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Here comes Chapter 11.. hope you like it :)
...
Aria hadn't yet acknowledged her, and it was driving Spencer crazy how her little friend was still locking eyes with her psychotic twin sister.
"Do you want to talk to her next?" Caleb's words startled her. Did she? Want to talk to her? What would she say anyway? Would anything she said could make Spencer hate her less? She continued to move her eyes between the two girls.
One of them was her best friend who she would do anything for – the other one was some crazy villain who decided to make her life a living hell.
"No, I don't need to talk to her. I just want her gone." Her words laced with ice and she couldn't care less about the flicker of pain in her sister's eyes.
"You know, Alex. We might be related by blood, but you will never be my family – you will never be my sister."
She knew those words would hurt her, at least a little, so she spoke firmly and made her understand that she wasn't in the mood to forgive – and probably never would be. Aria's mouth opened slightly, but she caught her tongue and held her mouth shut. Maybe for the better, Spencer thought.
"Girls, why don't you crash on the couch for some hours? The sun is still not up, and there is no way to bring her somewhere this late at night, or early – whatever – we should deal with this when we actually can take her somewhere. So you two can sleep a little. I know Aria has been awake for probably more than 20 hours, so why don't you rest a little?"
Aria was about to protest, but Caleb wouldn't let her. "Aria just go sleep for a little while please. I slept earlier, and I'm used to being awake at night since it's the perfect time for me to come up with new software. So please – rest a little!"
When Spencer was sure Aria agreed, she took her friend's hand, leading her to the couch. Now, that she had a closer look at her, she noticed the bags under Aria's eyes and how her skin looked a little pale.
"Lay down, Ar. You do look like some kind of zombie.", she attempted to joke, but when she didn't hear Aria laugh, she furrowed her brow in confusion.
Aria just smiled at her apologetically and moved to the couch, stretching her feed, and when Spencer saw her eyes closing, she knew it would only take seconds for her to be asleep. She grabbed a blanket from the armchair and pulled it over Aria's slim frame. She was about to go over the smaller armchair to rest a little herself, when Aria stopped her.
"Spence?", Aria's voice was barely audible, sleep taking almost over.
"Yeah?"
"Can you stay here with me? Please." Spencer marveled if her friend had ever sounded so desperate, or maybe it was just the sleep talking. Nonetheless, she went over to the couch. Kneeling on the floor beside Aria and playing with a loose strand of hair, hoping the troubled girl would soon find rest.
"You can lay down with me, you know?", Aria chuckled then and Spencer smiled.
"C'mon switch places, though. I am pretty sure I will fall to the floor, if I squeeze in here."
Aria, didn't even question her, and moved from the couch, so Spencer could lay down first and Aria in front of her.
"What if I fall to the floor?", Aria asked sleepily and even though Spencer couldn't see her, she was pretty sure her eyes had already fallen shut.
"I will catch you, tiny." And with that she draped an arm over her, securing her in a tight hold. Her own eyes closed. Lavender. Aria's hair still smelled like lavender. That was her last thought before sleep caught up with her as well.
…
"What are the options?", Spencer asked in her professional chief organizer attitude and Aria would have to bid down a laugh if it wasn't for the situation.
"Well, we could always tell the cops.",
"No, you know how useless the police around here is. Next thing, she is walking free again!", Spencer exclaimed and all Aria could do was nod, silently agreeing with her.
"What about an institution?", Aria asked and was met with questioning eyes.
"Like Radley?"
"Yeah. Just - there's this mental institution in Philly. I looked it up." Spencer gave Aria a look that she would say was more than a little surprised, but she brushed it off.
"Philadelphia is so close to Rosewood, though.", Spencer complaint when Caleb spoke up, too.
"Aria's right, Spencer. We shouldn't be driving with her up to New York or something. They can always transfer her from Philadelphia later on. It's better that way."
"Okay. So it's settled."
"I'm going to call Toby.", Caleb announced and Spencer's eyes grew wide.
"Why?"
"Well I'm sure as hell not going to pull her alone into the car and it's too dangerous for you guys to be near her without her being chained somewhere. This is not debatable."
Spencer rolled her eyes, clearly not amused by the idea of having to explain everything to Toby and Aria didn't really want to have more people involved in this than necessary either but she knew Caleb wasn't going to listen to her anyway, so she remained silent and looked up at Caleb, trying to listen to their conversation over the phone.
.
The door bell rang about twenty ministers after Caleb had hung up and Aria sighed, preparing herself for what was to come, as she knew Caleb hadn't really explained everything over the phone. A minute later Toby came through the door, reaching out to Spencer in an instant and bringing her into a tight embrace.
"Thank god, you're okay.", he whispered in a shaky voice and Aria could see how scared he was for Spencer. She turned away slightly, not wanting to intrude in such an intimate moment.
The next time Aria turned, they had let go of each other, but Toby's arm was still around Spencer's waist and Aria wondered if they would rekindle things soon. She didn't know how to feel about that though.
Spencer filled Toby in, and Aria could almost point out in her head when she would hear Toby gasp, or raise an eyebrow in confusion - it was not everyday that someone told you a crazy story like this one.
When Toby had finally calmed down, he had pulled Spencer back into her, whispering something that made her blush slightly. Aria cleared her throat, indicating it was time they moved Alex to the car.
A few minutes later, with minor complications, but a lot of shouting and struggling from Alex, they were on their way to Philadelphia. Aria was driving, Spencer was seated in the passenger seat, and Caleb and Toby held onto Alex with firm grips in the back of the car. Her hands chained together just in case.
.
"Hi. We have a patient in the car.", Spencer explained and Aria was glad she was the one to speak.
"What patient?" The woman at the reception was clearly confused.
"Well, she is new. We would like to transmit her to this institution. She is my sister actually.", and Aria was impressed how easily the words flew out of her mouth.
"And she is alone in the car?"
"No, our friends are there with her. We thought it was too dangerous to just bring her here."
"I - let me get some doctor, okay?" The lady smiled briefly and hurried into one of the halls.
"Do you think they will take her? I mean what do we say? Do we tell the truth?", Aria rambled and Spencer grinned at her amused.
"Calm down, Aria, okay? Everything is going to be fine.", she patted her head and Aria scoffed at the gesture. She was not a puppy!
"Ladies.", an elder man approached them and introduced himself as Mr. Clarkson.
"I've heard you have some troubles with your sister?", his eyes went from Aria to Spencer, who spoke up.
"My sister actually. And yes, she is in the car."
Mr. Clarkson sent some nurses and they all made their way to the car.
"Why is she handcuffed?"
"Like I said. She can be dangerous."
But looking down on Alex, there was nothing 'dangerous' to see. She was slumped in between Caleb and Toby, looking scared and shy and didn't even look up at all. Aria knew she was pretending to be the victim, but they couldn't just let her go - could they?
"Miss? Can you step outside?"
Alex whimpered and nodded then, briefly meeting Aria's eyes and a ghost of a smile appeared on her lips. But no one else Clarkson and some of the nurses led her inside the building.
"She can't be serous! She is faking this whole thing! I swear if she is going to walk out of that building I'm putting her into that hole she build to rot myself!"
The moment Spencer's outburst started Aria took a step closer to her friend, already reaching out to her in order to calm her down by grabbing her hands, but she was beaten by Toby whose arms moved around her waist from behind.
"Don't worry. I won't let her hurt you anymore, Spencer."
Aria couldn't help but sigh.
...
They were waiting for over half an hour, and Dr. Clarkson had yet to return to where they sat in the waiting room. Toby's arms were still around her waist, and even though she felt comfort knowing he was there with them, she couldn't help but think about how different this felt compared to a few weeks ago. She wondered where the butterflies and sparks had gone whenever he touched her. She wondered where the tingling feeling was she got whenever she looked at him.
Spencer spotted Aria sitting nervously across from her, tapping her foot up and down, her front teeth nibbling on one of her nails. She wanted to go over there and hold her and make it go away but she didn't know if this was a good time or if she even wanted the company.
"Are you Spencer Hastings?"
She looked up then, and nodded at the far younger doctor that had approached them instead of Dr. Clarkson.
"Hi. I'm Dean Clarkson. My father runs this place. I'm basically his assistant. He is still with your sister but he asked me to talk to you about some things."
"Alone?"
"This is quite confidential information, Ms Hastings."
"I know, I just - Aria, my friend -", she nodded to Aria then, "she got close to Alex. I think she should be there, too. She could help."
"I'm afraid I can't do that without the consent of your sister, I -"
"Well ask her then! This is important! She has to be kept from the outside world!"
Spencer had long left her place on the sofa and was now angrily facing the man almost eye to eye.
"Spence, it's okay.", she felt a warm hand on her arm and looked into Aria's warm eyes.
"You should be in there with me.", she tried to protest but Aria shook her head, giving her arm a tender squeeze.
"I'm right here. Besides, I told you everything you need to know. Go talk to him."
Spender could see Toby was about to stand up as well, and she decided she didn't want to argue anymore over this, so she stepped ahead, following Dean into his office. She tried to brush off the tingling feeling she felt on her arm - it was probably from when Toby had held her, she just hadn't felt it until now.
.
"So, I talked to my father. Your sister doesn't seem to be willing to talk at all. She told us some of her childhood memories and we run through them to check her story, but she won't tell us anything else."
"We told Dr. Clarkson everything we know. It's the truth. She was trying to be me."
"I know. And I want to believe you. I just can't do anything until there is valid proof. Tell me again - from the beginning."
When Spencer finished the story for the third time this morning, she felt exhausted. Dean asked if they had anything to proof that Alex was in fact pretending to be Spencer, so she told him about the scar on her chest and how Alex had let Wren shoot her to look the same. While he admitted it might be strange, he also said it wasn't enough and Spencer scoffed. She thought about it for minute. And then hung her head when she couldn't think of anything else that could really proof their side of the story. Her brain didn't work well with all the lack of sleep and caffeine.
"Can I go back to my friends? Maybe they have something?"
Dean nodded, and not five minutes later they were back in the waiting room.
"Does anyone of you have proof? Proof about what Alex -?"
Caleb stood up abruptly, not even letting Spencer finish.
"I have the tapes! God! How did I forget! It's all there! How she lashes out on us, her screaming, I'm sure even the part where Alex is talking to Aria is on the thing!"
Spencer breathed out in relief, but the second Caleb was about to hand over the computer, Aria suddenly caught his hands.
"Wait!"
Spencer's eyes moved to Aria in question and Toby and Caleb seemed to be very confused as well.
"Can I go over to look with Dean over these tapes? I was there with her when I bombarded her with questions, I just want to go over this with him."
"I will go with you." Spencer offered, not wanting to let her friend go through this alone any longer.
"It's fine, Spence. Just try to relax for a minute, please?"
Spencer was a little surprised when Aria made her stay, but even more so when Dean seemed to allow it. A second thought entered her mind. What if Aria didn't want them to see the tape? Clearly it would show the conversation she had with Alex - but what was so secretive about it that Aria couldn't tell? Was it because Aria wanted to protect her? Spencer guessed she had to wait and see.
...
"It stays under confidential information right? No one else will be allowed to see them?", Aria was nervous about the others finding out about her talk with Alex, and how she told Aria how she fell in love with her. She couldn't imagine her friends seeing the tapes. She would freak out - especially if Spencer or Ezra found out about them.
"Well, for now, I don't think your friends need to know about that particular part of the tape. I will have to talk to your friend and have her sign some papers in order for her sister to stay here, but that's it."
Aria nodded. "Good. Can I ask you something - and you won't tell?"
Dean shrugged. "Sure."
"Is it possible to visit Alex? I mean is it possible for me to visit Alex? Even though I'm not related to her?"
Dean gave her an awkward smile, but didn't ask and Aria knew he must think she was a little crazy by wanting to come by there more often.
"There is a rule that patients cannot be visited for two weeks when they first come here. It's to help them adapt to the new situation in here. It's important to give them space. However, after those two weeks if Alex allows you to visit, and wants to talk to you - then yes it is possible."
"Okay. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Let's go back to your friends."
Spencer's eyes were focused on Aria, when she and Dean returned. Aria knew Spencer was not going to let this go, but she was sure she could come with some little excuse. Dean prepared the papers, and after explaining everything to them and Spencer signing them, they were finally good to go.
The car ride back to her place was silent. Toby had offered to drive as he saw how exhausted Aria was and Caleb was sitting in the front next to him. The two girls were both sitting in the back, but Aria felt like there was a huge distance between them even though they were so close to each other. Tired of thinking, she rested her head to the window and closed her eyes.
When she woke up she noticed that she was sleeping in her own bed. As she turned, she could see Spencer sleeping peacefully beside her. She moved to look up the time on her phone. It was around 5 in the afternoon. Being awake for so long and then sleep during the day, truly would mess with her sleep schedule. She didn't feel tired anymore and Aria briefly wondered if Ezra had stopped by. She hadn't received a text or call from him, and even though a part of her felt relieved another part also hurt. She decide to worry about Ezra later, though.
She carefully made her way into the kitchen to make some tea. She let the hot drink calm her nerves and sat on the couch, replaying the previous events in her mind.
"Do you mind?", Spencer smiled at her from her standing posting, a coffee in her hands, and Aria wondered how long she had been awake. She patted the seat beside her, moving her legs to make room for her.
"Where are the others?", Aria asked her friend.
"Caleb went home and Toby wanted me to go home with him, but I didn't want you to stay here by yourself."
"Spence, if you wanted to go to Toby's, you shouldn't have just stayed because of me." Aria felt bad then for being the reason Spencer had passed on a chance to talk to Toby alone. She almost felt like she was the one in the way of Spencer and Toby reconnecting.
"Don't talk like that, Aria. I wanted to be here." Spencer's hand reached for hers and both smiled at the gesture.
"So. When are we telling Hanna, Em and Ali?"
"Tonight? I mean I know we were going to have brunch together anyway but I just feel the sooner we tell them the better."
"Yeah. They will be so pissed, though. Especially at me 'cause I was the one who decided to go solo."
"Aria, you did it to protect them. They will understand. I did."
"I hope they will."
...
"I don't believe this!", Hanna exclaimed and accusingly directed a finger towards Aria.
"How could you put yourself in danger like that? How could Caleb not tell me anything?"
"I didn't want you to worry, Han. You had enough going on. I'm sorry. I just wanted to protect you guys."
Aria shifted on her spot on the couch, she had expected that this conversation wouldn't go without somebody getting hurt.
"We could've helped you, Aria! How could you just go inside the lion's cave like that? You didn't even take Caleb with you!"
"I had to keep him safe because of Hanna, Emily! I wasn't about to let him get killed! I didn't want anything happen to you guys!"
"Oh! You're so heroic, Aria! Did you for a minute try to imagine what could have happened if there had been more than one crazy person involved?" It was now Alison who yelled out at Aria. Clearly, the only reason they were so mad at her, was because she had taken a huge risk in saving Ezra and Spencer, throwing her life on the line, and all her friends wanted to was to keep her safe. But it had been Spencer and Ezra that she had been worrying about, so she didn't regret her choices at all.
Emily was pacing around the room, Hanna had her arms crossed around her chest, looking away from her, and Alison was waving her hands in front of her, still lashing out on her for being so selfish. Spencer didn't say anything, only being there to support Aria and brushing her hand against hers. Aria was glad her taller friend didn't try to interfere. Their friends needed this, they needed to get their anger out and Aria was patient enough to grand them this moment.
When Aria knew that they had finally all finished their speeches and lectures, she tried to make them understand one more time.
"Look, I get that you are angry. But, you have to understand, I did not just risk everything, okay? I thought about it. I came up with a plan. I had it under control. I called Caleb to be there just in case. I had to do something, and I didn't want anyone of to get sucked in again in AD's drama. I had to find Spencer. I had to know about Ezra. I am sorry I didn't tell you guys. But I don't regret this. How can I when they are both safe? I would have done it for any of you. I love you too much to let you get hurt."
The girls had tears in their eyes by then and eventuality let go of their anger. They stood around Aria and brought their little friend into a group hug. Spencer joined as well and stood behind Aria, whispering softly into her ear: "Told you they would forgive you, little big one."
...
So hope you liked that! Next chapters will deal with Aria having to deal with Ezra; Alex being treated in Philly, while Aria pays her a visit; and Spencer coming clean with all those confusing feelings for Aria ..
Leave some words. Much love :)