SVU Chicky : Thats part of the beauty of their relationship. The tension of not putting things into words.

babygirl2006 : Thanks. Sorry, this is as soon as I could get it up.

hackensack nights: I'm glad you say so, because usually I'm not into song fics.

AN: This chapter is relatively long. Thats why its taken so long to get up. I hope to have the next one up by the end of the weekend, but it probably wont happen that way. Anyways, Enjoy.

Artist: Shannon Curfman Song: Sun's Gonna Rise

(immediately following the last chapter)

You say I'm the one to set you free

But still you don't open up your door

"This is beautiful," Spencer sighed.

"Yeah," Ashley yawned.

"What a great night," Spencer smiled, "I don't think I've really ever been out all night before."

"I've taught you so much about having a good time."

Spencer giggled, "I think its because there isn't any use going out in Ohio after 10 PM."

Ashley laughed back.

Spencer yawned, "You make me into a more adventurous person Ashley."

Ashley rubbed Spencer's palm with her thumb. Spencer smiled.

"You make me want to be a better student Spencer. I actually want to do well," Ashley wanted to be good enough for Spencer, but she didn't want to say that out loud.

You say my love is the remedy

Can't you admit that it's secure

Why can't you say you're afraid

well so am I, but it's all right

It's all right

"You're the best thing in my life Ash," Spencer admitted. Her voice wavered a little.

Ashley could tell that Spencer was afraid to move forward. Ashley herself was so afraid that she was speechless. She had to think of something clever to say quick, or Spencer would think that she didn't really care, "You're pretty wonderful yourself Spencer," Ashley blurted out. Did that sound as stupid as she thought it did?
Spencer smiled. Ashley really was trying with the whole romance side of things. It just didn't come as easy for her as, other things. Her nervousness made Spencer feel better, but not really that much better.

Stay with me, lay with me

Lean on me, call on me

Run with me, dream with me

Pray with me, fall on me

Whenever you need me

I'll be by your side

As sure as the sun's gonna rise

"I am going to be in so much trouble when I got home," Spencer laughed.

"Then don't go home yet. We can do what we want until school tomorrow. You're old enough so that they can't pick you up and drag you out. We could go back to my place and nap. Mom isn't home."

"That sounds good," Spencer flashed a signature smile.

Ashley turned the key with her left hand, and drove with only that hand. She didn't want to let go of Spencer. Spencer rested her head comfortably on Ashley's shoulder. She fell into a light sleep. Ashley put her arm around Spencer's shoulder and pulled the sleeping girl close.

Ashley dragged the half sleeping Spencer up to her room and flopped her onto the bed. Ashley was too tired to shower as she'd originally planned. She laid down next to Spencer and leaned on her shoulder, and smelled her hair until she fell asleep. They dreamed of each other. Spencer slept until noon. That was only four and a half hours. She called her house.

"Hey, its me, I'm with Ash, don't worry about me," she turned off her cell phone and went back to sleep.

Spencer went to school on Monday without going home for her school stuff. She received a severe lecture from Glen the moment he saw her. At the end of the school day, he forced Spencer into the car. Spencer just wanted to haul out and punch him.

"Hey dad," Spencer greeted him as they came into the house, "I'm sorry I was gone so long. I planned on coming home now whether or not Glen kidnapped me. When does mom get home? I need to call a family meeting."

"Seven, she get off at seven."

"Okay then, family meeting at 7:30 pm."

"We'll wait on punishment until your mother gets home."

"Okay. I'm gonna go upstairs," she walked up to Clay's room, "Hey stranger," she leaned on the side of his doorway, "Can I talk with you?"

"Sure. Shoot."

"I'm gay... lesbian... whatever."

"Yeah, so? You think I didn't know? I've seen how you look at girls. Ashley in particular."

Spencer laughed nervously not knowing what to say.

"What can I do for you?"

"Hug me. I don't know if I can tell Mom and Dad, but I called the damn family meeting because I was pissed at Glen."

"Dad has to know," Clay hugged Spencer, "Mom and Glen don't want to know."
"Our brother is a complete ass," Spencer told Clay, "You should have seen him dragging me to the car. He really embarrassed me. He was treating me as if I was a six year old, and he was my dad."

"He really thinks what he's doing is best for you."

"But he isn't!"
"He and mom think lesbianism is a sin. They see you going down that path. It scares them. They just want you to be safe."

"Its not like I'm 11 anymore. I'm 16. I can take care of myself more than they are acting like I can."

"Tell them that, not me."

"I will, at the family meeting. See you down there later. I have to call Ashley."

She went in her room and did so, "Hey."

"Hey did your brother have to make that much of a scene?"

"I guess he thought so. He's such an ass hole. The whole school saw him treat me like a five year old. He's worse than Dad. Dad barely reacted to the fact that I'd been gone unexpectedly for 42 hours."

"Interesting."

"Come by around 7:45, 7:50. I am going to need to talk to you in person."

"Spencer!" her dad called, "Come downstairs please."

"I gotta go. I'll see you then."

"Spence," her dad prefaced. Glen and Clay where already downstairs when she got down there, "Your mom just called. She isn't coming home tonight. She says she needed some alone time, so she checked into a hotel," Spencer wasn't sure if her dad bought her mom's excuse. She wasn't even sure if she bought the excuse, "So Spencer," her dad continued, "Would you like to talk to us now, or wait until your mother gets home."

"Now," Spencer concluded. She couldn't put it off, "Glen embarrassed me in front of the entire school today. He may think he's doing the right thing, but he isn't. I am not four years old anymore Glen. I don't need a second father. I'm sixteen for crying out loud! Dad, he grabbed my arm and dragged me to the car and pushed me in. He yelled and lectured me every time he saw me today. I don't need that. Glen, I know you're afraid of my being gay, but thats too bad, because I am. Clay, thank you for being supportive, unlike Glen here. Dad, say something!"

He laughed, "Your mother is going to regret missing this family meeting."

Spencer laughed at her dad's response.

"Dad, aren't you going to do anything?" Glen asked.

"Yeah. Glen, go to your room, you're grounded for two days for man-handling your sister."

Spencer laughed again. She loved her dad, "Hey dad, I know its a school night, but can I go for a drive with Ashley? I need to talk to her."

"Sure Spencer, be home by 9:30."

Spencer called Ashley back, "Ash, pick me up now," she said without saying hello, "I really need to see you."

"Okay," Ashley said. Spencer could hear the rattling of keys, "I'm on my way. Wait for me outside."

Spencer grabbed her purse and put on some make-up before going outside to sit on the bench. Ashley honked. Spencer got into the car.

"So whats so important?"

Spencer smirked, "Lets go grab a burger, and I'll tell you."

Ashley drove, but not to a burger joint. She drove them back to the beach, "I like this place better," she explained, "Wanna walk?"

"Sure, but I'm afraid I'll get cold."

"Don't worry, I brought an extra coat."

"Thanks."

"So lay it on me," they walked. Ashley wasn't sure if she should hold Spencer's hand or not, so she resisted.

"I gave Glen a piece of my mind. My dad grounded him. Sometimes I just love not having my mom around."

Ashley chuckled, "So then?"

"So then I asked him I could go talk with you. He just said to be home by 9:30."

"I seem to be missing a piece of the puzzle."

"I told him that I'm gay!"

"You didn't!"
"I did!"

Ashley enveloped Spencer in the tightest hug she'd ever experienced.

We started something

It's the real thing

We got what everyone's waiting for

They are so quick to judge what we can be

But our flame is burning from the core

"I don't know how my mom is gonna react, but I don't care."

"Its good not to care what people think."

"Sometimes."

"Sometimes?"

"I always care about what you think. If I didn't, I wouldn't call you as much as I do," they finally broke from the hug.

"Thats sweet."

Their eyes locked, and a spark ignited. They looked at each other in a way that they had before, but never for this long, and never at the same time.

Our fire is never gone fade

So just close your eyes

Cause it's all right

It's all right

"Are you ready for this?" Ashley asked. Their faces where slowly getting closer.

"Yeah," Spencer whispered back.

They kissed. It was a very 'middle school' type of kiss. It was passionate, but there was no tongue, and it didn't last very long. Ashley wanted to start slow. They walked hand-in-hand down the deserted beach for a while before Spencer's phone alarm went off.

"Damn it," Spencer muttered, "9:10, just enough time to get home."

Stay with me, lay with me

Lean on me, call on me

Run with me, dream with me

Pray with me, fall on me

Whenever you need me

I'll be by your side

As sure as the sun's gonna rise

(2X)

"Do you have to?" Ashley whined, "Stay with me, come to my house, lay down, watch a movie."

"I really can't Ash."

"Okay. I'll drive you home."

As sure as the sun's gonna rise (2x)

"I'll see you tomorrow," Spencer smiled at Ashley.

"Yeah, you will," was all Ashley could thing to say, "Goodnight."

"'Night Ash," Spencer went into the house.

Ashley watched until she was in.