By the end of the night the band had played through quite a few songs, dismissing a couple but accepting most. It was difficult to choose which songs to use for the weekend, but this was a problem the group enjoyed.

"I can't remember the last time I had so much fun practicing." Ryan said with a rare smile. He only used to be this happy when they were ripping on Kyle.

"No kidding. And I think we may have four completely different lists. I don't think that's ever happened." Chris added.

"But you guys have so many songs why wouldn't you have different lists? You have enough for like ten shows without any repeats." Ashley said figuring she already knew the answer.

"Ty you wanna field that one?" Eric questioned.

"That's easy." Taylor said her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Kyle had twelve songs he was willing to sing. And there were two songs he would tolerate me singing. That really limited things."

"Well I think all the songs are amazing. Anyone mind if I go ahead and sing up for those ten or so shows so we can do them all at least once?" Ashley asked with ever intention of honoring the proposed commitment.

Taylor looked at the guys who looked like ridiculous grinning bobble heads because of their enthusiastic agreement and said, "I think the bobble head wanna be's have it. That can definitely be arranged."

"Thank you all. You don't know how much this means to me. I'm so excited." Ashley said also grinning like a fool.

"Ash we're the ones who should be thanking you!" Ryan said. "This weekend is gonna be awesome. Our fans are gonna go nuts."

"Speaking of going nuts Ashley lets play Come Down to Me for the guys before we break for the night."

After they played the song you cold have heard a pin drop in the loft for a full two minutes before Ashley said, "So guys, still with us? What do you think?"

Chris spoke up first, "Do you really need us for the shows? The two of you, that was um…"

"Hot for one." Eric exclaimed making Taylor blush and Ashley laugh.

"Not the effect I was going for but I'll take it." Ashley smiled at Taylor who wouldn't meet her eyes.

Ryan broke in saying, "What that dumb ass was trying to say is you two have that thing. You know the lead singer/guitar player thing that all bands look for. You compliment each other musically and it looks effortless."

"Thanks Ry. I think we should call it a night guys. It's pushing one and I've got a class early."

Everyone started packing up and saying their goodbyes. "Hey Ty when are you done with class tomorrow?" Ashley asked.

"Three. I usually get home about four cause I pick up the kids from day care. Why?"

"Well I was hoping to go over a few things with you but if you're busy I'll just come after five."

"No it's ok Ashley. Be here at 4. Jay loves to listen to music, he's a polite audience and car rides put Lynnie out for at least two hours. It's no problem."

"Thanks Ty. See you tomorrow." And she was out the door with Chris and Eric.

"So going over things huh? Is that what they're calling it these days?"

"What are you talking about Ryan?"

"You know we may be just dumb guys but we're not stupid. We could all sense there is something between you and Ashley."

"Ok you're right. You are dumb but you're dead wrong about Ashley and I."

"Come on Ty, you don't have to lie to me. I'm not blind. That song…"

"Is for Ashley's girlfriend Spencer."

"Ouch. That's rough. I'm sorry Ty."

"No worries. We are just friends."

"Ok I'm still not completely buying your lines. I can tell you like her."

"Well that doesn't matter, it's nothing."

"Alright Ty, I'll let it go. I'll tell the guys not to bring up anything either."

"See you later Ryan." With that Taylor hoped that conversation was done for good.

__________________________________________________________________________________

When Ashley got home after 1 am the first thing she wanted to do was call Spencer, but it was late so she decided to check her Facebook. Ashley was excited when she saw a status update from five minutes ago from Spence saying she was up late studying. Although they had been playing phone tag since Spence left, Ashley decided to take a chance and call her.

"Hello" Spence sounded tired.

"Hey Spence, it's Ash. I didn't wake you did I?"

"No just trying to study. But I feel a break in order. What's up with you stranger?"

"Well Spence I have some news that I'm really excited about."

"Well you gonna tell me or do you want me to guess?" Spencer said playfully.

"I'm trying to get my music career going again starting this weekend. I'm singing with a band at a club near UCLA."

"Wow Ash that's great. I knew you'd start performing again. I can't wait for my friends and I to see you on stage."

Friends Ashley thought, since when was she bringing friends. "Oh yeah?"

"Ash didn't you read my e-mail? I sent you an e-mail saying Kris and Sarah were coming with me."

"Um," Ash looked at her e-mail and saw it dated two days earlier. "I hadn't read it yet. Been busy learning Tabula Rasa's music."

"Tabula Rasa, that's the groups name? That's strange."

"Sort of. I asked Taylor about the name. She told me it's her favorite Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode."

"Ok, what kind of band is this?? Ash are these really your kind of people?"

"What? All these questions based off a name. I think it's cool, it also means blank slate. It fit's the group. They play mostly rock music but they can play anything. Taylor is an amazing musician."

"Ok I'm sold. I'm looking forward to this weekend. We're all gonna have a blast."

"Great." Ashley hesitantly said, not sure what to feel. "Well I better let you get back to studying. When am I gonna see you?"

"Well e-mail me the info on the show. We're staying at my parents house so we'll just meet up for your show. Congrats Ash, I'm proud of you." Click, and Spencer was gone.

That was strange and disappointing, oh well. I'm not gonna let it bother me. If I think too much about it I'll make myself crazy.

__________________________________________________________________________________

The band got together every night leading up to the weekend. They would switch between the rehearsal space and the recording studio. Taylor wanted to put a cd with five or six songs with Ashley singing with the band together to sell at the bar. She was also thinking ahead to the demo Ashley wanted to put together.

The recordings were nearly cd ready on the first take. It always amazed her how a relaxed atmosphere leads to amazing musical creations.

By Friday afternoon everyone in the band was anxious. It wasn't that they were unsure of the show, it was the exact opposite. They were ready to share their new line up with their fans. Ashley had the added incentive of playing Come Down to Me for Spencer.

The sound check was a little rocky but Taylor refused to let that affect their positive mood.

"Alright guys we got ten minutes so shake off that sound check earlier. We know what we're doin." Taylor said as a group pep talk. She knew she sucked at them but the guys listened anyways. She looked over at Ashley and said, "Hey how are you doin?"

"I haven't seen Spencer yet. She texted me sayin she'd be late but I was hopin she'd be here by now."

"Ashley, look at me." Taylor waited a few seconds before grabbing Ashley's shoulders and physically moving her. "She'll be here don't worry. But I asked how you were, not the reason for you being tense."

"I'm ok. Really." Ashley said avoiding eye contact with Taylor.

"Don't lie to me, I'm not as dumb as I look." Taylor said trying to joke with Ashley.

"I don't think you're dumb at all where would you…" Ashley stopped herself and realized what was going on. "You were joking weren't you?"

"Yeah. I'm trying to get you to relax. You can't go out there when you are this tense. Really we're gonna be great. You have nothing to worry about."

"I know I'm just really nervous. I'm not giving into using liquid courage to help me through this so I've gotta find another way, it's a new concept to me. I was hoping seeing Spencer would calm me down."

"Turn around." Taylor ordered. Although Ashley was confused she did as she was told. Taylor continued, "This usually calms me. A nice neck and shoulder rub." After a few minutes, "Feel a little better?"

"A bit thank you. How much time do we have?"

"A couple."

"Alright. I'm gonna run to the bathroom quick before we go on."

With a shared smile they parted. What they didn't realize was that Kyle saw their whole exchange. He didn't know how he could use this information to his advantage but he definitely wanted to cause trouble.

__________________________________________________________________________________

The first set was amazing. The crowd went nuts. Just as Taylor thought, they loved Ashley. After the last song the band was pumped. But their former lead singer was pissed.

Instead of focusing on his anger he decided to find some chick to go home with. He noticed two unfamiliar chicks at the bar.

"Hey ladies," He said with his flirtatious grin. "I haven't seen you two around here before."

"Bad line but yeah we're from out of town." Sarah said.

"Interesting. Are you ladies enjoying your time in LA?"

"So far it's not to bad. Tonight has been fun, this band is amazing." Kris exclaimed.

"They're ok. I used to be the lead singer until Taylor, the guitar player, decided to replace me with her girlfriend." Kyle said.

"Who Ashley?" Kris questioned.

"Yeah you know her?" Kyle wondered.

"Friend of a friend, go on." Kris said.

"Well I guess Taylor figured to keep Ashley in her bed she had to make her the lead singer. My guess is Ashley's only sleeping with Taylor to get the lead singer gig. I mean why else would someone that hot be with Taylor."

"I don't know Taylor's pretty hot herself. I wouldn't kick her out of my bed." Kris said grinning.

"Hey Kris lets go find Spence. See ya around Kyle." Sarah said as they walked away to share this information with their friend.

__________________________________________________________________________________

As Spencer headed back from the bathroom she looked around at the crowd. She heard a lot of people talking about the new lead singer. This made her happy and proud. She felt bad for missing the first set but was glad the crowd was happy with her best friend.

As she scanned looking for her friends she saw Aiden. She avoided him like the plague because she knew he hated her for how she left Ashley. Spence didn't really care how he felt because she knew she made the right choice.

Spencer's choice to leave was not an easy decision, but she had to leave. She wanted to establish her own identity, not just through Ashley. She needed to remember who Spencer Carlin was not just forever as Spashley. If two people are partners shouldn't they know who they are outside of their partnership? Made sense to her but hell if others didn't get it, fuck them. Ashley had a lot of time to figure herself out before and during their relationship, why can't Spence have some time to do the same. She always wanted Ashley in her life but she needed the present for herself. Her thoughts were interrupted by Kris.

"Hey Spence you finally got in here." said Kris.

"Yeah my mom would not shut up. I love her but she's long winded. I probably should have had my dad drive us. How did the band sound?"

"They were awesome. Ashley is an amazing performer, and smoking hot." Sarah said.

"That's my girl." Spencer said smiling.

"Yeah about that Spence. I gotta tell you what we heard." With that Kris spilled what Kyle told them.

__________________________________________________________________________________

As the band got ready for the second set two people Ashley saw made butterflies swarm in her stomach for two different reasons, for the second and third times tonight. The first time was when Taylor gave her the shoulder rub, not as relaxing as it should have been but she need to ignore those feelings. In the crowd there was a positive and a negative person causing the butterflies. The positive was that Spencer was finally here. The negative was that Kyle, the ass hole ex-lead singer was also here. She took a deep breath and thought stay positive, think only about the positive. Spencer's here and she'll hear her song very soon. Forget Kyle, what ever trouble he may try to cause the band can handle it together. This could be an interesting night.