A/N: I am so, SO sorry for how this chapter ends. I didn't think I was one of those authors but apparently I am. I'm trying to keep my bases covered and I had an idea and I was listening to the song from the flashback after re-watching it and I got carried away and couldn't stop myself and you guys are going to hate me because it'll be a day or two until I watch the new ep and write the new chapters...I feel so cruel right now! So in order to make it up to you...if you have a one shot request, hit me with it and I'll write and post them during the week break after ep 5! I'm also debating starting work on a new multi chap, that's going to be set in season 1!
Hanna jerked awake later that morning, panting. As she sat there regaining her breath, calming herself down, she could feel the nightmare…feel it clinging to her like cobwebs. Caleb woke up next to her at her movement.
"I'm here…I'm right here Han." Caleb soothed, rubbing comforting circles on her back. Hanna swiped at her arms trying to get rid of the feeling that something was clinging to her off. "What is it?" he whispered.
"Nothing. Nothing…I…"
"Nightmare?" Caleb asked understandingly.
"More like a flashback I was…I was back…back there" She whispered, and Caleb gently took her hands from her arms before she hurt herself and pulled her back to him, kissing her on the forehead and holding her in his arms until they had to get up. Hanna felt far too comfortable in Caleb's arms. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to keep him safe. She didn't want things to end the way they usually did with them…she didn't want to hurt him. But she needed him more than she'd ever needed him before. She wanted him. She knew he was waiting for her, trying to make it up to her even though she didn't think he had anything to make up for. New York was her fault. Getting kidnapped was her own fault. But Caleb blamed himself and he was trying to win her back…it was working. But Hanna still had some determination left. The dead body had helped with it. Keeping him away….it was for his own good. He would see that one day. He had to. Hanna chose to ignore her first hand experience with Caleb's determination. She finally found the strength to get up and she methodically got ready to head to brunch with the girls. Making sure all of her skin was covered. She didn't have Mona's makeup skills and besides…..she felt less vulnerable with her skin covered. She walked in to the lounge to find Caleb sitting on the couch.
"Are you…are you coming to brunch?" she asked hesitantly. Part of her wanted him there. But the other part didn't want to have to rely on him so much. Wouldn't allow herself to.
"I think it's supposed to be an all girl, 'burying bodies in the woods' club kinda thing" Caleb said light heartedly, managing to get a very tiny smile out of her. "Did you want me to come?" he asked with concern.
"No. No, it's fine I was just…I was wondering…" she trailed off. Caleb nodded.
"Do you want me to drop you off? We can get Mona or Aria to be there at the same time so you don't have to be by yourself. One of them can meet you right outside?" Hanna nodded gratefully, sending a text to Mona who replied nearly immediately. When she was done she looked up to find Caleb watching her with a thoughtful and slightly hesitant look on his face.
"What?" She asked nervously. He took a breath.
"I was thinking after last night…while you're doing your brunch thing…I'm gonna go to Spencer's and get my stuff…my clothes and I'll bring it all here?" he said uncertainly, and Hanna looked away from him wanting him to stay but not wanting him involved anymore than he was as if he wouldn't involve himself and hadn't been doing that already. As if he wasn't knee deep in it with them. Sure he didn't bury the body but he knows everything.
Caleb watched Hanna, trying to gauge the expression on her face. Dammit. Okay no asking nicely. Remember….I'm not letting her push me away and if I don't stay with her, who knows how she'll cope, I know she hates being alone. Is scared of being alone. She knows it too. So I just have to tell her. No options. "You need me Hanna. You know it and I know it, so I'm going to get my stuff and bring it here. I'll stay here with you so you won't be alone" Caleb said, determination colouring his voice. Hanna wanted to tell him no. Tell him that she'd be fine but she couldn't bring herself to do it. I'm so weak.
"Okay" She murmured. Caleb hid his surprise at how easily she'd given in, he'd expected more of a battle. If he was honest with himself he knew Aria or Mona would stay with Hanna but Hanna was his, he was the one that would be there for her…help her heal. Him. No-one else. He owed it to her and he wasn't going to let anyone take away his opportunity to be close to Hanna. They can't help her like I can.
"Okay" He nodded, feigning nonchalance. "It won't take me long, and I'll go to the store and pick up some food, because honestly you need real food in your apartment. You can't live on Mona's…..junk" Not that you're eating much of that anyway. Hanna looked uncertain. He moved closer to her, taking her hand. "So I'll be a couple hours maybe, okay? I'll be here when you get back okay, I promise" He murmured to her and she nodded, briefly meeting his gaze, before he could lose himself in it and make her late he stepped back. "You ready to go?"
"Nearly, I just need to grab some stuff" Caleb smiled at her and Hanna tried to return it.
When she was finally ready to go, Caleb drove her there, pulling up in front of the Radley. Hanna sat nervously in the car, peering about to see if Mona was there yet, finally spotting the brunette emerging from her own car. Caleb spotted her too and steeled himself for a run in with her.
"Caleb" Mona said curtly.
"Mona. Your shoes" He said, handing her the pair of flats she'd leant Hanna. Mona took them, and shoved them in her ridiculously huge bag. "What have you got in there?"
"Nothing you need to worry about" Mona said sweetly. Caleb just shook his head.
"Take care of Hanna okay?" He asked her and Mona nodded.
"Hanna is right here you know" Hanna said, and….was that a hint of snark? Caleb and Mona found themselves grinning at each other for a few moments before they realised what they where doing and scowled.
"I'll see you later Han, be careful please" he said before Hanna got out of the car. He followed her out and around to the side of it to give her a quick hug, pleased when he felt her return it.
"I l-"
"Don't say it" Hanna mumbled. "It makes it…harder…to..to keep you away"
"That's the point, and you're not doing that good of a job anyway, remember this morning….and last night….and before that…." He smirked. Hanna flushed. Mona gagged.
"Oh please, it's too early in the morning for this" she said, but there wasn't any heat in it. Caleb gave Hanna a wink and a quick kiss on the cheek, too fast for her to object, and then he was back in his car and peeling away from the sidewalk. She thought he might have rushed off before he was tempted to stay glued to her side like he so clearly wanted to do, maybe he thought he was smothering her. She didn't know, but part of her wished he was staying. That he'd be there with her, making her feel like it was all going to be okay. That part was incredibly small compared to the part that wanted to keep him far away from the whole situation.
"Shall we?" Mona asked, offering Hanna her arm.
"We shall" She replied, taking Mona's arm and walking in to the Radley to find a nice, prominent table. Preferably near a camera.
Mona and Hanna had been the first to arrive, Aria arriving shortly after followed by Emily and Spencer. The girls had sat, attempting to eat and sipping orange juice as they filled each other in on what had happened after they'd parted ways. Mona had filled them in on Rollins identity theft the phone, Spencer convinced it was Mary on the other end…the others…not willing to rule anything out. They hadn't even touched the subject of his real identity, except to panic some more over the fact that Toby was no doubt discovering the fact any time soon. It was a matter of time before the cops where going to be on Rollins tail. They had to hope they'd done a good enough job. Everyone had been twitchy to start with and more so after Mona's information, Aria more than most, uncomfortable with the cameras, but they where necessary. Girls who murdered people and then buried their bodies in the woods didn't go for brunch bright and early the next day and drink Mimosa's and eat bagles, they reasoned. Aria…and everyone else became even more uncomfortable when they had their little reunion with Jenna. There was nothing good about Jenna being back in Rosewood. Hanna definitely could have done without her presence.
"She's scarily all seeing for a blind girl" Hanna had muttered after Jenna had walked away. She didn't like the tone of Jenna's voice when she said how nostalgic she felt, not believing for a minute the girl wasn't up to something. She had to be. Hanna was pretty damn sure nobody was feeling nostalgic, least of all Jenna, at least…not nostalgic for anything good. She didn't like Jenna being back in town at all. Especially not the morning after she'd….she'd…..buried a body. It put her more on edge than she already was and she wished Caleb had been there to deliver one of his witty put downs to Jenna. Relieve the tension that had been at the table. Make it seem less…dire. Sure…Emily could have been right..she could just be back in town for Toby but…Hanna doubted it. Or maybe she was just being overly paranoid. They where all shaken up after Jenna made her exit but it was decided that Aria and Emily would go and check on Ali. Spencer was going to find out if Toby had found anything, see if it matched up with what Mona had found…see what he and the police knew in other words. If they'd started looking yet. If there was any way to…to make them stop without looking suspicious. Hanna had doubted it but decided to let Spencer have her little moment of optimism. At least she had retained that ability, she was probably the only one who had besides Emily. Mona and Hanna retreated to Hanna's apartment and Mona proceeded to start trying to ping the phone, while Hanna fiddled nervously with her jewellery and paced. That's where they'd been for the past hour or more. Finally Mona stopped tapping at her computer and let out a frustrated sigh.
"I can't do it" she said with obvious irritation.
"What do you mean?" Mona could do everything. There was nothing she couldn't do with a computer…right?
"It's not possible, I can hack in to each cell towers database but unless I know the number, I can't-"
"You don't have to explain…I won't understand anyway" Hanna cut her off. If Caleb was here he could explain it to her. No. Caleb doesn't need to be here…although…..
"Maybe I should call Caleb…he might be able to do it?" She said slowly.
"Han….I admit Caleb is skilled…but he's not on my level. If I couldn't do it, then he won't be able to either" Mona said with regret. "I'm sorry…I really wanted to help you" Mona swallowed hard.
"You have. Alot." Hanna said sincerely. "These last couple days have been…." Hanna looked up at the ceiling to try to stop the tears she felt prickling her eyes, trying to find the words. "Spencer was right, I didn't mix the peddles up, but I still wasted time..I…..I….hesitated." she swallowed. "There was time to stop. If I hadn't hesitated. If I hadn't…hadn't wanted to…if I'd…I'd braked faster." Hanna finally said.
"Han look…you panicked…you got confused. You saw him and all these thoughts came rushing at you, it doesn't matter if you wanted to…you didn't…you tried to stop but the brakes didn't work fast enough. You just panicked okay, anyone would have…it could happen to anyone." Hanna shook her head and bit her lip, staring at a spot on the floor so she wouldn't have to look Mona in the eye.
"I keep trying to tell myself that it was an accident. A horrible accident but, when I saw Rollins, I just…..I remember being in a cold, dark room." Hanna paused, lost in memory for a few moments before looking up at Mona imploringly, "You said I was confused but was I? Was I confused or, was I the least confused I've ever been in my life?" Mona had turned in her seat to look at Hanna. Hanna had to look away from the sympathy and pity in her eyes. Mona searched around for something to say, but she couldn't come up with anything that would make Hanna feel better. She settled on trying to help Hanna with one of her other dilemmas. The one she could solve.
"Is Caleb part of the confusion too?" She asked gently.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean….he was going crazy with worry trying to find you, and he's been glued to your side ever since I saw how he was with you after…when you came back. I know you Han. I know when you're in love and you're still in love with Caleb but you're not back together yet." Hanna shrugged.
"I can't. I can't be with him. I'll screw it all up, I always have and that was before I got kidnapped and tortured and killed someone. I know I'm going to hurt him, there's just….too much has happened"
"Hanna, you won't and Caleb doesn't care. He gets it…gets you. He's good for you Han."
"He should care, he really, really should. Look at everything that could happen, could go wrong. All I do is hurt him or cause him to get hurt and the odds of that just got higher. He should start looking out for himself"
"He'd rather look out for you. Make sure you're safe" Hanna shrugged again. "Look Han. You can't keep fighting this. Caleb is the one who's been there for you this entire time. Sure Aria and I have tried to help you…but it's been Caleb all along. Caleb's the one you need the most. You can't push him away Hanna and I really don't think he's going to let you, so you need to stop being stubborn and let him back in. It doesn't seem like you're trying very hard…"
"But if I don't keep him away….and…and things go wrong and…I lose him again…I….I….I can't lose him again Mona. In New York when I got back and he…he was gone…he'd left his phone on the table and…and I knew he was never coming back. I'd never be able to talk to him again…it nearly destroyed me Mona. It took me…it took me so long to get over him and even then…I never did. I just told myself I did. Lied to myself. If I lose him again Mona I don't think I'll be able to come back from that."
"Oh Han….you'll never be able to lose Caleb. Not this time. Can't you see that? He knows he made a mistake, he nearly lost his mind when you went missing Hanna, he did everything he could to get you back. He wouldn't stop…he wanted to rush in to the resort and go after Mary, he thought we could take her. He would have done anything Hanna, anything. He's not let you out of his sight and I don't think he ever will again. Besides he's about to move in with you" Hanna shook her head.
"It doesn't matter, history is just going to repeat itself Mona, look what happened last time we li-" She started to argue reflexively but stooped when she saw her wrist.
"What is it? Realised I'm right and your arguments are lame?" Mona teased.
"My bracelet….I was wearing a bracelet last night…a gold chain one and now….it's not here…it's not…oh God" Hanna put her hand to her head. Mona's smile vanished.
"Han…where did you have it on last?" Mona asked, the dread clear in her voice.
"Last night. In Rollins car…..I was in the back and I…I…I must have lost it in there…I..I don't know it's all a blur"
"Hanna calm down" Mona said, brain racing.
"When they find his car…when they find it they'll…they'll tear it apart searching it for clues and then…then they'll find it and they'll know what I did…they'll know it was me…if they….if they find it…"
"They're not going to" Mona said with chilling certainty. Mona stood up and grabbed her stuff, and then she was heading towards the door.
"Where are we going?" Hanna asked following her.
"We're going to his car and we're going to find that bracelet, before anyone else does." Mona opened the door and stalked out, Hanna trailing behind her. She stopped and stood staring in to her apartment. When I get back Caleb will be here…permanently. She swallowed at the thought, and closed the door behind her. Refusing to admit she felt even a thrill of excitement.
Hanna stood keeping a look out, nervously moving about as Mona attempted to break in to Rollins car, muttering about throwing the keys away. Train announcement and train horns sounding in the background in a muffled blur. She couldn't stop thinking about what would happen if they couldn't find her bracelet. What if she hadn't lost it in the car? What if she'd lost it when she was….when she was…touching the…the body? What if she'd caught on…on it's clothes and it was….it was with….it? What if it was buried with Rollins? Hanna could feel the panic. She took out her phone and scrolled through the contacts. She stared at the name. Caleb. I can't call him. I can't call him for every single little thing. I'm not supposed to be getting him involved, remember? Her finger hovered over the call button but before she could press it, Mona made a sound of triumph and Hanna turned towards her and the car. Mona gestured her over and Hanna tried to walk over as calmly and nonchalantly as possible. As if she'd been waiting for her friend to unlock her car.
"I'll search the front, you search the back" Mona said. Hanna nodded and the pair pulled open their respective doors to begin the search. They worked in silence. Hanna's movements becoming more panicked as time went on and there was still no sign of the bracelet. It has to be here…it has to be here…
"All I found is a candy wrapper and a clump of hair, are you sure it's in here?" It has to be here….Hanna nearly gagged at the alternative.
"Hey hand me that lock thingy will you?" Hanna ignored her question. She thought she saw something glimmer in between the two seats, but she couldn't quite reach whatever it was to get a closer look. Mona handed it to her and Hanna started to trying to hook whatever it was.
"Hanna we have to go because if a train comes before we leave…"
"Just one minute" Hanna nearly had it. Please, please, please…please be the bracelet. Please…I don't …I can't go back to the woods..and…and….
"In two mintues commuters are going to flood this parking lot and then see you stabbing at a seat cushion with a metal hook!" Hanna finally managed to hook it, and as she brought it out of the gap she could finally see what it was.
"Got it!" she felt relief flood her. She even managed a smile. She quickly shoved the bracelet in to her pocket, and she and Mona exited the car, slamming the doors, and walking away as calmly and inconspicuously as they could. They didn't get very far before they heard the sound of a phone ringing…it sounded like…it sounded like it was coming from the car. They turned to each other, both frowning, then turned to look at the car. They started to move towards it and the sound of ringing got louder.
"Burner phone" Mona murmured, "It has to be" she pulled open the car door. The sound was coming from the floor of the car, but….it wasn't there. Unless….Mona started to feel around, pulling up the footwell mat. She felt around some more, Hanna tried to peer in to see what was there but Mona was in the way. Mona must have found something because she sat back in the seat. Then Hanna could see it. The burner phone. They had found the burner phone. Maybe luck was on their side for once. Mona flipped the phone open without hesitation, although Hanna had no idea what Mona intended. They both paused as the voice on the other end of the line spoke.
"Hi Archer" Archer…the man I killed….his name was Archer. Who the hell is Archer? "Can you hear me?" Hanna thought the voice sounded familiar but she also thought the voice might have been quoting Adele and was briefly distracted by the song ringing through her brain, although it didn't last long because the voices next sentence completely emptied her brain of all thought. "It's Jenna. Jenna Marshall" Hanna felt her eyes go wide. How the hell does Jenna know him and his…his real identity? Stupid question Hanna….he wasn't working with Mary Drake…he was working with Jenna. Or maybe he was working with both of them. The sound of a train pulling in to the station interrupted Hanna's thoughts.
"We need to go" Mona said, backing out of the car and slamming the door shut again. She shoved the phone in to her pocked and the pair walked towards Mona's car as commuters flooded the area.
"What do we do?" Hanna broke the silence in the car, trying very hard not to panic. "First I kill someone, then Jenna shows up and now Jenna knows Rollins…Archer. This isn't good, this is really not good"
"I don't know" Mona replied. They remained in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
"Hanna breathe!" Mona commanded and Hanna started to take deep breaths like Caleb had shown her. Mona continued once Hanna had calmed herself. "Okay, I'm going to drop you home, and then grab some stuff and I'll be right back. I'll grab some takeout too because we'll need it. You need to regain your strength. I'll call the others and…." Mona's confident diatribe trailed off as Hanna remained quiet. "Hanna….what's wrong? Caleb will be there right? You won't be by yourself" Hanna nodded, suddenly feeling nervous. It's just Caleb. Caleb who's making it really hard to…to….never mind. There's more important things. Hanna forced herself to speak.
"It's not that it's just…Rollins…who was he? How did he.." Mona nodded understandingly.
"It'll be fine. We'll call the other girls and we'll figure everything out." Mona tried to sound reassuring. It wasn't long before she pulled up in front of Hanna's building. "I'll see you really soon okay?" Hanna nodded and waved, watching Mona drive off briefly before the feeling of being outside…out in the open….by herself…vulnerable…sent her hurrying inside. He's dead. I shouldn't still be feeling like this he's dead he can't…he can't hurt me anymore. Why….why do I have to keep feeling like this…why. Hanna could feel the anxiety welling up. The entire journey to her apartment she was anxious, she should have asked Caleb to meet her outside but she didn't want to seem like even more of a basket case than she already was. Surely she could make it from the lobby up to her apartment, but apparently not. She waited to get an elevator that was empty, not wanting to be trapped in an enclosed space with strangers. Which is ridiculous. He's dead. He. Is. Dead. Hanna focused on her breathing. Caleb's here…everything will be fine. Caleb's moving in. I won't be alone again. I just need to make it to the apartment. This is ridiculous. I'm such a….such a…. she couldn't think of a word to describe what she was but it was pathetic. Last night she'd managed to leave and get to Spencer's by herself….yeah and look what happened. She blocked the thought out, focusing on Caleb instead. Caleb moving in…she knew it wasn't the same as before…but it still made her nervous. Being around Caleb so much…it would make it so much harder…but then…was she even trying anymore?
She unlocked the door to the apartment, took a deep breath and walked inside, practically slamming the door behind her and whirling to make sure it was locked. She turned and looked around the room, Caleb wasn't there.
"Caleb?" She called. Silence. Hanna felt the anxiety that had only just started to ebb well up again. He should have been back by now. He should have been back but he's not here….he said he'd be back. He promised. He promised he'd be back by the time I was. She checked her phone but there where no messages. Hanna clutched her phone in her hand. "Caleb?" She called again. Maybe he's in the shower again. He said he'd be here. He wouldn't…he wouldn't break that promise. Hanna reassured herself and went to check the bathroom. He wasn't there. Everything was as she'd left it earlier. She checked the other rooms in the apartment. Caleb wasn't in any of them. "Caleb…this isn't funny" she called. She knew deep down Caleb wouldn't play a joke on her, not like this…not after what had happened to her. But she still went back through the apartment checking each room, each possible hiding place, under the bed…in closets and cupboards…looking for Caleb, trying to stave off the panic. Making sure he wasn't hiding even though she knew he wouldn't do that to her. Making sure she was alone in the apartment. Switching every single light on so the place was flooded and there where no patches of darkness for anything to hide in.
She dialled his number. No answer. She hadn't heard his phone ringing in the apartment. So he hadn't left it behind like….like….she cut the trail of thought off. This was nothing like New York.
Where is he? Where is he…he said…he said…..he said he wouldn't leave he said….he said he'd be here….
She knew she was being irrational, jumping to conclusions but she couldn't help it. She was alone and she hadn't been alone…not fully alone since she was taken. And he'd said he would be here…said he wouldn't let her down again. She couldn't stop the thoughts taking over her as the anxiety she'd been trying to keep at bay took over, as she felt the panic mix with it and overtake her.
What if he'd left her again? What if he'd lied? What if he'd seen how damaged she was and he'd finally…he'd finally decided to leave? What if he'd said he was going to get his stuff but he'd…he'd seen an opportunity to leave, to get away from her…and he'd taken it? He's said he didn't care, that he wouldn't leave but she was so much…so much trouble right now. She wasn't…she wasn't her usual self, what if he…what if he….what if he's left me? What if let him down again?
Hanna backed up to the wall in the lounge, between the windows, and slid down it until she was huddled on the floor staring at the door, trying to control her panicked breathing. But she wasn't seeing the door. She wasn't seeing anything except for New York.
"If you go, I'm not gonna be here when you get back"
He doesn't mean it. He's just angry.
"I'm leaving today. I can't keep doing this"
Hanna squeezed her eyes shut.
Running through the rain, suitcase bumping along behind her.
Needing to get to him.
Throwing open a door.
Empty.
"Caleb" Calling for him.
Silence.
Empty rooms.
Empty hangars.
Dialling his number. Needing to get to him before it was too late.
A strange sound.
A phone vibrating on wood. She didn't want to acknowledge it but she turned.
Smiling faces staring up at her as her heart broke in to a million pieces.
Hanna could feel a tear start to slide down her cheek.
Gone.
He was gone.
He was gone and he wasn't coming back. She'd never talk to him again. See him again.
"Caleb" she cried.
"Stop it please….stop….please..stop it. I don't know…I don't know, please. Caleb….Caleb….Caleb please help me…..please….Caleb…."
"CALEB WHERE ARE YOU. Stop it…please"
Hanna sat, struggling to breathe, choking on her sobs, staring at the door but not really seeing it, she was trapped in memories.
"Caleb please…please…Caleb I need you, please"
"Caleb….Caleb I need….I need you" She choked out. She was calling for him…but he wasn't coming.
He said….he said…he promised…..
She repeated his name over and over, clutching her phone to her chest.
She couldn't breathe. She couldn't breathe and Caleb wasn't here…he wasn't here…he'd…he'd left her and he wasn't here.
