-Erica-

"How many time do I have to say I'm fine Mom, I just over did it. Like some many people like to remind me, I was in a crash like 3-4 days ago." I fiddled with the IV drip. I can't believe I had passed out during the worse time possible, though come to think of it, seeing Ian's not so dead body disappear was overwhelming. But not the main point.

"Twice in the same day you need to be checked out." Mom sighed

"No, what I need is to be with Spencer she was almost killed by Ian." I retorted. Mom stopped me from doing anything more to the cannula. E.G trying to take the thing out without a mess.

"Spencer is with her family okay, you need to take care of yourself." the doctor came in looking over my notes

"How are you feeling Miss Montgomery?" he asked

"Like I want to get out of here, can you tell my Mom I'm fine. Please." he looked up from my notes

"You're having some problems with your blood pressure. Are you under any unseal stress at the moment?" I went to answer

"Yes, she is. It's a long story." I scowled at her.

"Well I recommend rest and avoiding stressful situations."  he told us

"You do realise that I'm a teenage girl with who is one of the best friends that Alison Dilaurentis and just  saw another dead body. My life is nothing bust stressful until i leave this town." He pursed his lip together.

"I will describe you something to help with your blood pressure, but you must avoid stressful situation where you can. Other than that you'll be free to go." i breathe a sigh of relief.

"See nothing major. Just got to avoid like 90% of my life." mom shook her head,  ten minutes later Garrett walked though the door.

"Garrett, Hi."

"Hello, Mrs Montgomery. i came to see how Erica was doing."

"Still going to be a pain in the ass for a long time." I smile softly "Mom can i have some snack, I'm hungry."

"Sure, can you keep an eye on her, make sure she doesn't rip anything out?" She asked Garrett.

"of course Mrs Montgomery." Mom left and Garrett took her place "Erica I do have an ulteria motive for being here."

"most people do. What's going on?" I shuffled to face him a little better

"What have your friends and sister told you about tonight? With the bigger picture of things." he asked me

"I know about they were planning to see Ian about the creepy video's he made. They've left me out of the loop for the most part, granted what happened a few days ago." he nodded in understanding.

"Look, the detectives are going to be asking a lot of questions. What the others tried to pull off tonight was a serious crime, now. For them it's gonna be difficult, however in your situation. You have plausible disability. You've been injured and ended up in hospital twice. They're gonna see it as they've kept you out of it in this situation. Use that."

"You want me to lie?" I sigh

"I don't want you too but..." he trailed off  "As far as anyone is concerned, you never heard about the video's and all that happened was your sister called because you were the closest to Spencer. At that time."

"But we got there at the same time, I was still weak from what happened." I reply

"That's all you need to say, okay. No video's, no plan with Ian. Just trying to help out a friend." I nodded

A couple of hours later I was discharged with another set of prescriptions. I wrapped my coat around me as we left the hospital.

"The police want to see you tomorrow, to ask you some questions."

"Okay. Can I stay with the others tonight. Aria texted that they're gonna sleep at Spencer's"

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Mom, I know your worried about me. But I'm not gonna stop worrying about them which is kind of the opposite of what I'm supposed to be doing isn't it. Besides it's one night, Aria is there. Mr and Mrs H will both be there as well as the rest of the girls. I'm surrounded by people. I will even have Aria check in with you and Dad every half an hour." I made a good point

"One night. I will call Veronica on the way." I gave a grateful smile

"Thank you." we got a taxi to mine where I grabbed a couple of things then was taken to Spencer's. Everyone was there. i went straight to Spencer's room while Mom stopped to talk with Mrs H.

"hey, how are you feeling?" Spencer wondered

"Shouldn't I be asking you that? You're the one that just saw a man murdered." Hanna moved so I could sit in the middle . "My blood pressure is out of whack so guess who's on more pills. Garrett told me you were taken to the station."

"Yeah, I don't think they believe us." Aria muttered

"Well except when they asked about your involvement." Emily added.

"I know, they wanna ask me questions tomorrow. But I now apparently have plausible deniability. Garrett said that they would think you would've left me out of it. And in my current condition, I'm not a major threat to anyone. Doesn't make it any better. What Happened to the body anyway. We were barely out five minutes."

"We figured A must have moved it." Aria told me

"She sent us a text after you were taken away." Hanna handed me her phone and I read it.

"This bitch is crazy." There was knock and the door opened it was Mom.

"I'm going now okay?" i nodded "Aria I want updates, keep an eye on your sister."

"I will Mom." Aria confirmed. Mom was satisfied and left.

"I feel like I could sleep for 100 years." I groaned

"our very own sleeping beauty." Aria smiled slightly. I slept like a log that night, despite everything going on, I was both mentally and physically exhausted. When I did wake up the girl were on the floor at the end of the bed.

"Have you been awake all night?" I questioning rubbing my eyes. I grabbed one of Spencer's blankets and went to join them.

"We barely slept. Unlike some." Hanna replied

"We'll I have a reason for my body just wanting to do nothing but sleep. How do you feel?" I asked them.

"Ugh my brain is numb from all those cop questions." Hanna groaned

"I don't think I'd be there if it wasn't for A." Spencer muttered as I leaned my head on Hanna's shoulder

"'A' killed Ian to keep you here." Aria stated

"I'm sorry but that is not a comforting thought." Hanna retorted, i agreed A helping us was not actually help it was so...

"A gives so she can take. We know that." Em spoke was I was thinking

"Took the words right out of my mind." I comment

"So what is the bitch going to ask for?" Han wondered, I was starting to hurt again, it was time for my pain killers.

"Whatever it is I don't think we can afford it." Spence groaned

"Ri can I have my painkillers please." She nodded and grabbed them from my bag then got some water, she handed them to me.

"Thanks. Spence what did you actually see?" I questioned taking my tablets

"I saw a black hoodie, black boots and gloves." Since answered. I nodded in understanding.

"Well I think it's safe to say that Jenna isn't A." Aria sighed

"Are we sure?" Hanna asks

"A sees everything, Hanna. Jenna's a bitch but she's limited even if she had help." I told her

"I'm starting to think we should tell someone about him/her/it. What's the worse that could happen?" Emily suggested

"A know's all of our secrets." Spencer retorted

"If people find out, we'll always be the girls who blinded Jenna Marshall." Hanna stated 

"And how those girls were afraid of A." Emily replied

"No, Em. I mean you're right, but we have so much to loose." I told her honestly

"I feel like I have a hangover and never went to the party." Hanna huffed. I hummed in a agreement

"We need caffeine." Spencer told us as she went to get up but aria stopped

"No offence but can i make it?" Aria asked

"Seriously?" Spencer replied

"I'm with Aria." Emily agreed as we all made our way to stand up.

"No offence, Spencer but your coffee gives me the Shakes." i informed her . We made our way downstairs and were met by all our parents.

"What's going on?" Aria and I questioned. They said nothing.

"Mom?" Hanna tried. Mrs M turned to Mrs H

"Veronica, since this is your idea, maybe you should tell them." Mrs M said. Mrs H nodded and stood up from where she sat.

"The accusations you've made about Ian have cast a bright spotlight on you all. Spencer is still a person of intrest in Alison's murder. Now the police seem to think now the four of you are involved." Mrs H told us.

"Ian killed Alison, okay? And last night he tried to kill me." Spencer moved past us on the stairs

"Yeah, we were all there. We told you what we saw." Aria confirmed grasping on to my good arm.

"And we heard you." Mom replied

"We don't need to re hash, what we talked about last night. this is about moving forward." dad continued and I had a bad feeling beyond the physical pain I was in.

"Meaning?" i questioned

"While the police sort through this, we want you girls to see a grief counsellor." Mrs h explained

"She's a good therapist that will help you deal with Alison's death." mom added

"And what appears to the police as an obsession to pin her death on Ian." Mrs H took over from Mom

"You think we're lying?" Emily asked and her Mom stepped forward

"Emily, i believe you. But it's the way it looks that concerns us." Mrs F explained

"This is a preemptive strike, and the goal is to garner police and public sympathy." Mrs H was talking again.

"Well i'm not seeing a shrink, that's what friends are for." Hanna denied

"You can't be the only one who doesn't go." Mrs M told her daughter

"Who says she'd be the only one?" i retorted "i get what you're trying to do. But we're not crazy. We didn't just pick ian's name out of a hat and decide he killed Alison."

"Erica, sweetie. Clam down." Dad moved closer and I stepped back.

"Calm down, you ambush us after a night of hell and basically tell us that the police think we're liars and to change opinion you're forcing us to see a cuckoo doctor. Tell me how I can be calm." Aria pulled me into a side hug

"Maybe you'll get more out of it than you think?" Mom offered

"This is bull--"

"Hanna." Mrs M warned her daughter.

"Do you believe us?" Spence dared to ask our parents.

"What I know is that one of my daughters is in the hospital and the other one is in trouble. And it's my job to protect you both. "

"You didn't answer the question." Spence retorted.

"There's a reason you haven't heard from Ian, he's dead." I told them "Stone cold dead."

"Dead men don't walk away." Mr H retorted.

"We told you, someone moved the body." Em insisted

"Who would do that? and why?" Mrs H asked. There was knock on the door. Mr H went to answer it.

"Is Spencer home?" I heard my best friend ask and my head snapped to his direction.

"Toby?!" I walked over but Mr H held out his arm so I couldn't go any further

"You shouldn't be here, Toby." Toby looked at me

"Are you and Spencer okay?" he asked me i went to answer but Mr H cut me off before I could give him a reply.

"NO they aren't. They're in trouble and you're not helping them. Whether you've earned it or not, you've earned a reputation. The girls can't afford to be seen with you."

"I would never hurt Spencer or Erica."

"Good, if you mean that, you'll stay away from them." he shut the door. I made my way to Aria and hugged her.

"I'm sorry, Spencer." I heard. Aria guided me back upstairs and into Spencer room.

------

Friday rolled around and i was determined to be back in school. Much to my parents dismay but i bargained that if I was allowed to go back to school early, I would willingly go to see a shrink. It was at that point I was grateful for Ali's little ways that I noticed from my time with her.

Aria, Mom and I walked through the school halls. I had a brief conversation with the police about what happened, like Garrett said that with this situation they were under the impression I was out of the loop for the most part. I was also told that the break fluid in my car had been tampered with so I then had to answer questions who would want to do that to me. A obviously but I could hardly say that.

"Are you sure you want to be here? I mean you could stay home for another day." mom offered.

"Which Home, yours or mine?" Aria questioned

"We haven't had a chance to talk but Aria, I heard what you said to me about your Dad." Mom told my sister.

"Mom, I'm so sorry. You really didn't deserve that." Aria apologised

"Actually you said exactly what I needed to hear. And, Um..." she stopped us "Your Dad and I wanted to tell you all tonight  but I'm gonna move back in." she confessed

"Wait as in in with all of us, no swapping?" I question

"No swapping." Ugh could my life get any worse right now. This was going to end miserably I just knew it.

"You're not just doing this for us right?" Aria asked happy.

"no, i mean I'd be lying if I said no but I'm doing this for me too. I want to come home." she told us. Aria was beaming, I looked like as if I had just gotten the worse news ever.

"Aria, let's go."

"Wait, Erica aren't you happy?" Mom questioned

"For once, I'm gonna keep my mouth shut with any insult or comment to this. I'm gonna leave before I have to be taken into the ER again."

"Erica."

"Mom, do whatever. i'm taking your advice and avoiding the situation. Come on Aria." She sighed

"You could of handled it better, Ri."

"How, I think it's a terrible idea. It's a train wreck waiting to happen. But what could I possibly say that will change anything. All I have right now is school since my personal and social life is basically in tatters. Don't ruin it." Well that comment was short lived because after we met up with our friend we, headed into english. Everyone went quiet, we looked to the board and they were playing hangman and the unfinished word was Liars.

"come on." Aria muttered and we moved to take our seats.

"So much for my earlier comment." I whisper to my sister. Mr Fitz came in, he looked at Aria then at the board. he quickly went to erase what was on.

"Need any help, Mr Fitz?" you have got to be shitting me right now?

Noel Khan?!

"You can take a seat Mr Khan." Fitz told him and he made his way to his seat like he was some sort of hero. He sat down and turned to us.

"Miss Me?"

--------

I was stood with Spencer and Aria observing the more popular Noel Khan. How was he even allowed back? I thought A didn't want to share us in a tormenting fashion. Just literally what the fuck!

"I still don't trust him." I commented

"how does Noel Khan get suspended and come back more popular than ever?" Aria wondered

"Must be that winning smile." Spencer joked

"Aria, do you have a minute? I need to speak with you about your essay." our attention turned to Mr Fitz. I then looked at My sister.

"You don't have to go." i told her.

"It's fine." she left to talk to him

"you know I met his ex in person. Bitch hasn't got a thing on Aria." Spencer chuckled at my comment

"I'm hungry. I'll be back." I went to get something from the vending machine when hand leaned next to it.

"So fancy ditching, this stupid think session with me?" Hanna  asked

"What?"

"come on you said It yourself you didn't want to go." she responded

"i don't but I made a deal, early return to school in exchange for compliance." I grab my chips and soda.

"Come on the only therapy we need is retail, Mona's up for it."

"Hanna." i sigh

"You can't deny it some new clothes, make up." I stopped and thought about it

"I have been thinking about a trip to the salon" I mutter

"See, if you can get an appointment, I'll come with, do some shopping then rock up for like the last five minutes or something."

"Okay you've convinced me." She grins

-----

After school, Hanna, Mona and I headed for the salon. Where i had my hair cut and some low lights put in.

"What do you think?"  I shook my head slightly

"Amazing, dare I say you look like a new person." Mona complemented, I grinned

"Thank you Mona, and thanks for letting me tag along."

"No worries, any friend of Hanna's..." I paid and we left for the mall. I found practically half a new wardrobe. We arrived at the Shriks offices and was told to go right up.

"Sorry we're late, but have you seen the sales downtown." Hanna stated as we arrived

"Bargin, I got like half a new wardrobe. So what did we miss?" I question

"Not a thing." aria told us.

"We waited for you." Spencer added. Hanna and i shared a look.

"Damn." we muttered.

------

"It sounds like you credit Alison for the friendship." Dr Sullivan summarised the beginning of our conversation

"She brought us together." Emily confirmed

"But she's gone, and the five of you seem very close." I looked around awkwardly

"We weren't always." Emily added. I saw she wanted us to elaborate.

"We lost touch when Ali went missing." I told her.

"And what brought you back together." We shared glances with each other "You don't have to agree, there are no right or wrong answer here."

"Her death." Spencer answered

"She means when they found her body." Emily classified

"Do you think you were looking for closure?" Dr Sullivan wondered

"We were looking for answers." Spencer said

"The answer to who murdered Alison." we said nothing "The five of you don't have to go through this alone. This is a safe place. Nothing you say here goes beyond these walls." The others were quiet.

"why should we trust you?" they looked at me "like you weren't thinking it. We're social pariah's we have been since Ali wasn't here. Even more so with recent events, except now it's more obvious."

"We've tried saying something, we've tried talking to the police help them help us but we're met with doubt and accusations. All we have is each other because all of us know that while we keep some of our lives private none of us would hurt each other or Alison. What makes you any different."

"That's a very good point Erica. I don't have the same connection that you do, however I could be a fresh set of eyes to help you reason with what's going on, help you put something into place to deal with everything that has happened." She didn't make me want to spill all my secrets but i had a good feeling about her.

"Do we...Do we want to talk about that thing?" Aria wondered. Our phones went off and we froze slightly

"What is it?" she asked

"Our time is up." Spencer stated and we grabbed our things leaving. I handed some of my shopping bags to Aria as I checked my phone. It was Mom checking up on us, same with the others.

"RiRi." Spencer nudged me. I Turned to her and she gestured away. I placed to what she was looking at.

Toby.

"Who first?" i question, knowing both of us wanted to see him

"You go first." she told me.

"Thank you." But before I could make a move we saw Jenna coming out of a shop. My smile drop. Toby opened the door for her.

"What really happened?!" Emily's annoyance caught our attention ash she looked over to a news paper stand  We took a closer look

"Ian's car was found at the train station and $10,000 that he took from his bank account. They think he skipped town and we made up the story because we knew he left." Spencer was outraged at the article that had a picture of the four of them. that must have been on my way to hospital. Our phones went off again.

I spy a liar -A

---------

I got home, Aria opened the door and I went in first.

"Okay before you get mad at home much money you thought I spent let me tell you first that this was actually all sale so it actually was like half of like the total price." Mom and Dad were waiting in the living room.

"Uh-oh. It is never good when they look like they're waiting for us." I told my sister

"No, we just wanted to know how it went." Dad asked

"You cut your hair." Mom noticed i dropped my bags and grinned

"And had some highlights. Pretty right, I went after school with Hanna and Mona. It feels so much better. So relaxing for a moment I felt like a normal teen." i sighed "I'm gonna take these upstairs." Aria slid the rest of my bags over my cast and I headed up.

------

The next day was Saturday and Emily has the idea for Spencer and I to see Toby at hers. I walked to Emily and went upstairs where Toby and Emily were waiting.

"Tobes." I grinned feeling much better for seeing my male best friend. We hugged and I turned my head to look at Emily.

'Thank you' I mimed

'You're welcome.' she mimed back "I'm gonna get us some drinks." she left the room and we went to sit down on the window seat.

"I'm sorry about what Mr H said. That and my parents agreeing when they were okay with you coming to the hospital." I told him

"It's fine. They want to protect you." he wrapped his arm around me in comfort.

"It's overbearing, not protecting. They're making us see a therapist. To deal with our 'obsession' with Ian and Alison."

"Hows that going?"

"Us opening up when every part of us screams to shut up and not say anything, take a wild guess." I groaned  "When did life become so hard? When did we stop trust those who are meant to protect us?" I wondered

"The same time our lives changed." he mumbled. Emily brought us drinks and we talked for a while. I became tired so I went home.

My phone woke me up a few hours later. I answered

"Hello?"

"Erica, where are you?" It was Aria.

"At home, why. You woke me up by the way." I grumbled trying to gain my bearings 

"I'm coming to pick you up. A struck again."

"Okay. See you in a bit." We hung up and I went to grab some coffee and a jacket. Aria beeped the horn and I got in.

"So what happened this time?" She handed me her phone and I looked at the text.

"Bitch is on fire." I mumbled handing the phone back. We arrived at Emily's Toby was no longer here but the rest of the girls were. Aria told them about what happened

"A had to have followed me to Ezra's. And he, she, shim, must have seen me get that key from under the doormat."

"Let me see that." aria handed her phone over to Hanna.

"Okay, I see books photographs, magazines." Hanna grinned glancing at Aria.

"What?"

"Is that a playboy under that black thing on the cabinet." Spencer and I move to look.

"That black think is called a typewriter." Spencer informed her

"Hanna, that's not a playboy that's a playbill" Aria corrects

"I don't think what's missing matters." Emily concluded "A wants us to know that she can come and go through Ezra's apartment. When's it gonna stop? Remember where we were a few months ago? A week ago?"

"Visiting us in the hospital." Hanna and I answered

"A hit Hanna and kept on going then tampered with Erica's brakes so she crashed." Emily continued

"A didn't even hesitate before pushing Ian. it's almost like it was no big deal." Spencer added

"I don't wanna be sitting next to you guys at another funeral."

"You think we should tell the therapist?" Spencer stated seeing to catch on to what Emily was implying.

"We were really close to telling her yesterday. It felt so good." Aria breathed

"Telling Anne, wouldn't like telling our parents." Emily suggested "I mean she has to keep it a secret right?"

"Look, okay, I know we promised Garrett we wouldn't show the video to the cops. But if we want Anne to believe us...." Aria trailed off

"A picture is worth a thousand words." Spencer added

"You know she was wearing a gorgeous  pair of Chloe's" Hanna commented

"Who?" Aria questioned

"The shrink. Hanna not the point right now." I told my sister

"Well you can tell a lot about a person, by their shoes." Hanna replied and I shook my head in disbelief

"I really heard her when she said that we don't have to go through this alone." Emily folded her arms.

"Do we all agree?" Spencer wondered no one said anything

"It's risky, what if A retaliates this time it's worse." I ask

"We have to take that chance." Emily answered I sat up straighter

"Say that to my arm, unlike Hanna, A did this to me for kicks." I pointed to it "I'd hate to see it when  shim is super pissed."

------

"Thanks for seeing us on short notice." Aria sighed. We all sat down in Dr Sullivans office.

"Sounds like there was something you really wanted to tell me." She nodded

"There's also something we wanted to show you." Emily pulled out her laptop

"Umm, there is just one thing I waned to get straight here." Hanna started "You're not allowed to tell anyone anything we say here, right?"

"Unless you Tell me something that leads me to believe that you're a danger to someone or yourself." Sullivan answered

"okay, Hanna?"

"I didn't know tory, made those boots in brown." Hanna commented

"Hanna, focus." I pull her back in her seat. "Go on Emily." I look towards her

"I think we should tell her first then..." she trailed off

"Yeah, sure." Spencer agreed. There was silence.

"Aria." Hanna muttered

"We did drift apart after Alison went missing. It's also true that her death brought us back together. But I don't Know if we..."

"This talk is premature." Spencer butted in. We looked at he in confusion then she glanced away and back at us. I turned to see what she was looking at...Oh. oh no

"Uh, sorry we waisted your time" Emily began to pack her laptop away.

"What just happened here?" Silvan asked. I got up and swiped Ezra's diploma and put it in Hanna's bag

"Um, you know we need to figure out what we want to say so we can communicate more effectively"

"Yeah so we'll re schedule." Emily stood up while Aria just looked beyond confused

"You called me remember?"

"Yeah, I'm really sorry about this?" we left the office

"Well if she didn't think we were crazy before, she does now. What was that?" Aria questioned. Hanna took the diploma out of her bag, handing it to Aria.

"Where did you get this."

"The shelf behind Sullivan." I told her

"This is what A took." Aria breathed staring at the item in her hands. This had defiantly had the desired effect of rattling not only her but all of us.

"A knows we're coming here" Spencer confirmed

"And that we were going to tell." Emily added.

"How is A always one step ahead of us." Aria questioned

"I'm starting to think that bitch has powers." Hanna continued

"Guys, this is a warning. Bitch knows us, and made this point, that we tell we're screwed. I suggest you tell Ezra to change his locks." I tell my sister.

-------

I was chilling in Aria's room, she was painting my nails when there was knock on the door. Mom and Dad came in.

"Do you have a minute?" Mom asked grabbing the chair from Aria's desk.

"Yeah, what's wrong?" I wondered

"Well, we just got off the phone with your therapist." Dad started

"She didn't tell us what happened today. But she did tell us  she doesn't think it's gonna be helpful to continue seeing you girls as a group." Mom added we scoffed

"Yeah, we don't blame her."

"And based on your sessions she's making a recommendation we're gonna back her up on." Dad continued

"For now." Mom assured

"A recommendation for what?" Aria wondered

"She doesn't believe you girls are capable of maintaining friendship at the moment so she's recommending you spend some time apart." Mom informed us

"And Dr Sullivan said she's seen this before after a traumatic loss it's not uncommon for a close knit group of friends to disconnect from the outside world." Dad continued

"That's not what's happening." Aria denied and I agreed

"We're not saying this is forever."

"Are you telling us we can't see our friends?" Aria questioned 

"Thesis not fair,  my friends are all I have right now" my voice breaks, Mom goes to take my good arm but I shuffle away.

"Honey, that's not true. You have us."

"Is that supposed to help when you can't understand me most of the time. When you suffocate me because of my choices. Fuck You!" I sneer and leave Aria's room

-------

I'm Asleep when my phone going off wakes me up. I groaned and shuffle to grab it

S.O.S -Spencer

I shot up and out grabbing my coat and trainers. Aria sneaks out of her room at the same time. We creep downstairs put on our things and leave the house. We all meet up at an abandoned greenhouse. Spencer told us she found Melissa's phone and she think Ian is texting her.

"Anyone could've sent that text Spence." Aria whispered

"Yeah. It could be some kook trying to mess with Melissa" Hanna added

"Yeah, maybe but it doesn't seem random 'It's not safe. I can tell you?'"

"Tell her what?" Emily questioned

"Where he is." Spencer stressed

"Guys, Ian is dead. We all saw him." I state

"There is only one way to know this for sure, send a reply." Hanna tells her. Spencer takes out the phone and begins typing.

"How do I know this is you?" she sent a couple of moments later came a reply

Ask me anything

"What's something only Ian would be able to answer?" Hanna suggests

"Oh I know. What are we naming our baby?" she sent the text

"What is it?" Aria asks

"Taylor." the phone beeps again we gasp as it gives the exact answer

"It's him" I breath

"Ian's alive." There was aloud thud that made us jump