A/N: Okay, so there is no reason for you guys to not hate me. I go MIA for a month and then offer up this measly little chapter. I suck, I know. I really did drop the ball on this one but I am not giving up on this fic and I have some really good plans for what's coming up soon. It's not my fault for getting so distracted (alright it totally is!) but it was my dad's bday, then mine, than my friends, than another one and another one and then I went out of town, then camping, then school started and I just totally had to put the writing on backburner. I also know that I haven't replied to any reviews, and I'm sorry but that doesn't mean I appreciate them any less, I swear!! Good news is that the creativity is really flowing (sorta) and I should have another chapter up in a week (hopefully less). Sorry once again, and I really hope you can all forgive me for the (too long) hiatus!

Dedicated to my readers/reviewers!

Now that my novel of an Author's note is over, on with the story!!!

"Get her out."

The voice runs chills down my spine and I suppress a shiver at the intensity in the words.

I can almost see the blonde's eyes flash red in Brooke's direction, and I immediately decide that it's time for me to intervene.

"Spencer, I-"

"Ashley, I want her to leave this house right now." Spencer interrupts coldly.

Fuckkkkkkkk.

I am on the edge of witnessing cold blooded murder in my bedroom, people.

Brooke fidgets nervously, for very good reason, and I feel utter sympathy for the poor girl. I would never dare put even my worst enemy in front of an angry Spencer.

And this is pissed-off-I'm-going-to-shank-the-next-person-I-see-Spencer we're talking about.

I step forward, knowing that I'm the least likely to get killed in this room, "Spencer, I really don't think that you can tell one of my guests to leave."

Holy shit! Did that just come out of me? When did I grow a pair??

Spencer's eyes snap to mine and a mixture of disbelief and hurt pours from her eyes to mine.

"Fine. Then I'll just leave instead."

She turns on her heel and storms out of the room.

The tears that had sprung into her eyes didn't go unnoticed by me.

Before I could even will myself to take a step, I'm already halfway to the door, when I feel a hand pull me back gently.

Turning, I'm sure my eyes are pleading with Brooke to let me leave, but the way she's looking at me stops my movements dead cold.

"Ashley, that wasn't right."

Groaning, I let my gaze fall to the floor, "I know but it just happened and I-"

"Not that. I'm talking about the kiss."

I could feel my heart stop beating at her words and I swallow hard, "What about it?"

"It was the wrong thing to do. I kissed you because you needed it but we can both admit there was nothing there."

"I-uh- Brooke…"

"It's okay, Rockstar. You needed that and I told you that I wanted to help. But, let's just not do that again, okay?"

I nod jerkily, knowing that the brunette was more than right and it was impossible to force Spencer out of my mind.

I make another move to leave the room when I'm stopped once more.

"Call me tonight, Ashley. I think I might have a few ideas to help you win over Blondie."

I nod again before turning and rushing out of the room.

There is no sight of the blonde anywhere in the house and I sigh internally as I pull on a jacket and make my way through the front door.

I'm half way down the stairs when I notice Spencer sitting on the swing on our porch.

"Spencer, I…"

She shakes her head almost imperceptibly but its Spencer we're talking about and nothing she ever does goes unnoticed by me. I move cautiously over to the swing, scared that any sudden movement may cause the gorgeous girl to bolt.

As I near the swing, Spencer scoots over to the side despite the fact that there is plenty of room left. My heart soars because it's a silent gesture of welcome. She's moving over to make room for me and I don't think I've ever been so relieved at the sight of our swing.

I take a seat gently and allow the swing to move under my weight, the balls of my feet helping to encourage the motion.

There's a moment of silence and a small sigh escapes my lips. I really messed up this time but a few muttered apologies aren't going to do me any good this time and in all honesty, I am not at blame in this situation.

"Spencer, I'm not going to say I'm sorry for kissing Brooke."

Spencer seems unaffected save for the cocked eyebrow in my direction.

I tear my gaze from hers and push forward, knowing that this is something that needs to be cleared up.

"I told you how I've been feeling lately and instead of comforting me, you confuse the hell out of me. Brooke hasn't done anything but be nice to me while you've done nothing but mess with my mind! Oh, and not only my head, what was that shit you pulled with her anyway? After the club, you're sitting here telling me that you think you like her, going out with her, and then inviting her to watch you and that fucking idiot shove your tongues down each other's fucking throats!!"

By now I'm standing up, my voice raised to a shrill volume and my chest heaving from the sudden exertion.

Spencer gently takes a hold of my wrist and pulls me back towards the swing, "Alright, now what is it that's bothering you?"

"What are you doing to me, Spencer?"

The blond stands abruptly, letting go of my hand and walking to the edge of the porch.

I wait for what seems an eternity for her to answer me but it soon becomes clear that it's not the case here. Walking behind her, I sigh knowing that this wasn't going to be an easy conversation.

"Spencer, you kissed me."

A sharp intake of breath.

"I know, Ashley. I was there."

"Twice."

I saw her body flinch at the statement and I felt my heart clench at the involuntary gesture.

"Why did you do it Spence?"

"Because I could! The first time it happened caught me by surprise. Out of nowhere you spring this on me after I sort of indirectly tell you that I might like girls. I went out for coffee, Ashley! You broke up with your boyfriend and told three people you were gay the same day! Obviously, you had a lot more guts than I did, but when I saw you so vulnerable, I couldn't take it. Especially when you thought that I could ever love you any less and when I found out who you liked...I couldn't think of anything else to do but to kiss all of your fears away and that terrified me. That single fleeting thought scared the shit out of me. So I did what you do best, I ran. I fucking bolted out of there and headed straight to a bar. A couple shots later and I ended up God-knows-where doing God-knows-what with Nathan."

I swallow hard and, to no surprise at all, find that my throat is completely dry. The blonde that I'm watching so very intently takes a shuddering breath and continues on, with me hanging on to each and every word falling past her lips.

The second time, was just because it's you in the morning, and damn it Ashley, you look absolutely gorgeous when you wake up. You were so damn close to me and you gave me that look that I know you never give anyone else and I just wanted to kiss you so I did. You should have stopped me. You were supposed to stop me!"

She whirls suddenly and presses her lips against mine for a sweet but oh so brief moment. She pulls back and my eyes flutter open to see her staring me dead in the eye.

"You still won't stop me, Ashley.Why?"

Spencer pulls herself away from me and moves a safe distance away, but now I can clearly see the guilt and accusation clashing in the blonde's eyes.

I see her biting her lips, hoping to keep the threatening tears at bay as she chances a glance in my direction before hurrying towards the front door.

The idea of Brooke still inside the house runs through my mind for a fleeting moment before I recall seeing the girl unceremoniously climb out a window and army crawl to her car. Smart girl, that one.

I unconsciously make the decision to not let Spencer walk away from me again, before I realize it myself.

I take her wrist in one of my hands and pull her gently in to my body, breathing the answer to her question against her lips.

"Because you're you, Spencer, and that's all that ever mattered."

Taking a deep breath, I inhale all that is Spencer and bathe myself in her presence before taking the next step and closing the distance between our lips.

I'm sure you can understand when I say that I am more than surprised to have Spencer turn her head, causing my lips to softly collide with her cheek.

The next words cut deep into my heart, shattering the newly healed pieces.

"I can't, Ashley. Not with you."

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