A/N: Hope you're enjoying the story. Everything is already plotted out and written, but I'm still adding some color to the characters and scenes!

Ashley : Deception

This is just great.

I parked my Honda Integra in an old parking garage, thankful that Kyla had taught me at least one good thing. I hoped that they were okay. And I wondered if they were even worried about me. I always feared that this would happen – a cop bust, and that we'd get arrested. I couldn't afford to go to jail, not again. I'd never be able to finish my studies then or get a decent job. My heart sank at the thought.

I knew Kyla meant well – I knew deep down she still cared about me. But she was an absolute bitch, and she had no idea who I was, who I'd become. She constantly shot down my dreams and aspirations of wanting to become an Accountant. Or if I could, a Forensic Accountant. Don't ask me why, but I had this thing about numbers. And since watching so much of The Catch while in jail, I was just more inspired. I absolutely loved that show. It changed my life. That's why I pleaded with her to keep the coffee shop. Kyla had no clue, but I used the coffee shop as practical experience. And I knew full well that we were way better off than she led me to believe. But her lies didn't faze me. If anything, it only made me more determined to succeed at getting my degree and living my dreams.

Unfortunately, though, I was stuck until I could finish my studies. I was stuck with all the illegal things Kyla and her little crew were doing, and I was stuck with a criminal record that wasn't rightfully mine. The racing wasn't as bad, but what could have been a nice thing to enjoy, had also become an obstacle in my life. It was hard doing it, knowing that was what had taken my father's life. Kyla never took the time to understand my fears about it. I was just forced into accepting that I had to learn how to drive like a maniac and hopefully survive every time I participated in a race.

I tried my best not to cry as I made my way into the street, pulling my jacket over my shoulders and keeping up the pace to get home as quick as possible. A police squad car drove past me, and I held my breath, hoping it would continue to look for other racers.

"Davies, stop right there." The car stopped and made a U-turn.

Shit! I panicked. I had to make a run for it – and I did – not thinking once that I wouldn't be able to outrun a car. The only advantage I had was taking quick corners, so at the first opportunity, I did, turning into an alleyway that was unfortunately wide enough for the squad car to follow me.

I was soon running out of breath, and my feet hurt; I'd left my racing Sneakers in my car and was wearing heels. There was no time to stop and take them off now. The squad car was getting closer, and my chest tightened up. I can't go back to jail, I'm not going back there, I kept reminding myself as encouragement to keep going.

Headlights suddenly blinded me up ahead, and I almost sank down to surrender myself.

But a familiar voice shouting out to me gave me hope.

"Come on, get in!" Was that… Spencer?

My heart raced. Was I really being saved by the very person my sister warned me against? Kyla's warnings were pushed to the back of my head as I realized that Spencer was the only chance I had to get out of here, and keep out of jail. So I opened the passenger door and jumped in.

"Go, go, go!" I yelled at her as I slammed the door shut.

I watched as Spencer skillfully shifted to reverse, and backed us out of the alley in mere seconds. Once nearing the street, she gracefully turned the steering wheel and drifted her way into the fast lane. Her driving was pretty impressive, but I could tell she was still an amateur at this. Double-clutching didn't come natural now as it did while she was racing.

I kept watching her, her technique, her hand on the gear lever, her toned arm, up to her neck, her face… She was breathtaking. Several strands of blonde hair had come out of her hair band, occasionally covering the side of her face. Her big blue eyes were focused on the road, a slight frown of concentration visible on her forehead. Her lips were pulled tight, accentuating a clenched jaw.

Even in her worried state, she was beautiful.

"Stop staring." A small smile formed at the curve of her mouth.

I blushed at being caught out. I decided to stare out the window, not wanting to break her concentration while we got onto the highway, quickly evading the cops. She was really good at this. Even if she was still an amateur. When it became evident that we had outrun the police, Spencer started slowing down and took an exit.

"Thank you, for this – I didn't expect you of all people to show up," I said gratefully.

Spencer smiled shyly. "Well, I thought if I helped you, your sister would let me keep my car."

I snorted at her cockiness. "Oh Kyla will be grateful alright, but you're not keeping your car."

I watched her smoothly pull into a slow lane as we headed into small industrial areas. I had no idea where we were, but I wasn't going to help her out with my address. Not yet.

"So, what's up with you? You're driving like you've done this before, and just the other day you told me you're still taking driving lessons." I didn't know why, but I was set to call her on her lying and her jail time history.

I guess part of me was disappointed that she turned out as bad as all the other girls I've met.

When Spencer didn't answer me, I took a long look at her again, realizing she was avoiding my question. It made me slightly angry.

"So… what is it then, do you boost cars?"

Spencer turned her head so fast, I thought she'd get whiplash. "No, never!" Stop lying.

I nodded sadly, taking a deep breath. "Ever done time?"

Spencer glanced over at me, but never made eye contact. "A couple of over nighters here and there." Why are you lying to me?

My heart was breaking. I really wanted Kyla to have been wrong about this girl. "What about the year in juvie, for boosting cars? And the year in jail for fraud? And then another year, for assault?"

I held my glare on her until she'd acknowledge the truth. Spencer finally did turn to face me, and when our eyes locked, she looked almost sad that I'd found out. "WCCW, right?"

Spencer just nodded, and turned her attention back to the road.

"We ran a profile check on you, Spencer Wilson. Clay's an ex MIT-guy, we can find out anything about anyone. So why bullshit me?" I felt hurt that she'd lied to me. Maybe there were reasons why she was in those situations. Maybe she wasn't as bad a person as Kyla said she was.

Spencer chose not to answer me, but to divert my questions right back at me. "So what about you, Ashley Davies?"

I knew then that she knew. And unlike Spencer, I was not the lying type. "Two years, CCWF. I'd rather die before I go back."

Spencer only nodded, focused on the road. "Oh shit, what the hell is this?"

I frowned, and instantly knew what was going on when three bikes suddenly pulled up, one on each side of the car, and one pulling up in front of us. The person on Spencer's side knocked on her window with a gun, and indicated that we should follow them.

Kyla and her stupid rivalries.

"What the fuck, Ashley?" Spencer demanded.

I sighed in frustration. "Just do as they tell you. It's Kyla's stupid rivals. I doubt they'd do anything to us." You better be right, Ashley. They have guns. And Kyla's not around to sort out her own shit.

We followed the bikes to a rundown warehouse, and were forced to park outside. Another two bikes appeared out of nowhere and blocked in Spencer's car. We got out slowly, and waited for the crew to remove their helmets. All of them had weapons. I tried to ignore the fear pumping through me. Surprisingly, Spencer seemed a lot calmer than I thought she would be. Maybe she was used to this kind of thing after all that jail time.

Finally, the leader of the crew removed her helmet, and I realized it was Carmen. This is worse than I thought!

"My, my… Ashley Davies, in the flesh. I thought we had an agreement," Carmen smirked, walking towards me. I held my breath as she stopped right in front of me, her body nearly flush to mine. I tried not to look her in the eyes, but she lifted my chin with the barrel of her gun. From the corner of my eye I could see concern on Spencer's face.

"I uh, we got lost, I'm sorry we didn't tell you," I lied. Well, maybe Spencer didn't know the area. Carmen gave one step back and turned to Spencer, standing close against her like she did to me.

"You're a nice piece of work… how come I've never seen you around before?" Carmen pushed.

Before Spencer could even come up with an answer, I jumped in. "She's going to be our new mechanic, for the Desert Quarter. We needed an extra set of hands."

That seemed to be reason enough for Carmen, and she stepped back completely. "Desert Quarter, you say? Are you going to race?"

I had no idea if I was going to race. It was still something I had to think about. If I'd made enough money after tonight's race and then some extra from the coffee shop, I wouldn't need to race ever again.

"Still indecisive, I see," Carmen interrupted my thoughts. She smirked and cocked her gun towards Spencer. "Well, let me make it easy for you then. I want to race you, Ashley. And I'd love to take away your car, your girl," she nodded towards Spencer, "and your sister's credibility. You see, Kyla is a bitch and can get away with anything. But you, you're a little softie. So unfortunately you leave me with no choice than to use you."

"She's not my girl," I choked out. Really, that's all you have to say?

Carmen laughed, and her crew followed suit. "Whatever you say, Davies." She walked back towards her bike, climbed on, and started pulling her helmet over her head. "See you at Desert Quarter, Ashley."

I couldn't believe that they had let us off the hook so easily. We watched as they drove away, and I realized that I was still holding my breath. I wanted to ask Spencer if she was okay, but she beat me to it. "Are you okay?"

The gentleness in her voice made my knees weak. Why couldn't you have just been normal? I would have given anything to go on a date with Spencer. Get to know her. Mean something to her. But I couldn't date criminals – especially not the abusive kind. And Kyla would kill me. If she didn't kill Spencer first.

"I'm good," I breathed out, opening the door to get back in her car. It was time to get home. I was exhausted.

Spencer reached for her door handle, but in that second, I heard the sound of bikes again. My heart sank. Something bad was about to happen. I ran to Spencer's side and grabbed her hand, pulling her out of harm's way just in time. Carmen and her crew had made a return and opened fire on us. The entire driver side got covered in bullet holes. When I heard wheezing, I remembered something. NOS was explosive! I pulled Spencer further away from the car and finally dropped on top of her as we heard, and then felt, the blast.

I stayed still, protecting Spencer with my own body for a couple of minutes longer than I should, ensuring that Carmen and her crew was gone, and that we were out of harm's way. When she wriggled underneath me, I lifted myself up and gave her a hand to pull herself up as well.

"Thanks," she whispered. Her face was covered in dirt and a thin stream of blood made its way down her eye. She glanced at her watch, and then back at me. "Come on, let's get you home."