A/N: New update. Again, thanks for the reviews, I'm happy you guys seem to be with me for the ride and like it so far. Hope this chapter is Ok, it didn't quite turn out the way I intended it to in the first place but hope you like it anyway...

Part 3.2 – New York City

Ashley seemed to be shaken out of her trance when hearing Kyla yell Spencer's name. Instead of shock, panic started to invade her mind. She had pictured this moment a thousand times in her mind but now that it was actually happening, she was nowhere near ready for it. To her, it was a disaster waiting to happen.

She looked at Spencer who didn't seem to register someone calling her name on the other side of the street. Ashley prayed silently that she wouldn't hear and just leave already when Madison decided to act when she saw that Spencer still remained clueless to someone calling out her name. Madison crossed the street in the middle of traffic causing 2 cars to come to a screeching halt. Horns honking and drivers screaming a few choices of words at Madison and the latina girl apparently yelling back something in spanish seemed to finally get Spencer's attention as to what the commotion was all about.

Ashley gasped as she saw Spencer lift up her head and look directly at Madison. Her first view of these shining blue eyes that she hadn't seen in so long. Confusion seemed to be written all over Spencer's features and suddenly replaced by a smile. And what a smile! To Ashley, it was Heaven on Earth.

Ashley looked at Kyla and hopefully her sister would see that it wasn't the time, she was not ready. But when she saw Kyla's eyes, she saw that her sister had made the decision for her whether she was ready or not. Apparently, it was decided that today was the day Spencer would be back into her life.

She looked again across the street and saw that Madison had reached Spencer and was now hugging her. There was no backing down now. Ashley took a deep breath and wished she had a drink in hand because she definitely could use a little courage right about now.

After a few words exchanged, Madison started gesturing at the Davies sisters still across the street. And this time, there was no more escape. Spencer's eyes linked directly to the brown eyes that had broken her heart 5 years ago. Shock was evident on Spencer's face and Ashley could have sworn, she saw fear as well. After all these years, she could still read Spencer's like an open book and the confident attitude that the blonde was sporting 2 minutes prior seemed to have left her body when she saw Ashley for the first time in 5 years.

Ashley felt Kyla's hand suddenly into her own and they started making their way across the street. Everything seemed to be in slow motion for Ashley as she walked towards Spencer, her heart was beating widly resonating in her ears. She was nervous, she was certain she was going to be sick. She took another deep breath trying to calm herself. Spencer waited next to Madison and was still looking deeply at the older brunette, probably trying to find out if Ashley was as nervous as she was right now.

And finally, Kyla and Ashley reached Madison and Spencer. A few seconds of awkward silence, suddenly broken by Kyla.

"Spence! Oh My God! It's been such a long time." Kyla said, a little too high-pitched for Ashley's taste because it was betraying Kyla's nervousness. When Kyla was nervous, her voice tended to take that high-pitch tone. It was unmistakable for the people who knew her and Ashley noticed Spencer was perfectly aware of it by the way she smiled at Kyla.

"Hey, Ky!" Spencer said hugging Kyla. At the sound of her deep voice, Ashley's heart missed a beat. She hadn't realised how much she had missed hearing Spencer's voice, always soothing her when she needed it. The goosebumps on her arms as Spencer spoke proved that much. With Spencer, her reactions were always physical, the girl had always had such an effect on her. It was disarming sometimes.

When Spencer turned towards Ashley, blue eyes looking directly into brown eyes, burning into her soul, Ashley's mind couldn't help itself. It flashed back at the last time she saw those blue eyes so close to her. The way Spencer had looked at her, so heartbroken, eyes empty, no emotion passing through them. Ashley felt guilty at the thought, how could she have caused such a thing ? Ashley looked into these eyes and she saw that the spark was back, her Spencer was back. And yet, something was different and Ashley couldn't quite read it yet.

"Ash." Was all that Spencer said, her voice so warm almost trembling. The way the nickname rolled of her tongue was better than everything Ashley had ever imagined. Because this time it was real and not her imagination running wild. "It's good to see you" she added so softly, just above a whisper. The tone of her voice made Ashley realise that she wasn't the only one nervous after all. And that gave her the courage she needed.

"Hi Spence. Good to see you too." Ashley answered and she was surprised she said it in such a steady voice. The hug that followed between the two exes was a little awkward to say the least but Ashley's heart soared at the unique smell that was Spencer. Such a familiar scent that caused a rush of adrenaline and a shiver ran through Ashley's entire body. Only Spencer had ever been able to trigger such a physical reaction from her body. And Ashley wasn't about to complain about the return of such familiar sensations.

"How have you been ?" Spencer continued. Sure the conversation felt a little awkward but what else to expect when you haven't seen the girl you're still in love with in 5 years.

"I've been...good. You ?" Ashley answered a little unsure.

"Good." Followed again by another awkward silence, only to be broken by Madison clearing her throat not so subtly.

"So, Spencer. Are you free right now ?" asked Madison. "We could play catch up a little, I haven't talked to you in months."

"Well, I guess I've been busy and you've been busy as well." Spencer answered. "But, yes I'd love to. Except not right now, I have a meeting in half an hour, so I have to go."

"Well, are you free tonight ?" asked Kyla. "Because Ash and I have an apartment not far from here, you could come by tonight."

Spencer looked directly at Ashley who insisted on remaining silent. "If that's Ok with Ash. I'd like to, yes."

Before Ashley could utter a word, Kyla was putting her arm on her shoulder and was answering for her. "Of course, it's okay with Ash." Ashley couldn't do anything but nod. And at the look the blonde gave her, she finally found her voice again. "Yeah, Spence. I'd love to, it's been so long."

Spencer smiled warmly at her and this time Ashley recognized the smile. A smile she had only for Ashley and no one else. Ashley felt herself blush, she realized that also hadn't happen in a long time. Damn, Spencer was good. In a matter of 3 minutes, she was creating all these sensations coursing through Ashley. And Ashley couldn't help herself anymore, she broke into a wide smile.

"Anyway..." Spencer said "I have to go. Mads you have my number, text me the adress. I'll be there around 8 pm if that's ok with you guys."

"Yes, don't worry. So it's a plan." Said Kyla.

"So, I'll see you tonight." Finished Spencer while putting on her helmet and finally pulling out of her parking spot. Ashley couldn't help but shudder at the view, Spencer Carlin on a motorcycle was a sight to behold.

When Spencer had disappeared from view, Ashley felt someone smack her on the back of her head.

"Hey, what's wrong with you ?" Ahsley asked at the guilty party, aka her beloved sister.

"What's wrong with ME ? More like what's wrong with YOU ? Since when are you this flustered around Spencer. Where is the confident Ashley ? You looked like a lost puppy back there."

Ashley sighed. "I know, but give me a break, I was shocked. This was the last thing I expected today, to be honest and I couldn't handle it. So, apparently "confident Ashley" decided to take a vacation."

"Well, you better bring your A game tonight, chica!" chimed in Madison. "Because Spencer is not the lost girl she was back then. She's sporting a whole new attitude and you might be in for a few surprises, let me tell you."

Ashley and Kyla looked at her with mouths wide opened. Madison chuckled. "You know girls, just because you haven't been in touch with her for the past 5 years, doesn't mean I haven't also. She's my friend as much as you guys are. So, I probably know more about her right now than you do."

Ashley sighed because it was probably true. She knew nothing about that Spencer. But deep inside, she was jumping for joy. How many chances do you get to discover again with new eyes the person you know you're meant to be with. It would be like getting a second chance to start all over again. But Ashley also knew that this wasn't going to be a walk in the park because even if they could start all over again, the past wasn't erased, it was still here, waiting patiently for someone to come looking for it. And sure enough, they were all heading in that direction...