My note….this is a totally AU future fic, set about four, or so, years from now. It has nothing to do with my previous JimAsh story 'Good things come to those who wait'. This is just an idea that came to me, begging to be written. Everything that happened up through season six(so far), with Jimmy and Ashley, has happened in the story, with the addition of some other things that will come about later in the story.

TWIST OF FATE

CHAPTER 1: LONDON CALLING

Ashley Kerwin-Brooks fidgeted nervously, in the chair she was sitting in. She gave her husband of two and a half years a comforting smile and grabbed his hand as the doctor entered the room with their test results. The doctor sat down at her desk and gave the couple a pleasant smile, but quickly diverted her eyes to the file in front of her.

"So, what's the verdict doc?", Jimmy asked, with hopeful enthusiasm. Ashley anxiously squeezed his hand.

The doctor kept her eyes fixed on the file. "I'm sorry guys, it didn't work again, this time", she stated, apologetically, the same way she did, the entire time she'd been treating them.

Ashley felt Jimmy's hand go limp in hers as he pulled away and covered his face. "When do we start again?", she asked, determined to make their dream come true.

The doctor gave Ashley an incredulous look. "You've already done six cycles, this year alone Ashley. I think you should take a break for a few months", she suggested to the couple.

Ashley glanced over at Jimmy, he looked absolutely defeated. "I really want to try again", she insisted, looking at the doctor.

"I'd have to advise against that….it's just not healthy for you, either of you", the doctor insisted, looking from Ashley to Jimmy, then back again.

"Then when can we start up again?", Ashley asked again, this time a tone of desperation filled her voice. Jimmy blew out a frustrated sigh.

"Five, maybe six months", the doctor answered hesitantly. "But, I really think it's time you two looked into the other options we discussed….sperm donation and adoption".

"No, I won't carry another mans baby", Ashley stated, firmly shaking her head. Jimmy shifted uncomfortably and Ashley laid her hand, comfortingly, over his.

"Then there's always adoption", the doctor offered. Ashley shook her head again, she wanted to have a baby, Jimmy's baby. "Honestly Ashley, I don't know how much longer we can continue these treatments", she continued. "With Jimmy's sperm count as low as it is and you , having to endure month after month of medication and procedures….", the doctor trailed off, she was at a loss for words.

Jimmy finally looked up and held his hand out for the doctor. "Thank you Doctor, for all you've done", he stated, his voice barely a whisper.

Ashley could feel hot tears spring to her eyes….she wasn't ready to give up. She nodded a silent goodbye to the doctor and followed her husband out to the car.

-------------------------------------------------------

The ride home was uncomfortably quiet, but that was nothing compared to the awkward silence that filled the house. The only sounds were the incessant ticking of the clock and the nervous tapping of Ashley's foot against the wood of the kitchen chair. Ashley sat alone at the table, pushing last nights re-heated leftovers, around her plate. Jimmy insisted he wasn't hungry and retreated to his office as soon as they got home, mumbling an excuse about some overdue paper.

The couple were married, right after Ashley turned twenty. It was a small, intimate ceremony, held in New York, where the couple went to school. Both sets of parents were against the idea of marrying at such an early age, but the couple won out in the end.

The next step, a baby. They started trying about a year after they were married. Ashley had it all planned out, they would get pregnant in the fall, have the baby in late spring, early summer, have three months off with the baby and start law school in the fall, part time for her and full time for Jimmy. But that didn't work out, well the law school part did. Now, after a year and a half and numerous fertility treatments…there was still no baby.

Ashley got up and tossed her uneaten food in the trash can. She walked slowly toward the office and knocked hesitantly on the door, but didn't wait for Jimmy to answer. "Hey", she greeted quietly.

Jimmy looked up from his desk. "Hey", he answered back, forcing a small smile onto his lips.

"I know you said you weren't hungry, but I figured...", Ashley stated, nodding to the sandwich she made for him.

"Thanks", Jimmy replied, taking the plate from Ashley.

"What are you working on?", she asked, leaning forward to get a better look.

"Nothing really", answered, shuffling some papers around on his desk.

Ashley noticed a familiar black book and picked it up. "You're sketching", she stated happily, paging through his book. She knew how much Jimmy missed art, it was hard for him to find the time and inspriation, when he was so busy with school. Ashley was almost a little disappointed when Jimmy first told her he was going to law school instead of art school, convinced his father was pressuring him to become a lawyer, just like him. But, Jimmy insisted it was his choice and wanted to attend law school...with Ashley.

"This is beautiful Jimmy", Ashley praised, running her fingers over the rough drawing of the two of them, then smiling at her husband.

"It's just something that needed to come out", Jimmy shrugged, taking the book from Ashley.

Ashley stepped behind Jimmy and started massaging his shoulders. "You only draw when you're really stressed", she commented, trying to work the tightness out.

"Today was pretty stressful", he sighed heavily. Ashley patted his back and hugged him from behind. "I'm sorry Ash", he whispered softly.

"Don't", she scolded, leaning forward and holding him tighter. "You have nothing to be sorry for. We will be parents someday, Jimmy", she stated with renewed excitement.

Jimmy nodded slighty as he thought for a moment. "The baby would still be yours if we tried with a sperm doner", he stated, turning his head a little to the side, to look at Ashley.

"I told you I didn't want to do that", Ashley insisted, walking around to face Jimmy and taking a seat on the corner of his desk. "If I'm going to carry a baby, it'll be yours".

"Adoption then?", Jimmy stated questionably. Ashley shrugged and let out a defeated sigh. "Ash?", he pleaded.

Ashley smiled a little and took hold of his hands. "Fine...I'll promise to consider adoption if you promise to go back to the doctor in six months, so we can start trying again", she offered. "Deal?"

Jimmy chuckled. "Deal", he reluctantly agreed. Ashley giggled and gave him a huge kiss.

"Let the machine answer it", she insisted when the ringing phone threatened to interrupt their kiss.

"It might be important", Jimmy protested, but Ashley ignored him and moved her lips to his neck, only to stop and pick up the phone mid kiss.

"Hello", she answered, smiling teasingly at Jimmy. "Yes, this is she. Um, yes...he's my father. Chris is my step-father. Accident?...Oh my God...No!...I'll be on the next flight..."

Jimmy became instantly concerned when he saw the color drain from Ashley's face. She looked at him with pain and grief in her tear-filled eyes. "My dad and Chris were in an accident", she squeaked out before the sobbing began. "They're dead Jimmy".

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Authors note...Ooooh, I leave you with a cliffie...Merry Christmas!! Sorry if it's a little confusing, the storyline will make more sense with future chapters.

This idea came to me the night before last, I have the majority of the story already outlined. It's not my usual sweet fluffy JimAsh fic, I warn you, there will be lots of drama and angst(I thought I'd give it a try). So please leave a review and let me know what you think so far.

I probably wont be able to update untill after Christmas, family time does come first(or so my parents would say). So, have a wonderful holiday and I'll be back in a few days with a new chapter!

Disclaimer...Degrassi is not mine.