Chapter 29- I will never let you fall

Aria, Mike, Ezra, Jason, Emily and Samara were all stood by the door of the living room in Spencer and Toby's apartment listening to everything that their brunette friend was saying to her partner. A lot of what they were hearing was muffled by the sounds of the sobs coming from Spencer also. Perhaps the couple didn't know that their discussion was getting a little out of hand and slowly becoming a fully blown argument.

"What the hell has gotten into Spencer lately?" Emily questioned Aria; she knew that if she wanted to get answers about their best friend's wellbeing it would be best to ask Aria. "I know you know something Aria, so please just tell us"

"There's nothing wrong with her; she's just having a rough time that's all" the guilt that was lacing Aria's words was becoming increasingly obvious to Emily.

"You're such a bad liar Aria; tell me what the hell is wrong with her! She wouldn't just go at Hanna like that for telling her that her plan was stupid if something wasn't getting to her" Emily's rant was disturbed by the door of the apartment being pushed open and a tearful Hanna was stood in the doorway with Caleb not far behind her.

"I'm sorry guys, I shouldn't have reacted like that" she turned around at looked at Caleb who nodded comfortingly. "I know that she wants all this to end but if she did that then it would be all of us in more shit than we need"

"Wait so you're basically saying that for the time being you're happy to let Spencer take the fall for us? The girl that has a hell of a lot more to lose than any of us?" It became obvious to the rest of the group that Aria was becoming protective of her best friend; which was a tell tale sign that there was something everyone else didn't know.

"You know that's not what I mean Aria; I'm saying that Spencer can deal with this a lot better than the rest of us can. I mean she's a Hastings; they are strong and don't let anything get them down. I'm not like that, I will break so easily. It would take a lot of beating to get Spencer Hastings down and we all know that"

"Are you not paying any attention to anything Hanna? Have you not heard the way she speaks lately? Do you even kno..." Whatever Aria wanted to say next was thrown off point as the entire apartment could hear Spencer and Toby shouting at each other. The only other time the group had heard Spencer and Toby argue ended with Toby crashing at Jason's for a week and even then they weren't shouting this much.

"What? Spencer please just think about this, if you went in to talk to Jenna exactly how you are now then we would be further away from getting answers with potentially an extremely psycho bitch on our hands. Is that what you want?"

"No but I'd rather you all stopped thinking I was crazy and actually help me out a bit. I'm tired of being the one that everyone comes to when they either need something doing or need a plan to be made because you know what, it's not my responsibility. For once in my life I would like to take a back seat and just be a part of a plan instead of having to be the one to think it up and plan it and put it into action because none of you will do it. But you are always the first people to criticise me when I do say something that could be a bit crazy because you know what, that is exactly how I feel. I'm 18 years old with a baby and I'm engaged along with having some psycho bitch stalking me and threatening my child, I have a right to go crazy when it comes to my child and my wedding. If Hanna or anyone else doesn't appreciate that then they can just fuck off"

"Is that seriously how you feel?"

"Toby, you try spending a day looking after a baby while trying to keep on top of work then being expected to think of something to get to the bottom of whoever the fuck –A is. Then tell me that I'm being crazy"

As soon as Hanna heard her name being mentioned her eyes opened wide and began watering all over again.

"She's all ready cracked Hanna; can you not see that?" Whatever anger that Aria had before they heard Spencer and Toby's argument was replaced with a feeling of complete sympathy as she thought of all the pressure that had been put on her best friend in the past year or so. "You just didn't have to pick up the pieces"

"What do you mean?" Hanna was sobbing mercilessly as she waited for Aria to explain.

"When everything happened with Toby last time, when she was here with Elijah; me and Mike came down one day when Ezra was still working to see if we could get her out of bed or something. She was sat in bed crying her heart out, I'd never seen her so down in my life. We managed to get her to come into the living room at talk to us about everything but the entire time she was speaking she just looked empty, like she wasn't even there. Then she got a text... from –A." Aria's huge hazel eyes looked up in search for her younger brother to help her recount the story that was so painful for the three of them involved. He nodded at her as he came and helped her through it. "It said:

You're not so strong now are you little miss perfect. Without your guard dog there to protect you you're an open target. Once you're gone everyone else will be pretty easy pickings –A.

As soon as she read the text she just stopped talking all together, we asked her what she wanted to do about it and we got absolutely nothing back. Then when we got up to leave she just broke down, the crying was incessant but this time she was screaming as well. By the time we got her to calm down she was so weak it was so hard to see. Eventually she told us what she was thinking. She said that everyone would be better off without her because she couldn't stay strong anymore; her life wasn't worth living if she was too down to even enjoy the good parts."

"But this was ages ago; why does that have anything to do with today?"

"Because that was exactly how she was reacting to us when we she was actually answering our questions. There was so much anger and outrage that it was pretty clear she was broken. Do you know what it's like to see your best friend like that? She was screaming with so much pain and anger that it took us an hour to finally get her to stop crying. Then today when she finally had the strength to sort this out once and for all she got shot back down again and the only way she knows how to deal with you at the moment is to be angry"

"To deal with me; what's that supposed to mean?"

"Hanna when you came back in here you said that you basically want to spot light to stay on Spencer so you don't have to be the one to deal with it. And you've just heard her shouting at Toby about how hard this is for her and you're still thinking about yourself. We need this to end Hanna; before Spencer does something stupid." Tears were streaming down her porcelain cheeks as she thought of a world free from Spencer Hastings, her best friend that she couldn't live without. "It hurts to see my best friend suffering so much"

"I'm so sorry Aria" No one had noticed that Spencer was stood in the doorway of the living room listening to Aria tell Hanna everything that she had been so scared to say. They all spun round to see her stood there; tear stains on her cheeks, patchy skin and puffy red eyes.

"Spence, none of this is your fault" Within seconds Aria had enveloped herself around her best friend's waist so tightly with the action being lovingly returned. Hanna and Emily ran over to join the other two considering that they both felt guilty enough for not seeing how messed up Spencer really was.

"I'm so sorry Spence, I should have never got so angry at you" Hanna was crying into Aria's hair who being covered by Hanna's own body.

"I'm supposed to be the strong one but I've just like given up. I let you down"

"You listen to me. You have not let me down, you owe me and no one in here absolutely nothing so you are allowed to feel beaten down and hurt every so often but you need to remember that we... I will always be here to help you through it"

Toby was stood behind his fiancée with his hand on her shoulder trying to comfort her after they had made up. However his phone ringing disturbed their moment when it was just them, their family. Facing everything together.

"Hello?"

"Ah Cavanaugh, listen one of the workers out a project out in a town near Yardley was injured and they need another guy. It'll be a two week job."

"Isn't there anyone else you can call? I've already worked more overtime than anyone else this past month because you decided to call me."

"You should be flattered that we want you to be on the job, it's obvious you're an amazing worker. Plus its cash in hand and we all know you need to money."

"You also seem to be forgetting that I have a fiancée and son at home that need me as much as we need the money" Toby was slowly getting more and more frustrated at this conversation.

"Well I hate to say it Cavanaugh but it's either you're here by tomorrow morning, 8 o'clock sharp or you're looking for a new job. That would be a pity though wouldn't it."

"Now Sir, that is not fair. I have only seen my son twice when I've got home from work this week and I don't get to spend any time with Spencer because she's exhausted from looking after him and keeping up with work. You do not understand that because you don't want to ask anyone else you are having a long lasting effect on my family life and I do not appreciate that."

"8 o'clock or a new job. Choose wisely Cavanaugh" The noise at the other end of the phone notified him that his boss had hung up leaving him with a huge decision that would have to be made almost immediately.

"Where do they want you?" Spencer released herself from Aria's grasp and turned around to look at his big blue eyes.

"A town just outside of Yardley; for two weeks. It's either I be there for tomorrow morning or I lose my job"

"Well, I think we know what you have to do then"

"But Spencer you need me here; I can't leave you like this" His callous hand reached out to grasp her own porcelain one. The grip he had on her was so strong and protective that she almost started crying once more at the thought of spending two weeks away from him.

"I know baby, but we need the money. I know you hate the amount of over time they are making you do but I promise, once I finish school and start college; I'll get a job and we'll do everything to help you start up your business."

"I can't wait for that. I just don't like the idea of you being in the house by yourself without anyone here to protect you; I'd prefer it if you like lived with your parents for the time being or something"

"Toby, I will be fine here. Aria, Mike and Ezra are upstairs and you can guarantee that Aria will be down here to see Eli at any given opportunity."

"And we will too" Emily interjected eagerly; after all she had been the one to encourage Toby to take as much over time as he was offered because it would make life easier for the three of them financially; therefore she felt responsible to make sure that Spencer was always safe with him away.

"If you really don't want to go to your parents then why don't I stay here Spence? I spent a month sleeping on that sofa bed so I actually kind of miss it. But it'll be just like old days whenever Toby went away" Mike wrapped a protective arm around Spencer's shoulder as he made his proposal. Spencer looked at Toby, awaiting his answer.

"I guess that could work. You spend enough time down here to know how everything works as well. I trust you to look after her as well; but I swear to god if any harm comes to my girl while I am away I will hold you personally responsible!" the ocean blue eyes that were usually so loving narrowed in a threatening manner to warn Mike that he was being deadly serious.

"Do you really think I'd let any harm come to her? I love her too much" Mike laughed light heartedly as he hugged his sister and Spencer. "Right I'll go upstairs and get my stuff packed and I'll be back down here by 7, I know you'll want some time with those two before you leave."

"Yeah, I think we'll all go." Jason smiled at Toby appreciatively, knowing how hard it was for him to leave Spencer in her time of need. "Oh and Spence, I'll be round her every day to help you with Sir Lijah; I miss spending time with you both"

"Okay Jase, I'll see you tomorrow"

"Spence, I'm coming down with Mike and we're going to order take out watch films while Ezra works. We both need this" both girls laughed at the thought of having their delayed 'family night' that it had been so well named.

"Bye guys" soon enough the door was closed and everyone had left the apartment leaving only Spencer and Toby stood in the silent living room.

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay Spence? I can always try find another job" the guilt in Toby's eyes proved the her he enjoyed the idea of them being away from each other about as much as she did.

"You have to go. But for now we can make the most of the two hours we have together" She smiled up at him sweetly to try and take away the bitterness they both felt towards this situation.

As they stood there in silence for most of 5 minutes, Toby's arms wrapped protectively around Spencer's waist as they looked into each other's eyes adoringly. Every so often they would just smile and laugh at everything they had been through yet they had come out so strong. The sun was shining through the huge window as it began to set making the ambience of the room the perfect setting for the due goodbye that had to be done.

"You know, I don't think it's fair that you can have your way with me then run off into the night"

"Oh so you were thinking about letting me have my way with you? And don't worry, I may be running off into the night tonight but I will be back to finish what I started" with that Toby's lips plunged through the already minute space between them. Spencer's heart swelled as she melted into the passionate kiss that he had placed upon her. "You're not getting rid of me that easily"

"I wouldn't ever want to get rid of you Toby Cavanaugh. You're perfect to me." Their hands were now entwined as the beautiful brunette pulled her beau towards the bedroom that they shared. "I don't know how I'll go two weeks without you"

"I don't know how I'll go two weeks without being able to touch you, to smell your perfume and the taste of coffee that is always and I mean always on your tongue" They reached the threshold of their room and Toby pulled her slender body flush to his and buried his face in the crook of her neck.

"Well we best make this the best either of us has ever had" her brown eyes were staring up at him in complete lust and passion.

"Believe me, I intend on doing so" He pulled her up so her legs were wrapped around his waist and walked them over to their huge bed as they kissed vigorously, passionately.

Within minutes they were battling with different buttons and belts, zippers and t shirts. It took all of their clothes being discarded before they both took a second to stop and look at how they had ended up. Spencer's eyes met Toby's before they roamed freely over his perfectly sculpted body and they both let out a light hearted laugh.

"My God I'm going to miss you" Toby whispered as he kissed delicately along her jaw line before he made his way down her neck at to her collarbone. His lips were paying close attention to the pale skin of her shoulder; nibbling and pinching affectionately no doubt leaving a mark.

"I wish you didn't have to go" her breath was becoming increasingly heavier as she fought with the urge she was getting start up their rough make out session. It wasn't very often that Toby gave into his urges of being less gentle as he would usually be which made it all the more exciting for Spencer.

"So do I baby" Finally happy with the mark he had left on her flawless skin he pulled himself up to admire the beautiful body that was lying beneath him. "Have I ever told you how beautiful you are to me?"

"You know, I think I need a shower" Spencer blinked innocently at her fiancée trying to make her intentions seem a lot more angelic than they actually were "I don't know how you feel about joining me"

"I think I've had a bad influence on you Spencer Hastings; I hate to see what Spencer Hastings-Cavanaugh is going to be like" he pulled his pelvis away from hers which was the only thing that was making it so hard for her to get away. His excitement suddenly became clear to Spencer as she chuckled lovingly causing him to blush.

"I think Cavanaugh sounds better; Spencer Cavanaugh"

"Wow"

"What?" she looked at him completely bemused as she tried to figure out what he was talking about.

"I never thought it was possible to love anyone so much; not until I fell completely head over heels in love with you" They were both stood at the side of their bed butt naked; grinning at each other.

"Well if you don't mind me, I think I'm going to get my shower now"

Soon enough Toby had Spencer pressed up against the tiled wall of their bathroom as the steam filled the room waiting for the hot water to get to the right temperature. Lust was taking over his actions as he kissed her vigorously all over her chest. He hoisted her up into the position they had been in earlier but this time the fact they were both completely clothes less mean that Toby's anatomy was merely centimetres away from her own.

They stumbled into the shower and embraced the hot water that was covering both of their sweating bodies drowning out the sound of moans coming from both of their mouths.

"You ready?" Toby whispered between heavy breaths; he was greeted with an affectionate chortle.

"Of course"

Having been given the word; Toby guided his hips into hers as he entered her, causing a load moan to leave both of their mouths.

"I love you so much Toby" Spencer panted as she moved with the rhythm they had formed.

"I love you too baby"

Spencer's back was pushed firmly up against the wall of their huge shower as she lunged forward and planted her lips on his as they both collapsed into each other, riding out the waves of pleasure that took over both of their bodies in sync.

AN: Hi guys, I'm so sorry that it took me so long to upload. I'm sorry if it seems like I'm not doing very well with this story but if you would review and tell me your thoughts and what you think would be good to happen then I would really appreciate it! If you review more then I will upload more I promise! At the moment I'm not entirely sure where I should be going with it.

Thank you all so much for reading this far. -Chloe :-)xx