A/N: Over a week since an update? I know, I'm terrible. But I just got to my dad's house and spent the past week packing and getting ready. Now that I'm here, updates should be coming more regularly. For now, here's chapter 4.

Disclaimer: I do not own PLL or any songs mentioned.

Chapter 4

It had been about a week since the night of the carnival. Toby and Spencer had started a new routine. Spencer walks to school and Toby rides his motorcycle to the work site. Every day, Spencer walks out of Rosewood High School and finds Toby leaning up against his bike, waiting patiently for her. His face always lights up when he sees her, and the same goes for her. Then he hands her a helmet, which now technically belongs to her, and they drive somewhere. Whether they went to the Apple Rose Grill to eat dinner, went to Toby and Jason's place so the boys could help Spencer study, or just wandered around their small town of Rosewood, they always found something to do together.

Finally, it was the weekend. Spencer's eyes squinted as the light streamed into her bedroom. She tossed the sheets back and sat on the edge of her canopy bed, phone in hand. Just as she was about to text Toby, she heard yelling from the lower level in her house.

"Do you not want to be here?! Because to me, it's obvious that you don't!" Veronica's ager filled voice rang throughout the Hastings' home.

"I'm just trying to figure out all of this shit, Veronica! I need time to figure out what I'm going to do about him!" Peter hollered back at her.

Who is "him"? Spencer had asked herself this for the past year. She fiddled with her phone, trying to distract herself. She exhaled and moved her fingers to type a message.

Can I hang out with you and Jason for the day? -Spencer

Only half a second passed until a reply came.

Of course! -Toby

Can you open your window? -Spencer

Sure? -Toby

Spencer got dressed and fixed her hair and makeup as quickly as she could. The shouting from downstairs had increased in volume and she couldn't wait to get out. Opening up her white pane window, she climbed out and stepped onto a sturdy tree branch. Peering around the tree trunk, she could see Toby waiting by his window. He reached out his strong hand to help her; she grabbed it and stepped into his room.

"Can you please explain why you had to sneak in through my window?" Toby asked, a smirk appearing on his face.

"I wasn't sneaking. Where's Jason?" Spencer asked, trying to change the subject.

"He's still sleeping so I've been hiding out in my room. There was a blonde here last night. I'm not exactly sure if they're finished talking," he answered.

"It's probably just CeCe," Spencer told Toby.

"His girlfriend?"

"Not exactly. They've been on and off for the last year."

Toby nodded. "I'll take it that you haven't eaten breakfast?" Spencer asked.

"Not yet," he replied.

"I'm in the mood to cook something," she said, walking out the door and towards the kitchen. Toby followed behind.

Spencer opened the refrigerator and pulled out eggs, milk, blueberries, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and a bunch of other stuff, and set it on the kitchen island.

"Wow, Spence! I've never had a girl make me breakfast before," Toby teased.

Spencer rolled her eyes and laughed. "Can I help with anything?" Toby asked kindly.

"Umm, sure. You can make some coffee," she said, with her brown puppy dog eyes.

"You get two cups and no more, okay?"

"Yes, sir!" Spencer fake saluted him.

Spencer turned on the radio that sat by the window sill, "Safe and Sound" by Capital Cities played in the kitchen. Toby and Spencer moved around the kitchen as they prepared a delicious breakfast.

I could lift you up

I could show you what you want to see

and take you where you want to be

You could be my luck

Even if the sky is falling down

I know that we'll be safe and sound

I could fill your cup

You know my river won't evaporate

This world we still appreciate

You could be my luck

Even in a hurricane of frowns

I know that we'll be safe and sound

I could show you love

In a tidal wave of mystery

You'll still be standing next to me

You could be my luck

Even if we're six feet underground

I know that we'll be safe and sound

Spencer placed the white, ceramic plate that was piled high with chocolate covered, blueberry waffles, which had a mountain of whipped cream on top, in front of Toby. His eyes went wide and his stomach growled in hunger and anticipation. Spencer brought her pile of fluffy waffles to the table and sat down to join him. Toby took a bite and his mouth watered for more.

"Does it taste okay?" Spencer asked him.

"Spence! This tastes amazing!" he exclaimed.

Spencer chuckled and stabbed her waffles with a fork. "I'm glad you like them."

"Can you come over every morning and cook me breakfast?" he asked, half seriously.

"Just on weekends. But maybe I'll be nice and also cook on Mondays and Fridays if you cook me dinner once in a while," Spencer bargained.

"Deal. I'll cook Kraft Dinner. It's been in my family for generations," Toby said jokingly.

Spencer giggled and continued eating. Just then, a disheveled Jason walked down the stairs, guiding a bedhead CeCe into the kitchen.

"Morning, Spence," Jason greeted before going to fist bump Toby. "Did you cook any for me?"

"On the stove," Spencer said and pointed in the direction of the extra waffles. "Hey, CeCe. What's up?"

"Maybe I should be asking you," CeCe said suggestively, nodding towards Toby.

CeCe took the chair next to Toby and scooted it closer towards him. "So Toby, Jason tells me you're staying with him for a while," CeCe said.

"Yeah. He's been kind enough to let me crash here," Toby responded.

"Are you two dating?" the nosy blonde asked bluntly, motioning back and forth between Spencer and Toby.

"CeCe!" Spencer scolded.

"I get it. You are attracted to each other and practically have eye sex over breakfast food. How dirty and delicious is that!?" CeCe shouted. Turning back to Toby, she continued, "You guys would be the perfect couple. Your babies would have the cutest butt chins!"

Both Spencer and Toby were blushing, looking down at their waffles.

"I'm just saying you two would be one hot couple!" CeCe squealed.

"Wouldn't they?" Jason said, clearly agreeing with CeCe.

Spencer's mocha eyes met Toby's blue orbs. She gave him a look that said Sorry about this. And he winked and smiled as if to say Don't worry about it.

"Look! You two even have your own secret language! Eye sex is multilingual!" CeCe screamed, forgetting her inside voice even existed.

"CeCe… What have I told you about drinking tequila at early hours?" Spencer teased, trying to change the subject.

"I am not drunk! Just being honest, spreading the love, and keeping the peace," CeCe stated.

"Aren't you a saint? Who knows, you may even be a descendant of Mother Teresa." Spencer poked fun at her. This was their relationship. Spencer and CeCe never passed up an opportunity to embarrass or make fun of the other. They weren't best friends, but for Spencer, it was a close as she could get to have a female friend. They always had fun mocking each other whenever they hung out.

"Look at my little smart ass. I've taught you well, young grasshopper!" the honey blonde said. "Well, I have to run. I'm meeting Hanna for brunch in fifteen minutes."

Spencer tensed up at the name, remembering when she used to say that exact same phrase. Curse these nostalgic feelings. Yes, CeCe was still friends with Hanna, Aria, and Emily.

Only Toby noticed Spencer's change in mood. CeCe kissed Jason and left the house. Once she was gone, Jason sat down at the table and put his hand over Spencer's.

"She didn't mean to say it. CeCe has no filter, you know that," Jason comforted her.

"I'm fine. Really. But, thank you. I know it must've just slipped out or something," Spencer assured that she was okay, mostly for her own benefit.

Toby still had a look of confusion and concern plastered on his face. Jason looked at him and then back at Spencer.

"You haven't told him?" Jason wondered.

"Not the whole story," she whispered.

"Dr. Sullivan said you had to open up to someone soon. I know you trust Toby. You should tell him about it," Jason said back in a hushed voice, even though Toby could still hear the quiet conversation.

Spencer nodded, remembering what the therapist had told her after the incident. "Do you want to go for a walk?" Spencer asked Toby.

"Sure," he replied.

The soft, spring breeze whirled throughout the streets. The morning air smelled fresh and floral. The wind blew the brunette waves off of Spencer's shoulders and let them fly behind her as she walked. Toby waited patiently for her to begin.

"Remember how I told you about Aria, Emily, Hanna, Alison, and I all being best friends?" Spencer questioned.

Toby nodded, answering but also encouraging her to go on.

"From seventh to tenth grade, we were inseparable. Of course, Ali was Ali and would tease us and make cruel comments. But she also made us feel like we were a part of something special. And we were. Somehow, she got us to spill all of our secrets without sharing any of hers. Come tenth grade, we started receiving texts, emails, letters, and stuff. They were signed –A. We assumed it stood for anonymous. Plus, Ali was also getting some of the messages. Now that I think about it, the ones she received were just minor threats, nothing too bad. Anyways, these messages would blackmail us into doing stuff or –A would threaten to tell our secrets. For example, my sister Melissa had a creepy boyfriend when she was a senior. He made a move on me and only Ali saw. –A threatened me to tell my sister and basically ruin her happiness or –A would tell her for me, and would switch up the story to make it seem like I was the one to initiate the kiss. I told my sister but she still hates me to this day because in her eyes, Ian could never do such a terrible thing to hurt her. In the end, Aria, Emily, Hanna, and I figured out it was Ali. She claimed she just wanted to have some fun. The other three never forgave her, but I did. I guess I just thought about everything she'd been through. She told me after that her father was abusing her at home. On top of that, her mother was distant and an alcoholic. I guess I just felt like she deserved a second chance. I felt like she was my family, almost like a sister. I didn't want to turn my back on her. She was upset with what she'd done and I know she truly did regret it. We all make mistakes, as I know I have. The other girls wanted to plot revenge and embarrass her in front of the whole school. I didn't think that was the right thing to do, so I left the group. Ali moved to Ravenswood and I was all alone, except for Jason. He came over to thank me for not hurting her like others wanted to and we've been friends ever since." Spencer explained everything in a calm and steady voice. But in all honesty, she feared Toby's reaction.

Toby nodded his head, processing all of the new information. "I'm sorry she did that to you."

"It's okay. I think I'm a stronger person because of it. But I do miss my friends sometimes," she said.

"At least you have a good attitude. As for your friends, have you called them since Ali died?" Toby wondered.

"Nope. I tried calling them on the day of her funeral, but I chickened out and couldn't even move my fingers to dial the numbers," Spencer answered.

"Maybe you should start there. Call them and just talk to them. When you're ready, of course," Toby suggested.

"Thank you. I must be pretty lucky. I have a very wise carpenter giving me advice," she teased.

Toby chuckled before he got serious. "You're special to me, Spence. I'll always be here to support you," he said, his voice was filled with pure honesty and understanding.

"Ditto," Spencer said.

Toby thought back to this morning. "You said I can always ask you questions, right? No matter how difficult they may be?"

"Of course," Spencer answered. "Fire away."

"Well, when I came to your door the first day we met, I heard yelling from inside." Spencer knew where he was going with this and bit her bottom lip.

"And sometimes when I have my window open, I can hear arguing. You never really talk about your family and you exited through your window to come over this morning. I just want to know… Is everything okay?" Toby asked. Spencer contemplated lying, but when she looked into his concerned, azure orbs, she knew she had to be honest with him.

"It's normal for my family. I guess I've just gotten used to it. The yelling you hear… it's my parents. Near the end of tenth grade, my dad started drinking. He claims he's not happy and now, neither is my mom. They never told me what they were fighting about. All I know is that my dad leaves early every morning and comes back late at night. I followed him a while ago to see if he was cheating, but he doesn't do anything interesting. He just goes to work, visits other law firms for meetings, and then comes back home. It's become a routine. When he's home, they fight about him. I always hear my mom saying that it's his entirefault that their marriage is broken. And then my dad goes on to defend him. I don't even know who he is. But my dad is barely ever around and my mom has become a working zombie," Spencer explained.

"If you ever need anything, I'm just next door. You can come over and play video games with me and Jason. I'll even give you a fuzzy blanket to sleep with on the couch. But, you have to make breakfast the next morning. And I'll even tell you my own life story so we will be even," Toby said. He was serious, but also trying to find a way to lighten the mood.

Spencer giggled and both of them stopped at their spot on the sidewalk. "I might actually take you up on that offer. Just keep your window unlocked at all times," she said. She paused for a moment, trying to figure out what to say next. "Why are you so damn supportive? It makes it too easy for me to trust you."

Toby shrugged. "I care about you. I don't want you to get hurt; I just want to make you happy. And I must be doing something right, because you laugh a lot around me," he said, grinning.

Spencer smiled gratefully. Before she knew it, Toby was leaning in towards her and she couldn't help herself from also leaning in towards the compassionate, blue eyed man. But before their lips could even graze each other, Spencer saw flashing lights over Toby's shoulder. Red and blue reflected and danced in a pattern on the garage door.

Spencer pulled back and asked in a panic, "Toby. Why are the police at your house?"

Toby whirled around to face the residence he shared with Jason. Sure enough, there were two cop cars parked on the dirt driveway. He hadn't predicted what would happen next, as it was surely not a part of the plan. Did Alison really take the time to think everything through?

A/N: Who do you think he is? And why are the police at the Cavanaugh/DiLaurentis house? Any ideas? More reviews = faster updates. Please inspire me to write, my wonderful readers! And I'm sorry for the "almost kiss". The real one is coming soon!

xo,

Em

P.S. I ate M&Ms today and saved the red ones for last. Anyone know what I'm talking about? You have to read my other story to understand. =P