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Unspeakable Relations
by Caged Sparkle Black

Chapter One

One moment she was smiling at and having a humorous conversation with one of her closest friends, Ricky, who just so happened to be the father of her nephew, John, and the next moment she heard glass shatter, someone rather loudly growl damn it, and her mother hysterically repeat the word no. Abruptly, she brought her smoky green eyes from Ricky's warm brown. The smile on her face slipped a bit as she saw Grant storming toward her. Ricky followed her gaze then instinctively stepped in front of her to take the brunt of Grant's anger.

Grant had barely got the word you out of his mouth, when Ricky stated in calmly controlled rage. "Grant, this is a very nice wedding reception and we do not want you to ruin that for Mr. and Mrs. Boykewich, now do we?"

Ashley's eyes slightly widened as she realized that most of the guests were now intently observing the proceeding between Grant, Ricky, and herself. In order to distract them, she plastered a joyous smile that she thought must look fake, stepped from behind Ricky, quickly walked the less than a foot distance toward Grant, and placed her right arm threw his stiff left one. The first chords of a slow eighties song started to play.

"Oh, I absolutely love this song." She lied. "Grant dance with me, please? I haven't danced at all today."

"It wasn't because you weren't asked." Grant stated through clenched teeth.

"My feet were sore from these new shoes, but I'm used to them now. Let's dance." She stated. Grant visibly relaxed, but did not take his eyes off of Ricky.

"If you don't want to dance with her, I'm sure that she could find someone more than willing to replace you," Ricky drawled, paused, then added. "As her dancing partner." Ashley rolled her eyes.

"Let's go, Grant. You're causing a scene." Ashley stated. Grant let Ashley led him onto the dance floor, before he took the lead of the dance. Grant subtly led her to the farthest side of the dance floor from Ricky. Ricky grabbed a drink from the tray a waiter was packing passed him before taking a step back. He sipped on the drink and planned to observe the pair, but was interrupted by two someones that chose to stand on each side of him.

"Ricky," Anne started in a strangled hyperventilating tone.

"This isn't the place and you both know that I'm right about it." Ricky interrupted her. "You state the time and I'll be there."

"Tomorrow morning." George stated almost astonished at his grandson's father's maturity, logic, and audacity.

"Okay." Ricky stated before walking off toward the other side of the dance floor to observe more closely. He hadn't ever trusted Grant and after his display of misplaced anger earlier Ricky trusted him even less.

Meanwhile, while Ricky was observing them and attempting to eavesdrop on the tense almost silent conversation going on between the two newly sophomores, Ashley was listening to Grant rant in her ear.

"How could you?" He repeated for the fifth time since they began to slow dance. She stayed silent because she would not explain herself to him. He had no right to be so possessive of her, regardless of whether or not they were a couple and they were on the verge of being not, if he continued to berate her for something that she did not do.

"You're a slut." Grant growled in her ear. Her entire body froze from shock. He did not just call her a slut. "You were eye fucking him. Your parents, who don't notice anything, noticed or did you not notice that your mother was on the verge of a nervous breakdown by just the possibility of what you were doing with him could lead too. I didn't realize that I was dating damage goods. How long exactly have you been fucking him?" He accused before taking a brief pause. "Maybe since before your nephew, his son, was born?"

Uncharacteristically, Ashley stood there and took his verbal lashing. The song was nearing its close and several dancers had already made the move off the floor or to different dancing partners. Ashley barely registered that Grant had released her from the dance and abruptly walked off. She broke out of her trance when she felt a pair of strong comforting arms go around her waist and gently entrapped her vice gripped hand.

"What did he say to you." Ricky whispered in her ear.

"It doesn't matter." She whispered back before half halfheartedly smirking. "I thought you didn't dance."

"I thought you didn't do disco." He retorted as he smiled at her.

"This song is not considered disco." She stated as her mouth quirked up into a true smirk, but her eyes betrayed her to Ricky. Her eyes were dimmed as if her pride or feelings were wounded.

"Even if it were a disco song, you'd still dance with me." Ricky stated as his eyes roamed her face.

"Why would you think that?" She asked playfully.

"Because." He stated in a low tone as he arched his eyebrow at her.

"Because why?" She replied matching his tone. He cleared his throat. She smiled.

"We'll talk about it someday." He promised as he held her gaze.

"But not today." Ashley stated as she rolled her eyes. He smiled.

"Yeah, not today." He confirmed as he twirled her around. She smiled as he caught her from loosing her footing by grabbing her hips. "I think your dad is plotting to torture and murder me." He stated as he took a quick glance toward her parents. Ricky could tell that George was fuming.

"It wouldn't be for the first time." She stated drily.

"No, Ash, he plotted to quickly kill me when he found out that I was John's father, but now he's plotting to slowly murder me."

"Why?" She asked stupidly.

"You know why." He stared pointedly at her.

"Oh." She mouthed.

"Yeah, oh." Ricky parroted jokingly. They were silent for the rest of the song.

"Can we get out of here?" She asked as the song ended and another slow song, All I Need by Jack Wagner, from the eighties began. They silently swayed together for the majority of the song. He hesitated on replying to her question as he was not positive on exactly what she was asking. She added in explanation as if sensing the reason why he was not yet replying. "I've had enough drama for today."

"I think we've both had enough drama for a lifetime." He retorted not just speaking of the drama of the day. She nodded in agreement.

"What can I say? I'm an old soul." She laughed.

"With a young heart." He added. "What is my excuse?"

"Drama finds you." She stated. "You don't search for it."

"At least not anymore." He corrected.

"You've matured." She retorted as she wrapped her arms around his neck resting her wrists against the back of his neck.

"You have that effect on me." He stated huskily before answering her earlier question. "Yeah, we can get out of here."

"I have to say bye to my dad and give well wishes to the King and Queen." Ashley revealed.

"Take your time." He stated as he stepped away from her and walked over to the now sitting and eating Mr. and Mrs. Boykewich.

Ashley walked toward her, stopped at his side, and crossed her arms. Her mother was no where to be seen. "Where's mom?"

"Ladies room." George replied stiffly.

"Okay." She replied in an exasperated tone. "What's wrong, Dad?" She asked.

"We'll talk about it in the morning." He stated gruffly.

"Dad." She sighed. "I wanted to say bye before I left so bye."

"Where are you going?"

"Somewhere." She replied unsure and shrugged. "Probably home."

"You're walking?" He asked almost in a hopeful tone.

"No, I've got a ride." She corrected.

"Who you leaving with?" He asked already knowing the answer.

"Does it matter?" She retorted. He gave her a stern look. "Okay, Ricky's giving me a ride."

"Do I have a reason not to trust you?" He asked seriously.

"No." She stated immediately.

"Keep it that way." He ordered. Ashley couldn't help, but remember that Ricky had told her that same phrase earlier in the evening concerning the same topic.

"Dad, I'm not interested," She began, but stopped when George placed a hand up effectively silencing her protest.

"Don't lie to me, because we both know that you are. We'll talk about it later." He stated in a dismissing tone.

"Bye, Dad." She sighed as she walked away.

"Bye, Ashley, I love you." He replied.

"Love you too." She answered. She walked over to the newlyweds who were sitting, laughing, eating, and talking to Ricky. She gave her congratulations, well wishes, and thanks for the invitation. Ricky again gave his congratulations before both he and Ashley walked away. Ricky's left hand ghosted over the small of her back not exactly touching, but giving the appearance that it was. Betty observed this then looked at her husband questioningly. He shrugged his shoulders as if he did not know the answer, however he did have a clue, one in which he hoped for the Juergens and his son Ben's sake was misplaced.

Author's Note: I thought I'd try my hand at writing in this fandom, because there are so little stories about the enigmatic pairing of Ricky and Ashley. I believe that the chemistry is there, regardless of the fact of whether or not it will happen on the actual show. I would love to read your thoughts, comments, and suggestions. Thank you for reading and possibly reviewing, story alerting, and/or placing it on your favorites.