Disclaimer: I own nothing. I wish I did but then it would probably center around Spencer and Toby so…yeah, I've got nothing.

Pairing: Spencer/Toby…because we all want to see them run away together.

Summary: They're driving past the Welcome to Rosewood sign when she grabs one of his hands and holds on to it tightly.

Warning: Will contain language and in later chapters adult situations but none too graphic this will PG-13.

Author's note: So, I had inspiration while writing this story. I listened to the Never Let Me Go soundtrack theme, over and over again. So, youtube it. It goes perfectly, at least I think so. It's by Marcelo Zarvos who I think is amazing. Let me know what you all think!


Underneath starry skies

Chapter 3


"Want to know a secret?" Toby whispers to her.

They're lying on their sides on top of the bed. It's dark in the room. The curtains are shut, the lights are off but Spencer knows looks are deceiving because there is a stream of sunlight coming through a gap between the curtains. It illuminates that one spot. A spot of light in a room of darkness.

"What is it?"

They're close to each other. Close enough to feel the heat of their breaths. Their bodies aren't touching and Spencer wants to reach out and close the gap, she wants to put her hands above his heartbeat and feel the steady rhythm. Because when she feels his heartbeat, she can imagine for one moment that it beats for her. Just for her.

"I've always wanted to see the Grand Canyon." Toby smiles at her and it's a boyish smile that lights up his face.

Spencer knows that the sun has nothing on Toby's smile. It's not the gap between the curtains that lights up the room, it's Toby.

"I'll take you there." She promises him. And she means it. She's never meant anything more in her life. "I'll take you to the Grand Canyon."


Spencer commandeered the car from Toby. She argued that she hasn't driven once, except to get food and she's aching to get behind the wheel. Toby relents after she pouts her lips and she squeals, grabs the keys and tells him to hurry up and get in the car.

She's been driving ever since. They stop off at another motel and she picks up the pace again. She has the destination in mind. Then again, they've always had a destination but this one means more to her. It means a lot to him and Spencer knows that she can't really give him anything that would express her gratitude at having him with her, more than this.

She follows the signs and looks over at Toby. He's curled on the passenger seat sleeping. Spencer smiles tenderly and looks out the window. The sky is turning pink, the sun, huge and bright is low in the sky. She turns a corner and drives straight. As soon as she's arrived, she puts the car in park and turns off the ignition. She's silent for a moment taking in the majestic beauty.

Her heart is pounding when she shakes Toby awake. "Toby. Toby. Wake-up."

His eyes open and he frowns. "What's wrong?"

Spencer shakes her head, words caught in her throat. "Nothing's wrong. Look out the window."

He turns his head and then looks at Spencer. Disbelief is written on his face and then it turns to awe. He stumbles out the car door and stands in front of the car. Spencer follows. She can feel the small camera she bought from the gas station earlier, digging into her hip. She takes it out and slides on top of the hood of the car and stays silent. She lets him have his moment because this is for him. This is all for him.

The Grand Canyon is glorious and wondrous but seeing Toby, arms outstretched and head tilted back, almost makes her cry because she has never seen anything so beautiful and so free. She takes a picture of him like that, back facing her and without a care in the world and she knows that she'll cherish this picture forever.

He turns around and slides next to her on the hood of the car. He puts his arm around her and she snuggles into his side. "Is it everything you dreamed of?" She asks quietly. Even though she's whispering, she can hear herself echo, her words carried along with the wind and she wonders how many people before her were in this same situation, asking themselves and the one they were with the same question.

"It's more." He replies, just as quietly. "You did this for me?"

Yes, she wants to cry. Yes, I did this for you because it's the least I could do. It's everything I have to offer. She nods, unable to say anything for fear she may just burst into tears.

He pulls her tighter against him and rests his head atop hers. "Thank you." He says into her hair. He grabs one of her hands and intertwines his fingers with hers.

They watch the sun set into the horizon and they watch the sky turn black and they watch the million of small bright stars come out and they watch the moon hang high in the sky.

She doesn't know how long they stay in that same position just watching everything; all she knows is that they never let go of each other's hand.


Toby took the keys from her and they kept on driving. They didn't say anything in the car. They didn't really have to.


When Spencer wakes up, it's to the blinding sun and even brighter lights. It's to honking cars and oddly enough the sound of people. Then she takes in her surroundings and laughs. "Las Vegas?"

They drive along the Strip and she puts the window down. She leans her head out a little. She takes in the smell of exhaust and desert and she bites her lip. The wind is light and cool and it whips her hair all over the place. She sees people walking, cameras in hands, she sees lovers holding hands and she sees children, so childlike in their awe.

They grab a room at another motel. Neither of them brought their credit and debit cards. They both emptied their accounts before they left. It was part of their plan. Cash only. They've both watched enough movies to know the various ways to track a person down.

Spencer wants to explore Vegas and Toby grabs her hand they're out the door. They walk along the Strip, stopping in various places to buy souvenirs. She buys something for each of the girls. She's about to walk out of one store when she sees a green baby onesie. With white block letters it says 'Mommy, are we there yet?' and the Vegas sign underneath it. She doesn't know why she's attracted to it. Doesn't know why she reaches out and grabs it but she does.

She knows she's not supportive of Melissa and she knows that they're relationship is screwed up and Spencer has no idea how long she's going to be gone but her sister is pregnant. Spencer is going to be an aunt and the thought alone makes her heart constrict. So, she buys it. Depending on what happens, she could give it to Melissa in person and if all else fails, she could always send it.

She thinks she may just send it. That way it won't hurt as much when Melissa probably rejects it.


They get back to the motel and they place their bags on the floor. Toby crawls on the bed and Spencer follows. She lays her head down on his chest, above his heart. She closes her eyes and allows herself to be lulled asleep by the sound of his steady heartbeat.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.

In her sleepy daze, the sound, for some odd reason, reminds her of how coming home should feel like.


Toby wakes her up at some un-godly hour in the morning. It's still so dark out. Within an hour, they're showered and ready to go. As soon as Spencer slides into the passenger seat, she leans her head against the window and yawns.

They drive down the Strip again and the lights are blinding. It's so unlike the Grand Canyon, where they watched nature in all its glory. No, Vegas is a force of nature on its own.

She sends a silent goodbye to the city and closes her eyes.

She wakes up to Toby shaking her. "What's wrong?"

The sky is a shade of light blue and pink, the sun creeping higher and higher. She can hear the water and she frowns. She looks out the car window and they're parked in front of a beach.

Then it hits her; Vegas, Nevada is right next to California.

They both get out of the car. Toby locks it for safety but Spencer can barely wait. She takes off her shoes, rolls up her jeans and practically sprints into the Pacific Ocean.

The waves are small and they tease her ankles. The water is a little cold but Spencer doesn't care. Instead, she twirls and laughs and kicks water into the air. Her lungs feel like they're burning. A bubble makes its way up and her heart is pounding. She's feeling so much at once.

Toby has the small camera in his hands and is snapping pictures.

"Toby!" She yells out, "Toby! We're here! We're finally here!"

She gets out of the water and practically runs to him. "I can't believe it. We're here, in California and it's everything that I've-" she cuts herself off and laughs. And she laughs and she laughs until her legs crumble and she's on the sand crying. "Oh God. Oh God."

Toby kneels down next to her and wraps his arms around her. "It's okay. We're here, Spencer. We're finally here."


I know, I know, this chapter was kind of long wasn't it? Do you guys like it? I hope you all do. I think I am actually kind of happy with it. I had fun writing it so I hope you guys enjoyed reading this chapter. There isn't that many after this one. I think probably three maximum four more chapters.

So, you guys are still so very awesome. Your support means the world to me. I don't know how or even if I convey this enough but, each and every one of you make my heart soar.

Onto my wonderful reviewers:

EvilEmmaEvans: Did you get my review? Because I did review your story, finally. I won't tell you what I said, you'll have to read it! :P hahah. Thanks so much for your review! Long stories and I don't get along very well. I tend to get bored and forget about them but this one is kind of special to me. It's been helping me deal with some stuff so I want to make it meaningful so thank you again for your review and I hope you enjoyed this chapter! P.S. My sisters get so frustrated with me when I get so happy to see Spencer and Toby on screen as well!

Laura- I know right! I think it's because they're so deep and have a lot going on that they just need to get to know each other before diving into a relationship and yeah…that's what I love about them so much! I've got something set up in the next chapter which is kind of weird and probably not at all realistic but it's gonna have to happen to get this story to where I need/want it to go. I was actually thinking about making a series regarding Toby/Spencer but they're going to be one-shots about their past/present/future. We'll see how it goes! Thanks so much for the review and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

123joy15- Thank you so much for the review! And thanks for the tip! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Ainsley- Thank you! I'm so happy that you like it. Rosewood will definitely make an appearance in the next chapter especially because the next chapter kind of brings it all to a boil-ish type of thing. Hahah. California, I think suits everyone. I went there in November and fell in love with the place, literally. And I'm itching to go back. haha. Thanks so much for the review and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Pagan-Angel13- Thank you so much! I'm glad that you liked the last chapter and I really hope that you like this one as well! I thought that it would be good to have Veronica as the main pov when it comes to Rosewood because she's Spencer's mom and we all know that despite her ways she does care about Spencer, it was evident from the last episode, right? Or maybe it's just me? Hahhaa. Oh Melissa, I love to hate that character. I love the actress though. Thanks so much for the review and I really hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Sparksfly16- hahaha, yeah, Hanna's awesome like that. Some of the things that come out of her mouth are fantastic! Lol. Thanks for the review and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

You all are amazing! Thank you so much! If I missed anyone I am so sorry!

Seriously, you are all fantastic!

Much love,

Bex

P.S. All mistakes are mine and mine alone and I apologize if they offend anyone.