Disclaimer: I own nothing except the characters I make up.

Background: AU, Ashley is an All-American High School softball player for King High. Spencer, the new girl, is also an amazing player; she was the "Best in Ohio" and now is trying out for the team at King High.

Chapter 10:

The first girl of the opposing team was up to bat, Ashley wound up and pitched a slider right into the glove of Spencer, making the batter swing late.

"Strike one!" Called the umpire, making Spencer smile at Ashley, who smiled back.

The next pitch was a perfect fastball down the middle; it would have been jacked if it didn't have the speed of Ashley's arm to it. Another strike. Then Ashley threw her signature 2 strike pitch, a curveball, just outside. "Strike Three, you're out!" Yelled the ump. The home team cheered. Spencer sent a congratulating look to Ashley who accepted it and smiled back to her in a thank you.

The inning ended in two more strike outs and it was time for King High to bat. Sarah got up to bat, she grounded to third and reached first due to her speed. Next was Amy who hit a line drive to left and was safe at first while Sarah tried to make it to third and was called out. Then, Rachel was up; she singled with a fly ball that wasn't caught. So there were now runners on first and second, and Ashley was up to bat. Ashley allowed the first ball to sail by her, hearing a called strike. She smiled, and when the next ball made its way over the plate, she jacked it into right field, hitting it off the fence. Ashley drove in Amy and Rachel and now stood on third. Everyone cheered. Trisha was up next and sacrifice bunted to get Ashley in making it two outs. The Jamie came to bat and struck out sending King High back into the field, ahead 3-0. The inning consisted of three more strike outs in a row by Ashley. In the dugout, Spencer was rubbing Ashley's shoulder as Kara went to bat getting a double. The Chelsea got her to third with a single. Spencer was up; she got a good luck peck from Ash and made her way to the plate. She hit the ball hard to left center and got both Kara and Chelsea in and was standing on second. With no outs, the rally continued, by the end of the inning, King High was now up 10-0. If King could hold the opposing team the top of the next inning, they would end early by the slaughter rule. So they made it onto the field, everyone was pumped. Ashley struck out the first girl and the second. Then she saw her, a tall brunette standing beside Coach T. Ashley froze. It was Brooke. She shook the image out of her head and threw a ball. She regained herself and threw a strike, then another strike. She was ahead 1-2. She threw a ball in the dirt. Spencer called a time out and went to the mound.

"What's going on? You haven't thrown a single ball all day."

"I'm fine, they just slipped. I got this."

"Ok." Spencer went back to the plate.

Ashley threw the next ball hard down the middle, strike three. King High had won. The teams shook hands and as the rest of King High celebrated, Ashley went into the dug out where Brooke had been. She was gone. Coach T. saw Ashley gathering her stuff.

"Ash, what's wrong."

"She was here, talking to you, and didn't even say hello to me."

"She's home, for a while, she's taking the season off. She wanted to be home this year. She said you looked good. And then you choked. You can't do that every time you see someone from your past, Ash."

"I was just tired, Kate." Ashley got quiet and ended the conversation as the rest of the girls came into the dugout. Thinking, she's home for the whole season? Meaning she's going to be around.

Everyone said great game to Ashley and Rachel pulled her aside. "I saw her too Ash."

Ashley nodded, "I just don't know what she's doing here."

"She's probably home to see her family."

"She didn't call me. She always calls before she comes home."

"I don't know Ash, but you have Spencer, you can't fall back into the arms of Brooke this time."

"I know." Ashley looked at the ground. It wasn't that she didn't like Spencer; she just had so much history with Brooke. Brooke was her first love, Brooke understood her. She hushed Rachel as Spencer came over.

"Good game baby." She said to Ashley.

"You too. You're not so bad of a catcher," Ashley smiled, joking with Spencer. Spencer poked her, causing Ashley to grab her and pull her into a hug. She didn't know what she was going to do if she saw Brooke again, but right now, all she cared about was spending time with the cute blonde in her arms.

After changing, the team went out to dinner at a diner. The coaches and the team had a great time. Ashley, on the other hand, had her mind elsewhere. She still didn't know what she would do about the Brooke/Spencer situation. She knew she still had feelings from Brooke, one's that would probably always be there, but every time she looked at Spencer, she fell for her a little more.

(A/N: Sorry it's a bit short. But it'll have to do for about a week. Off to spend Thanksgiving with family and I'll be busy until next Tuesday. So I'll post more then. Have a good Thanksgiving everyone. And keep the reviews coming.)