A/N: Thanks, yet again, to those that read and review...and to those that read and lurk. I'm a bit of both, so I get it! :) I appreciate you all hanging in here through my bit of inconsistent posting, but life gets in the way sometimes. I'm happy, and sad, to say that this story will slowly be making it's way to an end. Probably only 4 or 5 more chapters...but I am enjoying every minute of it still.

Disclaimer: Own nothing but the idea...everything else is all NOT mine.

Minutes turned into hours….hours turned into days before Ashley saw Spencer on a one-on-one level again. She understood the why's behind Spencer's leaving her position at Memories, but that didn't mean she had to like it…nor would she.

Ashley made her way down the hallway in search of Spencer's office. She had been a resident of Memories for 42 days now, and she only had 48 more to go before she could begin her life all over again, outside the walls of the facility. She knew it scared her to think about living in the "real world" again, but by regaining a focus, Ashley had all the faith in the world that she would succeed.

Approaching the all-too-familiar wooden door, Ashley knocked twice before entering at Spencer's invitation.

"Hey you," the blonde said smiling, standing from behind her desk to approach the recently entered brunette. "Are you ready for our 'last' session together?"

Ashley grinned and nodded in the affirmative, before wrapping her arms around Spencer's waist and pulling her into a warm hug.

Ashley pulled back, releasing her love, and sat back in the chair in front of Spencer's desk. She sat stoic, just watching Spencer make her way back around to sit behind her desk.

As Spencer took her seat, she couldn't help but wonder about Ashley's rather quiet demeanor.

"Ash, are you doing alright? I mean…is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything's fine. Why?"

"Well, you just seem really quiet and a little closed off…I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

Ashley nodded her head and shrugged lightly, "Yeah, I'm good I guess. I mean, there's a lot getting ready to change for me…or for us, rather…so I guess I'm just feeling a little lost right now."

Spencer frowned a little before looking back into the abyss of Ashley's eyes.

"How are your coping? How are your cravings?"

Ashley turned away to briefly gaze outside before shrugging her answer.

"Ash, I need you talk to me right now baby…"

"What do you want me to say that you don't already know the answer to, Spencer? I mean, come on…we both know the cravings suck right now for me, and that I'm dealing as best I can."

Spencer was taken aback by Ashley's blunt, and rather forceful, answer.

"I'm sorry, Ash. I know you are struggling right now with my move and the change in things between us…"

"What exactly is between us, Spencer? I mean, I get it all, trust me…I understand why you are going…but what does that leave for us? 48 days of solitude is what I see right now. I want to see the big picture, but I'm having a little trouble seeing past this cluster we have right in front of us…right now."

Ashley had gotten up from her seat and was now pacing back and forth in front of Spencer's desk, wringing her hands as she walked; a tell-tale sign of a craving at work. Spencer couldn't help but sigh in defeat at the sight in front of her.

"I love you…" Spencer whispered out.

Ashley stopped mid-stride and turned to look at Spencer with tears in her eyes at the sound of her fragile voice.

"Do you really? I mean…really, truly…love me?"

Spencer raised her head to meet Ashley's questioning eyes before standing and slowly making her way around the desk to come to a stop in front of the girl she would die for.

"I am SO in love with you Ashley. I love you more than anything, or anyone, in my life, and I cannot imagine what the next 48 days are going to be like…but I don't plan on giving up on you, or us, for one minute of those 69,120 minutes we're going to be apart."

Ashley stood dumbstruck at the blonde's answer. So she did the only thing that made sense, she started laughing.

"What's so funny?" Spencer asked, feeling a little hurt.

"No, it's nothing…it's just…how did you add up those minutes so fast?"

"Do you think you're the only one counting down until the day we can truly be together?"

When Ashley didn't respond, Spencer tilted her head and reached a hand forward to stroke her arm.

Ashley stepped forward into Spencer's space and placed a hand on each of the blonde's hips, effectively meshing their bodies together as one.

Spencer's breath hitched at the intimate contact and warmth that Ashley's body brought to her, and allowed her eyes to flutter shut momentarily while she regained her composure.

Swallowing the butterflies that were trying to escape from her belly, Spencer opened her eyes and stared at her beautiful girlfriend.

"I know you want guarantees right now Ash, and believe me, if I could write you a guarantee and have it notarized, I would…but what I can give you is my word."

"And what is your word, Dr. Carlin?"

Spencer sighed at the feeling of Ashley being so close to her. She could almost taste the warmth of her breath on her lips. Leaning slightly toward the brunette, she captured her lips and allowed herself that moment to memorize every curve of her lover's lips and tongue.

Breaking apart for air, Spencer continued to caress Ashley's cheek while she regained her composure yet again.

"I will wait for you, Ash. That is my word. Every second, every hour, every day…I will wait for you."

Ashley could feel her heart pounding in her chest as the weight of Spencer's words sunk in…her words were a guarantee that she was starting to see.

"I will come back to you, Spencer. I'll be well, and healthy, and hotter than ever," Ashley smirked.

Spencer released her brunette beauty and started walking toward her office door. As soon as her hand touched the doorknob Ashley froze, wondering what she had done.

"Where are you going Spencer?"

"Nowhere, just locking my office."

Ashley's brows rose in amusement, "Why are you locking the door, Spence?"

"Because I don't want any interruptions during your last session with me, Ash."

Spencer allowed her legs to carry her back to Ashley and grabbed her lover's hand, pulling her over toward the couch.

"What is the session supposed to be about?" Ashley asked, as she followed her girlfriend to the couch, never relinquishing hold of her hand.

"Well, I'm not sure it's so much a "session," as it is just time for us to be here, with each other."

"Oh."

"Oh? That's all you have to say?" Spencer mused.

"What do you want me to say, Doc?"

"How about, 'thanks Spence'?"

"Okay. Thanks, Spence….so, what am I thanking you for, exactly?" Ashley prodded.

"For setting up this time for you to make love to your girlfriend before she leaves for a little while," Spencer stated, as serious as she could.

Ashley nearly choked on Spencer's words, before quickly grabbing the blonde and pulling her down on top of her on the couch.

Fusing their lips together, Ashley sighed into the feeling of Spencer's warm mouth covering her own.

"Mmmm…" Ashley moaned into her lover's mouth before pulling back just slightly, "Thank you, love. Thank you for this time."

Spencer giggled, placing small kisses down Ashley's neck.

"You're welcome, baby. Now, no more talking…we only have 90 minutes."