Disclaimer: Still don't own it.
I once again want to thank my friend Paraddicted for the pre-read!
I rolled my eyes as Officer Toby was tackled by his girlfriend.
Only in Rosewood could one join the police force, and be a full fledge officer in only a few months.
While Toby was a step up from Wilden and Garret, it was still laughable that he made it on the force given that the Jenna thing was still on his record. He was, of course, innocent, but until the truth came out he would always be guilty of Alison's prank. Then again, maybe the police never really believed his involvement because Wilden knew the truth, and had probably wrote it down somewhere.
Toby was quickly let in, and scolded for scaring everyone. I had to admit he did look good in the uniform, but it still just seemed weird to me. He had been working with me at one time in targeting the girls, and some of the stuff we did, Toby should be behind bars. Then again, he does provide another valuable resource for the girls.
"Thanks for going to the funeral; I'm sure Mona would have appreciated it," Hanna said. I was more surprised than thankful, given our history.
"I saw the crime scene photos, she shouldn't have died like that," Toby stated, a trace of anger and sadness in his tone.
"How did I die?" I asked out loud. No matter how much I thought about it, I could not remember what happened to me. Was I stabbed? Was I shot? All I knew was that whatever happened to me left behind a lot of blood.
"So is there anything new with the investigation?" Emily asked. The other girls looked at Toby for a response.
"No. Mona's mother came by the station today to show how mad she is that there still isn't a body to bury. This time her brother was with her, and he ranted that he was going to the national media to complain," Toby answered while shaking his head.
"That's right…I forgot; Mona's mother is going to sue Alison," Spencer announced, and I swear everyone else's jaw dropped.
"For what?" asked a disbelieving Aria.
"Mona's murder; she thinks Alison did it," Spencer answered.
"But there's no proof she did it; there was already an investigation," Emily informed with skepticism.
"Legally maybe; but I was thinking about it last night that Mrs. Vanderwaal might be able to prove it civilly," Spencer stated, enthusiasm evident in her voice.
"Again…..how?" Hanna asked with even more skepticism. I was also curious as well.
"The only reason Mona died was because of Alison's bullying. If Alison hadn't bullied Mona, then Mona would never have cracked and become "A" therefore she'd still be alive because none of this would have happened," Spencer explained earnestly. It was a bit of a stretch, but well thought out none the less.
"But how is she going to prove that in court?" Toby asked, not sure if he agreed with his girlfriend.
"There are school records detailing Alison's behavior before she went into hiding. There are also Mona's Radley Files which probably go into what Alison did to her. Melissa hates Alison and I'm sure she can get Wren to testify for Mrs. Vanderwaal in court. There are teachers who still hate Alison, and would tattle on her in court. So the bullying part is covered. On proving that Alison is guilty of Mona's death because of the bullying, I think Mrs. Vanderwaal would probably have that already covered," Spencer informed as if she were giving a report in class.
"Why would you think Mrs. Vanderwaal would have that covered?" asked a obviously confused Aria. The others also seemed inquisitive about that as well.
"I'm hoping it's because she is Mona's mother. We all have traits that we share with our parents and Mona is no different. I mean how much do we really know about Leona Vanderwaal? Other that she was a single mother who raised Mona by herself and is the wealthiest person in town," Spencer put out there.
Though my mother never flaunted our wealth and taught me the same, I always knew we were the richest people in Rosewood. My family was what they called "Old Money" and we had plenty of it. I knew that my mother had a career in Government work before she had me, but I never bothered to find out what. We could have shared traits that I never had thought of.
"Mona was Hannibal Lector smart, so maybe Mrs. V is too. I just never really considered her that way because she is always so nice," Hanna stated, looking as if she were recalling memories. My mom really didn't like Hanna in the beginning, because of Alison, but eventually warmed to her over time.
"I'm hoping so since her lawsuit would help us a lot," Spencer stated.
"I see where you're going; a lawsuit would keep Alison distracted, and information that we didn't know could come out and help us find out whose helping her," Emily reasoned. The way she seemed so enthusiastic about it, Emily was definitely on the Anti-Ali train.
"This is a war and Mrs. Vanderwaal just opened a second front for us," Spencer said, unconsciously echoing her father earlier.
"So should we help with the trial? I'd be all too happy to testify against Alison," Hanna stated, almost gleeful in my opinion. Emily was also nodding her head while Aria seemed a little more hesitant.
"Well she asked my parents if Melissa and I would. I am surprised that you guys weren't asked already," Spencer said.
"Unless she just went to our parents, and they haven't told us yet," Aria suggested with a shrug.
"But why wouldn't they tell us if Mrs. Vanderwaal did go to them?" Emily asked and I was unsure of the answer.
"Because they're afraid obviously. More people have died in this town last year than anytime that I remember. Our parents are probably trying to keep us safe by making sure that we are out of the line of fire," Aria argued and I saw her point.
"But we are already in the line of fire because of "A" and this trial won't change that. Maybe we should be in the limelight and get everything out there," Hanna argued back.
"I think we should just concentrate on finding Alison's partner but keep an eye on the trial in case something new is revealed. If things start to go south for Mona's mother, we step in and help," Emily reasoned, trying to act like the mother and prevent a fight from breaking out.
Spencer might be the brains and leader of the group, but Emily was definitely the mother who protected the flock. She was always there to be the shoulder that the girl's cried on; something that I had made her out to be. I was kind of proud of that, since it made her the strong one rather than the weakest a few years ago.
"Are the police still investigating Alison?" Spencer asked Toby who had stayed silent throughout the exchange.
"Yes, but only because Mona's tape disproved Alison's story though not completely. Technically it wasn't proven that she lied but they are still looking at all of you," Toby informed with a frown.
"So that just means that we have to multi-task. Some of us look for Mona's clues, while the rest focus on who finding out who Alison's partner is," suggested Spencer in that take-charge tone of hers. I smiled that these girls were finally getting organized.
"Ezra's been digging into Alison more and more, so we can handle the research part," informed Aria; the rest of the girls nodded.
"Paige and Lucas have managed to sway some of the kids at school that Alison had something to do with Mona's death so I can ask her to keep an eye on Alison, as well as her new group of friends," Emily volunteered. It didn't surprise me that Alison managed to get a new group of girls to become her dolls.
"Me and Caleb will handle the clues then; I'll let him come with me to visit Mona's mother since maybe he will see something I don't," Hanna said reluctantly.
"Toby and I will focus on the police investigation, and the lawsuit to see if anything new comes up," Spencer said, concluding the assignments. The rest of the girls nodded and looked like they were ready to leave.
"By the way, did anyone hear anything strange at the funeral yesterday?" Hanna asked the group as they made their way to the door to leave.
"No; why?" asked Aria as she opened the door.
"Caleb said he kept hearing talking and other stuff from the back of the church. I didn't hear anything but I thought you guys might have,"
Hanna answered offhandedly. This perked my interest, and I now had a reason to visit Caleb. Of course it could be nothing but I was desperate for anything at this point.
"I didn't hear anything except Mona's cousins who were texting during the service," Emily muttered and I wasn't surprised.
Everyone left, leaving Toby and Spencer alone in the house. As they embraced on the couch and cuddled, I sighed since this probably meant that some Spoby action was about to happen. I always found the couple moments that the girls had with their significant others the most annoying, back when I was the only one watching them. I just hoped that they wouldn't have sex or I'd have to leave.
"You were Mona's partner for a while; did she have any spots where she could have left stuff to hide?" Spencer asked while resting her head on Toby's chest.
"Mona didn't trust anyone with her secrets, let alone me. If she had other spots, she never told me about them," Toby answered.
"This is just so messed up; the one person we needed, and Alison had to get rid of her," Spencer said in frustration.
"You are just as smart as Mona was; you'll figure it out," reassured Toby.
"Bite me Toby; I'll always be smarter than the lot of you," I said dryly. Of course they were all still alive while I was dead.
"So when is the family expecting to be home?" asked Toby, changing the subject. I was curious as well.
"Soon with Wren; both he and Melissa are staying in the barn for a few weeks," Spencer answered and I saw Toby get annoyed.
"Is that going to be a problem?" asked he asked, obviously jealous given Spencer's history with Wren.
"No, he is completely loyal to Melissa, and I now know she was the one who told him to date me for a reason I still don't know," Spencer said, and the anger resonated from her body.
"Found out about that huh?" I asked out loud and smirked. I had known about that secret for a long time and knew why Melissa had done the deed.
This was one of many skeletons in that particular closet.
"Do your parents know?" Toby inquired.
"If they do, they haven't mentioned it. I am just surprised that they are taking this all so well, given that they hate Wren," Spencer stated.
"With your arrest and your father's heart attack, maybe your parents just want the family close right now so they don't want to alienate anyone," suggested Toby, always the loving boyfriend. I did have to agree with him though since Hastings family loyalty was second to none.
"Well I am just hoping that he has some info on Mona, Alison, or Radley at this point. He is connected to that place," Spencer said and I watched as Toby nodded in agreement. I knew he did, but what it was came as a blank for me. I did know that he was Melissa's man on the inside, keeping an eye on me, and Jessica DiLaurentis when she was alive.
"How are you going to get it out of him?" asked Toby, a little suspicious.
"I am going to take a note out of Mona's book; blackmail," Spencer answered with a smirk that looked beautifully evil.
"Just be careful; we have enough enemies right now without making one of your sister and her husband," Toby cautioned.
I had to agree since these girls had a tendency not to mend fences when it was in their interest. When the new "A" took over, I was still treated like the enemy, even when it was clear that I could have helped. It was the same for Jenna and Sydney, since there were more pressing concerns than a feud that could have mended thus adding more allies against Alison.
"Speaking of enemies, I was surprised to see Jenna at the funeral," Spencer said. I wasn't since we were friends in a way.
"I wasn't; Jenna told me that she and Sydney were a part of Mona's Anti-Alison Army," Toby informed and Spencer looked shocked.
"Wait….Mona was working with Jenna?" asked a quite surprised Spencer.
"Mona was working with Jenna?" asked a quite surprised Spencer.
"That really shocks you Spencer?" I asked sarcastically while shaking my head. Enemies of Alison unite; and they did under me.
"Is that really surprising? Jenna and Mona had the biggest grudges against Alison; I'd be more shocked if they weren't working together." Toby stated and I nodded in agreement.
"I just never pictured them working together, especially with what happened, that fire that almost killed Jenna," Spencer stated.
"Do we actually know Mona started that fire?" Toby asked and Spencer was unsure.
I didn't start that fire, and it took me a while to convince Jenna of that. I even had to do a favor for her in order to make nice. I was always convinced that Melissa might have did the deed in order to pull Jenna's leash, which is why I rarely worked with the blind girl. Looking back at it now, I now wonder if Alison was responsible since she had yet to find out that I was "A".
They cuddled for another hour before Toby mentioned that he had to go. Before he could leave, the front door opened, and Spencer's family entered with Wren in tow. Peter looked apprehensive at first with Toby's uniform until he saw his face and became more relaxed.
"Toby, good to see you," Peter greeted shaking Toby's hand.
"Mr. and Mrs. Hastings," Toby greeted back, and he actually looked uncomfortable in my opinion. It was understandable though given Spencer's and Toby's complex relationship, when I was "A", I had the most fun screwing with Spoby.
Toby's eyes narrowed when he saw Melissa and Wren, which made sense given how the couple messed with Spencer in their war against Alison. Melissa really did love her sister, but her hatred of Alison consumed her more. Alison had cost Melissa a lot over the years, and I didn't doubt that the elder sister would ever forgive the blond.
"Are you staying for dinner?" asked Veronica, and Toby shook his head.
"No, I have to go. Pulling a double duty with Officer Barry tonight." Toby informed in an apologetic tone.
"Oh that's a shame; we would have loved to have had you." Peter said a little too enthusiastically in my opinion. I got the impression that this was a slight against Wren. Though the new husband didn't pick up on the slight, Melissa did and glared at her father.
Toby left a few minutes later, and I stood back and watched as the family unpacked and made small conversation. Given the history of the situation, I wasn't surprised to see Wren keep silent as well as being nervous around the parents. Melissa acted as his bodyguard while Spencer just hung back, occasionally glaring at him while helping her parents with the food. I was enjoying myself.
This was going to be a fun dinner.
Please R&R!