Note: This is a short chapter. And there are two reasons for this. 1) There was not enough cuteness in the premier, and so I will create me own (enter maniacal laughter here). Also, 2) after writing an entirely different chapter I realized, once again, that it just didn't fit. Man, you have to hate that. So, I give you a short and sweet chapter (and probably another one after this) while I try and figure out where to take this story since I had to throw out my latest idea. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 20

Only twelve more hours until I'm out of this house and get to see Ashley again, Spencer thought. It was Saturday afternoon, the party only the night before and already she sat before her homework in the middle of a great daydream about Ashley. It wasn't even so much that she missed her girlfriend, although of course she did, but more that Ashley made her feel safe, she was stable. Well, as stable as Ashley Davies can be. Her family, on the other hand, seemed to be imploding in on itself. The ground was very shaky and Spencer found herself constantly longing to be held in the brunette's secure arms.

She curled up on her bed and hummed along to the music playing. Her hand caressed the top of the lap top that should have been on and open, but the thought didn't deter her from her current mental pursuit. Unfortunately, the blonde was interrupted from her reverie by frantic pounding on the front door.

"Door!" she yelled, before remembering that Glen was the only other person in the house. And he wasn't likely to get the door unless he was expecting someone.

The knocking seemed to grow more frantic as Spencer ran down the stairs. "Hold on! I'm coming, keep your pants on," she yelled back as she yanked open the door to reveal a disheveled Ashley. "Of course, you're always welcome to take your pants off," she amended.

"Spencer Carlin, are you undressing me with your mind?" Ashley asked in an exaggerated shocked voice.

"I would never dream of such a thing," Spencer responded, acting as completely shocked by the accusation.

"Liar," Ashley counted.

"You're right," Spencer grinned, moving aside to let the older girl in, "I dream about it all the time."

As she closed the door she could feel Ashley's presence near her and sure enough she turned only to have her back pressed to the door, Ashley's body leaning in close, dark eyes boring into her own.

"Hey you," Ashley whispered.

Feeling suddenly shy under Ashley's intense gaze Spencer had to bite down on a giggle that began to tickle the back of her throat. "Hey yourself," she finally managed to whisper back.

"I was thinking about you," Ashley murmured, her finger tracing Spencer's lips causing Spencer's breath to catch.

"Oh…" Spencer sighed as Ashley leaned in closing the already non existent distance between them.

"You! Off the sister!" a masculine voice called, ruining the moment.

Ashley pulled back just a little bit. Over her shoulder Spencer could see Glen as he pointed to his eyes and then back to the two girls. Yes, I get it, you're watching me. Spencer rolled her eyes back at her brother before he turned and headed toward the kitchen.

Looking back at Ashley, Spencer grinned at the merriment that seemed to dance in the older girl's eyes.

"At least he didn't jump on my back to try and pry me away," Ashley pointed out with a laugh. She bit her lip, "I would have had to hurt him," she added.

"You seem very happy," Spencer noted, taking Ashley's hand and interlacing their fingers. Even this slightest touch seemed to ground her. And that seemed a good thing since Ashley's mere presence made Spencer want to fly.

"Why wouldn't I be happy?" Ashley bantered back. "I have the most gorgeous girlfriend ever, and I just came to ask said girlfriend out on a date tonight."

"A date? Well let me mark this day down on my calendar," Spencer said with mock giddiness. "Ashley, we go on dates all the time, so while I'm glad asking me out makes you so happy, it seems a bit overdone."

Ashley grin only seemed to grow at her words. The dark eyes sparkled as she winked at Spencer, their bodies still only a few inches apart.

"I don't mean what we usually do, baby. I mean a real date. We're not going to the club, or to a party, or even to my bed. Although I can't guarantee the night won't end there. But I mean we going to go out. To dinner. Or the movies. Or, I don't know, bowling or something. What do normal couples do again? What do you want to do? That's what we'll do."

Spencer felt her heart pound at the implications of the brunette's words. "Oh," was all she managed to say yet again, giving herself a mental slap as that giggle finally escaped from her lips.

Ashley just grinned back, "So can I take that as a 'yes'?"

"That is a resounding YES! But just so you know, I expect this to be a very big deal," Spencer responded as her playful side finally kicked back in.

"Oh, of course," Ashley said, sounding completely sincere. Then she grinned and leaned towards Spencer's waiting lips again.

The throat clearing behind them was right on time.

"Well, I am just convinced that the world doesn't want to watch us making out," Ashley said with a trace of humor in her voice. With a gleam in her eye she still gave Spencer a quick peck to the corner of the girl's mouth before turning to face Glen. "What is your deal?"

"I said, off my sister. I'm pretty sure I was speaking English," Glen spat out.

"You were. I heard they were teaching apes amazing things these days. You still understand sign language too?" Ashley asked waving around her middle finger.

"Would now be the wrong time to ask you two to play nice?" Spencer broke in.

"Hey, I'm not kicking her ass out of the house. I'd say that's playing plenty nice," Glen glowered.

"Glen…" Spencer started.

"No, no," Ashley interrupted, "he has a point. Baby steps are happening here. I think we're all going to be one big happy family," she finished gleefully as she ran over to Glen and wrapped him into a giant bear hug.

"Off!" Glen ordered yet again, shaking the girl loose. He stared down at himself as if he had just come in contact with a horrible disease.

"Yes, you will start to like guys now," Ashley stated, matter-of-fact.

Glen just rolled his eyes and started back upstairs, calling back over his shoulder, "You know Ashley, there was a time when I would have loved to be hugged by a lesbian. But you have ruined this fantasy for me. Ruined I tell you!"

Ashley turned back to Spencer, "Is it wrong that I'm starting to actually tolerate him?"

Spencer chuckled. "No, because I'm only beginning to tolerate him myself. And he's my brother."

"A fact I don't hold against you, dearest."

"So…" Spencer began.

"So…" Ashley continued.

"Tonight then?"

Ashley grinned, "It's a date."

And can I just add how much I love Spencer? Seriously. Ashley is great and all, but Spencer's character is the reason I watch the show.

Also, I started to make a promo for my story in my head, as if it were actually a season. I'm computer illiterate so it will only exist in my head, but picking out the right song and scenes is actually pretty fun.

Lastly, thanks again for the wonderful reviews. You're all so amazing, I don't know how to thank you enough. You make me grin like Spencer when Ashley's in the room.