“So you have lupus?” Spencer asked, standing at the foot of Ashley’s hospital bed. Ashley was still wearing her boxers and beater, hair strewn across her face, a crumpled mass atop the bed.

“I’m in remission,” Ashley said defiantly, her eyes still closed. Spencer smirked. “And I’m tired.”

“Well at least it was nothing too serious,” Spencer replied to this, placing a hand on Ashley’s foot which lay at the edge of the bed. Ashley wiggled her toes. Spencer gasped and leaped backward. Ashley chuckled lightly.

“Ashley Davies,” Spencer said with a wild grin, and Ashley opened her eyes then, big brown orbs shining.

“I was just messing with you Spence,” Ashley said with a sly grin and Spencer stepped forward and plucked the younger girl’s toe. Ashley watched her with loving eyes, and though she couldn’t move much, Spencer could feel her beside her, touching her. “Get over here,” Ashley said in a breathy whisper and Spencer gripped the bar at the foot of the bed.

“I can’t,” Spencer replied with a sigh, and Ashley frowned. Spencer continued with averted eyes. “Aiden’s just outside the door.”

Ashley jerked up at this, not believing Spencer. She glanced around the room as if expecting to find Aiden right there, in a corner, watching them with a smirk on his face, mocking them. Her head started to ache again.

“Ash are you okay?” Spencer said stepping forward, but Ashley only brought a hand to her forehead. “The doctor said that you should rest until the medicine can work on your system. The pain won’t stop unless you let it,” Spencer finished, feeling like an expert already. Ashley smiled faintly and then collapsed backward onto the bed. After many moments, she brought the hand from her forehead and eyed the blonde standing before her with dark eyes. Spencer tried not to panic.

“Spence I need you,” Ashley said, raising a hand toward the blonde, and Spencer hesitated for only a moment, stealing a glance toward the door. “Please,” Ashley whined, an honest whine. Spencer gave in, walking over and taking Ashley’s hand, bringing it up to her mouth and kissing the soft skin. “I love you,” Ashley said, and Spencer almost cringed. Those words were laced with so much feeling, so much need, so much love. Spencer couldn’t deny it. In fact she had already accepted it. It was coursing through her veins, illuminating every part of her that had ever been dark, alone, or sad, making her whole.