A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for the delay with this chapter. Just tests, assignments, and the lack of properly functioning wireless on my campus. Anyway, here's chapter 10. Hopefully you guys can appreciate an active, sometimes overactive imagination because...well...you'll see. So, here it is! R&R please!
Chapter 10
Spencer's POV
"Ashley how illegal is it? Are we talking like a slap on the wrist and don't do it again or hard time? I know I tease you about how you couldn't survive without your expensive makeup and hair products, but, I wouldn't do well in jail. Those women are terrifying! Ashley, I can't even go to the bathroom when I know someone is listening, let alone watching!" I say worried.
"Well, I don't think we would get hard time for it. Probably a lot of fines and maybe some light time, but you don't have to worry, Spencer. I would take care of you" she says and I am not sure if any of that was supposed to reassure me. If she sincerely tried to reassure me, she failed miserably.
"Okay. How about I just tell you?"
"Yeah, please" I say to her.
"I happened to come across information that may help us out. I found out that the town recently put up video surveillance cameras as security measures. I did more research and found out that supposedly one is located right outside our house in the street light" she says.
"Okay?..." I say.
"Spencer. Listen! During the night, we can get up there and disconnect it. Then hook it up to our television and see if it caught anyone coming into or out of our home that night. See? Not that bad. You probably thought I was planning on robbing the white house or something. So, do you feel better? It's not that illegal. I don't think we would do time for that" she says convinced.
"Feel better? No. Not really. And how do you presume we are going to get up there? Fly?" I ask not so convinced that we wouldn't do time for that.
"Ahhh, my dear Watson. You see, I have already figured that part out. We just have to borrow a bucket truck, is all."
"A bucket truck?" I ask.
"Yes, Spencer, a bucket truck, otherwise known as a cherry picker, aka boom lift, basket crane…"
"Stop, Ashley! I know what it is. I was just making sure I heard you correctly, and sadly…I did. So, from where are we going to steal this bucket truck?" I ask.
"Hey! It's borrow, and all I know is we pay taxes, and a lot of them at that. Where do you think the money came from to pay for those damn cameras, huh? As far as I am concerned I am partial owner of that camera, therefore, I am using it. If it makes you feel better I'll replace it or whatever. What is important is getting our children back safely and this could help us do just that, Spencer. That is all I care about. I will do anything to get our kids back. What do you say? Are you in this with me?" she asks.
I take a moment to absorb all this before answering, "I say that you watch way too much television, Ashley. We aren't characters in story line. This is reality." I sigh and turn away from her. "I can't believe we got rid of James so we can steal a cherry picker and then use it to steal a camera from a streetlight."
"I didn't hear a 'no' soooo is that a yes?" she asks.
"Well, for one, I just need to say that I think you have officially crossed the line and entered crazyland! Secondly, you know that if it can help us find the kids I will do anything, too. So, how are we getting this thing?" I ask thinking that maybe I have lost my mind, too.
"Okay, here's the plan…"
She tells me the plan, and though I think it is crazy, it just might be crazy enough to work. Just then, something hits me, "Wait, Ashley. Why do I have the feeling this won't be your first time stealing these things?" I ask curious what her answer will be.
"Again, Spencer it is borrow and you would be having that feeling because it won't be the first time" she admits, then continues "What?! Spencer. I was a rich kid with no parental supervision. I got bored very easily, so yes, I broke into a few homes, took joyrides in a couple vehicles, including bucket trucks and those forklifts at the supermarkets in the employees only area. Like a sign was actually going to keep me out. Pssh, nope!" she says.
"Wow. Well it is good to know that I married and am raising children with a criminal."
"Spence, come on. Haven't we been over this? We all didn't have the perfect little Brady Bunch upbringing you had. Yeah, I did some not so great things, but I could have done a lot worse. I always returned what I borrowed and never stole from the houses. I swear Spencer. It was always just something to do" she says.
Whenever she talks about her childhood it makes me really sad. No child should have to raise themselves. She told me about how her mother would just toss money at her and tell her she'll see her in a couple months...How horrible is that?! I wish I knew her then. I wouldn't have let her be alone. I would have loved her. I would have been there for her. I place my hand over both of hers and the other around her shoulder. She leans into me and rests her head on my shoulder. She cuddles closer into the side of me and I must admit that I like it. I feel her move slightly beside me and then I feel her lips on my cheek. I smile because it is good to be close to her again. Then, she moves her mouth to mine and places a quick, sweet kiss to my lips before telling me, "I wish we knew eachother back then, Spencer. You would have been a really good influence on me" she says.
There comes a time in every relationship where sometimes it seems as if your mind has become one. For years we would think the same things or say the same thing at the same time. It's nice to see that that hasn't changed with the separation and all.
"That's funny because I was just wishing how I would have known you then, too" I say honestly.
"Really?" she asks unsure.
"Really. I wish I had known you because I would have been there for you; you wouldn't have been alone. I would have cared about you, Ashley" I say.
"That is really sweet Spencer. Thanks for caring about me. Ever since we met you've cared about me and that is more than I can say for most people I know" she tells me.
I smile that I was the one who was able to make her happy. I got to show her what love is.
"You aren't too bad yourself. Honestly, Ashley, you have turned out really well for someone who raised themselves. I mean you are a devoted and loving mother, and even though we had our problems, you were still a good wife. I mean even on the day I told you I needed a break you were still just so selfless. When I said I would take the kids and leave, you insisted that we stayed in the house and you'd leave. You could have fought me for the kids or insisted on one living with you, but you didn't and that was very selfless of you" I tell her.
"Wow. Thanks, Spencer. But, did you really think I was going to let you and the kids leave your home? Yeah, it was mine, too, but even when we aren't together I will always put you first, and the kids too, of course. That is true love, Spencer. Plus I knew that with me gone you would need them. I didn't want to split them or make them feel like they had to choose sides, so I decided I would tell them they were living with you and they wouldn't feel like they chose you because I made the choice for them."
"Like I said, you are selfless, Ashley Davies."
She smiles and lowers her chin because now I have embarrassed her a bit, which wasn't my intention, but an embarrassed Ashley is a cute Ashley, so I wouldn't take it back.
A comfortable silence consumes the room for a couple minutes, until she breaks it.
"So, are you ready to do this tonight?" she asks me.
"Yeah, you know I am in. I mean I can't let you go to jail by yourself. If this doesn't go as planned I'll be your cellmate. It'll be like college again, well except we'll have to use the facilities in front of each other. Do you think they really do that?" I ask curious thinking hey, maybe she'll know.
"Umm…I don't know Spencer. I haven't really done hard time before. I rarely got caught and when I did I either used the Davies charm or offered them a couple Ben Franklin's, so I don't know."
"Oh. Well, when do we start?" I ask anxious to do something instead of sitting around waiting like we have been doing for a while now.
"Well, first we have to have the proper attire" she informs me.
"I should have guessed you have an outfit for cherry picker lifting" I say not so surprised.
"Of course, we have outfits, Spencer. We can't wear just anything. We don't want to be seen" she says.
She tells me she will be right back before jogging upstairs taking the steps two at a time. She returns a few minutes later with two bags. She puts one to the side and reveals the clothes in the other. It is a black shirt with black pants and black sneakers. That's original.
"This is mine. Yours is in the bag" she says giggling a little. I brush it off because let's face it she can be nuts sometimes. I take out what is in the bag and realize why she was giggling.
"Ashley Davies! There is no way I am going to wear this!" I tell her.
Let me fill you in. It is a black leather one piece. I can tell it is very form-fitting. There is no material to cover the stomach, butt or crotch, and I am sure my boobs aren't going to stay in it. She bought me some slutty sex outfit!
She is laughing hysterically. I am glad she thinks it is funny, but I can't help but wonder if she bought this with me in mind because if she did that might mean she thinks we are back together or will be really soon. Hopefully if she bought it with me in mind it was a joke…a bad joke!
"Ashley, you aren't serious right?" I ask hoping she isn't because I am not wearing it.
"Haha. No of course I am not seriously going to let you walk around in that. I am not your pimp. Although, I figured it wouldn't hurt to put it to the side for later after we get the kids back" she tells me and now I know she has the wrong idea.
"Ashley. Look. I know we have been getting along well and all recently, but all this doesn't mean we are together again. I thought we went over this already" I say hoping she remembers and understands.
"I know you said that before Spencer, but I was hoping that had changed. I mean what about the kisses and stuff? I know I wasn't the only one who felt that."
"Ashley there is no doubt that we have physical attraction for one another, and yes, the sexual chemistry is like nothing I have experienced, but we did have our problems. Look, I know that you are going to want to talk about it now, but we need to get going because it is getting dark. We can talk on the way if you like" I tell her.
"Spence, just tell me one thing before we leave. Do you think we can ever be a couple again? Will you ever give us a chance again? I love you, Spencer. I thought the kisses meant something to you like they did to me. I know that you still love me, Spencer. I know you do!" she says.
"Yes, I am willing to give us a try sometime again. I do want us to work out the next time we try it. I do enjoy kissing you, Ashley. You know that. But, we are not in our right state of minds. We are worried about the kids so we are holding onto each other for comfort and support, which is okay and perfectly healthy, until you start to cross the line and think that it is more. And, yes I do honestly love you, but it takes more than that for a marriage to work, so we need to have a very long talk before we can get back together again, and we need clear minds for that which means the kids have to be back home with us" I tell her.
"Okay" she says sadly.
"Okay, now let's go get our kids back, huh?" I ask trying to change the subject.
"Yeah. I'll get your real outfit. It's like mine and everything is covered."
She goes upstairs again and comes down with all black clothes in her hands along with black sneakers."
We get changed and meet in the kitchen.
She is already there when I come down.
"Ready?" she asks.
"Yup. Let's do this" I respond.
We head to Ashley's car and I get in the passenger side as she gets in the driver seat. She starts the car and we make our way to the first destination. Ashley said she would go to this place whenever she wanted to joyride in a bucket truck because there was a driver who would leave the keys in the flower pot next to the back entrance for the morning workers. We were hoping that he still works there, so it will save some time.
We arrive at a building some time later. We go around back and surely there are bucket trucks. I am starting to get nervous about this whole operation. I know we have to do it in the dark to prevent being seen, but the darkness is starting to creep me out.
"Ash?" I ask.
"Yeah, Spencer?" she whispers back.
"I'm sort of scared. Are you sure being back here in the dark is safe?" I ask worried.
She takes my hand in hers and we continue walking. She looks me directly in the eyes and says, "Spencer. I wouldn't have brought you if I thought it were unsafe. You are still my wife, and it's my duty to protect you, so I certainly wouldn't put you in danger. I wouldn't let anyone hurt you" she says and I believe her. She may be pretty small, but she can pack a punch.
I remember one night we were out at a bar, and she needed to use the restrooms. She had asked me if I wanted to come along because she didn't want to leave me alone by the bar. I told her I would be fine. Well, I will admit I should have gone with her. She came back to find some guy all over me. I was still sitting and he had one hand on the thigh facing the bar and his other hand on my waist. He smelt of alcohol and he was leaning into me. It was disgusting! I just remember being so afraid, hoping he would just lose interest and leave me alone. Anyway he didn't lose interest and when Ashley saw how he was touching me she walked up to him, tapped him on the shoulder and punched him in the face as hard as she could. She took my hand in hers, and as we were walking out she yelled to him that he better never touch her girlfriend ever again.
We never went back to that bar, but I can assure you I will never forget that night. She protected me then, and even though our separation has hurt her, I know she would protect me now.
"Better?" she asks bringing me back to the present.
"Yeah, a lot, thanks" I give her a smile to let her know I really do feel better now.
We finally reach the flower pot. She reaches her hand to the back of it, feels around a little bit, and brings her hand back into my view and indeed, there is a key!
She tells me she doesn't know which truck it is anymore, so we are going to have to try them one by one.
About 25 minutes, and 30 trucks later we find the right one. She hops in and pauses for a minute.
I notice she is in thought, so I ask her what is on her mind.
"Spence, if I drive the bucket truck, who is going to drive my baby?" she asks serious.
OMG! Her and that damn car! I swear she treats that thing like they share DNA!
"Are you serious, Ashley? Just let me drive the Porsche. Nothing will happen to it" I tell her hoping she realizes how ridiculous she gets with that thing.
"No way! Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't you the one who backed up into our mailbox?" she asks.
"Ashley, that was a long time ago! I haven't hit anything recently! Come on Ash, just let me drive it home. Pleeeeeaase. I don't know how to operate the bucket truck, but you do! Please let me drive the Porsche. I'll be really, really, really, really, really careful! I promise!" I beg. I have always wanted to get behind the wheel of that car, but she has never allowed me to.
I see her thinking. Then she hops in the driver seat and I am so excited that I get to drive the Porsche-FINALLY! I walk over to her and ask her for the keys. She hands me the keys to the Porsche not too excited.
"Thank you, thank you, and thank you again! I have always wanted to drive the Porsche! I promise I will drive it so carefully!" I promise her.
I hear her mumble something but I really don't even care what she said I am just excited that I get to drive it!
She leaves the lot first and I follow behind in the Porsche. THE PORSCHE!! We make it home hoping that nobody thought it was weird that a woman in all black was driving a bucket truck on the highway and then through residential areas. Yeah, that isn't suspicious at all.
I park the Porsche in the driveway and meet her by the bucket truck under the streetlight. She quickly hops into the bucket and tells me to join her. She says we have to do the first part quick before we're noticed.
She has a dark black bag. I ask what for and she tells me it is to cover the streetlamp so it doesn't act as a spotlight on our illegal activities. Wow, she has actually thought this thing out.
She operates the bucket truck while I am holding the bag. Once it is in reach I am supposed to cover the streetlight with the bag. It moves pretty slow so it takes a minute or so just to get close enough to put the bag on it.
When it's in reach I put the bag over the streetlight. I hold it on while she ties the bag onto it so I don't have to hold it there the whole time. I let go when she is finished. We look around the streetlight to see if we can see any cameras.
About 2 minutes of trying to find it, I catch a glimpse of something.
"Ashley. Is that it?" I ask unsure because it is so small.
She takes a closer look and I see her smile. She looks at me and I smile back happy we found it. Now, I just wonder how she is going to disconnect it. Hopefully it was another hobby of hers when she was younger. Hey, it's Ashley. Who knows?
She moves the bucket closer to it so she doesn't have to struggle to reach it while she is working. I see her studying the wires and where they connect to the camera. She takes one out and I briefly imagine an alarm going off, but luckily that is just my imagination and no alarm has rung. She removes another from the camera and she now has it in her hand.
"Like taking candy from a baby" she says with a big grin across her face.
"I see you are proud of yourself" I observe.
"Damn right! You aren't?" she asks.
I tell her I am ecstatic that she knows how to break into houses, lift bucket trucks and take surveillance cameras from a streetlight. She gives me a fake sad look in return.
"Ashley, you know I am glad we have the camera. I would be even happier if it has some information on where our children are though, so why don't we check it out?"
She shakes her head yes and begins to lower the bucket truck.
We run towards the house. She gets there first so she unlocks the front door, and allows me to go in first. I go into the kitchen to grab us two bottles of water while she heads into the living room to figure out how to get the videos to show on the computer. I walk into the living room with two bottles of water and ask her if she needs help.
"No thanks, I think I have it this time she says" as she says 'this' the screen goes scrambly black and white.
"Good! Now just rewind it, hun! This is likely the unused section of the tape."
Ashley rewinds it and the clock in the upper right hand side of the screen shows it is video of three nights ago. Ashley walks to the couch and sits down beside me. I look at her and she looks back at me. She puts her hand on my thigh, palm up, waiting for me to take hold of it. I do and intertwine our fingers both of us praying that this will show what happened to the children that night. Then we both look towards the screen as Ashley presses the 'play' button.
A/N: Just so you know I can wrap this story up within the next two or so chapters if ya like. I have more written, but if you want it wrapped up sooner, that can be arranged. So let me know what you think. Thanks for reading!