Disclaimer: I do not own Pretty Little Liars or these characters. Not written for money, only enjoyment.

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Jason had left to go run some errands around town. He hadn't taken his car since it was a nice night. When he got back to his house he saw a hooded shadow on his porch. Quickly and quietly he walked up the steps and put a hand on the figures shoulder. The smaller figure froze and slowly turned to face him, it was Mike Montgomery. Jason just looked at him and nodded to the steps.

"Want to tell me why you are attempting to break into my house?" Jason asked the younger Montgomery.
Mike just stared at his feet with his hands balled into fists.
"Mike, come on. I just want to understand." He prodded.
"This is how I have been dealing with everything since we got back from Iceland." Mike finally answered.
"Your Dad's affair, surprise sibling, and your parents' divorce?"
"Yeah. How did you know?" Mike said looking at him for the first time.
"Aria told me yesterday when she was looking for you."
"Oh."
"How many houses have you broken into?"
"Five or six. I've lost count." Mike admitted looking down again.
"Why do this? You're a smart kid Mike."
"I can't deal the way Aria is. I miss my Dad. I want him in my life."
"What do you mean? How is Aria dealing?" Jason asked
"She cut him out of her life. She won't answer his phone calls, talk to him or even about him."
"Ah. And you don't want to disappoint her by having him be a part of your life?" Jason making the connection.
"Yeah. I can't do that. I know he made a mistake but he is still my Dad." Mike said looking at Jason.
"Aria would understand that Mike. You two are siblings not the same person. You just need to explain to her why."
"No she wouldn't. I've been following her lead since we got back. She's making a mistake too and won't talk to anyone about it." Mike said.
"What mistake is Aria making?" Jason asked anxiously.
"She's seeing her old English teacher. It started right after we got back from Iceland."

That answered Jason's question about if Aria was seeing someone. He was silent for several moments not knowing how to react to what Mike had just told him. "Why don't I take you home and you can talk to Aria." He said standing up.
"You won't tell her I told you, will you?" Mike asked standing up beside him.
"What you tell me stays between us." Jason said, "I'm around if every need someone to talk to about your Dad." He added pulling his keys from his pocket.
"Thanks Jason." Mike said following him to his car.

While Mike buckled his seat belt Jason sent a text to Aria telling her he was brining Mike home. The drive was short since the two families lived close to each other. Mike's mood seemed to change as they got closer to his house. Once in the driveway he was in a beyond foul mood. Knocking on the door Jason didn't know how to deal with the news he now knew about Aria.

Aria opened the door to Jason and Mike just stormed past her. She looked to Jason helpless. Not knowing that Jason now knew that she was seeing someone she shouldn't be. Stepping outside, "Did Mike say anything to you?" she asked as they sat on the front steps of her house.
"I can't say anything about it." Jason answered looking out onto the lawn.
"Jason, please. I just want to help my little brother." Aria pleaded.
"Aria you have to ask him. I told him I wouldn't say anything."
"Can you answer why you were with him?"
"I caught him trying to break into my house."
"Oh my goodness." Aria said covering her face.
"He didn't get in. I caught him at the window."
"Why is he doing this?"
"It's how he is dealing."
"What?"
"Aria he isn't like you. He is struggling with what is going on in your family. He hasn't wanted to disappoint you so breaking into houses is how he has been dealing with all of the stress." Jason said looking at her.
"I never wanted him to be me. I just…" she tried to justify but then stopped when the realization hit her, "I'm the world's worst sister." She added as her shoulders started to shake.
Jason pulled her close into his side, "No you're not. You just wanted to protect him." He said as he rubbed her back.
Aria didn't say anything. She just snuggled into Jason and let him hold her. It was the first time in months she felt like someone understood what she was going through.

As Jason and Aria sat and talked on the porch they had no idea they were being watched from two sides. Ella Montgomery was standing inside watching her 17 year old daughter talk to the boy she had had a crush on a few years earlier. Ella had heard around town that Jason was a new guy and as she watched him with Aria she knew the rumor to be true. He was a new guy. This Jason was helpful, calm, and understanding. She had no idea why Mike had been with him or why he was so angry or why her daughter had cried against Jason, but her children seemed to trust the older DiLaurentis with things they couldn't tell her, while that sight hurt she was glad that they both had found someone to trust.

Hanna stood at her front window and watched Aria talk to Jason. She was slightly jealous because he has always had eyes for Aria, but also because he was still drop dead gorgeous. Deciding against calling Spencer and having her make a scene, Hanna watched as Jason comforted Aria with something. It was nice to see her friend with someone who would actually comfort her in public. This was only one of Hanna's problems with Aria seeing Ezra. As Hanna watched she noticed something that either Aria didn't realize was there or was choosing to ignore, it was the look in Jason's eyes. He cared about her.

Aria soon collected herself and wrapped her arms around Jason's neck in a hug, "Thank you, for everything." She whispered in his ear.
"You're welcome." Jason whispered back as he wrapped his arms around her, "I'm always around if you need to talk." He told as she pulled away.
"Don't tell me that." She laughed, "Soon you'll be hearing all of my problems which are plenty." She added looking into his wonderous green eyes.
"That's okay." Jason said standing up. "Have a good night Aria. Talk to Mike."
"You too Jason. I will." She said opening the front door.

After Jason left, Aria headed upstairs to Mike's room. Knocking on the door, "Mike it's me. Can I come in?" she asked. When she didn't get an answer she opened the door and stepped inside. Mike was sitting at his computer with his head phones in. Walking across his room Aria stood behind him and put her arms around his shoulders in a hug.

Mike jumped when Aria put her arms around his shoulders, "What are you doing in here?" he questioned taking out his headphones.
"I knocked, you didn't hear me." She answered, "Plus I wanted to talk to you."
"I should have known better than to trust Jason." Mike said angrily.
"No Mike, trust him. He didn't tell me any specifics just basics." She said hurriedly, "Please talk to me." She added.
"I don't know how."
"Mike we have always been able to talk."
"Not about this."
"Can we try please?" Aria pleaded.
"I don't want to cut Dad out of my life." Mike stated turning to face the wall.
"Okay."
"That's it? You're not mad?"
"No. I can't be Mike. You're not me. We are different people."
Mike laughed, "Jason said something like that."
"Well he was right." Aria said smiling, "I want to cut Dad out of my life because he asked me to lie to you and Mom about his affair, then he willing moved us to a different continent to cover it up while knowing Meredith was pregnant, and then when he found out he had another kid he went to raise it like the two of us weren't anything." she explained, "If you want Dad in your life have in him in your life."
"Are you sure?"
"Mike it is your decision. I can't tell you to shut Dad out."
So we aren't going to end up like Jason and Alison?" he questioned.
"We are nothing like Jason and Alison. For one I'm not Jason and you are not Alison. Two we actually like each other, most days." Aria told him hugging him again.
"Thanks Aria."
"Anytime Mike." She said walking towards his door, "If you ever can't talk to me please talk to Jason or someone."
"I will." He said reassuring his sister, "Night Aria."
"Night Mike."

Ella had heard Aria come inside and go upstairs. She stood quietly in the hall outside Mike's room and listened to him and Aria talk. Their conversation was one she had been waiting on. Mike couldn't cut his Dad out of his life, but he hadn't wanted to disappoint Aria by staying in contact with him. As she listened to them talk she was glad that they weren't like Jason and Alison. She remembered hearing about the arguments the two of them would have. It was nice to have two kids who could respect each other enough to mostly get along. Walking into her room she sat on the bed and thought about why Aria had cut her Dad out of her life. She knew it wasn't easy but Aria was a strong girl, but she also wondered what repercussions it would have on her as she got older. Would she regret it when it came time for her to get married and be walked down the aisle, what about when she had kids. Soon she just stopped that train of thought. That was just too much to think about right now, she decided as she opened her door and went downstairs to read.

After leaving the Montgomery house Jason went home to his empty house. As he sat on the couch he thought about Aria being in a relationship. It was upsetting to him to say the least. He knew it was foolish to hope that she would break up with the guy for him but he kind of hoped she did. But then again if the guy made her happy he couldn't deny her that. Settling back he let his mind wander to what it would be like to date Aria, the dates they would go, the conversations they would undoubtedly have, and the sweet moments they would share in public and private. Giving up on that dream Jason got off the couch and went back to the kitchen to decide what to renovate next.