Authors Notes: Thank you all so much for reading this and a special thanks to everyone that reviewed. It means more to me than you could imagine. This is kind of based on my story and it feels amazing to get it out on paper. So keep reading and please review!

Disclaimer: Because I haven't done this yet and probably should of. The story is mine but the characters and anything related to South of Nowhere is not.

Chapter Three

Ashley didn't like using her fathers name to get anything, let alone special treatment. If she couldn't get it on her own then she didn't want it bad enough. She had an ego at times and it was hard for her to swallow her pride, but when it came to getting out of the hotel she was currently staying in she was happy to sign a check using the last name he gave her.

Spencer watched Ashley all day with curiosity as she watched her spend money left and right. She wondered how someone, that had to be around her age, had that much money just laying around. Where was Ashley's family and friends and why did she always seem to be just a huge mystery all the time.

They ended up at a little diner that Spencer picked out, stating that it was the only place in town that had remotely decent coffee. It was just a little hole in the wall place, typical for towns like this. It was a simple place with a simple name, decorated in plain colors with train pictures covering the walls. It wasn't very big at all but anywhere there was a place it would fit there was a stool or a seat waiting to be occupied. Spencer walked almost expertly to a booth all the way in the corner and sat down like she had done this a million times before. Ashley while sitting down facing Spencer, took note that this must be her usual spot and that she must come here often. There were about four waitresses working all of which where in the late 40s or early 50s and all of which knew Spencer and said a personal hello.

Ashley was out of her element here and felt a little out of place. It was new and unfamiliar to her and she couldn't exactly decide whether or not she liked it here so far. It only took one look at Spencer's smile for Ashley to realize that out of all the place, she felt there was no other place she would rather be. Spencer was happy to have Ashley here with her. She felt curious about Ashley and the time together they had spent today. She wanted answers to all the questions she hadn't asked yet, but at this moment she was just happy the other girl was here with her. It was like she was sharing a new experience with Ashley and introducing her to her world.

Spencer could tell that Ashley was nervous and that she was a nervous person in general. But right now sitting in the booth right across from her, Ashley looked so tiny and childlike. Ashley had a persona about herself, she carried herself in a very guarded way, with visible walls around her at all times. In a way it was mysterious and in an unexplainable way Spencer was drawn to her.

Ashley wasn't Spencer's normal 'type' she normally went for more feminine girls that wore short skirts and had long silky hair. Ashley was nothing like that. She could tell where people could mistake her for a guy, she wore the cloths and fit the part. She walked with the cockiness that guys did but held no arrogance in her eyes. Spencer was sitting across from her studying her every feature, and while she understood the mistake of calling her sir she saw the softness of her skin and the smoothness of her hands, but it was her eyes that really did it for Spencer. It scared her at how unexpected Ashley was but she couldn't help but find Ashley incredibly sexy.

Janet, one of the older ladies, walked over with a pen and tablet ready to take there order. "Hello Spencer, and who is your little friend here?" Spencer smiled lovingly back and Janet and replied "This is Ashley, she just moved into the house up on Raven Point near Lovers Leap." Janet looked surprised at this and addressed Ashley "Well that's lovely dear, you and your family should come on down here and we will give y'all a warm welcoming" Ashley's eyes changed for a split second at the word family but quickly recovered. "Yes ma'am we will. Thank you very much." Janet seemed please with the politeness of Ashley's response. "I take it you two want some coffee, I'll get that for you while the newbie looks the menu over." She smiled and disappeared behind the counter leaving Spencer and Ashley in comfortable silence.

Janet was back before the girls even began talking and quietly set the cups down in front of them and said she would be back whenever they were ready to order. Ashley played with her cup adding very little cream and sugar and played with the rim of the cup, doing everything she could except look at Spencer. She knew she would have to answer questions sooner or later she just preferred later. It wasn't so much that she didn't want to answer Spencer, it was more that she didn't want to relive and she liked the fact that Spencer was new and didn't know. It was nice not seeing pity in everyone's eyes when they looked at you. Whether or not she liked later, she knew now was better and beat Spencer to the punch.

"I know you have some questions…"

"What do you mean"

"I can hear you thinking of how to ask me from over here, your brain is so loud"

"I'm sorry, its just that you are like this huge secret that I'm trying to figure out"

"The easy thing to do would be just to ask"

"Well I'm not easy…I didn't want to like scare you away or offend you"

Ashley smiled at her not being easy comment and contemplated whether or not to say something smart back but decided against it.

"You wont I promise"

"Are you sure?" At this point in Ashley's life, as little of a life it had been, she didn't think there was anything anyone could tell her that would offend her.

"Yes Spencer ask away"

"Well I mostly just want to know who you are exactly, I mean how old are you even"

This question took Ashley by surprise so much so that Spencer could actually tell and wondered to herself if Ashley had anyone in her life that asked her about herself.

"That wasn't what I was expecting but I'm 19 and I am Ashley Nicole Davies.

Ashley slightly smiled knowing that, that answer wasn't exactly what Spencer had meant but couldn't help but let her smart ass flag fly.

"Ok smart ass… what I meant was that all you had to do was tell people who you were and then they were jumping at the chance to help you. I feel like I'm missing something."

"Well you kind of are…. Do you know who Raife Davies is?"

"No I don't think so, why?"

Ashley couldn't help but love that fact that Spencer had no idea about who her father was. That just meant that she was sitting here with her and spending time with her and she didn't want inside information on his death or memorabilia. Which weirdly enough for Ashley, since she didn't know her father well, happened a lot.

"Oddly enough, I like that you don't know who he is... Anyway he was the lead singer to a pretty popular 80s rock band, Whitesnake hair and tight leather pants and all…" after a long pause as she finished "…and he was my dad."

"Well that explains the money thing but it doesn't explain where he is?"

"Well… he died almost three years ago. He overdosed on some pills."

The look on Spencer's face was the exact reason why she didn't want to tell her. It was nice being a mystery. It was nice not seeing that pity in someone's eyes.

"Im sorry Ashley … See this is why I didn't want to ask.'' I'm sorry for bringing it up" Spencer said while stumbling slightly over her words.

"Its ok Spencer if I didn't want to tell you eventually I wouldn't of spent all day with you"

"I'm still sorry… and I'm almost afraid to ask, but where's your mom"

Spencer noticed this look in Ashley's for the second time today. It wasn't there when she had mentioned her father but as soon as she felt like the conversation was leading towards her mother, Spencer noticed.

"She passed away too. A little over a year ago."

"I don't know what to say" And she didn't. Spencer had never even lost a goldfish. She tried to understand but she knew there was no need to even try. She wanted to hold this girl and comfort her, but Ashley seemed to be more of the holder not the one being held. So Spencer did what she thought was the next best thing and reached over and held Ashley's hand and just like she thought she would, Ashley turned her hand over and held Spencer's instead, drawing little circles on her soft knuckles. Ashley wasn't much for being consoled but she had to admit she loved the feeling of Spencer's hand in hers. Comfort wasn't welcomed easily by Ashley but this contact was nice for a change.

"You don't have to say anything. I'm grateful that you care though. Its nice to be comforted by someone who doesn't really have any obligations to me"

"Well for what its worth I'm sorry… And if you would like, I wouldn't mind holding your hand everyday."

"Well for what its worth back, I wouldn't mind you holding my hand everyday"

The girls got caught up in each other. They held each others gazes for what seemed like years but was only seconds. Neither one knowing what to say now but loving the silence at the same time. Janet was seen coming back toward them from the corner of Ashley's eyes and she went to pull her hand back but Spencer just held on tighter. Spencer smiled at the older woman and ordered for both of them never letting Ashley pull away. The distraction served as a good opportunity to let Ashley get the attention off of her.

"Well now that you somewhat know my depressing story that explains my lack of parental guidance and abundance of money how about you tell me about your family"

As depressing as it really was, Spencer loved how Ashley smiled and joked even when she knew it hurt. It showed just how humble Ashley was. But apart of Spencer wanted to see all of Ashley. Even the bad. But for now she would keep it light.

"Ok. My dad is great. He works at the community center here and runs a nonprofit organization that works toward the stopping of bullying. My mom is the number one veterinarian here in town. She loves her job very much but it takes a lot of her time so I can definitely say I am closer with my dad."

"Siblings?"

"Yeah I have two older brothers. Glen is 23 and is a gym teacher at the high school and a knuckle head. My other brother Clay is adopted and is 21 and goes to Yale, he got the brains out of those two"

"how old are you"

"I'm 17 and a senior"

"Oh damn! You are young!" Ashley joked

"I am not, I'm very mature for my age"

"I can see that"

"What's that suppose to mean"

"That your mature"

"I don't believer you"

"I wouldn't either... So you know why I was on a 8 hour train ride, but why were you?"

"I was just getting back from a 4H camp for aspiring vets. That's what I've always wanted to do. In a way that's the only thing my mom and I have in common but our relationship has always been strained and when I came out it just made It worse, but we are doing a lot better."

"Oh so you're gay?"

"Oh don't act like you didn't know"

"Well your favorite book is Annie on my Mind so I had suspicions but I didn't want to assume or ask really"

"And you couldn't tell by the flirting or the fact that we are still holding hands?" Spencer pointed out while lifting their hands up like showing evidence.

"I guess I just didn't notice"

"Your oblivious"

"That I am. So how was your dad when you came out?"

"Nice subject change"

"I do what I can" Ashley smiled like she had won, and Spencer just shook her head letting her have this win.

"He has been great. More than anyone could ask for but he has always been supportive of all of us. What about your parents? Did they know?"

"My mom actually told be one day, that I was. I guess she knew we where running out of time so she brought it up one day and she told me she had always known even if I wasn't sure and that she loved me no matter what. And my dad I never really knew. I mean I knew his name and his music but that's about it."

"I glad she told you she knew that must have been a great feeling to just know that she loved you that much"

"If there was one thing I knew and know today, its that she loved me very much. Thank you for saying that though, its nice to just talk with someone like this."

Their food came and was demolished. They ate and talked over their burgers and fries for hours, making each bite in between laughter and more flirting. Things became lighter and just fun and even after the food was gone there was cup after cup of coffee to drink and talk more over. Before they had realized it, it was about time for the diner to close and they had literally been there for almost 4 hours. Ashley made sure to leave a very nice tip and drove Spencer home.

After finally making it to Spencer's house, no help from Spencer's horrible direction giving, they pull up to a nice two story white house that looked like to have blue shutters, but Ashley couldn't really tell since it was already dark. Before Spencer could unbuckle and reach for the door handle of the truck Ashley just bought, Ashley was already there with the door opened and ready to help Spencer out. Ashley was a gentleman of sorts and walked Spencer to her porch. When they reached the door, Ashley took notice of how homey the house really was. She turned toward Spencer and awkwardly started to rub the back of her neck and arms, a nervous habit, Spencer had already picked up on.

"Can I put away the no compliments rule for two minutes?"

"Yeah why not Sparky"

"I just wanted to tell you that its been really nice to be apart of the world of the living, even if its just been for a day. And I hope that maybe we can hang out again. You're kind of amazing. You know, just a little bit."

Spencer couldn't help but smile at Ashley's nervousness and subconsciously let there hands meet once more and she squeezed Ashley's hands in reassurance.

"You're pretty amazing too Ashley. I'll call you tomorrow, is that ok?"

"Yeah that's perfect. Is my two minutes up?"

"Almost. How about you give me a hug for the rest of it."

"I can do that"

Ashley slowly steps closer to Spencer giving her time to back out if she wanted to and when she doesn't and their arms find themselves gently wrapped around each other both sigh into the hug and enjoy the warmth the other person gives off. Spencer wondering how someone who has been through so much can still be so warm, how someone with such a rough and misleading exterior can be so gentle and beautiful. Ashley on the other hand was to worried to hold to tight for she didn't want Spencer to realize how unworthy her hands where.

When they finally released each other and Ashley went to walk back to her truck she felt dizzy as if she was walking on marshmallows and slightly tripped over air.

"You didn't see that"

"Yes I did. Ill call you tomorrow Ash"

"Bye Spence"

From the comfort of her porch Spencer watches with a cute smile playing on her lips as she watches Ashley get into her truck and drive off. "This is to fast for me to feel this much" she says to the silence she is left with. As Ashley drives off she looks back at the other girl thinking a variation of the same thing, but she cant help but stare in the rearview mirror with a very similar smile on her lips.

Ashley learned three things today. One, maybe living as a walking corpse isn't as permanent as she thought. Two, she hadn't smiled so much in she didn't know how long, her cheeks actually hurt. And lastly, she loved the way Spencer said her name.