A/N. Ok, first off...let me just say that babygirl2006 and rock0rules are officially two of my favorite people in the world for commenting on this story! I hope guys like this chapter! Wouldn't want to disappointed to awesome people...that would be bad karma I think...

Chapter Four

Ashley flopped down onto her bed, exhausted by the trek from the car to her room. Spencer had struggled with the less-than-sober brunette, for she had made a comfortable little nest in the backseat of her car using beach towels. Ashley had been quite content until, that is, Spencer awoke her from her dreams. Ashley had complied with the adamant Spencer, however unpleasant the idea of leaving her makeshift-bed was.

"Ok Ash, I'm going to change now. You just lie there," said Spencer. Noting that her friend had barely managed to keep the contents of her stomach actually in her stomach when she had walked, Spencer continued, "Try not to…move too much, ok?"

Ashley nodded, her eyes still closed. Although having slightly sobered up, the alcohol had not yet completely worked it's way out of her system. "Hey Spence," Ashley started, "You didn't have to take care of me."

"Yes I did," Spencer said as she threw one of Ashley's tank tops on.

"I can take care of myself," Ashley grumbled.

Spencer went over and sat next to her, gently rubbing her thumb over Ashley's forehead. "I know you can, but I care about you Ashley." Ashley's brown eyes opened and turned to look at Spencer.

"Are you ok?" Ashley asked, leaning on her elbow to get a closer look at her friend. When Spencer didn't reply, Ashley gently rubbed her hands against the struggling blonde's thighs.

"That's not helping," Spencer said, closing her eyes.

Ashley pulled back her hands as though someone had poured boiling water on them, "Sorry," she mumbled, rolling off her bed to find a clean shirt.

Spencer looked up as soon as the soothing touch was gone. "Ash, I didn't…I didn't mean it like that."

"It's ok Spence, I get it," Ashley said, removing her sand-covered shirt. Once again she stood before the blonde, nothing covering her breasts but a small piece of fabric. Spencer's mouth suddenly became dry. "I understand Spencer. I ruined your birthday and I nearly threw up on you…twice. I don't blame you for hating me."

"Why do you do that?"

"Do what?" Ashley asked, pulling on a black tank top, ripping Spencer away from her thoughts.

"Why do you always think that anything serious I want to say to you is going to be bad?"

Ashley shrugged, "Habit?" She sighed, laying back down on the bed. She flung one arm over her head, covering her eyes. "I'm not used to someone caring about me Spence."

"Well I do, so you better get used to it," Spencer smiled as she saw a grin tug at Ashley's lips. "Mission accomplished."

"Mission?" Ashley asked, curiosity entering her sobering mind.

"Yeah, mission statement number one: get Ashley to smile. As of," she looked at the clock, "Twenty seconds ago, mission accomplished."

Ashley smiled again, "It's hard not to smile around you Spencer."

Spencer felt a blush creep up on her face. Breathing deeply, she said, "Ashley, do you…remember anything that we talked about on the beach?"

Ashley sat up, facing the blonde, a thread of tension hung in the air…and Ashley hated tension. "No...why? Did I say something stupid?" she asked, attempting to lighten the mood.

"No, not this time," Spencer lightly joked back. "Look Ash, I've been thinking lately…about our friendship." Ashley nodded her head, urging Spencer to continue, curious as to what could cause this young girl to become so frazzled. Spencer lowered her gaze away from Ashley's loving eyes and whispered, "I can't be your friend anymore Ashley."

Another A/N...Don't worry...things are going to be MUCH better next chapter ;) ... until then... 3's to all who read this...