Disclaimer: Okay…I don't own them. TheN owns them.

Summary: This takes place somewhere in the abyss of time between "Under My Skin" and "Say It Ain't So, Spencer"

Outing

Part One: Propositions

"This sounds like….fun." Spencer glanced back down at the brochure in her hand and then up into her parent's expectant faces. She truly hoped that she sounded more enthusiastic than she felt. She even dredged up a small smile in an attempt to encourage them.

"You have to be joking!" Glen said aloud, voicing Spencer's internal sentiments exactly. "Mom, Dad…as much as you'd like to remain in denial... we aren't kids anymore…" He held up the brochure. "The family day trip thing is so far off the cool chart it isn't funny."

"I don't know. I think t might be fun." Clay said, assuming he was being helpful by siding with his sister. He even put his arm around Spencer's shoulder to show his solidarity. She wanted to step on his foot right then and there.

Shut up, Clay. There's only room enough for one goody-two-shoes in this family…and that's me.

Besides…she was hoping that Glen would talk them out of the trip altogether. A day spent with her family in a theme park sounded…torturous.

Actually a few months ago it wouldn't have been so bad, heck…she might have even enjoyed it, but lately, a whole day away from Ashley was sounding more and more like physical torment.

"We've never even been there. How do you know spending a day at Disneyland won't be cool?" Their mom challenged. Glen would not be that easily won.

"Spending a day with parents at a theme park is nowhere near the realm of cool." Glen said, but Spencer observedhow his mental gears began to churn out an idea... "Unless we can… invite a friend…"

Brilliant! Spencer perked up suddenly, she tried her best to feign disinterest in the conversation, but she listened intently as her brother negotiated the terms.

Their parents looked at each other and made a mutual and silent decision. If a few extra teenagers was what it took to have a successful family outing, then it almost seemed like a fair deal. Almost.

"Okay…each of you can invite one friend…" Their Dad began. Before he could finish, the three teens were on their cell phones and moving away at breakneck pace. Speed dial.Text.Text.

"I was just thinking about you." Ashley's smoky voice came over the line after onlytwo rings. She knew who was calling her and Spencer could hear that small wry smile on her friend's lips. Spencer felt that strange-yet-familiar quickening of her pulse, and she turned and walked farther away from her family before they saw the obvious blush that touched her cheeks when she heard Ashley speak.

"Me too." Spencer said, casting a glance behind her. She was certain that her mother was psychic. She watched the corners of herMom's mouth draw down in that oh-so-familiar way she had whenever Ashley's name was mentioned. This time Spencer hadn't even heard the girl's name aloud. Just the tone in her voice had sent her mother's expression downward.

Oh I hope that isn't who I think it is. Her face said.

"You were just thinking about you too?" Ashley teased. Spencer walked towards the stairs.

"You know what I meant..." Spencer said, and then waited until she had reached the top of the stairs to breach the question. "I have a proposition for you."

"Yes." Ashley answered immediately. Spencer laughed.

"You haven't even heard the proposition…"

"Whatever it is, I'm game."

"I'm allowed to bring one person to a family outing next Saturday."

"Family…outing with the Carlins….sounds farmy."

"Farmy isn't a word." Spencer said.

"It is now. I made it up just for the Carlin Clan… Farmy." Ashley was sounding very proud of herself and her new word.

"So will you come?"

"On your farmy outing?" She paused just for effect. "It might hold a certain charm for me."

"Is that a yes?"

"Yes.That's a yes." She said. By then, Spencer was in her room. She closed the door behind her.

"Aren't you even going to ask where we're going?"

"Are you going to be there?"

"Yes." Spencer said falling onto her bed and looking up at the ceiling of her room, imagining Ashley's comically cynical little smile as she listened. "I'll be there."

"Then it doesn't matter, does it?"

To be Continued…