Chapter 2 "A is for A-L-I-V-E"

Toby freaking Cavanaugh is alive. A-L-I-V-E. I was still processing the thought as Mona bickered with the other members occasionally throwing her hands up in the air.

"Well Spencer Hastings is pregnant, how did we miss that. Guess you really can keep a secret." Mona finally concluded. Raising her hand to silence the others as she rubbed her nose bridge stressfully with the other. "Alright I can make this work, we are going to need phone numbers, red paint, and blueprints. The rest of you don't need to wear your masks anymore guys she's one of us."

Spencer's ears automatically perked up. Was she going see red coat? But no the elusive blond slipped out of the front door as silently as a mouse. Instead she swallowed her annoyance and faced the others. After all except one removing their masks she saw that they were Noel, Shauna, Jenna, and EZRA? WHAT! Aria would be crushed if she knew and by the look on Ezra's face, which was twisted in a cruel smirk, he wasn't on the team for a good reason.

"YOU LITTLE – ARIA TRUSTED YOU!" Spencer slipped and shrieked at Ezra. She quickly composed herself and continued. "We can't let her figure out." One by one each A-Teamer greeted her. Noel looked her up and down and huffed as if he didn't like the idea of her as a member, but would deal.

"Welcome Spencer, we have been waiting for you to join." Jenna said while slipping her hand into Shauna's. For the first time Jenna looked happy and a little guilty when Spencer made eye contact with her. They were a couple? When did that happen? Spencer forced her lips upwards to resemble a smile.

"Together we'll take those bitches down." Ezra smiled in anticipation as he approached Spencer. "I have waited and pretended so long and now, on Friday at the lodge I will finally have my revenge."

Spencer's head was spinning with all of the new information she was taking in and she could tell she wasn't the only one. Toby hadn't moved since she had revealed her pregnancy. Toby looked lost and his Caribbean blue eyes were welled with tears and his face twisted with regret. Wren on the other hand looked a little miffed, but shook it off and walked over to the last masked figure, sliding his hand into theirs and entwining their fingers. He traced the jaw line of the figures hideous zombie mask and removed it.

Spencer gasped and the room spun. The other member was Melissa. Melissa reached out and dragged Spencer to a corner, lowering her voice so that she could speak to her.

"Spence" Melissa pleaded. "I joined to get revenge on Alison and to protect you. But now I'm stuck and we cant get out. I never meant to commit any crimes or hurt anyone."

"A little late for that isn't it Mel?" Spencer said sniffling. "I know we had our ups and downs but this is extreme. And when did you and Wren get back together and why is he on the team?"

Melissa smiled sadly "Wren was dating Alison the summer she died. He was The Beach Hottie he wanted out of the relationship but Alison blackmailed him too. She said she would send him to jail if he tried to break it off because he was so much older and she could call it rape. As for us getting back together, we were never apart. Every kiss you and Wren had and Mona staged every conversation we had about him. Wren never really was into you after a while on the team together we just started dating. Now I'm pregnant"

Spencer was conflicted. On one hand she wanted to forgive Melissa, but Melissa had ruined her relationship with her parents and made her feel like crap for years. Then again look where they were now. She decided, she wouldnt forgive her, but she also didnt want to lose her sister again.

"So I am going to be an auntie?" Spencer gave Melissa a wry smile. Melissa nodded smiling, nearly sobbed and tried to hug Spencer. At first the hug was stiff, but then Spencer eased into it.

After her little reunion with Melissa, Spencer set to her first task. She had to track down Lucas. She was going through images from CCTV camera film (which she was sure was illegal) and spotted a hooded figure with a signature fluff of curly hair and elfin face.

"I've got him!" Spencer announced. Toby rushed over to look at the picture he leaned over her shoulder. She stiffened, this kind of physical contact would happen all the time when they were together, but now, she was confused and stubborn. She wouldn't be thrown of guard. No matter how much she loved his musky cologne or how much his warm minty breath was tickling her ear. She felt his hand on her waist and was about to call him out for it when she realized he was covertly slipping her a note.

"Good job Spence, Mona will handle it from here, your not aloud to go on missions yet though." Toby said appraisingly then motioning to her pocket. His eyes were urgent.

She walked over to the bathroom locking the door of the small dingy area and read.

Dear Spencer,

I hoped someday I would be able to tell you to you face exactly what happened and how this all started, but its to dangerous. All I can tell you is that everything I have done was to protect you. I love you Spencer Jill Hastings. I love you and our baby, if you decide to keep it. And if by some chance you trust me I need you to leave. Pack up and leave it is too dangerous for you to try to find out who red coat is. I'm in too deep now to back out there is too much they have over me but I will be able to pull through just by knowing you will be safe.

Your Safe Place to land

Toby

Spencer dried her eyes on a grimy hand and sniffled. She wanted to forgive Toby and to trust him but she couldn't yet. She also knew she wouldn't leave the A-Team yet either and definitely not Rosewood. She had been through too much to back down now and it wasn't just about her anymore. Spencer wanted to protect the girls, that had been her first instinct and main reason for joining the team. She looked in the mirror.

Her eyes were bloodshot and looked crazed. She was only a few weeks pregnant but she already looked bloated and felt like a walrus. Yet in er black hoodie and dark make up she felt powerful, like she had a shield somehow. 'I need to blend in' she thought, so she changed the frown to a scowl and with the twist of her hair into a stylish ponytail, her new "A" look was completed.

Pulling the door open she pulled toby into the bathroom with her. The space was small and they were practically face to face. She suddenly felt the urge to blush and looked away.

"Toby, I read your letter and I can't. I need to think of my friends and what they have been through. I'm not leaving no matter what you say and honestly I would rather us not talk to you yet." Spencer choked out the last part. If anything she was burning to talk to him but knew if she did all of her will power would crumble so she exited the bathroom and headed over to take orders from Mona. Her only mistake was glancing back once to see Toby's crumbled face.