She had been standing in front of his apartment building for an hour, a battle raging in her mind, and heart. She wasn't even sure herself why she had come. Her body ached, her head throbbed and she was tired. Tired of having to constantly look over her shoulder, tired of tip toeing around her father and tired of avoiding Ezra. She had to reassure herself that she wasn't there to tell Ezra anything; she just needed to see his face, be close to him and soak in the smell of his apartment. Plus, it gave her an excuse to get out of the house. When she had left, her father was also leaving to pick up Meredith.

"Dad, you can't drive." She had warned.

"Aria, if I wanted your opinion I would have asked for it." Her father had replied as he climbed into his car before driving away.

"Fine, I hope you get arrested." She called out maliciously, even though she knew he couldn't hear her.

With any luck he would get pick up for DUI and get locked up.

A girl could dream.

Aria took a deep breath and entered Ezra's building, making her way up to his apartment. She stopped at his door and tentatively knocked. A moment later, the door swung open to reveal Ezra.

"Aria?" He asked in surprise.

"I'm sorry, is this a bad time?" She looked around him into his apartment, ensuring no one else was there.

"No, no it's fine." He insisted, moving aside for her to come in.

She took a deep breath and walked in, ignoring her mind and going with her heart.

"How's your father? " He asked as he closed the door.

"Fine." She answered simply.

He's a raging, abusive alcoholic, but besides that he's peachy.

"Thats good, listen, I wanted to talk to you yesterday, but we were interrupted."

She knew what he was going to say, but she couldn't have that conversation with him now, not after seeing Malcolm's drawings still on the fridge.

Aria dropped her bag on the couch and walked to where Ezra was standing.
Capturing his face with her hands, she pulled his mouth to her own. Their lips parted slightly, kissing softly. Ezra pulled back and looked down to Aria, a smile pulling at his mouth. Her breath hitched in her throat and her heart pounded. She had forgotten how beautiful he was when he smiled. Her chest swelled and her stomach buzzed and she could feel her insides burning; a deep thirst that needed to be quenched.

"I need you." She barely whispered, before pulling Ezra back to her hungrily.

A small voice in the back of her head called out to her; you can't do this, you can't do this. But she pushed it away, deepening the kiss with Ezra.

This feeling was what she was missing. Her life had been so full of hate and anger, she had almost forgotten what it felt like to be loved.

Another shiver ran up her spine as his lips traveled down to her jaw, kissing gently along the line. His hands explored her familiar body, taking in the feel of every curve and bump. This was the closeness she craved; the soft touches, the gentle kisses. This was how she should be feeling, not the constant fear and loneliness.

He moved back to her mouth, kissing her deeply while pushing her backwards to his bed. Lying her down on top of the sheets, Ezra stood over her, looking down at the sight he had not seen in months. He smiled and shook his head.

"What?" Aria asked, worried.

"I just never thought I would see you in my bed again." Ezra smiled once more then climbed onto the bed with Aria; continuing their passionate embrace.

She was totally consumed by him. It's was like their bodies were made for each other, fitting together perfectly. Her thirst was finally being quenched and she felt the constant feeling of dread diminish in her stomach.

A moan escaped her throat as his lips trailed along her collar bone, his fingers playing at the bottom of her sweater. He sat up, pulling his own shirt off. Her fingers ran down his stomach, and stopped at the belt, undoing the buckle.

She was so absorbed in the moment that she hadn't realised he was removing her sweater. He pushed it up over her stomach, then pulled it off over her head.

She came crashing back to reality when she heard the sharp intake of breath from Ezra.

"Jesus Aria." He breathed, his hand wiping his mouth.

Bruises marred her delicate skin. Ugly black and blue on her wrists; traveling up her arms, shoulders and to her neck. Ezra's eyes were fixed, flicking between each angry mark.

All around her the lust; the fire within her burnt out. It felt like someone had dumped a bucket of ice cold water on top of her. Her inside where gripped by the familiar feeling she was trying to get rid of in the first place.

"I shouldn't have come here." She whispered as she gathered her self off the bed, pulling her sweater back over her head.

Ezra was still, his face a collage of emotions.

"Was it Jake?" He suddenly burst out, his fists balls. Aria wasn't surprised at his assumption. Jake did seem like the quiet, abusive type.

"Ezra, stop." She spoke softly, defusing the situation straight away.

"Sometimes things look bad when they're really not, sometimes there's another explanation for what's going on."

"And what if that explanation is even worse?" He replied.

Aria broke eye contact and looked away.

"Aria, if there is something going on-" He stopped trying to gather his words, but Aria knew what he was going to say.

"I have to go." She said, not letting him continue. She walked up to him and slowly rose up on her tippy toes before placing a soft kiss on his cheek. Ezra gazed at Aria unblinking, unasked questions swirling in his eyes.

"Goodbye." She whispered as she picked her bag up off the couch and walked to the door.

"Can I call you?" He called after her.

Aria paused at the door and pulled her bag over her shoulder.

"I don't think that's a very good idea."

"Why?" He pushed.

"Because you will get hurt." She said sadly to him and then left the apartment.

Her heart was still beating a million miles a minute when she got home. It took all her strength to keep focused on the road and not crash. She had to stop herself from beating her head against the wheel in frustration. The whole trip home consisted of her berating herself for being so weak and stupid.

Her fathers car was still gone, which she hoped was a sign that he would not be coming back for a while. She trudged into the house and threw her bag on the coffee table, sighing in frustration.

"Hey." Came a voice from the kitchen. She spun around in a panic, but calmed as soon as she saw it was her brother.

"Mike what are you doing here?" She placed her keys on the table and walked over to him. Mike grabbed an apple out of the fruit bowl and leant on the counter top.

"I was waiting for dad to leave so I could get some of my stuff." He brought the apple to his mouth but stopped as Aria came into the kitchen light.

"Shit Aria, what has he done to you?" Mike placed the apple down and walked to his sister. Reaching out his hand he made a move to touch the bruise on her cheek.

"It's nothing Mike." She reassured swatting away his hand.

"I told you to get out if he ever hurt you." His face was pained, as if what his father had done was his fault.

"Mike, it's not that simple." Aria replied sadly.

"It is!" He yelled suddenly, causing Aria flinched back involuntarily.

"Shit, sorry Aria." Mike made a move towards her but stopped when she shook her head.

"How many times has he hit you?"

"Mike." She warned.

"You need to get out." He pleaded.

"I have nowhere to go."

"That's bullshit and you know it!"

She had thought about leaving, but deep down inside she hoped that maybe her father would change; that he would go back to the man who would cook her favourite pancakes on the weekends or put funny post it notes around the house to remember things. And If she left she would have to admit to people that she had been abused and that she had been too weak to stop it. She was strong, independent Aria, and nobody could think any different.

"You don't think I've thought about leaving? About running away? But it's not that easy Mike."

"Aria please." Mikes voice had to began to crack as tears threatened to spill.

She smiled sadly at him and placed a hand on his cheek.

"Contrary to what you think Mike, this isn't your fault."

He looked to her in confusion.

"Guilt is a terrible burden, and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. This is not your fault."

"I hate him." Mike spat.

Her heart swelled for her brother; so protective and loving. She had never known him to be so faithful and she was glad that he was no longer around their father.

A car pulled into the driveway, alerting them that Byron was back with Meredith.

"Sneak out the back." Aria said as she picked up the apple he left on the counter and handed back to him.

He took it a smiled before pulling her into a hug.

"You're the strongest person I know Aria." He pulled away and then fled through the back door, leaving Aria alone once more.