“You haven’t failed me, Ash,” said a sleepy Spencer. 

“H-how did you, when did you?” Ashley began with curiosity.  “I have so many questions that I have to ask you.  T-this isn’t a dream, right?  Y-you really are awake?”

“I had you to guide me home, back to you since my home is wherever you are,” pointed out Spencer with a smile.  “If it weren’t for you staying by my side the whole time I wouldn’t be here right now.  It’s not a dream, Ash.  I really am awake.” 

“I knew that you would come back to me,” Ashley stated happily.  “I k-knew that you would prove the doctors wrong and wake up.”

“Thank you for standing by my side,” responded Spencer.

“Was there anything else to do?” Ashley asked with curiosity.

“No, there wasn’t,” answered Spencer.

“You have no idea how much waking up and… and h-hearing your voice has made my morning so far,” Ashley stated.  Ashley smiled and kissed Spencer passionately on her lips.  Spencer made the kiss more passionate by tangling her fingers in Ashley’s curls.  Ashley began to caress Spencer’s wounded wrist and Spencer pulled back from the kiss.

“It wasn’t your fault,” began Spencer.

“What wasn’t my fault?” Ashley asked pretending that she didn’t know what Spencer was talking about.

“Me being stabbed by Melody,” answered Spencer simply.

“Yes, it was,” Ashley sighed.  “I wasn’t there to protect you.  If I was there, you wouldn’t have that stab wound in your wrist and be in this hospital bed.”

“No, it was my choice to go alone into the girls’ locker room and I happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time,” responded Spencer.

“So you don’t hate me for what happened?” Ashley asked with concern.  “You’re not saying it only to make me f-feel better or anything?”

“I love you so much, Ash,” answered Spencer.  “I don’t hate you for what happened.  I’m saying it to not only make you feel better, but also because there are just some things that are beyond our control.  It has nothing to do with you not being there at the time, but bad things just happen in life.”  Ashley nodded sadly.

“I’m so glad that you’re alright,” Ashley said as she hugged Spencer tightly.  “I missed you so much that you have no idea how much life sucked without you.  I was going crazy.  I’m never going to let anything happen to you again.”  Ashley kissed Spencer tenderly on her lips.