Safe and Sound

Without the One I Love

It's an apartment building. Don't deliver until I tell you to. Got it?

Aria Montgomery clicked send on the instant message app on her phone. She couldn't believe that she just gave someone the okay to drop off a package at Ezra's apartment without telling him. The only thing was: how could she get it there without Ezra knowing?

"Aria!"

Aria looked up emotionless as she entered apartment 3B, Ezra Fitz rushing towards her. Ezra scooped Aria up in his strong arms and held her tiny body close to his. His embrace must have been too sudden and uncomfortable for Aria-- she wriggled out of his hold and put her tiny feet on the ground.

"Where have you been?!" Ezra continued in exclamation. "I've been worried sick about you! You can't run off like that, Aria."

I can do whatever I want, she thought to herself as she folded her arms and rolled her wide, hazel eyes. "Ezra, I made it back in one piece. You're over reacting."

Holding onto every tear ready to combust out of him, Ezra put his finger underneath Aria's chin, reaching his lips to hers to let her know how much he loved and missed her. It was when their lips were nano seconds from connection that there was a knock on the door. Aria and Ezra exchanged glances as Ezra walked towards the door. Ezra swung the door open to an unfamiliar man standing before him.

"Can I... help you?" Ezra asked, his hand holding onto the door.

Aria came from behind Ezra and peeked over his shoulder. "Ezra, who is it?" She somehow managed to squeeze past Ezra and peer at their guest. He was about Ezra's height with a bit more muscle. His skinned was sun kissed and his hair was dirty blonde with strands so light, it made him look as if he wore a halo on his head. He looked up as Aria, his piercing blue eyes burning into her hazels ones. Aria was nothing other than awestruck.

"Aria," Ezra started as he turned to his lover. "Do you know this guy?"

Aria looked up at Ezra, stunned, breaking from her reverie. "Oh... yes. He, uh..." What could she say? Who was this guy?

"My name is Chase," the guy said with his hand extended to Ezra. Ezra turned to Chase and sized him up for a minute. He shook his hand firmly and plastered the tightest grin he could muster across his scruffy face.

"Chase. And you're here because..."

"Chase and I met at the hospital!" Aria decided to pipe up. It was the only thing she could think of. She had a feeling this was the guy who was her new internet buddy. "He had a friend in the same time you were. I'm guessing he came to check in to see how things are."

Ezra noticed an exchange between the two and decided to put his arms around Aria, bringing her back closer to his chest. "We're doing just fine, Chase. It was so kind of you to stop by. Why is it, exactly, you decided to stop by? Here? At our home?"

"She's here!" Emily Fields, Hanna Marin and Spencer Hastings all scurried down the hallway up to Aria, not noticing Chase at first.

Aria stepped toward Chase and glanced at her friends and boyfriend. "Ezra, I need to talk to Chase. I'll be back in a minute?". She said it as more of a question than a statement, but it was enough to send Ezra the message.

"Fine," Ezra said with a sigh, but Aria and Chase were already down the hall before He could even respond.