Author's Note: This is post Season 3 Episode 8 (Stolen Kisses). Based on the pictures and the promo, there will be a few more answers in episode 9, as well as a few new mysteries, so I might try and adapt the story to include some of the new information we get, but I'm pretty sure that this story is going to be much more of my own creation from hereon out. Also, I might be messing with a fewof the pairings for added drama, but know that in my heart, I ship Pretty Little Liars, not specific characters or couples.
P.S. Even though I desperately wish otherwise, I'm not perfect. So when you spot one of my mistakes, I won't be too offended if you mention it when you leave a review. And I did do some editing with the paragraphs and stuff, so if there is something that doesn't make sense, point it out to me! I just wanted to get this up before the next episode tomorrow night.
Disclaimer: Really? Do I look like Andy Reaser, Marlene King, or Alloy Entertainment? No? Well, then you've probably guessed that no, I SO don't own PLLs.
Summary:
Spencer took it upon herself to find Ali's – and now Maya's – killer. She hated that there were questions she didn't know the answer to. Hanna, on the other hand, held onto the hope that everything Mona did to them had some insanely good motive behind it. She's not really a bad person, or crazy. She's not really behind A. She's going to help us find the truth.
All Aria wanted to do was find a way to live happily ever after with Ezra, without constantly having to explain why she had thought it was okay to date her teacher – and that yes, he is a good man. Emily, meanwhile, is still grieving Maya's loss . . . by starting a little investigation of her own.
But that's only the beginning. Hanna is torn between Wren and Caleb, but she knows that she can't really have either of them. Spencer needs to find a way to keep Toby safe without lying to him, but she can't even get him to return her calls. Aria can't face Ezra after everything his mother said to her, and Emily starts getting mixed signals from the last person she expected to.
So, with some of their lies and cover stories finally floating to the surface, threatening to flood Rosewood, their lives seem to be falling apart. And for the first time, A has nothing to do with it.
Chapter 1: PArty AnimAls
"Hanna! Over here," Aria Montgomery called, waving her hand to catch her friend's attention. Hanna started walking over, and Spencer wondered how she can seem so balanced when her heels are not only six inches high, but also studded with dangerous-looking spikes.
"Who's your date?" Spencer asked, her eyes scanning the large room. For some insane reason, the Marley & Me Fund – an organization that travelled across the country to raise money and awareness towards animal abuse and neglect – required every guest to come with a plus one. According to them, it could be your seven year old niece, your fiancée, or even your mom, but you would be rejected unless you had a sidekick. Spencer understood that it meant getting more people to attend, but in her opinion, they were wasting a lot of money on a party instead of holding a simple presentation.
"Spencer, about that-"
"Is it Wren?" Spencer asked in a neutral voice, trying to control her body enough so that she didn't punch her best friend in the face.
"What? No. Of course not." Hanna said, a little too quickly. "Who did you bring?"
"Speaking of which, what's up with you and Toby?" Aria asked.
Spencer replies in a tight voice, unable to keep her face from contorting a little – which proved that she was not happy with the situation. "We're on a break."
"C'mon, Spence, what's really going on?"
Aria tries to make up for Hanna's blunt question, as she usually did. "Hanna, she doesn't have to-"
"Of course she does. We're her best friends. If she won't tell us, then it'll be just like it was when-" Hanna stopped herself, but she knew it was too late.
"When Ali was still here," Spencer finished for her. An awkward silence settled over the three of them. It was interrupted by a rude beeping, which turned out to be Hanna's phone.
"Hanna! Why didn't you turn that off?" Spencer asked, glad that between the music and the excited chatter, no one could hear the obnoxious sound.
"I forgot, OK?" Hanna said defensively, turning her back on her friends as she pulled out her phone and gave a demanding 'hello.'
"Is this a bad time?" Came the British-accented voice.
Hanna cast a timid look at her friends over her shoulder. "Ah, no," She gave her friends a half smile as an apology before she walked off to find a quieter place. She headed to the lobby of the small hotel where the party was being held. "What's up? Did something happen to Mona?"
"Not exactly," Wren said.
"Then what is?" Hanna asked, not realizing how uncouth it sounded until it was too late.
"So this is a bad time, then?" Wren asked good-naturedly.
"No, I'm sorry. I've just . . . had a rough day, I guess." Hanna hoped her tone didn't sound too dismissive. But not only did she have to explain to her friends why she brought Lucas as her date, she'd also have to deal with the aftermath of her actions. Does he think you like him now? When did he even start talking to you? Do you like him? Is this a rebound thing? Hanna, didn't you even think that you could be putting yourself in danger? What if he's on the A-Team? Hanna was certain that Spencer would have a new question or accusation every day, and she would never hear the end of it.
"Is there anything I can do?"
Hanna laughed. "It's a sweet thought, but no, I think this is a little bigger than smuggling me a few painkillers."
Wren chuckled, and she could almost feel him smiling. "That's not what I meant."
"I know." Hanna says, her voice softening. "And I appreciate it. I just don't really feel like talking about it. Or thinking about it, for that matter."
"Well, not to brag or anything, but I'm practically a psychologist; you can tell me anything."
"Wren, why did you call?" Hanna asked, ignoring him.
"I actually just wanted to ask you if you're in any danger."
"Excuse me?"
"Why else would you need a weapon?"
"Weapon? What are you talking?"
"Your shoes, Hanna; those spikes look incredibly fatal."
"Wait, how did you...?" Hanna paused, putting two and two together. She did a 360 spin, hoping to find out where Wren was hiding. "You can only hide for so long, Wren," She was startled to find that the only person she did see was Spencer, who was standing with crossed arms and pursed lips. "I have to go." All humour had left Hanna's voice.
"Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, fine, I just need to go. I'll talk to you later. Bye," Hanna hung up, and finally met Spencer's stern, unrelenting gaze with a sheepish expression.
"So you and Wren talk now." Spencer said with obvious distaste.
"No, we don't."
"Well that obviously wasn't about Mona, so what was he calling about?"
"I . . ." Hanna bit her lip, wondering how she could explain it to Spencer. Ever since she had accidentally kissed Wren, they had both tried extra hard to pretend to be comfortable around each other, and to pretend that nothing ever happened. Sure, they both knew that it would remain a little awkward until they hashed it out to some degree, but it was easier to not think about it. Or at least it was in Hanna's opinion. But telling Spencer that she had initiated a kiss – regardless of how it could hardly even be classified as a kiss – with Wren would not be the smartest way to make amends. "Look, I know that you have your . . . reservations about Wren. But nothing is going on between us. I know what I'm doing," With that, Hanna pushes past Spencer to join the party. It takes Spencer a moment to respond, but she stays hot on Hanna's heel as they return to where they'd deserted Aria, who was now waiting somewhat awkwardly.
"Where were you guys?" Aria asked, handing them each a drink.
Spencer and Hanna exchanged a look, vowing each other to silence. Any drama with Wren was between the two of them, at least for the time being, and neither of them wanted to have to drag anyone else into it to pick sides or play the referee.
"Sorry. I was just about to interrogate Hanna on her date, when we realized you weren't around," Spencer says with a feeble smile.
"So who is your date, Han?"
"Lucas,"
"What?" Aria and Spencer said simultaneously, their faces reflecting their disbelief.
"Look, I know that things have been really sketchy with him. But his mom organized this party – she works at the hotel – and he offered to be my date, since he knows that Caleb and I split. I don't even have to see him or talk to him. We walked in together, and that was that."
"But why would he do that?" Aria questioned. "He doesn't know that we know that he owes us anything."
"I don't know, OK? He came up to me at school, made a simple, emotionless, no strings attached offer, and I accepted."
"And how do you think Emily is going to feel about that? He drugged her, Hanna. With drugs he got from Mona. " Spencer said in an accusatory voice.
"We don't know that for sure! And he's not going to hurt us. Believe me, I made it clear that he'd better keep his distance. But it would have been humiliating for me to show up with my mom on my arm, and I'm not ready to go back to that place."
"What place?"
"The Hefty Hanna place,"
Spencer's voice softened. "I thought you were over that."
"Yeah, well, you don't just get over stuff like that. I'm not as . . . ashamed of it, or torn up about it as I was before. But that doesn't mean that I want to relive some of my worst days, okay?" Hanna's confession changed the tone of the conversation, and a silence settled over the sombre-faced trio.
"So, where's Ezra?" Hanna asked. She was eager to get rid of the heavy feeling that was being held over her heart.
Aria stared at her shoes. "I don't know,"
"You guys haven't talked?"
"No," Aria sighed. "I've been avoiding him these past few days. I mean, I take his calls, tell I'm busy with my photography, or school, or my family, and promise that I'll come over soon. I just don't know what to say to him. He obviously already hates his family, and I think he knows his mom said something to me. But I don't feel like I have the right to tell him what a . . . bitch she is."
"Why not? He can't keep thinking that he did something wrong," Hanna pointed out.
"I'm sure he doesn't think that," Spencer offered, giving Hanna a look of mild disapproval.
"Can we please just talk about something else? I'm kind of tired of thinking about this," Aria said, sounding somewhat defeated.
"Thinking about what?" Emily asked, arriving at their tightly-formed circle with a perky smile and a surprising guest on her arm.
"Hi, Nate," Spencer said, her bewildered smile not quite reaching her eyes.
"Hey, Spencer," Nate said, giving them all a nod of acknowledgement. "I'm going to get some punch. Anyone want anything?" Only Emily accepted his offer. He headed for the bar slowly, probably sensing that girls would need some time to talk.
"Where's Paige?" Aria asked as soon as he was out of earshot.
Emily gave her friends a funny look. "She's at a family dinner. She couldn't get out of it." Emily pauses, inspecting their expressions, before pulling back with an equally puzzled look. "You guys didn't really think that...?"
"No!" Hanna insisted. "Well, maybe for a second, but we know that you wouldn't."
"We were in the middle of asking Aria when she was in the middle of resolving this thing with Ezra and his family," Spencer offered, eager to get onto another, less awkward topic.
"I came with my family, so technically, Mike was my date."
"How are your parents?"
"Good. They're civil to each other, and I don't think there is so much tension now that they're officially divorced. I'm happy that my mom's dating again; I just hope that it doesn't send my dad straight into Meredith's arms again. He can date anyone else he wants to, but just not her. It's too painful," Aria admitted. Her slightly pained expression was fitting, as if to prove her point. "What about you, Spence? Who'd you come with?"
"Toby's still out of town?" Emily asked sympathetically.
"Yes, he is. But if – and when – he comes back, we're going to be fine again."
"So you're going to tell him the truth?"
"No! I still need to protect him from some of our secrets, despite what he thinks. But I'll tell him something, like about the note in Mrs. Reynolds's hospital room. I have to give him something."
"Isn't it strange that none of us are actually spending time with out dates?" Hanna asked suddenly.
"We'd prefer if you kept away from yours, Hanna," Spencer said, giving her a pointed look.
"You don't have to worry about that." Hanna said. "But stop changing the subject and tell us who you came with."
Spencer freezes, a guilty look floating across her face. "I came with Caleb,"
Hanna's face reflected her shock. "Excuse me?" Emily made a quick excuse about spending some time with Nate, and Aria also drifted away quickly, saying she had assigned herself the duty of chaperoning Mike for the evening.
"He helped us out with the password, so I owed him. We're friends,"
"Yeah, well, Toby and I are 'friends' too, Spence, but I would never even think about bringing him as my date."
"But you don't mind spending time with Wren, do you?"
"It's not the same thing,"
"Yes, it is!"
"It's not. You don't love Wren anymore. You don't even like him! But I love Caleb, and I'm not ready for our relationship to be over, and it feels like a slap in the face to have you interfering like this!"
"I'm not 'interfering.' I'm spending time with a friend. He's allowed to have friends, Hanna." Spencer's voice was firm. "It won't change anything between the two of you. In fact, I like that I can have some time to take my mind off the fact that my life is falling apart!" Spencer stalked off, leaving Hanna with trembling hands and a guilty, empty feeling. It wasn't the first time that she and her friends had a disagreement, but they usually found a compromise for the good of the cause – and the cause usually involved the A-team. This time, there was nothing that would force either of them to apologize, so one of them would have to humble themselves in order to be the one to make the peace. Sadly, Hanna and Spencer both struggled with their pride and stubbornness.
Hanna was in the middle of making her exit when a woman in a silk suit appeared on stage, requesting for everyone to gather around in an annoyingly cheery voice.
"Welcome to you all, and thank you so much for coming and supporting this lovely cause. For those of you who don't know me, I'm Rachel Jenkins, the Philadelphia representative for the Marley & Me Fund." As the woman – or, rather, Rachel – rambled on about what she did, Hanna wondered how noticeable it would be if she pushed through the crowds. It would look rude to leave, but the exit was only a few feet away, and she could probably get away with it. Although she didn't really care if people saw her as heartless if she left so early, she didn't want any of her friends to see her leaving. She'd have to make a long explanation, or lie and give a shorter version, or even-
"Hanna?" Hanna turned to face the familiar voice, her disdainful expression set firmly on her face.
"What do you want, Lucas?"
"Hey," Spencer said, joining Toby on one of the overstuffed couches that was set up against the back wall.
"What happened to you?"
"What do you mean?" Spencer asked, self-consciously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"You look kind of . . . shaken. Or dazed."
"I had a fight, with Hanna. I'm not usually one to feel guilty after shouting at someone, but I think that's because I'm usually right."
"What did you guys fight about?"
"You," Spencer replied with a dry smile that some called her signature.
"Me?" Caleb questioned with raised eyebrows, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly in amusement.
"Yes, you," Spencer said. "Hanna's not very happy with us being friends. She's jealous, I guess. She said I'm 'interfering' with your relationship."
"Our relationship doesn't exist anymore," Caleb stated in an emotionless voice.
"Maybe not, but she said that it felt like a 'slap in the face' for me to be showing up with you. I guess she had a point; I wouldn't be happy if she showed up here with Toby." Spencer paused, mostly talking to herself. "Then again, that's exactly what she's doing with Wren."
"And what exactly is she doing with him?" Caleb asked in a tense voice.
Spencer realized how it must have sounded. "I didn't mean it like that. Nothing is going on between them, as far as I know."
"As far as you know?" Caleb's skepticism was evident.
"Caleb, everyone has secrets. You know that."
"Yeah, I guess so. I just wish they didn't."
"Are you serious?"
"Dead serious. The fish had to be at least twice her size, but she still insisted on carrying it the six miles back to the lodge."
"Did she make it?"
"No," Nate said, laughing at the memory. "Around the two mile mark, she started dragging it along, and my dad eventually offered to carry it."
"Did you ever eat it?"
"Yeah, we did. It took forever to clean it out, but we finally had it cooked by midnight. It was one of the best meals I've ever had."
"It must've been amazing. How old was she?"
"Eight or nine. She always had a fire in her spirit, didn't she?"
Emily smiled, thinking of Maya. "Yeah. I always saw her as this amazing free spirit. It was like she believed she could do anything, be anyone. There were no rules or boundaries in her life."
"Isn't it weird, how it becomes such a habit to talk about her in the past tense? I remember how hard it was to do that at the beginning."
"Hey guys, sorry to interrupt," Aria said, approaching them with a serious expression. "Em, I just wanted to tell that you that I think I'm going to head out. I couldn't find Hanna or Spence, and I guess I just wanted someone to know."
Emily frowned in concern. "Sure. Is everything okay?"
Aria gave Nate a hesitant glance, before deciding she might as well speak up in front of him; it's not like she was revealing state secret. "Yeah, I just . . . I need to talk to Ezra. I can't ignore him forever."
"You're right. I hope everything works out okay?"
Aria gives her friend a tearful smile. "Thanks. So do I."
"Uh, we're supposed to team up with our 'dates.' Apparently, they planned to entertain us with some cheesy, overrated party game." Lucas said, sounding very cautious.
"Well, I'm leaving, so you better find someone else to play your little games with." Hanna's voice carried a bitter edge.
"Hanna, I don't know what you think I did, but-"
"I'm not doing this with you, okay? Good-bye, Lucas." With that, Hanna turned on her heel. She flinched when she felt his hand wrap tightly around her arm. He had a surprisingly strong grip for someone with such puny arms, and in an alternate universe where she was positive that he was one of the good guys, she would've made a joke about it. "Let go of me,"
"Not until you listen to me."
Hanna tried not to sound too panicked. "Lucas, I swear, if you-"
"Is there a problem here, Lucas?" Hanna breathed a sigh of relief – someone was rescuing her.
Lucas gave Hanna a withering look before releasing her arm and taking a step back. "No," was all he said before quickly walking away, head down.
"Are you okay?" Caleb asked. Hanna wanted to believe that she saw a flicker of concern in his eyes, but she knew it would be stupid to get her hopes up.
"I'm . . . fine. Thanks." Caleb gave a curt nod, slowly backing away.
Hanna felt a tug at her heart, and she spoke up before she could stop herself. "Caleb, wait." To her surprise, he did, so she didn't hesitate to close the distance between them. "I know what you think you saw that day at the New Window Brew, but I promise, nothing is going on between me and Wren."
"Hanna, it doesn't matter. We're not together anymore." Caleb said, giving a hasty, dismissive shrug. He turned around, but before he even moved an inch, he spun back around, a new flash of anger appearing on his face. "And even if we were, it wouldn't help. Anything to do with Wren would have to do with Mona, and you already know how I feel about that." Hanna started to protest, but he cut her off. "Tell me I'm wrong, Hanna."
Hanna couldn't find her voice. What could she say to make up for it? She couldn't tell him the truth. Like Spencer kept pointing out, their secrets were dangerous, and the only way to keep Caleb safe, was for her to keep him out of the loop. Sadly, it meant that he no longer trusted her, or even believed that she loved him. He had no respect for her. Hanna sighed, unsure of what she could say to make things okay between them again. "Caleb, I know that you think that I tried to push you away, but there were a lot of things going on that I couldn't tell you about. And I still can't. I'm sorry that I hurt you, that's the last thing I-"
"Hanna, don't bother apologizing, okay? I'm over it."
Hanna blinked back the tears that were clinging to her lashes. Before she could say anything else, Caleb walked away in long strides.
That was it. She couldn't handle it anymore. The entire night she had been fighting feelings of powerlessness, and hopelessness, and loneliness, and she just could not handle it anymore. It wasn't that she wanted to be dramatic and re-enact some corny RomCom, but her actions came from a place of pain, and she wasn't going to try to get over it by suffering in silence. And actions speak louder than words. So, with a numb feeling in the pit of her stomach, she ran to front of the hotel as fast as she could. She was desperate for an escape, and getting some fresh air seemed like the most logical option. Not that logic had really been a big influencer for her in the past.
It wasn't often that she was unable to put on her 'happy face' or at least her 'I'm-bored and fed up' facade. But that night, she was scared - and really scared, for the first time since they had locked Mona up. Sure, there had been the A-Team to worry about, and getting Caleb back, and getting answers from Mona, but she had never really doubted that things would eventually turn out okay. She wanted to laugh at her own naivety, for thinking that things would be easier this year. It seemed like with every answer they got, three more questions popped up.
And, in Hanna's opinion, unless your last name was Hastings, you could only handle so much pressure before you started breaking. As she was contemplating . . . everything, she heard a set of footsteps behind her. She wondered if she should be scared – after all, no one would be able to hear her cry for help on this deserted street, and the music was certainly too loud inside for anyone to come to her rescue. It seemed depressing for Hanna to discover that she no longer had any energy or fight left – she couldn't even feel a rush of fear or adrenaline at the possibility that she might be in danger. Digging deep and trying to be vulnerable for her and Caleb's relationship's sake had left her more drained than she had imagined. And the worst part was that it didn't make a difference. He was over her, and that was that.
