Chapter 1: The Meeting

Red, the premiere gay bar of inner city L.A. was awash with employees briskly wandering to and fro from its entrances and back alleys; the bar staff began to stock the bar, the new shipment of liqueurs and spirits just having rolled off the truck, the burly bouncers left their usual posts to help unload the crates of booze, their muscles straining with the effort and the beating sun causing droplets of sweat to run in rivulets down their faces and to pool extravagantly in the craters separating clavicle from clavicle. The janitorial staff had split apart, groups of three squirreling away at different occupations; some began work in the bathrooms, sending the calm water of the toilets that lay still only momentarily, into angry swirls and bacterial fluid washed away any nuances, others employed themselves to wipe the blood red floors, sweeping and polishing until the tiles, on which their feet stood, appeared to be a scene of a mass murder, blood staining the gleaming floors.

The maintenance work was completed just as the blazing sun began to set, hiding its opulent body behind skyscrapers and a lavish landscape composed of hills and trees, plant-life that would be unidentifiable to inner city slickers. Red opened its huge black entrance doors a little after 9 and cocky, ambitious teenagers were immediately rooted out by the experienced bouncers without even a glance at carefully copied ID's.

Ashley leaned casually against the bar as Aiden bought her another drink, "G and T, okay with you honey?" he asked, struggling in vain to keep his place near the front of the packed bar, all the while studiously avoiding the multitude of sharp elbows that always seemed to strike him where he lacked muscle which, it must be noted, did not include many areas. Drinks were two bucks until ten and he was determined to be as smashed as he could before the big hand reached double digits. He squinted furtively at his watch and, after catching sight of the time, hastened in his act of procuring a bartender. It was just turning nine thirty. "Sure, Aid. That's cool." Pausing in her contemplation of whether she should commit to a selfless act, she determined that Aiden deserved at least one night of friendly appearances from her; deciding upon this, she continued firmly with, "I'll get the next round or two, 'kay?" Aiden barely registered the words, his surprise merging into an urgent desire to flag down Tristan, who was currently sashaying his way. "Trist, dude, hook a brother up!"

Ashley chuckled at Aiden's stab at macho ghetto attitude. On a scale of one to ten, he hardly featured past one. She shook her head despairingly. It was somewhat pathetic because, in all honestly, they both knew that Aiden could never be more than a burly, camp-as-anything, basketball boy. "Aid, I'm gonna go sit over there," and without waiting for an answer from the tall, dark-haired recipient, Ashley sauntered majestically over to the centre booth and planted herself gracefully upon the plush, pleather cushioned bench. In a matter of seconds, hardly time for Ashley to put her purse on the table, Aiden was placing a black tray with six drinks within it. "Went all out this round, Aid." The camp boy smiled prettily and winked at his friend, "Trist threw in two freebies when he heard I was single." The boy then giggled in a manner that would have looked decidedly out of place anywhere but their current surroundings. "You'll be careful?" Ashley asked, always worrying distractedly about Aiden's flings with men that were rather unseemly looking. Aiden rolled his eyes at Ashley's protectiveness, "Duh, Ash. You can call off the dogs. Anyways, he doesn't get off 'til late, so you never know, sweetheart." Ashley nodded, keeping her thoughts to herself on that matter. Actually she did know.

Having heard that Tristan was looking, Ashley was sure that Aiden would never move from their present booth; eager to stay in Tristan's line of vision, so as to forestall any other guys potentially catching his attention. "Whatever you say, Aid." He smiled beatifically at her, "Love ya!" She shook her head at his antics and proceeded to down her first gin and tonic, the clear liquid quickly disappearing and being solely survived by a wilted lemon twist. "He put enough gin in it for you?" Aiden asked worriedly, always wanting to placate Ashley's gentler disposition. "Mmhmm, perfect." The gin concoction slipped and trickled its way down her throat, causing her to release a satisfied moan and briefly close her eyes. Her hand reached for the second, but was stopped by a large, caring hand resting upon hers.

"Ash..." she glared at him with a fierce gaze, brown orbs shining with immense emotion. Anger lay at the forefront, like a fierce guard-dog to a vulnerable plywood door which hid the pain and anguish that generally followed disagreeable break-ups. The hand remained where it was, and there it stayed for another five or ten minutes, Aiden was unsure of the time due to his quickly approaching, yet heavily desired, intoxication. The hand lifted cautiously and set itself down beside an empty glass of what had previously contained vodka diluted by coke and ice. Ashley kept a wary eye on the hand that had covered her drink, and with all the stealth of a well-trained assassin, the tanned hand tightened its grasp on the cold glass and raised it to dark waiting lips. The liquid, which had been missed during the interim it had been prevented from being consumed within, once again moved like a fish that always manages to slip out of the aged fisherman's hands, flapping it's fins uselessly against calloused skin, using the momentum and lubrication of water to quickly slide back home.

"Ash, you know...Paige could never have been good for you." Ashley slammed her glass down with some force, "Shut it, Aid. I don't wanna hear it," she slurred pathetically. Glossy eyes glared at him with angry resentment. "You don' know a thing," she punctuated this sentence with a drunken wave of her empty glass, "so don' even try an' tell me wass what" Aiden turned away with a shake of his head, "Fine, fine." He returned, keeping his speech to a minimum so as to prevent any embarrassing drunken slurring, having seen the effects of said slurring with Ashley.

"You don' know shit." Ashley replied to no-one, taking a sip of her final gin and tonic. Turning her nose up in disgust, she rose with great dignity, especially considering her gradually deepening intoxication. "I'm gonna get a lye..ligh..lighter drink." Aiden nodded passively, his eyes not having moved from Tristan's busily moving form. Ashley approached the bar quickly and quickly caught Cat's arm, "Three Ices?" Cat nodded, quickly uncapping the bottles she passed them to Ashley. Grabbing the bottles, Ashley meandered her way back to Aiden, plopping her tired body down with a thump beside her well-muscled friend. "Ash?" he asked, already beginning to retreat to the end of the booth, in the event that he received the brunt of her wrath, "Mhmm?" she replied, sipping her drink with great dexterity. "Had anything else tonight?"

She gazed at him levelly, her eyes never falling loosely and without the previous droop of tired eyelids, as her pupils began to clear considerably. "No," she replied sighing, passing a slightly shaking hand over a wrinkled forehead. She paused, musing on whether to mention it. "Paige called, said she wanted to get back together." Aiden nodded, "She still with Alex?" Ashley confirmed this. "She wanted you and her?" Again, Ashley nodded. Aiden raised a weary hand to his chin and stroked it with a fearful expression. "What did you say?" She returned her gaze to her bottle, a docile finger circling the rim of the bottle, gathering up the perspiration and watching it fall speedily from its prison with well-feigned interest. "No." Aiden's eyes gleamed and gave Ashley an unnoticed look that was so strong it was if angels had begun to herald her from on high, their flapping wings breaking through the cloud that had gradually begun to part from the strength of their song. "I'm proud." And he was. This Paige mess had torn Ashley apart. Maybe, this was going to be the start of a new Ashley. "Thanks, dad," Ashley replied, the first real smile of the night appearing like a ghost on her face, "glad I got your approval."

She sucked down the remnants of her drink and turned to Aiden. "You have that one, here's some money," which she punctuated by showering the table with a flurry of notes. "Buy yourself a round, or somethin'." She picked up the remaining bottle, "I'm gonna take this over by the square an' think 'bout no' killin' myself." She raised her bottle as if to toast him and wandered away. Aiden stared after her disappearing body, "Well, at least she left the gin," he mumbled to himself. Settling his hand around the neck of the Smirnoff, his eyes fell on the busy bartender, who was currently winking at another man. Scowling, he took his first sip from the bottle and began his wait.

Ashley, having successfully arrived at the dance square, proceeded to settle herself upon it. She threaded her way through various gyrating bodies and flailing arms, all the way tsking at the DJ's current track, "Damn pop singles, who does he think he is – the fucking promotion manager for Billboard?" she muttered to no-one in particular. A gap made itself known to her and she slipped past a wasted thirty year-old woman, who was demonstrating why alcohol and tap-dancing did not mix. Having seated herself, she watched with wry pleasure as some unlucky patron was speared in the eye by the tap-dancer's extremely animated hand gestures and with great control Ashley managed to stifle a laugh at the expression on the victim's face. The victim waved over Dave, the bouncer, who began to gently yet efficiently remove the far gone woman from the room; as he ambled past Ashley he slipped her wink having caught her wry smile directed at the woman. Ashley's eyes roamed around the room looking for someone, anyone, which looked even half-way decent. She was unsuccessful; unless you counted the man lounging at the bar who had given her a lecherous wink, having already allowed his beady eyes to devour her body greedily. There's always one, Ashley thought.

A tall brunette approached her and unceremoniously landed beside Ashley. "You're hot." She stated with a sharp matter of fact tone, "Uh huh," Ashley replied, "interesting." The girl nodded, agreeing. "Can I have your number?" Ashley shrugged, "Sure," and proceeded to recall the digits. The girl stumbled off and Ashley smiled bemusedly after her. "Well, that was...unusual." Ashley's foot began to tap to the beat, and she felt the cool, calming rush of alcohol wash over her like tired waves reuniting with mistakenly bereaved sand. Ashley crossed her legs to prevent the ceaseless beat her foot was now creating against the floor.

She could have sat there for hours, or even days. She couldn't truly remember. A slight blonde walked towards her, appearing hazy as she parted the mist that had settled around the raised dance square due to the fully functioning smoke machines behind Ashley. She sat down beside Ashley without a word. The silence stretched on and unusually, it soon began to get on her was this woman, who could just sit down and not say anything? Does she want me to say something? Is she shy, should I say something? Ashley was unsure of the protocol of these things. Usually a girl came right out with it, or Ashley would be lounging against a wall and some stranger would press herself against Ashley (words fairly unnecessary), take what they wanted and leave. This was different.

"Hi." Ashley's husky voice broke the confusing quiet aura that seemed to surround and encircle them in their own bubble of reality; it was a little rough due to the prolonged silence, causing Ashley to cough slightly so as to relieve the crackle. She took one of the final sips of her Smirnoff. "Hey," replied the nameless woman. No words followed this monosyllabic greeting. Ashley tried again, "Why aren't you dancing?" The young woman shrugged, not seeming to care. "No-one would dance with me." Does she mean no-one would ever dance with her, or that no-one will dance with her? Ashley pondered the two options but could not envisage how either could ever be true. "People are crazy bastards." The young woman shrugged non-committedly. Ashley's brown eyes roamed over the girl's body unashamedly taking in the well-defined curves, the shapely legs and the two round globes that were begging to be touched. She could almost sense the drool that was about to fall from her mouth due to the simple fact that this girl, this woman was one of the most beautiful females she had ever seen. And I've seen a lot! Ashley held out her hand boldly, "I'm Ashley." The young woman smiled with gentle acceptance as she turned to face her mysterious dance square companion. "I'm Spencer." Ashley's eyes softened at the unveiling of Spencer's face. Oh my god, she is drop dead gorgeous. "Spencer, would you like to dance with me?" Spencer smiled sweetly at this stunning brunette who was clearly lowering her standards for the night, "I'd love to." Ashley gave a shy smile, and standing up, she allowed her small hand to slip in Spencer's paler one.

It has been said that after turtle doves find their mate, they are forever linked, bonded by heart, soul and mind to each other interminably, devoted to each other in ways that could never be replicated nor understood by those who wander through life surrounded by scores people yet so utterly alone; in this same manner, the easy fit of their hands and the subtle melding of light mocha latte and freshly churned buttermilk was one of the first of many, signs which perhaps suggested that these two were destined to meet.

Spencer stared in awe at this brazen, beautifully sexy younger woman who was taking control and pulling her gently onto the floor. In seconds she found herself tucked within the bronze arms of the bold brunette as they swayed to the slow song the DJ had eventually conceded to placing on the decks. Partially sober people all around the room began to pair off as the first notes flowed from the acoustic guitar. The melody wound and weaved itself throughout the room fusing hands of couples into one, and forcing them to assume the lightly seductive cadence. An eagerly dancing transvestite, who showed clear signs of possessing no rhythm whatsoever, happened to be grinding near Ashley; and, as if Fate had lain down a royal flush, Ashley's back ricocheted off an electric blue tube top covered body which pressed her hands against Spencer's fairly well-endowed chest.

Spencer hid her surprise well; the mere act of seeing this calm and collected teenager flush red and look adorably nervous as she quickly lowered her hands was not what she had expected in the slightest. Ashley's mouth opened to stumble over multiple apologetic phrases but she was stopped by a simple look from Spencer's sympathetic eyes. Spencer's lips parted, slowly she allowed herself to lean closer to her partner, her mouth hovering ever so slightly over an ear to whisper tenderly, "It's okay." The straightforward words evidently were not programmed to have straightforward effects upon Ashley; a sliver of desire raced down from her occupied ear to her severely anaesthetized nether regions as Spencer's breathy words wrapped themselves around her libido and yanked it vertically. Up until now, thoughts of Paige had been having very different effects on said nether regions thus they had been lulled into a false sense of security. The impact of Spencer's soft voice awakening the long-forgotten butterflies that had thrived within her with that first crush, her hands lightly resting on Ashley's waist as if to maintain the distance between them, her bashful yet mischievous eyes that never moved from Ashley's; these things and more, which were Spencer in a nutshell, crushed the hope of Ashley's concupiscence taking a well earned rest. The furnace was relit, albeit reluctantly, and flames sparked from the pit of Ashley's core and rocketed skywards leaving only a rain of carelessly discarded embers in its wake.

It was only Ashley's unbelievably powerful strength of will that prevented her mouth from slipping open and releasing the moan of desire that Spencer's careful touch had caused. Gathering all her remaining restraint, Ashley forced her libido to retreat, allowing her indifferent exterior to gradually enfold her again. Spencer could sense Ashley's apathy casting a cape of darkness over any of the diminutive emotions it had unexpectedly bared to the blonde.

Somewhere deep inside of her, she had begun to believe that just maybe Ashley, someone so characteristically appealing, would deign to be interested in her; secretly, she had longed for a chance with the nonchalant brunette who had seated herself so decadently upon the square; bleary, whiskey colored eyes gazing out with clear disinterest at any of the people they landed upon.

Out of the blue, a girl had approached her and Spencer had been unable to repress the jealousy at the ease in which the newcomer had conversed with Ashley. Usually friendly blue eyes had darkened to an envious violet as the shy blonde had watched the other brunette whip out her cell phone, apparently recording Ashley's number; to Spencer's obvious surprise, after having gained a piece of Ashley, the brunette stood up and stumbled drunkenly towards the other end of the room. Spencer had been amazed at how quickly the aforementioned events had played out before her.

She had then gone on to blatantly absorb the image of the brunette before her. Long, chestnut hair, artistically colored with fire engine red throughout, collected on tanned shoulders; these were bare due to the fashionable gray halter top, its ties clasping fearfully to a slim, unadorned neck, helpfully providing support to her prominent chest. A black mini skirt was unable to hide long, muscled legs which spiraled eventually to crossed high-heeled feet. It was after this thoroughly arousing voyeuristic act that Spencer gulped the remainder of her drink, prayed briefly to an unknown God and began her walk to the enticing girl who had unknowingly permitted her to break every rule she had lain down.

The song began to wind to the bridge as both girls pulled slightly away to look at each other. Hopeful, cornflower blue eyes met mysteriously glinting brown ones. Spencer leaned in and gently, not intrusively, almost curiously, pressed her lips to Ashley's. The manner in which the two lips clutched and clung to each other, like stubborn Velcro burrs to material that brushes accidentally against it was as if they had been doing it forever and could not contemplate life without one another. Spencer's arms moved to enclose Ashley's neck, allowing the pair to move closer while maintaining the delightful pressure of lip on lip.

Clichéd Hollywood movies would begin to mention about the fireworks that exploded in their heads, as their eyelids slipped shut in a moment of reverent pleasure. Pressed so tightly together that air was forced to pass around them, both women settled into the kiss; one with eventually relaxing muscles and the other with the happy assurance that maybe, just maybe, there was a God up there. Ashley having become resigned to the fact that her body could not resist Spencer's, warmed to the sensation of Spencer's lips against hers; the softness, the plush filling making it irresistible and, therefore, too hard to pull away even though she knew that by prolonging the delightful aura of Spencer she was heading towards deeper, less inviting waters.

The burning fire that spread through Spencer's body should have been a warning to pull away but she couldn't. Ashley was - Ashley was a drug that she had to have and she was abidingly addicted to with one touch. Ashley had become her unstoppable force. Her mind was flying and she felt like she would never come down, the young woman's soft presses and gentle touches were making her feel more desired than she had ever felt and she never wanted it to end. Somehow Ashley's outer exterior being almost the exact opposite of its inner self compelled Spencer to hold on tighter, and to press herself ever closer to her drug.

Spencer's teeth teasingly bit a gentle line into Ashley's lower lip, a silent plea for more. Ashley, unable to refuse the formidable older blonde, moaned softly at the touch allowing Spencer's tongue entrance to a never before visited territory. Spencer released a needful moan, which whispered its way over Ashley's lip, when Ashley's skilled tongue began to tease hers; appearing above, below and beside only to retreat swiftly as Spencer's eager tongue gave chase. A slick tongue roped another into a dangerous game and they began to wrestle for dominance.

That first clash of tongues seemed to spark the unspoken desire and they began to grope at each other; hands, fingers, lips, tongues all meshing together, fusing to become one. An unspoken agreement of how far it could or might go forgotten at that first touch as no longer were there boundaries to Ashley's soul or barriers behind Spencer's eyes. The touch had been the master key to anything that had held the couple back from allowing each other a simple glimpse of what lay behind the curtain and that brief glance of something, a nameless something, began to flatten and structurally right itself and thus started the slow process of melding the support for something new.

Ashley's hands drifted down Spencer's side, a stray finger sliding against the underside of her breast; a shallow moan uttered by Spencer, while she gasped for breath, emerged from the depths of her being at the tiny spark that flew from Ashley's finger to her breast. Ashley's hands sunk lower and lower abruptly stopping even in the passion before they began to near the treasure that neither woman were ready to plunder. Spencer's hands slipped upwards to caress Ashley's face, committing to memory every dip, every crest that mapped the brunette's beauty. The soft, lotioned pads of her fingers stroking the smooth skin, lightly rubbing over the smooth line of her nose and eliciting a low moan of content from Ashley; it was as if somebody had coughed to interrupt when they suddenly, in unison, pulled away from each other.

Around them the music had returned to the nonsensical, trance beats that Red's square was known for. Couples had broken apart and begun to dance with more gyrations, arms flailing, legs hopping in obscure motions. The two women who had recently broken apart were still looking at each other, both a little unsure of how to proceed. Spencer's hand tenderly stroked Ashley's jaw, Ashley pulled Spencer closer unable to have Spencer that close but still so far away. "So…" Spencer began, they both smiled shyly at the other, the underside of Ashley's jaw reddening. "Beautiful." Ashley whispered before she could stop herself. Spencer blushed adorably, Ashley's words full of such conviction and sincerity that her usual strong-handed hold over her emotions loosened and unclenched with confusion. Ashley dipped her head bashfully and Spencer was sure that she had never seen something so endearing.

"Hey," she whispered; Ashley's head raised slightly, brown eyes capturing blue, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say to that." Ashley paused and then shook her head, "I mean of course it's true, anyone with eyes could see that, I just I uh didn't mean to embarrass you ya know, not intentionally or whatever 'cause honestly I don't go out of my way to do this kind of thing, not that I'm inexperienced but that doesn't mean I'm a sl-" Her rambling speech stopped abruptly when an index and middle finger gently applied pressure to busy lips. "Ashley?" Ashley could feel herself blush and was suddenly glad that the lighting had dimmed. She couldn't tear her eyes away from Spencer's lips and watching them bunch together and contract away as they formed the simple syllables of her name was like watching soft porn, her voice whispered and tickled it's away across Ashley's body and she was suddenly irrationally furious at her mother for not having bestowed upon her a name with more syllables, Damnit Christine why couldn't you have called me Alexandria or somethin'? She thought to herself angrily, mentally raging at her mother's 'thoughtlessness'.

"What's with these, pretty lady?" Spencer's breathy voice broke through her mind rant, and once again took over her mind. A pale hand seemed to emerge from nowhere and lightly began to smooth over the frown lines currently corrugating Ashley's forehead, "Turn that frown upside down, cutie." Ashley blushed, Spencer's hand warmed to the flushed skin, her smile softening at the sight of the adorable head-duck Ashley performed in an effort to hide her face.

"At the risk of coming on too strong..." Spencer paused, mulling over the potential disaster her preceding words could create, "would it be alright if I asked for your number?" Ashley smiled shyly, the cool that seemed to scare others away dissipating in the presence of the blonde woman, and nodded yet did not say anything; she remained staring at Spencer, oblivious to their surroundings. A pale eyebrow rose and whiskey colored eyes followed its ascent, missing the small smile that had formed when facial muscles had triumphed over the brain. "Your number?" Spencer repeated, still smirking. Ashley looked surprised, "My number?" A brief pause and then, as if the light bulb had gone off she repeated slightly louder, "My number! Oh yes, uhm" she blushed as she rattled of the digits. A thought occurred to her and she laughed. Having received a questioning look from Spencer, followed by the ever powerful eyebrow raise, she hurried to clarify while still giggling slightly, "Well, earlier this girl asked me for my number," Spencer frowned, knowing all too well which 'girl', the brunette was referring to, she focused back in on Ashley when she realized she was still speaking, "– gave her the wrong number, lucky her I guess." Ashley tailed off, not really knowing what else to say after having uttered the final self-deprecating remark. A soft, warm thumb made invisible circles against her cheek, "I would say, lucky me." Once again brown met blue, in a surreal representation of two elements becoming one, "Would you like to go outside for some air?" Spencer asked, her head tilting to the side slightly, an amused smile apparently becoming a permanent fixture in Ashley's presence. Ashley nodded, struck momentarily speechless by the smile the blonde directed at her.

High, cement walls that marked the structure of the club inside were decorated with numerous outdoor heaters providing enough warmth to the night air so as to prevent inebriated customers contracting hypothermia or pneumonia due to the sudden temperature change as they stepped outside. The club designers having come to the conclusion that after alcohol consumption and endless dancing, smokers who were eventually enticed outside would desire to be seated enjoying their cancer sticks rather than leaning rather unsteadily against the warm walls, thus sturdy, cushioned benches were placed strategically against the walls giving customers a well desired place to rest their intoxicated bodies.

With Ashley's hand firmly encased within hers, Spencer led the still somewhat off-kilter Ashley outside to sit on one of the benches closer to the door and took a lustful breath of the fresh, midnight air. Turning to observe Ashley in a better light, she barely suppressed the urge to moan at the sight of one the most enchanting girls she had ever laid eyes on. 'I thought she was hot inside but wow…' Spencer thought, 'Words could never do her justice'. Spencer's hand rifled playfully through waves that ran the gamut of brown shades, stretching to both sides of the spectrum from a healthy chestnut right down to the synthetically highlighted crimson. Ashley's head turned and eyes that threatened to speak volumes about their owner met with another pair of eyes that just might have been as emotionally insecure as those that belonged to the teen in front of them.

"Soo…" Spencer began, not really knowing what to say now that they had left the safety of the club. 'I'm so stupid; I should never have brought her out here. She probably thinks I'm just a dumb blonde or something,' Spencer sighed inwardly with irritation. Ashley seemed to awaken from her drunken haze when she realized that she had a beautiful blonde beside her and was probably letting her get away by remaining mute. "I don't usually do this you know." Ashley confided, winking at Spencer in an effort to reduce the tension. Spencer smiled, half with immense gratitude towards, half with amusement at the blatant lie. "Oh really?" Spencer replied, "So you usually come here for…what? The music?" Ashley laughed loudly catching the attention of a few onlookers, her merriment causing more than one to give her the once-over. Spencer could hardly contain a smile at the sound of Ashley's laugh, it was infectious and, like most facets of Ashley, unfailingly attractive.

When she had finally managed to reduce her enjoyment to a glowing smile, Ashley snorted, "Hardly, I could listen to this crap at Aid's house. Nah, I'm here for" she paused and gave a side-wards glance to the woman beside her, dark brown eyes lingering suggestively on pertinent body parts as they finally managed to make their way back to Spencer's face which was currently sporting the raised fair eyebrow; a sweet smile befell her face and she ducked shyly, 'What the fuck is wrong with me?' Ashley's inner voice yelled, 'What is it about this girl that gives me a complete personality make-over?' "Uhmm," she blushed, having already made finishing the sentence redundant with her open ogling. Spencer's smile widened, the young brunette was more than she could have hoped for, 'I'd never realized it was possible for someone to appear so completely unavailable while at the same time actually be so utterly adorable.' "Oh so you're here for the scintillating conversations, right." Ashley rolled her eyes and allowed her head to fall into her hands and groaned. Spencer let loose a childish giggle and nudged Ashley's shoulder with hers in solidarity, "Oh come on, it's not that bad," she said sympathetically, laying a soothing hand on Ashley's wavy chestnut hair. "I've made an ass of myself," Ashley groaned, just letting brown eyes peek out at Spencer.

She was greeted by an amused smile, sparkling mischievous oceanic eyes that were going back and forth due to the movement of a blonde head, "Ashley, you haven't made an ass of yourself," she paused delicately, "actually, well," Ashley looked up at the second pause and was surprised to see the assertive blonde blushing and looking rather vulnerable. Spencer appeared to find some courage and met Ashley's eye with surety, almost daring Ashley to reject her. "I'm kind of having the time of my life…if that uhmm," another pause, a softer tone that Ashley had yet to associate with Spencer, which most would have found odd as the pitch that was being directed towards Ashley was one most commonly expected from Spencer, "if that means anything to you." Spencer turned her face away in embarrassment, having come to the conclusion that she had said just about enough and if she was to open her mouth again she probably would continue on with words that she would later regret.

Ashley sat up and crossed her legs at the knee, creating an inadvertent erotic display for lookers-on who had been observing the couple since their approach to the benches. Her head rested against Spencer's shoulder, the blonde head was still turned away. Ashley let her lips linger near the unintentionally proffered ear and whispered breathily, "I wasn't kidding when I said I didn't usually do this." She let her words sink in, and abandoning the idea that maybe she had offended the blonde she decided to forge on, "So go easy on me, if I fuck up." Ashley kissed Spencer playfully on the neck and whispered against slightly sweating skin, "'Cause I'm guaranteed to fuck up. But ya know," her tongue snaked out and swiped a clean line down Spencer's neck, "I can be really funny too," she continued releasing a light chuckle into the recently washed swatch of skin, "like uhmm… okay, if blind people wear dark glasses, why don't deaf people wear dark earmuffs? Actually no, that wasn't funny…but seriously why don't they?" There was slight silence as Ashley seemed to seriously contemplate this before getting back to the matter at hand, "Okay, funny, I can do funny. Okay I've got one, and if you don't laugh I'll tickle you," Ashley threatened, positioning her fingers against soft flesh.

"Ok, so two nuns and Mother Superior are at the gates of Heaven. Saint Peter's standing there waiting to let them in, he says to the first nun 'Just answer the question correctly and I'll let you in,' and she's like 'Ok then,' so he says 'What was the name of Jesus' mother?' and she rolls her eyes and says 'Mary', so he lets her in. The next nun comes up and he tells her the same thing and then asks, 'Where was Jesus born?' and she's like 'Duh, Bethlehem', and he lets her in too. Finally, Mother Superior approaches and he's like 'Ok you're Mother Superior, so obviously I've gotta make yours way harder,' so she agrees and he says, 'what was the first thing Eve said to Adam?' Mother Superior stands there stumped and then is like, 'That's a hard one!' and Peter says 'In you go,'."

While she had expected the joke to maybe, just maybe make Spencer smile, she was thoroughly blown away when Spencer began to shake with barely contained mirth causing her back to rock against Ashley. A burst of laughter escaped soft lips and Spencer began to laugh, and laugh; just when it appeared she was about to finish, she would look at Ashley and begin to laugh uncontrollably again, tears streaming in rivulets down downy cheeks. Ashley left her hands where they were, enjoying the gentle play of Spencer's well-defined stomach muscles as they convulsed, like ripples in a disturbed pond, under her fingertips. She leaned back and settled in to watch Spencer's laughter in action, a satisfied smile firmly fixed on her face.

Unknown to the pair, a tall, ebony haired woman, a little younger than Spencer, was unable to keep her eyes of Ashley. Her frank perusal of the teenager had started when Ashley's laugh had turned her head and she had yet to turn green eyes away since that moment. However, unused to not being noticed she had decided that the time had come to make her presence known. She winked at her friends, knowing without a doubt that the brunette would be hers, and sashayed with a predatory gleam towards her unsuspecting victim.

Ashley barely registered the fact that someone had slid in beside her because her attention was so focused upon Spencer who, it seemed, had finally managed to stop laughing. She smiled tenderly at the blonde who was now still. Their eyes met, one pair shining with wet tears, the other shining with affection. "Guess I'm pretty damn funny, huh?" Spencer smiled, and shook her head nonchalantly, "Eh, I've heard funnier." That caused the brunette to smile, and her hand, acting upon its own volition, let go of the right side of Spencer's waist, released her thumb and allowed it to wipe away the tears that were coating Spencer's face. "There ya go," she said blushing for no reason. Spencer smiled, less teary-eyed this time, thanks to Ashley and nodded slightly, "Thanks." Ashley breathed a sigh of relief, having wondered whether Spencer would push her away.

Blue eyes glanced surreptitiously down at the tanned hand that was unconscientiously holding on to her waist and smirked, Ashley's other hand sat uselessly in her lap. 'Would she mind if I put it back on her waist? I mean are there boundaries or something here? Does she want me to take my other hand away? What do normal people do in this situation? God, this is so…juvenile.' Spencer rested her head on Ashley's shoulder, "So I know you're funny, your name's Ashley and…that you're chivalrous. Anything else?" Ashley blushed adorably, "Well, I wouldn't say I was chivalrous, I think dumbass fits me better and nope, that's me in a nutshell." Spencer giggled, pressing her body closer to Ashley, "Oh, so if I said I was cold, you wouldn't warm me up?" Ashley's eyebrows rose high enough to be covered by her fringe, "Uhm, of course I would but probably more as a self-gratification thing than a noble deed." Ashley's eyes roamed the area around them as she avoided looking at Spencer; she was more than amused when she realized that she had completely sobered up. Her eyes no longer took in images with blurred edges and Technicolor tones, in fact everything appeared normal, and although it was an inopportune time, she began to wonder why she had bothered to get so drunk when she had managed to procure such an amazing woman. 'I was drunk-ish when Spencer spoke to me…maybe she wouldn't have stayed if I had been sober.'

Spencer's head rubbed against Ashley's shoulder to catch her attention, Ashley turned her head casually to look at the blonde woman, "Uh huh?" she asked just as casually. "I'm cold," Spencer replied, smirking, "think you could warm me up?" and raising an eyebrow. Ashley's eyes bugged out as thousands of images raced their way to her head as she imagined all the different ways she could warm Spencer up. Spencer winked in a manner that suggested she knew exactly what was going through Ashley's brain, "Slow it down there, stud," she said softly, a kind smile accompanying words that she intuitively knew would assay Ashley's fears of, what appeared to be, rejection. Ashley's mouth twisted into a shy grin, not sure whether to be relieved or embarrassed. Spencer looked expectantly up at Ashley, who managed to fight the blush and then shake her head in despair at herself, "Sorry, I'm a real head-case. Uh, yeah cold, so uh how would you…" she trailed off as she realized her plan was not fool-proof. One, there was someone sitting where she wanted her back to be; and two, if said person was not sitting there, Ashley was wearing a skirt, a very short skirt that would make things even more uncomfortable for her already riled libido.

Spencer raised her head when she realized Ashley's movements had halted. The brunette was no longer looking at her but was biting her lip indecisively and glancing furtively at the dark-haired woman that was seated beside her. 'An ex?' was Spencer's first thought as she observed the seductive gleam in the eye of the unknown young woman, 'A jealous ex,' she concluded, 'shit'. The apathy Spencer had experienced from Ashley suddenly made its appearance again as it fell over her whole body like a cloak shrouding the world from light. Ashley eyed the young woman beside her with mock interest; "Is there something I can do for you?" spoke the confident, raspy voice. The predator raised a dark eyebrow, "Most likely," not giving Ashley any leniency from the lecherous, green eyed stare she was being subjected to. "And that would be?" she asked, taking the bait; knowing from experience that people like this cherished the game. "A dance," she replied simply. Ashley smirked, 'Does she really think I'd go with her over Spencer? Look at her for crying out loud!' "Got a name?" she asked, her eyes staying on her suitor but her left hand snaking out to apply a reassuring squeeze to Spencer's leg; her attention was so focused on other things, she missed Spencer biting her lip in pleasure and the change in her eye color.

"Quinn" Quinn replied. Ashley nodded, her expression remaining veiled as she kept her emotions in check. Quinn seemed to expect Ashley to offer her name yet no forthcoming answer came. Her face flickered to the woman sitting beside the younger girl. She was beautiful in some ways, she reflected. 'If you're into that, I guess,' she thought cruelly, holding back the sneer that she felt like directing at Spencer. Ashley remained silent with her hand still on Spencer's thigh allowing Quinn to choose her move. Out of step with the rules, which Ashley decided to break, Ashley brought Quinn's attention back towards her as she gestured to Spencer, "This is Spencer." Spencer smiled, her teeth all but bared as the two women stared each other down. Ashley leaned back, aware of the silent competition but more interested in taking in all that was Spencer.

"Nice to meet you," Spencer lied, holding out her hand in a fake show of manners. Quinn stared at the proffered hand in disgust; "Likewise," she replied grasping Spencer's hand in a strong grip, attempting to inflict pain upon her rival. The expression on Spencer's face never changed as she exerted more pressure than her challenger could handle, neither recoiled but only Quinn's face held a smile contorted in pain. The pair released hands and Quinn, gingerly hiding her hand behind her back trying to ignore the relentless throbbing looked at Ashley, "About that dance?" Ashley looked at her with a raised eyebrow and replied, "What about it?" She fought the urge to laugh because it became clear to both of them that she had been gifted the upper hand. Quinn swore mentally, she had walked right into Ashley's trap and the slight upwards curl of Ashley's lips indicated she was well aware of this. She sighed, defeated, "Dance with me?" she asked pathetically, knowing she had been bested by one far more proficient at this game than her. 'Here's hoping,' she told herself. Ashley smiled serenely, acknowledging the final attempt with a regal head dip, "No, thank you. I'm flattered that you would ask, though."

Quinn stood up dejectedly and headed back to her friends who were all intrigued to find out why she was returning empty-handed. Green eyes reflected slight confusion, "That was the nicest rejection I've ever had," she mumbled still looking slightly dazed. Her friend patted her on the back sympathetically, "Dude, you shoulda known better. That chick hasn't taken her eyes of that blonde since they walked out here," a second chimed in, "And we're not sayin you're not hot, we're just sayin, dude, at least make it easy on yourself." Her eyes glanced back at the nameless teenager who was once again chatting to Spencer, all signs of her overpowering persona gone. And her friends were right, the girl's eyes were wholeheartedly attuned to Spencer, anyone would think that Spencer had cast a spell over her and that in the brunette's eyes there truly was no-one else around. Quinn shook herself from her stupor and smiled timidly, "Come on guys, no sense wasting the night," and she led her friends inside to get utterly wasted.

Ashley's hand had remained resting on Spencer's thigh throughout the entire encounter with Quinn and she was just pulling it away when she felt the gentle pressure of another, making it impossible for the movement to continue. She cast confused eyes at Spencer who just smiled shyly, her voice back to vulnerable tone, "I uhm, well, if you uh…wouldn't mind," her eyes darted nervously down at Ashley's covered hand, "I mean if you would that's uhm fine. Sorry, I uhm," she yanked her hand away from Ashley's. "Spencer," Ashley purred, "are you still cold?" Spencer couldn't resist the urge to smile, and she shook her head playfully, "Maybe?" she managed to mutter out in her mortification. "Why don't you let me warm you up," Ashley intoned softly, "come here."

Ashley pulled her legs up onto the bench and in a move that left no doubts as to what the black denim material covered; she patted the space between them. She watched Spencer's face for her reaction, "Don't look perv. I'm doing this outta the kindness of my heart." Spencer blushed because looking was something she had strongly considered doing. In an effort to preserve Ashley's little remaining modesty, she allowed her body to slip itself into the apex of Ashley's thighs. Thankfully the pair fit like two peas in a pod and Ashley easily encircled Spencer's waist with her hands and pulled her towards her chest. Spencer shivered with desire at the touch of Ashley's tongue to her neck and Ashley giggled into the delectable skin, "I guess I shouldn't do that, I'm trying to warm you up after all." Spencer's hands clasped Ashley's and began to play with the long tapered fingers. Ashley's teeth bit into Spencer's neck as she suckled teasingly on the bared, pale neck, "Like that?" she asked unnecessarily. Spencer's only reply was to groan and push herself closer to Ashley's body, as she attempted to ignore the kaleidoscope of feelings that were running rampage throughout her usually ordered mind.

Ashley planted a chaste kiss against Spencer's neck, "Wouldn't wanna give the people too much of a show," she mumbled against the reddened skin. Spencer sighed, torn between agreeing and telling them to go fuck themselves. Ashley appeared to perceive this and laughed, causing Spencer's body to vibrate to such an extent that even she couldn't help but laugh, "I'm trying really hard not to embarrass myself here, Spencer," Spencer's head twisted around and she looked at Ashley with surprise, "What?" Ashley asked and then blushed, thus followed the barely articulate speech, "I uhm, well I like you. I'm doing my best to ensure that you call that number…" big brown eyes blinked at blue shyly, "can't blame a girl for trying." Spencer rolled her eyes and Ashley slapped her arm playfully, "Don't make fun of me". Spencer smirked mischievously, "But it's so easy," she taunted. Ashley huffed with mock indignation, "Mean." She replied, pouting adorably and flicking Spencer's arm with her index finger. Spencer yelped, "Ow," she said as she rubbed her arm. "And you call me mean, how old are you, five?" Ashley grinned and cheekily replied, "And a half, thank you very much." The two continued to tease and laugh at each other completely unaware of their surroundings. Their bubble was only burst when Ashley's explanation as to why Spencer was a bitch was interrupted by two people approaching Spencer.

"Wow, Spence. Hot." The guy said as he looked Ashley over with frank appreciation, the woman appeared to hold back slightly as she appraised Ashley's eyes still focused on Spencer, "Hey Spence." Spencer looked up, sparkling blue eyes widening in recognition. "Hey guys," she said calmly, a light blush spreading from the base of her neck and upwards, highlighting her face. She fought the urge to hide her head in Ashley's body to save herself from the teasing that she was sure to endure come tomorrow. "Ashley, this is my brother Glen, and my best friend Carmen. Guys this is Ashley." Ashley raised her arm and shook Glen's hand with a friendly smile, "Nice to meet you," she said genuinely. Glen beamed at her, she was undeniably attractive and he couldn't help but stare at her. "Wow," he muttered, and then, catching the look on Spencer's face forced his eyes to meet Ashley's at a more appropriate level, "Same to you," he replied grinning wolfishly. Ashley smirked and Spencer blushed harder. Carmen kept quiet, preferring to observe Ashley's behavior around Spencer. Ashley's hand balanced mid air as she let Carmen assess her. It was the best friend 'test' and she knew that initial appearances could be the deciding factor as to whether she would have Carmen's support. Shrewd eyes scanned the casual yet indubitably protective embrace Ashley had contained Spencer within, the subtle shifting of tanned fingers brushing comfortingly against a covered stomach, soulful brown eyes that were obviously reluctant to tear themselves away from the blonde and lastly the patiently hovering hand waiting for the verdict.

Misty gray eyes connected with calm brown ones and both stared at each other. Spencer and Glen watched on in apparent bewilderment as the teenager and the young woman held each other's gaze unflinchingly, neither an eyelid nor a muscle twitched as the pair stared it out. And then, like a door being opened to the darkened bedroom, a crack appeared on Carmen's veneer and she held her hand out to meet Ashley's with a tiny smile, "Ashley, very pleased to meet you." Ashley inclined her head and replied with warm politeness, "A pleasure to meet you too." While a tentative treaty had been reached, it was obvious from Carmen's subtle look thrown at Ashley that she would be watched. Ashley smiled making it clear that the wordless warning had been understood.

Spencer was looking at Ashley with undisguised affection and Ashley, letting her hand and gaze fall from Carmen to Spencer, met the baby blues with the same affectionate look. "I guess you have to go now," she said, a sad smile infringing upon her features. Spencer met the looks of her friends and they moved over to sit on a nearby bench, giving the two women some space. "Yeah, I said we could hit Union on 48th," she appeared sad too and distractedly picked up Ashley's hand to play with as they spoke. "I'm sure Glen's had fun ogling the hot girls and Carmen's probably had her fill of cheap alcohol so…" apologetic blue met a sympathetic chestnut, "It's okay, Spencer. I had a really nice time with you tonight." She let her nose rub intimately against Spencer's, bringing their eyes and lips closer together, "I'd really like it if maybe we could," their lips met in a sweet kiss, "do this," the lips met again, less chaste as flames licked their way up Ashley's body causing her to inhale quickly and continue on rather breathlessly, "sometime again." She shook her head, when her words ran through her mind again, to clear it of the effects Spencer had on her, "I mean, again sometime," she finished blushing. Spencer smiled sweetly and pressed her lips to Ashley's, "I'd really like that too."

Ashley released Spencer and helped them both to sit up; Spencer averted her eyes as Ashley fixed her clothing, much to the enjoyment of their fellow club attendees, Glen in particular. Ashley crossed her legs again and turned to look at Spencer, "Well you have my number. Have a good night, Spencer." Spencer smiled when Ashley kissed her on the cheek, "Stay safe." The blonde took hold of Ashley's hand and clasped it tight, "I'll text you later, Ashley." Ashley tried to hide her worry behind a smirk but truthfully she was unable to quash the feeling that maybe Spencer's friends were her getaway plan. Spencer's heart beat slightly faster at the look Ashley gave her, trying to look brave but failing miserably. Their lips met once last time that night, and then in a flash Spencer seemed to be gone; all that signified her exit was flashing blonde hair whipping up in her motion.

Ashley sat back down on the previously vacated bench and contemplated the events of her night. Her cell beeped, breaking the silence of her mind and she picked it up as she checked the time. 1:20 am. "Time to make a move," she muttered to herself. Rising, on now perfectly steady legs, Ashley strolled inside to locate her disillusioned friend. "Aid?" she called, hoping he might hear her voice of the less punchy music. She spotted a dark head talking animatedly with Tristan. She greeted the boys with a tired smile and tapped Aiden on the shoulder. "What is it honey?" he asked looking up at his eyes, bright with mirth. "We gotta head, your mom's gonna be here in like," she checked her watch, "8 minutes, and you know what the line's like for coats and crap." He nodded sadly and turned to Tristan, "So uhm, you'll call me?" he asked hopefully. Ashley turned away to give them some privacy and heard extremely un-masculine giggles, 'Oh yeah, he's gonna call you alright,' she smiled to herself. "Come on Aid," she asked after a few minutes had passed and he hadn't surfaced at her side, "We gotta roll." Aiden nodded and pecked Tristan on the lips, "See ya man." Tristan waved to Aiden, blowing him a kiss and saluting Ashley with a pleased smile.

"I guess you finally cracked him, huh?" Aiden giggled and blushed prettily, "You could say that, honey." Ashley smiled serenely, "I thought as much." Aiden gave Ashley a once over as they walked down the steps to the entrance, their coats in hand. "You meet anyone nice?" he asked. He had chosen that moment to look at her closely and almost fainted dramatically at the appearance of Ashley's blush. "Ash did you just…" he hesitated and then whispered conspiratorially, "blush?" his eyes widened at the thought. She tilted her head to look up at him and smirked knowingly, "What do you think?" He shook his head; maybe he'd had too much to drink.

"Didn't think so, man that was a scary thought," he held the door open for her as they strolled outside for his mom to pick them up, "Did you have a good night?" Ashley nodded, and Aiden turned away apparently satisfied by this answer. His mom's Porsche drove up and the pair slid in and closed the doors. "Hey Mrs. D," Ashley greeted Aiden's mom. Green eyes briefly met hers before sliding back to monitor the road, "Hey Ashley, good night?" "Yeah, pretty good. The music was just about listenable tonight." Aiden's mom laughed, Ashley constantly critiqued the music at Red but it didn't stop her from going back for more. Ashley allowed herself to soak up the comfort of the plush backseat as her eyes took to focusing on the nighttime surroundings beyond the window while Aiden chatted to his mom.

Ashley's phone vibrated in her hand and she looked down, half accepting that she'd received a text message. Her eyes took to staring out the window again, wishing she could be out on the beach with Spencer, strolling along the dry sand with the backdrop of ocean crashing tranquilly against the rocks as it rolled lazily up the shoreline to brush delicately against their feet. Twinkling stars would flash and wink at them, a light breeze easily advancing their slow pace; a moonlit dance, the world at their feet. She broke out of this reverie when she fully registered the fact that she had received a text. Trying, and failing, to exude a peaceful exterior she flipped open her cell and glanced at the screen. One message – unknown sender. Staring at the screen she remained still for a moment until she clicked the open button and her first text from Spencer revealed itself.