A/N: Song by Carrie Underwood. Best. Song. Ever. And definitely a Spashley song. Download it. Now. I mean it. I'll beat you up.

Chapter Six: That's Where It Is

Darkness. Voices. There were voices. The sound of car tires squealing. Screams. Someone was screaming. Where was Spencer? I can't move. Gunshots? Gunshots! Someone was shooting! I can't move! Oh God, Spencer, where are you? Screaming. The screaming was louder. Was that Glen? Maybe it was Sean? I can't tell the difference. I should be able to tell. Why can't I tell? Spencer. Where's Spencer? I can't move. Spencer! A flash of red. Red? Blood? Blood! Spencer's blood! I can't move. Why can't I move? Spencer? Spencer! SPENCER!

"SPENCER!" I finally broke through my invisible barrier that had been holding me down, only to find myself tangled in sheets, dripping with sweat in Spencer's bed. Where was Spencer? "Spencer…" I whimpered again, feeling the tears stinging my eyes.

"Baby, I'm right here." I heard her say from beside me. Oh thank God. And Moses. And George Washington. And Charlie Brown. And that cute little gecko from the Geico commercials. I spun around so fast I'm pretty sure I gave myself whiplash.

There they were. Those gorgeous blue eyes staring up at me in concern. I felt her soft hand slide over mine, still clutching the bed sheets. My grip softened as her fingers intertwined themselves with mine.

"Spencer" I whined, sounding like a lost little puppy dog. I felt hot tears sliding down my cheeks and rolling off my chin. Everything got blurry, and my nose began to burn. I made a noise that sounded like the cry a puppy makes when it's hurt. I felt my body begin to shake with uncontrolled sobs.

Just when I thought I was going to lose it completely, I felt this incredible warmth wrap around me, stilling me. I felt Spencer's lips press against my ear, followed by the wonderful sound of her voice whispering. "Shh…baby. Don't cry. It's ok. It's all going to be ok. I'm right here. I'm not leaving."

And then I lost it.

I clung to her like I was stranded at sea and she was my life raft. In a way, that was true. I would drown without her. I held on as tight as I could as the sobs shook my body. I couldn't control myself anymore. All I could do was cry. I almost lost her. I almost lost her. That thought made me cry harder. What would I do without her? My home was in her arms. My heart was in hers. My soul in her eyes. She was my life. She was my everything.

She held on just as tight as I did, determined to stop me from shaking. All the while, she whispered comforting words into my ear, making sure to let her lips brush against me. I needed her. Why didn't I see this before? I needed her so bad.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I managed to stop crying. I lay there in her lap with my head against her stomach, out of tears. She continued to stroke my arms, my shoulders, my back, my head, the back of my neck and behind my ears. Anywhere she could find skin, her fingers were there reminding me of her presence. I was so grateful.

I had been running in circles my whole life. I could have kept going. I could've searched forever for what I had right before me. But instead I had everything I needed right here in this room with me. Whenever I was lost and confused, caught up in the darkness of everyday life, she brought me back. She grounded me. It was her hand that led me through it. Her embrace that steadied me.

I closed my eyes and reached for her other hand. She immediately wound her fingers through mine and squeezed. I squeezed back and sighed. This was where I needed to be. This was where I wanted to be. Forever. I never wanted to lose her. I never wanted to even come close to losing her. That moment at Prom was the scariest of my life and I didn't intend on letting it happen again. In fact, starting right now I was going to do everything in my power to keep her safe. And also to show her how much I love her.

Turning my head, I buried my face into her warm, soft, and bare stomach. Her warm skin felt so good. I felt her muscles tighten against my touch and I smiled. She squeezed my shoulder slightly and my smile blossomed into a grin.

This was where I belong.