So I still don't own anything. XD

Thanks for reading, and so sorry for the huge wait!

"Spence?"|

"Mmm?" I flick my eyes up to meet hers.

"I left my guitar in your car," she says, biting her lip.

"Oh, okay. I'll go grab it," I flash her a smile. "I'll be back in a minute," I say, standing up. I Grab my car keys from the counter as I walk past. Once I'm out the door, I find I'm pretty much flying down the stairs. I just want to hurry up and get back upstairs. I'm really looking forward to hearing her sing again. Well I'm also just looking forward to seeing her again, even though I saw her less than two minutes ago.

When I reach my car, I realize just how pathetic I am. I lean against the passenger door, banging my head softly against the window a few times. I open the door and grab the guitar case. It's surprisingly heavy, but it doesn't bother me. I lock my car, and, trying to exhibit a little bit of restraint, walk to the stairs. Then I lose control and take the steps two at a time. It's because I didn't want to keep her waiting, okay?

I slip into the apartment and glance around. Ashley's sitting in the same place she was before, staring out the window. Her eyes have this distant, far-away look in them, and I hate to break her reverie. I close the door behind me as quietly as I can, but she snaps out of her days as it clicks closed. For a fleeting second, I see the most heartbreaking emotion on Ashley's face. It's still distant, but I notice that there's something I didn't see before. A hint of sadness across her beautiful features. Then, so quickly I almost think I've imagined it, it's gone.

"That was quick!" She smiles dazzlingly up at me, and I swear I can feel my insides turn to mush.

"Yep!" I say brightly. "I'm really excited to hear you sing!" I pass the heavy case to her. She thanks me and sets it down, undoing the latches. She pulls her guitar out, and ducks under the strap.

"So what do you want me to sing?" She asks.

"Uhm, anything you want. I'm pretty sure you could sing any song and make it sound amazing," I grin at her.

"Okay," she pauses, thinking. "Would it be okay if I sang one of my dad's old songs?"

I smile, warm and genuine. "Sounds fantastic. Which one?"

"I was thinking about Hold On, is that okay?"

"That is better than okay!" It's hard to hold my excitement in. "That's my favourite Purple Venom song!"

"Mine too!" She says, her smile bright, but tinted with some heavier emotions. I want to ask her if she's alright doing this song, because it obviously reminds her of her father, but I decide against it. She needs this. She needs to be able to remember him without curling up in a ball and wanting to die. I know this because of Clay. For the longest time, I was as fragile as an eggshell when it came to Clay. I usually couldn't hold back the tears whenever I thought of him.

She sits again, and I take my place behind the camera. "Ready?" I ask. A small look of panic crosses her face, but she suppresses it and nods. I click the record button and watch her.

After she strums the first few chords, she relaxes wholly, and lets herself be swept up in the music. I notice how slender and perfect her fingers are as they glide across the neck of the guitar. I notice how her eyes are shining with unshed tears as she sings. How her curls catch the light just the right way. How her mouth curves into a beautifully sad smile.

I'm definitely considering the fact that the most gorgeous creature on the face of this planet is singing in my tiny apartment. It's a strange thought, but entirely true. As her voice trails off, a single tear slips down her perfect cheek. The last chord rings out seconds later. I let it taper off before shutting off the camera. Everything about that performance was beautiful. Stunning, really.

She stands up and crosses her arms over her chest, trying to make herself look smaller than she already is. Another tear traces its way over her smooth skin, and without even thinking, I close the distance between us and envelop her in a hug. I realize what I'm doing suddenly. I shouldn't be touching her. She probably thinks I'm super weird. I barely know her. I'm about to pull away when I feel her arms wrap around my waist. She tucks her head into the crook of my neck.

She lets out a heart-wrenching sob, and I tighten my grip on her subconsciously. My hands slide up and rub her rub her back –what I hope to be- soothingly. I murmur "it's okay," into her hair. I can feel her shaky breath on my collarbone slowly steadying. After another minute, she pulls back. Her eyes are red and puffy, her body trembling slightly.

"I'm so sorry," she says quietly, her eyes trained on the floor.

"Hey," I say softly. "Don't be."

I motion for her to follow me and walk over to the couch. I move some paintings from the cushions onto the floor, which is currently covered by a paint-splattered sheet. I take a seat in the spot I've cleared, and she sits next to me. Neither of us talk for a few minutes. Then she begins hesitantly.

"I'm sorry. I just-I just thought I could handle it, you know?" Her breath hitches. I know how hard it is for her to talk about this. I slip my hand over hers and give it a slight squeeze. She smiles gratefully at me and keeps going. "I tried for a few months to block every thought of him from my mind. It just hurt too much to think that I'll never see him again; that he's really gone. Then I realized that blocking out my emotions wasn't helping anyone. I've been working up the courage to sing one of his songs. It sounds silly, but I feel closest to him when I'm singing."

"That doesn't sound silly," I assure her. She looks at me with her watery, tear-filled eyes, and manages a slight smile in thanks.

"Like he's not so far away," she continues. "But I just wasn't ready to feel everything I felt when I sang that. Everything just hit me all at once. I remembered every little thing about him that I loved, and that I hated, and it kills me to know I'll never get to be annoyed at him again, or hug him, or tell him that I love him," the tears came back with a vengeance.

I scoot over closer to her, and pull her tight against my side. She falls into me. As she cries, I adjust my position, trying not to disturb her. I shift so that I'm leaning against the armrest, and she's curled up on her side, her head on my stomach. I stroke her hair as her tears subside. My heart is breaking for this girl. Also, despite the fact that she's been crying, my heart skips a beat at the sight of her falling asleep on top of me.

Finally, her eyes flutter closed, and her breathing evens out. She looks peaceful in her sleep. I can't help the corners of my mouth from turning up. I continue to sun my fingers through her hair, until I feel the lids of my eyes becoming heavy as well. My hands slow, and stop, my fingers tangling in her hair. I fight to keep my eyes open, but it's futile. So I give up and let sleep claim me.

Soooo…how you guys likin' it? Don't worry, it'll get better. I promise. I've got a few more things planned out, then it'll either end, or I'll just go with it. :D