Safe and Sound

Sail

Ezra Fitz paced back and forth in his apartment, his hand to his chin and the other pushing buttons on his phone, trying to make sense of what was going on.

"Spencer! It's Ezra. Listen, as soon as you get this message, I need you to call me. Aria left about an hour ago and I'm not sure where she is. Bring the others. We need to find her before she does something... something that will ruin her life!"

As Ezra hit the end button on his black cordless phone, he bit down on his bottom lip and swallowed hard. He walked towards the door thinking that maybe he should go out to search for Aria, but he stopped short thinking that maybe she'd come back home. If she did come home, he wanted to be there to hold her tight. The reason Aria left in the first place was because she didn't feel safe anymore. Whatever it was going to take, Ezra knew that he had to make Aria feel safe.

Ezra let out a deep breath and ripped his black Ramones t-shirt from over his head. He wondered to himself what happened to the days when all he and Aria had to worry about was keeping their affair a secret. What happened to the times they were happy, before all of this nonsense with "A" and Meredith. He just wanted his girl back. Shaking his head, Ezra walked inside the bathroom and turned the knob in the shower. He slid down his flannel pajama bottoms and plaid boxer briefs, then stepped inside the shower and closed the frosted glass doors. The water beads began to splash against his face in a speedy motion, tickling Ezra's nose. He shut his eyes tight and began to wash, still thinking of Aria. Still thinking of what he should do to make her feel safe. It was when Ezra heard his apartment door creak open and a loud crash that he opened his eyes

"Aria? Is that you?"

No one answered. Ezra turned the water off and slowly stepped out the shower, wrapping a towel around the lower half of his body. He ran his fingers through his wet black hair and opened the bathroom door. Sticking his head out, he called out again.

"Aria, where did you run off to? I was worried sick about you."

But still, no one answered. Ezra knew at this point it couldn't be Aria. He slowly began to walk out his bathroom, ready to confront the intruder. He heard a muffled voice, something that sounded like "Ezra", but he couldn't be sure. He walked into his kitchen to grab a knife, but stopped short when he heard the water running. A figure popped up from behind the sink.

"Oh, hey, Ezra." It was none other than Spencer Hastings.

"Spencer. What are you doing here?" Ezra asked, wide-eyed and out of breath.

"I got your message and tried to call you back, but you didn't answer. I figured it was an emergency, so I ran right over."

"Yeah, I was, um, kind of taking a shower..."

Spencer looked down and noticed Ezra's towel. "Oh! I'm sorry-- I didn't mean to--"

"Spencer, it's fine. Really." Ezra shook his head and held up his palm, snickering a bit. "I'm going to go change in the bathroom. I'll be right out."

About ten minutes later, Ezra emerged from his bathroom, now decent and ready for company. And he had better-- Hanna and Emily now joined Spencer's side on Ezra's couch. All three of them turned to look at him.

"Can I get you ladies some tea?" All three girls shook their heads in unison from left to right. "Spencer, what were you doing at the sink when you first came in?"

Spencer raised an eyebrow and sat up straighter on the couch. "I, uh, knocked over a plant when I came in. I was in such a haste-- it was reckless, I know."

"Not to worry," Ezra assured her. "We all make mistakes."

Spencer and Ezra shared a glance at one another for just a second and Spencer turned away bashfully, moving a strand of hair away from her face. Ezra still felt uneasy about being around Spencer since they briefly shared a kiss, but if he wanted to help Aria, this was something he just had to endure. Hanna and Emily's presence sure did make him feel better about the situation, though.

"So, where's Alison?" Ezra asked as he sat across from his company, putting his mug to his lips. "I assumed she'd be here this time."

"Alison took off," Emily said, letting out a deep breath. "We don't know where she is."

Poor Emily, Ezra thought to himself. She must feel so defeated. I know she loves Ali the most.

"Well, I need all of your help. We need to find Aria. Normally I wouldn't panic over something this--"

"Minuscule?" Hanna interrupted.

Taking a sip from his mug, Ezra looked at Hanna. "Yes. It may not seem like a big deal to you girls," Ezra said as he swallowed hard and set his mug on the coffee table, "but we all know what Aria has done. We know what she's capable of."

"No!" Emily cut it. "Aria would never hurt anyone. She's not that kind of person.

"Only, she did hurt someone, Emily. She hasn't even dealt with it," Spencer corrected her.

"I meant that she wouldn't go on a killing spree to intentionally hurt someone. She killed Meredith in self-defense, Spencer. She saved all of us. You're the one with lawyers for parents. It didn't take a genius to figure that one out."

Emily fiddled with her hands and looked down. Spencer just stared at Emily with her mouth open wide, yet no response came out. Hanna reached over and grabbed Emily's hand, giving it a firm squeeze.

"None of us are against you, Em," Hanna added. "Spence only meant that Aria is a danger to herself until she comes to grips with this thing. We have to help Ezra figure this out. For Aria's sake."

Spencer looked to the side with her hand under her chin, away from Hanna and Emily. Emily and Hanna squeezed hands and looked at one another, smiling. Ezra exhaled forcefully and slapped his hands together.

"Alright, let's go find Aria!"

Thirty minutes later, after mapping out where Aria might be, Hanna and Emily exited the apartment, with Spencer falling close behind. Hanna was to search for Aria at The Brew, Emily at Aria's father's house and Spencer at The Apple Rose Grill. Spencer only made it a few steps down the hall when she felt Ezra tug at her arm.

"Spencer, can I speak to you for a minute?"

Spencer looked up at Ezra and down at his hand. He removed it quickly. "Um, sure."

Ezra extended his hand towards the apartment for Spencer to go in, following behind her. The two stood in an awkward silence for a moment. Spencer looked down at the ground. Ezra looked at her with his hands in the pockets of his light blue jeans.

"Spencer, we never talked about... what happened..." Ezra began. "I know that we were both in complicated situations--"

"Ezra, it's not a problem. Seriously. I was just so overwhelmed with everything. I didn't know what I was doing."

"It's not just your fault, Spencer. I know that--" Ezra let the air out of his mouth once more. He looked up to the ceiling and wiped his face-- a single tear fell from his right eye. "Spencer, it's not just your fault, okay? I just want to be able to move past it. Beyond the guilt. It's the last thing I need to worry about. I need to focus solely on Aria."

"Alright, I said it's fine. I just don't understand what you feel guilty about." Spencer let out a nervous giggle.

Ezra moved in closer and whispered to Spencer, as if someone else was listening. "I... part of me wanted you... to kiss me."

Spencer remained speechless as her eyes widened, looking intensely at Ezra.

"I was lonely. I missed Aria so much. I was stressed myself. I just needed to feel like I wasn't completely wrong. But that was wrong. I was selfish. I'm sure you understand-- that can never happen again."

Spencer shook her head, obviously taking in the sternness in Ezra's voice. "I understand," she replied. "It will never happen again."