Everything happened in a whirlwind of blue and red lights a few minutes after Ezra had called the cops. Within moments, Philadelphia paramedics and police broke through the worn down building door. They immediately rushed to and assisted Mona and Jason; the latter of which was shot dead.

One of the paramedics had cared also to Aria after seeing the smeared droplets of blood on her cheeks and hands. He had wrapped a shock blanket around her shoulders after examining her emotional condition, which from the aftermath, wasn't very stable. The girls had talked for her at the scene when the police arrived. They had told the absolute truth. A was over, they didn't have to lie to protect themselves anymore. They were relieved to be allowed to get everything out without worrying about a backlash.

Ezra was nearby Aria, rubbing her back and trying not to do anything too questionable in front of the police. He was still her teacher, whether she just killed someone or not.

A stocky police officer walked over where Ezra and Aria were sitting on a curb. He flipped open a small notepad and cleared his throat to get Ezra's attention. "Mr. Fitz? I was informed by the young ladies over there that you were kidnapped from your home and held hostage by Ms. Vanderwaal and Mr. DiLaurentis. Is that true?"

Ezra stood up, taking his hand from Aria's back and nodding. "Yes, that it true." He wrung his hands a bit in agitation.

"Can you describe what had happened when you were kidnapped?" The officer asked, readying his pen to jot down his answers.

"It's a little hazy but, there was a knock at my door, I answered it. I had only seen Jason once before this but he stood at my doorstep asking if I was Ezra Fitz, obviously I am. After saying yes, he forced a white cloth against my mouth and nose and I passed out after a few moments of struggling." He answered, rambling more like. He scratched behind his neck as he tried to recall the situation to the best of his ability. If there was anything that scared Ezra, it was being questioned by cops, whether being innocent or not.

"Okay, and do you have a relation to any of these ladies?"

"Yes, I am their English teacher." The officer scribbled that down in his pad and glanced down at Aria, who had finally collected herself after about a half hour of continuous shaking and crying.

"And you were there to witness the shot that killed Mr. DiLaurentis, correct?" Ezra tore his eyes away from the officer's and watched Jason's body, which was placed in a black body bag, being wheeled into the blaring, readied ambulance. Mona was seated on a gurney next to another ambulance, being prepared to be sent to a hospital.

"Yeah, she had only done that out of self defense, by no means did she do that-"

"We know, Mr. Fitz. Thank you for your time." The cop said, shoving his pad into his shirt pocket and turning around to make his way back to the police car. Ezra quickly tapped the man's shoulder to silent get his attention and shot a glance at Aria, who was too distracted at looking at her own shoes.

"What will happen to her?" Ezra asked. The officer took a look at Aria and took a deep breath.

The officer sighed and looked over at Aria, shaking his head. "Seeing it was self defense she does have a good shot at not being called guilty, but that has to be proved. She does have witnesses, but I'm can't be a hundred percent sure. That's for the jury to decide."

"What about Ms. Vanderwaal?" Ezra's eyes darted again to where Mona was also being interrogated by multiple cops. He had no idea what she was up to now, or if her rain of terror was ever going to stop, but he hoped the court case would set everything straight, even Aria's record.

"I don't know son, again, that's for the jury to decide. Stay safe Mr. Fitz."

XxX

The court date was set for a week after the whole incident. Aria's stability was tenuous and she just about refused to stay alone in any place. Even when she couldn't sleep over at Ezra's - which was most nights- she slept in her mom's room or even Mike's. She couldn't live with herself after that. Just when she was getting better, the world had to come crashing down on her like a large anvil on top of her. Like the universe had pulled the rug underneath her and sent her crashing back down on the ground.

Aria would spend most school days staying behind up until the court date came. She could snap down the blinds that covered the doors to Ezra's room and sit on his desk or on his lap, talking occasionally and burying herself in his chest for protection. Therapy started to deteriorate in helpfulness when it came to just about everything. Dr. Sullivan was startled to see her sudden closed off and sheltered state. She was back to mistreating herself, but now not so purposefully. She just became uncaring for herself.

"I'm gonna go to jail. After that trial, you'll be forced to talk to me behind a glass barrier, if you'd even want to stay together. I'll be wearing a orange jumpsuit and probably bruises all over me from other people. Maybe I'll get the electric chair, again." Aria mumbled as her hand gripped Ezra's checkered shirt and wrapped her legs around his waist. Ezra tore his concentrated stare away from the back wall of his darkened classroom and ran his large fingers through Aria's messy hair to get her attention. He cupped her face in his hands and tilted her face to look directly at him. Though her gaze was casted in another direction.

"Aria, you're not going to jail. There's too much evidence against you being guilty. If anyone is going to jail, it's Mona. You have multiple witnesses, including me, who saw everything and are going to back you up, okay? And we are not going to talk about what will happen if you were sent to jail, because it will not happen; I won't let it." He kissed the crown of her head and moved his hands out of her hair and down to her back and waist where they stayed.

Aria sat herself up on Ezra's lap, her body sliding against his hips as he did, eliciting a groan from his mouth. Her lips descended on the corners of his mouth and pecked around the scratchy, stubbly, skin. She loved the sight of his short beard and the feel of it rubbing against her soft cheeks. Her hands curled themselves in his luscious brown locks and tugged at them lightly. He smiled as she did so and stared into her clouded hazel eyes.

"I love you, Ezra." She whispered, getting close to his face so their noses touches against each other's. Ezra's smile slowly disappeared, which made Aria shrink down internally. A few tense moments passed before his one hand pressed against the back of her head and pushed her head down to connect with his lips. Their limbs became tangled in his wheeled leather arm chair as the kiss became more heated and passionate. Abruptly, Ezra pulled back and held Aria's face in place.

"I love you, Aria." He whispered huskily before attacking her lips and neck once more.

XxX

The other girls and Aria had also become much closer since the few nights before. Aria started to spend even less time at home and more time in Emily's house. Venting with the three and reconnecting; it was good for her, they were able to monitor her in case she went to extreme measures again. Spencer had convinced her mother to be their lawyer in the upcoming case. Veronica was hesitant, not knowing if it would be the best bet, but eventually agreed after Spencer's unstoppable pleading.

The only thing Aria was unable to talk about was Ezra, even though they were still curious.

"Seriously, Aria. What is going on with you and Mr. Fitz?" Hanna asked, her eyes narrowed as if she was examining something. Like she was trying to look into Aria's mind for answers.

"I don't know what you're talking about." She lied. Aria nonchalantly picked at her unpainted nails that were apparently more interesting that the brewing conversation.

"C'mon, Aria. You were shaking in Spencer's arms at the picture A sent you. You were worried about him, to the point of tears. And he was cuddling you the moment you were out of Mona's clutches, there's something going on." The blonde pushed. Emily and Spencer nodded along, they too were suspicious about the relationship between their old friend come new and their very attractive English teacher. "And it's the only possible explanation for the hickeys on your neck." She added. Aria's hands flew to her neck and she darted to the nearest mirror in Emily's room.

"Fine, fine. Yes, I may or may not have relations with our English teacher." She reluctantly admitted, knowing she had lost the battle against Hanna to protect her relationship. "But you can not tell anyone. He could loose his job if it gets out." Spencer and Emily's eyes creased and stared at her judgingly, but Hanna's just shimmered in interest, aching for whatever dirt Aria would spill about her rendezvous.

"Someone's hot for teacher." She said smugly, smiling wide.

"Hanna." Spencer scolded, swatting the blonde's shoulder. Hanna's smile faded into a scowl and pointedly glared at Spencer.

Aria was bombarded into going into detail about her and Ezra, though she was limited to what she allowed herself to say, though she exclusively said that nothing sexual had ever happened between them. Hanna, of course had to announce to the group how she remembered that Aria was a virgin, earning another swat and making Aria's cheeks grow redder than ever. Of course she had pondered about what sex would be like with Ezra, but she doubted he would go for it seeing their situation at the moment.

"When did this all happen?" Spencer asked, she had to admit. It was kinda hot to hear about her friend's illegal but otherwise exciting relationship with their teacher. She would never do it herself, but it was kinda intriguing to listen to all the risqué details.

"A few weeks ago, officially. We've sort of had run-ins since I got back and then it just kinda happened."

"So this wasn't an out of the blue thing?" Emily had sparked in interest as well. She crossed her arms and smirked as Aria recounted the days where her and Ezra were basically strangers up until their kiss in his apartment. She sorta put in a few white lies about the night in the bar, it still made her cringe at the thought of Ezra seeing her flat out plastered.

"What are you going to tell your parents?" Emily interrupted suddenly. Aria bit the inside of her cheek and shook her head.

"Honestly, I have no idea. They'll have to find out at some point but I don't know how to say it. But after my dad's affair with his student, I'm not sure how they will take it." She watched the branches of the trees blow in the wind as she tried to imagine her parents reactions. Byron would be furious while simultaneously fueled to kill her and Ezra in a drunken rage. Ella was a little more difficult to determine. It could go any which way; she could be understanding or angry. But Aria sincerely prayed for the former.

"You guys will figure something out. It's the last of high school, once you get out of here it's perfectly legal for you two to be together," Spencer consoled. She wasn't too fond of the idea of Aria possibly getting into more trouble with the police, and dragging down Ezra into it, but she was glad that she was happy and he was able to help her. That was all that mattered.

"The trial is tomorrow, are you nervous?" Hanna put into question. Aria was beyond nervous, how would she be able to get up there and explain everything that happened that night. Someone was dead because of her. Someone with thoughts and feelings, emotions and memories and a whole lifetime left to live. If only things had happened a little differently. If only Aria hadn't pulled that trigger out of pure fear.

"Yeah, I'm a little nervous." She answered, running her hands over her thighs as Ezra would, hoping to calm herself down.

"We're going to try and get Mona to confess to killing Ali and clear your name." Spencer said. "I'm going to the jail and meeting with Mona before the trial."

"How will you ever get her to admit it? We aren't her best friends." Aria replied.

"I don't know, but I'll find a way. It's the least I can do." There was a glimmer of shame in Spencer's dark brown eyes as she looked at Aria without breaking contact. Aria gave her a small smile and rested her head on her shoulder. Not much was said after that, only the sound of rapid winds rushing though Emily's open window.

Wow I don't know what happened with all the paragraphs which all morphed into one but I apologize! I'm only going to have maybe 3-4 chapters left of this story and I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Review!