I have to say that I have the best readers any writer can ask for you guys seriously leave the best reviews I'm going to become real pompous with the things you say. I know it's been a while but this a really long update and hopefully it'll hold you over until late next week because well it's finals and though I'd rather write this story I gotta finish up but then I'm FREE! And my updates will be more frequent. I'm glad you guys liked the letters I know some of you were a bit disappointed with the length but the letter updates won't ever be as long as the chapters themselves so for future purposes just wanted you all to know that. They also are very much relevant to the plot of the story...little clues if you will.

I just want to say that I have the world's greatest beta she busts her ass to get this back to me so quickly so keepxmexawake aka cookie thank you I appreciate you and your thoroughness and your speed. You're awesome, I honestly can't tell you how much your work makes my story flow so much smoother. You're an important part of the process.

I try not to make my stories predictable so just stick with me yeah? Cool. This is my favorite chapter so far so hopefully you all will enjoy I'm excited to have you guys read it as I was to write so I'll stop now. Enjoy and let me know what you think!

This one I dedicate to my muse she's pretty awesome and really helps me get my ideas flowing. She listens to me go on and on about this story and I've got nothing but love her. Thanks sweets.

Shipping and Handling

"It's always so great to see you guys." Lucas hugs Spencer tightly and the brunette narrows her eyes a bit at the long embrace.

She squeezes Spencer's hand softly, it seems they've been connected their entire visit. Which doesn't come as a surprise to Ashley but everything that is normally shared between them seems to carry more meaning now. She doesn't want to get ahead of herself, that's the last thing that she wants to do. Those who assume being asses and all, she really doesn't want to be a fool. Things are feeling a little too good to be true, Scott's still an issue, so she's basically waiting for the other shoe to drop. Can't help but be a pessimist of romance when you're in love with your best friend, Ashley firmly believes it's dangerous not to be, unless everything is out in the open a pessimist she shall remain.

Lucas finally releases the blonde and Ashley rolls her eyes at the unnecessarily long hug. A few seconds longer and Ashley would have to result to slinging some remarks at the old friend soon to be enemy. She has enough when it comes to Spencer.

"Thanks for letting me see the otters Lucas."

Spencer takes a step closer to her best friend, their arms brushing against each other. Ashley is appreciative of the close contact. Breathing is so much easier this way.

"Not a problem. I've got to get going but Ashley I'll see you Saturday?"

Ashley is too busy scowling at the veterinarian to answer right away. The surgeon's shoulder bumping with hers brings her out of her death glare. She looks to her friend quickly then back at Lucas clearing her throat coming back to reality.

"Uh yeah, my assistant will be here tomorrow and we'll scout around on Monday to get an idea of what we want to snap."

Lucas just nods enthusiastically and flashes the couple a smile. "That sounds great looking forward to working with you."

Ashley forms a thin line with her mouth and nods once. "Right. See you then. Come on Spence."

Ashley quickly turns pulling the blonde with her. Spencer sends a final wave at Lucas and he chuckles waving back. The photographer pulls the blonde through the halls and walks at a fast pace. Spencer is lingering a few inches behind.

"Ah Otter. I need my arm for surgery." She says with a giggle and Ashley bites her bottom lip nervously and mumbles out an apology. She slows down allowing her soul mate to catch up with her.

"So…what's up with you and Lucas over there?"

Spencer jerks her head back in surprise at the question.

"Uh where'd that come from?"

Ashley just shrugs nonchalantly. "Probably the same place as that long ass hug."

Spencer giggles and tugs on Ashley's hand. "Otter it was not that long of a hug."

"The Titanic sank faster." She spits out quickly making the blonde throw her head back laughing. Ashley tries to hide her smirk.

Spencer contains her laughter and starts to walk towards the exit with Ashley as they get ready to embark on the second half of their annual visit. She tilts her back from side to side and the photographer looks at her with furrowed brows and a smile that's trying not to creep across her face.

"You jealous?" The blonde as she licks her lips and Ashley snorts.

Spencer closes the distance between them and kisses the brunette's cheek. Ashley wraps her arm around Spencer's waist and holds her there. Spencer buries her face in Ashley's neck and her lips brush against it as she asks again.

"Otter…are you?"

They sway gently not really moving, just their torsos slowly rocking from side to side.

"What do you think?" Ashley asks quietly.

"I know what I think I want to know how you feel." She pulls back from the embrace enough to look into her favorite set of brown eyes. Her eyes dart down to Ashley's lips quickly. She misses the smirk the brunette momentarily sports.

"How I feel huh?" Her voice is raspy and she swallows the dryness in her throat.

Ashley bites the inside of her lip as she looks into Spencer's eyes. She swallows the lump in her throat tears stinging her eyes. Just what she needs to cry right now, everything inside her is buzzing as she steps away from Spencer and paces a little. Her chest constricts and she forces herself to inhale but nothing releases the pain she's feeling. It shouldn't hurt this much to tell Spencer how in love she is with her. Is it the fact that she going tell her or the unknown of what will happen once she says it out loud?

She stops in her tracks and looks everywhere but at her best friend. She'll lose her resolve if she does. Spencer doesn't seem to care about her best friend's resolve as she crosses the space that was created between them. A whole year not by her so she won't allow Ashley to stay too far away. She knows that the photographer is fully aware of this fact and her behavior right now is no excuse to break that common knowledge.

She grabs Ashley and the brunette flinches a little startled at the blonde's gesture. She shakes her head and pulls away. Spencer's crestfallen face kills her. She opens her mouth to speak then closes it just as quickly not sure of what to say.

"Otter please…" Her voice is strained as she begs for an explanation.

"I…I can't."The words fall from her lips in a barely there whisper. The walls of the empty hallway carry them to Spencer's ears.

"What?"

Ashley lets out a laugh of disbelief and shakes her head. She runs a hand through her hair and grits her teeth in frustration. Her jaw tight she whispers harshly.

"You know what. Don't act like you don't."

A quick glance to the floor alerts Ashley that Spencer has an inclination at what she's referring to.

"It's me Ashley."

"I'm well aware Spencer. It's because of that I can't tell you how I feel."

"Since when?" Her voice is small and hurt. Ashley doesn't mean to hurt her but all this anxiety and nervousness is consuming her. She wants to just grab Spencer and kiss her but that's not the approach that needs to be taken. The words need to be said.

"Since always Spencer! I can never tell you."

"Then what the fuck are we Ash?" The brunette's brows pop up in surprise taken aback by the blonde's harsh words. "What is this? What are we that you keep your feelings from me? Don't play that with me."

"Don't play with me! You know! Look at me and tell me that you don't know."

She stares at the brunette, her face stony too upset to actually say anything. Her jaw clenches, her heart races, of course she knows just like Ashley knows.

Through gritted teeth she finally speaks up.

"Tell me." Her order shoots through Ashley and she does an about-face in frustration. She presses her hand against her eyes. She's got the green light why isn't she going for it? She feels Spencer place a hand on her back and she moves forward.

"Ashley!"

They were both thankful that they were in a location that doesn't allow general public access. They don't want to cause a scene but for Ashley, Spencer's presence was already too much of an audience.

"What?! What do you want? What do you want from me?!" Her voice changes octaves as her fear creeps into her speech.

"Why are you doing this? Why aren't you talking to me? Since when don't you talk to me?" A tear escapes Spencer's eyes and she doesn't bother to wipe it away.

Ashley is hurting her. This known secret is tearing them apart and it doesn't need to. They both just need to say the words.

"I'm doing this because I don't know what's going to happen. Just look at me. Don't you see what I'm feeling, don't you feel what I'm feeling. It's radiating off me so much."

"Tell me!" She shouts through her tears. Her hands clenched in tight fists as her frustration grows within Ashley.

"I love you! With everything in me I love you! I'm in love with you Spencer!"

Her shoulders drop, her head follows, and along come the tears as she releases everything that's been building inside for so long. She's taken the plunge she can't go back now. The timing completely out of the blue but so was the genesis of her feelings. There won't ever be a perfect time.

Spencer just rushes towards Ashley collecting her lovingly in her arms. She feels her best friend's heart pounding against her chest. Their close proximity allows her to know that Ashley nerves are jumping erratically. Ashley inhales slowly to slow down the pace of her heart. Her fingers glide through brown hair and she sighs as she feels Ashley nuzzle her face in her slender neck. The tears roll from the brunette's eyes on the Spencer's neck. Ashley knows Spencer can feel the speed of her heart and she knows that Spencer's fast heart is felt against her chest in the same way. She pulls her face from the surgeon's neck then leans her forehead against the surgeon's and blonde takes initiative to place a quick kiss on Ashley's lips.

She smiles softly in appreciation and brings her lips further into her mouth forming a thin line. Ashley chuckles softly and groans reaching to connect their hands and leading the pair of them to rest behind her neck.

Pulling back Ashley stares into crystal blue eyes her tears mirror Spencer's. She takes a deep shaky breath and releases it slowly.

"I'm not keeping silent anymore. I know I didn't need to tell you what I feel I know you know. I know you feel it. I'm not going to lie anymore. I'm madly in love with you Spencer. I wish I can pin point the exact time that I fell in love with you. I think about you all the time, I need you all the time and I can't picture my life without you. Nothing makes sense without you."

Her chest heaves as she rushes it all out in one breath. She looks into blue eyes nervously. The search for a sign of anything, fear, shock, mutual affection but her search is cut off when Spencer's phone goes off and blue eyes dart towards the origin of the sound.

"Don't answer that." Ashley pleads.

Spencer answers her best friend's request by pulling her closer and burying her face in Ashley's neck. It's her favorite spot to be. The brunette always smells so good, she always smells like lavender with a hint of coffee. The combination is quite odd but so amazing on the photographer. She just shakes her head no.

"I wasn't going to."

Ashley lets her arms drop to her sides then around Spencer waist. She can still feel Spencer's heart pounding and she doesn't know whether to take this as a good thing or a bad thing. The blonde still hasn't said anything in regards to her confession. The silence is literally killing her. She feels her heart slowly breaking with every second that passes that the surgeon doesn't respond with an answer. She prefers an answer that yields good news.

"Otter…" Spencer mumbles against her best friend's neck the brushing of her lips causing Ashley's eyes to flutter closed.

"Tell me."

"Where do we go from here?"

Ashley pulls away from Spencer not really sure where this conversation is going. They completely jumped a step, the one revealing Spencer's feelings. Ashley steps back and blue eyes narrow confused. She tries to step closer but is met with a step in the opposite direction.

"Ash?"

The brunette swallows the fast growing lump in her throat. Silence after a love confession is never a good thing. She's trying not to overreact.

"I need…" Ashley clears her throat the pain growing quickly as she tries not to cry more. She releases a shaky breath and looks down. Spencer takes this opportunity to grab her by the face forcing their eyes to lock.

Two pairs of eyes gather more tears as they stare at each other hard. It doesn't take long before they spill over like the rest.

"You need me to say it?" Her voice so weak, she doesn't even recognize it.

"You know I do…it can't not be said."

Spencer connects their lips and both their bodies catch fire. Ashley presses her lips harder against Spencer's as her fingers get lost in blonde tresses. The kiss is passionate and slightly hurried, they try to slow down savoring the moment as their lips glide perfectly against each other.

"I'm so in love with you." Spencer whispers against Ashley's lips then quickly goes back to kissing her best friend with fervor.

It's like breathing in fresh air after being suffocated for so long. She inhales everything Ashley as the brunette smoothly flicks her tongue out gliding it against bottom lip. She doesn't hesitate to let Ashley kiss her and make her feel a way she's only felt once when she was kissed. By the one person kissing her now, you never forget your first kiss and Ashley has gotten extremely better with age. Spencer whimpers and her knees go weak as their tongues connect. She's grateful for Ashley's firm grasp. The photographer pulls the surgeon impossibly closer as she kisses her deeply, someone moans but neither of them notice as Ashley gently backs Spencer against a nearby wall. Spencer grips brown hair gently tugging as she nips her best friend's bottom lip. Their noses brush against each other as they change positions. The brunette grips Spencer's hips letting her thumbs graze over smooth skin as they slip under her tight shirt.

They break apart breathless. Tears streaming down both their faces and they both choke out a laugh wiping away at their partner's eyes. Soft kisses shared between motions the saltiness from their tears lingering on swollen lips. Ashley brushes her nose against Spencer's.

"When…"

Spencer just shrugs slowly shaking her head. "I don't know I guess always. I'm stupidly realizing it now."

"As long as you realize it." Ashley answers with a light giggle. She smiles as Spencer leans in and kisses her again. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, I'm sorry I didn't realize it sooner."

Ashley just shakes her head leaning in to capture pink lips with hers. They reluctantly break apart and smile goofily at each other.

"Now what?" Spencer asks with a smile.

"Want to grab some lunch?" Ashley asks and Spencer nods laughing. One final kiss and they walk hand and hand towards the exit. They are silent as they make their way through the aquarium stealing subtle glances at each other before looking straight ahead acting as if they weren't looking in the first place.

Once they reach outside Ashley walks the blonde to her motorcycle. She examines the mode of transportation and nods in approval.

"You're taking good care of her."

"Well I take care of everything you give me." She says with a smile and squeezes her hand softly. "Everything." She repeats staring into brown eyes making sure her message is understood.

Ashley sighs in appreciation nodding in understanding. "I wouldn't trust it with anyone else. And me too for the record." She answers after a moment.

Spencer smirks. "You were the only one that's had it this whole time so I'm pretty sure it's in safe hands."

Ashley closes the distance between them. "I'll always keep your heart safe."

"Ditto." Spencer answers against her lips before kissing her again. Getting lost in each other for the umpteenth time that day, a phone ringing brings them out of their moment.

Ashley groans annoyed and rips her phone from her pocket then answers. "I hope you don't value your life because I'm about to end it!"

Spencer giggles and wraps Ashley's arms around her waist and kisses the brunette's neck in an attempt to calm her down. She isn't sure if this is something that would work she just has an instinct to do so and it seems to be effective as she feels Ashley relax.

"No I can't." She hears Ashley say. "I'm not taking any jobs at the moment." Ashley feels Spencer's lips spread into a smile against her neck. She can't help but mirror the action. "I appreciate the offer but I can't right now. When?"

Spencer pulls away from Ashley as she feels the brunette's lips press against her temple. She watches as Ashley walks a few feet away pacing back and forth talking on the phone. She clenches her jaw and looks down replaying the last few hours in her head. Emotions flood her body she's not sure what to feel. Euphoria is definitely overtaking her being but how long will Ashley turn jobs down, how long before she's gone for months at a time. Will she stay? And if so for how long? Spencer's heart races as questions flood her mind. She just got Ashley but how long with Ashley stay kept. She's taken out of her thoughts as the brunette approaches.

She looks up stretching out a forced smile. Brown eyes narrow as she examines the gesture.

"You want to talk about it?" Ashley asks as she readjusts her messenger bag on her shoulder. Blue eyes lock with brown and Ashley takes everything nodding. "Well I guess the revelation of our feelings was the easy part of this extremely difficult situation huh? Even that was hard, guess something about us had to be difficult."

Spencer snorts shaking her head as she unfastens her helmet from the back of her bike. She shakes her head and she freezes as her blonde hair is moved onto one side of her neck and lips gently press against it.

"You have nothing to worry about…I, on the other hand." She lets the rest of her statement linger in the air unsure because that's exactly what she was. Unsure of what Spencer was going to do. She knows what she's going to do, she's always known. She'd still travel but only a reasonable amount, opening a studio here letting that be the bulk of her business. Spencer is the wild card. She's always been.

"So when do you leave?" Spencer's voice is cold and frustrated.

Ashley steps back and sighs. She runs a hand through her short hair. "Did you not hear me decline the job?"

"I did…but I didn't hear you accept it for a later date because you walked away." She quirks her eyebrow threatening Ashley to deny the claim.

"Yeah I accepted the job…three weeks from now." She leans her head a little forward as if stretching her ear to her an outburst from the blonde. She doesn't hear one then stands back proud of herself. "I'm still me Spence."

"Yeah, and I'm used to you leaving."

"That's not fair."

"It's not? One day a year Ashley that's all you need?"

"You know it's not you know I miss you profusely."

"Then why didn't you stay longer? All these years wasted we could've been together."

"Don't blame that on me Spencer. That's not even how it is. You just realized your feelings for me meanwhile I've been keeping mine a secret for years afraid I'd lose you."

"Like you could ever lose me Ashley, you think I can survive without you?!"

"You think I can survive without you?!"

They don't know how they went from kissing to yelling but now they were at each other's throats, questions, fears, insecurities, and doubts quickly flood both their minds.

"You don't think I wanted to tell you sooner but you always had some new loser who doesn't understand you in my place."

Spencer's eyes narrow in anger. "Maybe if you said something we wouldn't have wasted so much time!"

"You've got a mouth, fucking open it. You could have said something yourself!"

"I didn't know!"

"That I was in love with you or you were in love me?" She questions wondering if either mattered.

"Both." She answers pathetically. "I just…I knew I loved you I just didn't realize to what extent and these last several months the closer we got to seeing each other I no longer focused on you coming I focused on the part of you leaving and for once I didn't want you to come because all I was worried about was the state I'd be in when you left. I barely made it last time, you don't know what it's like being some place that reminds me of you all the time while you change your view every time. Nowhere you go will remind you of me."

"I don't need a reminder Spencer, all I ever think about is you. From the minute I wake up to the minute I go to sleep and when I sleep I dream about you. You are my everything! Everything."

Ashley instinctively grabs Spencer's and they close the gap kissing each other softly.

"You're my everything Penguin."

"I'm sorry, I'm sure it wasn't easy. It's because you were strong enough to say it first that got me to speak." Spencer whispers and Ashley just nods and the blonde kisses her again. "I love you."

"I love you."

They stand in silence their fingers loosely linked together. The both look down at their hands admiring how perfectly they fit together. How perfectly they've always fit together. Ashley is the first to break the silence.

"You know I never enjoy leaving you right? It's hard to walk away. I know it's hard to watch but actually walking away is unbearable."

"Then don't walk away anymore."

Ashley finally looks up and the vulnerability of Spencer's words drowns her. She gulps and cups the blonde's cheek gently caressing it with her thumb.

"Don't give me reason to." She answers honestly and Spencer presses her cheek further into Ashley's hand sighing sadly. She just nods and drops the photographer's hand.

"Let's grab something to eat I have to be back at the house to let my loser friends in, you know we can totally…."

"We're not skipping the party." Ashley interrupts with a laugh. "It'll be fun. You can finally show me off."

"Mmm no I don't like sharing you so I'm sure I'll be pretty bitchy to everyone tonight."

"Tonight?"

Spencer lightly hits Ashley's arm with her helmet. "Jerk."

"You love me."

Spencer grunts and sits the helmet at the top of her head. She taps her lips with her index finger ordering the brunette to kiss them and Ashley obediently complies. They both break into a smile and Spencer slips her helmet on starting up the motorcycle's engine.

"Meet you at our usual spot?" Ashley asks as she backs towards her rental car. Spencer just nods kicking up the kickstand the balls of her feet planted on the ground as she balances the bike. "Carlin!" Ashley shouts over the revving of Spencer's engine.

Spencer slips the shield of her mask up her blue eyes peering through. She lifts her head up once at the brunette urging her to continue.

"You're freaking sexy as hell on that bike."

Spencer is shaking her head but Ashley is sure she's smiling underneath her mask. She watches as she places the shield back in its rightful place and slowly peels away before picking up speed. She easily guides the bike out of the lot and into the main traffic.

Ashley unlocks her car and hops in the driver seat. She grips the steering wheel as she thinks about everything that just happened. This is definitely the easy part, all hell is bound to break loose.

"I am not eating that quit it!" Ashley moves her face away from the set of chopsticks in front of her face.

Spencer giggles as she moves it closer to Ashley's mouth. "You're called Otter for a reason, now eat the squid."

She pouts and it causes the blonde to laugh harder almost dropping the seafood from the thin utensil.

"Nooooooooo get it away from me."

Ashley practically leans out of the booth moving away from Spencer as she tries to force feed her a piece of circular seafood.

Spencer tuts and puts the food in her mouth. The brunette smiles triumphant and kisses the blonde on the cheek. She smoothly drops her hand on Spencer's thigh and gives it a gentle squeeze. The blonde can't help the gently blush that brushes across her cheeks.

"Tell me again." She orders and Ashley just giggles leaning close to Spencer's ear her lips brushing against it as she tells her again.

"I'm so in love with you Penguin."

Spencer turns her head and captures Ashley's lips with hers. The action so natural, no thought occurs to either of them as they revel in it freely.

"I'm in love with you too Otter."

Spencer places a soft peck on Ashley's swollen lips and goes to eat her food. Ashley can't help the smile that spreads across her face as she plays with the small hairs on the back of Spencer's neck.

"So how was Canada?"

Ashley shrugs. "Canadian."

The blonde smirks shaking her head. "Huh that's surprising I could have sworn it would be more Venezuelan."

"I was shocked myself at the let down." She darts her eyes at Spencer's lips and the blonde smirks.

"They're going to kick us out of the restaurant and this place has the best calamari don't get me kicked out." Spencer whimpers and raises her forkful of fried rice towards her mouth and happily eats it.

"You're passing up my kisses for fried rice?"

"And calamari!" She shouts in excitement once she finishes chewing. She grabs another piece of seafood and attempts to feed Ashley again. "Come on Otter."

"I can see the suction thingy on its tentacles! No!"

"It's not even octopus it's squid." She informs her and holds it closer to Ashley's face.

Leaning back again "Yeah no, that's not helping." She raises her hand for the waiter to grab the check. "So what time is this party tonight?"

Spencer rolls her eyes as she pushes her finished plate away and adjusts herself in the booth looking at Ashley.

"Not entirely sure most of them get off at seven so we still have a few hours to kill do you maybe want to just head back to my place and talk for a little bit? Catch up some more?"

Before Ashley answers Spencer's phone goes off. She sighs heavily and looks down at the caller ID and ignores the call. Ashley gently slides away from the blonde. She grabs the check that was placed on the table earlier. She slips her card inside and slides it further on the table for the waiter to take it. She quickly becomes quiet as his name flashes in her mind. She caught a glimpse of it as Spencer ignored his call. He was always an issue but his absence made it easy to forget his existence. The blonde senses the change in Ashley's mood as she grabs the woman's attention gently caressing her cheek with the back of her fingers.

"Hey…" Spencer whispers softly, Ashley turns her head slowly waiting for the surgeon to continue. "Stay with me."

Her shoulders drop as she lets Spencer's request overtake her. Her request to not lose sight of who they are, what they mean to each other, and the inevitable fact that they will be together, and problem is how are they going to get there. She just nods slowly and allows her best friend to close the gap between them. Right now Ashley decides not to worry about it. Right now her biggest fear of Spencer not loving her back is vanquished. That's not the problem anymore so for right now she'll stay and not think about anything other than her and Spencer.

"And this is my office." Spencer walks into the room and twirls around once flashing a smile at the brunette.

Ashley giggles and steps into the room with her arms crossed over her chest. She drags her boot clad feet against the wooden floor.

"Why do you need an office, you're never home?"

"Well I need some place for all of these." She answers as she opens up her cabinet and the brunette's eyebrows raise in surprise.

"OCD much?" Ashley jokes as she walks over to the open cabinet to run her hands down the boxes of letters.

She flinches as Spencer hits her on the arm. "I like to be organized. When I want to read a certain Ashley I know exactly where to find her."

"It's weird you're referring to me in the third person. I'm standing right here."

Spencer squeals and grabs Ashley by the face. "You are standing right here! Ugh I missed you so much Ash."

Ashley wraps her arms around Spencer's waist and pulls her close. Gently kissing her, one peck turns to two, two to three, three to captured lips, sensual kisses makes the blonde moan as she drops her hands from Ashley's face and laces them behind Ashley's neck. They break apart and Ashley gives Spencer an Eskimo kiss making the blonde smile.

"I always love when you do that." Ashley smiles and gives the blonde a quick kiss. "Though these are quickly becoming my favorite."

"Of course they are it's me giving them to you."

Spencer snorts and gently scratches Ashley's neck with short nails. "You're so modest."

Ashley grunts and pulls herself away from Spencer and walks over to the desk pulling the chair out and taking a seat. She motions for the blonde to sit on her lap and she does so obediently. She sits sideways and lowers her body against Ashley as they fall back into the large chair. Ashley wraps one arm Spencer's waist and lets the other drape over her tucked legs.

Spencer lifts her hand and plays with the diamond studded earring on Ashley's left ear. The brunette smirks as she closes her eyes and relaxes into the gesture that Spencer has developed since they were kids. The brunette getting pierced before the blonde and she couldn't help but play with the pierced lobe. Another thing only the blonde was allowed to do.

"Penguin?"

"Hmm?"

"You know we have to sooner or later right?"

Spencer sighs heavily. "Can I just enjoy you…us? I think we owe that to each other."

"Okay. I'm here for some time anyway so we'll talk about it when you're ready."

"Are you ready now?" Spencer asks quietly, keeping the mood mellow as they melt into each other. She smiles as Ashley gently rubs her hand up and down her thigh. Her body raises a little as the photographer shrugs.

"I mean regardless if we're ready or not we have to talk about what we're going to do about us. Decide what this is, if we're going to be together, there's a lot to consider."

Spencer sits quietly she notices that Ashley left a factor out and she's a little grateful, his name would definitely ruin the mood they've developed right now. She won't have to deal with Scott until next week and by then she's sure she'll figure out how to end things properly.

The surgeon's silence makes the brunette a bit nervous and she gently places a kiss on her temple.

"Do you want to be with me?"

"Yes." Spencer answers before Ashley can even put the inflection on her words to make it sound like a question. The blonde captures Ashley's lips and pulls away far enough to look into brown eyes. "I love you and I want to be with you."

"Yeah?" Her brows furrow slightly as the words permeate her heart.

"Yes." Both their eyes sting a little as they fight off another set of tears. There's a lot of emotional crying today. Ashley drops her head against the chair. She shakes her head. "What?" Spencer asks with a little chuckle.

Ashley narrows her eyes at the blonde. "Is this really happening right now? Is my best friend sitting on my lap telling me she wants to be with me?"

Spencer shook her head. "No. I'm sitting on my soul mate's lap telling her I need to be with her."

"Third person." Ashley shoots out quickly and Spencer rolls her eyes.

"Shut up and kiss me."

Ashley groans and complies. Their actions cease rather quickly much to their disapproval as the bell to the apartment goes off. Spencer reluctantly removes herself from Ashley's lap but grabs her hand and pulls her towards the front door.

Once in the living room Ashley leans against the back of the sofa as Spencer goes to answer the door.

"I've got an order for Samantha Finnegan for some liquor."

Ashley smirks at her best friend's groan at the delivery man at the door. She tells him that she'll sign for it and he walks in with a hand truck with three crates of assorted liquor and two cases of beer. He walks further into apartment and waits for instruction.

"Just put them in the kitchen." Spencer orders exasperatedly, he just nods and walks in the direction he is pointed in.

"Looks like we've got a party huh?" Ashley asks with a chuckle.

"I'm so sorry I know it's usually just us on our day…"

Ashley shakes her head no and links her hand with Spencer's. "Every day is our day now." Spencer blushes softly as she takes a step forward. "Plus I'd really like to meet your friends."

"Yeah?"

"Mhm." Ashley answers with a nod as Spencer places her legs on either side of Ashley's.

The delivery guy walks back into the room and clears his throat. Spencer looks over at him and gives him a soft smile.

"I have maybe five more trips, do you mind leaving the door open?"

"Five?!"

Ashley and the delivery guy—whose name is Kevin according to his nametag—jump slightly at the blonde's outburst.

Kevin looks at Ashley nervously and lifts her head towards the door. He takes her cue and runs out with his hand truck dragging behind him.

"I'm going to kill Sammie."

"Aw Spence come on be a sport. It'll be fun." Spencer sighs and pouts. "No pouting."

She sticks her lip out further and Ashley chuckles softly and kisses the tip of Spencer's nose.

"I don't want to party."

"It'll be good to relax Spence. You need it you work so hard. Come on let's go unpack the drinks."

"Ugh fine, but I get to start drinking now. I'll be less likely to kill Sammie if I'm buzzed."

Ashley chuckles as she follows the blonde into the kitchen. "It's almost four in the afternoon and you're starting already."

"Don't judge me Davies…you'll understand when you meet her."

"I love her!" Sammie shouts as she wraps an arm around Ashley's shoulders. The brunette laughs and mirrors Sammie's gesture. "Seriously girl where've you been hiding?"

Ashley shrugs as she takes another sip of her beer avoiding the question. She feels the red head's eyes on her though and catches the glare coming from her best friend. She just throws her a wink and Spencer smiles. Spencer has absolutely nothing to be jealous about. Samantha was beautiful in every way, shape, and form but Ashley knows where her heart lies and nothing can change that.

The music fills the apartment people are scattered throughout front rooms of the apartment. Mavis, Evan, Ashley, Sammie, and Spencer are lingering in the dining room where Sammie had set up the pseudo bar. The living room turned into the dance floor and it all felt very high school but Ashley was still able to enjoy herself. All of Spencer's friends took to her quite well. She was hit on very quickly by the guys and once they found out she was gay that didn't stop them though it's more in good fun now. Sammie on the other hand has been draping herself over the brunette, she finds it very flattering but she reassures the blonde with soft whispers of "I love yous" and gentle kisses to the cheek. Not wanting to draw too much attention to them she doesn't want Spencer's friends to question her about Scott fearful that the topic will make the blonde retreat.

"Guys check out my running man." Mavis starts to pump his arms kicking his legs out and the group looks at him with wide eyes.

"No…no! Stop that! What'd I tell you about embarrassing me?"

Ashley chuckles as Evan gently smacks Mavis upside the head. Sammie drops her arms and Spencer sighs in relief. Despite all the gestures Ashley made throughout the night Samantha is one to woo girls and so is Ashley. The combination of them is deadly. She gets closer to Ashley and wraps her arms around the brunette's waist possessively.

Ashley looks into her eyes and smiles softly. She wraps her arms around Spencer's shoulder hugging her closely.

"I love you." Ashley tells her making her smile.

"Spence!"

Ashley sees the color drain from her best friend's face and her heart pangs a little as she gets pushed away a little forcibly getting her arm removed from around Spencer.

"What are you doing here?" Spencer finally asks as she walks towards her fiancé.

"I've been calling you all day." He leans down and captures Spencer's lips in a kiss. She steals a glance at Ashley who is looking at them with hurt eyes.

Spencer feels her heart speed up and she's sure it's about to combust. She looks at Sammie who is looking back at her with risen brows. Evan and Mavis are doing their own thing unaware of the change of mood in the air. Her gaze returns to Scott as he calls her again.

"Babe you didn't get any of my messages?"

Ashley grits her teeth at the pet name. She turns away and grabs another beer. Spencer watches as Sammie walks towards Ashley and whisper in her ear causing the brunette to smile. Jealousy burns within Spencer then guilt as she realizes that she's doing worse than Ashley smiling at something Sammie said.

"Babe?"

"Huh?"

He chuckles at her lack of attention. "There's was a mix up at work and I don't need to be there until next week instead. So I flew back early. I've been calling you."

"Ashley…"

His brows raise in excitement as he strains his neck to look for her. "She's here? Awesome! Let me get changed and introduce us?" He asks hopefully.

Spencer smiles and nods slowly.

"Great." He kisses her quickly. "By the way awesome party great idea babe we seriously needed to let loose."

She nods and watches as he leaves the room. She turns and dashes towards her best friend.

"Otter…"

Ashley just shakes her head as she takes a swig of beer. "Don't."

"Ashley please I…" She pleads but the photographers face stops her from continuing.

"I get it's complicated, so no worries yeah? Cool."

"Don't do this. Not with me Otter, please?"

"Why are you an otter?" Mavis comes up interrupting the conversation.

"Mavis not now!"

He looks at Spencer shocked at her obvious frustration then pouts. He slumps away and walks over towards a laughing Evan.

"That wasn't very nice Spence." Ashley says with a smirk and takes another swig.

"Really?" She starts and her body freezes as muscular arms come around her. She closes her eyes at the feel of lips on her neck then sighs in defeat.

"Really." Ashley answers with a smug smile and holds her free hand out. "You must be Scott."

Scott untangles himself from his fiancée and shakes the photographer's hand.

"Ashley it's nice to finally meet you." He gives her a large smile and the brunette nods with a smile of her own.

"Oh no Scott, the pleasure is all mine."

So the consensus?...