Another chapter for guys! I love how most of you are Team Sparia, but there some strong Alex/Aria shippers as well!
This chapter is going to be a little different, as it is not as dark as the ones before and focuses mainly on Aria. But is kinda necessary to build things up a little, as Aria is still overwhelmed with everything that is happening.

Enjoy!

…

Aria was not surprised when she woke up alone in her bed. She had figured that the mysterious girl wouldn't stay the night. She had never stayed before and while a part of Aria thought that she had left this time because of the previous events and her not wanting to face Aria, Aria also was sure that she hid something that she was trying not to expose. She closed her eyes for a bit, but opened them in an instant when she imagined the mysterious girl's lips on her hers and her hands travelling over her body. She shot up, throwing the covers off of her and ran a sweaty hand through her damp hair. She didn't know why she was feeling this way. This was a stranger, she was thinking about, who was probably behind a lot of shit and as Aria had learned throughout the years of games and torture, she was sure the girl was not innocent either. Hell, if this was really somebody else trying to trick her, the real Spencer was still outside. Aria needed to get her shit together and forget about the eyes, the lips, the hands – Stop! - she scowled herself. She had more important things to do than fantasize about a stranger. She sighed and went to take a shower – turning the water down a little, so that the cool water could free her mind.

After the shower, Aria got dressed, took some money out of her nightstand and snatched her purse from the hanger on the door, before exiting the apartment. She glanced at her phone, but didn't see any messages and she briefly wondered if the girl pretending to be Spencer would text or call her to talk about what had happened the night before.

With heavy thoughts she entered the door to the store, hoping she would be brave and strong enough to go through with her plan. After she got what she needed she left the small shop and pulled out her phone, dialed a number and waited for the person to pick up.

"Hello?", answered a surprised voice and Aria was relieved that it was still the same number.

"Hi, it's Aria.", she took a deep breath, knowing the person on the other line would be a little confused.

"Aria? What - ?", before her interlocutor could finish their sentence though, she interrupted the question.

"Listen. I need you to come to this address I'm going to tell you in a few seconds. I need you to meet me there. But I need you to come alone. No one can know about this, okay? Not Hanna, not Emily, not Ali. And do not try to call Spencer. It's important. I need you to promise not to tell anyone."

"Aria, I don't understand? What do you need me for? What's going on?"

"Please. I know this is confusing but I feel like you're the only one who can help me with this. It's for Spencer."

"Spencer? What has got Spencer to do with this? Is she okay?"

"Look. I cannot talk about this now. Please, please just believe me that this is important, okay?"

"I – Okay." Aria heard the other person let out a sigh and she breathed out in relief.

"Okay, do you've got a pen?"

…

"Aren't you going to eat that?", Ezra asked when looking at Spencer's full plate of food but Spencer didn't even look up when he heard his voice. Alex had pulled up the shutter in front of Ezra's cell for the first time in what felt like days and Spencer knew Ezra had the change in Spencer. A few days ago she had been tired, exhausted and angry but there was still hope in her heart that she would be out there some time soon. All that hope seemed to shatter the day before though, and all she could think about now was how she was probably going to have to stay in there this.

"Maybe.", she shrugged, not meeting his eyes. She couldn't tell him what happened. Ezra had been unknowing to almost everything. She hadn't really talked to him since the night he had to make that phone call and had only seen him once or twice when Alex was kind enough so he wouldn't go completely mad in his dark cell.

"We're not going to get out of here, huh?" His voice was a mixture of desperation and anger and all Spencer could do was shake her head. She felt the same desperation raging inside of her, and wished there was a button to end all of this.

"You know, what keeps me from losing my mind or going completely crazy ?", he asked, obviously trying to make conversation. Spencer shrugged, while letting her head rest on her knees.

"Aria. Knowing she is somewhat safe and not in this shit hole is the only thing that keeps me from losing it. Knowing she is alive is what makes me want to stay focused and sane."

Spencer suddenly bursted into a wave of laughter, unable to control the hysterical snickering coming out of her mouth. "Aria is not safe, Ezra! Alex is watching every step of her way! Waiting for the right moment to seduce her and transform her into someone none of us will know anymore! She is going to rip apart her heart, and break her soul! Aria is not freaking safe! She is the target. She is going to break. And we're not going to be there to pick up the pieces! Alex will be. Alex will be there, and the Aria we once knew will never be the same again!" Her cries echoed through the room, startling Ezra, who sat down with his head in his hands and Spencer felt a tiny bit of guilt building up when she looked at his crumpled form. However, she was not helping by sugarcoating this. This was serious. Things weren't okay and the sooner they accepted that, the sooner they could try to let go.

…

Alex was still in a daze about what had happened the night before when she was making her way downstairs again. The way Aria's body moved in sync with her own and the look she gave her when they parted – it was all Alex could think about. She hoped Aria wasn't freaked out but when they kissed, she didn't feel like Aria was pushing back. Hopefully, though, it wasn't just Aria trying to forget Ezra and using her as a rebound, but she had a feeling that Aria had liked the way she dominated their kisses and whispered sweet nothings into her ear. She still could feel the small woman shivering against her, and she knew it had been a genuine reaction. As soon as she got things done in the underground, she would call Aria to have her talk about their night and hopefully things would go further with them. She could hear the whispering voice somewhere inside her head telling her that it was in fact Spencer that Aria seemed to like kissing. That Aria would be falling for Spencer, her best friend who she had known for years instead of Alex, but Alex hoped that somewhere down the road, when they would be in a happy place where nothing could take them apart, Alex would perhaps tell Aria all of it. And because of years that would have had passed, and milestones that would have been made – Aria would forgive her and she could be with the love of her life for the rest of theirs. But then again, she kind of liked to be Spencer, so maybe she wouldn't tell her at all.

"What's wrong with you two?", Alex asked when she noticed the tense atmosphere and her gaze shifted from Spencer's to Ezra's and back to Spencer's.

"I serve you the best food in town, which is outstanding by the way, and all you two ungrateful dickheads do is starring into space. You really are weirdos, you American folk."

She saw Spencer still focusing on the white wall in front of her, her back turned to her twin sister and her head dropped slightly.

"Are you alright, darling? Do you need me to go in there?", her tone was light and if you didn't know it better you wouldn't think of it being only a sarcastic comment.

"Don't.", she heard Spencer's firm voice and Alex wondered what made her so pissed off but guessed it was still the fact she got Aria to make out with her the night before.

"I think we need a little privacy here. See you soon, Ezra.", she chuckled and Ezra's shutter rolled down. She noticed that he didn't even fight it anymore and looked at Spender again.

"You know, I could really use your advice on this one. Sisterly advice, I mean." Spencer still hadn't acknowledged her but she continued anyway.

"I was thinking about wearing that gorgeous strapless black dress you have? Aria would like that outfit, wouldn't she? And since you don't really own too much lingerie, I thought about getting some new one. Which color do you think she would prefer? Classic? Like Black? Or something more seducing - like red maybe? I could always go with - "

"Stop!", Spencer screamed at her, having covered her ears, still not facing Alex.

"You're a mean sister you know. No wonder Cece and Melissa never really loved you. You're just a little spoiled, selfish brat, aren't you?"

When Spencer still didn't make an attempt to say something, Alex got frustrated. She hated when people ignored her. It was driving her crazy.

"Talk to me!" Her voice harsh and she pulled out her control pad, when Spencer remained silent. For the first time in days she wanted to punish Spencer for being such an ungrateful bitch. She had treated her well, had made her stay pleasant - but Spencer didn't worship it one bit and Alex grew tired of it.

"No food, no drinks, no light - for one Day. 24 hours. You've got no one else to blame this on than yourself. See you tomorrow - and I expect you to be a lot more responsive by then!"

She pressed a few buttons and the shutter covered Spencer's cell, the lights went off as well and Alex left the dungeon, Spencer still hadn't moved a limp or spoken a word.

...

"So why did you want me to meet you here?", questioned the person who sat in front of Aria. The park was empty and Aria hoped that there wasn't anyone spying on them. Ever since the dollhouse she and the others had grown a little more paranoid than normal, but then again they had every right to. Still, being out of Rosewood felt a little more safe.

"I had to make sure no one saw us. I think there is something going on. Something big. But I can't deal with it on my own anymore and I promised myself not tu hurt the girls ever again. I am not going to be responsible for any more damage and if I am right about this, I don't want them involved. Things have finally calmed down and I don't need for it to escalate again."

"Aria, I know you're going through some weird stuff right now but talking with cryptic words is not gonna help. I need you to tell me what's wrong, so I can actually help you out."

It was true. She needed to explain what was happening. But how could you explain something not even you could understand?

"I know. I am sorry. It's just. This is big. And I don't know how to say it."

"Are you pregnant?"

Aria's eyes widened and she rolled her eyes. She felt a tiny sprang on her heart, hearing those words. Did they not know that she couldn't ...?

"No! I'm not pregnant! Why would I hide being pregnant from my friends?", she was a little bit surprised by her outburst herself.

"I just thought - with you and Ezra and him not showing up at - forget what I said. See? That's why you should start talking."

"I don't think Spencer is Spencer."

It was all she said for a long time and confusion took over the other person's face.

"Is this some sick joke?"

"No, it's not a joke! I am serious right now! Look. Spencer has this scar. We were kids and she got it when this dog bit her and it's tiny but you can feel it if you know it's there and the other night when I was comforting what I thought was Spencer there was no scar."

"A scar?", the other person let out, seeming skeptical as though being confused to not have known about it. "Well, if it's so tiny maybe you just couldn't feel it?" Even though she wanted to roll her eyes again, it calmed her nerves that her words weren't being ignored and that she was actually listened to. It helped her deal with this a little better and made her realize she chose the right person for this.

"Trust me, please. It's not Spencer. It's not.", she let out a frustrated sigh and was close to a break down, when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"I believe you. I believe you, okay? Just calm down a little, please."

Aria nodded firmly, blinking a few times and tried to hold it together. "Okay. I'm fine. Promise."

"Good.", the other person nodded. "Now, tell me what I need to do."

…

So, who do you think this person is that Aria has reached out? Thoughts/Guesses are welcomed.

Next chapter is going to focus on the plan how to trick Alex so Aria can get some answers, but will it work?

Don't forget to leave some words. Much love.