Disclaimer: Just read my user page

Warning: Sad in a lot of parts but a happy ending I PROMISE and there's some bad language in places but that's about it.

A/N:THANK GOD. It's finally over. It's been fun folks but GEE! Anyway, thanks to all your support along the way and all the folk that stayed loyal to my long-running fic, my late posts, my bad grammer...oh the list is endless. I hope the ending was to your liking and 'big up' to Valkyries because she's been like the cheerleader I never had. Thanks again!

---

“I really don’t want to do this Coop” groaned Summer she shut her eyes indignantly and stood rooted to the spot.

Marissa sighed and yanked her friend along gently “Summer! Come on. We need to get out there and have some fun. There’s no point spending life all…whiny” she said firmly

Summer narrowed her eyes suspiciously “Fun? Marissa, I had to see what’s-his-face-tall-thinks-he’s-the-shit-lying-cheating-scumbag, I just want to go home and watch the Golden Girls” she clicked her fingers to emphasise the point that she resolutely refused to say River’s name out loud

Marissa grinned slightly “That’s exactly why we need to have some fun, or before long you’ll be listening to Michael Bolton and crying into your Ben and Jerry’s”

The brunette gaped at her friend “Uh. I didn’t do that”

The taller girl blushed “Hmm. Well I guess that was just me then”

The girls laughed and Summer let Marissa drag her towards the multiplex although truth be told she was rather pleased to have something else to do than mope around the house.

---

“You think Summer will take me back?” mused Seth he swerved on his skateboard along the pier and shot a glance at Ryan who had a blank expression on his face.

“Dude! Are you even listening man, it’s like the greatest on-off-on-off love story never told and you’re all spaced out!” complained Seth

Ryan rolled his eyes and steered his bike slightly away from Seth, as glad as he was that he and Seth were on better terms after a lengthy some awkward feeling after the discovery of Phoenix using them both.

Although Seth seemed to be getting over the worst of Phoenix’s betrayal, Ryan was confused as why he still felt so hurt by what she had done. He had, as yet, received no explanation as to why she had acted in the way she had. Pushing the thought to the back of his mind he called to Seth to speed up.

“Okay, okay. I’m listening. Even though you’ve been saying this for the past half hour” sighed Ryan reluctantly

“Look, Summer doesn’t know what happened with me and…her the oh so hot but oh so evil one, so…as long as I don’t tell her…things should be okay…right?” continued Seth, oblivious to Ryan’s interruption

“I mean, we’re Seth and Summer…Summer and Seth, The Seth man and the Summer err…woman…”

“That means nothing”

“I know, I just heard repetition is good for emphasising points”

Ryan cracked a smile, which promptly disappeared when he spotted Summer and Marissa talking by an ice cream stand. He stopped his bike and Seth who had also just seen them, rolled to a stop, flipping his skateboard up and catching it in his hands.

“Now’s my chance eh?” murmured Seth, although he seemed slightly nervous

Ryan just looked queasy. “I don’t think so…I mean…maybe…” was all he managed

Seth gave him an odd look and scoffed “And they say I’m weird” he dropped his skateboard down and stepped onto it, then made a beeline for his ex-girlfriend.

Ryan groaned, a feeling of ill ease settling in his stomach and then he followed Seth.

---

Phoenix exhaled and felt the wind caress her hair, she linked arms with River and the recently released Joaquin, a smile creeping over her features. If the previous week had been a week for her being gloomy and depressed this week was shaping up to be a far more merry affair.

It seemed her father’s name still carried some clout with it and somehow (neither she nor her brothers had asked how) he had managed to wrangle Joaquin out of jail on the promise that if he was to ever get into any more trouble there he would surely be prosecuted.

Then there was the fact that her parents had decided that enough was enough, Newport was out and New York was in. Their children were to return to their beloved city and finish their remaining school years there without any further disruption.

To show their gratitude for their parent’s good faith, the three siblings had decided to tidy up at home (Joaquin took care of this), cook a gourmet dinner (courtesy of River), order movies and flowers (this was by Phoenix) and then the trio made themselves scarce. Opting to roam the beach and spend most of the night in clubs around Newport.

“Okay vote, I really want to see that new…SeaBiscuit thing” suggested Joaquin

The twins gaped at him “I’m sorry…what!” exclaimed Phoenix as she burst into laughter

The older of the three looked offended “Hey, look, it’s purely for the comedy value…not at all because I think Tobey McGuire looks hot in tight rubber”

River made a disgusted face “Wrong. It’s just…wrong!”

Then he started laughing along with his sister, Joaquin smirked at his comment. “All right, we’ll let the lady choose”

“I don’t see one, do you?” snickered River

Knowing his sister would try and hit him, River ran off laughing in the direction of the multiplex with Phoenix in hot pursuit and Joaquin running after them grinning from ear to ear.

When they reached the multiplex, all slightly out of breathe, River pushed the glass doors open, entered the movie foyer and immediately settled on a movie starring a very scantily clad Jessica Alba. Phoenix wrinkled her nose at it, but she was out numbered by Joaquin.

“Fine, I’ll watch it, but only to mock at and sneer at it”

Her brothers seemed to accept this as suitable response “Okay, I’m going to go use the ‘little boys room’…I just realised how that sounded” smirked River and then he disappeared to use the bathroom

“I’ll take care of tickets then little sis. My treat” winked Joaquin, “Okay…then that leaves me with…candy…you sly bastard. That’s the most expensive stuff here anyway”

Her brother winked again “I know. Sucker” he slunk off to the ticket booth while she grumbled and made her way towards the ticket booth

---

Summer’s feelings on seeing Seth were…mixed to say the least. On one hand she was pleased to see him, she still loved him somewhat after all, on the other hand he was the last person she wanted to see especially since she felt so guilty.

“Cohen! Ryan…hey!” she quickly swung her arms around the two boys when they approached in an awkward hug then stepped away and frowned

Marissa wiggled her fingers at them tentatively “Hey guys”

“Um…hey” murmured Ryan

“So, hey. You’re here. We’re here. We’re all beautiful. I say we go and hang out. Movies anyone?” said Seth in one quick breath

“You know what, that doesn’t sound like such a bad idea” nodded Summer

Marissa looked sideways at Ryan, and she smiled at how endearing he was “What do you think?”

He managed to smile back “Sounds good”

Once Ryan and Seth had gone to the ticket booth to buy their tickets, it gave Summer and Marissa a chance to exchange some gossip as they went to the candy counter to purchase various sweets and drinks.

“Check you out in your Marc Jacobs heels. You were totally flirting with Seth” beamed Marissa as they queued up

Summer wiggled her eyebrows and hips simultaneously then did an over-exaggerated copy of Marissa flicking her hair “Oh I was flirting? Check this out; Oh stop! Ryan! You’re so funny”

Marissa playfully slapped her away and blushed “Okay! So, I was flirting. So? It was just…harmless. Ryan and I are just…friends. Which is more than I can say for you…are you putting on more lip gloss”

Summer attempted to look innocent “What? My lips are dry!”

Her friend scoffed, then her smile fell. “Oh god. It’s Phoenix…she must hate us…especially after all that stuff you said at the dance”

Summer had the decency to look guilty “You might be right. It’s not her fault her brother’s a lying piece of trash”

“We should go over” suggested the blonde she self-consciously fiddled with the straps of her Fendi bag, Summer nodded and began to walk over to Phoenix who was stood at the counter waiting for her snacks.

When she saw the two girls, an expression of ill disguised displease. She looked very different to the preppy, colourful clothing they had normally known her to wear. She was dressed simply in a white almost sheer button down top, under black velvet waist coat and a baggy loose fitting grey jeans.

“Hey” said Phoenix, she fiddled with the long strands of her red glass bead necklace unsurely and wished her brother’s would show up, but they were probably waiting in the foyer

“Hey. Um, about the dance…and why we’ve been avoiding you…” started Marissa

Phoenix, realising they still were in the dark about her, Ryan and Seth, became that little bit less hostile. “I know, my brother told me. Men eh?”

Summer nodded and muttered something unrepeatable “Well…we still want to hang out with you if you want. I mean, we’re like going to watch some comic book adaptation now…if you want to hang with us or something…but you look like you’re busy”

Phoenix turned to the cashier and paid for her food then turned back to Summer “Umm. Yeah. Kind of. But I’ll see you guys around…”

“What are you doing here?” exclaimed Ryan’s angry voice

The three girls turned their gaze to him and Seth who looked equally indignant, Marissa and Summer stood, perplexed at their reaction to Phoenix.

“I guess I won’t join you anyway” sighed Phoenix, she attempted to walk past them, with her stack of popcorn and drinks but Ryan followed her and grabbed her arm, startling her and causing her to drop all her things.

She punched his arm resentfully “What the hell was that?”

“What , it’s not enough that you use me and Seth but now you’re using Marissa and Summer, do you think they’d still be friends with you if they knew what you did?” he hissed, loud enough for her to hear but low enough for the rest of the group except perhaps Seth not to

“Do you think they’d still be friends with you if you told them?” she snapped back and stared around her, a few of the other cinema goers were staring at them now

“They don’t deserve you…just leave them alone” he warned in a dangerous tone

Phoenix squared her shoulders “If they’re so perfect why don’t you ask Summer why the hell she announced to the entire school how much she hates my brother…and while you’re at it, why don’t you ask Marissa as well” she sneered and turned to storm off again but Ryan took hold of her wrist this time and yanked her backwards, he couldn’t explain why it was he was so hurt by her actions but he knew that deep down he was still in love with her.

“Get. Off. Me…” she snarled her face so close he could see the anger burning in his eyes

“Ryan man, let it go!” called Seth and with good reason, River and Joaquin were fast approaching, River grabbed Ryan by the shirt collar and pulled him away

“What the hell is your problem?”

Marissa watched, mortified “What’s going on?” she whispered to an appalled Summer but the brunette could not answer

Seth tried to intervene, by appealing to the furious Hall brothers “Hey look, I’m sorry about him man, it was all a misunderstanding”

River was past listening he went after Ryan again, shoving him hard in the chest, Ryan staggered back, Ryan ran back at him and head butted the boy pinning him to the ground with a deadly look. “Stay, out of this”

“I’m more involved than you think” spat the darker haired boy, with a wicked glint in his eyes “You get so pissed off about Phoenix seeing the two of you behind each other’s backs, when your own girlfriends were doing the same thing. With me” he finished with a relish

There was a stunned, horrified silence that grew and grew until Seth spoke first. He turned to Summer, his heart breaking.

“Is this true?”

Summer didn’t answer and he knew it was, he glowered at River and scowled at Phoenix who shook her head and buried it in Joaquin’s shoulder. He put an arm around her protectively and whistled “You, River, I’m getting bored. Let’s go”

River broke free of Ryan and shot the group one last scornful look then followed his twin and brother out of the multiplex.

Marissa who was already in floods of silent tears stared at Ryan solemnly “I’m so sorry…”

He shrugged his shoulders with some great strain “Don’t be. They’re the ones who should be sorry” he exhaled and left the multiplex without another word

---

Seth dangled his feet into his pool lazily, the moonlight reflected above. That sunny Saturday had changed so suddenly, it had been full of hope and promise and then…the Hall family had gone and dropped that revelation on him and Ryan.

Not only had Phoenix been simultaneously dating he and Ryan but the same had been going for River and his and Ryan’s respective girlfriends. Even though he and Ryan had ’confessed all’ he was unsure whether he really wanted to be with Summer anymore, if they could both lie to each other the way they had, then was there truly any future for them?

“Seth?”

He looked up and saw Summer’s smile frame standing beside him, she looked very pretty in a pale pink sequinned tank top that shimmered in the moonlight.

“Can we talk?” she said softly

He nodded “Pull up a pew…or a chair. Whatever”

Summer rolled up the legs of her white jeans and sat down next to Seth, gingerly pointing her toes down into the water

“I’m really sorry about what happened” she began

Seth shook his head “I’m sorry too. It suck. It suck bad”

She smiled “They were beyond twisted…”

“You know, the minute they moved in I was thinking…there goes the neighbourhood” he said, also smiling

Summer smiled again “God, Cohen, I wish I could just go back to before I met that stupid…Are we still cool?”

Seth reached for her hand beside his and squeezed it for a few moments before letting go “Always”

“So what now?” she mused and shivered in the faint breeze

Seth shrugged “We start all over again. As friends. If you want…but…right now we get you inside missy, because you’ll freeze to death” he said, adopting a thick Jewish accent

Summer grinned “Puh lease, chicken arms, you’ll freeze before me!” she got up and skipped into the house

Seth watched her go and wondered how he had ever even considered leaving her. It was always Summer. He got up and followed her into the house.

---

That brilliantly bright Sunday morning, River woke up early. His parents had decided that the two twins would move earlier than expected, they were first to go to a family lunch as a final meal in Newport then it was back home to New York.

For River the move couldn’t have come sooner, he was determined that this time, he would make a real effort of life in New York and there would be no more masks, no more schemes, it would just be him and his sister, enjoying the life they were blessed with. It had taken a long time for them to get there but they’d made it and he wasn’t about to mess up his rare second chance.

Phoenix muttered all the way to the outside driveway as she attempted to balance the two boxes of crockery, with no shoes on. The family meal had turned into a ‘dinner party’ that their parents would be hosting, with some friends they’d made in Newport.

Ryan stepped out to get the papers and saw Phoenix balancing precariously with the boxes and instinctively went over to help her, he grabbed the boxes neatly from her and she stood back with relief.

“Thanks I…” she trailed off as she saw him, he put the boxes into where he assumed they went-the open boot of a Hummer and then stood back.

They stared at each other for a moment before Ryan broke the tense silence “You’re moving”

She shrugged her shoulders and he ached at how stunning she looked, her hair falling over one shoulder, in frayed denim shorts and a bead neck halter in varying shades of blue over a white tank top. Her legs were of course, still as long and as wonderful as when he’d first seen them. He almost smiled at how awkward he’d been around her.

“Yeah. Sorry I didn’t mention it, but seeing as how you hate me, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway” she muttered sarcastically and started to walk back

Ryan sighed “I don’t hate you. But, what you did was pretty messed up” he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt “I just want to know why you did what you did”

“What will that prove?” she sighed exasperated

“Nothing…I just want the truth. Look, I’ll even help you out with your packing” he offered “No more fights” he said honestly “You owe me that much at least…and Seth” he added

“As weird as this is…fine. But you’re not going to like it” she said candidly, shrugging her shoulders at the unusual offer Ryan had just made she walked into her house with him following.

Joaquin was understandably hostile at seeing Ryan.

“I’m sorry, if you want to pick a fight, there’s boxing club on…”

“I’m not here to pick a fight” interrupted Ryan wearily, Joaquin leant back against the door of his sister’s room, where he had been looking for her

Phoenix nodded “It’s cool, I’ll call you if I need anything” she said reassuringly

Joaquin sighed and rolled his eyes, then he left the room, shutting the door behind him. Phoenix directed Ryan to some of her clothes which he, true to his word started folding. She sat down on the soft carpet where he too sat and they both began to pack away her clothes.

“Okay” she exhaled deeply “What do you want to know?”

He paused to look at her, his honest blue eyes boring into hers with such intensity that it alarmed her.

“Everything”

---

So she told him the truth, her version of it anyway. She omitted the parts about the fire and the drugs but she told him why she and her brother had done what they had done to him and his friends. The story took a lot less longer than Phoenix had expected but when she had finished Ryan sat there, her clothes in his lap, with a sad, weary expression.

Phoenix felt her stomach tie itself in knots and she looked at her watch. Only three more hours left in Newport. She wasn’t about to end things like this.

“I don’t know anything about you…is there anything you said that wasn’t a lie?” he asked softly, his words were harsher than his tone but he was too dismayed by what she’d told him to get any angrier

“You do…you do know something. One thing, that I never lied about” she looked at her feet shyly

Ryan thought about what she could possibly mean by this and then slowly he realised. He considered what she meant and then stood up.

“I have to go” he managed, he stood up and made it towards the door before she stopped him.

“I’m leaving at about six”

Ryan turned around and looked exasperated “What do you want me to say to that?”

Phoenix shook her head and stood up “Why did you come here? I told you there was nothing you could gain from…”

He fixed her with a solemn expression “You know why”

River buttoned up his shirt and was surprised to see Ryan walking past his bedroom door. He stepped out of the room quickly and confronted the boy. “What the hell are you doing in my house…if you did anything to my sister…”

Ryan held his hands up innocently “We were just talking. I’m leaving” he tucked his hands into his grey jean pockets and continued down the hall

River called out to him “I don’t know why it is but she really does love you. We’re going in a about five hours Attwood, make your peace with her or leave her alone”

Ryan didn’t answer but he knew that River was right, if he didn’t sort out his true feelings for Phoenix it was just going to bother him like an itch he couldn’t scratch and he’d never truly feel satisfied if things between them ended on such a bad note.

Marissa brushed her hair away from her face and quickly flipped her compact open scanning her face which was glowing as a result of some well applied Estee Lauder make up and readjusted the straps on her green Marc Jacobs dress. She’d tried to go for a smart casual look that would both make Ryan think she had woken up looking so effortlessly stylish and at the same time entice him enough to consider going to lunch with her.

She missed him and she was rather taken by the idea that perhaps they could start all over again. Especially now that she knew he was truly over Phoenix Hall. It would be…awkward at first she admitted but she was willing to be patient.

However all her hopes were dashed when she saw Ryan, deep in thought walk out of the wide golden gates of the Hall residence.

“Ryan?”

He looked up at her and frowned “Marissa? What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing!” she snapped, unable to disguise her envy and hurt “After everything they did to us you still go back there?”

The boy shook his fair head, he opened his mouth to speak but could think of nothing to say

Marissa sighed plaintively and stared at him nervously, unsure she wanted an answer to the question she was just about to ask.

“Do you love her then?”

Ryan turned his gaze back up at the house where and then looked at Marissa. “I think I do. I’m sorry”

Marissa shrugged and struggled not to cry “It’s okay. I should have expected it…”

He offered her his arm and she took it. “I’m sorry things worked out like this, but I really do want to be your friend” he admitted

Marissa smiled but didn’t answer. He glanced at her outfit and wolf-whistled, slightly lightening the mood until he asked her why she was so dressed up to which she replied;

“No reason”

---

The Hall family stood in their back garden, all dressed in smart clothing, illuminated by the glow of the garden lights as a photographer snapped black and white pictures.

“I got to say it family, we are one good looking bunch” grinned Richard. Which although slightly conceited was very true, they were all in smart evening wear which they planned to wear on their first class flight back to NYC.

Phoebe chuckled at this “Don’t be so vain honey!” she scolded him teasingly only to start pouting dramatically, Richard followed her lead and began to envelope her in a series of ‘staged’ embraces which mortified their three children no end.

“Dear god, why” smirked Joaquin

Phoenix grimaced “I know. I know”

River shrugged “I think it’s kind of cute”

The other two gaped at him “STRIKE TWO!” exclaimed Joaquin “That’s TWO disturbing comments you’ve made in the past two days, any more and you’re out brother”

“Aw kids, come on. This is a nice idea your father had, instead of going to some stuffy old dinner with lots of rich old folk right gang?” smiled Phoebe

Phoenix scoffed “Mom, stop trying to be cool”

Her mother’s smile only widened and she pulled her daughter back into the frame of the photographer and kissed her on the cheek.

“I love you honey. I know things didn’t work out here but I really am proud of you. All of you”

Her sons begrudgingly rejoined the picture-taking and when finally the photographer was done and paid, the family made their way into their house which appeared not to have been lived now that their possessions had long been packed away and sent off to New York.

The kitchen counter had a silver gleaming tray with five tall stemmed glasses of sparkling champagne.

Richard reached for the first glass and allowed Phoenix and River to take glasses “Just tonight though”

“A toast!” proclaimed Joaquin merrily “To never moving again and…to family”

The rest of the family good naturedly booed his speech but all raised their glasses all the same and tapped them against each others. They continued to talk and laugh as Phoebe went to answer the doorbell, she was surprised to see the same boy that had been arrested practically on her doorstep almost two weeks earlier.

“Can I help you?” she said a little coldly

Ryan shuffled with his hands in his pockets nervously “I um, can I talk to Phoenix please”

“She’s busy right now, it’s a family thing” replied the woman, Ryan could tell where Phoenix got a large part of her attitude and looks from

“I’m sorry to disturb…it’s just really important, I have to tell her something” he urged

Phoebe looked at him for a few seconds, he seemed like a genuine boy, she supposed that perhaps he had a crush on her daughter. He wouldn’t be the first she thought with a smile.

“Okay, just wait in the hall…I’ll be back with her in a moment”. She headed back into the kitchen and informed her daughter that there was someone waiting for her. Phoenix discreetly slipped out of the kitchen and almost ran into the hallway.

“Ryan”

She suddenly became self-conscious and nervous and sat down on the steps leading into the living room, she shifted in her midnight blue dress, a gift from her father and smiled at him.

“Grab a seat”

Ryan bent over slightly till he was at her height and kissed her gently on the lips. Then he sat down beside her.

She leant forwards and kissed him, with more intensity this time and wished she could stay in Newport with him.

He hugged her tightly and nuzzled his head in then crook of her shoulder.

“So this is bye then” he said and pulled away after a while

Phoenix reluctantly let go of him but placated herself with brushing her fingers over his cheek. “I guess it is. I’m…sorry about everything” she inhaled

Ryan took her hand and shrugged “Hey, look. We’ll just start again. From the top. I’m Ryan Attwood. From Chino” he shook her hand

Ryan took her hand and shrugged “Hey, look. We’ll just start again. From the top. I’m Ryan Attwood. From Chino” he shook her hand

Phoenix grinned “Phoenix Hall, Mr. Wrong side of the tracks huh? And there I was thinking Newport was all dull”

Ryan remembered what they had first said to each other and responded with a smirk “Pretty much”

They embraced lovingly and shared another kiss then Ryan got up to leave. A wistful look in his eyes. “See you around…I’ll visit”

Phoenix smiled and felt herself close to tears “You do that Attwood”

He waved lightly and then turned and left, feeling a lot better than he had in quite some time.

“All right you can come out now” said Phoenix out loud

Her two older brother’s sheepishly stepped out of the shadows where they had been hiding in case Ryan had come to antagonise Phoenix.

“You okay kid?” asked Joaquin, he sat down beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder

River sat down next to Phoenix and linked his arms with her comfortingly. Phoenix smiled to herself “I will be”

River rubbed her arm reassuringly “I know as older brothers, we are supposed to be the bane of your life, but between been bastards…or should I say comic geniuses we can be very supportive”

Joaquin nodded, his green eyes sparkling “Heck ya and you know we expect the same from you”

Phoenix smiled and kissed them both on the cheek “Of course, I’ve always got your back and I know you two have got mine." She paused thoughtfully before responding;

"What are families for?”

FIN