A/N: Wow…yeah…so, I'm sorry it's been so very long. I can promise you I am a writing mood right now, so I'm hoping to move this along here. I have been buried by life lately, but I'm still in the game. So thanks for not counting me out.

This chapter is for Brookie…you know…since she has a "literary crush" on me. Thanks for crushing, Brookie, it makes me smile.

Disclaimer: see chapters 1-26.

Chapter 28

49 hours.

2,940 minutes.

176,400 seconds.

Ashley sat out on the balcony of her home tracking the time that had gone by since she had seen and talked to Spencer last.

I should just call her, she thought.

She wasn't mad, or upset, or hurting…she really had no viable excuse as to why she hadn't talked to her girlfriend. She just couldn't bring herself to pick up the phone.

When she left the doctor's house two nights before she had done what she said she would and had sent Spencer a text when she got home…but she had failed to keep her word on the second part: calling her the next day.

And she had no good reason as to why.

Ashley pulled herself up from her chair and walked toward the railing, placing both hands around the cool bars and pulling herself forward. She stood staring out over the city lights wondering what the blonde was doing, but still couldn't make herself call. It was starting to bug her that she couldn't just pick up the phone.

As she mentally scolded herself for being so juvenile her phone buzzed on the table behind her, signaling she had a new text message.

Grabbing the phone and flipping it open she read the message over and over again.

I guess you really do need space. Call whenever.

She had hurt her. By not keeping her word to call, she had hurt Spencer and that was the last thing she had really intended to do.

"Damnit," Ashley fumed at herself

She quickly typed in a response to send.

I have been thinking about you all evening. I wish I knew why I haven't called.

She hit send then flopped back down in her favorite chair and waited.

I wish I knew why as well. Space hurts, Ash, but I will give it to you. I hope to talk to you soon.

She read the message for the third time and then sat the phone back down on the table next to her. Spencer's message was clear, that she was backing away and throwing her hands up until Ashley made the next move. She had no response, nor was one expected of her. The brunette didn't want to jump head first, but she just knew that space wasn't exactly what she wanted either.

"I love you," the brunette whispered into the cool night, before pulling a cover over herself and drifting to sleep.

Ashley was startled awake by a horn blaring on the street below. She stood and stretched, then pulled the blanket tightly around her sore body before heading inside.

Flipping on the coffee pot, she headed toward the shower, in desperate need of the warm water to loosen up the stiff body she got from sleeping outside in the cool weather.

When Ashley stepped in the shower she opened her mouth to sing, as usual, but nothing came out this time. She attempted to clear her throat, but got the exact same result.

Great, she thought, just what I need, a raging case of laryngitis.

After the brunette finished her shower and dried off, she clothed herself in the most comfortable sweats and headed for the kitchen.

She turned off the coffee pot, electing for tea instead, and then padded across the wood floor to her couch.

Snuggling into the corner, she flipped on the television and opened her laptop to check her e-mail.

She quickly typed an e-mail to her group counselor and told her she wouldn't be there tonight because she had no voice. She also mentioned the situation with Spencer and asked her opinion on things…hoping to get help putting things into perspective.

She signed into her IM to see if Kyla was on and saw she had an away message up.

Busy as sh*t today, so don't bug me unless your reason's good…m'kay?!

Ashley laughed to herself and was going to send a sarcastic response when the chime signaled that someone had just logged on. Looking at her friends list, she noticed it was her favorite blonde.

I wonder if I should say anything, Ashley pondered.

"Better now than never," the brunette whispered.

Ash-a-licious:hey you

Doc-is-in: hi

Ash-a-licious: listen, i'm sorry bout last night. it was rude not to call you.

Doc-is-in: yeah it was, but you said you needed space so i have no right to be upset

Ash-a-licious: it doesn't make it okay for me to be rude tho. i'm sorry

Doc-is-in: no worries…would you want to meet me for lunch?

Ashley paused for a moment, wishing she really could meet Spencer for lunch…but she knew she just couldn't get out today.

Doc-is-in: your silence screams no…so that's ok

Ash-a-licious: no, no…i was lost in thought. umm, you're right tho, i can't today

Doc-is-in: ok

Ash-a-licious: i wish i could, but i woke up sick. no voice above a whisper

Doc-is-in: are you ok??

Ash-a-licious: i'll be fine…i just slept outside last night, so i have some rust on the pipes.

Doc-is-in: drink some warm tea and rest today

Ash-a-licious: yes ma'am

The conversation paused as Ashley smiled at Spencer's loving nature, even when things were strained. She wanted nothing more than to be in her girlfriend's arms at that very moment.

Ash-a-licious: i miss you

Doc-is-in: i miss you

Doc-is-in: is there anything you need?

Ash-a-licious: just you

Doc-is-in: i'm here

Ash-a-licious: i really am sorry…i hope we can see each other soon

Doc-is-in: we will

Doc-is-in: i have to run. my appt is here. rest well

Ash-a-licious: thanks…i love you

Doc-is-in: you better!

Ashley smiled at the screen and was just about to log-off when the little text box popped up again.

Doc-is-in: i love you too signed off

Ashley shut her computer and settled back down into the comfort of her couch and was asleep within minutes.

Spencer packed up her bag and looked at the clock on the wall in her office.

11:13 am.

She grinned to herself before heading out the door.

"Piper, I will be gone for the rest of the day. Will you tell dad to swing by and pick up Katelyn from daycare and I will get her from his house?"

"Sure Spencer, I'll let him know."

"Thanks. If there's any issue, tell him to call my cell and I'll arrange to pick her up."

"Will do…do you need me to cancel any appointments today?"

"Nope," the blonde threw out over her shoulder as she headed for the door, "I already took care of everything. Have a good day."

The blonde was soon in her car and headed for the diner down the block.

After another quick stop at home, Spencer finally pulled up in front of Ashley's loft, parking in her usual spot. She grabbed the bag in the front seat and quickly locked up her car, heading inside the building and up the elevator to Ashley's floor.

She rapped lightly on the door and when she got no response she used the key she had been given weeks prior.

She found the brunette huddled in the corner of her couch like a small child, covered by a blanket and sleeping peacefully. Spencer couldn't help but grin at the helpless looking girl.

She placed her things on the table and crawled behind Ashley on the couch, wrapping her arms around the brunette, placing a soft kiss to the back of her neck.

Spencer could feel the girl sigh and relax in her arms, so she elected not to move for a little while…allowing Ashley to rest comfortably.

Ashley began to stir when she realized she wasn't alone on the couch. Her body grew stiff as she slowly turned her head to find a sleeping blonde behind her, allowing her to relax.

She smiled, reaching out and running her fingers through blonde locks, effectively waking the girl she had missed so much.

"Hey, how are you feeling," Spencer asked.

The brunette nodded with a slight grin before whispering "better."

Ashley moved to get up, but Spencer grabbed a hold of her wrist and pulled her back down on the couch.

"Stay here. I brought you some vegetable soup from the diner. I'll heat it up for you," she responded, while making her move off the couch.

Ashley just smiled and mouthed a thank you to the girl in front of her.

Spencer leaned down close to her, running a hand across the brunette's cheek before capturing her lips in a soft kiss.

As the blonde pulled back, Ashley reached forward and pulled her back down onto her lap…a look of hunger in her eyes.

Spencer laughed and tried to stand back up, but was held firmly in place.

"You need to eat, Ash."

The brunette wiggled her eyebrows with a smirk, earning a soft slap to the arm.

"Quit. You need your rest to get well."

Ashley pushed her lower lip out as dramatically as she could and delivered an oscar-worthy pout to the girl she loved.

Spencer secured that lip between her teeth, pulling the brunette into another searing kiss, before releasing her lip with an audible pop.

"Now put that pout away. I'm going to fix your soup," she replied, standing from Ashley's lap and heading into the kitchen.

Ashley made her way to the bar just as Spencer slid a bowl over in front of her.

"Where's K-bug," the brunette whispered.

"Dad is picking her up from school. I'm going to go get her from his house in just a little while."

Ashley nodded in understanding as she ate her soup.

It wasn't long before she sat full and finished, running her fingers over the arm of the blonde sitting next to her.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome…but stop trying to talk. Just rest your voice so it will heal."

Ashley smiled and winked before getting up and leading the blonde back over to her sectional, pulling the doctor down beside her when she got there.

Snuggling into the brunette, Spencer sighed in relaxation.

"I've missed being so close to you," she admitted, receiving a nod from the brunette next to her.

"I wish we could stay like this forever. Just peaceful and calm," Spencer confessed, as she traced the stomach of the girl she loved.

As if right on queue, Kyla came busting through the front door of the loft.

"Ashley," she yelled.

Ashley stuck her middle finger in the air so her sister could see where she was then draped her arm back over the blonde's mid-section.

"What the hell, beyotch," Kyla spouted off as she walked toward the couch, "I've been trying to call you all…ohhh…hey Spencer."

"Hi, Kyla."

"I didn't know you were here."

"That's okay, we're just relaxing."

"Cool," Kyla acknowledged before turning to her mute sister, "Why aren't you speaking to me Helen Keller?"

Ashley flipped her sister off again before Spencer cut in and explained.

"She's got laryngitis from sleeping out on the balcony."

Kyla busted out laughing, falling down into the chair across from her two favorite girls.

"What's wrong with you that would make you think you would actually want to sleep outside, Ash? You have a warm bed right through that doorway over there," Kyla teased.

"Fuck off," the rock star whispered.

Spencer giggled at the girls exchange and nestled herself closer to Ashley's side.

"Where's Katelyn," Kyla questioned.

"Dad is picking her up," Spencer responded, glancing down at her watch. "I'm going to leave here shortly and go pick her up from his place."

"Do you want me to go get her from your dad's house, Spence? I wouldn't mind seeing the little rug rat."

Spencer thought for a moment then decided that Katelyn would probably be excited to see Kyla as well.

"Sure, if you're sure you want to."

"Absolutely! I can just take her back to your place and then you can just come on home whenever you're done here with the attention whore."

Ashley flashed an evil smile at her sister and opened her mouth to speak before Kyla cut her off.

"Fuck you, yeah I know. Whatever," she joked.

Spencer just smiled at their banter and eventually began running her fingers up and down Ashley's arm.

"Okay then. I'm gonna run home and change and then I'll head over to your dad's. If I get there in time, I'm sure he'll have something awesome waiting on the stove. Sweet," Kyla spoke, more to herself than anyone else.

The small brunette got up from her chair and placed a kiss to both girls' foreheads before grabbing her purse and heading for the front door.

"I'll see you in a little while Spencer. Bye Ash."

The two couch dwellers waved over their heads but never made a sound as the front door clicked shut.

"Kiss me," Ashley whispered out of nowhere.

Spencer craned her neck to look at the brunette before placing a warm kiss to waiting lips.

"Better," the blonde asked when she pulled away.

Ashley nodded with a smile and continued to run her hands under Spencer's shirt over the blonde's back.

"That feels really good, Ash…but you may need to stop. You know what that does to me," Spencer confessed as she pulled the brunette even closer.

Ashley smiled and leaned down to kiss the girl she loved so much…allowing her hands to continue to wander the soft skin under her fingertips.

Spencer pulled away breathless, and moved to straddle the brunette.

"You need to rest," she sighed.

Ashley didn't move and said even less.

"I know you have to be tired…and I know it's just laryngitis, but you should still rest," she continued to ramble.

Ashley ran her hands up the blonde's arms and then down her sides to come to rest on lithe hips, squeezing slightly to bring blue eyes to her own.

"Make love to me," she whispered.

Spencer's eyes closed instantly at the raw sound of Ashley's voice, feeling cold chills run down her spine.

"I miss us," Ashley continued.

"Me too," the blonde confessed, "but are you sure…I mean…"

Ashley nodded her affirmation as she allowed her hands to wander up the back of the girl she wanted so badly.

"But…"

The rock star shook her head no and pulled the blonde's hips down into her body.

"No 'buts,'" she whispered as Spencer moaned lightly at the friction between their bodies.

The blonde slid down a little and lay completely covering her silent girlfriend, instantly pressing her lips to Ashley's.

"Mmm, I've missed this so much," Spencer confessed.

"Then make love to me," Ashley all but begged.

Spencer sat up and reached over turning the lamp off by the couch and immediately removed her shirt, tossing it somewhere over the side of the sofa.

"Always," she quietly responded, resuming her place on top of her girlfriend.