The police station bustled with activity; the sounds of papers shuffling and phones ringing filtered through the cramped space. All around her people moved in a constant rush as if the world would end if they slowed down. No one looked at her as they passed by. Who would want to associate with 'The Drunks' daughter anyway? She could hear their whispers, their own spin on the situation.

"I heard he got another woman pregnant and that's why Ella left him. Now he just drinks all day."

"Aria found out and got into a fight with the student her father was having an affair with, that's why she has that bruise."

Aria rolled her eyes. At least they were being creative and didn't suspect the bruise was from her father. But it was times like these that made her hate living in a small town; gossip spreads like wild fire.

"Aria honey? Have you finished the form?" Mrs Fields wondered over from her supervisors office, a look of sympathy shaping her face.

Aria shook herself from her thoughts and put her pen back to the paper.

"Not yet Mrs Fields."

The older woman pulled her chair around the desk and sat her self down next to Aria.

"Has anyone explained the situation to you?"

Aria shook her head.

"Well, his license has been suspended for a year and he will have to attend court next week." She stopped and looked to Aria, waiting for her reaction.

Aria sat silently, slowly moving her pen over the paper.

"So what happens now?"

Pam shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "This really isn't something you should deal with by yourself. Have you contacted your mother?"

Aria sighed.

"She moved to Europe with her boyfriend." She didn't elaborate and Pam could tell it wasn't something she wanted to talk about.

"Mum leaving, has been really hard on dad." Aria suddenly whispered, keeping her voice as emotionless as possible.

Pam blinked, taken a back by Arias confession. She pulled her chair closer to her daughters friend and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Is everything okay at home?" She asked as she eyed Arias bruise.

Aria considered her form a moment, thinking this might be her chance to come clean. Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment before she took a deep breath and looked back at Mrs Fields.

"Of course." She replied forcing a smile and then looking back to the form.

"Well-" Pam started. "Once you finish this form we will release your father, and you will both be able to go home. Just remember that he no longer has a license so you may need to drive him to court next week."

"Is there a chance he could go to jail." Aria asked hopefully.

Pam eyed her suspiciously, obviously picking up on her tone. "There is a chance, but I wouldn't think about that right now."

Aria signed the dotted line at the bottom, then handed the form to Mrs Fields, who took the piece of paper and stood up.

"Thank you dear." Pam spoke as she turned to leave.

"Can you do me a favour Mrs Fields?" Aria also stood up and walked over to Pam.

"Of course Hun."

"Don't tell the other girls."

Pam looked back at Aria sadly and nodded her head before walking back to her supervisors office.

"Miss Montgomery. They are releasing your father now, would you come with me?"

A young police officer with a kind face ushered Aria to the cells in the back of the building, just as her father was being escorted out by another officer.

"Thank you for coming Aria." Her father said.

She stiffened as Byron walked over to her and pulled her into a hug. He pulled her back by the shoulders and looked down at her.

"Oh Aria, what happened to your cheek?" She flinched back as he lifted his hand to touch her cheek, unsure if he was mocking her or if he really didn't remember the previous night. She looked around, relieved that no one was watching.

"Tripped." She said simply while she readjusted her hand bag over her shoulder.

"Mr Montgomery, there are a few forms you need to sign before you leave." The same young officer who had lead her to the cells, reappeared with some papers in his hand. Byron nodded and looked to Aria.

"I'll meet you at the car."

She didn't need to be told twice.

With a quick goodbye to Mrs Fields, Aria fled the police station. Of all the times she had been in there, that was her least favourite. All she wanted to do was get home and lock herself in her room. But where would she go from there? She had a whole weekend alone with him and there was more then enough alcohol in the house to keep him going. She would take -A's torture over her fathers abuse any day.

Her insides where still squirming after her encounter with Ezra earlier that morning, and she could still feel the dull ache in her heart from seeing the look on his face when he saw her bruise. Aria prayed with ever fibre of her being that Ezra had not put two and two together; she just couldn't bear looking into those eyes, so full of pain, again.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out to see that Hannah had sent her a message.

"What ever your going through, you need to get over it, we have shit to discuss. Spencer's house, tonight at 7pm."

Aria rolled her eyes; Hannah was about as subtle as a hand grenade. She deleted the text in frustration, not bothering to reply.

Her father appeared shortly after, papers in one hand and his briefcase in the other. They both got in the car, and drove away in silence. She tensed up involuntarily every time her father moved, and had to keep reminding herself that he was only violent when he was drunk.

"Do you know what date your court hearing is? I'll have to give the school notice so I can take you." She tried to be civil, not wanting to give him another reason to drink.

"No, there will be no need. Meredith can drive me around."

Aria froze, not sure is she had heard her father correctly.

"Meredith?" She repeated.

Byron looked across to her, his face neutral.

"Yes Meredith. She is moving back to Rosewood and needs a place to stay."

He had to be joking! Was she in some kind of parallel universe?

"You can't be serious dad! She tried to poison me!"

"Allegedly. All the police have is a statement from you and no witnesses, but after you lied about my office being destroyed by Meredith, I can't believe anything that comes out of your mouth anymore."

Arias eyes widened, but she remained silent, shocked by his words. Her hands began to trembled and she tightened her grip on the wheel.

"So then why did she disappear without a trace?" Aria dared to ask, knowing she might be pushing her luck with his temper.

Byron wiped the sweat of his top lip and turned to his daughter.

"In hiding, from you." He spat back while he grabbed his briefcase off the floor.

Aria pulled carefully into the driveway and turned off the car. She could feel the pressure building in her chest, the need to burst into tears. Not the kind that fall silently down your face, but the wailing, sobbing into your pillow kind. Her hands where still grabbing the wheel, so tight her knuckles had turned white.

"When can we expect your rebound to move in." She hadn't even realised she had said it, but she most definitely felt the hard slap that came after she had. She flinched away, cowering into the side of the car, as far away from her father as she could. She cupped her face; the same side he had hit the night before. Her jaw hung open, throbbing from the new and old injury.

"If I ever catch you insulting Meredith, in any way or form, you will be out of this house faster than you can say your own name."

Aria remained silent, still hunched in the corner of her seat.

Byron exited the car, slamming the door behind him, causing Aria to jump. The pressure continued to build, but she held it in until she made into her bedroom; locking the door behind her and then letting the dam burst into her pillow.

Anyone else depressed by the direction they are taking Ezra in the show? Lol. I'm still hoping he is doing it all for Aria and they get their happily ever after. If they don't I'll march down there with my angry mob and pitch fork!

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! 2 Months until the show comes back on :( Guess I'll have to occupy myself with writing and reading Ezria fics.

PLEASE review! Let me know what you think!

Snellee