Twisted Chaos

STEPHEN

Stephen

Hearing that gunfire is really fucking with my PTSD. I want to be there for Aria. But honestly, I'm not in the right state of mind. Jace seems to have it under control. Gabriel well he's just, I don't know what the fuck he is. I look over at Aria, she's curled up in Jace's lap staring out the window. I hate this for her. I know what it takes from you, when you have to shoot someone. She saved me. I just wish she didn't have to deal with the repercussions of it. I hope to hell that motherfucker lives, so she doesn't have to live with that guilt. 

When we get to the house, Jace carries Aria inside to the couch. "I'm going to get you a drink. That way you will be drinking when the officers arrive, they will not be able to breathalyze you. You took what maybe 3 shots while we were there?" He asks. She nods and lays her head on the arm of the couch. "I need a blunt." I get up to go get her one. "We need to go into the other room and smoke that. We can't be smoking it when the other officers get here." Jace responds quickly. Gabriel finally chimes in, blood still all over him from his busted nose. "I can't deal with this shit. I got to get out of here." He says rolling his eyes. Jace and I both look at him. "What the fuck do you mean?" I snap. He shakes his head. "This is just too much chaos; I don't need all this bullshit and bad publicity. I'm out. Aria, I love you, but I can't be a part of this. I'm sorry." 

She gets up off the couch and walks over to him and spits "Gabriel, you are such a fucking pussy. Run when shit gets tough, and as far as bad publicity, I'm sorry me shooting someone who was trying to kill Stephen and I is bad for your image. Get the fuck out. You haven't changed a fucking bit." and with that he leaves. What the fuck is wrong with him? Aria doesn't seem to upset about it, so that's a positive, I guess. I could never imagine leaving her, not now, not ever. She doesn't say a word, grabs the blunt that I laid on the counter and heads down the hallway. I go to walk after her, but Jace grabs my arm. "Give her a minute. She is processing a lot right now." I nod in agreement. "Can you believe he just left?" I ask shaking my head. 

He takes a shot of tequila and says, "Yeah, I can believe it. I didn't figure he would last long. I didn't really like that asshole to be honest. So, I'm kind of glad he's gone." He whispers. I laugh. "Glad we agree." My PTSD has calmed down now and I feel mostly normal again. I know the police are going to have a lot of questions and I know this is going to be really hard on Aria. I'm glad Jace is here to help with her. We sit in silence for a few moments. The silence is broken by Alec coming across the intercom, "The cops are here." Jace looks at me, "Let me do most of the talking. I'm going to protect her with everything. I got this." He says calmly. 

He stands up and heads to usher the officers in. Heading down the hallway I can smell the weed Aria is smoking. I get to the game room and walk in. "Aria, baby? The police are here. Can you come out and talk to them? Jace said to let him do most of the talking." She looks up at me with puffy eyes, lays the blunt in the ashtray and stands up. I scoop her up in a bear hug. "Thank you, I'm so sorry that you had to do that, but thank you for saving me." I whisper. She squeezes me tighter and cries, "I will never let anyone hurt you, I'd do it all over again. I'm glad you ducked when I said duck." I bend down and kiss her softly. "I love you Ari, I love you more than anything in this world." "I love you too, Stephen." 

Our lips meet again, a long passionate kiss this time. I can feel her need for me, for comfort and solace. We're interrupted by the door opening. "Sorry to interrupt but they are waiting for the statement. Again, let me do most of the talking." Jace says quietly. Aria walks over and kisses him quickly, with the lips that just left mine. Jace and I both grab one of her hands and the three of us head down the hallway. Time to face the music.