Won't Say I'm in Love

Just as everyone was about to leave, Meena and Rosita pulled Ash aside. The confused porcupine looked at her friends, "What's going on?"

"What happened between you and Johnny?" Meena asked.

"I already told y-"

"The whole story," Rosita said, interrupting her.

"Ash...we're your friends. You don't have to be embarrassed to tell us anything. We just want what's best for your well-being," Meena added.

Ash sighed then sat down on a bench, "I don't know exactly what happened. It's like, one minute he's my best friend...and the next he's being the sweet guy I-" She cut herself off, not willing to say those words. She didn't want to say them because last time she fell for someone, they hurt her. Ash didn't think she could go through that again.

"Ash...you're in love with Johnny...aren't you," Rosita said as more of a statement than a question.

"I..." she trailed off.

The two saw the inner conflict she was having with herself. They knew that she was afraid to be in a relationship again after what happened with Lance, but they also knew it was hurting both her and Johnny. The gorilla acted like a lovesick puppy when he was around Ash, and she was always a blushing mess when he was around. Meena stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Ash...why not just admit it...it will make you feel a lot better if you just say-"

"No," she interrupted.

"But-" Rosita tried, only to be cut off as well.

"No...you guys don't get it. I've been through enough heartbreak as it is...and I won't pull Johnny through it either...I can't do that to him," she said sadly, walking off to stand on the stage.

"But Ash...you already are pulling him through it...by not facing the truth...you are hurting not just him, but yourself as well," Rosita said.

Ash stood on the stage and wrapped her arms around herself. Surprising them, she started singing.

If there's a prize for rotten judgement,
I guess I've already won that.
No man worth the aggravation,
It's ancient history
Been there, done that

Rosita and Meena began singing to her, trying to get her to realize how silly she's being.

Both:

Who d'ya think you're kidding?
He's the earth and heaven to ya.
Try to keep it hidden
Honey, we can see right through you
Girl, ya can't conceal it.
We know how you feel
And who you're thinking of.

Ash turned away from them, resisting the urge to roll her eyes at the two.

Oooh
No chance, no way!
I won't say it, no no!

Rosita and Meena:

You swoon, you sigh
Why deny it, uh-oh!

Ash:

It's too cliche
I won't say I'm in love

Ash looked down sadly and placed a hand on her chest, over her heart.

I thought my heart had learned it's lesson,
It feels so good when you start out.
My head is screaming
Get a grip, girl!
Unless you're dying to cry your heart out.

Oh no!

Rosita and Meena get on each side of Ash and hold her arms, causing her to look at them, sadness apparent in her crystal blue eyes.

Rosita and Meena:

You keep on denying
Who you are and how you're feeling.
Baby, we're not buying.
Hun, we saw ya hit the ceiling

(Ash: Oh no!)

Face it like a grown up
When you gonna own up
That you got, got, got it bad

Ash:

Oooh

No chance, no way!
I won't say it, no no!

Ash started thinking of when she spend time with Johnny, a smile unknowingly crossing her face. Rosita and Meena saw it though.

Rosita and Meena:

Give up, Give in
Check the grin you're in love

Ash stopped smiling immediately, realizing what was going on. She moved away from them.

This scene won't play,
I won't say I'm in love!

Rosita and Meena:

You're doing flips
Read our lips
You're in love

Ash:

You're way off base,
I won't say it.
Get off my case,
I won't say it!

Rosita and Meena:

Girl don't be proud
It's okay to you're in love.

Ash sat on the edge of the stage, smile crossing her face once more as she thought about Johnny. She placed her hands over her heart.

Oooh
At least out loud,
I won't say I'm in...
Love

Meena and Rosita sat on each side of her, holding her hands to let her know they were on her side. "We mean it Ash...we won't judge you regardless of whether you're in love with Johnny or not. You're our friend...and we are always here for you," Meena said.

"Meena's right Ash. No matter what...we're here for you," Rosita said.

Ash looked at them and smiled, "Thanks guys. For everything." She leaned against Rosita as she and Meena hugged her. She sighed, "I don't know how to tell him though."

"Why not tell him before...or even after you two perform? I'm sure he wouldn't turn you away."

"And remember we will be right here with you the whole time."

Ash hugged both of them and smiled, "Okay. I'll do my best. Better get going. Johnny will start to worry if I'm not home after a little while. And thanks...I really needed that. I'll see you two tomorrow. You'll do great!"

"Bye Ash!" they said at the same time before leaving in the opposite direction.

Ash walked down the sidewalk, head in the clouds, thinking about what she would say tomorrow to Johnny. She wasn't aware of someone following her as she walked home. She made it to an intersection and had to wait before she could cross. As the cars went by, she caught a glimpse of Lance walking slowly towards her. She pressed the button frantically, needing it to turn before he got close enough to her. Just as she saw he was reaching for her, the signal turned to the walk sign. She broke out in a sprint to get away from him. She glanced back to see him running after her, and catching up quickly. Ash looked around for anything that could help. An abandoned skateboard was a little ways ahead. She grabbed it before throwing it down and hopping on, riding it downhill, bobbing and weaving through the citizens. When in a clearing, she glanced back to see Lance still running but not catching up anytime soon. She took out her phone and dialled Johnny's number.

"Ello?"

"Johnny! I need your help. Lance is chasing me down the street!"

"What?! Where are you?"

"Heading down Lemington and full speed. Hurry!"

"I'm on my way!"

Ash hung up the phone and was forced to stop at another intersection. She cursed the bad timing and looked back to see Lance caught at an intersection as well. She saw how angry he looked.

"I'm going to get you Ash! No restraining order can stop me from getting my hands on you!" he yelled at her. The sign to walk changed for him and he started running towards her at full speed.

She looked at the sign and just as he got close to her, it changed. She skated away on the skateboard as fast as she could, thankful that Johnny's lessons on how to ride came in handy. She picked up speed once again, only to run over a hole in the pavement, throwing her off the board and onto the sidewalk, away from the skateboard. She quickly stood, ignoring the pain in her knee, glaring at him as he got closer. "Stay away from me Lance!"

He strode towards her angrily, "You will pay for having me sent to jail. Wasn't too hard to break out when you can pick locks with a quill."

She backed away, terrified of him, "Lance...I'm warning you. Leave now and I won't press further charges on you."

He smirked, "When I'm done with you, you won't even see the light of day. So, really, I'm not afraid of you pressing charges."

Ash kept backing up until she turned tail and ran as fast as she could away from him. Her heart was pounding from the adrenaline pumping in her veins. She looked back to see him within arms reach of her, so she did the only thing she could to defend herself. She shot her quills at him, hitting him point-blank in the face and torso. She looked forward once more when she noticed he slowed to almost a stop. Ash smiled when she caught sight of Johnny's truck. She noticed that Johnny wasn't alone. He and his father jumped out of the car. She ran straight into Johnny's arms and held onto him tightly.

He picked her up off the ground and held her close. "Ash...are you okay? Did he hurt you?" Johnny asked.

Ash shook her head, too scared to speak. She felt him touch her knee and winced in pain. "I...I hurt it...when I flew off the skateboard. I hit a hole in the pavement. Banged up my knee," she said.

Johnny looked furious and looked off in the distance to see an angry Lance coming their way. He stepped forward, only to be stopped by his father's arm holding him back. He looked at him confused, "Dad...why are you stopping me?"

"Because, Son, you're needed here, outside of a jailhouse. And, also, because beating him to a pulp won't help ya or you're girl. I'll handle him then I'll come see ya and check up on the both of ya when I'm done. Now go, I can handle 'em," his father said.

"But-"

"Go Johnny...take care of Ash. She needs you right now. More than ever."

Johnny hesitated at first, but eventually nodded and got both of them in the truck and drove off, hearing Lance's yelling in the distance. He drove to the apartment quickly. As soon as they arrived, he put the truck in park and placed a hand on her cheek, "Ash...please look at me."

Ash raised her head to look him in the eyes, his chocolate brown eyes beeting her crystal blue ones. Tears started to fall from her eyes, and she lept into his arms, crying her eyes out on his shoulder. He held her through her crying and stroked her quills to calm her down. She cried for a few mintues before she finally calmed back down. She pulled away, slightly embarrassed, "I'm sorry for crying on you Johnny."

"It's okay Ash...I don't mind. I just want to make sure you're okay," Johnny said.

Ash smiled through her tears and nodded, hugging him once more, "Yes Johnny...I'm alright. Actually, I've never been better than when I am with you. You saved me Johnny. He was planning to torture me...or kill me. You and your dad saved me and for that I could never possibly repay you. You're my hero."

Johnny looked at her when she pulled back slightly, "Really?"

She did something she never thought she would do with anyone else, she rubbed her nose against his in an eskimo kiss. She then pulled back blushing and smiled, "Really."

Before he could say anything, the walkie in his jacket went off, his father's voice calling out, "Johnny...Johnny are you there?"

He took out the walkie, "Yeah Dad. We're here."

"I just personally dropped your girl's trash ex off at the jailhouse. Not only did they arrest him again for attempted kidnapping and/or murder, they got him on breaking out of jail, stalking her, and assaulting her," he said.

Ash breathed a sigh of relief and visibly relaxed. Johnny smiled, "Thanks Dad. Did they do anything about the locks since he picked them last time?"

"They have him in a padded room. Kinda fittin' if ya ask me. Ash, are you there too?"

"Y-yes...I'm here," she said.

"I'm glad you're alright. We got there just in the knick of time. Are ya doin' alright?" he asked.

Ash was beside herself. They had just saved her life and were both concerned for her well-being. She smiled, "Yes. I'm fine thanks to you and Johnny. You both saved my life."

"It was nothin' Ash. We look out for our own. That's always been our way. Do ya need me to come stay with you and Johnny?" he asked, truly concerned.

"No...I think Johnny and I will be alright by ourselves...but thank you so much for worrying about me. You have no idea how much that means to me," she said.

"You're Johnny's girlfriend. No matter what happens between you two, if anything ever does, you will always have a family with us. That's a promise."

Ash broke down in tears once more, not able to find her voice. Johnny told his father, "I'm gonna take her inside, Dad. We'll talk to you in the morning, 'kay?"

"Alright, Son. You two stay safe. I'll check in with ya in the mornin'. Love ya both," he said, getting off the walkie.

Johnny looked at Ash and took her into his arms once more. He carried her into the apartment, locking the door behind him. He sat on the couch, with her still in his arms. He let her cry on his shoulder for the second time that day and just held her close. When she finished, she leaned against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. He looked at her, "Ash...why did you start cryin' after what my dad said? Did it upset you?"

"No...no it didn't upset me...it reminded me that I truly am alone. My parents abandoned me when I was little. I had no one up until I met Lance. He was what I thought I deserved after all I'd been through, but I was wrong. I have had no parental support throughout my life. They recently tried to contact me...it was after the show that was on air. They called me their baby girl, said they were so proud of me, and said they would come watch my shows. They said we would be a family again...but...but I don't want them in my life. What I have in my life wasn't given to me by my parents. I earned everything I have through my blood, sweat, and tears. I don't need them. Besides...I already have a family. I don't need them...I have you and the others," she said, smiling up at Johnny.

Johnny smiled, "You will always have us. No matter what."

Ash hugged Johnny, nearly falling asleep, not realizing how tired she was.

He chuckled, "Let's get you to bed, eh?" He carried her to bed and sat her down on the bed, turning away to let her get ready for bed. Once she told him it was okay, he turned around to look at her, "If you need anything, I'm right down the hall." He started to leave, but was stopped when she took hold of his hand. He looked at her confused.

"Please...stay with me tonight...I don't think I can be alone right now," Ash said shyly.

Johnny smiled then nodded before climbing in bed on the opposite side of her. He pulled his shirt off and pulled her close to him. The two slept the night away, thinking about nothing except each other as they slept. They were as ready as they could ever be for the show the next day, and swore they would not give up. They knew they could do it and wouldn't be defeated.