Hello, guys!

This one is my take on how things could've worked between Hanna and Mona and Hanna and Caleb. I think Haleb had outgrown each other, but the producers were too hung up on Caleb to let him go. And then they came out with Spaleb, which only made things worse.

Hope you guys enjoy this!

With love,

White Tigress.

Chapter 12 - Hanna and Mona's interlude

For Hanna, it had been a long, isolating week. She didn't feel like reaching out to her friends—why should she? They were all too busy giving Alison a free pass to toy with Emily's heart. Even Caleb, always up in her space with his self-improvement talk, had become suffocating. Hanna knew he cared, but caring didn't fix everything.

And then there was Mona.

She hadn't returned a single call or text since their argument. Hanna still couldn't believe that Mona, of all people, had sided with Alison. That she'd even compare their friendship to whatever twisted thing Alison had with Emily. It wasn't the same. It couldn't be.

But… deep down, Hanna felt the argument unraveling in her head. The more she thought about it, the more she saw Mona's point.

That realization stung the most.

Ashley was the only person who would tolerate her right now, but even her mother had grown tired. Hanna had been pushed into a new therapist, another attempt to "help" her. But Hanna didn't want help. She just wanted to stop feeling like this.

Then, when she least expected it, there was a knock at her door.

Hanna's breath caught in her throat when she saw Mona standing there. Something in her eyes… it wasn't just their usual games. This felt final.

"Mona! I've been trying to call you for ages."

"I know," Mona said. Her voice was cool, detached. "I changed my number."

That hit Hanna the wrong way.

"Well, you could've added me—"

"Hanna." Mona's voice was sharp, cutting her off. "I'm leaving Rosewood tonight."

The words slammed into her like a gut punch.

"What?" Hanna took a step back, staring at her like she'd spoken another language. "What do you mean you're leaving Rosewood tonight?"

Mona didn't flinch at Hanna's reaction. She stood firm, as if she had been preparing for this moment. "I mean exactly that. I'm leaving. For good."

Hanna's heart pounded. "That's insane! You're not just gonna disappear on me."

Mona's lips twitched, but there was no real amusement in it. "Wouldn't be the first time someone did."

That stung.

"Mona, please," Hanna softened. "You don't have to do this. You don't have to run."

Mona exhaled, shifting her weight like she wanted to turn and walk away, but something kept her rooted to the spot.

"Alison was right," Mona started, her voice quieter than usual. "I can understand why she went to the police and tried to take responsibility for her past. I did the same, but it wasn't as easy."

Hanna frowned. "Wait, did you actually go to the police?"

"I did. I told them everything—about my time as A, about Wilden. Every single detail." Mona took a shaky breath. "With my therapist's help, my lawyer worked out a deal. No prosecution. As long as I keep my record clean, I get a fresh start somewhere else."

Hanna's stomach dropped. "But your whole life is here, Mona! You're just going to leave?"

"I have to." Mona's voice cracked, but she held her ground. "This town, the memories… they've done too much damage. My therapist thinks getting out of Rosewood might help me finally heal."

Hanna shook her head, frustration bubbling up. "And what about me?!"

Mona flinched, but her tone remained firm. "Hanna, this isn't about you. I'm doing this for me."

Hanna's hands clenched into fists. "And everything we've been through? Everything in that damn dollhouse? You're just walking away?"

Mona swallowed hard, her eyes glistening. "Hanna… this isn't healthy. I spent years manipulating you, hurting you, and never taking accountability. I can't just pretend that didn't happen."

Hanna's throat tightened. She had never been good at hiding her emotions, and right now, she wasn't sure if she wanted to cry, scream, or shake Mona until she changed her mind.

"So that's it?" Hanna's voice wavered. "You just decided to leave, and I get no say in it?"

Mona sighed, her hands fidgeting at her sides. "Hanna, I know this is hard, but you don't need me the way you used to."

"That's not true."

"It is," Mona countered softly. "But not in the way you think."

Hanna frowned, waiting.

Mona drew in a shaky breath, like she had rehearsed this moment a thousand times but still wasn't ready. "I didn't just care about you as a friend, Han." She hesitated, eyes flickering downward before forcing herself to meet Hanna's gaze. "I loved you. I love you. And not in some twisted, possessive way like before. I just… I've been in love with you for so long, and I never said it because I knew you'd never look at me like that."

Hanna's lips parted, but no words came out. Her heart pounded in her chest, and for a second, all the years between them—every secret, every betrayal, every moment of trust and understanding—collapsed into this single confession.

Without thinking, without second-guessing, she surged forward and kissed Mona.

Mona froze in surprise, but then, just as quickly, melted into it. The kiss was soft, uncertain, but full of unspoken feelings neither of them had dared to name before.

When they pulled apart, Mona's breath was shaky. "Hanna—"

"I don't want you to go," Hanna whispered.

Mona exhaled a small, broken laugh. "I have to."

Hanna swallowed hard. For the first time in weeks, things were making sense in a way that scared her. Why she had been holding onto Caleb when she knew something was missing. Why their relationship felt like it was slipping through her fingers no matter how tightly she tried to hold on.

"I'll find you," Hanna promised. "One day, when we're both ready."

Mona smiled, eyes glassy even though she didn't believe what Hanna was saying. "I'll be waiting."

And with that, she stepped back, leaving Hanna standing in the doorway, her heart pounding in her chest.

As soon as Mona left, Hanna broke up with Caleb.

BREAKING NEWS: ROSEWOOD POLICE CLOSE INVESTIGATION INTO BETHANY YOUNG'S MURDER

After years of unanswered questions, the Rosewood Police Department announced today that the murder of Bethany Young—once believed to be the body of missing teenager Alison DiLaurentis—has officially been solved.

The case, which has long been considered one of Rosewood's most infamous mysteries, began in 2009 when then-teenager Alison DiLaurentis disappeared without a trace. Despite exhaustive search efforts, no conclusive evidence surfaced regarding her fate. A year later, a body was discovered buried in the DiLaurentis family's backyard. The remains, initially presumed to be Alison's due to the victim's clothing and physical resemblance, showed signs of blunt-force trauma. Yet, investigators struggled to determine exactly what had happened that night.

Several lines of investigation had been proposed and many people had to give statements to the police regarding their whereabouts. This includes even some of DiLaurentis' closest friends. Still, no conclusion was reached.

The case took a dramatic turn when Alison DiLaurentis was found alive. While she initially claimed she had been abducted, she later revealed she had gone into hiding to escape a stalker known as "A." Law enforcement initially identified Mona Vanderwaal as the mastermind behind the threats, but recent evidence suggests former detective Darren Wilden may have also been involved.

Forensic reexamination of the body ultimately confirmed that the true victim was Bethany Young, a former patient at the Radley Sanitarium. However, the circumstances surrounding her death remained unclear—until now.

According to a newly emerged, unnamed witness, Bethany had a connection to Jessica DiLaurentis, Alison's mother. The witness claims Bethany had been blackmailing Jessica and had received gifts identical to those given to Alison. This, they allege, explains why both girls were wearing identical yellow shirts on the night of Alison's disappearance.

The same witness asserts that another Radley patient—who had been out that night—mistakenly attacked Alison, believing she was Bethany. Jessica DiLaurentis allegedly covered up this assault. Later that evening, Bethany Young was attacked by "A," whom the witness identifies as Darren Wilden.

While some aspects of this account remain unverified, police officials have deemed it sufficient to close the case.

In response, the DiLaurentis family issued a brief statement expressing relief that the case has been resolved but declined to answer further inquiries. Meanwhile, representatives for Radley Sanitarium have refused to comment on how two of their patients were unaccounted for on the night of the murder.

Despite the police closure, lingering questions remain. Was Wilden truly acting alone, or was there a larger conspiracy at play? And if Jessica DiLaurentis covered for one attack, what else did she conceal?

For now, the case of Bethany Young is officially closed—but the shadows of that night in 2009 continue to haunt Rosewood.

Hanna sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone screen, Mona's absence already pressing down on her like a weight she didn't know how to lift. The kiss still lingered on her lips—soft, fleeting, but powerful enough to shatter everything she thought she knew.

She had kissed Mona.

And the worst part? It felt right.

It wasn't like the kisses she had shared with Caleb, full of longing but never truly satisfying. With him, she had always felt like she was reaching for something that wasn't there, forcing puzzle pieces together that didn't quite fit. Now she understood why.

Mona had always been there, pulling her in, pushing her away, wrapping her entire existence around Hanna's life in ways she never fully grasped until now. And just when Hanna was ready to face it, Mona was gone.

Maybe she would follow her. Maybe she wouldn't.

All she knew was that she couldn't sit in this silence any longer.

Without overthinking, she pulled up her messages and typed:

Hey, can you come over?
I just… I need to talk.

She stared at the screen, then hit send before she could change her mind.

Emily always had a way of grounding her, even when she didn't have the right words to say. And right now, Hanna needed something—someone—who could make this all feel real.

Meanwhile, Alison went to The Brew to pick up breakfast for Emily. The brunette had barely slept the night before, haunted by dollhouse nightmares. Alison felt a familiar twinge of guilt. Emily had spent so much time supporting her, but Alison knew she hadn't always done the same in return.

At the very least, she could try to make things easier.

As she waited for the order, Alison couldn't help but enjoy how simple and domestic it all felt—getting coffee for Emily, slipping out before she woke up. They hadn't talked about labels yet. They had too many unresolved things to sort through. But Jason had already labeled Emily her girlfriend, and Alison wasn't sure she disagreed.

She would need to make it official eventually.

She was so lost in thought that she nearly ran into someone in line.

"Sorry—" she started before realizing who it was.

"Caleb!"

He looked exhausted, like he hadn't slept in days.

"Hey, Alison," Caleb greeted. His voice was rougher than usual. "How's Emily?"

"She's doing better, but the nightmares still get to her," Alison admitted. "I'm picking up coffee for her." She hesitated before asking, "How about Hanna?"

Caleb exhaled heavily, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't know. She broke up with me."

Alison blinked, caught off guard. She hadn't expected Hanna to end things so soon. After everything they'd been through—after Caleb literally went into the fire to save her—it was hard to imagine them apart.

But trauma changed people. Maybe Hanna had changed too much. Maybe Caleb wasn't meant to be part of who she was becoming. Or maybe it had to do with Mona leaving Rosewood after confessing all her crimes to the police.

"I'm sorry," Alison said sincerely.

"It's for the best," Caleb replied, though he didn't sound convinced. "I love her, but if the relationship isn't healthy anymore, I'm not gonna force it."

"You're right," Alison agreed, then paused before adding, "Do you ever regret it?"

Caleb frowned. "What?"

"Going into the dollhouse. Saving her."

His expression hardened, and for a second, Alison wondered if she had overstepped. But then he shook his head.

"Of course not," he said, his voice firm. "I did it because I love her. Because I love all of them—not just Hanna. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

Alison smiled, feeling something almost like admiration. "You're a good guy, Caleb."

He huffed a quiet laugh. "Yeah, well, apparently that's not enough these days."

"It will be for someone," Alison assured him. "You just need time. And space. I hope… I hope you and Hanna can forgive each other one day."

"Me too." He glanced at the time on his phone. "I'm heading to Ravenswood for a bit. Some unfinished business."

Alison raised a brow but didn't push. "If you need anything, let me know."

"Thanks." He hesitated before calling out, "Ali."

She turned back.

"Don't hurt Emily," he said. "She's been through enough."

Alison met his gaze, steady. "I won't."

And with that, she walked out, holding Emily's coffee a little tighter.

Alison pulled into the barn's driveway, still gripping the coffee tray a little tighter than necessary. Her conversation with Caleb lingered in her mind.

Don't hurt Emily.

It wasn't an accusation—it was a plea.

Alison didn't need to be told how much Emily had been through. She saw it in the way Emily still flinched at sudden noises, in the way she sometimes woke up gasping for air. Alison had spent so long running from her past that she'd never truly stopped to consider what it meant for Emily to stand beside her through it all.

She took a breath, stepping out of the car.

Inside, the barn was quiet. Alison set the coffee on the kitchen counter before heading upstairs. Emily's bedroom door was slightly ajar.

"Em?" she called softly, pushing it open.

Emily stirred under the blankets, blinking up at her sleepily. "You're back."

"I told you I would be." Alison smiled, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I brought you coffee."

Emily hummed, stretching slightly before sitting up. "You didn't have to do that."

"I wanted to."

Emily took the cup, wrapping her hands around it for warmth. "Did something happen?"

Alison hesitated. "I ran into Caleb."

Emily's brows furrowed as she took a sip of her coffee. "How's he doing?"

"He looks like he hasn't slept in a week," Alison admitted. "He told me Hanna broke up with him."

Emily let out a slow breath and set her cup down on the nightstand. "She texted me earlier this morning," she said. "She wants to meet up later. I figured something was up, but I didn't think…"

"She probably needs you right now," Alison said softly.

Emily nodded. "I just… I don't know how to help her through this. She and Caleb have been through so much together."

Alison thought about it. "Caleb said it wasn't healthy anymore. Maybe they've outgrown each other."

Emily studied her. "Do you believe that?"

Alison hesitated, thinking of all the versions of herself she had been over the years. Thinking of all the times she had pushed Emily away, only for Emily to still be here.

"Sometimes people change," Alison said carefully. "Sometimes they grow apart." She reached for Emily's hand, lacing their fingers together. "But sometimes… they grow into each other."

Emily's gaze softened. She squeezed Alison's hand gently.

"I don't want to run anymore," Alison whispered.

Emily gave her a small smile. "Then don't."

For a moment, neither of them moved. The air between them was charged but quiet, full of something unspoken yet deeply understood. Then, slowly, Emily leaned in, and Alison met her halfway.

The kiss was soft, unhurried—just a brush of lips, a silent promise between them. When they pulled away, Emily rested her forehead against Alison's, smiling.

"Thank you for the coffee," she murmured.

Alison let out a breathy laugh, feeling lighter than she had in years. "Anytime."

And for once, she really meant it.

Emily traced absent-minded patterns on Alison's palm, their hands still intertwined as they sat comfortably against the pillows. The warmth of their kiss lingered, but neither of them felt the need to rush into anything more.

"I should probably get dressed soon," Emily murmured. "Hanna's expecting me."

Alison sighed, reluctant to let the moment end. "Do you want me to come with you?"

Emily shook her head. "I think she needs to talk to me alone. I just… I don't know what I'm supposed to say to her."

"Just be there," Alison said. "Sometimes that's all someone really needs."

Emily gave her a thoughtful look. "Is that what you needed? When you came back?"

Alison hesitated. "Yeah," she admitted. "But I didn't make it easy, did I?"

Emily smiled, squeezing her hand. "Not even a little."

Alison laughed softly, but then her expression turned more serious. "You don't have to fix everything for her, Em."

"I know." Emily exhaled, resting her head against Alison's shoulder. "But I also know what it's like to feel lost after something that big. Hanna's not just dealing with the break-up. There's Mona leaving, everything with Wilden, the dollhouse trauma…" She trailed off. "It's like we're all still crawling out of that nightmare."

Alison nodded sadly. "I think you will be for a while."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Emily sighed and finally peeled herself away from Alison.

"I really do have to get going," she said, standing up to grab fresh clothes from her dresser.

Alison leaned back against the pillows, watching her. "I'll be here when you get back."

Emily turned, giving her a small, grateful smile before heading to the bathroom to change.

Alison sighed as she sank deeper into the bed, staring up at the ceiling. She hadn't been lying—she would be here when Emily got back.

For once, she wasn't running.

Ashley let Emily in as soon as she arrived. She looked relieved to hear that Hanna had invited her over. Emily smiled graciously and climbed the stairs to Hanna's room.

When she got there, she was surprised by how tidy it was. Hanna had always been the messiest of the group, and Emily had half expected her room to reflect the chaos she had been going through. Instead, it seemed that Hanna had at least taken care of the outside mess. Emily could only hope she was working on the one inside too.

"Em, I'm so glad you came." Hanna's voice was different—unguarded, vulnerable. The exhaustion in her face mirrored Emily's own.

"Of course I did. You wanted to talk to me, and I would never turn you down, Hanna."

"Even after everything I said and did on that night?"

Emily hesitated for a second but then shook her head. "I still don't like what you said and did, but I'm not holding it against you. We've both been through a lot."

Hanna's eyes glistened. "Thank you, Em. I actually called you here to apologize. I know I've been awful to you and the girls—even if I thought I had good reasons."

Emily snorted. "You still don't like Alison and think she's going to hurt me."

"I do." Hanna didn't sugarcoat it, and Emily respected her more for it. "But… does she make you happy, Em?"

Emily's face lit up in a way Hanna hadn't seen in a long time. "So much, Han. She supports me in a way I never thought she would."

"What do you mean?" Hanna asked, genuinely curious now.

"She's not perfect, but she's trying so hard to be better. She faces her own demons instead of running from them. And she's too hard on herself sometimes," Emily admitted. "But she's patient with me. She understands what we've been through, Han, because she's been through it too. Sometimes it gets in the way, but I can see that she's trying."

Hanna frowned. It had never occurred to her that Alison might have trauma of her own. She had spent so much time resenting her that she had never considered Alison as just another girl who had survived something terrible.

As Hanna fell silent, Emily continued, "Ali pulled me out of a panic attack in the middle of a store. She built a pillow fort so I could actually sleep. And today, she brought me coffee because I had nightmares."

Hanna inhaled slowly. "Wow."

For the first time, she wondered if maybe Alison really was different now.

Hanna exhaled, shaking her head slightly. "I guess I never thought of Alison like that before."

Emily gave her a knowing look. "You never wanted to."

Hanna didn't argue because it was true. She had spent years seeing Alison in one light—selfish, manipulative, impossible to trust. But the Alison Emily was describing? That was someone Hanna barely recognized.

"I still don't trust her," Hanna admitted. "But I trust you. And if you say she's different, I'll try to see it."

Emily's lips parted slightly in surprise. She had braced herself for more pushback, but instead, there was something soft in Hanna's expression.

"I love you, Em. That means I want to support you, even if I don't always understand your choices."

Emily smiled, touched by the sincerity in Hanna's voice. "That's all I could ask for, Han."

Hanna sighed, leaning back against her bed. "God, we're such a mess."

Emily chuckled. "Yeah, but at least we're not alone in it."

A comfortable silence settled between them for a moment before Hanna spoke again, quieter this time.

"I broke up with Caleb."

Emily had already heard it from Alison, but she still let the words settle before responding. "Are you okay?"

Hanna scoffed. "I don't know. I think I will be."

She looked at Emily, as if weighing whether to say more. Then, she went for it.

"Mona told me she loves me."

Emily blinked. "Like…?"

"Like, loves me loves me," Hanna confirmed. "And I kissed her."

Emily's eyes widened. "Hanna!"

"I know," Hanna groaned, running a hand over her face. "Believe me, I know. But… it made sense, Em. More sense than anything has in a long time."

Emily's expression softened. "Is that why you and Caleb…?"

Hanna nodded. "I think deep down, I knew why I was holding onto him. And why I couldn't anymore."

Emily reached for Hanna's hand, giving it a squeeze. "What are you going to do?"

Hanna sighed. "Mona's gone. She left Rosewood. And I don't know if—or when—she's coming back."

Emily hesitated, then said, "She'll come back for you, Han."

Hanna swallowed hard. "I hope so."

Emily squeezed her hand again, grounding her. "And until then?"

Hanna forced a smile. "Until then, I guess I will figure out who I am without her. Without Caleb. Without all the baggage."

Emily smiled back. "That's a good place to start."

The room felt lighter now, like some unspoken weight had been lifted. Maybe neither of them had all the answers, but they had each other. And for now, that was enough.

Hanna hesitated for a moment before glancing at Emily, her voice more certain than before. "Hey, do you think Alison would be willing to talk to me?"

Emily's eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise. "Talk to you?"

"Yeah." Hanna exhaled, shaking her head. "I don't know. Maybe it's time I stop making assumptions about her and actually listen."

Emily studied her for a beat, then nodded. "I think she'd really appreciate that."

Hanna let out a dry laugh. "Don't tell her I'm going soft."

Emily grinned. "No promises."

For the first time in a while, Hanna felt like she was moving forward. And that? That was something.

Hanna didn't know why she felt so nervous. It wasn't like she and Alison hadn't gone head-to-head before. But this time was different. This time, she was the one reaching out.

She sat on the edge of her bed as Emily tapped away at her phone. A moment later, she looked up. "She's on her way."

Hanna nodded, fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. "Okay."

Emily gave her a reassuring look before standing. "I'll give you two some space."

Before Hanna could second-guess herself, there was a knock on the bedroom door. Then Alison's voice, hesitant but steady. "Hey, Han."

Emily gave Alison a small smile before squeezing past her and heading downstairs. That left just the two of them.

Alison stepped inside, arms crossed, clearly unsure of what to expect. "So, you wanted to talk?"

Hanna took a breath. "Yeah." She motioned to the chair at her desk. "You can sit, if you want."

Alison raised an eyebrow but sat. "Okay, this is weird. Since when do we do civil conversations?"

Hanna huffed a small laugh. "Since now, I guess." She hesitated before meeting Alison's gaze. "Look, I owe you an apology."

Alison blinked, caught off guard. "For what?"

"For a lot." Hanna sighed. "I've been holding onto who you used to be. And I've been taking that out on Emily."

Alison's expression softened just slightly.

"I don't trust easily, Alison. And I really didn't trust you when you came back," Hanna admitted. "But Emily does. And she loves you."

Alison swallowed, her voice quieter. "I love her too."

Hanna nodded. "Then I need to start seeing you the way she does." She shifted in her seat. "I'm not saying we're suddenly best friends, but I don't want to be at war with you anymore."

Alison studied her for a moment before offering the smallest of smirks. "Guess I'll have to put away my battle armor."

Hanna rolled her eyes but smirked back. "Yeah, guess so."

A beat passed before Alison leaned forward. "For what it's worth, I know I've given you plenty of reasons not to trust me. And I don't expect you to forget the past overnight. But I do want to be better."

Hanna sighed, but this time it wasn't out of frustration. It was relief. "Yeah. I see that."

For the first time in a long time, it felt like maybe—just maybe—there was a path forward.

But just before they could catch their breath, Ali's phone vibrated, signaling it had received a new text message. It was from Jason.

The results from the DNA test came through.

Yep, you guys really thought we were headed for a chiller chapter? Not yet!

Btw, I like the idea of Vandermarin, especially with the Emison parallels. Hope you guys liked it too.