AN: I wrote this and posted it last February but I decided to post all my work as separate oneshots now as well.
Prompt: Could you please write a one shot of Toby comforting Spencer because A is finally unmasked and shot Aria and killed her? I would love to read that! - SunlightHurtsMyEyes
Read and Review!
It had been five hours. Five hours since Toby had been lying on his bed in the loft, sleeping peacefully. Five hours since he had been dreaming of Spencer, one day being there with him, sleeping side by side. Five hours since he'd last longed to feel her in his arms.
He never imagined she'd be in his arms for this reason though.
Fifteen minutes past midnight, Toby had received a call from a very distraught Veronica Hastings. She didn't say much but she said something had happened and Spencer needed him.
Toby had run three lights just to get to the hospital, almost trampling a nurse getting off her shift on the way into the ER waiting room. Looking around that sullen room caused him to feel two things. Guilt. Horrible, gut-wrenching guilt. And then relief.
Mike Montgomery was sitting in a standard waiting room chair, his face in his hands, his back hunched downwards, bawling his eyes out as a redheaded, mid-forties nurse was rubbing his back, trying to console him. Ella Montgomery was in Ashley Marin's arms, making choking noises and heaving like she was going to vomit. And Byron was nowhere to be seen.
He searched through crowded waiting room, looking for his brunette girlfriend, only to find her completely curled up in her mother's lap.
Toby sprinted over to where they were sitting, kneeling down to Spencer's level. "Spence?" Toby's voice was barely above a whisper but it shocked Spencer out of her trance. Almost instantly, she had her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. Veronica willingly let her go from her arms into her boyfriend's, standing up to go find her husband.
Toby replaced Veronica in the chair, wrapping his coat around Spencer's shaking and blood covered body. He rocked her, side to side, trying to find anyway to console her but he knew it was useless.
Over Spencer's messy brown curls, he spotted Emily bawling with her parents on either side and Paige sitting in front of her, and Hanna sitting somewhat on top of Caleb with her father shuffled off to the side, unsure of what to say or do.
Obviously the fourth friend's absence meant something more. Pain filled his heart as he looked at Spencer's bright pink, soaked face where her tears and spit and snot all ran together as she heaved out incoherent words. Aria was Spencer's best friend. End all, turn to in your darkest hour, there's no one else I could say this to, best friend.
Toby kissed Spencer's head, unsure how to feel. Because as much as his heart broke for everyone in the waiting room, Spencer wasn't the one hurt and he couldn't help the immense relief that came with that knowledge.
Peter Hastings took up residence next to him, his eyes completely bloodshot as if he'd been crying too. His hoarse voice gave him away but Toby knew better than to mention it. "The police wanted to question Spencer." Peter stated, vacantly. "I told them they could go to hell."
Toby almost smiled in appreciation for the fact that her parents were such hard ass attorneys, not even the cops wanted to piss them off. "What hap-Did they catch-was it..." Toby trailed off, completely unsure of what to say. Did the girls' parents know about -A? Is mentioning the event in such close proximity to Spencer only putting salt into her fresh wound? Did Peter even know what was going on? It's not like he really had much interest in his daughter's life before.
"Do you mean, was it -A?" Peter raised an eyebrow, his voice still hoarse.
Toby didn't say anything else, as his arms tightened around Spencer's skinny little body, hugging her closer to him. After ten minutes of complete silence between the two men, both listening to the never ending spout of shrieks and sobs and pleads, Veronica returned from down the hall with her eldest daughter in tow. Toby almost rolled his eyes at the sight of Spencer's older, perfect, conniving sister. But much to his surprise, Melissa sat down next to Toby with a very kind expression on her face.
Veronica made way to Peter, inquiring what was going on. Peter whispered something back and cut his eyes towards their youngest.
"Come on, honey," Her mother said as she knelt down in front of Spencer. "Let's go for a walk, stretch your legs."
"N-n-no," Spencer shook her head, having to squint to open her eyes, her sobs making it hard to speak. "Aria," Was all she said.
Veronica smoothed her hair back, wiping a tear with her thumb, "Its okay, honey."
"Mommy, she's dead." Her voice broke on the last word before Veronica pulled her into her arms, carefully pulling her off Toby's lap, hugging her into her left side. Peter and Melissa both waited until Veronica had taken Spencer down the hall and disappeared before speaking.
"I'm sorry, I didn't want to make Spencer relive it," Peter explained, looking down at his hands. "God knows, this is going to put her right back into Radley." Toby could tell Peter was only trying to find the words in this dire situation.
When Toby didn't respond, Melissa cut in. "What happened, Dad?" Her voice seemed stretched, like she didn't understand what was going on.
"Aria Montgomery was murdered," Peter stated, not meeting eye contact with anyone. "-A shot her. In the chest. And she died at the scene." Toby couldn't help the way his mouth fell open. It was so much worse than he even thought.
Melissa made a choking sound. "Oh my God."
Toby felt numb. "-A just shot her? For no reason?"
Peter fixed him with a strange look. "Is there ever a reason to shoot someone?"
Toby struggled to correct his former word choice when Melissa cut in, "You know what he means!" Never did Toby think he'd see the day where Spencer's snob of a sister defended him.
Peter sighed, slouching over. "It was Ezra."
Almost as a reflex reaction, Toby's eyes searched for Ezra around the waiting room. Nowhere was the teacher who just so happened to be dating one of his most prominent students. Nowhere in the crowd of Aria's closest loved ones was the man she'd dedicated two years to.
Peter's words rang in Toby's head. "Ezra is -A?" Toby blurted out.
Melissa looked just as shocked. "Dad, you can't be-"
"Your sister confirmed it." Peter stated, firmly.
"She's been wrong before," Toby added in disbelief. About him. About killing Alison, about his intentions on the -A team, about his love for her. But somehow this didn't feel like a simple misunderstanding. Because if Ezra was in love with Aria, he'd be in this waiting room.
If Ezra was on the -A team, then he wasn't on it for the same reasons as Toby. Toby would have jumped in front of the bullet before it even got a thousand feet near Spencer.
"So Ezra shot Aria and then what?" Melissa tried to keep her voice down, hoping it didn't carry to Aria's parents. Reliving the tale would be just as bad for them as it was for Spencer.
"Then Hanna and Emily caught up to them," Peter said solemnly. "Emily called 911. Hanna tried to revive Aria." He still wasn't meeting eye contact.
"When did Spencer arrive?" Toby asked, fearing the answer.
The truth was worse than his fears. "Spencer was with Aria when it happened," Peter choked out. "Spencer tried to save her, she tried to bring her back. . . . by the time Hanna and Emily got there, Spencer was lying on top of. . . . Aria's body." He couldn't hold back the tears now. "Hanna said she believed they'd both been shot until Spencer started screaming."
Melissa looked like she wanted to gag.
Toby was about to.
Peter sighed, looking at his watch. "Let's go find Spencer and Veronica." He didn't wait for an answer before standing up. It was then that Toby noticed majority of the waiting room was gone.
Melissa grabbed Toby's arm, much to Toby's shock. His girlfriend's sister always had regarded him the same way you'd regard expired milk.
Both of them followed Peter Hastings down the long white halls that they'd all become too familiar with. It wasn't long though before Peter guided them into an unoccupied hospital room. Inside the room, Pam Fields was standing by the window, her hand to her mouth. Caleb was sitting with his back against the wall next to Tom Marin, looking dejected. Toby didn't even know Caleb was back from Ravenswood.
Paige was resting her head on the arm of the chair Emily was sitting in. Emily was sobbing, her head buried in her hands. Wayne Fields was trying to comfort her in some way, his forehead resting on the side of her face, murmuring words Toby couldn't hear. Ashley Marin was sitting on the edge of a hospital bed, with Hanna's head taking residence in her lap. Ashley's hand ran through her only child's hair, her mouth stuck open but no sounds coming out. She had no words to console her hysterical daughter. Behind them was Veronica, lying horizontal on the hospital bed with Spencer, sobbing into her mother's chest, shaking worse than anyone else.
Peter quickly stepped forwards, hurrying to Spencer's side but the girl just wanted her mom. Melissa stayed stationary to Toby's side, unsure what to do. After ten minutes Toby realized he'd slide down next to Caleb and Tom.
Caleb didn't have to say a word for Toby to know he felt guilty. He wished he'd been there, just like with Emily in the Lighthouse.
Toby nodded in understanding. He wished he'd been there too. He could have stopped this. Could have knocked Aria out of the way. Could have prevented them from taking that route that led them to Aria's imminent death. Could have taken the bullet.
Part of him knew though, that Spencer would be just as bad off if this was him. After all, how could he forget the reason she was institutionalized.
Toby wished Mona was here. Or Jenna. Or Alison. Someone who he could hit and take his anger out on, who deserved it. He tried not to dwell on the fact that they were all girls.
A few minutes later Tom got up and went to his ex-wife and daughter, speaking quietly, as not to upset Hanna. All the parents in the room began to whisper until, after what felt like an eternity, Peter approached Toby. "We think it'd be best to take the girls home now," He stated, clearly struggling to speak. "Hanna and Emily are going home with their parents but . . . Veronica and I need to go to the police station. Talk to the cops. We need to or else they're going to bring the girls in for questioning tonight and. . . ." He didn't need to continue for Toby and Caleb to both understand.
"Don't the girls usually have sleepovers after things like this?" Caleb asked, speaking for the first time. "You know, after big events, don't they feel weird about separating?"
The silence that followed answered the question. The now trio didn't want to have a sleepover without Aria. It only made the empty space that much more obvious.
After a few more minutes of silence, Caleb went to join Hanna and her parents on the end of the bed. Toby waited for Spencer's father to speak again.
"Spencer's mother and I were hoping you'd take Spencer and Melissa home. . . . Stay the night," The words were difficult for her father to ask but he seemed to be sincere.
"Of course, Mr. Hastings," Toby nodded, choking back a lump in his throat he didn't know formed. He gracelessly slid himself up from the wall and made his way over to Spencer, who was now back in her mother's lap. Melissa was rubbing her back, still with the same unsure expression. It was clear that being unsure was something Melissa Hastings didn't experience often.
Veronica now had tears in her eyes but her voice didn't betray her emotions. "Oh, sweetie," She whispered, petting Spencer's hair. "It's okay, honey."
After a few minutes, Spencer's raspy voice filled the room. "I want Toby," She whispered.
Veronica released her, pulling back. "He's right behind you, honey."
As if a reflex, Spencer turned and reached for him, practically flying into Toby's embrace. Instantly, Toby felt his heart swell, holding Spencer as close as humanly possible. It could have been her. She could have been the one shot.
"Spence," Toby whispered, his tears falling into her hair. "Oh my God, Spencer," He shook his head, rocking her from side to side as she buried her entire face into his shoulder.
Toby didn't know how long he stood there, holding her like a man who finally found water after walking through the desert, but when he looked up, Caleb was walking out, gripping Hanna's left arm with Ashley gripping her right, half carrying the inconsolable blonde.
Melissa nodded towards the door, signaling for Toby to head towards the car. He made sure his coat was tight around Spencer before bending and grabbing her thighs, holding her underneath. On instinct, her arms wrapped around his neck and her legs found his waist.
Melissa walked five feet ahead of them on the way down the hall. She clearly had no idea what to do or say to her sister. Once to his truck, Melissa waited for Toby to slide Spencer in before climbing in herself.
Spencer had never been shy about her animosity towards Melissa or the sibling rivalry, so Toby was shocked when Spencer huddled into her sister's side on the way home.
Melissa said nothing but ran her fingers through her little sister hair. "Shhhh," She whispered in her ear.
It didn't escape Toby's notice how the sound hushed Spencer's cries.
Pulling into the Hastings estate, Melissa unbuckled Spencer and helped Toby move her to her room. "I'll be in the barn if you need me," Melissa said to Toby as they settled Spencer on top of her bed.
"Melissa, I think she needs you tonight," Toby stated, looking at Spencer's tearful form.
Melissa didn't rethink her decision to give the young couple space. "Toby, what Spencer always needs is you," She stated, softly. "In case you forgot, you're her safe place to land."
The reminder of the nickname struck a chord in Toby. He was her safe place to land. He remembered hearing her say that, he had realized that he'd fallen in love with her. He didn't say it then because he knew it was too soon but he'd felt it. He still felt it. Just as strong as he had in that moment, if not stronger now.
He also remembered the promise he'd made her directly after.
"If you need anything tonight, I'll be there for you."
It was time to keep that promise. After every one of the promises he'd broken, that she'd refused to hold him accountable for, Toby knew he needed to keep this one.
Carefully peeling the coat away from Spencer's body, Toby realized though, the enormity that his girlfriend had just been through. There was blood soaking her clothes, staining her arms and hands, matting her hair, on her neck and chin. It had probably gotten on him but he didn't bother checking.
Toby hugged Spencer's sobbing body to his, rocking her back and forth once again. "Spence," He breathed into her hair. "I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so so sorry."
Spencer's cries turned to shrieks, "She was my best friend." She let out between heaves, squeezing her eyes shut.
Toby pulled her over to the end of her red chair, tugging her into a straddling position, her sitting on his lap, his hand on the back of her head, rubbing it soothingly. "I'd bring her back to you if I could, Spence. You know I'd give you to moon and stars if I could."
After twenty minutes of nonstop crying, Toby shifted positions, sitting Spencer on the ground, between his legs. Then, very carefully, he began to remove her sweatshirt, carefully setting it off to the side, making sure the blood didn't seep into the furniture. Toby delicately moved Spencer to lean back against the red chair, giving him access to her front side. He quickly unbuttoned her shirt, inspecting her arms and chest when it was removed. Desperate to get Spencer out of her blood soaked clothing, he didn't hesitate to tug her yellow cotton tank top up either.
"So much blood," Spencer cried, barely able to make out whole sentences. "It's everywhere and it's never going away," She hiccupped. "I just want it to go away!" She screamed, struggling to get out of her bra.
Quickly coming to her aid, Toby reached and unhooked the petite bra that was digging into her pale back, catching it when Spencer threw off her chest. "Spence," Toby whispered, unsure of what to say. Just when he was going to continue though, Spencer turned to reveal red stains marring her entire upper body. Immediately Toby went into panic mode. "Spencer, sweetheart, are you hurt?" The quickest route from her house to the hospital played in his mind. How fast could he get Melissa from the barn? How could he reach her parents?
"Toby!" Spencer's voice broke him out of his revive. "I'm not hurt!" Her voice still sounded shaky, like an amplified whimper or cry. "I just-I want this-this blood off me! I'm going to rip off this entire layer of my skin, I swear to God!" She exploded, the tears still hitting her cheeks fast. "I'm going-I'm going," Before she could finish, Toby stood up and wrapped her in a bone crushing hug, rubbing her back softly.
They stood there and stood there as Toby cradled her head between his arm and his shoulder, wiping her tears with his other hand. She wasn't done crying, not even close, but Toby had a very keen sense that she wouldn't be done for quite a while. He remembered after getting the news his mom had passed, how long he'd sat in his room and cried. How long his dad had cried. Toby remembered how long it took for him to feel alright again. He remembered how nothing could make him feel better.
And Spencer had done this before. Her best friend-and conniving queen bee-was murdered three years prior.
Before Toby could really get angry about how cruel the world was to Spencer, he knew he needed to get her clean and settled in bed. Maybe then she'd be calmer. Maybe then, she would be able to take a deep breath.
Releasing her from his embrace and bending down slightly, Toby removed her boots, her socks, her jeans and her underwear. Spencer didn't hesitate to curl herself around him when he lifted her back into his arms, walking to the grandmaster bathroom down the hall. Carefully sitting her in the tub before kneeling down to the side and starting the water, Toby adjusted the temperature to her exact liking.
Spencer's hand broke the surface as the water began filling up. She touched his face gently. "Thank you for staying with me tonight." Wordlessly, he turned his head to kiss the palm of her hand.
"Always, Spencer." He whispered. "If you ever need me, I will find a way to you. Even if I've left town, I don't want you to feel like I've left you alone. I love you. No time, no change and no distance can take that away."
Once the bathtub was full, Toby quickly got to work. He pulled out a fresh bar of soap from the cabinet, lathering up his hands and proceeded to gently scrub her arms, until there wasn't a trace of blood on them. Repeating his same actions on her collarbone wasn't difficult, but by the time he got to her chest, he'd almost used up the entire bar of soap.
Standing up, he quickly murmured, "I'll be right back," to his despondent girlfriend who was lying with her head resting the back of the tub. Searching the cabinet once more, Toby found a whole row of Dove soap. Grabbing two, Toby returned to the bathroom.
Looking down into the tub though, he realized the water had turned bright red as if blood had filled the tub. Terrified by how Spencer would react to being surrounded in red liquid for the second time tonight, Toby gently lifted Spencer into a standing position and drained the tub.
"Toby?" She stated, surprised by the sudden change in position. Her vision was still blurred from her nonstop tears. He wondered if she even knew she was still crying.
"Hang on, Spence. Just gotta give you fresh water, that's all," He watched as the potentially traumatizing liquid moved towards the drain.
After the water was drained and fresh water was supplied Toby guided Spencer to lie back down, her head now resting on a rolled up towel around the back of the tub. He began to appreciate how far Spencer had come in her trust towards him, the boy who she'd been sure was a pervert and a killer, now the boy she trusted to scrub the blood off her body and protect her at night.
Toby wasn't surprised that it took almost an entire soap bar and a half hour of gentle rubbing to get her stomach clean. It didn't take long to wash her below the waist though, as the blood stains weren't substantial there. He did have to drain the tub once again, after finishing her legs. But instead of making her stand up again, when she looked so peaceful, Toby drained the tub with her in it and then gave her resting body a rinse with the shower head.
Spencer didn't react much to the water being sprayed down at her. She didn't react much to Toby refilling the tub, to him making her sit up, to anything. She just laid there and allowed Toby to shift her in order to cleanse her body.
Toby washed Spencer's hair, gently and thoroughly cleaning all the blood out of it. It took an entire bottle of shampoo but at last, she was clean and had not a speck of blood on her.
When all was said and done, it ended up being ten past four in the morning before Toby was getting Spencer to relax. After her bath, Toby had towel dried and brushed her hair into silky waves, he'd dressed her in a pair of panties and his blue anchor shirt that she'd stolen-and replaced his own shirt that was covered in blood with another shirt she'd taken from him. Toby had given her water, washed her face, brought her extra blankets, even rubbed lotion into the back of her legs.
But he couldn't do the one thing she wanted most. Bring back her tiny best friend.
When the clock read four thirty, Toby moved Spencer to the rocking chair, the one he'd built with his own two hands. He moved his lips on a continuous route between the crown of her head, her forehead and her temple. His lap was her sole place of comfort and so he kept his antics up, hoping in some way he was making it better.
Five hours since he'd gotten the call from Veronica Hastings. Five hours since Toby had been lying on his bed in the loft, sleeping peacefully. Five hours since he had been dreaming of Spencer, one day being there with him, sleeping side by side. Five hours since he'd last longed to feel her in his arms.
But he didn't wish for this to be the reason.