Sorry this took so long and is so short, but the story has run it's course. I hope this wraps things up well enough for everyone. Also giant thanks to those who have stuck with me over the last couple of years and my terrible updating habits. Another thanks to those who reviewed, favorited and alerted. I give you the conclusion.

Ashley opens her mouth to shout 'fuck yeah' but is cut off by Saunders' screams, "Spencer! How could you do this to me? Spencer!" Ashley's eyes flit over to her lover and Spencer is stoically watching as Saunders is dragged off by two bailiffs.

"Now if only he could have gotten the death penalty," Paula whispers.

"I'm sure if I made a few phone calls I could find someone to take care of him," Ashley offers completely serious.

Paula is silent for a moment, "I'll let you know."

Ashley decides to treat that as a peace offering and hopes that things between the two of them get a little better. Despite allowing Ashley to accompany them to Ohio, Paula did not hide that she really didn't want to. The weeks leading up to their departure from LA Ashley practically lived with the Carlins. Paula kept the snide comments to a minimum, but the dirty looks didn't go anywhere. Ashley did her best to ignore them and focus on Spencer. When it came to the hotel room Ashley tried to pay for a room for her and Spencer, tried. Paula did say they could room together, with Glen.

The family makes it out of the courtroom and suddenly old friends have found the courage to approach. Ashley sticks close to Spencer's side and does her best to shield her new lover from too many questions. She notices blue eyes flicking across the hall for a few minutes and finally Spencer unclasps their hands.

"I'll be right back, there's something I really have to do."

Ashley watches with a furrowed brow as Spencer walks away from her to a cute red-head. Jessie, the ex. The rock star can feel her chest tighten as the two embrace and exchange smiles. When Jessie had taken the stand it was obvious she still cares deeply for Spencer, and Ashley cannot really fault her for that. But where Spencer's heart and mind lie are not so clear to her. She really does not know the first thing about the relationship, if Spencer ever told her 'I love you'. And if she had, does she still? The cliché is you never really get over your first love. That thought causes one emotion after another to race through her.

"I wouldn't worry about it," Ashley's eyes flick over to Glen. "About her and Jessica. They dated for a while yeah, but she cares more about you."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, I never hated Jessica for getting closer to Spencer than me." Ashley laughs. Things between her and Paula may not have changed much over the past few weeks, but her relationship with Glen has taken a drastic turn for the better. With all her time spent at Spencer's her interactions with the twin increased quite a bit and she found that Glen was trying to be friendly, which lead to an honest friendship. If Spencer was indisposed for some reason the two of them could talk about music or video games no problem. And then when Spencer would have a meltdown, there were more than a few before the trial, the two of them would talk her back. That sort of thing creates a very unique bond.

"It is oddly reassuring that I am the only one you have hated." They share a little laugh before Glen turns to a cousin or something who came over.

Five minutes later she is still staring, Spencer has not even looked at her. "Just go over there already."

Ashley turns to see Arthur's knowing smile, "I don't want to intrude…"

He gently swats her upside the head, "Don't pout, go over there."

She opens her mouth to protest the smack and accusation of pouting and he just raises an eyebrow. "I always assumed she got that from Paula," she mutters while turning around to walk across the crowded hall.

"You still have much to learn," he laughs.

Slowly she does as ordered. When she reaches the pair she does the awkward standing bit for a few seconds before Spencer notices her. The smile her approach earns banishes several, but not all, of her insecurities. Spencer reaches out her hand and Ashley takes it without a second thought. They share a soft smile before Spencer turns back to Jessica, "Jess, this is Ashley, my girlfriend."

Ashley catches the flash of sadness in the other girl's eyes, "It's nice to meet you. I'm glad Spencer found someone to help her through this."

"It's nice to meet you too," she tries to keep most of the jealousy out of her voice. Judging by the slight squeeze Spencer gives her hand she failed.

"So, umm, I should probably get going," Jessica says to break the awkward silence.

"Ok, but I meant it; we really should keep in touch. I will respond to your texts and Facebook messages this time." Ashley stays quiet. After Jessica has walked away Spencer turns those blue eyes on her quizzically, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, just a long day."

"Bullshit."

Ashley looks around the crowded hallway, "Can we go outside?"

Spencer nods her head and they leave the courthouse hand in hand. Spencer lets them walk about a block away before breaking the silence, "So what's going on?"

"I just…I realized that I know nothing about your relationship with Jessica. If you two ever… If you loved her…if you still love her," it all comes out as a whisper and she partially hopes Spencer didn't hear.

Spencer moves to stand in front of the brunette frowning, "Do you think I am gonna dump you and go back to her?" Ashley offers a weak shrug in response. "What would make you think that?"

Ashley sighs, "You asked me yesterday how I could want you, when really the question is why me? I'm kinda a mess, self-centered, arrogant, bit of a slut with a history of heavy drinking and LSD use. Jessica looks like she has her shit together and she clearly still cares about you. We slept together yesterday, and I'm not entirely sure what that means. I know what I want it to mean, but I…I've never done this before."

"Done what?"

"Fallen in love."

"It's pretty scary isn't it?"

"I'd classify it as downright terrifying."

Spencer laughs softly and steps up so their bodies are inches apart, "It's you, simple as that. You were exactly what I needed when I needed it, someone who wasn't trying to make me be Spencer Carlin of last year, just someone who cared about me. And it is going to be you for the foreseeable future so you better get over being terrified cause God knows how long I will be able to be the strong one in this relationship."

"Ok," they seal the promise with a soft kiss. "I suppose we should head back, I'm sure your parents want to head back to the hotel or food or something."

"Probably."

Arthur and Paula are waiting patiently at the bottom of the steps to the courthouse and both girls get swept up into a hug by Paula. Ashley freezes and looks at Arthur in confusion which he returns with a smile and a shrug. When the two get released Paula steps back and wipes a couple of tears from her eyes before speaking, "We haven't bought the plane tickets back to LA yet because we didn't know how long the trial would last or how long we would want to stay after. Arthur and I were talking about it and we decided it is really up to you Spencer when you want to head back."

Spencer leans into Ashley, "I'm ready to go home."