New Fic!

I couldn't leave you guys hanging for long, plus I've had my heart set on doing a POV fic for a while now, so much easier to write than third person. Alot more fun too :)

Hope you like it!

CHAPTER 1: Old Faces

ASHLEY'S POV

I've been stuck in this place for three days now. God knows sometimes I hate my job, these damn clients it's always something else with them. Good thing I'm not involved with anyone, they'd probably dump me for 'cheating' too many late nights, not enough 'together' time. Hell, I can't be bothered. I need someone who understands me, my time, and my work.

Over the past few years my work has been my mask, it's helped all this time, it's been a good friend but lately…lately I've been feeling so alone. The other day I stopped by Joey's to get a cup of coffee and there was this couple there, they were so lost in each other it was like the rest of the world didn't exist. Couple's never bothered me but I was sitting there then I heard the red head laugh, and I couldn't help but turn and look at them, her laughter sounded just like hers and it hurt to hear that sound again, I wasn't prepared for that. And when the brunette touched her I could see something ignite inside of her, it made me miss being touched, held.

Now I'm sitting here, empty take out boxes in the corner and my desk piled with work. I need to get out of here, screw Masterson and his damn lawsuit; I'll take care of this later. As I'm packing up my door opens and Jessie's head pries through the half opened door.

"Hey Ash, you're dad just called for you, he wants to know if you're coming home for dinner tonight."

"Yea, tell him I'll be there in about an hour,"

When I say this I can see her smiling. "Good, it's about time you told this office to flip off,"

Jessie's been working with me for six years but we've been friends a lot longer. We became friends when she so 'fearlessly' defended me from Jeremy Fisher in the third grade. I'd say that defense was rather reckless though, she was eight and scrawny, he was about twice both our sizes so she could've gotten a massive beat down, thank God for Mr. Parker, came in the nick of time to save us. But yea, everyday after that we sat together, spent weekends together, sleepovers, ended up in high school then went to UCLA together, she was there when I had my first heartbreak and she's still here now. I honestly don't know how she puts up with my mess but it's good that she's there when I need her, I would've probably buried myself alive if it weren't for her.

"Jess I'm heading out, aren't you going home?"

"Yea, Danny's coming to pick me up in about 10."

"Oh ok, I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Sure thing, and your dad said to pick up some asparagus on your way home!" she yells at me as I close the door.

Its cold out tonight, I keep forgetting Christmas is just a month away. I need to start shopping for presents before this rush sets in, if it hasn't already.

"Thanks Mike," the asparagus looks pretty good, this should last my dad a while, I don't know how he eats this thing and so often. I'm walking through the door and this woman stops me, she's been eyeing me since I got into the store, now she's staring at me and I have no idea who she is.

"Ashley, Ashley Davies! I knew it was you when I saw you but I just couldn't believe it, you look so different, so reserved," she smiling widely and I'm still lost as to who she is.

"I'm sorry bu—,"

"I thought so, it's Kelly…Shaw? From Riot Ent.?"

I say the name over in my mind until that light bulb comes on,

"Kelly! Hey!" I give her a hug, "I'm so sorry but I really didn't recognize you."

"It's okay Ashley, four years is a pretty long time,"

"Yea it is."

Kelly was a PR they assigned to me when I was signed to Riot Entertainment, she was a really good friend, covered for me when I had press work and used to sneak out to be with her.

"You know it's funny I should run into you, I was just running through my head a list of people we might look into for a performance at the Thanksgiving luncheon in three weeks and I'd have to say, Riot would love to have their Platinum seller on board for this event."

"I don't know Kelly, I haven't played in a long time besides, that was my past and I—,"

Her eyes widen as she looks at me, she senses the tension and decides not to push it, she must have forgotten.

"I get it Ashley," she reaches into her purse and pulls out a business card then writes her cell number on the bank. "Please, please, please think about it. I know this is sudden, four years and now bam but please. Other than that, call me sometime we can meet up for drinks," she winks at me before giving me a quick hug and leaving.

That was weird; I drop the card in my purse and shake my head. I'm not sure just how 'sudden' Kelly realizes her request is. Sweet girl, not a bright thinker…when it came to her job definitely top of her game but not so much on the personal things, and that's why you don't mix business with pleasure, but she was my only exception.

"Dad! I'm home!" where is he?

"In here sweetie," I walk into the dining room to see him setting the table, "Hey there rock star, it's good to have you home, how long has it been, a year?"

"Dad it's been three days," I laugh as I walk over to kiss his cheek.

"It seemed longer,"

"Here, I got your asparagus" I hand him the bag and he can't seem to take the smile off his face.

"You bought this one to last, good girl."

I start laughing when he says that, "So what's for dinner?"

"Chicken Alfredo,"

"Yum, sounds better than take out,"

"It is better than take out, I cooked," my dad's never been modest about his cooking, he wasn't just good at it he was great at it.

We're eating now and this chicken is delicious, seasoned to the bone, he was probably marinating it for two days earlier.

"This is really good daddy,"

"I told you," he smiles, "I'm glad you like it, you need to eat better."

Here it goes, the lecture. My dad makes it his point of duty every other few weeks or so to tell me I need to take better care of myself, get out and meet people do something for me instead of my job for a change, he's right but I honestly don't want to get into it with him right now…again.

"Are you seeing anyone?"

"You know I'm not seeing anyone daddy,"

"You should get out more, live a little."

"I know,"

"You say that but you're not doing anything to change it,"

"Nothing needs changing dad,"

"She's not coming back Ash,"

I look up at him, I'm not sure of the look I'm giving him right now but it's not a pleasant one, he always does this. I know he loves me but Jesus!

"I know that dad,"

"Then do something about it damn it! I hate seeing you bury yourself in your job like you don't have a life, you're 26 years old for crying out loud, you should be smiling, where's that smile. I miss seeing it, and the light in your eyes, where did it go?"

"Can we please not talk about this anymore daddy?"

I look over at him and he's slowly wiping his eyes, I hate it when this happens.

"I'm sorry," I can see that he is.

"I know."

"I just want you happy,"

"I know."

Well dinner wasn't all that bad, my dad's out with his friend Jeffery and I'm standing here, alone, gazing out the window, I pick up my glass of wine from the coffee table, hadn't even realized I placed it beside a picture of us, it was done in black and white, but even in black and white I can still see the fresh, rich color in her eyes. I put the picture down and turn to look out the window sipping my wine. I hear the thunder crash then the sky brightens, minutes later the rain starts beating against the window, great, at least now I know I'm not the only one hurting right now.