Author's Note: So sorry for the long wait between updates, but life and writer's block were holding me hostage. I hope there's still someone out there interested in this thing and I'll try my hardest not to take so long with the next chapter. I should be wrapping this thing up in 2-3 more chapters. Well, enjoy.

"So Ash, you still haven't told us what this little celebration is about," Max said as she, Logan, Asha, and Asha's brother Christian sat at the small table in Crash.

"We're celebrating my negative pregnancy test, my brother being back in my life, and me having a good time on my anniversary even though my marriage is falling apart," Asha replied, with a twinge of bitterness in her voice.

Asha, Christian, Logan, and Max had been in Crash for the past hour having a fun night out amongst friends. Max and Logan were just happy to see Asha smiling and laughing again. Logan's idea had worked perfectly. Chris had only been in town for a few days, but his presence was already lifting her spirits greatly. She had a little of that sparkle back in her eyes. The three old friends tried their best not to leave Max out, but it had been so long since they had all been together…they couldn't help but reminisce and relive the old days. Max didn't mind though, it was fun hearing about a side of Logan and Asha she had never had the chance to experience.

"How did you guys meet?" Max said.

"Oh, Christian and Asha were my neighbors. We all grew up together. Chris and I have been best friends since before we could talk," Logan replied.

"Yeah, so when Asha and I decided to ditch the hellhole we crashed in Logan's pool house for a few weeks until I got a job and a place for us to say," Chris finished. "We're out of happy juice; I'm going to get another pitcher of beer. Asha, I'll get another vodka and cranberry for you. Max, what's your poison?"

"Just beer for me, thanks," Max answered.

Logan kissed Max on the cheek and went to help Chris with the drink orders, leaving the girls alone. Asha scanned the room, hoping in the back of her mind that Alec would be there. It was their anniversary, a day they had never been apart on. As hurt and angry as she was over what he'd done, he still held a special place in her heart. The hint of sadness that had suddenly appeared in Asha's eyes didn't go unnoticed by Max. For the life of her she couldn't understand why, but she knew the blonde was thinking about her estranged husband.

"Where's Gabe tonight?" Max asked in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"Joshua's over at my place babysitting. I thought it would be good for him to be able to get out of the house, and Gabe loves being around the big guy," Asha said.

"Those two alone together? I hope you're in the mood to clean up tomorrow," Max said.

Max couldn't help but laugh at the horrified look on Asha's face, and Asha began to laugh with her. She realized she had made a grave miscalculation. Joshua was the sweetest guy in the world, but he was like an overgrown child. She'd have to remember to be careful of booby traps when she got home. She wasn't in the mood to break her neck. By the time the laughter died down, the guys had arrived with the drinks.

"Here you are, milady," Chris said, handing Asha her drink while Logan poured the beer. Before Asha could say thank you, Original Cindy popped up with a friend and things got a whole lot more interesting.

"Good to see you out and about, boo," she said to Asha, "and who's this tall, fine drink of water with you. He's enough to make me think you straight girls are on to something."

"Original Cindy, meet my big brother Christian," Asha replied. However, her mind was really on the person OC brought with her…Janine. They locked eyes and Asha opened her mouth to explain and apologize but Janine silenced her before she could get the first word out. She shook her head, letting Asha know that everything was fine…she understood. "Chris, these are our friends Original Cindy and Janine."

After the introductions were done, OC and Janine joined the party. They ended up drinking, laughing, dancing, and playing pool well into the night. Christian was a charismatic guy and easily got along with everyone as if they had all been old pals. Asha could have sworn there was a little something happening between her brother and Janine…then again it could have just been the alcohol making her see things. Late into the night things had started to wind down. Somehow the subject of motorcycles had come up, and when Max found out Chris rode a Ducati Monster it was like kindred spirits had found each other at last. While he and Max took off to race, OC and Janine decided to do some club hopping, so that left Logan and Asha alone in Crash.

"I'm fine, Logan," Asha said with a long sigh.

"What? I didn't say anything," he replied.

"No, but I could see the question written all over your face. I'm dealing, ok?" she said with a yawn.

"Ok, I admit it, I was going to ask…but can you blame me for being worried? I know how devastating the end of a marriage can be, I've gone through it remember? It was hard for me and I didn't even have any children. You have Gabe, and I know Alec was bringing in most of the cash flow…you know if you need anything just say the word and it's yours," he said.

"I know, and I both love you and want to strangle you for offering me money," she said with a smile as she stood and went over to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Hey, there is one thing you could do for me now…"

"What's that?" he asked.

"Give me a ride home? That brother of mine left me stranded," she replied. Logan smiled and helped Asha with her coat, then throwing one arm around her shoulders he ushered her out of the club.

An hour later Asha had sent Joshua home, stripped down to her panties and tank top, and was just starting to drift off when she heard someone in the house. She knew it wasn't Christian, he didn't have a key and he had already informed her that he wouldn't be back until the next day. Her heart began to race as she realized it could only be one person…Alec. At first she felt nervous, scared…but it soon morphed into anger. He had some nerve coming there after what he'd done. She jumped out of bed, her head a swirling mix of thoughts and sleepiness. Before she knew it she was at the end of the hallway, watching him as he placed a small white envelope on the kitchen table.

Alec had accomplished what he came for and he had just turned to make his way out when he froze. There she was, standing at the end of the hall in nothing but her panties and tank. She looked sleepy, dazed, pissed…beautiful. This was exactly what he had hoped to avoid and he kicked himself for being too distracted to sense her coming.

"What the hell are you doing?" she asked, arms folded across her chest. Her voice was low but her tone was deliberate.

"I just came to leave that," he said sheepishly, pointing to the envelope he'd left. "I'll get out of your hair now."

He started to beat a hasty retreat but before he could get there Asha had managed to get to the envelope and take a peek at the contents.

"Here, you can take this with you. I don't need your money," she said, storming over and shoving the envelope in his face.

"Keep it. I know the rent is coming up and…" he started.

"That isn't your problem anymore, I said I don't need your money," she replied, cutting him off.

"This isn't even about you. Rent is due, Gabe's birthday is coming up, and I want my son to have a nice party as well as a place to live so just take the damn money Asha," he said. She was so damn frustrating when she was being stubborn.

"Oh, so you actually remember you have a son? Gee, I was starting to think you forgot seeing as you haven't bothered to even come see him in two months…then when you finally show up you sneak in when you know he's already asleep," she spat.

Alec's hands clenched at his sides. He didn't want to do this with her; he should have just slipped the damn envelope under the door.

"How am I supposed to see my son when his mother can't stand the sight of me?" he said, a little louder than he had planned.

"I have every right to feel the way I do about you, but you know damn well I'd never keep you away from your son, you ass!" she yelled. She hadn't intended to yell, but she was hurt…hurt by what he'd done, hurt that he thought so little of her, hurt that the mere sight of him brought out the worst in her.

The both stood there, breathing deeply and trying to calm themselves. They were both tired. Neither had really slept well since they split, and neither of them had the energy for arguing.

"You're his father; you can see Gabe anytime you want, Alec. Let Max know the time and the place…I'll drop him off or she came come get him whenever you want," she said quietly.

"Asha, I…I um…" he started. He wanted to tell her he was sorry, wanted to tell her how much he loved her but he couldn't. "Thanks." It was the only thing he could muster before turning to head out the door.

"Thanks for the cash…and…um…stop by Gabe's birthday party, I know he'd love to see you," she said.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world…goodnight," he said, just before the door shut. Suddenly Alec felt like his legs were no longer functional and he slid down the wall beside the door. He definitely hadn't been prepared for seeing her. Now more than ever he regretted what he'd done. It was a huge mistake, one she would probably never forgive him for. As reality started to set in and an ache started to settle in his chest, he felt something wet splash against his hand. It took him a second to realize what it was because it was something he couldn't remember ever experiencing before…he was crying. He took a few moments to pull himself together before getting up, and he left that building resolved to do whatever it takes to win her back.

While Alec was in the hall, Asha had gone back to bed. As she lay there restless with thoughts of Alec swimming in her head she knew there would be no sleep for her that night. She hated him for what he'd done, how he'd betrayed her…but somewhere in the corner of one of the shattered pieces of her heart she still loved him. Tears stung her eyes as the image of him making love to another woman popped into her head. Love was supposed to be able to conquer all, but this…love might have finally met its match.

TBC…