I know you all must hate me, but i'm okay with that because i've been gettin' busy with my new girlfriend. It's a green Kawasaki that does 0-60 in about 4 seconds, but don't be jealous because i didn't forget about all of you (for too long). I'm back now though and with quite a hefty chapter to make up for the fact that i left you all stranded and some of you wondering if i died. Unfortunately i am still alive, as is my editor (though she was drunk when she corrected this chapter so don't be surprised if you find an extra 's' somewhere). Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day.

"Are you sure you'll be alright by yourself?"

"Dad, I'm nineteen years old, I know how to cook, drive and shower. I think I'll make it." Spencer said sarcastically.

"Okay, okay. What time will be Ashley will be here?"

"Who told?" Spencer asked placing a hand on her hip.

"Oops, umm…no one?" Her father replied sheepishly.

"Four o'clock." Spencer sighed.

"Good, I didn't want you to be bored, or alone. Does she know kung fu, just incase?" Arthur kidded.

"I'll be fine dad, now will you please just go so I can get this party started?" Spencer asked, shuffling her farther towards to the front door.

"Alright, but behave and have the kegger picked up before I get home okay?" He leaned down to give Spencer a peck on the cheek. "I love you, and call me if you need anything."

"I will, I promise and I love you too." She said giving him a quick hug.

"Bye." Arthur said, making his way out the front door.

A few minutes passed before Spencer felt sure her father was gone. "Free at last!" She hollered, leaning her back against the closed door. I have four hours, plenty of time. She thought sprinting up to her bedroom immediately stripping down to her black boy shorts underwear, white wife beater and ankle socks.

At the bottom of the stairs she ran across the hardwood floors, sliding her way into the living room. "If only they knew." She laughed to herself, scooping up the plastic guitar, throwing the strap around her neck. "Are you ready to rock Los Angeles!?" She yelled, turning on the power to Glen's Xbox.

The next few hours Spencer spent her time jumping around the living room, living out her guitar rock and roll fantasy's vicariously through some of her favorite artists. She sang along to Guns N' Roses "Welcome to the Jungle" while making a daring leap from the recliner to the couch, all the while running her fingers across the colored frets. As the song ended Spencer flopped backwards onto the couch out of breath, and smiled. Oh to be young and foolish. She thought still full of energy. Sitting up she scrolled through the song list before stopping on "Don't hold back" by The Sleeping, her favorite. I've got to play the encore.

Ending her solo rock show by standing on the arm of the couch, both hands in the air Spencer nearly toppled over when she heard clapping coming from behind her. Startled she turned to see Ashley leaned up against the frame of the doorway, donning sunglasses Spencer was sure she had seen on an episode of "Saved by the Bell."

"You're good on that thing." Ashley smiled, pointing to the guitar that was still wrapped around Spencer's neck.

"Oh god." Spencer said slowly stepping down from the arm of the couch to the floor. "Oh god, oh god, oh god." She placed both of her hands over her face, trying to hide the tomato she was turning into.

Trying to hold in her laughter, Ashley just continued to stand there with a pleased look on her face. "Don't stop on the account of my being here, please." She teased.

"You're not real; this is just all a bad dream a very, very bad dream." Spencer mumbled through her hands.

"I'm flattered that you dream about me, but you're acting more like it's a nightmare."

"It is!" She exasperated, throwing her hands down to her sides. "Why didn't you knock?"

"Oh I did, for a couple of minutes. When I heard the music I figured you were just…well not doing what you were doing, but your show was so good I couldn't help but watch."

"Thanks." Spencer said looking down at her sock clad feet causing her to remember what she had on. "Oh no!" She shot a glance up at Ashley, trying to move the guitar to cover up her near naked legs.

"You just remembered didn't you?" Ashley asked a bit worried.

Nodding her head, Spencer stood for a second trying to figure out how she was going to get to her bedroom without putting on another peep show.

"Tell you what, I'm just going to go back outside, give you a few minutes and we'll start over." She said, pushing off the door frame making her way out the front door.

When Spencer heard the door click, she threw the guitar from her shoulder and sprinted up the stairs. Rummaging through her drawers, she grabbed her ash grey sweats, pulling them over her legs, while hopping down the stairs.

A knock came at the front door right as the elastic band had settled around Spencer's hips. Smoothing her hair and shaking her hands briefly to calm her self, she took a deep breath, reaching out and opened the front door. Immediately Spencer's hand dropped from the door knob, followed shortly by her chin, which nearly hit the ground.

"Close your mouth Carlin, you might catch a fly." Ashley said as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

Closing her mouth with a loud chomp, Spencer struggled to form words. "W…wh…what are you doing?" She squeaked out.

Ashley smiled faintly, "Are you talking about this?" She asked, pointing to the maroon shirt that was no longer on her body, but in her hand being twirled around by her side.

Only able to trust her movements, Spencer vigorously nodded yes.

"I thought it was only fair that if I got to see you in your underwear that you got to see me in mine." She stated simply, slowing the shirts motion to a stop holding it loosely at her side. "Although, I don't think the neighbors got to see your little performance so I think you're getting the better end of the deal." Ashley said, nodding her head in the direction of the next door neighbor's house.

"Oh god." Spencer said snapping out of the trance she was put in by seeing a half naked girl in a navy blue bra standing at her door step. "Get in here." She demanded, stepping aside to allow the brunette plenty of room for passage.

"Certainly, where do you want me?" Ashley asked with a raised eyebrow.

"First, put your shirt on." Spencer said with a vital plea in her voice. For my sake and yours. "Second, you saw me in my underwear, not my bra!"

"I thought about that, but I decided because I don't actually have any underwear on, the safer more legal option would be taking my shirt off and not my pants."

"You are a piece of work, you know that?" Spencer said with an appreciative smile on her face.

"I get that a lot." Ashley said through her t-shirt as it came over her head, covering her torso back up. "We're even then?"

"If I remember correctly, there was a certain Halloween party incident, so I think you are one up on me." Spencer said with a small laugh.

"Ah, but you don't remember correctly because being the gentlewoman that I am, I politely turned away as you willingly stripped your clothes for me." Ashley said, making her way past Spencer with a light pat on her shoulder. "Good try though." She said making her way into the living room. "So what are you planning to do with me?"

I could think of a few things. "Watch some movies." Spencer said, trying to hide the blush that threatened to show it's self, making her way quickly past Ashley to the shelf of DVD's.

"I could definitely use a day of zoning out in front of the TV, maybe with some popcorn?" Ashley asked hopefully.

"I can serve you up some popcorn." Spencer said as she ran her finger along the alphabetized movie titles.

"Awesome." Ashley said removing her sunglasses as she made her way over to where Spencer stood. "What'd you decide on?"

"I was hoping for some 80's classics. Do you like The Goonies?" Spencer asked, pulling it from the shelf.

"Goonies never say die." Ashley said, proud for having remembered the notorious line.

Turning around, movie in hand, Spencer opened her mouth to comment, but froze in her tracks as Ashley's golden brown orbs stared deep into her icy blue eyes. A wave of heat washed over her body causing the movie to drop, hitting the carpet with a soft thud.

"Spencer, are you alright?" Ashley asked with concerned furrowed eyebrows.

Unable to focus, Spencer didn't respond. Her face began to pale, her head grew light, and in an attempt to stabilize her shaky legs, she reached out for Ashley's shoulder to brace herself.

Stepping into Spencer's body, Ashley wrapped her arm around the blonde's waste just as her legs crumpled from beneath her. Using her other arm Ashley pulled the blonde against her to keep her from falling. "Spencer? Spencer!? Come on…" Ashley pleaded pulling Spencer toward the couch, laying her back gently. What is going on?

Opening her eyes, Spencer awoke frazzled. Placing both of her hands in her hair she tried to focus her dazed mind as she glanced around the darkened room. Oi, what happened? Realizing she was lying on the living room sofa. Ashley! She thought, quickly trying to sit up, but incapable of moving her legs. Unable to focus her stare in the dark, she reached behind her head clicking on the side table lamp to reveal the source of the problem.

Sitting on the floor tightly pressed against the foot of the couch, with her arm thrown protectively over the blonde's upper thighs, Ashley sat with her head cocked sideways against the edge of the sofa cushion sound asleep. Curled up at Ashley's feet Zelda lay resting her head in the brunette's lap, all four paws curled neatly underneath her soft white belly.

Unable to stop herself, Spencer smiled at the brunette and reached down to touch her arm. Stopping just inches before touching Ashley's tan skin, Spencer pulled her hand back as if it had been burned. She's not Riley, she thought bringing her hands up to rub the sleep from her eyes. She's just Ashley, a girl who happens to have the same golden brown eyes as Riley.

Watching Ashley sleep for a minute, Spencer shook her head in frustration as she slid her legs out carefully from underneath the brunette's arm and quietly padded her way into the kitchen. Just before entering the doorway, she glance back at the sleeping brunette briefly and closed her eyes. How did I not notice before!?

Sitting down on the stool, Spencer bellied up to the counter relaxing her neck letting her head rest on the cool tile. Maybe I should fake sick because what am I going to say if she asks what happened? "Sorry Ashley, you have the most gorgeous eyes I've ever seen and they just happen to remind me of my girlfriend." She thought slamming her fists down on the counter letting out a forceful groan.

"Spencer…?" Ashley's voice rang out softly. "Are you okay?" She asked slowly making her way across the cold kitchen tile.

Taking a deep breath, Spencer raised her head, but would not look Ashley in the face. "I'm fine." She said with a light laugh, standing up from the stool.

Narrowing her gaze, Ashley didn't miss the slight falter in Spencer as she rose from her seat. "No you're not. Why don't you go sit down and I'll make us some popcorn, after all you still owe me a movie."

"No." Spencer said sternly. "I can do it, you go sit down and I'll be out in a minute."

"Alright, if you're sure…" Ashley said, making no attempt to leave.

"Yes." Spencer replied quickly, cutting off Ashley's concern.

"Okay." Ashley said, shifting her weight from one foot to the other before turning and making her way back through the doorway.

That was smooth, why didn't I just ask her to leave and never come back? It probably would have had the same affect…idiot. Spencer thought as she grabbed a bag of popcorn tearing into it aggressively and tossing it in to the microwave.

When Spencer finally emerged from the kitchen she was surprised to see Ashley sitting on the couch quietly with the television on mute. Not sure what to say Spencer stood still, deep in thought as she stared at the back of Ashley's wavy brunette hair. Shake it off; I just need to act normal. Nothing has changed, she is still Ashley and we will still have fun together.

"I can smell you." Ashley said.

"You can what?" Spencer said raising her arm, giving it a quick sniff.

"The popcorn." Ashley turned and pointed to the bowl in Spencer's hand.

"It's movie theater style." Spencer said with a small grin. "You know what that means right?"

A smile slowly crept onto Ashley's face before she spoke. "Butter!" She said excitedly.

"That's right, so I brought napkins too." Spencer said holding up a stack of napkins two inches thick. "I'm sorry we don't have any moist towelettes, but if you want I'll run out to your glove box…"

"Oh, you're not even funny Spence. Just for that you are no longer permitted to use them."

"No. You wouldn't!? Would you!?" Spencer said as she sat the popcorn bowl down on the coffee table. "What will I ever do without your moist towelettes!?" Spencer said as she clutched her heart with her right hand.

"You joke now, but one day you'll be desperate for one and it will break my heart to leave you suffering in your own mess of…well whatever it is you get on yourself, but then I'll remind you of this day and how you brought it upon yourself." Ashley said shaking a knowing finger at Spencer before tossing a piece of popcorn into her mouth.

Shaking her head at Ashley's extravagant display over a moist towelette, Spencer couldn't help but smile. "Well I just hope you can forgive me one day." She said with sarcastic sincerity in her voice as she sat down on the opposite end of the couch.

"I might consider it if you can catch this piece of popcorn." Ashley said, waving the small white kernel back and forth.

"Okay, toss it here." Spencer said holding out her hand.

"Not in your hand. You have to catch it in your mouth."

Narrowing her eyes at the brunette, Spencer tried to focus her gaze on something other than the skeptical brown eyes that were staring at her questioningly. "You don't think I can." Spencer replied nearly shocked at the information she was receiving from the brunette's stare.

"I didn't say that." Ashley laughed.

"You didn't have to. Your eyes are telling me."

"They tend to give away all my secrets." Ashley said with lament in her voice.

"I don't mind." Spencer smiled softly.

"Good, now open up." Ashley demanded making a few fake pump throws with the popcorn still in hand.

"Alright, but you better not hit me in the…" Spencer began to say just as the piece of white fluff flew into her forehead, bouncing off and onto the couch. "You did not just throw that at me!" Spencer laughed.

"You're right, I didn't. I threw it to you and you missed." Ashley said disappointed.

"I didn't miss, that was an awful throw. Try again." Spencer said as she rotated fully to face Ashley mouth wide open.

Nearly an hour and two bowls of popcorn later the girls' laughter had subsided. Having had trouble throwing so far, each girl had moved closer to the center of the couch until both cross legged knees were touching one another. Now sitting close, surrounded by a snowfall of popcorn, they both giggled at their antics.

"I can't believe out of hundreds of kernels, you only caught twelve." Ashley said still tickled over how many times Spencer got hit in the forehead with flying popcorn.

"Me!? You only caught four!" Spencer laughed pointing an accusatory finger at the brunette.

"Hey, this wasn't my game to be playing. I was merely letting you chuck some at me to see that my job as the thrower wasn't all rainbows and sunshine. It takes some serious skill." Ashley said righteously.

"Oh yeah right and when I'm in the Olympics for my stair running, you'll be following close behind with the gold medal for best popcorn thrower."

"You really think I'm a gold medalist popcorn thrower?" Ashley said touchingly. "I would like to thank Spencer Carlin for always being my backbone and helping me through the rough days of practice. Without her I wouldn't be the star I am today." Ashley said as she wiped away her nonexistent tears.

"You're so full of yourself." Spencer laughed, picking up a handful of popcorn and tossing it at the brunettes head.

Immediately dropping the playful look of gratitude, Ashley's facial expression changed to that of a warrior. "You did not just throw popcorn at my freshly groomed hair."

"I didn't know you went to the groomers, do you think they are accepting new clients because Zelda really needs a make over."

Fluffing her hair playfully Ashley gawked at Spencer's remark. "No animals allowed, so you'd have to stay outside while she went in."

Crossing her arms over her chest, Spencer's comeback was sticking her tongue out at the brunette and glare at her edgily.

"Careful Spence, a girl like me could take that gesture to mean something it doesn't." Ashley said with a wink.

Unable to stop herself, Spencer laughed. "You're so…"

"Pretty?"

"You just…"

"Have great hair?"

"No. You're just so…"

"Impossibly irritating in the most adorable way?"

Slouching her shoulders Spencer nodded. "Unfortunately, yes."

"Fortunately for me, you said yes." Ashley said with a sly smile.

Rolling her eyes Spencer picked up another mound of popcorn and quickly tossed it in the smug brunette's face.

Picking a kernel from her hair, Ashley began to speak in a slow monotone voice. "Spencer…" She said as she brushed pieces of popcorn from her lap. "Do you really think…" Before she finished her sentence she lunged forward with a handful of popcorn, tackling the blonde back onto the couch. "Never let your guard down." Ashley laughed as she mashed popcorn kernels into the blonde's hair.

Swatting at Ashley, Spencer tried with all of her might to stop the brunette from rubbing buttery popcorn into her hair, but realized quickly she was on the losing end of the battle and did the only thing she knew how to do. "Please stop Ashley, you're hurting me!" She pleaded.

At the sharp sound of Spencer saying stop, Ashley quickly raised up off the blonde with concerned eyes. "Shoot, are you alright?" She asked checking over the blonde for any damage.

Swooning over the intense way Ashley was looking at her, Spencer nearly forgot what all the fuss was about. "Yeah, I think I'll be alright. It's my shoulder though…" She said wincing as she touched it lightly.

"What about it!? Do we need to go to the hospital!?" Ashley nearly shouted.

"No I think I just need to…" Spencer began to say before making one quick swift movement throwing them both onto the floor. "Remind you to never let your guard down." Spencer laughed hysterically at the brunette that had landed beneath her and broken her own fall.

"You little devil." Ashley said with a small laugh.

"I'm an angel remember?" Spencer smiled sweetly.

Ashley shocked and amazed look remained on her face as she dropped her hands above her head in defeat. "You had me going."

Gripping Ashley's wrist and pinning her to the floor, Spencer leaned in close. "Careful, a girl like me could take that comment to mean something it doesn't."

Squirming slightly under the blondes weight Ashley swallowed hard trying to regain her composure. "I'm beginning to think you like this position." She said in a shaky voice.

"Don't flatter yourself." Spencer said tightening her hold on Ashley's wrists. What am I doing? I might as well just do her right now and get it over with, Christ!

Regaining some of her composure Ashley grinned. "I mean, I don't mind. I like a lady who's in control, just so long as she can relinquish it sometimes."

Gazing down into Ashley's brown eyes, Spencer realized they were quickly turning smoky. She isn't…I mean…that can't be right. She thought as she lay unmoving on top of the brunette's heated body.

Ashley's voice cracked as she spoke. "Spence…?"

Knowing her breathing had begun to sound labored; Spencer spoke just above a whisper. "Yeah?"