Aria, Hanna, Emily and Spencer stepped into Aria's house. They wandered into the living room laughing and talking but stopped dead when a tall dark haired girl entered from the kitchen. Ella stepped in behind her smiling.

"Kayla?" Aria smiled and stepped forward slightly.

"Hey Aria, hi girls" she smiled to Hanna, Emily and Spencer slightly. They smiled back.

Kayla wasn't much older than Aria, early twenties at least.

"Kayla's staying with us for a few weeks" Ella gave Aria a slight nod and smile.

"Really? Cool!" Aria's response was slightly awkward though her smile was sincere.

Kayla looked to Ella slightly "so you want me to take a look at that file now?"

Ella's eyebrows raised slightly "oh yeah I'd forgotten about that, I'll show you now. Are you girls staying for tea?"

"Um no we just came back to look at some clothes for Friday night" Aria began to walk towards the stairs.

"Okay well don't be out too late; I want you home for tea 6 o'clock okay?" Aria stopped at the stairs and nodded smiling to her mom.

Once they were out of sight Kayla turned to Ella. "They've grown huh? I remember those girls being like 12!"

"Yeah...they've had a rough few years" Ella sighed and Kayla nodded. They headed off to the office.

...

Hanna through herself on to Aria's bed followed by Emily and Spencer while Aria sat at her desk.

"I can't believe your cousin's back in town" Hanna gasped sitting up slightly.

"I thought she went to war" Emily looked to Aria with confusion.

"She did, she served for 3 years but...after what happened out there she never went back" Aria looked down slightly.

Spencer's eyes narrowed "I can't even begin to imagine what she went through out there...she was always so fun and nice and well happy"

"Well that's the first time I've seen her since she got back, maybe she still is" Aria shrugged her shoulders slightly.

Hannah stood up "uh well, let's get started on your outfit for Friday and your date with Mr Fitz" her eyes widened at the end with excitement.

"Shh" Aria placed her fingers to her lips "not so freakin' loud!"

Hannah shrugged her shoulders and laughed.

...

Later that night at dinner they sat in comfortable conversation.

"We never do this you know" Ella laughed slightly as she put her fork down "it's nice we should do it more often"

Bryan laughed "yeah we got to reel this kids in more"

"Reel us in? We aren't fish" Mike shook his head smiling.

Aria smiled slightly and looked to Kayla. "So where are you going after here Kay?"

"Um, well I think I'm gonna head west, visit some friends in Cali...although I may be back in Rosewood soon" Kayla glances to Ella who smiles slightly.

"Oh yeah" Mike sits forward slightly with a sincere smile.

"Yeah, uh there's a position opening at the hospital um and you know my experience as a medic is invaluable to them" Kayla shrugs her shoulders and sips some of her wine.

"It must be weird being back in Rosewood" Aria's voice was light and thoughtful.

"It is. I mean I grew up in this place and then when I was 16 I left and well...that was a long time ago. Things have changed...considerably" Kayla laughs slightly.

Mike smiles slightly "It'd be cool if you stayed though"

"I think so too" Kayla nods playfully.

"Have you spoke to Julia about it yet?" Ella asks.

Kayla rolls her eyes "you know your sister...I'm thinking maybe I'll just take the job and be like...hey...I live in Rosewood now"

Byron raises his eyebrow "good luck with that"

"Thanks uncle B" Kayla smiles to him.

"Well...here's better than over there right?" Ella touches Kayla's hand smiling.

"I'll drink to that" Kayla smiles back to her and raises her glass jokingly. They smile slightly.

"Are you going to go back?" Mike asks sitting forward.

Kayla shakes her head and looks down at her plate. Aria looks to Ella who offers her a slight smile.

...

The next morning Aria steps wearily down the stairs. Even after her shower she still felt tired, run down even. She'd thrown up twice that morning. As she enters the kitchen she sees Kayla sat reading the news paper.

"Hey" she smiles to Aria.

Aria nods to her and holds her stomach.

"Woah are you okay? You don't look so good" Kayla stands up and guides Aria to a stool sitting her down.

"I think I've caught a bug" Aria places her head in her hand. Kayla feels her forehead only to feel a slight temperature.

"Well you are a little warm. Why don't you stay off school? Your Mom and Dad have left already but I'll call them and explain" Kayla crosses the kitchen and gets Aria a glass of water.

"No...I've got exams soon I can't miss anything" Kayla hands Aria the water "thanks"

"Well I'll drive you to school and if you need to come home I'll come get you" Aria nods and smiles.

"Thanks Kay" Kayla nods and smiles.

"Come on then" Kayla takes Aria's bag and places a hand on the girl's back. "I have to admit I'm impressed at your dedication though"

"My body disagrees" Aria grunts as they step out the house.

...

As they drive to school Aria places her head on the window and closes her eyes. Kayla glances to her with a worried expression.

"Are you awake or what?" she asks after a moment. Aria grunts in reply. "I'll take that as a yes. Look I don't think it's such a good idea that you go in today. What if you get everyone else sick and cause an epidemic? What if I go in, get your work for the day and you can do it at home?" Aria grunts again still not moving her head off the window. "Yes? Sweet" Kayla laughs slightly and shakes her head.

...

Kayla takes the key out of the ignition and looks to Aria. She moves some of the hair that's fallen onto her face and smiles.

"I'm gonna go in and get your work okay kiddo? You just...well I'll be back, I can't see you're going anywhere" Kayla laughs and jumps out the car.

At the sound of the door shutting Aria opens her eyes and throws her head back against the seat groaning. A light tapping on the window wakes her. It's Mr Fitz. Smiling slightly she rolls the window down.

"Aria...what are you doing?" Ezra laughs at her state.

"Being ill" Aria grunts her eyes barely open.

"You aren't going to be in class today?" Ezra's expression drops slightly.

"No...Kayla's in there now getting my work for the day and then I'm going home" Aria smiles to him slightly.

"Okay...will you text me to let me know you're alright?" Aria nods and smiles slightly. "I love you" he leans in and kisses her.

"Love you too" Aria smiles to him.

He stands up from the car just as Kayla begins to walk over.

"Can I help you?" she asks, her tone slightly threatening.

"Hi, I'm Mr Fitz, you must be Kayla?" he walks around the front of the car to meet Kayla. Aria watches them through drowsy eyes.

"Yeah, I'm Aria's cousin. You're one of her teachers?" Kayla eyes him carefully.

"Yeah" Ezra smiles to her slightly. She smiles back.

"Oh, well Aria's not so well so I've come to pick up some of her work for the day, have you got anything you'd like to add to the pile?" Kayla lifts up the stack of books she's holding.

"No, she just needs to continue working through the reading list" Ezra smiles again.

"Awesome. Well nice to meet you Mr Fitz" Kayla nods to him slightly.

"Nice to meet you too, hope Aria's feeling better soon" he nods to Kayla and glances at Aria who's fallen back asleep in the car.

Kayla sticks the books on the back seat and gets into the front of the car.

Mumbling Aria turns to face Kayla "what were you and Ezra talking about?"

Kayla looks at her for a moment eyes piercing and knowing. Aria looks back at her eyes droopy "we were talking about school work, Aria. Go back to sleep" Kayla's tone was cut off and quiet. She pulled her seat belt across her and reversed out of the car space. Her expression held a slightly look of worry and even anger.