Chapter 35 – Answers

Hanna was the only one who didn't fit in with the reunion. After she graduated high school, she and Caleb eloped and moved to California. She was a make-up artist and worked on numerous movie sets, but the reality she was experiencing live was the best drama she'd ever witnessed.

As she spoke, she pointed to each corresponding person for affirmation of the connections.

"So, Jenna is Toby's stepsister and Aria's friend. Toby is Jason's and Garrett's frat brother. Aria is Spencer's best friend and Jason's ex. Spencer is Toby's girlfriend and Garrett's lawyer. Emily is Toby's old neighbor. Jason is Spencer's parents' neighbor." All heads in attendance nodded, confirming Hanna's connections. "Wow. You guys are like a reality show. For the season finale shocker, Jason should like be Spencer's brother."

Spencer cut her eyes at the speaking girl. "Han, this is not funny. Not funny at all. Someone is trying to frame Toby and if I don't drop the case, he—she—it threatened my life."

Everyone in the store gasped in terror, even Jenna.

Emily spoke up. "They are just trying to scare you, but no one will do anything to you. Don't worry."

"I'm not taking any chances on that," Toby professed as he wrapped an arm around his beauty's waist. "Whoever this person is, he/she/shem is persistent. They broke into my loft and planted Ali's bloody sweater. When that wasn't enough, they broke into Spencer's penthouse and…"

Toby's cerulean eyes descended to meet Spencer's chestnut ones. He was telepathically asking for permission to reveal the gruesome act. A tear bungee jumped from Spencer's bottom eyelash onto her ivory cheek. Toby encased her in his embrace wholly and gingerly caressed her back.

"Don't forget the promise I made to you," Toby whispered into her ear. "I will protect you, no matter what. I'll spend my last breath doing so."

Aria watched the scene in utter astonishment. She couldn't believe that a member of the N.A.T. possessed compassion and selflessness. She thought all they were filled with was booze, foul language, and a heartless soul.

Aria stepped closer to the couple just as Toby released his girlfriend slightly. The bride-to-be placed her hand on her maid of honor's shoulder.

"I'm sorry; I guess I was wrong," the short brunette enunciated.

Jenna was aware that she was the outcast in the scene. She began to itch towards the exit to leave the crew to their sentimental moment. Before she got far, a voice called out to her, asking her to stay. She swiveled her body, surprised to see the owner of the voice.

Spencer continued, "You said I took away the only person who could protect you. Protect you from what? Or who?"

Jenna folded her arms across her chest. "Who else?"

"Garrett?" Spencer enquired, aware that he stalked Jenna after their break up.

"Ding ding ding! We have a winner!" Jenna retorted smugly. "I have you to thank for that."

"Jenna, I'm-"

"And let's not forget the favor you did by exposing I'm not blind anymore," Jenna growled. "Thank you again, Spencer."

"Why did you fake your blindness?" Toby probed.

"As a safety net," Jenna replied, her voice lowering, a signal of her distraught state. "While he was out on bail, he began following me again. My loss of sight was temporary and gradually returned. I kept up the act, because he was becoming careless with his stalking. He didn't think I could see him, so he would do awful things. He'd grab my butt while behind me in line at the supermarket, or break into the house to sniff my underwear. That's why I was elated when you sold your loft and moved in, Toby. But then, Spencer took you away from me and put Garrett back in my life."

"Jenna, I am sorry. I am so sorry," Spencer began to explain but Jenna interrupted.

"After the fight with you guys that day, I googled what you said about double jeopardy. Now I understand. I called Toby several times, so I could apologize, but you never answered or returned my calls."

Spencer broke free from Toby's grasp and indulged Jenna in her envelopment. The emerald eyed brunette was reluctant at first, but quickly reciprocated the truce, because she knew Spencer was being sincere.

Hanna was in the background awing at the newfound alliance. She dabbed at the corner of her eyes. Cody shook his head and laughed, "Auntie Han-Han such a wittle baby."

"Help me and I'll help you," Spencer proclaimed.

Jenna pulled back and stared at her new compliance. "What?"

"You help me solve the DiLaurentis case and this time, Garrett's ass will go down."

This sparked both of the stepsiblings' interests. "How?"

"Garrett altered Toby's police report; that's a felony," the lawyer explained. She removed the document from her bag and pointed to the evidence: his initials next to the reformed false context.

"Ok. So how can I help?" Jenna inquired.

"You and Aria can help. You both were at the party and affiliated with our prime suspects: Garrett and Jason…"

Jenna was the first to reply. "After Toby caught me in the bathroom with Noel—he's my boyfriend now—we all heard a girl scream. Toby took off to see what was going on. Noel and I were scrambling to get dressed when Garrett walked past the opened door and saw us. Garrett told Noel to stay away from me or else. He told me if I ever tried to leave him, he would see to it that I burn in hell."

Toby's eyes began to twitch. He was so enraged that if he punched a wall, the entire store would collapse.

"Why you never told me about this?" he asked his sister.

"Because Garrett had just graduated from the academy and started on the force. There was no way I was going to put you in harm's way, bro. I know you, Toby. You would've went to him, trying to be a hero. Garrett's a cop. He could shoot you and fabricate the story to say it was self-defense or something."

Spencer recognized the look in Toby's eyes. He knew what Jenna said was true; he would try to be a hero, because the admirable trait was embedded in him to protect people. That's why Spencer didn't believe all the nonsense about him being a bad guy.

Toby wouldn't hurt a fly. She was sure of that.

Spencer touched her man's forearm to get his attention. "Hey. Don't you forget the promise I made to you, either. I promised that I would solve this case and when I do, justice will be served for Jenna as well. So don't you go off doing anything stupid."

"Yes, ma'am," Toby obliged.

Spencer returned her attention to Jenna. "Back to the party, after Toby walked in, you all heard a girl scream. Toby ran off to help. Then Garrett caught you guys and took you home, right?"

Jenna nodded.

"So we can scratch him off the list," Spencer said. Then she averted her eyes towards her best friend. "Now that just leaves the alcoholic brother: Jason. Toby said he walked past you two arguing en route to the bathroom. Like a second later, a girl started screaming."

Spencer was biting on her nails—literally. They were so close.

Aria's shoulder rose and fell. "I don't know who was screaming or what happened. Jason and I were arguing because I was breaking up with him. I started to leave the party; he followed right behind me, crying and begging for me to change my mind. I guess we left before the screaming."

Spencer growled loudly as she encased a handful of her roots in her hands. She was so frustrated, because here they were back to the basics: nothing.

Garrett didn't do it; Jason didn't do it.

"Oh my God! I can't believe no one knows who killed this girl! She died at a damn party and no one saw anything?"

Toby raised his hand. "I did, but I can't remember because the killer knocked me out."

"I'm done for the day; this has been too much," Spencer complained as she grabbed her coat and keys. "Aria, sweetie, I'm sorry I ruined your day…"

"No, no, no. You didn't ruin anything. I kind of ruined yours with dissing your boy-toy before I gave him a chance. Just don't bring all this chaos with you on my wedding day though."

The brunettes laughed. After a round of hugs, everyone began parting ways. When Spencer and Toby reached the exit, they were stopped by the sound of Aria's voice.

Aria stated, "I just remembered. Your sister was at the party."

Toby retorted, "Duh, we already knew-"

"No, not your sister. Spencer's sister."

"Melissa?" Spencer questioned.

"Yeah. I remembered seeing her entering the house just as I was leaving. So if a girl started screaming directly after I left, then your sister should know something about it."

…

A/N's

Now that the boring explanations are out the way, it's time for our super-couple to kick some boo-tay.

And if you think you know, you have no idea.