"Rollins released Hanna just like we expected. And Spence has been bailed out of prison. They're sitting ducks" Kara announced, early the next morning, as she lay in bed with Wren.
"And Ali?" Wren queried, turning to face her, resting his head on his hand.
"Locked away in Welby" Kara smirked, as Wren shared the expression.
"A.D's instructed us on our next task…" Wren trailed off, seeing how Kara frowned.
"Wait, that's where you were yesterday? With A.D?" Kara inquired, watching her boyfriend slowly nod.
"And we're okay with being ordered about by a stranger in a mask?" Kara exclaimed, raising an eyebrow.
"If that's what it takes to get justice for my sister, then I don't mind doing a little grunt work" Wren shrugged.
"Alright, what do we need to do?" Kara questioned.
"They want Spencer and Caleb to break up" Wren stated.
"Well that's easy from Caleb's side but Spencer…I think she actually likes him" Kara scoffed.
"A.D's sent some pretty compelling evidence to your phone. It shouldn't be too hard. Or maybe you could ask for Jason to help? He seems pretty good at stirring up relationships" Wren murmured, as Kara gave him a look.
"Is that a hint of jealousy I hear in your voice, Dr Wren?" Kara inquired, as Wren chuckled lightly.
"I think it might be, Nurse Dixon" Wren replied, as Kara placed her hand on the back of his neck to bring his face closer to her.
"Hey, I swear there's nothing going on between me and Jason. You don't need to be jealous" Kara insisted, as Wren searched her eyes.
"I know and besides…he doesn't get to do this…" Wren trailed off, as he leaned forward and pressed his lips against Kara's.
"I'd say are you trying to get me into bed but seeing where we are…it looks like you succeeded" Kara giggled, as Wren peppered kisses down her neck.
"Do you think A.D will be mad if we just stay here all day and order room service?" Kara suggested, as Wren rolled on top of her, his teeth skimming against her neck.
"Don't tempt me" Wren grinned, looking up at her.
"Well, I'm sure we can squeeze in some make-out sessions in the back of your car" Kara stated, running her hand through his hair.
"Sorry, baby. But you're going to be on your own today" Wren informed her.
"Wait, what are you going to be doing while I'm breaking up Romeo and Juliet?" Kara asked, just as Wren went to pull her in for another kiss.
"They want me to follow Mary Drake. She had another child apart from Charles. They want me to find out if their theory is right" Wren explained.
"Which is?" Kara frowned.
"It's complicated," Wren told her.
"Huh, so it's not Spencer?" Kara inquired, as Wren's jaw dropped open.
"Wha…how did you know?" Wren gaped.
"I mean they do look the same. And she visited Spencer while she is in jail. Major red flag" Kara pointed out.
"You know it's pretty hot seeing you play detective" Wren smirked, as Kara grinned and pulled him into a searing kiss.
"Spence! God, it's so good to see you" Kara exclaimed, as she pulled the brunette into a hug.
"Hey…you too" Spencer smiled, as she wrapped her arms around Kara's waist.
"I'm so sorry about everything that happened at the election" Kara mumbled; her smirk hidden from Spencer's view.
"I just can't believe A.D released that video to the whole world. This A doesn't just want to hurt us…they want to destroy us" Spencer explained, pulling away, as Kara's mask of sadness came back on.
"How're your parents?" Kara inquired.
"My mum will barely talk to me. She can't believe I kept this secret from her and my dad…they won't even give him bail. He go down for years, Kara" Spencer sobbed.
"No word from Melissa?" Kara asked, as Spencer shook her head.
"I suppose I should be grateful. They released me, Hanna's back…" Spencer trailed off, when she heard Kara scoff.
"What?" Spencer frowned.
"I just…it's nothing" Kara shook her head, as Spencer's frown deepened.
"It's not nothing. What's going on?" Spencer questioned, crossing her arms over her chest.
"I don't think Hanna's the friend that you think she is" Kara replied, biting her lip.
"What do you mean?" Spencer insisted.
"…Mona put a camera in the room that Hanna was in at the Lost Woods. She was looking through the footage, trying to find evidence of who took her and…she found this instead" Kara announced, holding out her phone, and pressing play.
A short video showed Hanna and Caleb sitting close to each other, talking so quietly, the camera couldn't even pick up what they were saying. Spencer's eyes widened as she saw her boyfriend lean in to kiss her best friend, who seemed to happily respond. Her hand flew to her mouth, as she looked away from the phone, tears welling in her eyes.
"I know this is probably the last thing you need right now, but I thought you should know" Kara sighed.
"No, I, uh…I'm glad you told me. It's fine. They were both just upset and-" Spencer started, as Kara cut her off.
"Spence, c'mon. We've both seen how they are around each other recently. They've probably been doing a lot more than making out behind your back" Kara went on.
"No. Hanna wouldn't do that to me" Spencer shook her head.
"Wouldn't she? Caleb's her first love, Spence. And you took him from her. Maybe she's not as okay about it as she lets on" Kara stated, raising an eyebrow.
"God, this is so messed up" Spencer cried, running her hand through her hair.
"Hey, it's okay. You've still got me, remember?" Kara told her, as Spencer nodded sadly.
"Thank you" Spencer smiled, as she pulled her into another quick hug.
"Anytime" Kara smirked.
Kara was walking back to her hotel room, with a smug smile on her face, when a man collided with her, almost sending her to the ground. They caught her just at the last moment, a guilty expression on their face, as Kara realised who it was.
"Your Liam, right? Aria's boyfriend?" Kara questioned, as the man scoffed.
"Not anymore" Liam muttered, with a bitter expression.
"Trouble in paradise?" Kara suggested, as she could see Liam was practically seething with rage.
"She just broke up with me. For him" Liam spat out, making Kara frown.
"Him?" Kara asked.
"Fitz. Turns out they were a thing in high school…but I guess you already knew that, huh?" Liam pointed out.
"Hey, I was their biggest objector back in the day. Still am really" Kara replied.
"Well, they're welcome to each other" Liam stated.
"Wait…what's going to happen with Ezra's book now? Aren't you involved in it?" Kara questioned.
"Was. Past tense. I don't want to have to breathe the same air as that creep" Liam admitted.
"So, you're just gonna' run off back home with your tail between your legs?" Kara mocked, as Liam raised an eyebrow.
"As opposed to what?" Liam inquired.
"When you tell your boss that you want off the book, what's she going to do?" Kara went on.
"Fire me probably" Liam mumbled.
"What if I told you I could get you a much better story? The kind of story that would make you famous…and get you a little revenge" Kara informed him.
"…I'm listening" Liam replied.
"Aria's not as sweet as she might seem. And her past…well, let's just say there are some skeletons in her closet. And I don't mean that as a figure of speech" Kara explained, as Liam's eyes almost burst out of his head.
"You're saying that's she…?" Liam trailed off, as Kara slowly nodded.
"Uncovering a killer…imagine the fame you could get. The money. The respect" Kara insisted.
"You have evidence?" Liam asked.
"Oh, the evidence is all there. All you have to do is know what to look for" Kara informed him.
"And what is it I'm looking for?" Liam queried, in a hushed voice.
"Shana Fring. Look her up" Kara smirked smugly.
A figure walking up behind Liam caught her attention, as she saw Jason usher her over to him, clearly needing to talk about something.
"Let me know what you find" Kara exclaimed, patting Liam on the shoulder, as she walked past him.
"Hey, what's up?" Kara questioned, rushing towards Jason.
She didn't know why her heart still sped up when their eyes met, why her palms still got sweaty. She wasn't a teenager talking to her crush anymore.
"Right back at you. What was that about?" Jason asked, as Kara gave him an innocent look.
"We were just having a chat" Kara shrugged, making Jason chuckle.
"You're up to something. That was your mischievous look" Jason stated.
"I was just giving Liam the inside scoop on his girl" Kara responded.
"Which means you were stirring things up in Kara language" Jason grinned.
"You know me so well" Kara giggled.
"So…are you stalking me now?" Kara raised an eyebrow, a moment later, as Jason scoffed.
"Lucas told me where you were. He's got news. The girls have figured out Rollins doesn't exactly have my sister's best interests at heart. They think he's working with Mary Drake" Jason announced, as they began walking.
"Hmm, seems like they do have a few brain cells then" Kara mumbled.
"Should we tell A.D?" Jason suggested, as Kara shook her head.
"I'm sure they already know" Kara pointed out.
"Good point. Lucas wants us to meet up at Mona's" Jason informed her.
"Since when are you and Lucas BFF's?" Kara frowned.
"You jealous?" Jason questioned, with his trademark grin.
"Hey, you two have a history together…I ship it" Kara shrugged, as they both laughed.
"He does look good with a beard" Jason pointed out, as Kara hit his shoulder with an amused smile.
"I know right! When I first saw him I was like…oh shit!" Kara cried, her eyes going wide as she went to hide behind a nearby lamp post.
"Uh, Kara? What are you doing?" Jason frowned, at Kara's weird behaviour.
"It's Dylan! Hide!" Kara exclaimed, pointing to where her brother was coming out of a nearby café.
"If he sees us together he's gonna' know something's up" Kara stated.
"Wait…he doesn't know?!" Jason gaped; shock clear on his face.
"Just hide!" Kara insisted as she shoved him towards a nearby wall, glad that her brother wasn't looking up from his phone.
"Why do I need to hide?" Jason retorted.
"Because he hates you, remember!" Kara pointed out, as Jason made a face.
"Oh yeah…" Jason trailed off, as he went to hide behind the wall.
They both hid their faces with their hands as Dylan walked past them, seemingly haven't noticed their odd behaviour. Kara let out a sigh of relief, as he walked on a few metres. Her eyes widened as he suddenly came to a halt and turned around with a frown.
"Kara? What are you doing?" Dylan frowned, seeing how his sister was awkwardly leaning against a lamp post.
"…Nothing. I'm just, uh…hanging out…you know…" Kara stuttered, averting her eyes from his gaze.
"You know I can see you too Jason" Dylan exclaimed, raising an eyebrow.
"Hey" Jason replied, giving Dylan a small wave.
"Oh…Jason. Wow, what a small world. I didn't see you there" Kara mumbled, as Dylan rolled his eyes.
"Okay, what is going on?" Dylan insisted.
"You have a very suspicious mind, brother. Has anyone ever told you that?" Kara retorted.
"Why are you hanging around with blondie?" Dylan asked, as the pair approached him slowly.
"Nice to see you too, Dylan" Jason muttered.
"We just bumped into each other" Kara shrugged.
"Pure coincidence" Jason nodded, as Dylan gave the pair an exasperated look.
"Please tell me you two aren't friends again" Dylan groaned.
"I prefer the term begrudging acquaintances-" Kara began, but Dylan cut her off.
"Stay away from my sister" Dylan warned Jason, turning to look at him directly.
"Look, I know things didn't end well with us-" Jason started, but Dylan cut him off as well.
"You broke my sister's heart" Dylan pointed out.
"Something that we both know I've tried to make up for since day one" Jason told him, raising an eyebrow.
"What does that mean?" Kara frowned, looking between the two men.
"Yeah, Dylan. What does that mean?" Jason repeated, crossing his arms across his chest.
"Dylan?" Kara insisted, placing a hand on her hip.
"…Jason may have tried to contact you in prison…a few times…" Dylan trailed off.
"A few times?" Jason scoffed.
"Okay…like every week" Dylan mumbled.
"What?! Why didn't you tell me?" Kara cried, a look of disbelief on her face.
"Because I knew you'd cave and agree to meet him. And then he'd slime his way back into your life" Dylan explained.
"Glad to see your opinion of me is still so high" Jason scoffed.
"You're welcome, dick" Dylan said, with a fake smile.
"Seriously, Dylan? I can make my own choices. I'm not a child" Kara insisted.
"I was just trying to protect you" Dylan admitted, as Kara's eyes softened.
Wasn't that the reason she gave herself for not telling him about the A team? I guess we're just as bad as each other, Kara thought to herself. She debated whether to come out with the truth. Tell him everything that had happened since she had come back to Rosewood. But how could she? It could ruin his marriage. It would make him hate Wren. The two were practically like brothers now. Just like he and Jason were once.
"I'm still pissed at you" Kara informed him, as Dylan nodded.
"I know and I'm…you know…" Dylan trailed off.
"Sorry?" Kara guessed.
"Yeah, that" Dylan replied, as Jason laughed at the sibling's behaviour.
"Glad to see some things never change" Jason shook his head fondly.
"Hey, Han" Kara smiled, as Hanna opened the door to Lucas' apartment that she had been staying in.
"Hey, what're you doing here?" Hanna questioned.
A day had passed since Kara had shown Spencer the video of Hanna and Caleb kissing and by now, she expected the pair would have broken up. She was surprised that Caleb hadn't already wormed his way back into Hanna's bed.
"I wanted to see how you were doing" Kara replied.
"I'm fine" Hanna shrugged, with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"No. You're not. I know better than anyone what it's like to be tortured, remember?" Kara stated.
"Do you still have your scars…from the dollhouse?" Hanna inquired, as she let her through the front door.
"Yeah…and the scars in here too" Kara replied, pointing to her head.
"Do you think you can ever get over something like that?" Hanna queried, with teary eyes.
"Probably not. I don't think any of us have great mental states" Kara pointed out, as they went to sit on the couch.
"Kara, I'm…I'm so sorry…" Hanna cried, as tears began to drip down her cheeks.
"For what?" Kara questioned.
"In the dollhouse…we…we could have helped you more" Hanna stuttered, as Kara's face fell.
Hanna still wouldn't admit what she and the rest of the girls did to her. The scars that she had on her body were as much down to the blonde sitting beside her as they were to Cece and Charles.
"Right. But you didn't" Kara muttered; bitterness clear in her voice.
"Maybe this is my punishment. For all the bad things I've done" Hanna sobbed.
"Like making out with your best friend's boyfriend?" Kara suggested, as Hanna's jaw dropped.
"How…how do you know about that?" Hanna gaped; fear written all over her face.
"Mona had camera's in the Lost Woods. What were you thinking, Han?" Kara sighed.
"I just…I got lost in the moment" Hanna mumbled, as Kara had to restrain herself from rolling her eyes.
"We all do sometimes. I guess" Kara stated, trying to sound reassuring.
"Am I a bad person?" Hanna questioned, turning to face Kara.
Yes. Have you only just figured that out, Kara thought to herself.
"That's a question only you can answer, Hanna" Kara informed her.
"I don't deserve all these good things I've been given. I definitely don't deserve this deal Lucas wants me to sign" Hanna bit her lip.
"What deal?" Kara frowned, pretending she didn't know exactly what Hanna was talking about.
"He wants to help back a business. My business. It should be a dream come true" Hanna explained.
More like a nightmare. The plan was that Hanna would put all her money into the business and then have to watch as it crashed and burned. She'd be left bankrupt and ruined. That part was a dream come true to Kara.
"I think you should go for it" Kara informed her.
"Really?" Hanna frowned.
"Sure. If you never try…" Kara trailed off, when she saw her phone ringing.
"Who is it? Is it A.D?" Hanna panicked, as Kara checked out the number.
"No…it's just a friend. I'll be back in a second, I've just got to take this" Kara announced, as she stood up and walked towards Hanna's kitchen.
"Liam? How did you get this number?" Kara frowned, as she picked up the call.
"From Aria's phone" Liam responded.
"Which you got a hold of how?" Kara insisted.
"You were right. Shana's death…the shadiest thing I've read in years. I went to Aria's house to get more evidence-" Liam began, but Kara cut him off.
"You broke in?!" Kara exclaimed, in a hushed whisper.
"No…she gave me a spare key a while back. Did you know Aria was being treated for anxiety years ago?" Liam inquired.
"What? Since when?" Kara frowned.
"She has like fifty empty boxes of diazepam under her bed dated from years ago. She must have had it pretty bad" Liam went on.
"…She never mentioned that" Kara mumbled, her frown deepening.
"And that's not all. There are tons of newspaper cut-outs from over the years about Shana. Stuff her family have said about her, vigils. You name it, Aria's got it" Liam went on.
"Sounds like your getting some good material for your book" Kara stated.
"It does, doesn't it? I'll keep you updated" Liam replied, as Kara hung up and looked back over to Hanna.
Everything was falling into place. So, why did it feel like the calm before the storm?
Author's Notes: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Sorry, it took so long to update but work's been crazy recently. I think Jason seems to be winning at the moment with the poll. Next chapter is going to be a real hit...and run. Sorry that pun was terrible, haha. Also thank you for the 10 reviews last chapter, I really appreciate every single one:)
evvallsahotmailcom: Thank you for the review! Really glad you're enjoying this story:) This story will always have lots of Jason in it, don't worry. Wren will always be shady, but he does love Kara a lot. Thanks for the vote.
0001234: Glad to hear:) Emily has been pretty much brainwashed by Ali, it's almost sad to see. Maybe she'll see sense one day...not likely though, haha.
LiLuLo12: Aw, thank you!
Nicole Beverley234: I'll try to keep the torture to a minimum, haha. Thanks for the review!
silentmayhem: I'm glad my characterisation of Emily is annoying you...as that's exactly what I wanted, haha. Ooo, you give some interesting theories. I think you'll hopefully be pleased with who A.D will be. And we'll eventually find who killed Tyler, don't worry. Oh God, poor Kara if she got pregnant with Wren's child and then he dies. That would be a lot of angst.
Ineveryfandom: Ooo, that's a good idea. All my readers have the best (and sometimes screwed up) ideas, haha.
Hope10: She was being shocked, I believe.
BlakidyBlake: Thanks for the vote! They have always seemed endgame, haven't they?
Guest: She was being shocked in the chair. And yes, the liars were choosing her to be the one to be shocked.
NotRob: I actually hadn't thought about this. It's a really good idea though having one ending with Jason and one ending with Wren. Thank you!