FINALS AND NEW BEGINNINGS

Parts 4 - 5

Copyright: Ash

Part 4

They stood there for a few more moments, taking in each others appearances. But a question from Kate soon brought them out of their reverie. "So are we going into the bar or not," Kate asked. "Yeah, sure. Danny would you care to join us. A couple of the guys should be along soon, too," Ash spoke to Danny. Danny tried to keep down the pang of jealousy coursing over him at the mention of other men, as he replied yes. Seeing the look in his eyes, Ash smiled at him, "don't worry, they're just friends."

Wandering in to the bar, they ordered they're drinks, and sat down. "I see you're on the strong stuff," Danny mentioned, pointing to the coke in Ashley's hand. "Yeah, not a bad way to celebrate the end of university life. But as you can probably tell, I'm driving," Ash replied, lifting up her helmet. At that moment Michael and Simon walked up behind them. "You're still planning on getting hammered with us tonight though, aren't you," Michael asked. Ash nodded in reply, "don't worry I'll be there. I just as long as you don't expect me to enjoy the music."

Slowly the conversation turned to the exams and life after graduation. Looking over at Danny, Ashley could see that he felt out of place. At her gaze, Danny returned a weary smile. "Not your area then, Danny." Then in more of a whisper, "we can leave in a bit if you want." Danny started to protest, but just replied that she would be seeing the others later. "Right, guys. One final thing before I make a move. I propose a toast. To the end of our finals, and to new beginnings." Everyone clinked their glasses together and cheered. With that done, Ash said her goodbyes to her friends and made her way to the exit.

"Sorry about making you feel uncomfortable in there. After four years it becomes a ritual though," Ash said. "That's ok, I understand, but I didn't want to spoil your fun by complaining," Danny answered. "No worries. Where'd you like to go? We could have a little wander over to the park if you like." "That sounds cool, lead the way."

They walked in silence for a few minutes, getting to the park quite quickly. Suddenly Danny grabbed Ashley's hand, and dragged her over to a bench. Surprised, Ashley didn't resist, and sat down next to Danny. "So tell me about yourself," Danny asked, breaking the ice. Ashley began to speak, but soon realised that Danny wasn't really taking anything in. Instead he was just staring at her, drinking in her beauty. Feeling a little awkward, Ash stopped mid sentence. At this point, Danny came back to the present, "oh god I'm sorry. I ask you something, then don't listen to you. I guess you think I'm rude?" Ashley began to answer, but was stopped by a small kiss on the lips. Pulling back, she saw that Danny had begun to blush. Feeling embarrassed also, Ashley took the initiative, and returned the kiss. The kiss got deeper, exploring each other as fully as possible. Finally they broke apart from their embrace. Danny opened his eyes, and Ashley could see a worried expression crawl across his face. "Should we really have done that?" Danny asked, voicing his concern. Ashley looked back at him, quietly contemplating his words. "Didn't he like it. I thought there was some attraction," Ash thought to herself. Seeing her face sadden, Danny tried to reassure her. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry if I upset you." "I just presumed that you felt it was a good moment. I know we've only known each other a few hours, but sometimes the natural attraction kicks in first. You know, the heart before the head." Danny took Ashley's hand and squeezed it tightly. "Maybe we should discuss this elsewhere," Danny said. "If you want we could go back to my place. But you'll have to follow me, 'cause I have to take the bike." "That's fine. Maybe it'll give us a bit of time to think as well."

Ashley walked over to her bike, confused about what had just happened. "Damn why do I fuck things up all the time. Twice in one day can't be bad." As she pulled on her helmet and climbed on her bike , Ash heard a car stop behind her. Looking behind her she saw Danny sat behind the wheel of a Jeep. He smiled back at Ash and waved, to which waved back, and then stared the bike.

Danny watched as Ashley drove out of the car park. As he followed her, he thought back to the way he'd chased around trying to find her. "Please don't let me mess up this time," he said to himself, "I hope she was right about the attraction beating common sense, and that we can sort things out."

As they drove off of campus, Danny relished the sight of Ashley sat on the motorbike. She looked so much in control and aggressive, Danny couldn't help but wonder if she was like that in bed. Reprimanding himself for such thoughts, he smiled, and returned to concentrating on the road.

Then all of a sudden it happened. One minute Ashley was cruising along, on a road she obviously knew well. And the next she was flying across the top of a car.

Part 5

Danny let out a scream as he pulled his Jeep over to the side of the road.

He climbed out and ran over to where Ashley had fallen. As he felt the tears start to fall, he gathered himself together enough to yell out, to somebody, anybody, to call an ambulance. Then he totally let go, crying as he stood staring at her broken body. Ashley lay there, all her limbs looking like they were out of place, and blood trickling from inside her helmet. Danny just waited, feeling as helpless as Ashley looked at that moment.

After what seemed like an eternity the ambulance arrived, followed by the police. The paramedics went about their job, as did the police officers. As an officer questioned Danny, a paramedic came up to his side. "You were with the young lady?" he asked. Danny just nodded yes. "Would you like to come along in the ambulance," he continued. "I would like to, but what about my car?" Danny replied. "Don't worry about it sir. It's off the road, and we'll keep an eye on it," answered the officer. With that Danny followed the paramedic, and climbed into the back of the ambulance. As he looked at Ashley, he almost wished he hadn't agreed. By this time her helmet had been removed, but although there didn't appear to be a head injury, blood still trickled from her nose. Also she seemed totally strapped up, with her neck in a brace, and an arm and a leg in splints. All Danny could think about, was why he had let her take the bike, and not come with him, then she would have been spared so much pain. Especially on a day like today, when she had her life ahead of her. And with those thoughts Danny burst into tears again.

Ashley just stood there, it seemed just like a dream. She had no idea how she'd gotten there, but she had no notion of where she was supposed to be. This place didn't feel right, the colours and textures were all wrong. Then all of a sudden a woman appeared in front of her. Ashley looked at the woman for a moment, then it slowly it dawned on her where she was. "Nan, have I died?" she asked. Her Nan just looked back at her and replied. "You have arrived to early. This is not your time. You have to much to do and see. Can't you hear the voice calling out to you to return. Go now, but remember I'll always be watching over you." With that the woman disappeared, leaving Ashley to the silence. Not knowing what to do, she stood there and listened. From nowhere and everywhere came a voice, quietly at first. Ashley didn't recognise it but it seemed to be calling her name. As she listened, she started to concentrate on it more, and as she concentrated the place around her began to fade.

Danny woke up, and for a moment couldn't place where he was. Then as he looked towards the bed, the events of the previous day came flooding back. After speaking to Ashley's mother, the doctors finally spoke to Danny about Ashley's injuries. At first when they had arrived at the hospital, no one would say a word as he wasn't relative, but now with all the information gushing at him, he didn't want to know. He taken enough in the previous day to know that she was in a coma, and that she'd had some internal injuries, but he hadn't taken in any more than that.

Back in the present, Danny stood up and made his way over to the side of Ashley's bed. Her mother was travelling down today, and Danny felt a wait on his shoulders. Her mother trusted him, a stranger, with her daughter, and standing there looking at Ashley, he wanted to fulfil that trust. He took hold of Ashley's hand, and squeezed it lightly, not wanting to hurt any more than she was. Then without realising what he was doing he began to talk to her. Calling out her name softly, he started to plead and beg her to wake up, to let him know she was listening.

All Ashley could hear now was his voice, nothing else mattered. He was pleading with her, she didn't know why. All she could think of was to get to him, to see what was wrong, see how she could help. Why was he crying out, what was hurting, was she missing something he was saying, had she done something to him that she couldn't remember. As she could herself get closer to her goal, those thoughts began to swim frantically around her mind. Then suddenly she felt something on her right hand. Someone was holding her. "Am I closer, is it him holding on to me?" she questioned herself. Then slowly, the darkness around her began to fade, and in its place stood the man she was searching for.

Shock began to spread across Danny's face as he realised what was happening. Ashley had answered his calls, she was awake.

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