Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to The OC. Josh Schwartz is the creator, the lucky guy.
Authors Note: Hey Guys, this is my first OC fic so I would really like reviews. Try to be nice, but critical at the same time.

He hadn't seen the ocean in a long time. It had been part of his plan to avoid the beach; anything that reminded him of Newport. He had tried to escape once, unfortunately returning that fall to the tangled web of truths and lies he had despised. It was not until the next spring that he could leave for the East and run away from his heart, which still lied in Newport.

After six years, Seth Cohen was returning home. He had gotten the news while running around the office. His secretary finally chased him down and passed on the message that she had received earlier in the day. The patriarch of the Newport Group and his grandfather Caleb Nichols had passed away. Although he knew that many people would not bother to attend the funeral, Seth felt an obligation to his mother and even a part of him felt a slight sadness about the passing.

As he drove towards his house and he looked to the left and saw the ocean in the distance. There were teens everywhere tromping along the beach, surfing and getting tans. He smiled, though he felt sorry for how naïve those kids would turn out to be. They hadn't yet experienced life and everything that comes with it. After the pain of love and life in Boston his heart had been covered in ice.

Although it was his childhood home, Seth knocked on the door once he had arrived. To his surprise Ryan answered the door. Slightly bewildered at the sight of his best friend answering the door, Seth became hesitant to walk in.

"Hey"

"Hey……So did you move in here or something?"

Ryan let out a slight laugh, "Nah man…it's just Lindsay's here and I came with her. Their in the kitchen."

Seth stepped in the doorway and they made their way towards the kitchen.

As soon as Kirsten laid eyes on her son she ran towards him and smothered him. She said no words, but muffled cries could be heard while tears soaked Seth's shoulder. After holding him for nearly five minutes, Seth broke free and made his way towards his dad.

"So the prodigal son returns." Sandy grabbed Seth and gave him a hug. They broke quickly and Seth looked up. Lindsay was sitting at the island in the middle of the kitchen. Seth had not known her for very long before he headed east, but he did know that her and Ryan had been dating and became engaged recently, with Caleb's encouragement.

"Lindsay, how are you?"

"Good under the circumstances, I suppose."

Slightly uncomfortable, "Well that's good….I guess."

He looked at everyone, "I wish I had returned under better circumstances, but I am glad to see everyone….really."

Kirsten finally spoke, "We're glad to see you too sweetheart."

Attempting to break the silence, Sandy offered to order takeout while Seth got settled in.

Walking into his room was complete time warp for Seth. All around were things from his past he had left behind in an attempt to cleanse his life. As he unpacked clothes a familiar figure appeared, Captain Oats. He had been the only thing of importance Seth had taken, because he figured if he was going to be alone he would need someone to talk to. As he was putting clothes away, Seth noticed an overturned frame on the top of the dresser. He lifted it up and then placed it back down. It was a picture of Summer and him at his grandfathers wedding to Julie Cooper. He had left the next day, but when he returned in the fall nearly all of his relationship with Summer was ruined. A part of Seth always believed that maybe their relationship could be fixed, but on the day he left for good all hopes were dashed. She didn't even come to say goodbye at his party. Seth took this as a sign that she didn't care and he didn't bother to go to her.

The next few days were full of funeral arrangements and "sorry's" from nearly everyone in Newport. He had breakfasts with his parents, lunches with Marissa, and dinners with Ryan and Lindsay. This whole week he had been surrounded by people and yet all Seth wanted was to be by himself. Despite his mental objections, he made his way down to the beach. As he approached he noticed a couple snuggled together on the beach. He recognized that brunette hair and mumbled, "shit". Startled the couple turned around and she knew immediately. Squinting, the only words managed out of her mouth were,

"Cohen….."

A/N: So what did you think? Review