A/N: So sorry guys! I've been very busy and spending a lot of time in hospitals (not me, a family member) and I have had very little time to write. Let me know if you're still interested and I'll make every effort to give you guys regular updates. Thanks for reading!

"All packed?" Paige asked, trying to sound cheerful. Emily could see right through her.

"It's going to be okay, Paige."

"I don't know if it will," she admitted, looking down at the ground. "You know as soon as we get back there they'll be back to harassing me. Because they aren't bothering to look for the actual killer."

"Won't Mrs. Hastings be able to help you?"

"I sure fucking hope so."

They were on their way back to Massachusetts, where they would be staying in the beach house until Paige was finally cleared to leave. She had made multiple offers to Emily to just go back home and she could stay alone, but Emily always refused. She had promised she would stay by her side throughout this whole ordeal, and that was exactly what she was going to do.

She knew Spencer's mother well and she did feel a little better having her on her side. If anyone could get the police to realize a mistake, it was her. She was a perfectionist like her daughter and would fight her hardest to keep Paige from being formally blamed.

She was terrified that she would be arrested. She didn't think any accusation would stick in court, especially since there was no evidence against her, but she was afraid that they wouldn't hesitate to leave her behind bars for as long as they could. She didn't think she could bear the humiliation.

"Paige?" Emily asked gently. "Maybe I should drive."

"Yeah," she agreed, not having the energy to put up a fight. "Maybe that's a good idea."

Emily gave her a worried look but didn't say anything. She was afraid for her, both for her state of mind and for her innocence. She knew she hadn't done anything, but the police seemed intent to blame it on her. She didn't understand why they weren't investigating other people, like Jenna Marshall. Wasn't the unwritten rule to always question the significant other first? Paige hadn't even been in contact with her until now. She didn't think it made sense.

The weather was growing stormier the closer they got to the beach. It was dark and the wind was picking up, howling around them. Paige didn't say anything though; instead she just kept staring out the window.

"You'll be okay, Paige."

"You don't know that."

"Maybe not. But expecting the worst isn't going to help."

"I don't care."

"Paige…."

"I'm sorry," she sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "I'm really fucking sorry."

"Don't be."

"I won't blame you if you want to leave, Emily. Really. I don't want you stuck here."

"I'm not leaving," she insisted stubbornly. Paige gave her a small smile.

"I'm lucky to have you."

It was past eight when they got back to the beach house. They had eaten throughout the car trip and neither one was hungry, so they just went upstairs to the room they had been sharing before everything had been shot to shit. Paige dumped the bags on the bed, moving to the window to look outside.

"Is there anything you need, honey?" Emily asked gently. Paige shook her head.

"No."

"You don't want anything else to eat?"

"No."

Emily sighed, sitting down on the bed. She didn't blame Paige for being in the mood she was in. It was frustrating for sure, and if she was scared she could only imagine what her girlfriend was feeling.

"Paige, come here," she pleaded. "Please."

Paige did as she was told, curling up beside Emily on the bed. Emily kissed her gently, running her fingers through her hair. Paige let out a soft sigh, closing her eyes.

"I don't know why you're still with me."

"Why?" Emily asked in surprise.

"Because my life is a mess and you keep getting sucked in."

"Oh, Paige…."

"And as much as I hate having to subject you to this shit, I'm so grateful for you. You're the only steady part."

"I always will be," Emily whispered, kissing her hair. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too."

"We'll get through this, honey. We will."

"Tell me everything you can," Veronica directed, uncapping her pen. "Even things that may not seem important."

It was the next morning, and Spencer's mother had finally arrived to start talking to them. She assured them that as long as the police had no physical evidence, they couldn't do anything more than question her.

"You met her a couple times, I think," Paige started. "We were together for three years. I thought we were happy. But as time passed I started to think we were staying more for companionship than actual love. Then she cheated on me and that was it. I didn't see her again until last week."

"Do you know the name of who she left you for?"

"Nate something. I don't know his last name."

"Was she still with him?"

"No. He said she dumped him for another girl. Jenna Marshall."

"Do you know anything about her?"

"Only that Shana said she couldn't see us talking because she would get jealous."

Veronica paused, her pen above her notebook.

"Did you tell this to the police?"

"They wouldn't listen. I don't know if they've even talked to her."

"I'm sure they have. But anyway, we should let them know they should be looking at her."

"And then there was the person who kept walking around here at night. The one with the black Hoodie."

"What?"

"Yeah. There was someone lurking around here at night. A couple of us noticed."

"But you don't know who?"

"No. But maybe they're connected."

"Well, Paige, you know I believe you. And considering they have nothing but a motive for you, it would be hard to convince people. As strange as it sounds, you're lucky. There could be real evidence against you."

"People saw us fighting on the beach the day before."

"Hardly anything. You had a rocky past. It doesn't mean you killed her."

"I wish everyone thought like you."

"Don't worry, Paige. Just leave it to me and I will have your name cleared in no time."

"I hope so," she replied doubtfully. "Could they arrest me?"

"They could. But they would need actual evidence to do it. And we could easily get you out on bail."

"That makes me feel loads better," she replied sarcastically. Emily soothingly rubbed her back.

"I'm serious, Paige. Unless something huge turns up I really don't think you have to worry. They can't keep bringing you in for no reason."

Paige didn't answer. She wanted to believe Veronica, to hope that this would soon be over. But she was afraid to even think it.