14. Through Many Dangers, Toils And Snares

One Month Later,

The five liars were at Southfield Playground, all dressed in their identical orange jumpsuits, picking up trash, after the whole shovel incident the girls were assigned to community service as other then them being caught with the shovel there was no other proof or motive found to prove that the girls killed Alison.

"Only an hour and thirty minutes to go" A tired Hanna informed her friends.

"Means we still have about two hours" Daniella realised, as another girl signed to community service passed by her, giving the two girls an annoyed look.

"How many hours you got left?" she asked one of the other girls.

"Six months".

"Because your mom's not a big-shot lawyer getting you and your pals community service for tampering with evidence".

"I thought you said they killed somebody".

"That's what the cops think, but the cops can't prove it".

"Cops are stupid".

"We didn't do anything" Emily snapped, having enough of people judging them without knowing the whole truth.

"Don't talk to them" Spencer warned Emily.

"I'll talk to anybody I want to" Emily argued.

"No, you won't" Spencer stated.

"And who's gonna stop me?" Emily challenged.

"Both of you just shut up, I don't wanna hear it anymore" Aria snapped, getting really tired of Spencer and Emily's constant fighting.

Emily looked at Spencer, "Did you at least think about my idea?" she asked.

"It was a bad idea when they arrested us it's a bad idea now" Spencer replied.

"We finally have something solid, why won't you use it?" a frustrated Emily asked.

"Because you can't make a deal with a rattlesnake" Spencer said.

"You can if you have something the rattlesnake wants" Emily retorted.

"Can we stop talking about snakes?" Hanna asked.

Spencer faced Emily, "Listen to me, we're not going to be making any kind of a deal with A, that's final".

"Maybe for you" Emily said, glaring at Spencer, "The rest of us don't have lawyers for parents".

"Meaning what?" an annoyed Spencer asked.

"Meaning your mom may have gotten us a deal but if they ever figure out a way to charge us for killing Ali she'll throw the rest of us under the bus to save you and you'd let her" Emily stated.

Spencer glared at Emily just as she turned to leave, Spencer threw her trash bag at Emily, spoiling her jumpsuit, Emily gasped in shock then the next moment lunged at Spencer and both the girls started fighting each other.

"Hey!" Hanna yelled, trying to stop her friends from fighting.

"Guys!" Daniella called out, but just like Hanna even she was ignored.

Suddenly two officers ran over and separated the two girls.

"Spence, stop!" Daniella said, as the Hasting's girl tried to attack Emily despite the police officers holding her back, all five girls unaware of Garrett keeping an eye on them, feeling extremely happy seeing the girls friendship falling apart.

***

"So, how do you feel about your new therapist?" Daniella asked Mike, as they walked down the street after grabbing some coffee.

"He's okay" Mike replied, "I mean, he's really old, but he's not a jerk, he doesn't make those listening noises like my first therapist, he dialed down my meds and he doesn't look at me like I'm a bobblehead the way I catch mom and dad sometimes".

"Don't say that" Daniella said, "Mom and dad are just concerned, they don't look at you like a bobblehead but as concern parents".

"Really?" Mike asked, "I still catch them looking, and you and Aria as well".

"I don't know about mom and dad or even Aria, but I look like at you because I just want you to be okay, not because I think you're a bobblehead" Daniella assured.

"Well, that's tough to do with people waiting for you to turn into a zombie or something" Mike retorted.

"Zombie?" Daniella asked, clearly amused, "You seem more a werewolf type to me".

Mike lightly shoved Daniella, making Daniella shove him back, the two siblings then laughed and kept walking, that's when Mike's eyes landed infront of him, at Jason Dilaurentis.

"Dani, look it's your boyfriend" Mike pointed, Daniella looked infront of her and a smile formed on her face seeing Jason standing infront of the cafe, debating what drink to buy, "Hey Jason!".

Hearing his name, Jason turned to the voice, he smiled seeing the two Montgomery's siblings walking over to him, "Mike, hey".

"Hey" Mike greeted.

Jason looked at Daniella and smiled at her, "Dani" he whispered.

Daniella nodded at Jason, "Jason".

Mike shook his head at his sister and Jason, he then turned to Jason, "So, you coming to dinner tonight?".

"Yeah, I am" Jason replied, "What exactly should I expect at this dinner? You know since your dad specially called me and asked to come to dinner".

"He wants to make sure you're worthy of his daughter" Mike informed.

"On mom's instance, I finally came clean to him about us and he wants to make sure you're a good person" Daniella added.

"So this is like an official meet the parents dinner?" Jason asked.

"Yeap" Mike and Daniella said at the same time.

"Good luck" Mike said, "You're going to need it, dad is not going to make this dinner easy for you".

"Stop scaring him" Daniella scolded her brother, she looked at Jason, "Don't listen to him, dad just wants to see us together, if you don't want to come, you don't have to".

"No" Jason said quickly, "Of course I want to come, I'll be there Dani, don't worry".

Daniella smiled at Jason, "See you tonight then?".

Jason nodded, "See you tonight" he said.

With a smile on her face Daniella looped her arm with her brother and the two siblings walked away.

"You're so in love" Mike whispered to Daniella.

"Shut up" Daniella said, making Mike laugh.

"Tonight's going to be so interesting" Mike said.

"I agree" Daniella whispered.

***

"Your dad invited Jason to dinner tonight?" Hanna asked as her Daniella walked down the school hallway.

"Yeap" Daniella replied.

"You nervous?" Hanna asked.

"So nervous" Daniella replied, "You should have seen his face when I sat him down and told him that I was seeing Jason, he looked like he had a lot of interesting things to say but he stopped himself when mom stepped in and explained to him that Jason is a good person and that he really loves me, so dad decided to test that out by inviting Jason over to dinner tonight".

"Well stop being nervous, if Jason sees you being all nervous then that's not going help his nerves that he's clearly going to be feeling tonight" Hanna said.

Daniella sighed, "I just want tonight to go well without any problems, it's really important to me that two of the most important men in my life like each other".

Hanna looped her arm around Daniella's, "And they will, look Jason already won me, Aria, Mike and your mom over, he will win your dad over as well, if we all can see how much Jason loves you, then trust me so will your dad".

"I hope so" Daniella whispered.

"I know so" Hanna retorted, "But you better keep me updated, I want to know how tonight goes".

"I will" Daniella assured, "Texting you will stop me from overthinking everything".

"I know" Hanna teased, making Daniella chuckle.

The two friends then proceeded to walk to class when Emily came infront of them, immediately causing an awkward expression to form on the two friends face, things between Daniella and Spencer were already tense because of the whole Jason thing, but now things between the girls and Emily were also tense, she had isolated herself from the girls and none of the girls knew what to do to get their friend back.

***

At night, Emily walked over to the greenhouse her and the girls usually met at, entering it, she shined her torch around trying to find someone, when suddenly the other four girls came out of the corner, causing a smile to form on Emily's face.

As the girls walked over to her, Emily handed her phone over to Daniella and she read the text on it.

"You were always my favorite, want to make a deal?" Daniella read out.

"A took the bait" Emily informed, causing the rest of the girls to smile, realising their plan was in motion.

"We pulled it off" Spencer said, breathing a sigh of relief.

"A totally thinks we're not friends anymore" Emily said, as Daniella handed her phone back to her.

"They think that we have real evidence" Spencer added.

"Okay, does it bother anybody that we don't actually have anything we're just making it up?" a concerned Hanna asked.

"Yeah, but Jenna and Garrett don't know that" Aria assured.

"I don't know, it just scares me that Emily's doing this alone" Hanna expressed her worry.

"But she's not going to be alone" Daniella said, "All of us are going to be outside, ready to have her back as soon as A shows up".

"Yeah, but it's just the five of us" Hanna retorted.

"Hanna, everytime we ask someone for help they end up collateral damage, like Dr. Sullivan" Emily reminded.

"Or a traitor, like Garrett" Aria added.

"It was so creepy to have to talk to him but it was totally worth it to rattle the cage" Spencer said.

"So tomorrow?" Daniella asked her friends, all of them nodding in response, "Great then, tomorrow whoever is keeping an eye on us will think that Emily has gone rogue and that she wants us to hand over the Alison's box that Jason gave me".

"The one with the evidence, that doesn't really exist" Spencer continued.

"Are you sure that A is gonna follow Emily?" Hanna asked, not sure if their plan would work or not.

"Absolutely" Spencer confirmed.

"I'm the weakest link" Emily reminded, "And the weakest link wants some payback".

***

Next day, Hanna came out of the school pool where the swim meet was currently happening, she walked over to Spencer who was trying to get both the Montgomery twins on the phone.

"It's last event, the last heat" Hanna informed Spencer.

"Where are Aria and Dani?" a frustrated Spencer asked, her phone attached to her ear trying to call the twins but neither of them picking up, "We said that we were gonna do this together".

"Hey" Daniella said, as her and Aria quickly ran over to their two friends, "We are so sorry we're late".

"It's complicated" Aria said.

"So is this" Spencer snapped.

"We didn't ditch Spence" Daniella snapped back, "We're here aren't we?".

Suddenly the pool doors opened, the girls saw Emily come out and seeing the Fields girl walking towards them, Spencer tried to leave but Emily grabbed her arm and forced her to face her.

"Okay, it's every man for himself" Emily stated, not knowing the Caleb, Lucas, Toby and Jason were also there, witnessing the fight between the girls, "I want the box that Jason gave Dani".

"Well, you're not gonna get it" Spencer snapped.

Emily looked at her other friends, "Guys, Spencer's only looking out for herself, we have to cut a deal with--".

"Shut up, Emily!" Spencer interrupted before Emily could say A, Garrett also came out of the pools and stood to the side witnessing the girls fight.

"Where is it?" Emily asked.

"In a safe place" Daniella replied.

"Where?" Emily asked again.

"Don't tell her, it's hidden and it stays hidden until I want it found" Spencer stated.

"You forget, we all learned how to keep secrets from the same person" Emily said, "I bet I know where it is, good luck".

After Emily walked away, Spencer turned to the other three girls, "Let's get out of here" she said.

The other girls nodded, they proceeded to walk away, but Daniella stayed back when her eyes landed on a worried Jason.

"What's going on?" Jason mouthed, never seeing the girls fight like this, especially not in public.

"Long story" Daniella mouthed back.

Jason opened his mouth to say something else, but Spencer's yell stopped him.

"Dani, come on!" Spencer yelled.

"Coming!" Daniella yelled, after giving Jason a small wave, Daniella quickly ran after her friends, leaving not only Jason, but also Toby and Caleb by themselves to figure out what the hell was going on between the five friends.

***

At night, Jason came to the Montgomery household for dinner, much to his surprise Byron was actually nice to him, he tried to understand Jason and Daniella's relationship without letting his fatherly instincts take over, but despite that he did warn Jason that if he hurt his daughter, he will have to deal with him, making both Jason and Daniella breathe a sigh of relief realising that Byron approved of their relationship.

When Mike, Jason, Byron, Ella and Daniella sat in the living room after dinner, Aria walked over to them with Ezra right by her side, confusing her whole family except Daniella who immediately clasped Jason's hand in nervousness, confusing him.

"I wanted to clarify something" Ezra started, while Jason nudged Daniella with his shoulder, silently asking what's wrong, when he saw how pale she had suddenly gotten.

"I'm going to be sick" Daniella whispered, when she realised what was about to happen, in her heart she couldn't help but feel a bitterness for her sister, tonight was her and Jason's night to impress the family, not Aria and Ezra's, tonight was supposed to be step forward for her and Jason, but Daniella feared because of Aria and Ezra, it was going to cause them to take a step back.

Ezra looked at Aria, "We wanted to tell you something important", for a moment Ezra hesitated, but then eventually the words came out of his words, "I'm in love with your daughter" he said, shocking everyone present in the room, who didn't know which daughter he was talking about, "I love Aria".

A shocked Jason looked at Daniella, who now had her face hidden in her hands, making him realise that she knew about this. While an equally if not more shocked Ella, grabbed Byron's arm.

"We met before school started this year" Aria quickly clarified.

"I wanted you to know that this started before Aria was assigned to my class" Ezra added.

"What started?" Ella asked, suddenly very angry.

"Wait" Byron said, "What do you mean, before she was assigned to your class?".

"She wasn't my student, then" Ezra clarified.

"She wasn't your student then?" Byron asked furious, he then looked towards his oldest daughter, "Did you know about this?".

Daniella looked between her parents wide eyed, not knowing what to say.

"She did" Aria informed, making Daniella let out a frustrated sigh, knowing now she was going to pay for hiding Aria's secret.

"This can't be true" Ella told Aria.

"It is, really" Aria said, grabbing Ezra's hand, "I love him".

Ella stood up from the couch, "This was going on, this happened while you were her teacher?".

"Yes" Ezra admitted, as Byron also stood up in anger.

"Do you understand what you're saying?" Byron asked, as Jason held Daniella after realising how panicked she was getting.

"Yes, I do" Ezra replied.

"No, I don't think you do" Ella snapped, "Because if you did, you wouldn't be standing here, you wouldn't dare!".

Aria looked at her parents, then at Jason and Daniella, this time she felt bitter that her parents accepted Jason and Daniella but they didn't accept Ezra.

"So you guys accept Jason but not Ezra?" Aria snapped.

"Don't!" Daniella snapped, as her and Jason also stood up and glaring at Aria, "Don't bring Jason into this Aria, or god so help me".

"Jason isn't Daniella's teacher, Aria" Ella reminded, "Jason dating Daniella isn't illegal, you two dating is!".

"Aria, go upstairs" Byron stated, "Take Dani and Mike with you".

"No" Aria stated, "No, I'm staying here".

"If this is true, what you're telling us--".

"It is" Ezra told Byron.

"No!" Ella yelled.

"What I'm hoping can happen is that--".

"No, what is gonna happen is you are gonna leave this house right now" Byron stated.

"Mr. Montgomery" Ezra started.

"End of conversation" Byron finished.

"Dad, just--".

"Aria, no" Ella said, stopping Aria from talking.

"Byron--".

"I am not asking you" Byron snapped, "I am telling you".

Mike suddenly stood up and punched Ezra in the face.

"Mike!" a shocked Daniella and Aria yelled, while Jason quickly went and pulled Mike away from Ezra.

Jason then looked at Ezra, "You should really go now" he said.

Ezra looked at Jason, then at Aria, who nodded in agreement, realising how bad things had gotten.

***

Daniella and Jason sat in Daniella's room, listening to Byron and Ella argue about what to do about Ezra and Aria trying to make them understand her point of view.

"I think my dad's going to ask you to leave soon" Daniella whispered, as the duo sat on the floor, leaning against her bed frame.

"I wouldn't blame him" Jason said.

Daniella sighed, "Tonight did not go as I planned, I'm sorry".

"Not your fault" Jason assured.

"I'm still going to pay the price" Daniella said, "Something tells me I am in as much trouble as Aria is".

"You weren't the one who had a relationship with him" Jason pointed out.

"But I knew Jason" Daniella said, "I knew from day one, but I kept quiet".

"And why's that?" Jason asked slightly confused.

Daniella shrugged, "I don't know" she admitted, "I guess I just wanted to protect my sister from the repercussions that's going to come with this scandal".

Before Jason could say anything, Byron entered Daniella's room, "Jason" he said, gaining the duo's attention, "I think it's time for you to go home".

Jason nodded his head in understanding, "Yeah, of course" he said, standing up, he looked at Daniella, who gave him a small smile, after shaking Byron's hand, Jason finally left the room, leaving Byron and Daniella alone.

"Are you mad at me?" Daniella asked, after a moment of silence.

"I'm disappointed in you for hiding this from us" Byron replied.

Daniella nodded her head, realising she deserved this, "I'm sorry" she whispered.

Byron looked at Daniella, who was now looking at the floor, clearly very upset, "I'm sorry tonight didn't turn out as you wanted, but know, Jason seems like a good guy" he said, knowing how excited his daughter was for tonight.

Daniella looked at her father, she gave him a grateful nod, Byron then left the room, leaving Daniella alone.

After Byron left, Aria walked over to her sister's room, "Dani" she called.

Not wanting to deal with her sister, Daniella quickly stood up and slammed the door on her face, in no mood to hear her excuses.

Aria sighed, she knew she deserved that, she knew how important tonight was for Daniella, but her revealing Ezra and her relationship ruined tonight for her and then asking their parents as to why they accepted Jason and not Ezra, also didn't help.

***

"Mr. Fitz told your parents about him and Aria?" a shocked Hanna asked through the phone, while driving to the greenhouse where A was supposed to meet up with Emily.

"Yeap" Daniella confirmed, still standing in her room.

"How did your parents react?" Hanna asked.

"They sent Aria and me to our rooms, they're mad at me for hiding this" Daniella replied.

"Wait" Hanna said, suddenly realising something, "You're still in your room?".

"Yeah but don't worry, I know how to sneak out, you need to hurry and get there before Emily and Spencer start freaking out" Daniella said.

"Don't worry, I'm on my way, I'll be there soon, you and Aria need to get here as well" Hanna said.

"We'll be there" Daniella assured.

***

Both Daniella and Aria stepped out of their rooms at the same time, they could still hear their parents downstairs, talking about Aria and Ezra, they looked at each other, wondering how they were going to get past their parents.

"Dani".

Aria and Daniella turned around and came face to face with their little brother.

Mike looked at Aria, "Are you going to see him?" he asked.

"No" Aria quickly replied, "Me and Dani are going to see our friends".

Mike looked at Daniella, who nodded her head in agreement, he sighed, "You two better go this way" he said, gesturing towards his room.

Mike led his sisters towards the window in his room, after opening the window, he turned to the twins.

"There's handhold" Mike explained, seeing the apprehensive looks on his sisters faces, "You two are gonna have to drop the last four feet, though".

"So this is how you sneak out of the house" Daniella realised, walking over to the window.

"It's been my escape route for years" Mike said, as Daniella looked down, realising she could easily do this.

While Daniella assessed their escape route, Aria looked at Mike, "Look, Mike, what's going on with me and Ezra it's really--".

"Stop" Mike interrupted, "Look, I'm sorry I hit him, but when I saw dad's face, I figured better I do it than him".

Daniella patted Mike's should, while Aria gave him a small smile, the two sisters then proceeded to climb out the window.

***

Daniella, Aria and Spencer arrived at the greenhouse at the same time, as they entered the greenhouse they were shocked seeing A about to kill Emily.

"Emily!" Spencer yelled.

After realising they were outnumbered A tried to run away, but the three quickly grabbed shovels and stood infront of A, stopping them from running, as they took small and steady steps towards them, A kept moving backwards to avoid the girls, when suddenly they grabbed a plant and threw it up in the air so it hit the glass, causing the three girls immediately to shield themselves so no glass shards could harm them, using this opportunity A quickly ran out the greenhouse.

"Are you okay?" Daniella asked, helping Emily stand up.

"I'm fine" Emily assured, "Come on, we have to go after A".

Daniella nodded and with that the four girls proceeded to run after their tormenter before A managed to escape.

As the girls came out of the greenhouse, they saw Hanna hit A with their car, but A quickly get up and run away. Without wasting another second all five girls walked into the woods after A but to their annoyance and shock, A had managed to get away from them.

"My god, I don't believe this!" a frustrated Spencer yelled.

"Hey" Aria said, running over to Emily after seeing that she was struggling to breathe, "You okay?".

"Yeah, I think so" an exhausted Emily replied.

"Did I just hit what I think I did?" a shocked Hanna asked.

"Yes!" Spencer yelled, "And now they're gone! We've got nothing! We've got nothing!".

"Was it Garrett or Jenna?" Hanna asked, the girls proceeded to walk back to her car.

"How could it be Jenna?" Spencer asked.

"I couldn't tell" Emily informed.

"Could you tell their gender?" Daniella asked.

"No!" Emily stated.

"Any sense of boobs?" Hanna asked.

"Hanna" Spencer warned, as the girls stopped walking.

"What?" Hanna asked, "It could be a clue".

Daniella shook her head, she looked at the ground and that's when her eyes landed on a phone laying by Hanna's car, "Whose phone is that?" Daniella asked her phone.

"That's not mine" Spencer said, as the girls circled around the phone.

"It's not mine" Emily added.

"It's none of ours" Hanna realised, as the girls looked between them.

"Do you think when A bounced off the car--" Aria started.

"That's A's cellphone" Spencer finished.

"We did get something" Daniella realised.

***

Presenting 2x14 of We Belong Together!

How was the chapter?

Thoughts on Spencer and Emily's fight?

Thoughts on Byron inviting Jason to dinner?

Thoughts on Hanna helping calm Daniella's nerves about Jason coming to dinner?

Thoughts on Daniella getting mad at Aria for revealing her relationship to their parents on the night Jason was meeting their dad?

Thoughts on the girls finding A's cellphone?