Title: Myriad
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction adapted and based on other works of fiction .I only hold the copyrights to my imagination
Characters: Spencer Hastings, Toby Cavanaugh, Noel Kahn,
Pairings: Spoby, Spoel
Summary: AU, Post 6A. No Spaleb. After her breakup with Toby, Spencer finds love in someone unexpected.
Genre: Angst/ Drama/ Romance
Rating: M
Warnings: Character Death, Sex,
This work contains scenes depicting acts of a sexual nature so reader discretion is advised. The scene is in bold and marked off so feel free to skip it if it makes you uncomfortable.
Authors Note (A/N): This does not follow the Current Track, It is completely AU, Characters will be slightly OOC (out of Character)
I wrote this in a rush, all errors are mine, hope you enjoy it! Please review and let me know what you think!
This was a plot bunny that has been camping out in my brain (and scrapbook) for a while. Taz found it somehow (I didn't hide it that well) and once again convinced me to put the story out into the world and here we are!
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Chapter 1: when one door closes
*Two Years Post the Dollhouse (Academic Year 2014) – Georgetown -Washington DC*
Spencer's POV
Spencer Hastings had dug around the litter of boxes strewn across her floor fervently. Cursing under her breath and willing herself not to be bested by her frantic and overly chaotic mind. The youngest Hastings child had moved out of her dorm room in her sophomore year on a whim with a bold and passionate speech to her parents about 'how it was time for her to make it on her own' and 'how important it was for her to be independent' but now...being alone in a fairly large two bedroom apartment, Spencer suddenly felt the walls closing in so she ruffled through her stuff hoping to find her stash of chamomile tea bags to calm her nerves
'You're alone...it's okay...it's not the dollhouse...this place is not a replica of your old bedroom...You're out...you're free...Charlotte was institutionalised...there's no more 'A'...it's over...you're out...you're free...'
Spencer finally fished out the tea bags and slowly walked towards her new kitchen, her mind creating shadows in the corner of her eye, her peripheral vision seeing another watching her every move.
'You're being paranoid...there's no one there...it's just scary because its a new place and you're alone...once you get a roommate it'll be fine...then it won't be so lonely and it definitely won't be empty...'
Spencer quickly glanced at the stack of flyers she printed out earlier that morning, she chose a simple powder blue paper not because she enjoyed the colour or because it was eye catching but because it played on her nostalgia. The colour reminded her of her alma mater's logo and she picked the colour in a moment of weakness. She missed Rosewood High School and the safety net she had found in her friends so a small part of her hoped that this new step she was about to take would bring with it some new friendships
She gazed at the words emblazoned on the flyer before putting it down and proceeding towards the kitchen.
Roommate wanted!
The Enclave At 8700
2 Bedrooms, furnished kitchen, cable, wifi and AirCon
8700 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, MD 20740
Whistlers need not apply
Call 555 019 6321
The ad had a tear away piece bearing her phone number and Spencer hoped that she would find a roommate within the next week because her dorm mate couldn't afford to move in with her.
'I need to get someone soon...Sue couldn't afford to make the move...I liked Sue...she was so understanding...I hope I find someone who can cope with my anxiety...I hope I get someone who understands...because I don't need the rent money, I need someone to pull me out of my nightmares...'
Spencer's mind began conjuring up images of the man who had saved her from her demons before. The smiling face of a muscular, blue eyed sandy haired man by the name of Toby Cavanaugh filled her mind's eye and Spencer couldn't help but stifle a sob at the image. The tea had brewed and once she had poured herself a cup, which she proceeded to sip slowly, her mind began to wander. It had been a week since she and Toby ended their relationship but the wounds were still fresh, allowing her mind to conjure up the memory as a new way of making her miserable.
*Flash Back- One Week Ago-Spencer's Dorm Room- Georgetown University*
Spencer sat against the room wall, her body cushioned atop of her bed and her knees drawn to her chest her eyes brimming with unshed tears and her heart racing a mile a minute. Her throat was dry and her hands clammy but she still managed to keep her voice even as she addressed her boyfriend
Spencer: "Toby, I'm a sophomore okay? I'm having a hard enough time juggling exams."
Toby Cavanaugh, her boyfriend and high school sweetheart sat uncomfortably in her desk chair, absentmindedly stirring a stone cold cup of coffee as the pair waited for the test results. Spencer was late, a rare phenomenon, and because of this the couple found themselves milling about Spencer's cramped room while they waited to find out if Spencer was pregnant. At Spencer's comment, Toby sighed softly and retorted
Toby: "I know."
Spencer pulled her knees closer to her chest as she began to ramble
Spencer: "And you don't even live in this state."
Toby was taken aback by this and stumbled over his words
Toby: "I-I know, but I could apply for a transfer."
Spencer tried extremely hard not to scoff at Toby's suggestion but couldn't stop the sarcastic bite in her voice when she retorted
Spencer: "And what? You gonna move into my dorm room? "
Toby sighed dejectedly, his voice tired and weary when he spoke
Toby: "You don't have to Say it like that."
Spencer's head snapped up in confusion at this and quipped
Spencer: "Like what?"
Blue eyes met brown and Spencer could see the impending heartbreak swimming just beneath the surface of his cerulean pools
Toby: "Like living together would be such a horrible thing."
'He's not being realistic…we can't do this! I'm too young to raise a child…I'm soo screwed up that adding a child to the mix will make it worse! Why can't he see that! Right now I need structure…order…and a baby will only bring chaos…'
Spencer sighed deeply and voiced her opinion
Spencer: "In this context it would be. I'm sorry, but it would."
Toby pinched the bridge of his nose, a clear indication to Spencer that he fighting to keep the irritation out of his tone
Toby: "You're talking about this like it would ruin our lives. I mean, isn't this what we are planning for Eventually?"
The sudden talk about their plans for the future caused a deep fear to settle in Spencer's stomach, a huge twisting knot that threatened to derail every shred of sanity she had selfishly held on to. Once again, her future was being decided for her but this time it was by the man she loved and not her overbearing parents.
Spencer: "I-I don't know. You know, I really I hadn't really thought that far ahead. I haven't even made up my mind yet about grad school, I don't…"
Flinching slightly, Spencer realized too late the opening her words had created. There was room for misinterpretation and judging by Toby's nostrils flared slightly her boyfriend had misinterpreted her words
Toby: "Well, have you, have you made up your mind about me?"
Sighing in frustration Spencer bit out
Spencer: "Don't make this about something that it isn't."
Her annoyed tone seemed to fuel Toby's rage, because the usually mild mannered police officer stiffened in his chair. This went unnoticed by Spencer as her anxiety slowly began to creep in, her mind over working itself and her body slowly started to feel suffocated, so her lips kept moving, she kept talking just because…her mind not fully catching up with the words being spoken because she tried to turn the tables back on Toby
Spencer: "And what about you? I'm not the only person here who has plans. You know, you were, you said that you wanted to quit the force and you said that wanted to go back to school."
Her choice of words and example only served to anger him further because Toby's voice raised in annoyance when he growled out
Toby: "That was your idea, not mine. And it was only because being with a cop isn't good enough for you."
His misinterpretation of her need for him to always have the best angered her as she belligerently rose to defend herself, her unshed tears slowly trailing down her face as she spoke
Spencer: "I have never said that, okay? I just, I don't know, I thought that maybe you wanted More? Can we please not do this right now? *sniff* This is really hard….I'm sorry."
The unexpected apology and sudden tears of his girlfriend softened Toby slightly but he made no move to comfort his now crying girlfriend
Toby: "I'm not trying to make it harder. It's just' I feel like When we're picturing our future together….We're not looking at the same picture anymore."
*End Flashback*
With those words, Toby had walked out of Spencer's life and never looked back, leaving behind a broken and emotionally wrecked Spencer Hastings in his wake. The tiny dorm room had held too many fond memories for the Rosewood High alum so she convinced her parents to allow her to move out and help pay for a small apartment close to campus until she got back on her feet.
Spencer snapped herself out of her nostalgic haze and finished her now tepid tea in a few short gulps, she placed the used mug in the kitchen sink, grabbed the stack of flyers and her new set of keys before rushing out the door of her apartment, her step determined and her eyes hopeful.
Soon she had managed to put up the flyers in majority of the student hang outs, a few nearby gyms and coffee shops, the student library and a few notice boards and telephone poles. Feeling good about herself, Spencer smiled as she treated herself to a cup of coffee, her mind occupying itself with one thought
'It can only get better from here…'
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*Two Years Post the Dollhouse (Academic Year 2014) – Georgetown -Washington DC*
Noel's POV
A strange smell filled Noel's nostrils causing his mind to rapidly awaken, his eyes snapped open as he bolted upright and instantly he regretted the sudden movement. His body was sluggish, his head woozy and he had, or what he hoped was, a hint of 'hang-over nausea'. Blinking rapidly to clear his head Noel Kahn took a quick stock of his surroundings.
He found himself on a messy bed in a dorm room, trashed beyond recognition, and majority of his clothes missing but his phone, wallet and watch were luckily on the bedside table. Smirking to himself as he felt his busty blonde bed partner stir , he was happy with the 'success' of the evening, even though he was blackout drunk and couldn't remember any of it.
'Awesome Dude! Last night was Epic! What I remember anyway…I should go before…errr….Sandra?...No Meghan….wait! Erika…Damn….Cindy…yeah…I'm sure it's Cindy….anyway…I should go…'
He slowly began to gather his clothes and effects, he had almost made his escape when the shrill vibration of his phone caused his flavour of the night to stir
Lisa: "Babe? What are-"
Noel silenced her by putting his finger to his lips as he stared at his phone. His heart dropped when he saw the caller's name flash across the screen. Knowing it would be worse if he ignored it, Noel decided to man up and accept the call, after all….what could possibly go wrong. Had Noel known then that one phone call would lead his life in a different direction then he had planned, he would have taken the time to commit every single second of the conversation to memory, however it was only natural that he would never realize the importance of something so trivial as it slipped through his fingers.
Noel cleared his throat, put on an air of false cheer and answered the call
Noel: "Dad! Long time….how's things?"
There was a stony silence on the other end causing Noel to gulp nervously, his father Judge Kahn was a terrifying man. The only man Noel encountered that scared him just as much as his father was Peter Hastings so it was fitting that the two of them were friends. It was expected of Noel to marry a girl similar to anyone of Peter Hastings' daughters and Noel was absolutely sure that his father tried to arrange his marriage to Spencer Hastings when she was just a few days old. Luckily Veronica Hastings had put a stop to that idea before it got out of hand.
'Thank god…Imagine me with Brainiac….ugh….Sure she's hot, she got those legs…mmmh those legs….damn…Dad keeps comparing every girl to her…like she's what's best for me…yeah right! She's in love with that loser carpenter Cavanaugh…'
Noel was soo wrapped up in his own thoughts that he had missed almost half of his father's rant, the man was growling through the phone at his son and Noel only began paying attention when he heard the four words every trust fund child dreaded.
Judge Kahn: "….I'm cutting you off…"
Noel gasped indignantly and shouted
Noel: "WHY! Dad….Come on! It's not fair!"
Judge Kahn: "It's time you learned boy….all this partying won't help your grades, it's a miracle you got into college so you better not blow this! If you don't get your act together I'm cutting you off…no more access to your trust fund, no more hefty allowance, no fancy car and no paid for lodging!"
Noel: "What? But Dad!"
Judge Kahn: "NO…I've made up my mind…you need to become responsible Noel…and don't even think about asking your mother or brother for money…I've already spoken to them and they won't be helping you…"
Noel huffed angrily but wouldn't dare push his luck with his father. He vaguely recalled a time when his brother Eric had gone through a rebellious phase and the Kahn patriarch had employed a similar method of tough love. Eric had whined about it for all of two weeks before his father took pity on him and welcomed him back into the fold.
'He's not serious…It'll be over in like three days…He's not gonna cut me off…He maybe scary but he's all talk…'
Noel chuckled richly into the receiver, an action that seemed to anger his father further who growled
Judge Kahn: "Are you laughing? NOEL! This is serious! I'm not joking here…you're done…I'm not paying for any more of your nonsense! Not your Dorm…not your car….not your food…nothing! Not a damn thing!"
Noel: "Ha…but…where the hell am I going to live?"
Judge Kahn sighed on the other end of the line and sharply retorted
Judge Kahn : "Dunno…figure it out…but I sure as hell am not paying for it!"
The Judge slammed the phone down like his gavel leaving a flustered and anxious Noel screaming into the receiver
Noel: "Dad! DAD! Shit!"
Noel flung the device across the room as he let out a slew of expletives.
Noel: "What the actual fuck! Shit! Damnit!"
From the corner of his eye, Noel watched his bed partner gather her clothes
Noel: "What? Where'd you think you're going?"
The girl, whose name Noel had now forgotten, pulled up her jeans and haphazardly threw on her shirt
Girl: "I'm outta here…"
Noel: "Wait…"
Girl: "Hells no…I was only here co you were loaded…you were hot when you had money…"
Noel stared at the girl open mouthed
'What the fuck? She's dumping me? SHE'S dumping ME? I'm NOEL fucking KAHN!'
Noel: "What?"
The girl sighed, waltzed over to Noel and kissed him passionately as she fondled him through his jeans causing the former lacrosse player to moan deeply.
Girl: "You were a good fuck, you really were….but I got class and I want you out of my dorm room before I get back…"
Noel remained confused, and half dressed, as the girl he had just spent the night with pushed him out the door before slamming it in his face
Noel :"FUCK!"
Ignoring the curious glances, appreciative head turns and sniggers that plagued him as he strutted through his 'walk of shame' Noel held his head high as he weaved his way through the semi crowded corridor of the Georgetown university dorm rooms
'Well…I'm fucked…Now what do I do? Should I just go home? Nah that'll piss dad off even more than me going to Eric or Mom…'
A sudden sense of nostalgia over came him, his heart raced and his mind reeled as he frantically began searching for some shred of normalcy, some existential comfort and he couldn't help the small smile that grazed his lips when he spotted a coloured piece of paper that reminded him of home.
It was a flyer printed on a pale blue paper that caught his eye and reminded him of his high school years.
'Damn…those were fun…'
Noel walked closer to the bulletin board where the flyer was pinned up and was surprised to see that no one had peeled off any of the little pieces of paper dangling precariously from the bottom edge. So, on impulse and a deep sense of nostalgia that he was yet to comprehend, he pulled the flyer down and proceeded to walk out of the dorm building. He saw a few more of the same flyer stuck to walls around the campus and hanging from the odd telephone pole and he grabbed each and every one of them and burst out laughing when he finally started to read them
Roommate wanted!
The Enclave At 8700
2 Bedrooms, furnished kitchen, cable, wifi and AirCon
8700 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, MD 20740
Whistlers need not apply
Call 555 019 6321
Noel: "Whistlers need not apply? What a weirdo….no wonder no one's responding…must be some loser pulling some lame prank…"
Noel smacked the back of his head for his stupidity and was about to throw the flyers in the nearby trashcan when suddenly an idea struck him
Noel: "It's either a loser or someone desperate for a roommate…I've somehow collected almost all of these flyers so if it's a loser I can put a stop to this prank and kick their ass….and if its someone desperate for a roommate, I'll be the only applicant! They'll be forced to take me! The Enclave is a pretty decent block and I really need a place to crash plus with a roommate it would totally be affordable! Huh…first day being homeless and I already almost found a home…good job Noel!"
The youngest Kahn smiled to himself as he began making his way towards Baltimore Avenue, smiling giddily at his luck completely unaware of what the universe had in store for him.