Seasons & episodes

Ricardo decides to give Eddie full immunity for all the information he can provide. Then Eddie gives him the hair samples and the birth certificate that was in Del's briefcase. Meg finally confesses that she is Dorothy and that she knew about Ben being SB for a while. Caitlin wants Gregory to accept Tiffany as a part of the family, which he reluctantly agrees to. Sean fells weird seeing Gregory trying to make nice in front of Tiffany. Gregory even suggests a family vacation, but Sean refuses the offer. While waiting for Olivia at the grotto, Cole meets Caitlin and they kiss when Olivia arrives. Olivia is shocked to find out that her she was having an affair with her daughter's boyfriend. In the meantime, after he can't read a note, Tiffany realizes that Sean has sight problems.

Ricardo isn't being himself while trying to solve the murder mystery. Paula believes Ricardo is acting strange because he feels guilt over Annie's death, but he's actually being down about himself because he feels like a bad police detective. Sean wants Tiffany to keep quit about his health problem. Meg and Ben continue sharing experiences while being locked in the vine cellar. A surprised Olivia talks to Caitlin about her boyfriend. Meg and Ben fall asleep in the cellar. Suddenly, Ben starts talking about Maria and strangling Meg. Ricardo arrives at Elaine's Waffle Shop, where she's waiting for him.

Elaine confesses to murdering Del Douglas because she was still under the impression of what Del did to her baby years ago, and Paula interrupts her conversation with Ricardo. Ricardo is then surprised to realize that Paula already knew about her mother's crime. Eddie tells Annie that Del's murderer will be revealed tommorow. Meg awakens Ben and he apologizes for trying to strangle her. Ben tells Meg all about his ex-wife and how he couldn't save her from her drowning. Meg convinces him that he is not a murderer and they fall asleep on each others arms. Gregory finds an unhappy Olivia on the beach. They return home and have a heart-to-heart. Annie finds Meg and Ben together in the cellar.

Tim arrives at the Deep and is surprised to see Annie looking at Ben and Meg sleeping in each other's arms. When they awake, Ben asks Annie and Meg to go to his house, while Ben has a talk with Tim. He wants him to take Meg back to Kansas. Sean's vision gets worse and Tiffany tries to make him talk to others about his health problem. They talk Rae into visiting Sean. Caitlin finds out about Sean's problem and he begs her to not say anything to their parents. Casey and Mark find a strange envelope and hide it when Rae comes in. Rae thinks it has something to do with her San Francisco job offer. Ricardo and Paula fight over Paula's knowledge of Elaine being Del's murderer. Paula tries to convince Elaine not to surrender, but Elaine has decided to do so. Paula watches in tears as Ricardo handcuffs Elaine. Annie worries about what happened between Ben and Meg in the vine cellar.

Wei-Lee wants Casey to let Rae take the job in San Francisco. Rae is reluctant to the idea, and doesn't know what to do. Casey tells her that she should take the job, realizing that this is the opportunity she shouldn't miss. Vanessa is asked to cover the Elaine Stevens' arrest story. Jimmy tells Michael they've been robbed and Michael promises that he'll find a new home for his mother and him. Eddie informs Gregory that Elaine is arrested. Cole tells Olivia that he didn't know that Caitlin was her daughter. She slaps him and then asks him to leave Sunset Beach. They talk on the beach as Caitlin approaches them.

When he learns that Vanessa has to cover Elaine's trial, Michael tries to pursue her not to do it. Paula wants him to prevent Vanessa. Ricardo informs Ben that Elaine was arrested for Del's murder, and therefore, Annie is free at last. However, Annie, believing that police is on to her, runs through the pier and throws a police officer off to enter the restricted area. Bette informs Caitlin and Olivia with news of Elaine and the girls rush to the police station, where both Bette and Olivia confess to murdering Del.

The police officer is saved after falling, but Annie is still missing. Ben realizes that Annie is at the lifeguard tower, but he prevents her from jumping down. When Annie witnesses yet another close moment between Meg and Ben, she tries to distract them, and then jumps off the pier. Rae tells Wei-Lee that she's happy in Sunset Beach. Gregory presumes that Eddie has the Deschanel jewels, but then Eddie tells him that Annie has them. Caitlin wonders why is Cole rushing to leave town. Elaine is surprised when both Bette and Olivia stick up for Elaine in prison. Paula works on bringing Elaine and Cole closer together.

Casey and Michael rescue Annie and bring her to the hospital, where Ricardo apologizes for his behavior, and then tells Annie that Elaine murdered her father. Michael tries to prevent Vanessa from interviewing Annie. Paula, Elaine and Ben are shocked to hear that Eddie got immunity for keeping a secret about Elaine, and then Ricardo punches Eddie. Annie is confused to find Bette and Olivia at the police station. Paula and Elaine are stunned when Ricardo arrests both Bette and Olivia after they confessed too. Cole learns Ben has hidden the Deschanel jewels somewhere, so he goes on a search mission. Ben and Meg discuss about their recent adventure. Rae informs Casey that she decided to stay in Sunset Beach. Meanwhile, Wei-Lee decides to find another way to force Rae to leave town... family.

Ricardo interrogates Bette and Olivia about their unusual confession, thinking that the women have a bigger reason for confessing. Gregory arrives at the stations after learning about the confession from Annie. In Ben's apartment, Cole listens in as Annie and Bette discuss about the Deschanel jewels. Michael, Vanessa and Gregory are fighting over publishing an article on Elaine. Vanessa eventually decides to publish it, and Michael confesses that Paula asked him not to do it. Elaine tells the story of the night she murdered Del.

Paula moves out of Ricardo's place, claiming that she can't be with a man that would arrest her mother. He tries to stop her in the name of love, but she claims that the same love doesn't allow her to continue being with him. Gabi suggests Ricardo should give Paula some time to heal. Sean's health is getting worse, and Tiffany confesses her fears to Mark. Olivia confesses to Gregory about helping Del kidnap Elaine's baby in the past, and then describes how she used the money. Gregory promises to help Elaine in court, and they are about to make love when Caitlin interrupts them by informing them that she'll stay with Cole. Virginia finds drugs in Jimmy's backpacks, but then Michael learns that a drug dealer is pushing drugs on kids and then he offers to keep Virginia and Jimmy safe by letting them stay at his place. Cole prepares to break into The Deep.

Casey and Rae discuss about confessing the truth about their fake marriage, but Rae can't get through with it until she listens to a story told by her father. Annie wants Ben to give her the Deschanel jewels, but he isn't ready to give them up yet. Ricardo warns Meg to keep away from Ben and then shares a story of his sister's bad experience with Ben. Ben almost catches Cole breaking into his office, and Cole is forced to jump through glass to escape. Ricardo and Ruiz arrive at the scene of crime, where Ricardo believes that Ben has something to do with the jewel theft.

Mr. and Mrs. Chang are disappointed when Rae tells them the truth about her fake marriage with Casey. Mr. Chang wants Rae to come back to San Francisco, or to forget that she has parents. Wei-Lee tells Rae that he believes she will never choose Casey over her parents. Caitlin is surprised when Cole arrives at the grotto bleeding, and he tells her that he was looking for the Deschanel jewels. She wants him to go to the doctor but he tells her he can't go because cops are probably searching for him. Annie finds Eddie with Bette in Ben's apartment and knows that he was trying to steal the jewels. Ricardo arrests Eddie after Ben gives him the trace. Ben can't believe that Annie has been working with Eddie. Meg confronts Ben about his talk with Tim. She assures Ben that his luck is about to change. As they share a close moment, Annie watches them.

Vanessa finds out that Gregory is the new owner of The Sentinel, a newspaper firm she's working for, and that her story about Elaine was dropped before the newspaper went out. Bette gives Eddie an alibi. Everyone prepares for the trial and Paula assures Ricardo nothing will be the same after today. Caitlin realizes there's something troubling Cole. Olivia sees traces of blood on Caitlin and instantly knows what happened. She leaves to the grotto, where she has a conversation with a wounded Cole. He tells her about his plans to leave Sunset Beach with Caitlin. Olivia hides as Caitlin enters the grotto. Once she leaves, Olivia and Cole make a pact – he won't leave Sunset Beach with Caitlin in exchange for Olivia keeping quiet about their affair.

Olivia tells Bette about confessing the truth about kidnapping Elaine's baby to Gregory. The trial begins and Elaine pleads guilty. Gregory tries to change the situation, but after Ricardo's testimony, Elaine is taken back to her cell. Paula is devastated, and she refuses to forgive Ricardo for what he had done. Wei-Lee sets up a dinner for Rae and her parents at the Grenadines. Mr. Chang is not too happy to see Casey there. Once again, the Changs want Rae to return to San Francisco, but she refuses once again. Mark leaves Meg wondering about Ben's actions on the anniversary of Maria's death. Meg wants to have dinner with Ben but gets no reply. Meg wonders what is located behind the mysterious doors upstairs in Ben's apartment. Annie tells her it's Maria's studio. Ben goes upstairs and finds Meg standing by the door.

Meg tells Ben that she isn't curious what's behind the mysterious door, but he doesn't treat her nice. Ben curses the Maria portrait and tells her she's not going to ruin his life. He arrives at The Deep and apologizes to Meg about his behavior. They dance. Annie and Tim plot against them. They want to find a perfect plan to break them up. Gregory reveals his perfect plan to get Elaine out of jail - her son. He needs to find him in order to save Elaine. Olivia is worried that Gregory might find out about her affair with Cole. Caitlin and Cole talk about the Deschanel jewels and Cole reveals his plan to steal them. Cole then arrives to the police station and breaks into the evidence room. At the same time, Gregory arrives to get Elaine's case files.

Casey misreads Rae's words and blames Wei-Lee for all the bad stuff that has happened in Rae's life recently, and the mix up reminds Rae just how much she needs her parents, and she realizes that going away with Wei-Lee would be the best thing to do. Gregory is about to catch Cole snooping around the police station when suddenly he's interrupted by Paula, who wants to thank him for taking her mother's case. Meanwhile, Cole continues to search through the evidence room. Olivia doesn't want to give Caitlin the Deschanel jewels because she knows that Cole will leave Sunset Beach with Caitlin. Gabi tries to convince Paula to stay at Ricardo's. Bette confesses to Cole that he is Elaine's son.

When she is about to leave his apartment, Ricardo surprises Paula with an engagement ring. She is deeply touched by the sudden move and decides to take things slowly. Gabi sees the improvement in their relationship, and then barges into the apartment. Paula offers her to stay with them. Gregory offers Vanessa a job trip to Hong Kong and gives her 48 hours to decide about it. Elaine and Cole have a mother-and-son talk. Cole is wondering about why Elaine left him as a child and she tells him she thought he was dead. When Elaine finishes the story, she wonders if Cole can forgive her, but gets no response.

Ben has another nightmare and this time it's Maria leading him to her studio. Frightened, Ben wakes up and is about to unlock the door of the studio when Meg arrives. She's frustrated because he is always pushing her away. Ben loses it and goes upstairs. The doorbell rings again... and it's Meg's mother Joan, in Tim's company. Meg is surprised by their visit and Ben wants to know who they are. The doorbell rings again and it's Annie, who kisses Ben, much to Meg and Joan's surprise. Later on, Joan is questioning Meg about the painting of Maria, and it makes Ben lose it again. Rae is having hard time dealing with the fact that her parents won't talk to her. Vanessa confides in Rae about a job offer in Hong Kong.

Joan learns more about the death of Maria, and Tim explains further how things are going in Sunset Beach. Meg doesn't know how to react with her mother being in town. Annie pretends like she cares about what's going on. As soon as Paula exits, Gabi starts seducing Ricardo. Paula visits her mother. Gregory is shocked to learn that Cole St. John is actually Cole Deschanel, Elaine's son. Cole and Caitlin are keen on leaving town. Olivia tries to bribe Cole to stay, but he refuses the offer. Caitlin is about to leave when Gregory catches her.

Meg introduces Eddie to her mother. Ben sees Annie and Tim talking and realizes there might be something behind this. Tim accuses Ben of murdering Maria and Ben loses it again. Their fight is interrupted by Joan. Ben offers to give her a tour around the city. Gregory is surprised to find Caitlin's letter on her bed. He instantly believes that Cole kidnapped her. Olivia whispers something about the meeting at the grotto. Gregory wants to know if she knows anything about it. Olivia tells him she knew that Caitlin was back with Cole. While escaping, Caitlin and Cole are on the beach surrounded by the cops. They go back at the grotto and Gregory enters. Gabi is causing more trouble for Ricardo and Paula. Eddie tells Gabi that he knows about how she wants Ricardo.

Vanessa tries to make Michael realize that she wants him to prevent her from leaving to Hong Kong. She declines the job offer, but Michael buys her the ticket to Hong Kong at the same time. Virginia watches them from afar. Paula and Ricardo have a romantic lunch together. Gabi dreams of being with Ricardo. Eddie warns Gabi not to hurt Paula. Olivia and Bette visit Elaine in jail. Sean and Tiffany discuss about life. Gregory tries to convince Caitlin to return home with him, but after knocking him down, Cole and Caitlin leave the grotto on a white horse.

Michael is waiting at the airport for Vanessa, while she appears at Surf Central. She tries to persuade a flight attendant to contact the plane that left few minutes earlier and tells her all about Michael, but then Michael surprises her with a rose. Chief Harris is curious about Gregory's war against Cole St. John. Ricardo reads Caitlin's letter and confirms that Cole didn't kidnap her. Gregory confronts Olivia about giving Ricardo the letter. Olivia wants Gregory to trust her. Cole wants Caitlin to return back home, thinking that it's too dangerous to her. Paula and Cole have a talk about Elaine's trial. She wants him to stay, but he leaves.

Cole is angry to realize that Caitlin had hidden and came with him during the entire trip. He wants to return her back to Sunset Beach, but an officer stops them and wants to see Cole's identifications. Cole tells Caitlin that Gregory will probably find them soon. He speeds off with his car. Ben and Joan return home after the tour and Annie gives Joan a tour upstairs, making her interested in the locked room. Joan mistakes Rae and Casey for a couple when she comes with Meg to Surf Central. Jimmy is disgusted when Joan mistakes him, Michael and Virginia for a family. Vanessa appears and tells Michael she is going to leave to Hong Kong, much to his surprise. Jimmy is shocked and blames Michael for he fact that Vanessa is leaving Sunset Beach. Joan wants to know about Ben's intentions with Meg. After Meg assures her about loving Ben, she goes away with Ben and asks him about his intentions with Meg. When she asks him about his wife, Ben confesses to her that he might never be over her.

Michael has a talk with Jimmy about his real intentions with his mother. Virginia tells Michael that he should go away to Hong Kong with Vanessa. Michael is ready to do so, but she convinces him to stay in Sunset Beach. He is wondering if Vanessa thinks he has something to do with Virginia. Paula finds out that Cole is wanted by the Interpol. Eddie plays with Paula's mind when he warns her to keep an eye on Ricardo, especially now when Gabi is around. Gabi misreads Eddie's intentions and accidentally tells him the truth about the night she was with Ricardo. While being with Cole, Caitlin realizes she misses her home. She calls her father, but doesn't say anything. Gregory immediately wants to trace down the signal. When Caitlin calls Sean, Cole hangs up and tells her they need to move fast because Gregory probably has every mobile net tracking them down.