Happy Saturday! So...I have some bad news and some good news. The bad news is... I'm such a lagger, I know! But, the good news is... it's because I skipped ahead and wrote half of chapter 30 before 29, which means the next chapter will post (hopefully) a lot sooner than usual! Chapter 30 has a lot going on. So I haven't decided whether it'll be the last chapter or the second to the last chapter. We shall see! :)
I cannot thank you all enough for reading/reviewing! All your comments make me giggle like a little girl at times... or at least smile big. Seriously, I'm very flattered! Oh.. and sorry to those who've actually cried reading this fic hehehe... I actually kinda feel bad. Eaglesenior, thanks for the motivation! Props to people who sacrifice hours of sleep to read the entire thing in one sitting, esp. River.R and BrownEyez. Thank you everyone! You're all the reason I stay dedicated to writing this. I'm actually sad it's coming to an end and I guess I'm partly prolonging it haha... so without further ado, enjoy! 10.25.08
Disclaimer: I don't own South of Nowhere or the characters.
Spencer walked down the hallway with its light mocha-shaded walls, noticing yellow Police Line: Do Not Cross tape zigzagged across the second to the last dark brown door. She pulled the tape down as she turned the key, briefly looking at the white piece of paper taped to her door. Kennedy reached up from behind the blonde and pulled it down, reading it carefully.
"Looks like the landlord signed this search warrant." She followed Spencer into the dark, musty apartment.
"I almost forgot my apartment was a crime scene." She placed her purse and keys on the countertop. "It's been so long."
"It has." Kennedy flipped the light switch in the kitchen and living room before rolling Spencer's luggage inside and shutting the front door. The blonde's heels scuffed the hardwood floor as she leapt over broken glass in the hallway.
"I also forgot how trashed it was." Spencer reached for the broom and dustpan in the adjacent coat closet.
"I'll take care of that." Kennedy carefully eased her way over the shattered mess, noticing some pieces of glass larger than others.
"Thanks Ken." She handed the items to the brunette before squeezing her way around towards the kitchen. Spencer sighed heavily, happy to be in familiar territory, yet still struggling to move forward with her life. She reached in the pantry for her favorite grinds. It was the Christmas blend she saved only for moments in dire need of a strong, refreshing cup of coffee. "I'm putting on some coffee. Did you want a cup?" The blonde asked over her shoulder.
"Sure." Kennedy shuttled shards of glass into the trash bin, causing them to collide and clatter into smaller pieces. She also swept up debris from aimless gunshot holes spread across the walls. Once everything had been cleared, the brunette returned the cleaning supplies, feeling slightly concerned about the disfigured walls. "I'm going to check the place for more damages. Bullets might've struck a pipe or something."
"You're always such a big help." Spencer smiled subtly, waiting patiently as the coffee brewed. After awhile, she heard some clatter coming from the bedroom.
"Just gonna toss your broken lamp in here." Kennedy yelled from the bedroom. She walked across the way to the office and continued her inspection, briefly scanning the walls and floors for more wreckage. "Luckily," the brunette walked out with pieces of the small lamp that once displayed its simplicity from the nightstand, "there are no gas or water leaks." The pieces clanked with the broken glass in the trash bin.
"That's definitely good news." Spencer responded somewhat less enthused. Kennedy could tell there were just way too many things flowing through her mind. She quietly observed the blonde pour a cup of coffee, drizzle a bit of Half & Half, and stir two teaspoonfuls of brown sugar into the hot concoction. The brunette smiled quietly, feeling comfortable in the presence of the one woman who ever understood her. "Here." Spencer carefully placed the mug in front of Kennedy.
"Thanks." She briefly smiled before slowly sipping its contents. "You know me too well." Kennedy waited for some type of response, but Spencer remained silent as she forced all her concentration into blowing currents against the steam rising from her mug. Kennedy took another hearty sip before deciding to leave her be. "Well, Spence," she clasped her hands together, "thanks so much for the coffee. But I better head on out."
"You're leaving already?" She snapped out of her trance.
"Yeah." Kennedy ran her fingers over her brown strands. "I don't want to keep Detective Trask waiting in the car too long. I'm sure he's got plenty to do besides escort both of us back home."
"Where are you going?"
"Back to Ben's place. I'm still living with him 'til I find a moment to actually go apartment hunting."
"Wait." Spencer placed her mug down and reached in her purse. She pulled out a handful of keys, some which fell to the floor. "Take this." Spencer sorted through the glob of keys and key rings before finding the spare.
"The apartment key?" Kennedy asked, hesitantly accepting. The blonde nodded. "Are you sure?"
"Come and go as you please. I'm sure you need a place that's a little homier anyway. You're not going to find that with your cousin, his wife, and their five children." She chuckled. "Also, it'd be nice to have some company from time to time, especially with all the things that have happened."
"Thanks." She grasped the key in her hand before bending down to pick up the ones that fell. "I never took you for a locksmith." The brunette handed them over with a smirk. Spencer forced a smile, realizing what set of keys were in her hands. She shuddered at the thought of Ashley's death playing again in her head. The blonde quickly threw the keys in her purse and turned away, gripping the edge of the countertop as she tried to free her mind from that painful memory.
"Spence?" Kennedy noticed the change in her demeanor. "What is it?"
"I have some unfinished business."
"Unfinished bus—"
"In Greece." The blonde turned abruptly.
"Greece?" Kennedy raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "What's in Greece?"
"I need to liquidate some assets." The brunette stood there, taking a moment as she processed the meaning of Spencer's words.
"You mean Ash—"
"No! Don't say it." The blonde held a finger up, taking a deep breath. "Luke gave me some property of hers in Greece. I need to get rid of it. I have no interest in keeping it."
"So you're going to Greece?" She asked skeptically. Spencer nodded sternly. "When?"
"Immediately."
"Spence," Kennedy slowly approached the somewhat flustered blonde, "you can't go, especially at a time like this. Detective Trask told us to lay low and minimize travel. It's hard enough having to check in with them twice a day and have an escort take us from place to place." She placed her hands on Spencer's shoulders.
"Yeah, but—"
"We've got a big case coming up. We need to stay safe and get through this together. You can worry about foreign property later."
"I can't." Spencer shook her head, breaking out of Kennedy's grip. "I can't move on with my life if I don't let go first. I just want to let it all go. You can't imagine how painful this is for me."
"I do understand how hard this is, and believe me, I want to be there with you. But with all the work that has piled up for me these past four months and all the prep meetings we have to have with the FBI to formulate a solid case against the Red Sector, I just can't find the time right now to go with you." She casually placed her hands against her own hips. "I want to make sure you're okay through this."
"I'm not asking you to come with me."
"Don't be ridiculous. You've never been to Greece. What do you plan to do? Go alone?"
"No," she crossed her arms, "Luke will come with me." Kennedy sighed, forfeiting the argument.
"There's no convincing you otherwise, is there?"
"Nope." Spencer stood her ground.
"I guess we'll just agree to disagree." She turned towards the front door. "I'll… I'll talk to you later." Kennedy reached for the doorknob.
"Ken," Spencer approached the brunette as she froze in place with her hand around the knob, "I know you mean well. But, I know what I'm doing." Kennedy turned to face her.
"I hope so."
"Thanks for everything." Spencer rubbed the brunette's shoulder. "You've been extremely supportive, and that's exactly what I've needed."
"I just care too much about you. How could I not?" Kennedy smiled genuinely as Spencer reached out to hug her. The brunette sighed into those golden locks. "Just… be careful, alright?" The blonde slowly backed away to where Kennedy's face was within proximity. She took those moist lips into the plumpness of her own, and savored the comforting moment. The brunette did not resist the feel of such soft kisses. Just when she decided to press further into the kiss, Spencer jumped back.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean—" Her cheeks were flushed.
"I know." Kennedy nodded, composing herself.
"I just hope you don't misconstrue that as me wanting to get back—"
"I know." The brunette smiled. "It doesn't have to mean anything." She stuck her hand out. "Friends?"
"Friends." Spencer smiled, shaking her hand.
"One thing that won't change, Miss Carlin," Kennedy opened the door, "is the fact that I'll always be here for you." She walked out and into the hallway. "Take care of yourself."
"You too." The blonde waved and quietly shut the door.
Sunday night came the following day, after what seemed like an eternity of a weekend. Sunset fell much later and the days drew out longer, highlighting the mid-Spring season and hinting at an early prelude to summer. City lights sparkled against the backdrop of clear, colorful skies. It was a big change to Winter's darkness, at the time when the sun would shy away below the horizon and let rain clouds steal the stage.
Spencer sat quietly in the taxi, watching buildings and busy bodies whisk by. Lights flashed and flickered, nearly blinding and completely mesmerizing bystanders. She concluded that the big city's commotions were aimed at distracting people from the subtleties of everyday life and the things that mattered most. Everything moved faster and louder, never allowing for a merciful moment to just stop and catch your breath.
The cab came to an abrupt halt as the driver parked the car and stepped outside. She took one glance at the meter and sorted through the cash in her wallet. The driver opened the door and allowed the blonde to step out onto the sidewalk, away from the noisy traffic.
"Keep the change." She handed him the cash and marched up to familiar double doors. Spencer entered the bar that, on any regular weekday, would be filled with cheery regulars and a live band. But since it was a Sunday night, the working class was responsible enough to maintain their weekend excursions, never exceeding their limits and being sure to come home at a decent hour. The blonde briefly enjoyed the 80's mix playing from the video jukebox as she scanned the room, squinting against the red hue of the bar lights and velvet furniture. She spotted a familiar face and eased her way through a small crowd to get to the bar.
"Hey." She leaned across the countertop.
"Spencer." Lucas glanced up at the blonde, still focused on pouring a perfect pitcher of beer. "To what do I owe this pleasant surprise?" He seemed occupied and quite disinterested.
"I need to talk to you."
"About what?"
"I think you know." She stared at him as he paused a moment and acknowledged her sincerity.
"Give me a second." Lucas pushed the handle up as foam reached the brim of the pitcher. He walked to the other side of the bar and placed it in front of some customers before collecting their cash and closing their tab. "Follow me." He walked around the side and led Spencer to the backroom, quietly shutting the door behind her. "Now," Lucas walked to the velvet couch and sat at the edge of its cushions, leaning his forearms on his knees, "you wanna tell me what you're doing back in Manhattan?" Spencer stood in front of him as he pulled his cigarettes from his shirt pocket.
"Come with me to Greece." She crossed her arms as he lit a cigarette, briefly making eye contact.
"Is there a sign on the door that says Travel Agency?" Lucas responded sarcastically as he puffed his cigarette, placing the carton on the coffee table. Spencer shrugged in confusion, waiting for an explanation.
"Oh… it's just the last time I had a serious talk in this room, Ashley was telling me how she was going to Frisco to see you. And here you are, telling me you want to go to Greece. Interesting symmetry, isn't it?" He spread his arms over the back of the couch as the blonde nodded, not sure what to make of his comment. Lucas redirected the conversation as he noticed the discomfort in her hesitation. "So… Greece."
"Yup."
"I must admit I didn't expect to find you eager to go so soon." He looked to the smoke rising from the cigarette between his fingers before taking another drag. "What's your plan?"
"I'm getting rid of it."
"You're… what?" Lucas sat completely flabbergasted.
"I'm selling her property."
"Why?" He looked at her, finding only absurdity in her decision.
"What am I supposed to do with a house in Santorini, Luke?" Spencer paced a few steps. "Be realistic."
"She loved that place." He stood up. "Greece was her breath of fresh air. She would've wanted you to enjoy it… not sell it and try to rid your memory of her."
"You know that's not the reason." She hissed through her teeth while he briefly hid behind a cloud of cigarette smoke. "Besides," Spencer pursed her lips smugly, "you granted the property to me. That means I determine its future."
"Fine!" He blurted in a childish tone. "So what's it to me?"
"I bought two roundtrip tickets already." The blonde sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair. "We fly out to Greece tomorrow morning. Next week, we fly to France, and then back to JFK."
"We're going for the money?" Lucas asked skeptically.
"You come with me to Greece and I'll go with you to France. Do whatever you want with the money. I'll take care of the property."
"Not that I need it, but I'm sure I'll be a lot less careless with what I do with the money."
"Fine." Spencer shrugged carelessly.
"When do we leave?"
"9 PM. We land in Athens around 2 PM local time and will have to take a ferry to Santorini."
"Well, your timing couldn't be perfect." He smirked. "I finally got two weeks off from work." Lucas took one last puff. "It only took… what? Six months?"
"Better late than never." She smiled as he put the cigarette out. "So I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Tomorrow it is." He sighed as the blonde left the room and disappeared.
Days passed and it's yet another sunset. But unlike in the big cities, the sun could be seen at almost every hour of the day. Not a single skyscraper or gloomy cloud could block its light. That was the beauty of small cities located on islands and archipelagos, surrounded by what seemed like an infinite body of water. The sun displayed itself brightly, shining loudly against the deep blue Mediterranean Sea. The Aegean's clear and calming waters served as the perfect background to the vivid city of Fira, built upon the steep cliffs of the Santorini caldera and trademarked for its white walls, bright blue-painted domes, and quaint windmills.
"How much further?" Lucas whined, trying to find a more comfortable position on top of the slow-moving donkey as they traversed the hundreds of steps that ran across the cliffs.
"We're not too far." Spencer ignored his nagging restlessness, quietly admiring the colorful architecture of the various homes. It was a more subtle and scenic change from the bustling marketplace, which overflowed with people, produce, and fresh seafood.
"We could've taken one of those." He pointed at the moped parked against a residence.
"Luke," she scoffed, turning to look back at him, "you should embrace the traditional Greek city life." The blonde smiled, taking a deep breath. "It's not everyday you find yourself in such paradise."
"We are here." The local escort led the donkeys in front of a small blue wooden gate. Spencer was the first to jump off, shielding her eyes from the sun as she squinted at the arched entranceway, outlined in cobblestones. Lucas followed closely behind as she pushed the gate open and entered the tiny atrium sitting in front of the house. They glanced at the simple deck furniture and small potted plants sitting on the white wall's edge, gracing the scenic view of the water below.
"It's so beautiful." Spencer paused, nearly frozen in awe of the breath-taking landscape. Lucas nodded, grabbing the keys from her fingers and unlocking the door to the house. The local escort rolled their luggage into the patio as Lucas directed the blonde inside.
Ashley's house encompassed the epitome of Greek culture. She had a colorful array of furniture, ranging from pastel to saturated. Simple, dull colors subtly covered the stone walls, allowing mosaic tiles to create intricate designs across the way and over the kitchen countertops. There was no apparent separation between the living and dining room. It was a very basic, yet vibrant house. Spencer and Lucas continued further, reaching the narrow spiral staircase at the other end of the room. The hallway at the top of the steps extended only a few paces. The guest bedroom was located to the left, across from the single bathroom in the house. At the end of the hallway was the main bedroom, which was slightly larger than the guest room but unique for the vast patio space outside its double doors. The unobstructed view from the patio displayed that of Fira's city terraces hovering over the sea. Though it was a small, primitive house, the atmosphere it offered was priceless.
Spencer walked out onto the secluded second floor patio, standing by the deck set and lounge chairs just to gaze endlessly into the horizon where the water kissed the sky. A nice, subtle breeze flapped across her summer skirt and over her golden locks. She lost herself in the moment, nearly forgetting her reasons for coming.
"And to think," Lucas strutted onto the patio, "you're going to sell it." Spencer opened her eyes and allowed reality to pull her back down. "Do you see now why she loved it here?"
"It's a priceless, indescribable, and serene little panorama." She turned to face him. "But how long will it last until the emptiness takes over? If anything, being here… where Ashley once was… is more than a reminder that I need to let it all go." Lucas retreated from making any jeering comments.
"So how do you actually sell property around here?"
"I spoke to a local realtor. He's going to come by tomorrow with some paperwork."
"That simple, huh?"
"Far from it." She walked around him to get back inside.
"Hey," Lucas followed her downstairs, "I wanna head into town and pick up a few things, seeing as how the fridge and cupboards are practically bare. Wanna come with?"
"Uh," Spencer cupped her forehead, trying to find the words to respond, "I'm good here. You go on." She flicked her wrist outward, gesturing him to go on with his own itinerary.
"Are you sure?" He leaned so nonchalantly over the countertop. "I thought you wanted to embrace the traditional Greek city life." Lucas mocked.
"Shut up." She scoffed as she pulled in her luggage. "I'm pretty beat. Didn't really sleep a wink on the plane. I think I'm gonna crash."
"Alright." He turned and found a small wicker basket filled with keys. Lucas squinted, curiously grabbing them. "I wonder if these belong to that scooter thingy outside." He jingled the keys in the air.
"I think it's called a moped." Spencer tied her hair in a loose ponytail as he walked out the front door.
"Yeah, that!" He hollered from outside. Spencer followed and stood against the arched entrance, watching closely as Lucas inspected the green moped. He sat on it and fiddled with the keys for a bit, throwing his fists in the air once the engine hummed. "Yes! No more smelling like ass… pun intended!" He chortled, carefully maneuvering the vehicle with his legs.
"Be careful!" She waved, yelling over the sound of the exhaust. "And don't get lost!"
"Okay!" Lucas yelled over his shoulder, finally finding the balance to pull his feet up and ride down the quiet alley.
Spencer shut the blue gate, letting her smile fade as she began to sulk. Everything about this place was anything but paradise. It was at that moment that she realized she had answered her own question of how long it would take until the emptiness consumed her. It had already devoured her completely, unsympathetically leaving her in darkness with no glimmer of hope that she would recover from such melancholy depths. She marched to the kitchen, feeling callous and impervious to anything and anyone, and grabbed the necks of whatever liquor or wine bottles she could carry with one hand. The other hand listlessly dragged her luggage up the spiral steps and into the room of profound silence. Spencer plopped down at the corner of the bed across from the opened patio doors, and shoved the first half-filled bottle of Ouzo to her mouth. She briefly grimaced, before staring out into the vast sea and turning the bottle upside down once more. The blonde closed her eyes and gulped the bottle's contents, allowing her physical being to feel just as miserable as her wounded soul.
The rest of the afternoon consisted of a rollercoaster of hysterics. The blonde, in her drunken state, would curl into a twitching mess as she wailed and cried into the mattress. Moments later, she would stop and stare off again into the dimming horizon, sitting completely still on the cold floor with her legs crossed. Even later into the night, she breathed sporadically as she giggled at her grief and the nonsense that comprised her life. Spencer tried desperately to pick one emotion and run with it. But with conflicting thoughts swarming her mind like a child with ADD, along with the dangerous amounts of liquor she managed to ingest within those few hours, she could not find the slightest sense of stability.
By nightfall, the wind playfully whisked against the city's cliffs. Local plants and shrubs surrendered to the gentle breeze, as laundry draped on clotheslines swayed. City lights sparkled and the walls of Fira glowed in a slight golden hue, providing the perfect setting for a lively, yet romantic nightlife. Spencer found herself completely inebriated, stumbling across the cold concrete floor to the tiny bathroom in the narrow hallway. She hunched over, attempting to balance herself with one hand against the wall as she lifted the toilet seat. But she tripped over her own foot and collapsed into the porcelain bathtub, sprawling her limbs over the intricate blue and white mosaic tiles before turning her head and vomiting effortlessly. Everything seemed hazy as the blonde gurgled and coughed herself into unconsciousness.
Spencer felt at peace, finally falling into a dream she never wanted to wake from. She dreamt that she opened her eyes and found Ashley looking down at her. Moonlight shining in from the sunroof above illuminated the brunette's angelic white clothing as she reached in and carefully lifted the blonde out of the cold tub with her warm arms. Spencer hugged the brunette tightly, allowing a smile to creep on her face as she shut her eyes and nuzzled her head into Ashley's neck. She soon felt bed sheets swarm her body and a hand comb loose strands of hair behind her ears. The blonde snuggled into the comfort of the bed as she opened her eyes once more to see Ashley gazing out the window. Ashley turned and smiled at the drunken blonde before she smiled back and fell asleep.
It was a dream she never wanted to wake from.
