Author's Note: Okay, I know a lot of you are Ezra/Aria shippers, but I loved the chemistry between Jason and Aria in this week's episode. I doubt Jason will be replacing Ezra anytime soon though, so here's my take on what could have happened after Ian's funeral in 2x05. Reviews are appreciated, thanks!

Aria smoothed down the front of her dress and glanced around the room nervously. Spencer's parents had invited everyone over to their house after the funeral for coffee and doughnuts; although Aria suspected it was less about common courtesy, and more about showing people how strong the Hastings' still were.

One person was noticeable absent from the bustling scene around her, however.

Ezra...

And, try as she might, Aria couldn't spot the cerulean eyes and messy hair that were his.

"Looking for someone?"

Aria turned around as Jason came up next to her. He looked exhausted, and was still wearing the somber expression he'd had earlier.

"Um..." She glanced hopefully at the double doors one last time. "No. I was just wondering if my brother will show up, or if he's too busy robbing a gas station."

Jason smiled thinly. "I wouldn't worry; he's probably still too spooked to try anything since I caught him."

"About that," Aria said, "What exactly did you say to him?"

He shrugged. "Nothing really-just that I wasn't going to call the cops on him. Do your parents know what happened yet?"

"No," Aria said quickly. Her eyes flashed over to her parents for a brief moment. "I want to tell them, but Mike would never forgive me. He already thinks I'm a horrible sister."

"Why? Because you're worried about him?" Jason questioned, his words laced with bitter. "You know, I wish I'd had someone who cared about me as much as you care about your brother. Maybe then I wouldn't have messed up so much."

"Do you-" Aria faltered and looked down at the coffee cup clutched in her hand. "Do you really think you might have hurt Ali?"

"I don't know," Jason admitted quietly. "That's why I came here today-to try and get some answers; to know for sure that I had nothing to do with what happened to Alison."

"Did you find what you were looking for?" She asked curiously.

He shook his head. "I thought I'd feel some kind of closure being around all this, but I don't." He looked over at her, his voice full of raw emotion. "It'll never be over for me. Not until I know what happened the night Ali was killed...not until I know for a fact it wasn't me."

Aria was surprised at how open Jason was being; how scared and agonized he looked. She reached for his hand automatically, desperate to comfort him.

"We'll find out what happened that night," she assured him. "I promise."