Hi All! Hope you're having a good end to your week! I thought I would update now seeing as I won't be home all weekend. Thank you for all the reviews, i really appreciate the feedback. Thanks to the guest reviewers as well who I wasn't able to personally say thanks to. Hope you like this chapter, let me know what you think!
Paige is playing a bit of the middle man in this chapter, the story is starting to pick back up again so I hope you like it. Have a great weekend! Oh and also, how good were those Paily moments on PLL this week? So good!
The next morning Paige and Emily managed to pull themselves out of bed to go to Hanna's house. They were the first ones to arrive, right before Aria and Spencer
walking in at the same time. Paige hugged Spencer tightly, who was putting on a brave face for her friends but Paige knew Spencer was hurting.
"So who's hungry?" Hanna asked breaking the ice "Because I have been cooking all morning"
"You have?" Emily asked raising her eyebrow
"Well I put toast in the toaster" Hanna shrugged "The rest of the stuff Caleb did and we bought"
"Well I think it's a great idea anyway" Aria said with a shrug "Having us all catch up"
"How's Braxton going?" Spencer asked
"He's good" Hanna nodded "We haven't let him leave out sights but he is good"
"You haven't seen that car around here again?" Paige asked
"No, not since last week" Hanna said "And they're smart not coming back because I would take some serious revenge on whoever they are"
"We'll find who was driving that car" Spencer said
"Just like we're finding who killed Ali?" Hanna asked
"Han" Emily warned her friend
"We're no closer to finding either of them" Hanna shook her head "I mean what are the police doing to help?"
"Well they've taken the sweater for testing and that's gotten us nowhere" Aria said
"We need to get the police to do something then" Hanna said "Em, your mom works at the station, can't you get her to do something?"
"You know she is just an administrator, right?" Emily asked
"She's still on the inside" Hanna shrugged
"Do we actually have any idea as to who it could have been if it wasn't Garrett?" Spencer asked
"All I know is that whoever it is, we need to be scared of them" Emily said "Whoever did this set Garrett up to look like he was guilty so imagine what else this person
is capable of"
"What if they aren't around anymore?" Aria asked "I mean, it's been so long since this all happened"
"If they were smart, they would be as far away from her as possible" Spencer said shaking her head
"But if they're not, they'll be back to cover their tracks" Emily said "Now that Garrett isn't taking the fall for them"
"So basically, everyone is a suspect" Paige said
"We were the biggest suspects in the beginning" Emily admitted "I mean we were some of the last people to see her alive"
"And you can't think of anyone who would want to do this to her?" Paige asked "Maybe someone who isn't around anymore?"
"That's like asking a blind person to find Waldo" Hanna said before pausing at the reaction to her friends "What? It sounded better in my head"
"What Hanna is trying to say is that a lot of people had a lot of reasons to want to take her out" Spencer said "She wasn't the kindest person"
"She had her redeeming qualities though" Emily said
"You see the good in everyone though" Spencer replied "She had something on all of us"
"Then why were you her friend?" Paige asked
"She had her moments" Aria admitted with a nod "She was horrible sometimes but Ali wasn't all that bad"
"Someone had a reason to want to kill her" Paige said "And they did so why can't they be found?"
"They don't want to be found" Spencer shook her head
"Great, so not only do we have to worry about this person…we have to worry about the crazy driving that SUV" Hanna said
"We'll find them" Emily said looking at her friends "We just have to start over"
"Meanwhile we just have to keep everyone we love locked inside" Hanna said
"We don't know why someone tried to hit Braxton" Spencer said
"I don't think we need to know why, it happened" Aria said "And if wasn't for Paige, who knows what could have happened"
"That I agree on" Hanna nodded
"They almost hit her as well, you know?" Emily asked looking to Hanna "I'm worried for Paige as well but we can't let them stop our lives"
"So where do we go from here?" Aria asked
"I don't know" Emily shook her head "Keep your head down but your eyes up"
"Why do I get the feeling that this isn't over yet?" Hanna asked
"Because you're probably right" Spencer said
"You shouldn't have to worry about this Spence" Paige said taking a few steps towards her friend
"If I don't concentrate on this, I get to concentrate on my boyfriend cheating on me with his boss" Spencer said dryly "I think I would rather focus on this"
Paige looked towards Emily, who pursed her lips in concern
"Spence, if there's anything we can do to help…" Aria began
"I need someone to take Toby's stuff back to him" Spencer offered
"I'll do it" Paige said quickly "I have talk to him anyway"
"You do?" Emily asked
"I can't leave it where we left it" Paige said looking to Spencer "When he came to your house"
"That's fine" Spencer nodded "I've got a box at my house"
"I'll come grab it after breakfast" Paige replied
"Speaking of breakfast, Caleb and I didn't work all day for it to go to waste" Hanna said "Eat, all of you"
After breakfast, Paige dropped Emily home so she could do some work on a case and she went by Spencer's to pick up the box of Toby's stuff. She could see the pain it
was causing Spencer to have there so she happily took the box off her hands.
Toby's house wasn't too far from her own so it took her no time to get there but when she did arrive, something made her pause. She noticed a black SUV sitting on
the other side of the road to Toby's house. She couldn't remember the number plate, and how could she have? She was too busy concentrating on trying to stop
Braxton getting hit. She knew it was that same car though, she was sure of it. Paige quickly got out of the car, grabbing the box and walking to Toby's quickly. She
pressed the doorbell and watched the street while she waited for Toby, to see whether anyone would go and claim the car while she was there.
"Paige" Toby said
"Oh, hey" Paige said turning away from the street to face Toby
"I'm guessing that's for me?" He asked, gesturing to the box in her arms
"Yeah, Spencer wanted you to have it" Paige said
"I know you don't think I deserve a second chance with Spencer but she is the best thing that has ever happened to me" Toby said
"So why did you cheat on her then?" Paige asked raising her eyebrows
"It was dumb" Toby said "And I shouldn't have done it"
"You're right" Paige said "I do feel bad for you though because you two were great together"
"I just want her to give me another chance" Toby said
"She'll give you a chance if she wants to" Paige said "But you've really hurt her"
"I know I have" Toby said "I'm just lucky I have friends like Emily to help me with trying to get her back"
"Sometimes she is too kind though" Paige replied shaking her head
"She is" Toby nodded "I know I don't deserve her help right now"
"She thinks you do" Paige sighed "So I guess that means something"
"I just hope you can forgive me in time too" Toby said
"We're fine Toby, I'm just upset that you broke her heart" Paige replied honestly
"I know" Toby nodded
"Whose car is that?" Paige asked looking over to the black SUV again
"Mona's" Toby said "Or it was Mona's, she's lending it to me while my truck gets repaired"
"What's wrong with your truck?" Paige asked
"Just needed a few repairs" Toby shrugged
"When did you get it?" Paige asked
"Not that long ago" Toby replied "I have to get going to work soon, got a job to take care of"
"Right, yeah" Paige said as she handed the box to him before backing away slightly
"How long has Mona had this car?"
"It's pretty new, she has a few cars so she didn't mind lending it to me" Toby shrugged "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, fine" Paige nodded "I'll see you later"
Paige moved away from the house towards the car once he had shut the door. She looked back to Toby's house before approaching the car slowly. It was sparkling
clean; it looked like it had never been used more than a couple of times. She moved to the side of the car, crouching as she looked at the rims. She noticed the rims
had been cleaned as much as the rest of the car but there were small scrapes that were only noticeable if you were looking at them. She furrowed her eyebrows,
remembering the sound of the car as it hit the gutter, steering towards Braxton as he stood in the street.
"Why so interested in this car?" Toby asked
"Oh" Paige said as her heart skipped a beat while she stood up quickly "Just having a look, I need to get a new car soon"
"I didn't know you were looking for a new car" Toby said
"Well I've recently been inspired to get one, this is nice" Paige said nodding
"It can certainly pick up some speed if you're not paying attention" Toby replied
"Does that happen often?" Paige asked
"Sometimes" Toby said with a nod "I have to go"
"Right" Paige replied "See you around"
She made her way back to her car and watched as Toby looked down to his rim and then back to Paige, who ducked her head to pretend to look at her phone. He
soon got into the car before starting the car with the unforgettable roar that would haunt Paige for a while. She jumped slightly as he took off in haste; she placed her
car into drive after a few moments and decided to follow Toby. She wasn't sure what she was thinking; she knew that Toby wouldn't do anything to harm anyone. She
just wasn't sure about Mona. She didn't know why Mona would have any reason to harm anyone though; she didn't know her well enough.
Paige tailed Toby, leaving a few cars gap between them the whole way. She soon saw him pull the car up outside a large house, exiting swiftly before he knocked on
the door. When it opened, Paige wasn't too surprised to see Mona opening up the door with a grin on her face, grabbing Toby by the shirt and pulling him inside.
Later that day, Paige made her way to the brew where she was going to meet Emily for a coffee before she dropped into work. She messaged Emily to tell her that
she was going to be a little late. When she finally got there, she found her girlfriend sitting with a coffee at a table by herself.
"This seat taken?" Paige asked with a smile
"Hey" Emily grinned widely
"You know, I kind of feel like I haven't seen you in a while even though it's only been a few hours" Paige admitted as she leaned down to kiss Emily softly before
taking a seat next to her
"I know" Emily laughed "We have a problem"
"And I'm happy with that problem" Paige shrugged "You still going into work after this?"
"Yeah, I've just got some case notes I need to take care of while it's quiet" Emily replied "What are you going to do?"
"I might go for a run maybe" Paige shrugged
"By yourself?" Emily asked, flinching slightly
"I usually go by myself" Paige replied, arching her eyebrow in confusion
"We just haven't really done much alone since the whole Braxton thing" Emily admitted
"Em, I'll be fine" Paige nodded "We can't let whoever did this win and stop our lives"
"I know" Emily replied "I just…ever since you were almost run over, I think of what could have happened because of me"
"How many times do I have to tell you that it wasn't your fault?" Paige asked "I thought we were passed that"
"We are" Emily nodded "But I'm not going to stop worrying about you. I love you"
"And I love you too" Paige replied
"So what took you so long?" Emily asked
"I had an unexpected detour" Paige shrugged
"What did you do?" Emily laughed
"I went to take Toby his things" Paige said
"Did you and Toby talk?" Emily asked
"Of course we did" Paige nodded
"And?" Emily asked hopefully
"He explained himself a little better" Paige admitted "Did you know his car is in for repairs?"
"Is that what he told you?" Emily asked
"What did he tell you?" Paige asked
"He's been working so hard lately that Mona gave him a new car" Emily said "A reward I guess"
"Sleeping with her isn't reward enough?" Paige snapped
"Paige" Emily warned quietly
"I followed him" Paige admitted "He told me that his car is in for repairs and he was using Mona's car. He then told me that he had to get to work and he drove to
Mona's house, who greeted him at the door and it sure didn't look like a business meeting"
"You followed him?" Emily raised her eyebrows
"Have you seen what car he is driving?" Paige asked
"No" Emily shook her head
"A black SUV. One exactly the same as the one that almost hit Braxton" Paige replied
"Okay, there are plenty of black SUV's around Rosewood" Emily reasoned
"The whole car was cleaned from head to toe but there were scratches on the front left hand rim of the car" Paige explained
"He hasn't had the car for that long" Emily shook her head "If you're suggesting it was Toby…"
"I'm not suggesting it was Toby as much as I think Mona had something to do with it" Paige replied
"Why would Mona have anything against Hanna or a kid?" Emily asked
"I don't know" Paige shook her head
"You sure you really think that the car was the one used to almost run you over?" Emily asked
"Not 100% but I'm pretty sure" Paige replied
Emily nodded, looking around the room and ducking her head
"Keep this to yourself for now, okay?" Emily asked
"Why?" Paige asked
"Because if this is true, we have to be very careful who we talk to and what we say" Emily said "We don't know who is capable of this and what else they are willing to
do to make this go away"
"Okay" Paige nodded
"You really shouldn't go playing detective, it's dangerous" Emily chastised
"Don't get mad at me, get mad at Toby for going back to Mona while he says he wants to fix his relationship with Spencer" Paige said smartly
"It's just so out of character for him" Emily said shaking her head "I don't understand"
"I don't know either" Paige shrugged "We have to tell Spencer though"
"We can't" Emily said quickly "It's not our business to tell"
"Knock knock" Paige heard as she sat at her desk on Thursday morning, shuffling through some papers at the swim school
She looked up to see Toby standing in the doorway with a box in his hands
"Toby?" Paige asked with a furrowed brow
"I hope you don't mind" He said holding out the box "I figured Spence would want her stuff back and I know she doesn't want to see me. I thought you could maybe
give it to her?"
"Oh" Paige said standing from her desk "Yeah, okay"
"Thanks" He nodded, placing the box on the corner of the desk closest to the door "I hope I don't make you feel uncomfortable being in the middle here"
"I'm not in the middle" Paige said honestly "How serious are you about getting back with Spence?"
"Very" Toby said "Why do you ask?"
"I just wanted to know" Paige replied "Em told me that you said to her Mona gave you that car as a reward for your hard work?"
"Yeah" Toby said scratching the back of his head "It started off as a lend and then she gave it to me. She's pretty kind like that"
"I'll bet she is" Paige nodded "Are you going to get a new job?"
"A new job?" Toby asked
"If you're serious about getting Spence back, you might want to keep your distance from Mona" Paige suggested
"I am" Toby said "It's all strictly business"
Paige paused, she wasn't too sure why Toby was lying about not seeing Mona on a personal basis.
"Can I ask you something?" Paige asked
"Of course" Toby nodded
"Where were you Friday afternoon a few weeks ago?" Paige asked
"Where was I?" Toby asked
"Yeah, what were you doing?" Paige asked
"You mean when you were almost run over?" Toby asked raising an eyebrow
"Yeah" Paige nodded
"You think that I did it?" Toby asked, almost laughing, "You're not serious are you?"
"I just want to know where you were" Paige said, "I'm not saying anything but I just want to know where you were that day"
"I was working actually" Toby said "We had a job outside of town. You can ask Mona"
"I'm not going to ask Mona, I just wanted to know" Paige shrugged
"I understand that you're angry with me but you don't need to treat me like a criminal Paige" Toby said as he began backing out of the doorway "I'm your friend too,
you know"
"Everything okay here?" Jason asked as he stepped out from behind Toby
"Fine, I was just leaving" Toby mumbled
With that, he turned around with his head down and Paige watched him leave the complex before turning her attention to Jason.
"Was he bothering you?" Jason asked
"I was probably bothering him" Paige replied with a sigh
"I've never liked Toby Cavanaugh" Jason grumbled "I know you're his friend but he rubs me the wrong way"
"He does?" Paige asked
"Well I heard that he cheated on Spencer" Jason said shaking his head
"You heard that, huh?" Paige asked
"He was a bit of a creep when it came to Alison" Jason said
"What do you mean?" Paige asked
"He had a thing for her and she couldn't stand him" Jason replied "At least, that's what I saw"
"I'm just not understanding him at the moment" Paige shook her head
"Sometimes you think you know someone and it turns out you have no idea" Jason said "It's happened to me many times. I mean, I used to call Garret a friend of
mine"
"How is your family going, with everything?" Paige asked curiously
"We'll be better when this person is rightfully charged" Jason said "And we're not going to be okay until that happens"
Paige nodded and she sat back down at her desk
"Looks like you have another visitor" Jason said nodding towards the door to see Emily making her way to the office with a purposeful stride
Paige jumped up from her seat, walking her way from her desk to meet her halfway
"Hey" Paige said with a smile "Everything okay?"
"Can I speak to you outside?" Emily asked looking at Jason behind her who had his hands on his hips, watching them closely
"Yeah, of course" Paige nodded
"They found a coat" Emily said as they reached the outside of the complex
"Who?" Paige asked
"The Police, it was buried outside of her old house" Emily said
"So they think it has something to do with the murder?" Paige asked
"They're testing it to see if that fabric sample is the same but it's the same colour blue" Emily said "it has to be it"
"It was buried outside of the house?" Paige asked raising her eyebrows
"Believe it or not, a dog dug it out" Emily said
"Is that why you couldn't tell Jason?" Paige asked "That why you asked me to come out here?"
"Jason doesn't know yet, it's probably best that the police contact him about it" Emily said "Which I imagine they will very soon"
"Wow" Paige said "So this coat could belong to whoever killed Alison"
"More than likely" Emily nodded "I'm going down to the police station to meet Veronica. The girls and I are meeting at my house tonight, come after you finish work this
afternoon"
"Spencer going?" Paige asked
"Probably, why?" Emily asked
"I've got her stuff, Toby dropped it in" Paige said "You would have just missed him"
"Okay, well bring it to my house" Emily said
"Are you okay?" Paige asked "With all this going on, it's got to be hard for you"
"I'm fine" Emily nodded "But you're sweet for asking"
"So I'll see you at your house then?" Paige asked
"Stay over?" Emily asked quietly
"I gladly" Paige nodded "I'll see you this afternoon"
"I love you" Emily spoke quietly as she leaned in to kiss Paige for a moment, pulling away after hearing Paige return her sentiment in between their kiss.
So let me know what you think! Hope you liked it. Not my best work but I'm trying to give the story some substance. Happy Friday, have a brilliant day and weekend!