Disclaimer: I do not own Pretty Little Liars

Author's note: Happy New Year Everyone! Those that follow me on Twitter got to see my New Year's Day Spoiler about this chapter! So, if you don't follow me there yet, you should go do that now! (or at least check out the spoiler, it's a picture) My Twitter handle is EnchantingFitz.

Also, If you haven't read my Christmas Ezria fanfic "Mighty Forces", you should check it out! (and review, haha!)

Enjoy!

Aria had just taken a very long relaxing bath, she had really needed it after a day like this. She dried herself off, then put on a top and some shorts to go to bed. Her hair was still wet though, so she needed to dry it first. She walked over to the dresser in her bedroom, where her hairdryer was, but she was startled as she thought she saw someone. Aria looked around, but there was no one there. Aria rubbed her eyes, thinking she was seeing things due to exhaustion. She got the hairdryer from her dresser and plugged it in. She was looking in the mirror as she was drying her hair, when all of a sudden she saw someone standing a few feet behind her. Aria screamed, dropped everything she was holding onto the floor and then turned around.

Aria could hardly breathe as Matt, who looked pretty beaten up, was standing in front of her. Aria finally managed to ask, "What do you want?" Matt replied, "A chance to explain." Aria said, "Well, you're not getting it", and then ran out of her bedroom as fast as she could. She ran out of her apartment, heading down the flights of stairs and out of the apartment building. As she got outside, Aria noticed a parked car on the other side of the street. Ezra got out of it and ran over to her. He looked worried as he asked, "What happened?" Aria swallowed hard and replied, a bit out of it, "It's Matt… he was in my bedroom…" Ezra was looking Aria over to make sure she wasn't hurt, when he said, "Aria… there's blood on your hands." Aria was confused, what was he talking about? But when she looked down at her hands, they were both covered in blood.

Aria let out a small squeak as her eyes widened in disbelief and fear. She looked up at Ezra, but saw that his attention was focused elsewhere. Ezra growled through his teeth, "What did you do to her?", as he lunged for Matt. Ezra hit Matt right on the nose, making him fall back onto the concrete sidewalk. Matt held up his hands in surrender and said, "I didn't do anything, I swear." Ezra replied, "I don't believe you", and pulled a gun. Aria gasped and said, "Ezra, please… don't do this." Ezra looked over at Aria with pain written in his eyes, as he said, "I'm sorry, I have to", and then he pulled the trigger.

With the sound of a loud gunshot echoing through her head, Aria shot upright in bed with a big gasp. She was breathing hard and her heart was pounding so fast, she thought it was going to give out any second. Aria put her head in her hands as she started sobbing. A few minutes later, Aria had calmed down a bit and got out of bed. She walked over to the kitchen to get a glass of water, but as she poured the water into the glass, she spilled most of it because her hands were still shaking. Aria cursed and threw the glass onto the floor in pure frustration. The glass shattered into tiny pieces and Aria sighed, because she felt too exhausted to deal with this right now. She wanted to go back to bed and sleep, but she was too afraid her dream would come back to haunt her.

Aria reluctantly bent down and started picking up the pieces of glass. When she reached for one, she passed another piece and accidently cut the palm of her hand. Aria cursed as she felt the sting of the cut. As she walked over to the sink, she felt her blood dripping on the floor. When she got to the sink, she opened up her hand and noticed her palm was covered in blood, just like in her dream. She remembered Ezra's words, "There's blood on your hands." Aria couldn't help think about the double meaning behind those words. If something bad had happened to Matt… then there really was blood on her hands.

Aria rinsed off the blood and then got out the first aid kit to disinfect and bandage up her hand. After that, she decided she needed something stronger than water to calm her nerves. She opened the kitchen cabinet where she kept her liquor and got out a bottle of tequila. Drinking tequila… that's how she ended up in Ezra's bed. So much had happened in so little time, it was all so overwhelming. Where did they go from here? Aria shook her head and thought, "drink first, think later." She took the bottle of tequila into the living room with her and went to sit on the couch. Aria took a swig from the bottle and squinted her eyes as she felt the burning sensation in her throat. She put the bottle on the coffee table and picked up the iPad that Ezra had given her. She started it up and saw that Ezra was online. She didn't really know whether to talk to him or not. Before she could make that decision, she got a chat message from Ezra.

Ezra: Trouble sleeping?

Miss Compensation: You could say that.

Ezra: Tell me.

Miss Compensation: I just had a bad dream, that's all. Got up to get a drink, broke the glass, cut my hand. What's your excuse for being up this late? Working hard (or hardly working)?

Ezra: You cut your hand? Are you okay? Do you need a doctor? I can send one over right now?

Miss Compensation: Ezra… I'm fine. The cut isn't that deep. I don't need a doctor, but thank you for caring.

Ezra: All I do is care for you.

Miss Compensation: I'm sorry, that's way too cheesy… even for this time of night.

Ezra: Ha, I'm sorry. And to answer your question from before. No, I'm not working. I've actually been trying to write you an e-mail, but every time I write something, I end up deleting it.

Miss Compensation: What do you have so far?

Ezra: "Dear Aria"

Miss Compensation: That's a good start.

Ezra: I miss you…

Miss Compensation: I miss you too.

Ezra: Then why are we not together right now?

Miss Compensation: Because I need time to think.

Ezra: Think about what? I love you, you love me. I miss you, you miss me. What's there to think about?

Miss Compensation: It's not that simple…

Ezra: It could be if you let it…

Miss Compensation: But at what cost?

Ezra: What do you mean?

Aria didn't reply, not really knowing how to say what she was feeling. Partly because she didn't know what she was feeling.

Ezra: Can I please come over? We can talk about this face to face, I hate doing this through chat.

Miss Compensation: No you can't. We'll see each other tomorrow. We can talk on the way to the event.

Ezra: I don't want to wait that long. Can I at least call you?

Aria sighed, should she let him? Before she could decide, her house phone started ringing. She got up to grab it, sat back on the couch and answered, "I never replied saying you could call me." Ezra replied, "I thought I'd take my chances. Besides, you wouldn't have picked up the phone if you didn't want me to." Aria said, "I guess that's true." Ezra replied, "So… what did you mean?" Aria shrugged and said, "I don't know… I'm still trying to figure it all out…" Ezra asked, "Maybe we can try to figure it out together?" Aria asked in turn, "How?" Ezra explained, "Well…instead of shutting me out and trying to overanalyze everything, you should talk to me. Tell me what you're thinking and feeling. Then maybe we can work it out together." Aria nodded and said, "I guess we could give that a shot."

Ezra smiled and said, "I'm glad. So, how are you feeling right now?" Aria replied, "Right now? I actually feel better than a few minutes ago. Which is probably because I'm talking to you…Which is kind of scary, because you shouldn't have such an influence on my mood. But you do, because every time I'm with you, I forget about everything else. When I'm with you, you're all I think about. When I'm not with you, all I want is to be with you. We haven't known each other that long, yet I have these really intense feelings for you and it freaks me out. But the thing is… our love appears to be all-consuming."

Ezra let Aria's words sink in, before he said, "I think about you every second, whether I'm with you or not. It's a relief that you feel the same, but it saddens me that you think there's something wrong with feeling that way. Yes, we haven't exactly known each other that long, but when something feels right, then why fight it? Nothing in my life has felt more right than this. Is our love all-consuming? I don't know, is it? And if it is, would that be such a bad thing?"

Aria replied instantly, "It feels that way to me… Since I've met you, I stopped going to school, I stopped hanging out with my friends and I stopped living at my own apartment. I stopped living my life and I started living yours." Ezra shook his head and said, "No… You started living ours. We started living ours." Aria raised an eyebrow and replied, "So our life together would include me not going to school, not hanging out with my friends and not having anything of my own?"

Ezra was taken aback by her conclusion and he said, "No…no, not at all. I…uhh… It's only been a week. You can't make assumptions about the rest of our lives based on one single week. We took this week to get to know each other better, remember? I didn't go into work, you didn't go to school. We both stopped living our own lives for a bit. But from now on, we can just resume our lives and meet up after work and school, like all the other couples in the world." Aria felt a pang of disappointment as Ezra said those words. Just a few hours a day didn't seem long enough.

Aria admitted, "I wish you were here." Ezra chuckled and replied, "No, you don't. You didn't want me to come over." Aria sighed and said, "I do and I don't. Like a part of me doesn't want to ever go to school again, so I can spend every single second with you. And then there's a part that says feeling that way is wrong, because I'd be losing myself. I don't get why I'm so conflicted. Everything was amazing, until yesterday when you left for work…or to deal with Matt stuff. If you hadn't left, then I wouldn't have had time to think. I wouldn't have gone to my apartment and realized you've turned my world upside down. If you wouldn't have gone, then none of this would have happened and we'd be in your bed right now doing who knows what. You know… maybe I should just take this year off from school? That way we can spend more time together?"

Ezra frowned and said, "Aria… No… That's not even an option. You're in your last year of college, taking of a year now would be… It would be plain stupid. Not to mention, that's exactly what you don't want. Besides, the sooner you graduate, the sooner you can get a job. Maybe you could even come work for me…" Now it was Aria's turn to frown as she replied, "Dating my boss? Hmm… doesn't exactly sound like a good idea." Ezra said, "You're probably right. I mean, you'd be far too much of a distraction. I'd be calling you into my office all the time." Aria jokingly replied, "On the other hand…" Ezra laughed and said, "We just might have to indulge on that fantasy one time." Aria asked playfully, "Just once?" Ezra jokingly asked, "Horny much?" Aria replied, "Always when it comes to you." Ezra said, "Ditto. The things I'd like to do to you, Mrs. Montgomery." Aria replied, "I look forward to each one of them."

Ezra smirked and said, "I'll bet. So, how are you feeling right now?" Aria yawned as she replied, "Right now, I'm pretty tired." Ezra said, "If you're tired, then you should go back to sleep." Aria sighed and replied, "I would, but I don't want to have another bad dream." Ezra said, "So tell me about it then. If you tell someone about your nightmares, they can't come true." Aria replied, "Alright then. I had just taken a shower, so I went to my bedroom to dry my hair. When I looked into the mirror, Matt was standing right behind me. I dropped everything and ran outside. You got out of a parked car and walked over to check up on me. There was blood on my hands. Then Matt came outside and you punched him. When he was on the floor, you pulled a gun and shot him." Ezra asked, "What happened next?" Aria replied, "I woke up." Ezra asked, "Please don't take this the wrong way, but… are you scared of me? I mean, you're not with me just because you're scared I'll do something to you, right?" Aria replied, "What!? Of course not! Why would you even think that!? I'm with you because I love you. I know you would never do anything to hurt me." Ezra asked, "But you do think I'd hurt someone else?"

Aria didn't reply to his question. She didn't want to hurt him, because the answer was yes. Ezra asked, "Is it because of what I said yesterday? Aria, you need to understand that I am absolutely livid when it comes to this guy. I have only been in love once before and it didn't even come close to the way I feel about you. So the thought of you getting hurt, of me losing you, it terrifies me. I know that if I lose you, then that's it for me. I will never be able to love anyone else the way I love you. So when I think about the fact that this guy almost took you away from me… It drives me crazy. But I want you to know, that I would never act upon it. First of all, because I couldn't, I don't have it in me. Second, I know you wouldn't want me to. If I did do something like that, I'd lose you for sure."

Aria was glad to hear him say those words, it put her mind at ease. She was about to reply, when Ezra asked, "You still there?" Aria replied, "Yes, I am. And I understand." Ezra smiled and said, "I'm glad we talked this through together. We both feel the same way and we're both scared of losing each other. I know you're scared of losing yourself, but I'm going to need you to trust me that I will never let that happen. Your happiness is all that matters to me. So…do you trust me?" Aria nodded and replied, "Completely." Ezra said, "Good. Now, do you think you'll be able to go back to sleep?" Aria replied, "I guess so, though I don't really want to. It's nice talking to you without getting distracted sexually because we're in the same room." Ezra asked jokingly, "Want to have phone sex?" Aria laughed really hard at that question and then replied, "I love you." Ezra said, "I love you too. Now go to sleep." Aria replied, "No, I think we should talk some more." Ezra asked, "You want to try the phone sex, don't you?" Aria giggled, letting Ezra know that was a yes.

Ezra smirked and said, "I thought so. Okay then, I suggest you lay back on your couch and get comfortable." Aria felt excited and did as she was told. Ezra continued, "I want you to close your eyes and visualize everything I tell you I'm doing to you. Also, I'm going to need you to touch yourself so I suggest you put your phone on speaker. Every time I tell you what I'm doing, I want you to do it to yourself." Aria swallowed hard because she was getting aroused by the idea alone and after putting the phone on the table, she replied in a breathy voice, "Okay."

Ezra started by saying, "I'm slowly placing soft kisses on your neck, making my way down to your breasts", and Aria instinctively threw her head back as she traced her neck with her fingers. Then Ezra said, "I kiss my way down to your belly as I gently squeeze one of your breasts. Then as I do the same thing to your other breast, I slip my hand inside your panties and I start rubbing your clit. I start teasing you by going really slow, then pick up the pace and go back to real slow." Aria let out a cry in frustration as she performed Ezra's actions. Ezra continued, "I start pleasuring you by going faster and faster, but just before you climax, I stop altogether." Aria moaned in disappointment as she stopped.

Ezra acted upon his own actions as he spoke the words, "I release my erection from my pants and stroke it, to show you that this is what you do to me. I lean over you to kiss your forehead as I place the tip of my cock against your wet pussy." Aria gasped as her imagination took her away. Ezra continued, "I catch your cries with my mouth by kissing you deeply as I push myself all the way into you. I keep still for a few moments, letting you adjust to my size and then I slowly start moving in and out of you. Then I slowly start picking up the pace." Aria let out a cry as she pushed two fingers inside of her and started moving in and out of herself. She started moaning over and over as she felt herself getting closer to climaxing.

Ezra felt more turned on each time he heard her cries and said, "Oh yes, let me hear you." His breathing was ragged as he was pumping up and down, almost ready to come. He said, "I start thrusting into you hard as I start stimulating your clit with my fingers." Aria was panting as she did what Ezra said and climaxed shortly after, with a loud cry. When Ezra heard Aria climax, he relaxed and a few seconds later, he came too, with a groan.

As she was catching her breath, Aria took the phone from the table and turned it off speaker. She said, "Wow, that was fun. Why is everything with us so…" Ezra completed her question by saying, "Intense? I don't know, but I love it." Aria sighed in contentment and replied, "Yeah, me too." Ezra turned all serious and asked, "So…we're okay? You're okay? You're not going to freak out once we hang up the phone?" Aria replied, "We're okay. I'm okay. I trust you… I trust we'll make it work." Ezra smiled and said, "You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that."

Aria asked, "What time are you picking me up tomorrow evening?" Ezra replied, "At seven." Aria said, "I look forward to it." Ezra said, "Me too. Now go to bed and get some beauty sleep, my sweet princess. Not that you need it though." Aria smiled and replied, "Goodnight." Ezra said, "Sweet dreams", and then they both hung up the phone. Both of them sighed as they put down the phone, the next hours were going to be the longest ones they would ever experience.

The next day, Aria woke up a bit after noon, because of her late night phone call. She moaned because she didn't want to get up yet, but got out of bed anyways. She ate something, took a shower and then took care of her hand. After getting dressed into something casual, she started on her hair. After she dried it, she started putting loose curls in it and pinned up part of her hair to one side. Then she did her make-up and used a shimmering silver eye shadow to match her dress. After that she just killed time by doing a French manicure on her nails and listening to some music. When it was almost time for Ezra to arrive, she put on her dress and shoes. She put in some flower shaped diamond stud earrings and chose to wear a matching necklace. She put her things in her silver clutch and then walked over to the mirror to see how she looked. She frowned as she thought to herself that she might have overdone it with all the silver. Then the doorbell rang, so she just shrugged it off.

When Aria opened the door, Ezra took one look at her and pulled her to him. He kissed her deeply as he pushed her back a little so he could close the door. He turned to back her up against the door and kneaded at one of her sides. He broke apart from their kiss for a few seconds to say, "Let's be fashionably late." Aria grinned and wanted to say something back, but couldn't because Ezra started kissing her again. She put her hands on Ezra's chest, pushing a little, to let him know he should stop. Ezra stopped, leaned back to look at her and asked, "Something wrong?" Aria smiled as she shook her head and said, "No, but you should really pace yourself. I mean, we've got all night." Ezra stroked Aria's cheek with the back of his index finger and replied, "I know, but I don't want to pace myself. Who knows how much of your attention my mother will require? I might not even have a moment alone with you." Aria tugged at Ezra's tie playfully as she said, "Don't worry. I'm sure we'll be able to sneak off at some point…to a secluded area… to have some fun". Ezra smirked and replied, "I'll hold you to that, Mrs. Montgomery." Aria kissed him hard once and then said, "You better."

Ezra took a step back and said, "You look stunning by the way. I have no clue how I'm going to keep all the other men away from you." Aria smiled and replied, "Thank you. You don't think I overdid it with all the silver?" Ezra shook his head and said, "No, I think you look perfect. Well, almost… I'd lose the necklace if I were you." Aria was a bit confused because she had no idea what was wrong with the necklace, but she removed the necklace and placed it on the table next to the door. She looked back at Ezra and asked, "Better?" Ezra pursed his lips pretending to be thinking as he replied, "Hmm… Not quite yet." He moved Aria around so she was looking into the mirror above the table next to the door, went to stand behind her and then said, "I think I know what it needs." Then he got a necklace out of his jacket pocket and after he put it on her, he said, "See? Now you look perfect."

Aria looked down at the necklace and couldn't help but grin as she fell instantly in love with it. It was a silver chain necklace with a hollow diamond heart hanging from it. Inside the heart were two diamond letters, A and E. Aria fingered the necklace as she found Ezra's eyes in the mirror, who explained, "Last night before we started chatting, I was trying to write you that e-mail, but I ended up doodling. After our phone call, I noticed I had drawn this, so I had it made into a necklace. Now, I know that yesterday you said you didn't want me buying things for you, but…" Aria turned around, interrupting him and said, "I love it. It's the most beautiful, thoughtful and romantic gift I've ever gotten." Ezra was relieved that Aria loved the necklace and replied, "I'm glad you didn't mind me buying you something… It's really hard for me not to spoil you, but I respect that you don't want me to." Aria smiled and said, "Thank you. But you know, it's okay. You're not… You're not Matt. You don't have a hidden agenda for buying me these things. Though don't overdo it." Ezra grinned and replied, "I won't, I promise." Aria said, "Good. Now let's go, we don't want to keep your mother waiting." Ezra nodded and they left for the charity gala.

When they arrived, Ezra opened the car door for Aria and helped her out. He looked her in the eyes and asked, "You sure you want to do this? We can still get back in the car and go somewhere else?" Aria couldn't help but grin at Ezra's behavior and replied, "It'll be fine. Besides, I'm going to have to face your mother eventually. Might as well be in a room full of possible witnesses." Ezra chuckled at Aria's joke and said, "Touché." Ezra took Aria's hand in his and then they made their way over to the entrance.

As they walked inside, Aria looked around the giant ballroom and was in awe of it. She jokingly said, "Open bar, score." Ezra smirked and replied playfully, "Behave yourself, miss tequila. We wouldn't want you ending up in a bed with some stranger in the morning." Aria teased and said, "Why not? Worked out great for me last time." Ezra replied with sensual promise in his voice, "Trust me, you'll want to end up in my bed tonight." Aria asked, lust written in her eyes, "Planning on making it worth my while?" Ezra replied rhetorically, "Don't I always?"

As Aria and Ezra made their way into the room, Dianne spotted them right away and walked right over. She was wearing a long emerald green satin dress with matching golden emerald jewelry. Dianne put on the biggest fake smile she had and said, "Don't you two look like the perfect happy couple! I'm so glad you decided to make it." Ezra nodded a hello as he replied, "Mother." Dianna scowled inwardly at his use of the word mother, he knew she didn't like being called that. Realizing her son was still upset with her, she turned to Aria and said, "Aria… Don't you look absolutely beautiful tonight. That dress is…. Amazing." Aria smiled and replied, "Thank you. You too." Dianne looked over at Ezra and said, "I see you've managed to get my son to wear a tie… even one that matches your outfit, congratulations." Aria shook her head and replied, "Oh no… that wasn't me. I know how much he dislikes wearing ties. This was actually all him."

Dianne felt a pang of jealousy going through her. She always had to go through so much trouble to get him to wear a tie, but for Aria he did it himself? Not to let her true feelings show, Dianne jokingly said, "Great taste in clothes…he gets that from him mother." Aria let out an obligatory laugh, feeling a bit awkward about the fact that Ezra was giving his mother the cold shoulder. Dianne was finishing her sentence in her head by thinking, "Great taste in women on the other hand…", when her eyes fell onto Aria's necklace. A and E… Aria and Ezra? Dianna said, "Well, I don't know about you two, but I am completely parched! Son, why don't you go and get us some drinks?" Aria noticed the hesitation in Ezra's eyes and squeezed his hand in reassurance. Ezra nodded and replied, "Sure, I'll be right back." Ezra bent over to kiss Aria on the cheek and then reluctantly let go of her hand to go over to the bar.

When Ezra was at the bar, he ordered their drinks. While he was waiting for them, he looked over at Aria and his mother, who seemed to be getting along. Though knowing his mother, it was all just an act, so he was eager to join them again. All of sudden, someone asked, "Ezra? Is that you?" Ezra frowned at the familiar sounding voice…No…It couldn't be? Ezra turned around and his eyes widened in surprise as his suspicion was confirmed.

OMG! Who is that? Do you know? Let me know who you think it is!

Please review!