Hi guys! Thank you to anyone who is taking the time to read this, and especially those leaving reviews. I know it's very low on Ezria fluff right now, sorry! But it will get better, I promise, I'm going to do a flashback soon. I'm a fan of angsty stories, but I'll make sure to put good Ezria stuff in. I love reading feedback, so please review!

Also I don't know if I should maybe change the rating but there is mild drug use in this, as an abusive relationship. It's not graphic or anything but if those things upset you then maybe don't read this chapter. Also can I just clarify that some things said in this story may seem a little harsh or extreme, but it's just what the characters think at this moment in time, not my opinions, or even necessarily their true opinions.

Ezra didn't know what to say or do, he felt a mixture of guilt and sadness rush over him. Guilt, for what he was doing, taking advantage of Aria's situation; and sadness, because of what she had become. Aria Montgomery was a shell of her former self, this he was beginning to realise.

Suddenly Aria regained her composure and sat up straight.

"Screw him," She spat decisively, rubbing her running makeup, "You're coming to a party with me tonight Ezra. I need someone on my side when I face him."

She took his large hand in her small manicured one, and led him back to the dressing room. There, Ezra watched Aria fizz about the white room furiously muttering darkly. She was trying to stay busy distracting herself from breaking down into profuse tears again. This was it. She would end it with Gary for good, it was a sign, with Ezra coming back into her life. He would help her to get her old life back. Ezra had always seen the best in her.

Ezra was extremely confused at this point. "So let me get this straight, you want me come to a party with you tonight…"

"Yes." Aria replied.

"…to help you end your affair with your married manager…"

"Uh-huh."

"…even though we haven't seen each other for five years and I should have left an hour ago?" Ezra concluded, raising an eyebrow.

"Please Ezra, I need your help. I trust you, you always wanted to help me," Aria replied begging.

Ezra considered this proposition with great wariness. On one hand, he was starting to think he could have the best celebrity exposé in a decade; on the other hand, he reckoned this exposé would hurt Aria a little too much. And he was remembering the girl he had loved, he was recognizing that there were definite remnants of that girl inside this popstar. But surely if he was helping her get out of this clearly toxic relationship it would cancel out much of the fallout from the article?

"Let me ring my girlfriend first to check that she doesn't want me home," Ezra said, slowly. He didn't want to upset Lily, he was planning to propose to her soon and didn't want to do anything which would jeopardize their relationship. He whipped out his IPhone and dialled Lily's number.

"Hey Ezzy," she answered using the nickname she had coined.

"Hey Lily baby, listen I'm sorry but I'm not going to be able to make it home tonight."

"Why baby?" Lily whined putting on a small voice. Ezra realised how ridiculous the real reason would sound.

"Err, well I've got a big deadline to meet on my soccer article and it's not getting done until the early hours at this stage," he lied.

"Okay Ezzy, guess I'm just gonna have to cuddle all by myself tonight," Lily moaned, Ezra could envisage her full lips pouting in disappointment and felt a flash of regret.

"Sorry, baby, got to go, love you," he said quickly.

"Love choo too Ezzy."

Ezra looked up from his phonecall to see an amused looking Aria. But she quickly busied herself, obviously seeing that he was not in the mood for joking.

"So you're definitely ending it with Gary tonight then?" Ezra asked, aware of how strong her feelings seemed to be for the older man.

"Uh-huh," she said determinedly, but Ezra noticed her gulp slightly. Just as her was about to suggest that she choose a more appropriate venue than a party to have a serious talk about her relationship, Aria tugged her revealing outfit off in one swift tug.

"Woah, Aria," he said, "What are you doing?"

A naked Aria laughed, walking across the dressing room,

"Aww you're sweet Ezra, I'm just changing. Don't worry hon."

Ezra awkwardly averted his eyes. She was overly comfortable with this, he thought.

"Do you want me to leave?" he suggested.

Again, she laughed, "Don't be silly! You and quite a few others have seen it all before! Haha!"

Huh. "Quite a few others" Ezra thought, an irrational pang of jealously appearing from nowhere in his head. He had never seen Aria's body like this, she was emaciated. Her hipbones and ribs jutted out scarily and her legs were like little sticks. He had noticed quite a few bruises, scratches and err… hickeys over her body. This was not the toned, curvy body he had worshipped those years ago. Physically she just looked damaged and ill. Maybe the skinny look was the showbiz way, but Ezra thought she looked sick.

Aria pulled on a white playsuit which barely covered more than the skimpy outfit she had worn on set. She had texted Gary to tell him she would be late to this private party he was throwing for her, he wasn't happy, but he would get over it. She felt calm about the imminent confrontation with Ezra by her side.

Ezra seemed dazed as they drove in the beautiful car to the private members' club. Although he himself was now very well-off, he had never seen so much profane wealth, except with his own family during his childhood. Aria had told him proudly that the jewellery she was currently wearing was worth $9,000. She had expected him to be impressed, but instead he was repulsed.

They pulled up close to the entrance to avoid swarms of paparazzi and curious bystanders. She linked arms with him and led him past the security guard who opened the barrier with a qualm.

This was a club for famous people, but Aria was one of the most famous and Ezra attracted many curious looks as she strutted through the elaborate decorated entrance to the bar. He was grateful when they entered the darkened main party.

The music was pounding and the shady room was filled with scantily dressed women dancing provocatively and finely dressed men holding beer. It was so loud that Aria had to tiptoe to shout into Ezra's ear to be heard.

"I'm going to get something to calm me before I speak to Gary," she yelled, struggling to convey meaning. Instead of walking towards the bar, Aria led Ezra towards a woman dressed in yellow who discretely seemed to hug her and then walk off. In the dark, Ezra followed Aria out of the main area and into a small back area.

To Ezra's horror he saw her produce a small sachet of white powder, his mouth was gaping.

"No, no, Aria. You cannot be doing this. No," he begged her.

Aria simply smiled mischievously and continued to lay out the substance, bent over the table and rose again, wiping her nostril. Ezra felt like crying and shouting and shaking her and calling the police; instead he just shook his head.

"Why?" he asked dejectedly.

"Why not?" Aria laughed becoming more giddy than ever. She grabbed his hand again, attempting to pull him back onto the dancefloor, but Ezra stood still.

"No," he said simply.

Aria shrugged, "Your loss." And she staggered off, into the madness of the dancefloor.

Another night, another party, why would she need Ezra Fitz? He was no-one, she was everything now. Everyone wanted her. Talking of people wanting her, she could see that Swedish model, Svetlana eyeing her up. Gary always liked it when she brought a friend home, Aria thought, momentarily forgetting herself. That's right, she and Gary were over. Sorry, Svetlana, guess she wouldn't be tasting Aria's cherry chapstick tonight.

The next few hours were a blank in Aria's memory. The next recollection she has, is being in Gary's hotel suite arguing with him.

"You told me it was over!" Aria raged.

"I want you more Aria! You and I; we've something special baby. The dynamic is overpowering, and you know it," Gary said edged closer to her.

"I loved you Gary," Aria whispered tearfully, "But you lied to me. You fucked me over."

Gary became angry gripping her wrist, "Like you didn't, little slut. It's not like you don't screw other people."

Fear filled Aria's eyes, she shook her head and tried to free herself from the older man's iron grip.

"Whoever you fuck," Gary continued, "You're mine. And you love being mine. Admit it."

He now had his hands clasped tightly around Aria's tiny waist, she wriggled attempting to loosen the grip but he tore down her playsuit, and bit into her upper chest. Aria screamed and Gary stopped her mouth, muttering, "You're mine." She gave into his aggressive touch, this was the first time she fully realised who he was.

Half an hour later, Aria Montgomery left his hotel room crying and ran out to the cold street. Her hands fumbling she called a number she hadn't for years. The only person who would even consider helping her. Please let him have kept the same number, she thought. She prayed that Ezra would pick up.

Ezra had been driving for many hours when Aria called. He was already regretting abandoning her at the party. God knows she was vulnerable, she needed help. No matter what she had done, she needed help.

"Ezra I've made a terrible mistake and I need you," came the voice down the phone, breaking slightly as Aria cried. He followed her directions to the hotel.

As he pulled up the hotel he saw a crumple of a girl, pathetically sitting against a wall. He was surprised the paparazzi hadn't been alerted, but then it was 3am. Aria looked up at him, tears filling her eyes. Her suit was torn, blonde hair dishevelled and makeup smudged. She could barely walk, Ezra lifted her small body into his arms, easily, alarmed at how light she was.

Since she could barely sit up, she lay in the back of the car, shivering into one of Ezra's old sweatshirts. Ezra assumed that this state had been caused by what she had taken at the party. He did not know the true trauma she had been through, had he, he most likely would have walked into the hotel and punched the man who had hurt her.

For although he did not love Aria anymore (he wasn't even sure if he liked this new version of her); he had loved her, and he now felt pity for her and remorse for his previous hatred of her. Most of all, she was just a girl, crying in the back of his car and he felt an instinctive need to protect her.