AN: Thank you so much to everyone that's been reviewing! You guys are the best!

Also, in case you didn't already figure this out, if you want to know what Ashley looks like, the cover photo for this story is how I imagined her to look - brownie points and shoutouts for anyone who recognizes the actress!

Now, enough blah from me… Enjoy the next chapter:)

Chapter 7:

"Ash'! I'm sorry. The words, they just…" Shawn answered through the phone.

Ashley smiled, this was more like him, "No Shawn, that's why I'm calling you. I'm sorry too. It just got way out of hand, and clearly you're right. I haven't been around as much as you have."

"No Ash', I…"

"Shawn really, let's just drop it okay. It's alright." Ashley reassured.

She listened for a moment, Shawn was obviously thinking about whether he should let it go or not. Eventually, it appeared he did because he sighed and finally spoke.

"Alright."

"Thank you. Now, what's the first thing we do about this Yin and Yang thing?"

"Look Ash', I know you want to help but…"

"No Shawn, I'm helping. I can handle whatever it is, trust me." Ashley reassured.

"Okay, fine. But the minute things get shaky you're…"

"Okay, okay. So what's the next step?"

Ashley, Shawn, and Gus pulled up to the mental ward. They were soon accompanied by two other police cars. Taking a look around, Ashley noted how the building gave off an eerie type of fake happiness. There were multiple fake flowers in the yard and the grass looked almost plastic. The building itself was an extremely light blue that looked highly faded. Obviously, it hadn't had a paint job in quite some time.

The three of them walked to meet the police cars on the other side of the parking lot when they saw them exit. Carlton, Juliet, and two other police officers stood by the cars.

"Alright, let's get this show on the road." Shawn exclaimed rubbing his hands together.

"Spencer, what did the Chief say about civilians tagging along on police matters?" Carlton asked in regard to Ashley, arms crossed.

Ashley gave him a confused look. Why wouldn't he let her come along?

"Come on Lassie. She's my sister. She's not just some random civilian!" Shawn argued.

"Fine. But if things get dangerous, she leaves." Carlton reasoned.

Shawn nodded and began walking toward the door with Gus. Ashley hung back to walk with Carlton. Why was he being so weird about her coming along? Was he that much of a stickler for the rules?

"So now I'm just a civilian?" Ashley asked quietly when they were far enough out of earshot.

Carlton kept walking, staring ahead, "Just a civilian? That is what you are if I'm not mistaken."

Ashley huffed, "Um, okay. I mean I know we're not exactly dating or anything. But why do you have a problem with me coming on the case, I thought…"

Carlton stopped and finally looked at her, "That's exactly what this is: a case. So, I have to treat it as such. It's not 'play favorites with your girlfriend time', I have to be serious and professional. You are a civilian and therefore the department's responsibility to protect in these situations. I do not know how this is going to go, so yes, I was uncertain about letting you come along."

Ashley sighed, he had a point. She did however internally smile when she hear him call her his girlfriend, even if it may have been accidental. "You don't think I can handle it?"

"That's not it… There's a difference between thinking you can handle something and being worried for your safety." He answered, they were almost at the door now.

Ashley smiled at him, "So, you're worried about me?"

Carlton seemed to ignore her question because he opened the door and walked straight toward everyone else. However, Ashley did detect a hint of a smirk on his face.

Inside, everyone was standing at the front desk of the mental ward. Juliet and Gus looked a bit hesitant to even be here. Shawn, however, remained cool and continued to crack jokes with Gus at every opportunity. Ashley and Carlton approached the desk and Carlton pulled out his badge.

"S.B.P.D."

The secretary nodded and pointed, "Yes, you'll go to the visitor sector, right down the hall there."

Carlton nodded his thanks and walked off in that direction. He was quickly followed by everyone else. Ashley was in the back of the group. What exactly were they doing at a mental ward? No one had bothered to mention anything to her. They stopped at a table where a woman in her early 40's sat with curly brown hair and a ghostly smile.

"Well if it isn't Shawn Spencer! I thought I'd never see you again!"

Ashley stared at the woman confused, how did she know Shawn? How did a crazy person in a mental institution make casual conversation with Shawn? She wasn't exactly surprised that Shawn had made friends with someone mentally insane, but it was still weird.

"We need your help." Shawn said, taking a seat across from her.

"Help? You want me to join your business? I thought you'd never ask! Well Shawn I'd be more than happy to…"

"Cut the crap Yang. What do you know?" Carlton said, forcefully.

Wait a minute? Yang? The serial killer Yang? Why on earth were they talking to her let alone trying to get advice from her?

"I'm sorry. We consult serial killers now? I thought she was the suspect?" Ashley asked, pushing her way in front of Gus.

Yang turned to look at her and gave her a chilling stare. She was obviously trying to figure out who she was and why she was there. It was extremely intimidating.

"Whose this pretty thing? Not a cop." Yang concluded.

"She's none of your concern. Now, we have important issues to discuss." Carlton interrupted.

"Like the new murder cases that have your heads spinning?" Yang asked, cranking her head to the side.

Carlton stared at her, "How did you…"

"Not important. But what it sounds like is you need my help. And I would like to know who I'm working with." She said determined.

"You are in no position to…"

"Ashley." Everyone's heads turned to look at her, "My name's Ashley, I hear you're a serial killer. What? That not work out in your favor and now you think you can make up for it by giving hints to the police?"

Yang's mouth hung open and then she gave gasped, "Ah, you're the other one."

Ashley stared at her, raising her eyebrow, "The other one?"

"The other Spencer. Shawn, how nice I finally get to meet your lovely sister."

Shawn face was going back and forth between the two girls. He finally put his hand up, "Hold on. How did you know she was my sister?"

"Oh there are lots of similarities. She's got the same attitude as you. Although it does suit you much better than her." Yang said, smiling at Shawn.

"Enough of this!" Carlton yelled, slamming his hands on the table, "What do you know about those murders?"

"Oh please, you know I don't work like that. i don't just throw out information. That's not fun." She said with a frown.

Shawn leaned in, "Yang, if you know something, you need to tell us."

"Aw, come on Shawn." She pouted. When Shawn gave her a serious look, she sighed, "Fine! Let's just say Yin tried to get someone to replace me more than once. When Yin saw I failed to kill your mother, he immediately turned to look for a new replacement."

"Who was this new replacement?" Carlton asked.

"He wasn't actually the most level headed person. He got a little carried away. Yin didn't like that. He didn't like anyone else to be unpredictable other than himself. So he fired him."

"Yeah, and who was he?" Carlton pressed.

Yang laughed, "Now, now. Let's not get too hasty Mr. Detective."

"This is pointless. Let's go." Carlton said, beginning to walk away.

"No." Ashley said, "Who is he? You realize there are lives at stake right?"

"Let's just say, he's not one to give up on a target."

"Target? Whose his target?" Ashley asked, stepping closer.

"Let's just say, he and I each had our own different approaches." Yang said, tilting her head, "Our own obsessions."

Just then Ashley's phone started vibrating in her pocket. Yang quickly darted her eyes to it then looked up expectantly with a smile, "That your boyfriend?"

Hesitantly, Ashley pulled out her phone. Slowly, she looked to see the caller, even though she already guessed the name that would appear: Logan.

AN: Sorry this update took a bit longer than the last one! I'll try to get the next one out quicker!

Reviews are always appreciated:)

- Charlie