I am back again. As always, thank you for the kind reviews.

This chapter is going to focus on Aria, and yes - finally Alex will be in it! :)

Enjoy!

...

"What happened last night? I've never seen you cry like that. Do you want to talk about it?" Spencer's face held worry when Aria looked up to meet her eyes as they sat at the kitchen island, drinking their morning coffee.

"No. I guess I just need space and I can't have that if he is there all the time. I don't know what to think anymore, Spence. I never thought I would leave him. Something just changed. And I don't know why."

Spencer reached a hand over the table to give Aria's a soft squeeze.

"You know I am here for you, right? Whatever you need. I will be here every step of the way. You don't have to do this on your own."

"Thank you." And Aria meant it. She couldn't express with words how lucky she was to have Spencer by her side.

"Why don't I call the girls and see what they are up to? A night out of town would us all do some good."

Spencer smiled reassuringly at her, tracing fingers in a calming motion over Aria's hand and the smaller girl nodded. Maybe a night out really was what she needed to get her mind off of things.

"That would be nice. I have to go to the apartment first, though. Grab some stuff. Thank you for letting me stay at yours, by the way."

"Ar, we've been practically living together the last two weeks, anyway.", she chuckled. "I think I can handle a few more."

And there was the smile again that let Aria know how much her friend cared. She really felt blessed to have someone like Spencer in her life.

...

Aria was glad when she found the apartment empty. Spencer had offered to help her, but she had told her she needed to this on her own. Even though Ezra had told her he would be out all day she still feared to run into him. She wasn't prepared to face him. Not yet. It would only complicate things and she wasn't sure what she would do if she saw his face.

As she packed up some of her things in the bedroom her gaze subconsciously wandered to her bed. Memories flashed through her mind as she imagined all the nights both of them had spent on that bed, creating memories and having long night talks about the future ahead of them, and Aria couldn't help but let a tear fall. It wasn't like she had automatically fallen out of love with Ezra, and it still hurt her to imagine a life without him, but she just didn't know if it was enough anymore.

Then, out of nowhere, a different memory creeped into her mind. Soft hands that held Aria's face and lips that were rough but didn't have the force of man's touch filled her thoughts. The way Alex had kissed her was different than anything she had experienced before. It was not the first time she had kissed women. She remembered stolen kisses at parties with drunk friends while gigglingly declaring their undying love for each other, remembered some guys daring her and Hanna to make out in front of them shortly after they had started college. However, that was something normal. It was not uncommon for girlfriends to kiss at parties for fun even though they were supposedly straight. And Aria hadn't really thought much of kissing her friends until she had visited Spencer in DC. She pushed those thoughts away quickly, not daring to think back at their night - not wanting to admit that it had hurt when Spencer stopped had them from doing anything else because she hadn't wanted it to turn into something big. So Aria had played it cool, and they had agreed not to bring it up again. Since then, Aria had buried all thoughts and possible emotions, afraid to feel something she was too scared of to admit. And then there was Alex. Aria was confused as why she even thought about Spencer's sister so often, why she got a tingling feeling whenever she touched her. She remembered how shocked she was to learn that Alex loved her. Love. That was an emotion reserved for Ezra only, and all of the sudden there was this girl who loved Aria just the same. Deep down Aria knew she shouldn't trust her, but her gut told her that Alex had been honest. The night before, when she was on the phone with the nurse, she was too close to just make an appointment to see her. Something didn't feel right thinking about the troubled girl being alone in an empty, cold room - not when Aria knew there was another side of her.

Subconsciously, she pulled out her phone and pushed the same numbers she had dialed just hours before.

"Hello?", a voice greeted her and Aria breathed in and out for a moment.

"Hi. This is Aria Montgomery. I called yesterday, about Alex Drake."

"Miss Montgomery! I remember. It is nice of you to call again. Did you decide on a date to visit Ms Drake?"

Aria bit her lip. "Yes. Actually I was wondering if I could come by early in the afternoon today? Is that possible?"

"Absolutely, Miss. I will let Mr. Clarkson know then. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"No, I will be visiting around two then if it is okay. Thank you."

"Of course. See you later then."

"Yeah. Bye."

Her phone slipped from Aria's hands and she grew nervous. Was she ready for this? Was she ready to see her again? She prayed Spencer wouldn't find out about this. She would kill Aria in her sleep if she ever found out the truth.

She packed the last of her things, driving to Spencer's with a nervous feeling in her stomach. She hoped Spencer wasn't home, so she didn't have to feel guilty about leaving again to go to visit Alex.

"Aria! Let me help you with these!", she heard her voice, and she almost cursed when Spencer was standing next to her a second later, carrying a bag she had taken out of her car.

Aria smiled thankfully, hoping Spencer wouldn't notice how shaky she was inside. They had managed to set Aria's things into the room and Aria checked the time. It was already after half past one, and she knew she would need to leave soon.

"So I talked to the others and we thought of going to this bar in Philly that just opened recently. Ali offered to drive as she still can't really tolerate alcohol after the pregnancy because it makes her sick, so she will pick us up at around eight."

"Okay, cool. It's been ages since I went out to a bar that wasn't at the Radley."

"Yeah me, too.", Spencer chuckled. "Do you want to grab lunch? I don't really have too much work to do today in the office, so I am basically free."

"I would like to, Spence. But I have to take care of a few things."

"Let me help then. I don't want to see you mopping around with a sad face all day. Let me cheer you up."

"Spence.", Aria felt guilty, but she couldn't tell Spencer where she was going. She moved to put a hand on Spencer's arm. "I really appreciate you doing all this for me. But you don't need to guard me 24 hours a day, okay? I just have to work some things out concerning the book and the press and then check in on my parents. So relax, okay?"

"I just worry about you, Ar.", Spencer's voice was barely audible.

"I know. Thank you for that, but I am fine. I promise. I will be back before eight so we can get ready together, okay?"

"Okay."

She squeezed Spencer's arm in reassurance and smiled up at her, before leaving the barn and walking to her car, the weight of guilt laying heavily on her shoulders. She tried to ignore the feeling as she started the car.

…

"Miss Montgomery! It is nice to see you.", Dean Clarkson greeted her and smiled, as he extended his hand.

Aria nodded, shaking his hand for a moment before speaking.

"Where is she?", she asked, not beating around the bush.

"Look. As you are the only one to visit her so far, I would like to speak with you before you go in there to see her. My father was a little reluctant to allow you to visit, but I knew she needed to see you. So I want to talk to you first. Would that be okay?"

Aria sighed. She really didn't feel like talking, but she knew it was the only way to see Alex so she nodded anyway.

Dean led her to his office, as she sat down in a chair in front of him, observing the personal touch he gave the room with photos and postcards.

"Listen. I don't want this to be awkward alright? We just need to do what is best for our patients. My father is one of the best psychiatrists of the country. He is doing his best but we need to make sure not to interfere with her treatment. "

"I understand."

"I know you told me before that you wanted to see her. But you never told me the reason behind it. Her sister, Spencer was it?" Aria nodded affirmatively. "She didn't call once. And I understand that she is probably still scared and angry given the circumstances. We got Alex to confess. It sounds like you guys went through some hard times. She told me about you."

"What?", Aria stumbled out. "What did she say?"

"Well, she told me that she was in love with you. And that she is sorry for the things she did to you. Is that the reason you want to visit her? Did you know about her having feelings for you?"

"Is this an intervention?", Aria scoffed. She suddenly felt trapped.

"Miss Montgomery. You need to understand. We need to protect our patients. If you are only here to see her in order to get revenge or try to take advantage of her feelings for you, it will not work out. We need to make sure these things don't happen as it would hinder her recovery."

"I'm not here to hurt her." Her voice filled with determination.

Dean raised an eyebrow. "Why are you here then, Aria?"

"I want to help her get better. I want to believe in the good in people again. I want to see her and understand why she did what she did."

Aria knew why he looked at her so intently, his eyes looked for any kind of deception – but she told the truth. She needed answers. She needed to sort out her feelings. She needed to see Alex.

"I heard about Mona Vanderwall and Charlotte Drake. Those girls hurt you, too. Have you forgiven them for what they did to you?"

Aria was at loss for words. She had definitely never forgiven Charlotte, but had she forgiven Mona? She didn't know.

"This was different.", she began. "I understand where Mona was coming from. And while I might not have forgiven her fully, I respect her and I am thankful that she helped us save Spencer and expose Alex. I won't lie. I never forgave Charlotte for what she did to us. She tried to kills us more than a few times and she tortured us. Alex never did those things to me."

"But she almost killed Ezra, didn't she? She tried to murder Spencer with an axe. "

"Alex has issues. I know she has them. But if you think I am here to get revenge, you are wrong. I just need to see her. And honestly, I feel very tired of talking right now. You told me I could visit her."

"And you can. I just needed to be sure."

"Whatever. Can I see her now?", Aria impatiently asked.

"Yes."

And just like that Aria's heart started to pound wildly in her chest.

Finally, they stood outside her room and Aria grew nervous again, her heart still beating a hundred miles per hour.

"Oh, there is one more thing before we go inside.", Dean said and Aria looked at him with questioning eyes.

"No phones." He stretched out his hand and Aria turned her neck, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. When Aria realized he wasn't joking, she reluctantly handed him the device.

Dean knocked firmly on the door and Aria's breath hitched when she heard Alex's voice.

"Come in."

They stepped into the room, Aria closely behind Dean, and Aria saw Alex's eyes grew wide the moment she saw her.

"Hi."

"Hi.", Aria heard Alex whisper back. "What – What are you doing here?"

"I came to visit." The nervous tone was gone and had shifted to concern as Aria saw how skinny Alex had gotten compared to the last time she saw her; her white gown falling largely on her body.

"How are you doing today?", Dean addressed Alex and she shifted her gaze from Aria to the doctor.

"Today is a good day, Dean." She smiled then, her eyes searching Aria's again and without realizing Aria smiled back.

"Are you comfortable enough for me to leave?" Aria wasn't sure if the question was addressed at her or Alex, but she nodded either way and Alex did the same. Dean nodded and explained the emergency button in case they needed him. He left afterwards, closing the door and leaving Aria alone with Alex.

"So, tell me, Aria. To what do I owe this pleasure?", she spoke, not hiding the sarcasm of her words and Aria had to adjust to her British accent again. Alex's legs crossed, as she sat on the bed, studying Aria who sat nervously on a chair beside the bed.

"I don't know.", Aria confessed.

"Spencer sent you down here, didn't she? Bitch doesn't have the guts to show up herself, huh?", Alex mocked, shaking her head in laughter.

"She doesn't know I am here. And it's better she doesn't find out. She would kill me if she knew." Aria's voice was calm, even though Alex's behavior made her question if it was really possible for her to change at all.

Alex looked taken aback, as she shifted on the bed, moving closer to the edge to face Aria. "My sister doesn't know you're visiting? Is that true?", Her hoarse voice

cracking a little as she spoke.

"She doesn't."

"So why? Why did you come to see me?" The last time Aria heard Alex sound so vulnerable was when she had confessed her feelings for her.

"I wanted to see you." Aria knew she was giving away too much. She shouldn't have told Alex, but at the same time she found it impossible to lie.

"You wanted to? You came here because you wanted to?"

"Yes." Aria smiled then. Hoping Alex would believe her. Slowly, Alex smiled back.

"Wow.", Alex replied, fumbling with the sheet covering the bed.

There was a pause of silence, both of them too afraid to speak.

"How are you doing, Alex?" Aria tried to keep her voice normal, not wanting to give away how anxious she was to hear the answer.

"To be honest? They try to give me pills all day and have me meditate to relax. I swear they play the worst songs - I bet they do it on purpose. It is terrible."

Aria laughed, enjoying the light tone of their conversation.

"How are you feeling?" Alex asked and Aria tensed up.

"I'm okay.", she replied cautiously, struggling her shoulders.

"You don't seem okay. Did something happen?", her persistence remembered her of Spencer and Aria couldn't deny how similar they were in character sometimes.

"Me and Ezra are taking some time apart.", Aria finally admitted and she caught something in Alex's eyes she didn't think she ever would – compassion.

"I'm sorry, Aria. I really am." Before Aria could respond, Alex had reached out a hand and put it over Aria's, squeezing her hand tightly and Aria could feel goosebumps forming on her skin. She didn't pull away.

"Was it because of me?", Alex's voice resembled a child then, and there was no trace left of the venom it held just weeks before.

"No.", Aria squeezed back haltingly. She didn't want Alex to believe their downfall was her fault.

"Why are you being so nice to me? I made your life a living hell." Alex's head bowed in shame, and Aria couldn't help the urge to hug the shaken girl in front of her.

"Alex." With just two fingers she had lifted the girl's chin so Alex was looking at her again.

"I want you to get better." Aria paused, but Alex's eyes were still fixed onto her, like she wanted her to continue. "Look,", Aria began once more, not removing her fingers from Alex's skin. "I never understood why Ali was so persistent in helping Charlotte after what she had done to us. It was something I couldn't grasp on – until now. I don't want you to feel like you have no one that cares about you, Alex. You don't belong in here."

It wasn't often Aria was so open with people, but she somehow found comfort in the presence of Alex and she wanted her to be the person she had dreamt of. She didn't want for her to rot in a psych institution, just because she got the bad end of the deal. She was still Spencer's sister and even though Aria knew neither of them were ready to face the other any time soon, she hoped they could try to mend things in the future.

Alex hadn't said anything, and Aria grew worried, afraid she had said something bad, when suddenly Alex pushed forward, kissing Aria softly on her lips before pulling back in an instant. Aria's eyes widened in shock, her right hand falling from Alex's face, while she removed the other one from under Alex's grasp. She recoiled from Alex's touch and moved her chair back a little, creating a distance between.

"God! Aria! I am so sorry!" Alex jumped from the bed, reaching out to touch her, but Aria held up a shaking hand, standing up from the chair and moving closer to the wall behind her.

"Please don't, Alex."

"I'm sorry!", Alex yelled out. Tears were tumbling hurriedly from her eyes and her slim form began to shake under the wild sobs.

"I'm so stupid.", her hands moved violently to whip the tears off of her face and she turned away from Aria, her body trembling.

Not being able to just stand there, Aria moved deliberately forward. Placing a hand on Alex's back. The girl cringed at the sudden contact and Aria feared for second that Alex would turn around and punch her in the face, but Alex didn't move.

"Alex.", Aria tried again, but there was no reaction. Aria could hear the short breaths that escaped the other girl's mouth. Her trembling body and the panting gasps worried her. She knew too well what a panic attack looked like. Not thinking about her next move, Aria shifted closer, turning Alex so she would face her and before she could move away, Aria's hands moved around her, so she could envelope her in a hug. She led them to the bed where they sat down with Aria's arms still around Alex and Alex's breaths seemed to find their normal pattern again. As exhaustion took over, Alex's head fell onto Aria's shoulder and despite the unfamiliarity of the situation Aria's hand reached up to run her fingers through her hair, hoping it would calm her down. She tried to ignore how similar this felt as to when she would comfort Spencer. She tried not think of her best friend at all, feeling guilt creeping up her spine. Spencer would never forgive her for this, but Aria couldn't let Alex fight her haunting demons alone anymore. Alex had no one left that cared and Aria wouldn't forgive herself if she followed Charlotte's fate. She didn't understood Ali then, but she understood now. And maybe it was too late to forgive Charlotte, too late to try and change her; but it wasn't too late to fight for Alex, to help her get the life she always wanted. After all, all Alex wanted was a family.

"It's okay. Breath. I am here. I am not going anywhere.", she whispered soothingly, holding the slim girl from crumbling and for the first time she wondered if Spencer and her weren't the only ones trying to find their way through the darkness in the aftermath of events.

...

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Much Love!