Pretty Little Liars: Paying the Cost

Chapter 18 of my Pretty Little Liars story, enjoy.

Reviews:

Boris Yeltsin: Thanks, yeah, well, things are still pretty unfortunate, especially with his lack of guilt for his actions.
Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pretty Little Liars or its characters.

Season 2: Episode 18

The following day, Spencer was somewhat on edge, unsure what to say. But she was determined she had to say something about what she'd overheard last night. She entered the living room where her parents were both sitting, she thought for a moment and realized, from the way Melissa had spoken to her about it, it was clear that their parents already knew. She couldn't hide her concerns anymore.

"Mom, dad."

They both turned to her.

"Spence?" Her father queried, noting her expression.

Spencer bit her lip and then sighed. "I'm...I'm worried, it's, I know Melissa and Ian must've told you by now."

"Oh yes, the engagement." Veronica remarked. "So you she told you too...wait, worried?"

Spencer shook her head. "I just. Don't you think they're kinda rushing this. I mean, they've only restarted their relationship not that long ago."

She watched as her parents shared a look and then, finally, after a long pause, Peter spoke up.

"I see what you're worried about Spencer, we've both discussed this too." He remarked. "We did think they were moving too fast."

Spencer was a little surprised at this, for once it seemed her parents were not being dismissive of her concerns.

Veronica nodded and continued. "Yeah, but...listen, we've even spoken to Melissa about it and well, if you really think about it, they have waited some time, they see this new relationship of theirs as simply being them continuing from the last time, so…"

Spencer nodded slowly. "Okay, I...I see where you're coming from with that. I don't know, I hope that's it."

She did indeed see where they were coming from with this view, so she tried to put her worries aside and went to head for school. She was startled when she opened the door however, to see Toby Cavanaugh standing there.

"Toby?"

She was instantly wary, recalling Tony's warning to her about the confrontation he'd had with the other boy. But what instantly gave her pause was the look on Toby's face, he looked anxious.

"Can we talk...in private?" He asked, looking over his shoulder as if worried about being caught.

Spencer bit her lip, unsure if she could trust him, but she couldn't deny, his anxiety was piquing her curiosity. As such she made up her mind and agreed to talk to him.

XXXXX

Ashley Marin looked up from her coffee as Hanna came down the stairs, Ashley raised an eyebrow, surprised at her daughter's attire, while she was still dressed fashionably in top designer brand skinny jeans and a white rather nice blouse with a lace collar, add to that a pair of white flats instead of her usual heels and, despite the heat, Hanna not wearing a skirt or dress as she would typically do so, it concerned her.

"Hanna?"

Hanna stopped, having grabbed a granola bar from the counter and was on her way to the door.

"Mom?"

Ashley sighed. "You've been so...closed off and I've been worried about you, over the past few weeks. If something is going on, I'd prefer you talk to me. You can share your problems with me."

"I...It's not like that mom." Hanna said, definitely blushing, embarrassed. "It's almost over anyway, there's nothing to worry about, I promise."

Ashley was wary, unsure if she should just leave it at that, but the look on Hanna's face was more confident and firm that she had seen ever since Hanna began acting oddly. So she, at least to herself, decided on a compromise, and watched Hanna leave for school without persisting, not yet. She would let Hanna deal with things, given her confidence in doing so, then she'd talk to her and offer her daughter as much help as she needed.

XXXXX

"So, what's so important?" Spencer asked warily.

She watched Toby's every move, eyes narrowed while Toby continued to shift and look around nervously.

"It's just…" He began, then sighed. "Look, I'm a bit worried about Jenna, she's been making some strange phone calls and has been mentioning you and the other girls frequently. I just want you guys to be careful, tell the others."

"What, but that's-?" Spencer tried to protest.

But Toby seemed to not want to take any further risks and quickly hurried away, leaving Spencer to wonder, just what was he talking about, what could Jenna be saying about them and why was it concerning Toby so much. To his credit he didn't seem to use whatever feelings he possibly had towards her as an excuse for giving this warning, he never even mentioned said feelings. She began to wonder, could he be right. In the end she decided to not say anything just yet, she'd have to try and check and see if she could overhear Jenna making any such calls herself, if she did so, then she would tell the others, with that in mind she made her way to school, worried about being late, only realising what the time was and silently cursing herself for letting this happen.

XXXXX

Hanna rolled her eyes at Lucas' sneer directed towards her in class, where he sat at the desk next to hers. He had made a crass comment about her clothes, but truthfully, just like her mother, he failed to realize there was a completely different reason for her outfit today and it boiled down to one simple word, laundry.

'Honestly, they think I'm afraid, or trying to cover up...I really wanted to wear my blue miniskirt today, but this is literally the only full outfit I had which didn't need washed.' She reflected. 'I kept forgetting to put a wash on while mom's been too worried about me to do one herself.'

She sighed sadly and tried to focus on her work for the class. That was when she heard it, as did everyone else, all of them surprised, none more so than Lucas.

"Lucas Gottesman." The PA announced. "Lucas Gottesman, report to the Principal's Office, immediately."

Lucas was startled, he looked around, but only two people weren't looking at him, but each other, Hanna and Caleb. Unperturbed however, Lucas stood and left class, wondering what this was all about. Meanwhile Hanna caught Caleb's eye and he nodded to her, confirming that the truth had been revealed and action was about to be taken, she finally felt some relief, hopefully now her nightmare could end.

XXXXX

"That was good mom, thanks." Aria said softly.

She'd come around to her mother's apartment and met with her for dinner that night.

"Thanks Aria, so, are you sure you'll be okay going home?" Ella replied, looking worried.

Aria nodded. "Yeah, I'll be fine, it's not far."

She was about to leave the house, she watched with a sad expression as she did so, she made her way down the street, sighing heavily.

'I just, I wish things could just go back to normal for my family, why is everything so messed up?' She thought sadly.

She continued her walk home, unaware of what was awaiting her. She had turned a corner and paused, unsure, wondering if she'd heard something after all, but then it happened.

"Wh-MRUGH!?" She cried out in shock as the hand clamped over her mouth.

She struggled but whoever was holding her was too strong, then she felt hot breath on her ear.

"I'd recommend not struggling, unless you want this to hurt worse than it's already going to." The male voice sneered.

She struggled again, screaming into the hand over her mouth when suddenly, another voice sounded.

"Hey, leave her alone!"

Aria's eyes widened in shock, it was Maya, she was rushing thoughtlessly into the danger, towards whoever this was who had grabbed her.

"Stupid girl, you shouldn't have come here." The man said.

"MMMMM!?" Aria screamed.

But it was no good, she could do nothing but watch in horror as the man raised and gun and ruthlessly shot Maya, leaving her to drop to the ground before he lowered it, grabbed something else and Aria felt the sting in her neck from the syringe and almost instant her vision blurred before going black as she passed out.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.