daughter to keep everything under control. At this point, an additional twenty guests arrived, as did copious amounts of alcohol.

Summer was having a blast, clearly enjoying being the centre of attention for the night. She rotated happily through talking to her guests, the Lemon Drop Martini in her hand being repeatedly refilled by Seth, who hovered around the music and drinks table with the hired D.J, chatting about various underground music scenes and requesting certain songs that he felt would go with the atmosphere.

Alex had started the evening helping out, carrying people's presents out from the house and placing them on the porch in a neat pile. With more and more arrivals, she had felt distinctly awkward, like she didn't belong. She knew Ryan wasn't supposed to show up til much later (he was working late, she had checked with Seth), but she still couldn't quite relax. At least she couldn't until she was pulled aside an hour into the party by Marissa, and handed a beer.

"Come with me," the brunette had said, smiling. Together, they had approached the pool, discarded their shoes and socks, rolled up their jeans, and sat with their feet dangling in the water. "Isn't this better than sulking on the porch?"

Alex took a sip of beer, and smiled back. "Maybe a little bit."

Time passed, and soon it was time for Summer's birthday speech. The tiny brunette scaled the pedestal (which was impressive considering the amount of martinis she had ingested) and gave the yard a jaunty wave. "Thank you, everyone," she exclaimed, "For the amazing surprise party!"

A voice called out from the crowd. "You invited me!" Everyone laughed.

Summer smiled, and shrugged. "Even so, I can honestly say this has been the best surprise party I've ever had. At my last one I got stung by a bee and had to go to the hospital." More laughter. "Anyway, I just want to say thanks again, especially for all the great presents."

"Great presents?" exclaimed Seth suddenly, standing up from his seat next to the D.J with an air of grandeur. "But you have yet to see the greatest present of all, from your loving boyfriend." He motioned toward Alex and Marissa. "Ladies, if you would help me out with this, that would be great. I need my hands to gesture luxuriously."

Rolling their eyes, the two of them stood up and grabbed either side of the gift, dragging it the few feet up to the pedestal. Summer's eyes were just about popping out of her head, staring at the massive present. "Oh my god, Seth!" she squealed.

Marissa looked up at her friend, a slight warning look on her face. "Don't get too excited there, Sum," she remarked mildly.

Summer's eyes narrowed, and she looked sharply at Seth. "This better not be a giant X-men poster, Cohen."

But Seth grinned, and grabbed onto the paper at the top left corner of the package. "Oh, ye of little faith," he said, and pulled diagonally right, removing the front of the paper.

Summer's mouth dropped, and then pulled into an amazed smile. "Oh, Cohen," she sighed happily.

Alex and Marissa exchanged surprised looks, and then both hopped onto the pedestal to get a look at whatever-it-was. When Alex saw, she shook her head incredulously and grinned at Seth. "You big old nerdy romantic."

As Marissa had said, Seth really had bought a gigantic frame, but he had put something in it. A lifesize animated drawing of Seth and Summer (both in superhero costumes) were gazing at each other, and holding hands. In simple cursive, the words 'I Love You' were written above their heads.

"Little Miss Vixen and the Ironist," said Marissa. Alex looked at her questioningly, and she smiled. "Seth's superhero names for himself and Summer. He drew them here."

"I cannot believe you got me something so romantic!" cut in Summer, back to squealing. She jumped down from the pedestal into Seth's arms. "You're the best nerdy boyfriend ever."

Seth grinned. "That's me." He kissed her, and everyone cheered.

Watching them, Alex smiled. "They're so perfect for each other," she said, a little bit sadly. How could she ever have that? How could someone ever love her that much?

And then she felt a warm hand slip into hers. "Yes," said Marissa's voice. "We are."

Alex turned her head, looking amazed into Marissa's eyes. "Really?" she asked quietly. Her heartbeat seemed to be far too loud.

Marissa nodded, her jaw set, and her eyes blazing. She took Alex's other hand, so they were facing each other. "I think I've been trying to tell you this for a very long time," she said in a calm, steady voice. "Maybe even before I knew what I was feeling. But," she bit her lip. "What you said this morning... Me too."

Alex's brain made the connection slowly. "You mean-"

Marissa nodded again, smiling now. "I do. I-" she paused, and then smiled even wider. "I choose you. I love you. I love you."

Alex couldn't really remember leaning in, or closing her eyes, but all of a sudden she was kissing Marissa with a fierce, ecstatic passion. She tried to convey every emotion she was feeling into it; trying to show the girl she was in love with exactly how amazing she was with only a kiss. And then she just couldn't concentrate anymore, and she gave in to the jumble of electric impulses surging through her body. Nothing could make her ever let go...

"I suppose this means you've made your decision," said a too-familiar voice.

Well, except that.

Pulling away very quickly, Alex turned her gaze hurriedly to Ryan, who was standing at the foot of the pedestal. Before he could speak again, she held up a hand. "Listen, Ryan-"

"No, you listen, please-"

"-I'm serious, I know why you're here-"

"Alex, hold on-"

"-And I know you're really angry-"

"Alex, I'm not angry!"

"-And," Alex paused, Ryan's last words hitting her. "Wait, what?"

She felt Marissa step forward, arms crossed. "Yeah, what?" she asked, frowning.

Ryan looked at Marissa, his pale blue eyes sad, but very sincere. "I want to apologize." Seeing the tall brunette double take, he smiled weakly. "Yeah, you heard me. I want to apologize." He took a deep breath. "I've been much less than a good boyfriend. I've been distant and selfish, and I haven't told you why. And I never talk to you when I should. For all that and more, I am really sorry."

Marissa still looked a bit shellshocked. "I-"

But Ryan held up a hand. "No, I want to finish." He turned his gaze to Alex. "I think you deserve an apology too, Alex."

Alex felt her eyes widen. "You sure you got the right girl, here?"

He smiled again. "Yes, I'm sure. I'm also pretty positive that I did the wrong thing two years ago. I know I told you time and time again that I wasn't moving in on your girl. But I was." His eyes flicked to Marissa, and then back to Alex. "The truth is, I was lonely, and I was hurt. And I thought that if I got back with my old girlfriend, the girl who first taught me I could have a good life... I thought that would fix everything. But it didn't. And I'm sorry for that." He stepped back, and looked at both girls. "Now I'm going to make things right."

Marissa spoke up, sounding just as shocked as Alex felt. "Ryan... Where is all of this coming from?"

The sandy haired young man closed his eyes for a moment. "I suppose it all started when I saw you about to kiss her. It just sort of- woke me up. I felt like 'My god, she's going to leave me.' And then I wondered why I wasn't more devastated." He looked quickly up at Marissa. "I mean, of course I was devastated, but just... not as much as I should have been. And then I sort of knew that for the past two years, we've been kidding ourselves. You've been pining after someone who never should have left." He glanced at Alex. Then he took something out of his pocket. "And I've been too afraid to go after someone who did."

Marissa squinted down at his hand. "What is that?"

"It's a plane ticket." He gave a small smile. "To Chicago."

Briefly, Alex saw something like anger pass across Marissa's face. And then it was gone, and all she could see was acceptance. Marissa nodded. "Go get her."

The former lovers exchanged a small smile. "Good luck," said Ryan sincerely, before he turned around to face a bewildered Seth and Summer. "Seth, tell Sandy and Kirsten I'll call as soon as I can. Summer... Happy Birthday. Sorry I couldn't stay longer. But there's something I have to do." And then he was gone, his broad back disappearing through the kitchen's sliding door.

For a moment, the back yard was in complete silence. And then a boy with dark hair and torn jeans stepped forward, looking at Marissa. "Hey, Cooper?"

Marissa turned her head to face him. "Uh, yeah?"

The boy grinned. "Can you kiss that blonde girl again?"

Laughter erupted from the silent yard, and people moved toward Seth and Summer, to offer more birthday tidings, or to take a look at the magnificently drawn birthday portrait. And Marissa turned toward Alex, smiling softly. "We did it, you know. We solved your kidnapping, we nailed Booth and Adam. We got Ryan's blessing." She laughed lightly, her green-blue eyes twinkling in the soft lights of the pool. "Does it get any better than this?"

Alex grinned back, taking Marissa's hands once again. "You know, I think it does." And she kissed her newly recovered girlfriend, this time vowing that absolutely nothing would ever interrupt her.