you have to give the money back if you sold the options short and you get your money back if you bought the options. we act like the contract was never written that way there's no dispute on what the closing price is. nah.... seriously, it depends on what the occ says the closing price is if it's still halted when expiration comes. they're the ones writing the contracts. you're just providing the capital. which one you looking at in particular? refco?