Slightly different style of writing than I'm used to which if probably why I wrote it quicker compared to anything else I write. Lesson learned, if I want to write quicker, just don't at dialogue.

All chapter titles are from 'Can't catch me now' by Olivia Rodrigo

+++

She'd found him in Boston. He'd been across the street when he saw her, weaving her way through the crowd with determination. She'd spotted him only seconds later and her feet had ceased their movements. She'd crossed the street with hurried steps and was greeting him with a beaming smile and a hug, before he could blink.

It had only been noon at the time, but their conversation had lasted the rest of the day. Strolling aimlessly around the city as they reminisced about their less than pleasant time in Rosewood, and revealed all that had happened to them since.

By the time it was dark, Jason was unwilling to let her disappear again. So he'd offered her a place to stay for the night, knowing full well she had a hotel waiting for her across town.

She accepted.

And she did not return to her hotel for the remainder of her trip.

+++

Aria's job interview came and went. They were no doubt impressed with her resume. But when she received a job offer not long after, she turned it down - citing a need to travel and familiarise herself with the world, before settling into her career.

+++

She was only meant to stay in Boston for two weeks. Her original departure date passed with no mention of her leaving.

Similarly, he too put off his plans in favour of spending time with her. Enjoying every moment he had with her before she no doubt disappeared again.

Jason wasn't entirely sure what he would do when she left again (he'd convinced himself that if he said 'when' instead of 'if', he'd be prepared for the disappointment - that it wouldn't hurt as much).

(He was lying to himself).

Aria often found herself daydreaming about what her different futures could be like. She could go back to Rosewood, get a job as a journalist for the local paper, or perhaps become an English teacher (the thought was met with bile rising in her throat and was quickly dispelled with a shake of her head). Get a nice house in the suburbs, marry a basic nice-guy-next-door and pop out a few kids.

While it was not a terrible life - it felt too mundane after the excitement of a whirlwind romance in the city. The small town life wasn't enough for her anymore.

She wanted to travel the world, see all the sights a tourist would want, and then the hideaways only known to locals. She wanted to learn new languages, explore other cultures - She wanted more than Rosewood could offer her.

But more than that, she wanted the simple things too.

To wake up next to Jason each morning, cursing himself for not shutting the blinds. To steal his hoodies and to continue making his tea the way he likes it best.

Rosewood definitely wasn't enough.

+++

They didn't hide it.

Jason's facetime calls with Ali revealed the evidence of two people sharing a space instead of one, clear to even the most oblivious. Aria in the background, usually huddled under the duvet, in bed but still visible to the phone. Two cups of coffee being prepared mid conversation. Clothes that very clearly weren't his, folded up on the sofa.

Yet his nosy, prying little sister, didn't say a word.

The same could be said for Spencer. Aria often talked to her, phone calls that spanned hours - subjects stretching from the extravagant to the most mundane details of each other's lives.

(Jason would never mention it, but secretly he believed Aria and Spencer shared a bond much closer than that with the other girls)

Yet nothing was said. Jason wondered if his sisters did in fact know, but were waiting for him to tell them first.

They enjoyed the secrecy of it. Like they were teenagers in high school again, only this time it was the harmless secrets they were keeping.

+++

Jason didn't say much when Ali brought up Charlotte.

It was subtle at first, mentioning how her treatment was going before it evolved into Ali asking he'd be coming home to visit them both. Making plans of where he'd stay, when he could arrive, who'd meet him at the airport - trying to entice him to come.

He'd always try to avoid having these conversations when Aria was around.

The first time Aria overheard Charlotte's name being mentioned, she froze up and left the room with as much speed as possible, knocking over a lamp in the process.

He told Ali he tripped.

+++

The day the summons came was the day they began finalising plans.

Aria had finally allowed herself to wish for something other than the mundane life that awaited her in Rosewood - do something unexpected.

They'd start in Ethiopia and then go wherever they were needed.

Aria had never looked forward to something more in her life.

Until two letters came through the door. One from Alison and one from the court of Pennsylvania, requesting they return for Charlotte's hearing.

Jason had read both letters with a blank face, unwilling to show any emotion until Aria did. He didn't feel like it was his place to do so.

Afterall, Aria was the one Charlotte had tortured.

It was as if a wall had gone up, separating Aria from the world and only Jason could chip away at the edges.

The hope from Alison had stung. The belief that with a few nice words, Aria would forget all that had been done to her, just because Ali wanted a sister.

Jason listened patiently as she raged, held her when she cried, reassured her that she didn't have to go (it was a request, not a demand, he rationalised).

None of the other girls called. Discussed why Alison believed they would lie for her again.

Aria wondered if Alison had considered the weight of what she was asking them to do. To allow Charlotte back out into the world is to allow the fear out as well. Back to constantly checking over their shoulders, flinching when they get a text. Whilst those feelings would never go away, with 'A' free, those fears could become true.

As long as Charlotte Dilaurentis lived, they could never know true peace.

+++

Mona was the only one to answer Aria's calls. The only one who shared what she would say at the hearing.

Hearing Mona's heart wrenching plea, Aria felt a bit less alone and a bit less afraid.

No one would vouch for Charlotte.

+++

They reunited at The Brew, hugs and small talk taking them into the late afternoon.

Gossip about work, love lives and sleeping arrangements.

No one pried when Aria said she was staying at a friends' (Jason having invited her to his apartment from way back when).

She was almost disappointed, then reminded herself that she wasn't offering the information freely either.

Still, despite all the talk of Hannah's engagement and Emily's budding romance, no one asked her.

+++

Jason waited for her to come back, like always.

Aria's smile didn't meet her eyes.

She'd only just got back in town, and already couldn't wait to leave.

Neither could he.

+++

Being back in Rosewood High was strange. It was difficult to think about the place without thinking about the terror that 'A' wrought.

Ali's pleas would pull on the heartstrings if she was talking to anyone else. Her tales of Charlotte's past would bring a tear to anyone else's eye and if she were anyone else, Aria would feel bad for her.

But it wasn't anyone else. It was them.

The people Charlotte had tortured.

Alison's dismissal of all they had suffered, immediately correcting Spencer's 'victim statements' to 'statements of support'. It was too much.

It was like she'd forgotten.

No, it was like she wasn't there. She wasn't the one held captive in a lifesize dollhouse.

Aria looked away when Jason's name came up, Spencer demanding to know why her brother wasn't there.

Aria was the only one who knew where he was. She knew his opinions on the matter.

Alison wasn't looking for their forgiveness.

As always, it was all about Ali. Her family. Her life.

Not about them. Their suffering, their fear.

Alison walked out, they all watched.

There was expectation in her eyes that they'd lie for her. The confidentness in her walk made a heavy weight settle in Aria's chest.

There would be no coming back from this betrayal.

+++

Alison wouldn't accept any of his excuses of avoiding Welby. She called every day, pestering him to testify for Charlotte. After enough missed calls, he heard through Aria that Ali was seeking out his address, intent on dragging him to Welby by his ankles.

He'd never wanted to avoid his sister more.

+++

They gathered outside the courthouse, listening to Veronica Hastings' speech.

Spencer was going to lie. That much was certain.

Hannah proclaimed they won, they got away. Not accounting for the fact that Charlotte could begin the chase again. She was going to lie.

Emily remained silent, but the look was there. Whatever she felt for Alison in high school was there. She was going to lie.

The weight in her chest sank lower.

She would not lie.

+++

Mona was in the crowd. Spencer had sought her out earlier.

Aria tracked her down at the end of the speech. They ended up at the old bakery on main street.

She told her that the others were going to lie. That Charlotte could come out.

And that if that happened, Aria was leaving Rosewood as fast as Jason's car would take her.

Mona told her about the nightmares. That no amount of therapy could stop what she saw in her sleep each night.

Mona would tell the truth.

How strange that the Original A was who Aria felt closest to at this moment.

+++

Aria wanted to scream. She wanted to cry.

Alison always knew how to manipulate ( it was like she was born with the talent ), and she was doing it perfectly.

She spoke of family, of sisterhood.

She said nothing about what she did, about the people sitting behind her and what they had suffered at Charlotte's hands.

The weight sank lower yet.

They lied. All of them.

Nothing had changed.

With each testimony, Alison's smile grew. The locks on Charlotte's room turned.

Each word spoken was like another step 'A' took towards them.

She felt sick as she approached the chair. A single chair at a large table, empty.

She tried not to let the thoughts of a similar metal table flood her mind. The one with switches, pictures of her friends - all of them beaten. Tried not to hear the chirpy voice telling her to choose.

The judge called her name. Her heart was racing.

The door opened and Jason walked in.

Alison's eyes narrowed. It was impossible for him to have made it here in time unless he was already in Rosewood. No doubt words would be had when this was over.

Aria took a breath. Jason was here. All she had to do was say her piece, Mona would do the same and then they could leave. Her and Jason could be on a flight before Alison even made it home.

She told the truth.

About what she'd suffered, the lasting impression it left on her psyche. The panic attacks, the scars, the time she was admitted to the hospital for heart problems relating to the torture Charlotte had subjected her to and the anxiety that worsened it after the fact.

She told them her fears of Charlotte getting out, about what she could do if she did. She could come after them and do it all over again.

She looked at Alison.

Her friend had never looked so betrayed.

Aria didn't care. If everything she had just said didn't convince Ali that Charlotte was someone they feared, rightfully so, then Aria wanted nothing to do with her.

Alison had never tried too hard to stay in contact anyway.

Mona was next.

Aria could see her shoulders rise and fall faster and faster.

She crumpled up the piece of paper in her hands and Aria felt the weight drop to her feet.

Then she let out a breath of relief.

Mona told the truth.

+++

The girls had tried to drag her to 'The Radley'. Convince her that they should be together tonight, commiserate with each other over the fact that they lied, even though she didn't.

Aria had never declined an invitation so fast.

She didn't need them right now.

She needed Jason.

He'd fled the courtroom with a knowing look in her direction. She was fairly certain he was around the corner with Mona currently, both of them hiding away from being accosted by Alison.

She left the girls in a hurry, trying not to think about the fact that they didn't stop her. She shouldn't care about that.

They lied.

Mona and Jason were exactly where she thought they'd be, both with eyes sweeping the square - no doubt searching for her or watching for Alison.

She was tucked under Jason's arm, pressed against his side, before Mona could register who was approaching ( which is to say, she moved fast ).

Mona lifted a brow but didn't comment, saying her goodbyes with promises to keep in touch - then she was gone.

Jason's car was screeching out of the car park as Alison emerged from the building. Aria watched as her infuriated face became smaller and smaller as they left the main square.

They went straight home ( Aria didn't let her thoughts linger on the fact that she referred to Jason's tiny apartment in Philadelphia as home, home was where he was ) and didn't emerge for the rest of the day.

+++

Alison called her the next morning, she let it go to voicemail.

She called Jason next, he too let it ring until Ali gave up.

It was when texts started flying in at an alarming rate that Jason extracted himself from Aria's arms and climbed out of bed to see what was so urgent. Alison and all of the girls had messaged them both, texts becoming more urgent and frantic with each one.

Charlotte was missing.

'A' was missing.

Aria's breathing became uneven, her chest rising too quickly, her heart rate going up.

The phones kept buzzing.

Jason threw them across the room before he comforted her to the best of his ability.

They began packing immediately, clothes tossed into cases with little care.

Anywhere that had a stalker of the likes of 'A' on the loose, was somewhere neither of them wanted to be.

+++

Aria spoke to the group before she left. Told them that she and Jason were leaving before Charlotte started the game again and that they too should leave, go back to the lives they dropped when Alison beckoned them to Rosewood.

They all asked her to stay, she laughed. The hysterical kind of laugh, but one laced with desperation. She needed to get out - even if Charlotte was better, even if she left them alone, a life in Rosewood would be spent looking over their shoulder at every turn. A life of fear.

They said they could figure it out and face it all together.

They said they were a team. All but one.

Spencer stayed quiet. Aria almost wished she would yell at her, tell her how unfair she was being.

Beg her to stay.

Instead she stayed quiet.

+++

Aria called Spencer later, when their clothes were packed and the car engine was running.

Spencer didn't beg her to stay. She didn't accuse her of abandoning them.

She asked where they would go. She asked if Aria was the person Jason was living with, the one in the background of every phone call.

She told them to go, flee whilst they could and that she herself would be doing the same.

Aria had never loved her best friend more.

( Jason was right. They were closer than the rest )

+++

His phone rang again as they crossed into New York City. Alison. He ignored it.

They'd spend two weeks in the city, being regular tourists whilst they sorted out their plans. Then they'd be off to wherever Carissimi sent them.

Alison called again. They ignored it.

Spencer called, they answered.

Charlotte was dead.

Presumably jumped from the bell tower with a flower in hand.

'A' was gone. Permanently.

Aria couldn't find it in her to feel sad, not even for Alison's sake. In fact she felt a bit relieved, her biggest tormentor was gone for good - there was no risk of her getting out of Welby and coming after them.

She was free, well and truly free.

Jason wished he felt bad, but he'd mourned all the siblings he could for a lifetime.

First Charles / Charlotte, when his parents sent his 'imaginary friend' away. Then Alison went missing and was found dead a year later.

He'd mourned the person he thought he knew, that was enough for him.

Jason and Aria linked arms and headed out of their hotel. They'd walk aimlessly today, free to do whatever they pleased with someone watching their every move.

Whatever all of their tomorrows brought, they'd face together.

It couldn't be worse than their yesterdays.

+++

The following chapters are sequels & What-ifs based on this one-shot.

1) Liars perspective on Jason and Aria based after this one-shot.
2) Aria snaps at Alison after the hearing.
3) Charlotte never gets out.

All of them will probably be a bit shorter than this.