Chapter Eight: Insert, and Displace

Davies/Carlin Residence

Spencer dragged Ashley into their apartment, releasing her hand as she ran toward their computer.

"Spence, what is it that you're looking for?"

"I need to see her."

Ashley was confused now.

"See who, baby?"

"Charlie. I need to see what she looks or looked like."

Ashley nodded as she walked up behind the frantic blonde, placing her hands on her shoulders in a comforting gesture. Spencer typed furiously, trying to find the missing woman.

"I thought you didn't see the person's face?" Ashley whispered.

"I did. I just never said that before because nobody was listening to me anyway."

Ashley felt saddened by this comment. Spencer was getting frustrated, she couldn't find a damn picture. Ashley squeezed her shoulder lightly.

"Here, let me try."

Spencer got out of the chair and let Ashley slide in her place. Ashley typed, fast. A few seconds later, a picture popped up.

"How in hell did you find that so fast?" Spencer asked, shocked.

"Found it last night while I was researching. That's her." Ashley said, pointing out a tall red-headed woman in the picture. Spencer, unfortunately, recognized her.

"That's her." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Are you sure?" Ashley asked quietly.

Spencer could only nod as tears began falling down her face. Ashley pushed the chair back as she stood up to envelope her girlfriend in a tight hug. They stayed that way for a good few minutes before the computer beeped at them.

"Hey, look" Ashley said, pointing at the screen.

"You've got mail!" she said, causing Spencer to erupt in light giggles.

Spencer sat in the chair, and opened her e-mail account, seeing two new e-mails there. One was junk, 'Need a new mortgage?'. The other one, however, was this:

Spencer!

Hey, girl! We haven't heard from you in forever chicka! We all miss you so much, so I decided we've been apart long enough! I'm flying me and the girls to LA to see you!

Just give me your address, and we'll see you in a couple of days!

Love you, hun!

3 Kasey

Ashley finished reading it around the same time Spencer did.

"Spence, who's Kasey?"

Spencer looked up at her.

"She was my best friend in Ohio. I haven't seen her in a long, long time. You don't mind if I tell them our address so they can stay here, do you?"

Spencer pouted. Ashley couldn't resist.

"Okay, go ahead."

Spencer gave her a quick kiss, and proceeded on telling Kasey their address. The only thing that she didn't tell her was that she was kind of…dating someone.

That little revelation could wait for her Ohio friends. She'd tell them when the time was right.

"What do we want for dinner?" Ashley called from their kitchen.

"Um, how about some Chinese. I'm in the mood for takeout."

Ashley peeked over the counter, getting out the phonebook.

"Sounds great to me." They smiled.

-----------------------------

Somewhere Unknown

"We're all set." A female voice crackled.

Alaric breathed relief into the phone. Phase one had gone smoothly.

"Good. Now get into her life. Implant yourself once more. Oh, and one more thing…"

"Yes, sir?"

"She has a girlfriend. Be mindful, and get rid of her for me, will you?"

"Yes, sir."

The line went dead.