Okay, I have a few things I want to say before I continue on with this story...
I have been watching this show thanks to an awesome friend who shares her Netflix with me when I'm at her house. I've only gotten through season 1 and the first episode of season 2, which is where this chapter begins. I thought I'd update this fanfiction whenever I watch an episode with some good Spoby moments so that when I'm done, I'll have their whole story. However, this means that updates will be sporadic depending on when I see the next episode. They may be anywhere from a few days to several weeks apart. This also means that I will often be drawing from a memory that tends to be unreliable. So while I'll be as accurate as possible and my friend has kindly been reading this for me to check for glaring errors, I hope you won't be bothered by minor inaccuracies.
All right, that was a LONG note there, so I'll stop now and get on with this.
Their relationship was falling apart – through no fault of their own, of course. It was simply because of several obstacles that stood in their way.
There was the day Toby had come to the front door, asking if Spencer was there. Unfortunately, his timing was awful. Spencer, her three friends, and their parents had been in the midst of a serious discussion about recent events and what they were going to do next.
"You can't see her," Mr. Hastings told Toby.
"But I –" Toby said.
"Whether you've earned it or not, you have a reputation, Mr. Cavanaugh," Mr. Hastings interrupted.
"I would never hurt Spencer," Toby insisted solemnly.
Mr. Hastings shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I think you should go home. I don't want you around my daughter right now."
Toby's face fell. He turned to leave, but not before his eyes met Spencer's. She could see the anguish and longing in them, and it almost made her push past her father and go to him.
Almost.
Normally, she would've done it. After her traumatic experience with Ian, however, she had lost some of her nerve. Besides, she didn't want to embarrass herself and her parents in front of all these people.
So she held herself back. It was a decision she would soon regret, because it was the start of a seemingly endless series of near encounters.
A few days later, Spencer decided she would try visiting Toby at his house. Maybe his parents wouldn't care as much as hers did when it came to their relationship.
As luck would have it, Jenna opened the door when Spencer knocked on the Cavanaughs' door.
"Hi," Spencer said slowly, trying to peer over Jenna's shoulder. "Is Toby home?"
"You shouldn't be here," Jenna said in reply with that annoying little smirk of hers. "Our parents don't want you around him."
With that, Jenna shut the door. Spencer sighed. So Toby's family did know what was going on. Either that or, more likely, Jenna didn't want her around Toby.
Then there was the time they'd gone to see the psychiatrist - or the shrink, as Hanna referred to her as. Toby had been there when they'd gone outside, standing by a car. His face lit up when he saw Spencer. She started to smile back, but it quickly faded when another person stepped into view.
Jenna.
Spencer sighed as Toby put his arm around Jenna, carefully guiding her into the car. It had been so long since she had a moment alone with Toby. Maybe this was fate's way of telling them that they just weren't meant to be together.
Spencer slipped a sleeveless black shirt on and eyed herself critically in the mirror. She wanted to look nice – after all, she was finally going to see Toby again today.
Emily had kindly invited both Spencer and Toby to come to her house to spend time together. It was a foolproof plan. Spencer would just tell her parents that she was going over to Emily's. They wouldn't have a problem with that. And, well, she couldn't help it if Emily had another guest there, could she?
"Cute shirt," Melissa commented, entering Spencer's room. "Are you going somewhere special?"
Spencer shrugged. "Just Emily's house. Why?" she said, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Can we talk for a moment?" Melissa asked.
"I don't think so. Emily's waiting for me," Spencer replied. And Toby, she added silently.
"This is important," Melissa said. "I'm sorry that I said I didn't want you around my baby. I didn't mean it. And I… I need you to tell me what happened that night at the church."
"Melissa, I've already told you everything," Spencer said impatiently.
"Yes, but I was too worried about Ian before. I didn't really listen to you," Melissa said. "I'm listening now. I need all the information I can get to find my husband."
Spencer bit her lip. She was torn. On one hand, she had the chance to be with Toby. On the other hand, this might be the only opportunity she had to explain things to her sister.
Reluctantly, Spencer picked up her phone and wrote a quick text to Emily: Tell Toby I can't make it. Sorry. She sent the message and set her phone down.
"Okay," she said to Melissa. "Are you ready?"
Melissa nodded. "Tell me what happened," she repeated.
It was late at night when Spencer heard the rustling outside the house. She was home alone, so naturally, she assumed it was something dangerous. Quietly, she jumped into action. She tiptoed over to both sets of doors in the living room and closed them, then shut off the lights in the kitchen and crouched down behind the counter with a knife in her hand.
Someone turned the door handle and opened it. A shadow made its way into the house, followed by a live person. Heart racing, Spencer gripped the knife tighter. Her gaze began to travel upward, from the person's shoes to their jeans to their t-shirt. Finally, she reached their face.
It was Toby.
Spencer stood up, set down the knife, and switched on the lights. She let out a shaking breath as Toby turned to her. He approached her and encompassed her in his arms.
"I had to see you," he murmured. She wanted to slap him for scaring the wits out of her, but she was so relieved he was there that she decided against it.
"Don't ever do that again," she said instead.
"I won't," Toby promised.
The couple passed a blissful evening together, talking and simply enjoying each others' presence. Eventually they found themselves curled up on the sofa together.
"I don't know how much longer I can do this," Spencer admitted to Toby.
"Do what?" Toby asked, taking Spencer's hand and starting to play with her fingers.
"Have a relationship like this without my parents finding out," Spencer answered. "I can't imagine how other people manage it," she added vaguely. She thought specifically of her friends who had to keep their own relationships secret, but didn't mention their names. They probably didn't want Toby hearing about their personal problems.
"It's not that bad," Toby said. "As long as I can be with you, I don't care where or when it is."
"Yes, but I want to be able to go out with you in public. I want other people to know that you're my…" Spencer broke off for a moment. She was going to say 'boyfriend,' but it seemed like too casual of a word to describe Toby. He was so much more than that.
"That you're my soul mate," she finished.
Toby smiled. "We'll get to that point eventually. You'll see," he said. "But for now, we'll have to content ourselves with secret meetings, stolen kisses… and the occasional game of Scrabble."
Spencer laughed. "Not tonight, Toby."
"Why? Are you worried that you're going to be annihilated again?" Toby said teasingly.
"Of course not," Spencer said. "I'm just tired, and it's getting late. And for the record, I didn't lose that badly."
"Whatever you say, Spence," Toby said. He kissed the top of her head and got up from the sofa. Spencer stood up as well and followed him to the door.
"Thanks for coming," she said, leaning against the doorframe. "I really needed this."
"You're welcome," Toby said. "I'll see you soon. Oh, and don't forget to lock the door."
"Yes, sir," Spencer said with a grin. She watched Toby set off into the night, satisfied at last.
