A/N: Sorry it took so long for an update. I was having trouble writing this chapter and the last chapter. I rewrote this chapter like 5 times. Hope you like it.
Chapter 18
Ashley and Spencer had been slowly making their way across Europe. They had spent some time in London, Spain, France, and now they were trekking across to Amsterdam. They spent their days visiting historical sights and soaking in the culture. At night they found the local hotspots and partied their nights away leaving a trail of drooling men and woman in their wake.
They walked hand in hand through the streets of Venice. The lady at the hostel had told them of a wonderful nightclub that was only two blocks away. The two girls eagerly got dressed and made their way laughing to the club. Ashley gripped Spencer's hand tightly and could not keep the smile off her face. Things had been absolutely wonderful and this trip had been a dream. She had seen things that she had only seen in textbooks before. And she was able to experience this with the love of her life. Ashley looked up at Spencer as they were walking and just took the time to study the blonde's features. She was so overwhelmed by emotions that she stopped walking for a second.
Spencer felt the resistance and stopped to regard Ashley curiously. Ashley had an unreadable expression and Spencer's face soon showed her concern. "Are you ok baby?"
Ashley stood there for a second before she smiled. Spencer smiled hesitantly but still looked somewhat concerned. Ashley wordlessly moved towards Spencer and attacked her with her lips. Spencer's gasp of surprised was swallowed in the kiss as she backpedaled until her back hit the wall of a building. Ashley continued to assault Spencer as all of her emotions expressed themselves physically. Spencer went along with it, she had become used to Ashley's sudden outpouring of emotions that expressed themselves in many different ways.
The two were so caught up in each other that they didn't notice the man coming up behind them. It was only the sound of a gun cocking that finally broke it's way through the haze and Ashley stopped. Spencer looked at Ashley seriously until she saw the barrel of the gun pointed at her love. Her eyes widened in surprise and Ashley looked at Spencer questioningly but before Spencer could say anything an arm snaked around Ashley's neck and jerked her back. Spencer could only gape in horror as the man grabbed her girlfriend and pointed the gun at her head.
Ashley gasped in surprise and tried to stay calm and not give her attacked any advantage by showing her fear.
"Alright ladies, I was enjoying the show but onto business. If you cooperate this should all go smoothly." The man started speaking in a gruff voice. Spencer couldn't hear a word at first; all her senses were focused on Ashley and on her safety. Finally she realized that the man was speaking and decided to pay attention.
"Now blondie, take out your wallet and throw it over there." The man gestured with his head and Spencer quickly fumbled for her wallet and threw it to the designated spot. "Good, now that pretty watch too." Spencer also took off her watch and tossed it onto the pile.
The man let go of Ashley and threw her over towards Spencer . Spencer caught her in her arms and quickly engulfed her in a tight hug. "Hey, girlie, your wallet and watch too. Come on!" Ashley sniffled but then quickly reached into her pockets for her wallet and took off her watch. She walked over to the pile and placed the stuff on top as Spencer watched the scene warily.
The man grinned evilly and suddenly brought his gun level with Ashley's chest. Ashley's eyes widened in surprise and the next few moments seem to happen in slow motion. Suddenly out of the corner of her eye she saw Spencer run towards the man and tackle him to the ground. The two rolled around on the ground for a few moments before a loud gunshot pierced the air. Ashley held her breath and couldn't seem to move as she watched the two figures in rapt attention. The man started wriggling and pushed Spencer s still form off his body. He backed away on his hands and stared at Spencer's body in shock. "I…didn't…I wasn't…" He stumbled over his words before he stood up and ran away into the night.
Ashley's paralysis suddenly lifted and she ran to the prone form. She kneeled down and took Spencer's suddenly cold hand in her own. "Spencer ?" she whispered.
Spencer's eyes fluttered and finally opened. "Ashley? Are you ok?"
Tears started falling down Ashley's face as she tightened her hold on Spencer's hand. "I'm fine baby. How about you are you ok? Did you get shot?" Spencer groaned and her other hand moved to her stomach.Ashley's eyes followed the hand and gasped when she saw the bloodstain spreading across the shirt. "Oh my god!"
Footsteps could be heard as a couple ran towards the two girls. "Are you two ok?"
Ashley looked up at the couple and tried to keep an even head. "Could you please call an ambulance? My girlfriend has been shot." The couple nodded and ran off to find a phone.
"Ash…" Ashley turned down to Spencer and gently moved some hair from Spencer's face. "I'm so cold…"
Ashley tried to give a reassuring smile. "You're going to be just fine honey. That ambulance is going to be here in seconds and then we're going to get you fixed up and then we're going to take that gondola ride that you promised me."
Spencer tried to smile but soon her body was racked with coughs and Ashley watched in horror as a thin line of blood trickled its way down the blonde's cheek. "No…this can't be happening. Spencer you're going to just fine. Come on Spence."
"It's going to be ok Ashley . I just want you to remember that I love you and I will always love you."
Ashley started sobbing uncontrollably. "Don't talk like that. You will be fine." Ashley could hear the sirens of the ambulance. "See…they're here. You're going to be ok."
Ashley sat in the waiting room of the hospital with her head in her hands. She had managed to call home to Spencer's parents to tell them what had happened and they were now trying to find a flight over.
"Signorina?" Ashley looked up to see a doctor standing in front of her. He looked down at his clipboard. "You came in with Spencer Carlin?"
"Yes, is she ok? Can I see her?"
"I'm sorry signorina. You might want to sit down for this."
"No, I've been waiting for hours. What's going on?" Ashley panicked and a million thoughts rushed through her head.
"The bullet punctured some major organs. The damage was bad but we fixed what we could. Now all we can do is wait."
Ashley fell back down into her seat and let the tears come. "Signorina…would you like to go see her?"
Ashley nodded silently and the doctor escorted her to the room.
As she walked in she saw her girlfriend looking pale and small. Tubes were everywhere and Ashley choked on a sob.
Spencer heard something and opened her eyes and smiled softly. "Hey you."
Ashley allowed a small smile and moved to sit by Spencer's bedside and took her hand in her own. Spencer gave a gentle squeeze and took a deep shuddering breath. "Ashley I want you to listen to me."
Ashley looked up at Spencer and gazed into the deep blue eyes. "Ashley I want you to keep living. Don't give up on life." Ashley opened her mouth to speak but Spencer put a finger to her lips to silence her. " I know things are bad and just in case I want to tell you that I will always be with you and I will always love you. Now promise me, promise me that you will keep on living."
Ashley reached around the numerous tubes and gave Spencer the tightest hug she thought the weaker girl could handle. She lay her head down on Spencer 's chest. "I will always love you too. I want you to stop talking like that because you will be fine."
Spencer gently stroked Ashley's hair and tried to be as comforting as possible. Ashley looked up and lost herself in the blue depths. She leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on Spencer's lips and whispered, "I love you."
When Ashley pulled back Spencer smiled gently. "I love you too…forever. I'm tired baby, I'm just going to rest my eyes for a little bit."
Ashley nodded and stroked Spencer's golden locks. "Sleep my love. I'll be here when you wake up."
Spencer's eyes closed slowly and her breathing grew shallow. Ashley watched for an hour before she drifted off to sleep also.
Spencer's eyes fluttered open a little after Ashley had fallen asleep. She looked to her side and saw Ashley sitting there peacefully. She smiled and took her last breath and her eyes closed.
Ashley stirred when she heard a noise and sat up straight when the sound registered as a loud beeping. She moved to Spencer's bed and grabbed her hand but it was too late. The loud noise of the flat line assaulted Ashley's ears and she sunk down to the ground as sobs racked her body.
The hospital staff all stopped as they heard a heart-wrenching cry ring through the halls. It was a cry of desperation, sadness, and lost love and all who were present felt their hearts breaking for the owner.