Here's a new story that I've thought up while continuing to work on The Hero, Part II. Let me know with reviews what you think of it.

Ryan Atwood stepped out of the SUV, instantly pushing his hands deep into his coat pockets as the cold air hit him. There was a thick layer of snow on the ground and more floating down quietly from the sky as he walked across the parking lot. He had parked far away from the mall entrance due to the enormous amount of vehicles that were no doubt trying to finish the same thing he was.

Once inside the mall he stomped the snow from his shoes after observing others do the same. He still couldn't believe he was here – both inside a mall to Christmas shop which he hated and in Iowa during the winter, which he might hate more. He longed to return home to California, away from the freezing cold and slippery snow and back into the warm sunlight and beaches. He might have to actually go spend a day at the beach when he returned instead of always driving by them just to get his body temperature back up to normal.

The malls were places he visited infrequently, this one in particular never, and he walked among the throngs of people not sure where to begin. This was the one time of the year where he braved the crowds, fought his dislike of shopping, and spent a few hours picking out gifts for his family. As people pushed their way past, shopping bags slamming into his legs, and the Christmas music playing overhead he thought that next year he may just shop online. The solitude from the safety of his own home, a few clicks on the mouse, and just wait for the gifts to be delivered sounded a lot better than the screaming child just in front of him.

To escape the temper tantrum and ear piercing screams, Ryan ducked into the nearest store not caring what it was. Unfortunately it was a lingerie shop and he exited just as quickly as he entered once a salesperson asked what she could help him find. His cheeks were flushed but so were many others who had just come in from the cold and once he became submerged in the crowd, no one noticed his embarrassment. He wanted to turn around and return to his rental vehicle, sit in his hotel room with room service and maybe a movie, and mark this trip up to a disappointment but he couldn't. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and he wouldn't have time after his flight to shop before going to Sandy and Kirsten's. It was now or never so he sucked it up and continued on.

Nearly an hour later he only had one gift left to buy. Sandy was getting a new briefcase, Seth some new video games, and Sophie would be receiving some dolls that would fit inside the dollhouse he built back home. Kirsten was the only one left as she always was since he never knew what to get her. It wasn't like he had a lot of expertise shopping for women; in fact Kirsten was the only one he had ever had to buy presents for.

It wasn't that he couldn't get a date or afford presents, quite the opposite in fact. At 26, Ryan was already a multi-millionaire and owner of his own business. After Sandy and Kirsten had taken a chance on him and making him a part of their family, he wanted to prove to them that they weren't wrong. He buried himself into his schoolwork, trying his best to avoid trouble, and then did the same in college where he majored in architect. The hard work paid off, his business was a success, but his love life had been sacrificed. Women were throwing themselves at him back home but that wasn't what he was looking for. He wanted to find someone he could spend a lifetime loving, not marrying for money or a trophy wife. Love continued to remain out of his grasp for the time being and so he focused on his work to try and keep that lonely feeling at bay.

He finally found a store where he might be able to find Kirsten something, vowing he wouldn't leave that particular store until he had a gift. He had already spent too much time shopping, that had been accomplished during stomping the snow off his shoes, and now he simply wanted to get back to his hotel. He couldn't believe people actually enjoyed this, looking through stores with thousands of strangers as they searched for the impossible gift.

Ryan browsed through the store, trying his best to avoid actually walking down the aisles but he knew it was pointless. Kirsten had everything so it was impossible to find her a gift, not that it mattered because she would love whatever he gave her. He was about to leave and find a jewelry store, he knew at least that much about women, when something caught his eye.

He looked down the row and saw the red coat but what was bundled inside the coat was what caught his interest. The most amazing face he had ever seen was scanning over shelves of Christmas decorations, her sparkling green eyes dazzling even from a distance. Wavy, shiny brown hair fell out of the white winter hat on top her head, her tanned skin glowing, and the smile that broke out when she found what she was looking for took his breath away.

He was completely transfixed by her beauty, unable to tear his eyes away. He could feel his heartbeat speed up, his hands beginning to get clammy as he watched the joy across her face. In California there were beautiful women everywhere you turned, most wearing nothing in comparison to a winter coat, hat, and jeans the women before him was in, but never before had he felt anything like this just at a first glance.

Before he knew what was happening the lady who had him rooted to one spot dazed was gone around the corner. Just losing sight of her made his heart drop, made him feel like something was missing. He didn't care for that empty feeling, wanting to see more of her to fill that void but he was completely clueless on how to approach a girl. It wasn't something he normally did and something that absolutely terrified him even though he could conduct meetings to a room full of directors. The opposite sex had some kind of power over him, some kind that paralyzed his tongue when the subject of dating was presented but this girl could be worth the risk.

He racked his brain trying to come up with a way to approach this woman who had stolen his breath from ten feet away but it was going about as good as shopping for Kirsten's present. Suddenly it clicked, a plan forming in his mind as he went over to the next aisle looking for her.

"Excuse me but do you work here?" Ryan asked as he walked up to the mysterious woman.

"Um, no I don't," she answered with a smile when he saw he was talking to her.

"I'm sorry, it's just that I've been looking all over for a Christmas gift for my mom and I'm ready to admit that I need help," Ryan said, hoping his knees would remain strong against her smile though he could feel them failing.

"Well I've heard that admitting your problem is that hardest part," she replied, her eyes dancing as she spoke.

"I hope that I'm not stepping across any lines here," Ryan said, laughing along with her, "but I can see you've got exceptional taste and if it isn't too much trouble would you have some time to help me out?"

"You want me to help you find a gift for your mom?" she asked, her eyebrows raised in shock that a stranger, although a cute one, would be asking for her help.

"If you have some time, yes, I would be forever in your debt," he answered, silently hoping that she would say yes.

"Um, I guess I could try," she said slowly, not sure why she was agreeing to do this, "I'm probably going to have to know a little about her though if we're going to find something."

Over the next hour Ryan told her about his family and himself while following her through different stores and learning about her as well. The conversation flowed freely between them, something that usually didn't happen with him and strangers, and Ryan found himself truly enjoying her company. Not only was she beautiful but intelligent and funny, not some shallow bimbo that he was use to being set up with.

After not being able to agree on anything for Kirsten, the only problem they were experiencing, they decided that the jewelry store might be their best option. He watched as she peered through the glass cases, loving the way she looked when she was concentrating or when a particular pieced caught her eye. He was beginning to hope they would never find a gift just so he could spend more time with her, but he knew eventually the stores would close and they would be forced to go separate ways.

"Oh, I love this," she exclaimed, leaning closer as she pointed it out to him.

"I think that just might be it," Ryan answered, smiling down at her as he waved a salesperson over.

"Well, I think my job is done," she announced twenty minutes later as they left the store with a present for Kirsten.

"A job well done," Ryan told her, beginning to get nervous about her leaving, "I would love to thank you properly, perhaps I could take you to dinner tonight?"

"Dinner sounds great but it's just a bad time for me," she said quietly, wishing she could say yes.

"Alright, here's what I'll do," Ryan said reaching into his pocket, "This is my business card and when the timing is right, give me a call."

"I will," she said with a smile, "I had a great time today with you Ryan."

"Wait," Ryan called out as she turned to leave, more than a little disappointed, "I didn't even get a name."

"Marissa Cooper," she replied, smiling once more before she was gone.

Marissa Cooper he thought, burning the name into his memory before turning back into the jewelry store, suddenly having one more present to buy. As he walked out of the mall shortly after he realized that it was the first time he could ever remember being disappointed about leaving a mall.

…

Ryan was relieved when the plane's landing gear finally touched down on the runway, the plane rolling slowly to a stop. He hated flying, unable to look out of the window as the ground shrunk away. He thought over time he would get use to it as he flew somewhere nearly once a week but his fear was still as strong as it had ever been. Grabbing the carry-on bag he brought with him, he exited the plane, glad to be back on solid ground.

Once the landing was taken care of, his mind automatically switched back to the subject that hadn't left it for the last day. Even though they had spent only a little time together, he couldn't get Marissa out of his head. There was something about her, she fascinated him and he wanted to spend even more time with her. Every time his phone rang his hopes would soar thinking that this time it just might be her but she had yet to call. He would wait awhile to see if she did, then maybe give her a call, but she had said the time was bad and he wanted to give her some space.

"Ryan!" Kirsten shrieked as she opened the door, pulling Ryan from his thoughts of Marissa that had carried with him on his drive, "It's so good to see you."

"I was gone a week," he said as she wrapped him in a hug, having been this way ever since he had moved out of the pool house.

"I know but it feels like we don't ever get to see you anymore. Come on it, Seth and Summer are already here," she told him, stepping aside so that he could walk in with the arm full of presents.

He was greeted by all and then instantly pulled outside to the pool house by Seth, who had failed miserably in his stealth attempt at getting the two of them alone to talk. Ryan didn't know why they needed to talk in private or why Kirsten had said she never saw him anymore as Seth, Summer, and himself lived next door together. He blamed it on Chrismakkuh, the holiday always made Seth a little goofy.

"What is it Seth?" Ryan asked, the flight and having tossed and turned all night before while dreaming of Marissa causing him to yawn.

"Ryan, my man, you're glowing," Seth spoke rapidly, "Did the trip go good, maybe meet a lady friend perhaps?"

"Seth," Ryan warned, glaring over at his brother.

"What? You did meet somewhere there. I was only kidding, trying to act like I was interested before we began discussing my problems but I think I may have stumbled upon something here," Seth rambled, his excitement causing the words to come out fast.

"Alright, look, I was having some trouble picking out gifts for everyone so I asked this lady for her help," Ryan said, knowing he would have to give his brother something to shut him up, wondering what effect this girl was having on him if Seth could pick it up so quickly.

"Sure Ryan, you shopping? I'll let you keep you're little secret for now but I will pry it out of you with my wit when you're least expecting it," Seth continued on, "but we've got bigger problems here. I forgot to get a present for Summer in all my excitement of this wonderful holiday season and you're well aware of her rage blackouts."

"Honestly Seth, how could you forget to buy a gift for your girlfriend?" Ryan asked, already trying to figure out a way to bail Seth out of this.

"Ryan, I was busy trying to convert others to this wonderful time of Chrismakkuh. What would Jesus and Moses say if I wasn't making sure this holiday wasn't the most spectacular one ever! Come on man, you know that mom needs to be told where to hang all the decorations and the tree, don't get me started on the tree…"

"SETH!" Ryan yelled, the rant giving him the start of a headache.

"Yeah, quiet now," Seth said as he stopped pacing the room.

"Look, I got Kirsten this necklace so you give it to Summer and I'll tell everyone that I didn't have time to shop," Ryan said, knowing that if he didn't he would be up all night listening to Summer yelling at Seth, "but that means that you're not getting your present from me tonight."

"Oh Ryan, see the Chrismakkuh miracle that just happened! How can you say this isn't the best holiday ever?"

"Seth, I'm bailing you out again," Ryan informed him as he handed over the present, stuffing the other ones under the bed, "That can't be considered a miracle when it happens daily."

"Sure, you keep disbelieving," Seth said as he ran off with the present, "Summer, wait to you see what I got you."