<P> While trying to find out what is happening in this reality, Taylor stumbles into Marissa's bedroom . She surprises Julie's maid, who tells Taylor that "Miss Cooper's" plane arrives at 3 o'clock from Berkeley . Taylor then sees a photograph of Marissa and Julie on her desk, which leads her to believe that Marissa is still alive in this alternate universe . </P> <P> After Taylor tells Ryan the news, he immediately wants to go to the airport to see Marissa . Taylor does not want him to in fear that Ryan, who is still recovering from Marissa's death, would be willing to spend the rest of his life in a coma if he could be with Marissa . At the airport, Ryan catches a glimpse of a girl with a pink Berkeley sweatshirt tied around her waist . The sweatshirt resembles the one worn by Marissa in "The Day After Tomorrow ." Ryan grabs her shoulder and realizes that it is not Marissa, but her sister, Kaitlin . Kaitlin then explains to Ryan that her sister died three years ago in an overdose in Tijuana (a parallel of her non-fatal overdose in the episode "The Escape"). </P> <P> Ryan then returns to Newport Beach, realizing that he can never be with Marissa again, alternate universe or not . At first, Ryan and Taylor believe they need to restore the relationships that existed before Marissa's death in order to wake up . However, it becomes apparent that both Ryan and Taylor need to battle their internal demons instead . For Taylor, her demon is her mother (whom she confronts along with her alternate male self at the Christmas party), and for Ryan, it is getting over Marissa . </P> <P> Back in the real world, Kirsten finds a letter from Marissa addressed to Ryan but does not read it . She hands it over to Julie, who reads the letter . Marissa wrote that she still loved Ryan, but would be leaving Newport because she knew that it was the best thing to do, so that they could both move on . She stated that when she got back, they might try again, as they would both be older and wiser . The letter is eventually placed right beside Ryan, which allows the letter to be "delivered" to Ryan in the alternate universe . </P>

When do ryan and marissa get back together