Disclaimer: I own nothing

CoachKimm: You read my mind ;-)

Str. Princess: I know I'm sorry… I struggle with the whole doing and emotions combined thing, I feel as though it gets too waffly… I dunno. I hope this is more to your liking.

Thanks for reading and reviewing. This is the penultimate chapter.

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9.

Ashley and Aiden entered the conference room together to meet with a representative from her record label.

"Well Ashley, it's nice to see you again"

"Hey Glen, how's things?"

"Very well thank you. Even happier since there's been so much positive 'exposure' of you this week. It's put you out there, on the market, more people want to get a piece of Ashley Davies, which means more record sales, which means more money!" said Glen, beaming.

"Well that's great Glen."

"All you need to do now is get back home safe and sound and do your promo bit around New York, not get into any trouble and await the album release in two weeks."

"I suppose that doesn't sound too difficult, but that was something I wanted to talk to you about actually. I was thinking of leaving New York. I want to come back to L.A. I forgot how much I love it here; I miss the sun, the beaches, the way of life, and the reminders of my old life with my dad. Would that be likely to cause any problems?"

Aiden cut in at this point… "Umm… Ashley… hi!" he said waving at her with an expectant look on his face.

"Umm…. Hi Aiden…" said Ashley waving back, but with a look on confusion on her face, "What?"

"Well… I kinda live in New York too you know, so you moving is going to affect me, being your manager and all. Don't you think I should have some say in whether or not we move?"

"Well… honestly? No, not really. Whether you come with me or not is up to you, I'm not forcing you to come, but what you decide to do isn't going to change my mind about me wanting to come home. If it's feasible for me to come back, I'm not going to stay in New York just because you want to".

"I can't believe you!" shouted an exasperated Aiden

"What the hell Aiden?"

"You left this dump for bigger and better things. I followed you to be your manager and help you. You can't just up and leave without me! I'm still your manager and I can't be your manager if you're on the other side of the continent! I have my life in New York too. I've made friends there, a name for myself and I'm not just going to relocate because of some whim of yours. You've never mentioned moving until today. What's going on?" Realisation suddenly dawned on Aiden… "Oh no, oh no… it's because of that blonde whore isn't it? That's why you want to stay!" Aiden hissed.

"She may play a small part, but she's not the only reason I want to come home. I really do miss being here, so the reasons I just gave Glen are true and most influential in my decision." Ashley said matter-of-factly.

"Yes but those reasons have always existed! You'll regret moving for her! Look you're obviously not thinking straight, so I'm just gonna go get some air and leave you to think this through. Come get me when you realise you're giving up me if you leave New York. I hope you can talk some sense into her Glen!" spat Aiden as he stormed out of the office, feeling pissed. He got some strange looks from people as he began muttering to himself… "I've given up my life and basketball career for Ashley by helping her to get into the spotlight and further her career. She'd be nothing without me. Why can't she think of other people when making this sort of decision? When I say other people, I mean me and not that blonde bitch! She's not thinking straight. I'll show her!" He began walking determinedly towards the Beverly Wilshire.

Ashley remained staring at the door after Aiden had left, wondering what had gotten him so upset. It wasn't like she was forcing him to move. Although he was her manager and supposed friend, where she decided she wanted to live, really was none of his business. She didn't need his permission to move. He was turning into a selfish douchebag anyway and she couldn't forgive him for the way he's been treating Kyla, so if he did stay, she wouldn't be all that disappointed.

Glen had remained quiet and seated watching the whole exchange. Ashley had forgotten he was still sat there. He cleared his throat, so as not to startle Ashley out of her thoughts too abruptly, "Ash… listen, sorry to have been privy to that, but if it's worth anything it really doesn't bother me and I know it won't bother the label, if you decide to come back to L.A. We have representatives all over the country. We just want a happy Ashley, because she's the one that makes us rich. If being here in L.A does that for you and inspires you, then the hell with Aiden. He'd be a fool not to follow you."

"Thanks Glen." Ashley smiled at him. Glen could be an ass sometimes, but that was in the name of business. He was harmless enough otherwise and his heart was in the right place. Once they'd finished talking business, she headed out to clear her head, and decided she should call Kyla to get some perspective.

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[Phone ringing]

"Hello?"
"Kyla?"

"Ashley, Hey! You ok?"
"Yeah, not bad… listen are you around so we can meet, I need some advice."
"Yeah of course, I'm in Starbucks on Beverly Drive, come meet me?"

"Oh great I'm like two minutes away, I'll see you then."

Right on time, Ashley walked in to the coffeehouse and ordered a drink, before joining her sister on one of the sofas.

"So what's up Ashley?"
"Uch… Aiden and life! I've gone and upset him and I don't really know why. I was talking to Spencer over breakfast this morning and happened to mention I'd like to see her again, but she wasn't really enamoured with the idea that if I was in New York, I'd only get to see her a few weeks a year, and she didn't want to be treated like a 'weekend break' "
"Well I think that's a fair point Ash. I mean would you really just expect her to put things on hold and wait for you to drop by when it suited?"

"No, I guess not. I just don't know what to do. She told me she loved me last night… but she doesn't know that she did."

"What do you mean?"
"I had my eyes closed, I think she thought I was sleeping, but I wasn't and heard her tell me she loved me"

"Oh my God, that's so great!" beamed Kyla, "I knew she felt something for you when I met her last night."

"You really think she loves me?"

"Yes Ash, I do. And I think you might be falling for her too, only you're too dumb to see that. When you were with each other last night, you couldn't keep your eyes or hands off each other and that's generally a good sign." Ashley blushed. "So anyway, what's got Aiden's knickers in a twist?"

"Well I'd been thinking about moving back here to L.A. for a while. The fact Spencer suggested she wants me around more than the occasional week is kinda nice, and when I said I wanted to see her again, I meant it. Aiden's pissed that I didn't talk it through with him before bringing it up with Glen. It's not like I meant to hurt him. was only thinking about the idea of moving and wanted to test the waters, so to speak."
"That's fair enough in my opinion. I mean why would you need to talk it through with him anyway? He may be your manager and a 'friend', but it's not like you need his permission to do anything. You employ him and pay his wage. If he doesn't want to follow, that's his choice. I've already told him I want to move back here too. I suspect some other woman has something to do with it if I'm honest"

"Listen to me going on about my problems and you've got a lousy cheating husband to deal with! I've sort of suspected he's not been faithful. I just didn't want to stick my nose in where it probably wouldn't have been welcomed. Are you ok?" asked Ashley sincerely

"Yeah actually, I'm fine. Like I said last night, I'm just waiting for the right time" said Kyla honestly. "Soon as he cocks up, I'll be packing a U-haul to join you here!" and they both smiled.

"C'mon you, lets get back to the madness. Want to come back to the hotel? You, me and Spence could get some drinks up and veg out in front of the TV this afternoon?"
"Sounds good to me!"

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Spencer's morning with Madison had been nice. They'd spent a couple of hours together catching up, before Madison had other things she needed to get on with. Spencer had been able to spend some time thinking and talking with Maddie which had put things in perspective. She needed to get out of this thing with Ashley, before she got her heart broken, because she figured she was no Cinderella. When she'd made her way back to the hotel, she began to pack.

A short while later… [Door bell chimes]

"Well hello again Spencer"

"Oh… Aiden… Ashley's not here, in fact I thought she was with you" said Spencer puzzled.

"Oh she was… but she definitely isn't now. It was you I wanted to see actually. I wanted to see what it was that was so special about you, that's making Ashley want to fuck up her and my life, so I thought to myself, lets see… lets see if I screw Spencer, maybe I can be a happy and carefree person, that doesn't give a shit about her friends anymore… so c'mon Spence…" Aiden said as he pushed Spencer backwards into the hotel room and down onto the nearest sofa. He pinned her arms above her head and lay down on top of her, before running his lips over her neck while trying to grope her breast.

"Get off me! Stop it! Aiden you're hurting me!"

"C'mon Spence… make me a happy man! I'll even pay! How much for a quick shag huh?"

"NO Aiden! Get off!" shouted Spencer, struggling beneath Aiden, trying to get free or knee him somewhere painful, but he wouldn't budge.

It only took Ashley and Kyla a few minutes to get back from Starbucks. As they stepped off the lift, they could hear shouting coming from in the penthouse. They looked at each other concerned and rushed to unlock the door. They could barely believe the sight they saw in front of them, with Aiden pinning Spencer down against her will. Ashley ran over to them and with the adrenaline running around her body, managed to yank Aiden off of Spencer, before slapping him hard around the face. "Get the FUCK out of this hotel room Aiden, before I do something to you that will mean you can never have kids!"

"Oww… jees Ash that stung! What the hell are you doing taking her side anyway, god damnit! She's a hooker Ashley! Letting me fuck her, is her job!" said Aiden, not realising Kyla was stood a few feet away.

Ashley saw red and punched him in the nose.

"Oww, shit Ashley! What's wrong with you? I'm not only your manager, I'm your friend, I've been by your side since high school, I've moved around the country to support you up until now!"

"Oh shut the fuck up Aiden! No friend of mine would try to take advantage of a defenceless woman, or cheat on his wife - my sister! I only offered you the job as my manager because you were my friend and had nothing better to do. Your basketball career was going down the pan because all you ever did was party! You wanted the money and the lifestyle that came with my career, and I handed it to you on a platter. But I don't give a shit what you think about anything anymore Aiden, you've overstepped the mark and I can't ever trust you again. Now get outta here and stay away from all of us!" Aiden turned around to storm out the door, cradling his bloodied nose, when he finally noticed Kyla stood there watching the scene. The blood drained from his face as he realised he'd not only messed up his friendship and his job, he'd cocked up royally now by providing proof to Kyla that he was a cheat, which meant he also had no money to look forward to in the future. He went to run to Kyla to try and defend himself, but she put her hand up to forestall any bullshit… "Aiden… I don't want to hear it. You'll be hearing from my lawyer next week. I suggest you leave now, before one of the three of us women in this room does something to you, which will mean you won't be able to walk out of here independently"

Aiden paled even further if that was even possible, before retreating out the door.

Ashley made her way over to Spencer and gathered her up onto her lap, wrapping her arms around her, leaving butterfly kisses in her hair and whispering reassuring nothings into her ear, while gently rocking her. "I'm so sorry that just happened Spence. I never realised there was that side of Aiden."

Spencer calmed down after a few minutes and finally replied, "It's ok Ash, it's not your fault… you rescued me."

Ashley laughed… "What like your princess charming?"

"Yeah like my princess charming" beamed Spencer, but suddenly her face fell and she edged her way off of Ashley's lap.

Ashley surveyed the room after noting Spencer's sudden change in mood… "I see you're packed. Why are you leaving now?"

Spencer sighed, "Because I want more."

Ashley paused for a moment, "Yeah I said we'd talk about this didn't I. Spence, I want more too, it's just things have a habit of not working out with me. I'm scared to hurt you and I'm scared of being hurt. You were in the middle of telling me what it was that you wanted this morning?"

"I want…" Spencer sighed… "I want… the fairytale… to know that I'm the one that you don't need to make an effort to be with, for you to be the one that sweeps me off my feet and rescues me, but I know that there will always be some girl… or guy! Who thinks they can buy me. I'm grown up enough to know that no matter how much I want this to work, the odd week here and there, while you're in New York and I'm trying to make something of myself here, just isn't going to cut it."

Ashley went to reply, but was cut off by Spencer, placing a finger over her lips, "Shh… it's ok Ash. Maybe we just don't get to have the fairytale ending right now." With that Spencer picked up her things, dropped a kiss on Ashley's cheek, nodded a goodbye to Kyla and made her way out the door, leaving Ashley gawping after her like a goldfish, not being able to form any kind of reply in that time. It wasn't meant to have turned out that way. Despite her doubts, Ashley knew she wanted the fairytale right back, but Spencer hadn't let her speak.

Kyla had been stood there watching the whole thing. "Ashley!!! What the hell are you doing just standing there?" That jolted her right back into reality.

"Shit!" cursed Ashley, when she realised she may have just missed her chance to explain herself. After getting both her brain and legs in gear, Ashley ran out of the room at top speed to chase after Spencer, and got out of the room just as the lift doors were closing. Ashley was crestfallen as she approached the lift doors and rested her head against them. Kyla came out shortly afterwards and noticing a lack of a certain blonde haired beauty, realised Ashley had been too late. She wrapped her arms round a crying Ashley, trying to console her.

"What the hell have I just done?" cried Ashley

"Shh… it's ok. If it's meant to be, you'll find her."