Chapter 9 – October 20, 2011

11:45 AM

"So," Hanna started a new topic after Spencer told the girls about Veronica and Sean. "Our interrogation is tomorrow."

"God, what do we say?" Spencer asked.

The four girls were eating their lunch and trying to ignore tomorrow. Yet, the event seemed inevitable

"I think we should tell them everything," Emily offered.

The rest of the girls looked up at Emily in shock.

"Em, if we told them everything, we'd be stuck in community service forever," Aria told her.

"I kinda wanna get this over with. I…feel like I trust them."

"But what about A?" Hanna asked.

"Screw A."

"Em, we still gotta be careful. And there are cameras. Everything we say will be held against us."

Em nodded. "Well, what do we say? They're all probably gonna ask us different questions."

Spencer replied, "Well I think that you're definitely right about wanting to get this all over with. How about a chain process? First person wings it if there is something that needs to be answered. Then they can tell the others. And it'll be the same if they ask any other questions."

"That's a lot of pressure," Hanna replied.

"They're gonna ask about That Night, aren't they?" Aria replied warily.

The others regretfully nodded.

"So, same thing? Spencer's lake house?" The three nodded in reply.

They finished eating in silence when Caleb passed by the girls. He gave Hanna a look, meaning that they should talk later.

Time Skip ~ 3:45 PM

"Good afternoon, Spencer."

Spencer was waiting for her order at the Apple Wood Grille when she heard Nick Burkhardt's voice.

"Oh, hello Nick," she replied warily. "What are you doing here?"

"I came back from work and people tell me this place has pretty good food. Do you mind if I wait with you?"

Spencer nodded as Nick pulled out the chair next to her. Soon there was an uncomfortable silence. Nick could sense her skeptic worries and understood. He, Hank, and Sean have been with Darren for almost a week now and he knew that this man was pushing the girls too much. He didn't want the interrogation to be uncomfortable, so he tried to talk to Spencer.

"How are you?" he started.

Spencer shrugged her shoulders. "OK." My innocent boyfriend was just dragged off to the police station, she thought.

There was more silence until Nick broke the barrier and decided to tell the truth. "Look Spencer, I know you four have had bad experiences with the force in the past."

Spencer looked up and turned to face him. "How do you know?"

"We watched videos of you and your friends being interrogated."

Spencer nodded her head and shuddered, remembering the officers screaming at her.

"I just want you to know Spencer," Nick replied. "That you and your friends can trust us. We're here to help and we want you and your friends to finally move on."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. But if I need to, I'll push you guys. Just…please let us know, OK?"

Spencer nodded. "Thank you Nick."

"You're welcome."

A voice yells out. "Number 136!"

"Oh," Spencer rose from her chair. "That's me. See you tomorrow."

Nick waved goodbye as Spencer left the restaurant. Could she really trust him? Maybe they should just spill. But that would mean trusting Wilden too, and she'd rather die first. Despite that, it was still nice to know Nick cared. She kept that in mind as she headed home.

Time Skip ~ 15 minutes later

"Good luck tomorrow," Caleb mentioned at Hanna's house.

"'Good luck'? Well, thanks," Hanna replied with a smile as she passed Caleb the Chinese food.

A minute passed before Caleb mentioned again, "I don't trust him."

Hanna looked up from her sushi.

"Something strange about them."

"My mom has a crush on Nick."

"No Hanna, not just that. They all seem to be hiding something. Like everyone else."

"Including us?"

Caleb nodded after a while. "Look just…be careful alright? And don't let Wilden get to you if he jumps in."

"Caleb, I'll be fine. Please don't do with them what you did with Mona."

After a while, Caleb responds as he steals Hanna's sushi, "I promise."

Time Skip ~ 30 minutes later

Aria furiously stomped up to Ezra's apartment. Following her friend's advice, she finally went over to Maggie. The woman didn't tell her anything and almost seemed jealous of her. Remembering the secrecy, she slowed down her footsteps. All she wanted to do was lie in Ezra's arms. Still pissed though, she knocked on the door.

A bearded, (probably) middle-aged man opened the door when Aria expected a clean-shaven, handsome, younger one.

"Um…hi…" Aria awkwardly started. "Is Ezra Fitz home?"

"No," the man mentioned. "He's next door."

Aria looked dumbly at the apartment number and cursed inside her breath. "Oh sorry," she replied with a smile. "You'd think I'd know this by now."

"Hey, no worries. You're like the fifth person Nick and I have seen asking for Ezra Fitz."

Aria's smile turned into a shocked expression. "Nick?" she managed to get out. "Who's Nick?"

"Oh, you know, Nick Burkhardt. He's the new cop. But I'm just visiting. I'm Monroe."

Aria shakes Monroe's extended hand as if someone was controlling her.

"And you?" Monroe asks.

"I'm…Aria." She stutters out the truth, hoping she didn't make a huge mistake. "I better go, Mr. Fitz is expecting me. See you later Monroe."

Monroe waved goodbye as Aria heads next door, her expression turning from shocked to fearful.