Chapt 8: Strong Enough

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She wasn't sure how long they sat there, his arms protectively around her and hers looped so that her hands gripped his shoulders. She merely relished the comfort Spencer brought and was in no hurry to relinquish it anytime soon, even though she knew she would have to.

As if reading her mind he tightened his hold on her. He hadn't realized how strongly he needed to share the pain with someone, to physically feel that he wasn't alone. He couldn't remember when he wanted or felt he needed anything this badly.

So he held her and she held him, each wanting and needing nothing more then the safety and companionship the other freely offered.

Eventually they broke their embrace, though hands lingered on shoulders and backs before resting in one another. Shy glances briefly exchanged before Ashlyn found her voice.

"Coffee. I think we need some coffee."

"Mind if I…" Spencer pointed toward the bathroom.

"No, help yourself."

After setting the coffee in motion, she went to her small stereo, rummaged for a CD and turned it on quietly. She hoped she'd have enough time to listen to it before Spencer came back. She needed to hear the song; to get it out of her head. She began to hum as it played, trying not to sing along just in case he did return.

Walking through the empty rooms

The halls and lawns where children used to play

I can write the story-line

From secrets of the past

Looking through the doom and gloom

The chapel where you bent your knees to pray

I can feel a heart resigned

From love that's meant to last

Now I know what you've been through

The tears you've tried to hide

Let me prove my trust in you

I'll stand right by your side

Ashlyn managed not to sing but she couldn't hold back the tears. When the song had finished she looked around cautiously to see if Spencer had returned; upon seeing that he hadn't she quickly hit repeat, hoping to hear it once more.

Unfortunately, to her way of thinking, Spencer chose that moment to reappear. He was about to alert her to his presence when the words spilling from her stereo registered.

Will my arms be strong enough

To take you through the night

Will my arms be strong enough

To lead you to the light

Will my arms be strong enough

To dare you seize the day

Could it be love that gives the strength

To wash our sins away

Come and leave the past behind

Tonight we're on a journey to the stars

I have seen the promised sign

Where angels fear to fly

Taking in her stature and body language, he decided to wait, watch, and listen. The song was beautiful; he could see why she was listening to it.

When it ended, she turned off the stereo confirming Reid's suspicion that she hadn't wanted to be observed.

Now, he spoke up, "That was beautiful," was all he said.

Ashlyn turned at his voice, flushing brightly at being caught, but she put up a good front. Smiling hesitantly, "Yeah, it makes me feel less lonely sometimes." As she moved back into the kitchen, "Coffee's ready."

Spencer joined her as she poured up the dark liquid. "Ashlyn, this, tonight was really great. Maybe we could do it again sometime?"

She carefully sipped her coffee, "I'd like that."

They reestablished themselves on the couch and spent the next few hours picking each other's brain and relaxing from the emotional outpour of earlier. When they finally parted company it was with reluctance and a less than chaste kiss… and the knowledge that tomorrow dinner would be at Spencer's.

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A/N: Just giving proper kudos- "Will My Arms be Strong Enough" -Bodies Without Organs- Halcyon Days-2006