Thank you so very much to all who reviewed, you guys make me smile

MrsMusgraveTNG – Thanks Super Rock Star! Hope you like the show down, can't wait to hear what you think!

Gamil – Thanks so much, I kinda like Glen as a caring brother

sonfan92 – Thanks, here's the next update, hope you like it!

NismoFire – You are so very welcome and a huge thank you for your wonderful review. Your words mean so much to me, more than I can adequately express. It is so nice to know that I'm doing something right with this fic. I wish you happiness with your Spencer and I hope you do get your happy ending. Thank you once again and it means a lot that you added me to your favourites.

Here's the break –up…

Face Down

Chapter Eight - Epic

I sat beside Spencer in the backseat of Aiden's car. She was trembling uncontrollably and clutching her hands into tight fists. I had my arm wrapped securely around her shoulder trying to give her all the support and comfort I possibly could. She was deathly pale and looked like she was going to be sick, I kinda felt like I might too.

"It's going to be ok Spence. You're doing the right thing," I murmured to her. Spencer just gave me a tiny, scared smile and turned to stare out the window. She looked a million miles away, it kind of frightened me really. She looked so unreachable, so lost. I just wanted to hold her in my arms and protect her from anything and anyone that could ever hurt her.

Before I was ready for it we pulled up in front of a rather beat up, dump of a house which I took to be Carmen's. Spencer's panicked expression was a good indication of that. Spencer rubbed a hand over her eyes and started to breathe a little too quickly, before I knew it she was full on hyperventilating. "Fuck, shit what do we do?" I yelled at Aiden who pulled a paper bag out of his glove compartment, thankfully taking the old, moldy half eaten burger out first. Yeah boys are fucking disgusting!

"Spence I need you to breathe into the bag ok Babe, just concentrate on taking deep breaths." I rubbed her back gently as she struggled to get her breathing under control. She was finally able to breathe calmly again just as Glen pulled up with Clay and Ridley. They jumped out and came over to Aiden's car.

"Hey Carlin you ready for this?" Ridley asked kindly as she leaned into the open window. Spencer just nodded. "C'mon sweetheart, once this is over then you can move on and never have to go through that shit again," Ridley stepped back and opened the car door. She held out a hand for Spencer to take. Spencer looked back at me and I smiled reassuringly. She took Ridley's hand and stepped out of the car. I jumped out the other side and raced around the car to where Glen, Clay, Aiden, Spencer and Ridley were all standing.

"So how do we do this?" Glen asked looking at his sister with deep concern. The guy's a tool but you can so tell how much Spencer means to him, I'm glad they have each other.

Spencer took a deep breath and said softly, "I think it's best if I go in alone, I don't think its fair for us to gang up on her."

"Nope, no way in hell, not gonna happen. Spence you have to be high off your fucking face if you think that we are letting you go in there alone," Ridley said folding her arms over her chest and fixing Spencer with a serious 'don't fuck with me' look.

"Ridley's right Spence, after what she did to you we can't let you go in there alone, I mean put yourself in our shoes I bet you wouldn't let any of us going into a situation like this alone either," Aiden said laying a hand on Spencer's shoulder.

She covered his hand with hers and gave it a squeeze, "Ok, but not all of you can come in, that would be a bit too much."

"That's fair enough Spence, I'm not leaving you though," I said taking her free hand in mine. She smiled softly at me and gave my hand a gentle squeeze. She knew she couldn't talk me out of going in with her, and she was right she couldn't.

"I think Ashley and I should go in with Spencer, and you guys wait in the yard in case you're needed?" Ridley suggested. I think she has a good idea, if the guys charge in Carmen will probably get suspicious and we just want to get this over with, minimal drama please.

Spencer nodded and held up her hand when Glen and Aiden went to protest, "It's a good idea and look because other people are there nothing will happen, she's never hurt me when other people have been around. It will be ok guys and how about this, we're in and out in fifteen minutes and if we're not then you thugs get to come in and save the damsels ok?"

"Fine but as soon as fifteen minutes is up if you're not out we're coming in," Glen agreed grudgingly. You could tell how much this was killing him. I know how close those two are and how protective he is. Spencer once told me that when Spencer came out to her Mom and Dad and her Mom freaked Glen was the one to stand up and call her Mom a homophobic, narrow minded bitch (and that is a direct quote). He had left the house with her and stayed with her at Ridley's until her Mom calmed down. Spencer told me that Glen has always had her back and clearly this was no exception.

Spencer turned to me and whispered, "I'm really scared Ash, you'll stay with me?"

"You know I will, as long as you'll have me. You think you can handle my awesomeness forever?" I teased, hoping for one brief moment to take her mind off what was about to happen.

Spencer gave me a warm smile, "Yeah I reckon I could," She sighed, "Ok let's get this over with." Spencer hugged Aiden, Clay and then Glen who whispered "Fifteen minutes," into her ear. Spencer nodded and took my hand. We walked up to the door, me and Ridley each clutching one of her hands.

Spencer looked over to me and I gave her a reassuring smile. She dropped me and Rid's hands and reached out to knock on the door. After a few minutes of nothing she knocked again. We heard a grumbling behind the door before it swung open to reveal a rather disheveled Carmen in sweat pants and a tank top. I think it's fair to say we woke her up, aw I feel so bad about it too (can you feel the sarcasm?!).

"Spence! What are you doing here honey and why are they here?" Carmen jerked her head at me and then Ridley. I saw Ridley grit her teeth and glare at Carmen, I reckon my expression matched hers, what can I say I guess we were the guard dogs!

Spencer smiled nervously, "Carm we need to talk and Ash and Rid came with me for…um I guess moral support. Can we come in?"

Carmen glared at all three of us, her glare particularly hateful when directed at me, and then forced a smile onto her stupid bangs face. "Sure come on in," She stepped back and let us walk into the hell hole she calls home. Now I'm not a snob or anything (ok so maybe I am a little) but this place was a fucking dump.

Spencer walked in first, followed by me and Ridley and then Carmen. We went into a pretty shabby living room and sat down, Spencer on an arm chair, me and Rid on the sofa and Carmen on the arm chair across from Spencer.

"You said we needed to talk so talk," Carmen said crossing her arms over her chest and leaning back in her chair. She was not looking especially happy, but you know what she deserves everything that happens to her like my foot connecting with her stupid bangs face.

Spencer swallowed nervously and sat forward in her chair, "Um ok well there is no easy way to say this so I'll just come right out and say it. I want to break up Carmen. You hit me again and again, you told me that no one would ever want me. You made me feel small, like I was nothing and I cannot, no I will not put up with it any more Carmen. You need help and I need to be with someone who respects me."

Carmen sat silently for a minute, her eyes locked on Spencer's, a sinister smile on her face, "Spencer, honey I've never hit you before. I love you babe and I'd never hurt you. I have no idea where this is coming from."

That sound you're hearing is my temper snapping, "Are you fucking kidding me?! I've seen the fucking bruises Carmen! I saw what you did to her you fucking psychotic freak. And don't you dare sit there and say you love her when she has a fucking split lip you gave her, not to mention the bruises you asshole." I yelled angrily.

Spencer looked sadly over at me, "It's ok Ash," she turned back to Carmen, "Whether you admit it or not you treated me horribly and you know what, even if you hadn't we would still be over because I just don't feel the same way you say you do. Carmen this relationship is over, it never should have started. I'm sorry." I had to restrain myself from blurting out that Spencer did not owe the bitch an apology. I really, really hate Carmen. Actually hate is not a strong enough word, no word exists that adequately describes the way I feel about the monster sitting across from my Spencer.

Carmen shook her head and pasted a strange smile on her face, no lie it kind of freaked me out. "Spencer this is ridiculous, we're good together you and me. Look no one will ever love you like I do."

Ridley scoffed and glared over at Carmen, "You're one insane bitch if you think that you love Spencer. If you did you could never have hurt her the way you have." I have never heard Ridley's voice so full of anger and hate. Fucking Carmen.

Spencer closed her eyes and held her hand to her temple, "Carmen it's over. There is nothing you can say that will change that." Spencer looked so tired and worn out, this was taking so much out of her, I just wanted to wrap her in my arms and shield her from the world.

"Ok fine you want to end it then its over. I wish you had trusted me enough to not bring back up," Carmen gestured to Rid and I, "But if that's what you felt you needed to do then more power to you. You know what you really are such a bitch Spencer Carlin."

Are you fucking kidding me? Did that stupid skank seriously just call Spencer a bitch? After everything she did, she has the nerve to call Spencer a bitch? What the fuck is that? I think Spencer was as shocked as me because she blurted out, "Excuse me? Are you kidding?"

Carmen let out a hollow, humourless laugh, "No you really are a bitch. You so got with me just to make that slut jealous. You stupidly fell for your friend and then went and got all drunk and slutty so you could come onto her. She didn't want you Spencer and I'm betting she still doesn't, despite whatever lies she's told you to try and break us up. I'm the only one who will ever want you." Carmen pointed her finger at me and I saw red. I launched myself out of my seat and got all up in her face.

I leant over so that my face was inches from hers and wrapped my fingers around her throat, only applying enough pressure to scare her, really I wasn't going to hurt her…much. "Don't you EVER speak to her like that again. You don't know me and you don't know how I feel. How dare you say I don't want Spencer, you have no fucking idea. I love that beautiful woman more than you will ever be capable of loving anyone. You are a disgusting, revolting human being and after we leave here today I don't want you going anywhere near Spencer or you and I will really have a problem. Do you understand me?" I spat at her. I have never been so furious in my entire life.

Carmen nodded and swallowed, "Fine whatever. I'm done." I grunted in disgust and went to release my hold on her throat. As I did Carmen stood up suddenly and threw me backwards onto the sofa and on top of Ridley. Before we could untangle ourselves Carmen grabbed Spencer's arm and violently dragged her into a bedroom. She slammed the door shut and I heard the lock click.

I was on my feet as quick as I could and pounding hard on the door, "Ridley get the guys in here now!" I yelled. Ridley sprinted from the room.

I slammed my fist against the splintery wood, not caring when my knuckles split and started to bleed. "Carmen open this fucking door now!" I screamed. As Ridley and the guys bolted in behind me I heard the unmistakable, heart-breaking sound of Spencer screaming out in pain mingled with the dull sound of fists connecting with skin.

The sounds were muffled by the bedroom but what was happening in there was undeniable. Aiden and Glen were pounding on the door with me, but fuck me was it solid, the most solid splintery bedroom door I have ever seen. I hated that door.

I felt tears pouring down my face as I heard Carmen scream, "I told you what would happen if you told anyone or if you tried to leave me Spencer. Don't say I didn't tell you. I warned you, you fucking bitch. You dumb slut you've been cheating on me the whole time haven't you?"

Spencer cried out in agony and pleaded with Carmen, "It's not like that Carmen. I never cheated on you I swear. Please stop this, please!" I was beside myself, I had to get in there, had to save Spencer! I promised her last night that I'd never let anyone hurt her again and I'd already broken that promise.

"Aiden, Glen get that fucking door open! Ridley call the fucking cops now!" I ordered as I began looking for anything that would help us get through that door. Aiden and Glen were pounding the shit out of the door when Clay ran up to them with a crow bar, no idea where he got it from but I've never been so happy to see any inanimate object in my entire life.

"Carmen please stop this!" Spencer screamed out.

"Spencer, we're coming! Carmen we called the police so just stop this you stupid fucking bitch!" I yelled through the door.

I heard Spencer scream again, but the sound was cut off suddenly. I so did not like that. "Carmen, what the fuck did you do?! Get that door open NOW!!" I screamed hysterically. Glen grabbed the crow bar and started smashing at the door while Aiden kicked the crap out of it, both guys looked as desperate and possessed as I felt.

Finally they got the door open (well they smashed it to fucking pieces actually). The scene that confronted us will forever be burned into my mind. Carmen was standing over Spencer who was lying on the floor, her eyes closed and her body scarily still. I felt rage, sorrow, fear, hated all racing around my body, but the strongest thing I felt was love. Love for my blonde best friend.

Glen grabbed Carmen and dragged her from the room. I could hear Ridley screaming obscenities at the stupid bitch while they waited for the police to turn up. I raced to Spencer's side and put my cheek against her lips to see if she was breathing. I burst into tears of relief when I felt the faint fluttering of her breath against my skin.

I gently stroked her cheek and lay down beside her, I vaguely remember Aiden telling me an ambulance was on its way. I kissed her softly on the forehead, my tears falling onto her face. "Spencer? Hey Princess you need to wake up baby. Please wake up. Spencer…I love you, God I am so in love with you. I need you Princess so you have to be ok. Baby I'm sorry I broke my promise, I said I'd never let anyone hurt you again. I'm so sorry." I cried brokenly as I cupped her cheek in my palm.

"Ash the cops are here!" Ridley called out. You know how people always talk about things happening in slow motion? Well that did not happen here. Everything kind of happened in fast forward after that. The cops took Carmen away, she was eerily calm the whole time. The next thing I knew the ambulance arrived and the paramedics were hustling around Spencer, getting her strapped onto a stretcher and out to the waiting ambulance.

As soon as the ambulance doors swung shut, everything went black and I hit the deck hard.

I woke up in a room that was so clearly a hospital room, they all look and smell exactly the same. I looked around and saw Mr. and Mrs. C, Glen, Clay, Ridley, Aiden and Kyla and then I turned and saw Spencer lying in a big white hospital bed, it made her look so tiny and broken.

I noticed I was lying in a recliner in the corner of the room. Mrs. C saw me wake up and came over to check me over, did I mention Mrs. C is a doctor? Well she is and a pretty good one I reckon.

"You feeling ok Ashley?" Mrs. C asked.

"Yeah I'm ok, how's Spencer?" I asked as I pushed my way out of the recliner and over to the bed where the beautiful blonde lay.

"She's in pretty bad shape Ash. She has a few broken ribs, a ruptured spleen and she took a nasty blow to the head. She had surgery and has been unconscious since. We're just waiting for her to wake up right now." Mrs. C put a comforting arm around my shoulder but I couldn't feel it. All I could feel was anguish. That was my girl lying there unconscious on that white bed. My girl.

We all sat in her room silently. There were no words to make sense of any of this, no words to give any of us any solace. I sat in the chair closest to Spencer bed and held her hand in mine. Doctors and nurses came by every so often to check the machines that beeped around my Spencer and always left saying the same thing, "She's stable and we just need to wait for her to wake up." Blah Blah Blah! God why couldn't they tell us something useful?!

Everyone started to head home after about 12 hours. I wasn't going anywhere. Finally Mr. and Mrs. C kissed both me and Spencer good bye and left at about midnight. Thankfully coz Mrs. C worked at the hospital she'd arranged that I could stay after visiting hours, I think she realised that nothing short of an army was getting me away from Spencer's side.

Once we were alone I moved my chair closer to her bed so I could lay me head on the pillow next to hers. I kissed her cheek and whispered, "I love you, please wake up soon. Let me see those pretty baby blues again." Spencer remained still, so beautiful and vulnerable in her slumber.

I know its stupid but I blame myself for her being in this position. I know I wasn't the one who threw the punches or kicks as she laid pleading on the floor, but I feel like I should have done more to protect her. Yeah who'd have ever thought that Ashley Davies would ever blame herself for anything?

Before Spencer I thought the world was out to screw me and that everything was someone else's fault, never mine. Now here I am sitting in a hospital room blaming myself for all the shit that went down, even when intellectually I know it is no ones fault but Carmen's.

Spencer Carlin, what have you done to me?

I held her hand a little tighter, willing her to open her eyes so I would know she was going to be ok. I needed her to be ok. Spencer had changed me, she had ingrained herself in me and I knew that without her I would never be whole again. If she wasn't ok then I never would be. Fuck when did I get so sappy?

I ask again, Spencer Carlin what have you done to me?

Whatever it was can you do it again and again forever?

I watched her lying so still, overwhelmed by how much I felt for her. I used to be such a…well slut seems to be the most appropriate name for me. I treated girls like they were disposable, but with Spencer I know I want more than that. She is the ever elusive 'one,' my other half (ok so better half), my soulmate and best friend.

I moved a little closer to her and began to sing softly, I couldn't think of anything else to do.

"The best thing about tonight's that we're not fighting
Could it be that we have been this way before
I know you don't think that I am trying
I know you're wearing thin down to the core

But hold your breath
Because tonight will be the night that I will fall for you
Over again
Don't make me change my mind
Or I wont live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
You're impossible to find"

I felt Spencer slightly grip my hand and saw her eye lids flutter a tiny bit so I sang a little louder. Oh my God I was reaching her, she was coming back to me!

"This is not what I intended
I always swore to you I'd never fall apart
You always thought that I was stronger
I may have failed
But I have loved you from the start
Oh

But hold your breath
Because tonight will be the night that I will fall for you
Over again
Don't make me change my mind
Or I wont live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
It's impossible

So breathe in so deep
Breathe me in
I'm yours to keep
And hold onto your words
Cause talk is cheap
And remember me tonight
When your asleep

Because tonight will be the night that I will fall for you
Over again
Don't make me change my mind
Or I wont live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find"

Spencer's eye lids opened and she gazed up at me with the sweetest smile, I locked my eyes on hers and finished the song.

"Tonight will be the night that I will fall for you
Over again
Don't make me change my mind
Or I wont live to see another day
I swear it's true
Because a girl like you is impossible to find
You're impossible to find."

I sat up a bit so I could look down on her, "You're awake. Thank God, I've wanted to see those blues eyes of yours all day."

Spencer smiled tiredly and squeezed my hand before choking out, "What happened Ash?"

I moved so that I was sitting on the edge of her bed and held her hand in both of mine, "Well what do you remember Princess?"

"Um we were at Carmen's and she pushed you onto Ridley and dragged me into the bedroom. She hit me and kicked me, she went crazy. I don't remember anything after that," Spencer said quietly.

"Ok well we could hear you in there and we got the guys to smash down the door. God Spencer it was the most horrible thing, I just wanted to get into you. The guys got the door open and Glen dragged Carmen out. You were lying on the floor unconscious. I lay down beside you until the ambulance arrived and then I passed out." I kissed her hand gently and watched her process what had happened.

"Oh ok," Spencer swallowed and I saw tears fill her eyes. I held her hand tighter kept my eyes locked on hers.

"Spencer I'm so sorry."

"For what? What do you have to be sorry for?" Spencer asked confused.

"I broke my promise to you. I told you I would never let you get hurt and I did. I'm so sorry Spencer." I blinked back tears.

Spencer smiled sweetly up at me, "Man you are a bit fucked in the head Rock Star if you think any of this is your fault. Ash what happened this morning was not your fault ok. Carmen is the only person to blame for all of this. Ashley I know you want to protect me but Rock Star you just can't protect me from everything, thanks for wanting to though." Spencer squeezed my hand and her eye lids started to look heavy.

"Sleep Princess, I'll go tell the doc that you're awake," I murmured to her.

"Mmkay, but will you be here when I wake up?" Spencer mumbled sleepily.

"You know I will be. Sleep beautiful and I'll be here in the morning," I leaned in and kissed her forehead gently. Spencer smiled up at me and drifted off to sleep.

I really hope she's going to be ok after all she's been through. I gently untangled our hands and went to get the doctor and call her parents before I went back to her room and settled in the chair beside her. I would be there when she woke up.

My prediction had been right, this day had been fucking epic,

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Song is Fall For You by Secondhand Serenade, awesome song you guys should check it out.