Chapter 4

Time Period - 2x04 Blind Dates… Ian's body will be discovered tomorrow

(remember that my storyline is intertwined loosely with the actual events that occur in the show; its not an exact science, but I do my best.)

Ps, sooooo glad you guys are enjoying it! Seriously, your reviews make my day. : )

When Spencer awoke that Saturday morning, she didn't open her eyes right away. At first she was confused as to why she was so incredibly comfortable and warm; and she was also sure that the soft stroking she could feel against her cheek was a hallucination. But then, all at once the memories of last night flooded her mind, and her eyes flew open.

And there he was. Toby's angel face, smiling down at her. He was using the back of his hand to gently caress her right cheek. When he saw that Spencer had opened her eyes, he leaned down and pressed his lips to her ear. "Good morning, sleepyhead," he whispered.

His breath on her ear sent tingles rushing down Spencer's spine. She turned her head towards him so that their faces were a mere inch apart, and eliminated the distance by pressing her lips to his. This kiss was softer, much more gentle than last night's, but not any less beautiful. It was tender, heart-felt, and like each of its predecessors, serenely perfect.

Without breaking the kiss, Toby gripped Spencer's forearms firmly and rolled onto his back, dragging her with him, so that she was now laying parallel on top of him. After hungrily tracing her lips across his jaw line and down the flawless curvature of his neck, Spencer folded her hands atop Toby's chest and rested her chin against them, gazing dreamily into his eyes. "Hi," Spencer breathed, smiling.

Toby tucked a few stray strands of hair behind Spencer's ear. "You're cute when you're scared," he teased.

"You're cute all the time," she countered, but her mind was wandering.

Toby touched his index finger to the tip of Spencer's nose. "What?" he said inquisitively.

"Hmm?" Spencer said, blinking.

"You made your question face just now," Toby noted. "What is it?"

Spencer was shocked at how easily he seemed to be able to read her. She did as he asked, and voiced her thoughts. "Toby…" she said slowly, "what are you afraid of?"

Toby looked at Spencer thoughtfully. "Guess," he said quietly.

Spencer's expression turned grave. "Jenna?" she whispered.

Spencer saw the sharp pain flash in Toby's eyes, just as she felt it pierce her own heart. It was as if someone was torturing her; she couldn't bear to even think of someone hurting him that way.

Irrationally, Spencer needed to be closer to him. She inched her body upwards so that her head was wedged in the crook of Toby's neck; she felt his hand brush against her hair softly. Spencer's right arm was wrapped tightly around Toby's left side, and she was using her other arm to hold his other hand against her heart. Her eyes shut, Spencer let her love for him radiate from her body, hoping that Toby could feel it seeping into his veins.

And laying this way in his arms, Spencer realized, was the farthest she would ever force him to go. Spencer knew, knew from the crown of her head to the soles of her feet that she loved Toby. She knew that their lives weren't separate anymore, but intertwined in a way that was irreversible. And she knew that if he wanted to make love to her - today, tomorrow, or right this second - that she would agree without question.

However; Spencer also knew that, because of the malicious actions of a certain malevolent blind bitch - Toby's thoughts on sex were tainted. Because of her all he knew was something dark, something evil, something wrong. Spencer was almost sure that she had the power to change his mind - but she knew that it had to be on his terms. She wouldn't dream of even bringing up the subject before he did; the last thing she wanted was to scare him. Whenever it happened, Toby would make it beautiful. Because she knew that, Spencer could wait. Because she knew that, she was content where she was, safe in his warm and secure embrace.

"There's one more thing," Toby said, running his fingers through Spencer's hair.

Spencer clutched his hand tighter. "Tell me," she said, her voice muffled against his skin.

Toby began methodically rubbing Spencer's back with the ball of his hand. "Well Spence…" he started, pausing to consider how he should word it, "I'm terrified of the fact that there's so many people in this town who seem to want to hurt you," he said in a tone thick with worry.

Spencer's heart swelled, her eyes watering. She touched her lips briefly to Toby's throat, and whispered, "Toby. I do not deserve you, not at all. Words cannot describe how much I love you." She kissed him again. "But don't worry about me, Tob. I can handle myself."

Toby wrapped his arms around her firmly and sat up, rearranging Spencer so that she sat comfortably in his lap. He unleashed the power of his eyes on her again, staring lovingly into hers. "Oh, I know you can. You're my little jungle queen," he said playfully, kissing her forehead.

Spencer smacked his arm lightly, laughing. For the first time since she'd awoken, she glanced around her room. It was 10:38am, according to the clock on her bedside table. Outside the rain had stopped; sunlight was filtering in through the window. She could hear cars passing, bird chirping. Suddenly and unexpectedly a memory stirred, and Spencer couldn't resist laughing aloud.

Toby raised an eyebrow at Spencer. "And you're laughing…because….?" he asked her, chuckling.

Spencer laughed again. "I was just thinking about the last time the two of us spent the night together," she said, amazed at how much had changed since then.

"Oh you mean that night I brutally murdered your Scrabble-self-esteem? Yeah, mhm, I remember that," Toby said, nodding enthusiastically.

Spencer laughed once, and then pursed her lips in mock seriousness. "I demand. A rematch."

Toby rolled his eyes. "Fine. Just name the time and destination in which you want to be slaughtered," he said, echoing her tone. "And hey by the way," he added, "Do I ever get my pyjama shirt back? Or is that yours?"

Spencer leaned forward suddenly, reaching behind him to swiftly yank a grey long-sleeved top out from under the pillow they'd shared. She held it up in front of him. "It's right here," Spencer said, hugging it to her chest, "And no, you absolutely do not get it back. It's mine."

Toby pressed his forehead against Spencer's. "You're mine," he whispered firmly.

Spencer dropped his shirt onto her lap, freeing her hands, which she placed on either side of his face. She pulled him closer to her, planting her lips on his yet again. Toby's hands rested gently on her shoulders, but his lips moved vigorously this time. Spencer's hands travelled down from his face, coming to a stop against his bare chest.

After a few moments Spencer's heart was sprinting, and as she pulled back slightly so she could breath, Toby's lips transferred to her neck. She kept her eyes closed, but spoke. "That morning, in the hotel when I woke up…" she panted, "My arm was around you," she told him, unsure of what point she was trying to make.

Toby abruptly tilted his head up so that his eyes were level with hers again. "You honestly thought you successfully pulled it away without me noticing?" he asked skeptically.

Spencer smiled. "I think I wanted you to notice," she admitted, "but I didn't understand that then."

Toby kissed her nose. "I know exactly what you mean," he said. "Now. I do believe the appropriate time for breakfast has arrived, wouldn't you agree, Miss Hastings?"

It wasn't until he mentioned food that Spencer realized that she was starving. "I would agree, Mr. Cavanaugh," she said as she climbed off his lap.

As Toby stood up she crawled across the bed to her bedside table to get her cell phone. She grabbed it without glancing at it, and promptly stood up, walked back to where Toby was standing at the edge of the bed, placed her hands on his shoulders and jumped on his back. He caught her easily, as if he'd known her plan all along.

As Toby walked out the door of Spencer's room, down the hall and began his descent on the stairs, Spencer saw the tiny light on the corner of her phone flash. She unlocked it and the letters glowed in red, One New Text.

She opened it, and as she read the words her heart turned to ice.

Last time I checked, I was queen of the jungle, Spence. PS. Be happy I let you play for that long! Love you! - A

Before Spencer could even find the time to gasp, Toby had gotten them to the bottom of the stairs. And there, in the middle of kitchen, stood Peter and Veronica Hastings.

TO BE CONTINUED : )