Betrayal

Chapter 4: Be confident Ashley.

The brunette ran out of the coffee shop and got in her car, driving straight to Sheridan's house. She burst in, out of breath.

"Jeez Ash where ya been?" One of the other members, Stan spoke up, seeing the girl's state.
"I was talking to Jessica and forgot the time okay? I'm here now." Ashley sighed impatiently, sitting down. Sheridan looked at her disapprovingly.
"I appreciate you trying to find out as much as possible about her but you need to work on your punctuality." the hispanic woman spoke slowly, before turning her attention to Stan. "Do not interrupt the meeting again."
The fair man quickly nodded and ducked his head.

"So, Ashley, found out anything useful?" The dark haired woman turned her glare back to the brunette.
"Jessica is extremely hard to get to. She's easily identifiable from her usual style of black and red or blue. She lives on Doncaster Road, has a boyfriend, and works as a songwriter." Ashley began listing off little details that Jessica had told her. She began to feel bad for the blonde, although they were gang rivals.

"That's incredible." Jerrie muttered.
"What is?" Ashley frowned, looking at the redhead.
"Firstly, the amount of information you were able to get out of her and secondly the fact you can remember it all." the older woman explained.
"I often get complimented on my memory." the brunette chuckled.
The group got back to work, adding more and more details into the plan until it was perfect. Sheridan let Ashley scan through the plan for any mistakes before standing up.

"Right, you cowardly lot. Who's going to lead?"
Ashley immediately shot up.
"Me." she stared at Sheridan with a new found confidence and determination. "If something were to go wrong, it would be wrong for another higher rank found. And I know Jessica better than anyone here, I know her weaknesses, whether consciously or unconsciously. I know her strengths. It's only right for me to lead this."

Sheridan nodded slowly, impressed by the brunette's outburst of confidence against her.

"Alright, Jerrie, Rae, Beth, Kaiden, you will be her back ups and wait outside." the dark woman instructed. "The rest of us will be doing whatever you wish as long as it doesn't hinder the plan but be alert as always. The plan commences a week from now. Stan and Kaiya, begin setting up the room we will put her in tomorrow."

The group nodded in unison and dispersed. Ashley made her way straight home. She'd put herself in grave danger with the random burst of confidence she'd just had.

"Hey Ash. Hectic day I'm guessing?" Aubrey asked as soon as the dishevelled woman stumbled through the door.
"Definitely. Jessica and I are friends again I think but there is too much drama within my friend group, it's killing me." Ashley leaned against the counter, hastily pushing the files on Jessica deeper into her bag.
"Well dinner is ready in a couple minutes and then you can have a bath and relax." the blonde nodded towards the oven, where the smell of fresh baked pastry and chicken was overpowering.
"You know you don't have to make dinner every night." the brunette put her bag in her room and came back. "I can cook too. I don't want to leave you doing all the jobs around here."
"No it's alright Ash. I prefer it, that way I know exactly what has been done and what needs to be done. With 2 different people it just becomes confusing." Aubrey served some fries and vegetables onto two plates and then got the pie out of the oven, serving that between the two also. "Bon Appetit."

Ashley chuckled and shook her head, taking the plate and sitting down at the table. The older woman followed suit, sitting down next to her.
"How was your day?" the brunette ate a mouthful of the pie. "This is good stuff."
"Thanks. It's been alright I guess. Just more clients with not a single clue of what they're doing." Aubrey shrugged, popping a fry in her mouth.
"That sucks," Ashley nodded. "But knowing you, you'll get them going in a few days."
"Damn right I will."
The two women laughed. Ashley took another mouthful of pie and then looked at Aubrey.

"Bree?"
"Hmm?"
"Why didn't you tell me about the fact Jessica's completely changed?"
"I, um, firstly I haven't been in contact with her that often so I haven't actually noticed a lot of difference in her." the blonde thought. "And secondly, even if I did, I don't think it matters since you both have changed a hell of a lot."

"I guess." the younger girl nodded. "I miss the softer Jessica. She's gone all, how do you describe it? Like Beca when I joined the Bellas."
"Alternative?" Aubrey raised an eyebrow. "I didn't think it was possible for such a sweet girl to change into that."
"Yeah well she did." Ashley nodded. "It took a bloody hell of a lot to make her smile."

"Jeez, I can imagine." the older woman got up, taking both their plates and washing them up. "How is she anyway?"
"She's doing incredibly well based on what she's told me." the brunette thought for a moment, chewing on her bottom lip. "She's living the rich life that's for sure."
"Really?"
"Doncaster Road rich Bree."
"Holy crap. That is rich."
"Yep." Ashley got up and nodded. "Thank you for encouraging me to talk to her again."
"No problem." Aubrey smiled. "You two couldn't avoid each other forever."
"Definitely not." Ashley nodded absentmindedly. "By the way some of my friends are going on a trip so we probably won't meet up until Saturday. When they're back."

The blonde nodded in response and walked to the living room, sitting down, the younger woman following close behind.
"Do you ever think about getting in a relationship?" Aubrey asked quietly.
"A lot really." Ashley picked at her nails. "But I feel like something always scares them away."
The blonde nodded in agreement.
"Me too."
"What happens when one of us finally finds someone and wants to move in with them?" the brunette asked. "What happens with the other person?"
"I'm pretty sure we can both afford to live pretty comfortably alone in this apartment really Ash." Aubrey chuckled softly. "We're both on pretty good salaries."
"True." Ashley thought. "But it's gonna be so weird when that happens. I might have to get 10 cats to compensate."
They both burst out laughing. They talked late into the night, which was something they hadn't done in a while.