044, what becomes of the broken-hearted?
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ASPEN STANDS with the others minus Spencer in the corridor of the high school since she had to fill in some paperwork for Mrs Lockman.

"Did she show up to A.P. English? Was she even here today?" Emily quizzes asking Aria about Spencer's whereabouts.

"I think we would know if Spencer were here. People would be running for cover." Hanna states still a little annoyed at Spencer for outing Alison's secret and also outing that Aspen knew about it to Jason.

Aria and Emily look at Hanna shocked hearing the lack of empathy in Hanna's tone.

"What? Look, she's hurting, and when people hurt, they lash out. Just... give her some space." Hanna suggests.

"Oh. Believe me, I will be. I'm lucky that Jason's even talking to me." Aspen explains looking at the others.

"We have. But she's living on planet free-fall," Aria voices closing her locker and beginning to walk with the others.

"Have either of you talked to Toby?" Aria questions looking from Aspen and Emily.

"Well, I left him a ton of messages. Think we're going to have to find out what went down from Spencer," Emily states making Aspen look away knowing exactly what went down with the couple and Toby's darkest secret.

"Maybe I'll get some cupcakes and show up at her house." Emily continues to say.

"She doesn't have the flu. She doesn't need rag mags and junk food. She needs to work through this pain, not cover it." Hanna utters.

"Hmm. Okay, Dr. Hannah. Pretty sure when you and Caleb broke up, you locked yourself in your bedroom for two weeks, and all you ate was eskimo pies." Aria smirks looking at the Marin girl.

"They were skinny cows, and it was four days. Besides, I'm not Spencer. I would ditch school for a hang nail. And I'm sure Aspen here would agree." Hanna states.

"Yeah, I would. But I'm also no longer attending this school. Just here so I can get my fashion designs out there." Aspen shrugs, "Yeah, well, I'm going over there." Emily says.

"You need to tell her what you remember about the blonde in the red coat. And give her a riddle, she needs to use that part of her brain again." Aria suggests earning a chuckle off Aspen in response.

"Yeah, and tell her I think I saw her too." Hanna reveals, "Back up, saw who?" Aria quizzes confused facing Hanna now.

"When I went into that fake interview, I could have swore I saw a blonde girl in a red coat staring at me across the street." Hanna explains while Aspen gently taps Emily's arm motioning to Spencer arguing with Andrew in the courtyard.

Spencer eventually storms away from Andrew after snapping at Mona sitting with the rest of the team after they voted her out.

"I've got this." Emily sighs following Spencer into the hallway to talk to her.

"Anyways, I gotta go. Sabrina's got an appointment in the city so she's unable to have Bowie for the afternoon. If you need me, drop by my apartment, okay?" Aspen offers.

"Okay. Thanks Spen. Bye." Hanna and Aria simultaneously say while Aspen waves goodbye to Emily who's walking back towards them after Spencer stormed away from her.

✹

BOWIE TILTS his head at Aspen once the blonde picks up his leash.

"Wanna come for a walk?" Aspen quizzes in a little voice receiving a happy tail wag off the dog.

The apartment door open and closes signalling someone's entrance, "Hey babe. I'm gonna get some lunch. Want something?" Aspen inquiries looking at Jason.

"No. Thank you for offering though." Jason responds walking into the bedroom to shower making Aspen sigh before picking up Bowie's leash and walking out of the apartment towards The Brew down the street.

"Oh my gosh!" A startled voice exclaims crashing into Aspen, "My bad. I'm sorry." Aspen says looking up noticing CeCe walking out of the cafe.

"OMG. Aspen, just who I was looking for. What are you doing later?" CeCe questions.

"Um... nothing. Except for spending the rest of the day with this one." Aspen explains pointing at Bowie happily sitting by her feet, "Could you help me with a website?" CeCe asks.

"I mean.. sure. But you'll have to come to my apartment." Aspen responds, "Done. And done." CeCe confirms with a smile.

"Oh. And maybe ring Aria... she's good with a camera." Aspen smiles.

"Yes! God. This is what I missed you." CeCe exclaims excitedly.

"Here's my address. Just show up whenever. Although, I'd wait a while due to my boyfriend being there at the moment." Aspen utters.

"I'll be there later. Thanks again, Spen." CeCe says nodding her head and walking off towards her boutique.

Aspen orders her lunch and returns to her apartment sighing noticing Jason's gone to work.

"Well, looks like it's just us. Again." Aspen lowly says gently patting Bowie's head beginning to eat her salad from The Brew.

✹

EMILY WALKS towards the classroom she knows Jason's currently in noticing said male sitting in a circle.

"Hey. What are you doing back here?" Jason questions looking up at the Fields girl walking into the classroom.

"I wanted to talk to you about what Spencer said at the cemetery." Emily says.

"You going to tell me she made that up─ Ali being pregnant. Don't bother, Aspen's already explained things to me." Jason utters.

Emily exhales strolling closer to the her cousins partner, "Did Aspen also tell you about what you put her through that summer?" Emily quizzes.

"This isn't about Aspen and I, Em. This is about my little sister," Jason mutters.

"Oh. Come on, Emily, that wasn't breaking news to any of you." Jason states standing up and walking towards the desk in the classroom.

"It doesn't mean it's true, just because CeCe said it. I mean─ sure, Aspen knew as well, but she was dealing with a lot back then. I know that." Emily states.

Jason turns towards Emily with frowned brows, "CeCe? Is that who set her up with Wilden? And Emily... I know I put Aspen through absolute hell that summer while we were in Cape May. And I'm sorry about that." Jason explains.

"No. She doesn't even know him. I asked. And Aspen loves you, Jason. So incredibly much. I mean─ she's stuck with you? And now she's agreed to become your wife," Emily smiles actually noticing a small smile cross Jason's face at the mention of Aspen agreeing to marry him.

"I just thought it was weird seeing a picture of Wilden up in Cape May." Emily continues to explain getting back on the Alison subject.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, what picture? Where'd you see this? Does Aspen know about this as well?" Jason questions confused.

"Police station. Wilden and a few of his buddies holding up a fish. And yes, Aspen does know about the picture." Emily responds.

"On a boat?" Jason inquires remembering a picture a lot like the one Emily's mentioning, "Uhh, it's more of a dock. Why?" Emily wonders.

"Alison made my dad this collage, and there was a picture of her... and Aspen on a boat. What if it was Wilden's?" Jason inquires.

"Jason, you can't ask him. Maybe ask Aspen about the picture? She might tell you. Just not Wilden. Okay, if he is trying to hide something, it could hurt you. Don't bring up what Spencer said." Emily pleads knowing if anything about to the male Aspen wouldn't forgive herself.

"It's too late. I already called him." Jason voices shocking Emily, "What? What did he say?" Emily asks.

"Nothing. Yet. I left a message. Would sure help, though, if I were armed with more proof." Jason utters, "Where is that picture of Ali and Aspen?" Emily quizzes.

"Probably in some box in my dad's new office. Aspen might also have a copy of it as well." Jason shrugs, "Can I see it?" Emily questions.

"Yeah. Sure. Just don't tell Aspen what we're doing, please." Jason demands hearing Emily deeply inhale before exhaling, "Okay." Emily nods in understanding.

✹

ASPEN AND CeCe organise one of the websites for all of ten minutes before CeCe has to rush off due to meeting Aria and her assistant at the boutique for the photography of the shop.

Laid out of on the couch, Aspen scrolls through her laptop putting together designs before frowning noticing the time and the lack of Jason arriving home.

YOU COMING HOME?
─ ASPEN

Looking at her phone waiting for Jason's response biting her lip knowing they aren't doing okay at the moment since Spencer's sudden reveal of Alison's possible pregnancy.

STAYING AT THE
HOUSE TONIGHT.
─ JASON

Aspen breathes out roughly through her mouth definitely knowing somethings going on with them at the moment.

OKAY. I LOVE YOU X
─ ASPEN

She sends the last message before placing her phone on the coffee table at her feet looking at her laptop screen picking a movie to relax with a nice cold glass of mineral water before dozing off feeling the urge for some shut eye.

✹

JASON AND Emily walk out of the elevator, "Is that Aspen messaging you?" Emily asks hearing Jason's phone chime with another text message.

"Yeah. She's just curious to where I am." Jason chuckles turning his phone on silent reading Aspen's last message with an actual happy smile on his face.

"I know I packed that picture myself." Jason states leading Emily further into the office, "When did your dad move here?" Emily quizzes.

"It's been a while. I think the move was more about leaving Rosewood than anything else," Jason explains turning the lights on to the office before gesturing towards some of the unpacked boxes.

"I'm pretty sure it's in one of these boxes." Jason states beginning to open said boxes looking for the picture.

"That must've been hard. Back there. Who do you think would do something like that?" Emily wonders looking at her cousins fiancé.

"Honestly? Alison," Jason responds noticing Emily's shocked look, "But I don't think she's visiting us from beyond the grave, so─ I have no idea." Jason sighs.

"I do," Emily voices getting a look of curiosity off Jason.

"Jason, I know you think of Mona as a friend, but she spent two years pulling stunts like that on us. I mean─ she was the one who poisoned Aspen, and made her miscarriage. Along with giving her a concussion." Emily firmly states.

"Mona is not a friend, Emily. She's a link." Jason mutters looking at Emily.

"To what?" Emily asks, "I'm pretty sure she knows who dug up my sister's remains." Jason says shocking Emily.

"And you think she'll tell you?" Emily questions stunned, "Well, she hasn't yet. But I'm getting warmer," Jason says making eye contact with Emily who tilts her head.

"And, no. Aspen isn't aware I'm still talking to Mona. So please, keep that to yourself. I'm doing all of this to protect her, Em. I love your cousin, so much." Jason states.

"Okay. I won't tell her. But be careful. Please." Emily demands smiling at the DiLaurentis male.

"Aren't I always?" Jason smirks before digging through more of the photos in his father's belongings.

Emily frowns pulling out a collage from one of the boxes, "Is this it?" Emily quizzes.

"Yeah." Jason responds standing beside Emily once again looking at the collage closely, "Why would Ali give this to your dad?" Emily inquires.

"Typical Ali move. Strolled in one day at dawn. Father went ballistic. This was her apology." Jason explains motioning towards the collage once again.

"That's the one." Jason states pointing out one of the photos, "Whose hand is that on Ali's shoulder?" Emily questions letting Jason peel back the photo not wanting to disturb the artwork Alison made.

"Wilden. Check the other side." Emily says as Jason unpeels the photo revealing CeCe on the other side.

"CeCe told you she didn't know him?" Jason quizzes looking at the photo of Alison, Wilden and CeCe standing close to one another on the boat.

Jason sighs relieved noticing Aspen no where in the photograph, "Why did she lie? Is she protecting him?" Emily asks.

"Might be protecting herself." Jason responds as a suggestion, "Why?" Emily questions confused.

"Maybe they had their own thing going on. Maybe she planned on meeting up with him that night." Jason voices letting go of the pictures and standing up straight.

"What night?" Emily quizzes curiously, "The last night my sister was alive." Jason reveals beginning to explain to Emily what he saw the night of Alison's disappearance.

Or at least what he remembers considering all he wanted that night was his girlfriend but they fought before Aspen went to the barn to
spend time with the others.

"Jason, when police were questioning you about that night, why wouldn't you just tell them?" Emily questions genuinely shocked.

"I never trusted that's what I really saw. I mean, all I wanted was Aspen and I saw her so many times that night─ in my head and out," Jason explains.

"Besides, if I had told them, that would have meant I was awake, even for a minute. And that would have made me a suspect." Jason states grabbing the photo from the collage and putting it in his pocket for proof.

✹

ASPEN GROANS waking up from her nap hearing her phone vibrating non stop on her coffee table.

"Hey Em." Aspen greets answering the phone call, "Woah. Woah. Em, what happened?" Aspen exclaims.

"Spen, there's been an accident. Jason was involved. You need to come to the hospital." Emily sobs.

"I'm on my way!" Aspen states ending the phone call grabbing her car keys locking her apartment door knowing Bowie will be alright for a few hours.

Running into the hospital, Aspen looks around seeing paramedics wheeling an empty gurney towards the ambulance.

"Em! Where is he?" Aspen shrieks noticing her cousin pacing the corridors.

"Oh Spen. I'm so sorry." Emily mumbles tearfully, "Em? What happened?" Aspen asks worriedly.

"He's in there." Emily says pointing towards the hospital room where Jason's currently being treated.

"Oh my god! You scared me!" Aspen exclaims through a sob seeing Jason looking at her already with a neck brace on.

"Hi Asp." Jason exhales, "You need to stop scaring me." Aspen sobs tightly embracing him being mindful of his wounds.

"I'm here." Jason whispers gently wiping Aspen's tears from her cheek, "What happened?" Aspen questions with a sniffle.

"The elevator gave way on Emily and I. Em got out before me," Jason explains while Emily walks back into the room after calling the others.

"Did they give something for the pain?" Emily questions, "Yeah, but it's making me thirsty." Jason says.

"Here." Aspen softly voices grabbing the plastic cup from the side table helping Jason sip on the liquid.

Jason gently places his non-injured arm on Aspen's leg since the blonde is sitting on beside him.

"You're really lucky, Jason. It's amazing you survived." Emily says.

Aspen stares at her fiancé with tears in her eyes looking at the scar from where he got shot and to the screwdriver on the Halloween train to the bruises lathered around his face from the fall.

"Yeah. This time. You and Spencer were right about the N.A.T. club. Someone wants me gone. I don't have the picture anymore. It's gone," Jason reveals tightening his hold on Aspen's leg knowing what he has to do next.

"Hey Em, can you get me some more water? I need to talk to Asp alone." Jason says.

"Y-y-yeah, sure." Emily stutters nodding closing the curtain so the couple can have some privacy.

"No. Don't look at me like that." Jason begs seeing Aspen's heartbroken face still looking over his wounds.

"I could've lost you. Again." Aspen cries wiping away a fallen tear from her cheek.

"Asp, I'm right here. I love you and always will." Jason firmly states nodding at his head.

"I love you so much." Aspen sniffles leaning down to kiss Jason's lips.

"I can hear your friends. Go and make sure they're alright." Jason suggests kissing Aspen's palm with a firm nod.

"Okay." Aspen nods leaning down to kiss Jason once again before walking towards the others just outside Jason's hospital room, unaware of Jason's plans.

Spencer rushes into the emergency department standing beside Hanna, "Can we see him?" Spencer asks panicked.

"Uh... yeah, he's over there." Aspen explains gesturing to Jason's room, "He asked me to get him some more water." Emily explains.

"I'll do it. I'm sorry." Spencer says looking at Emily, "Me too." Emily responds slowly nodding.

"Excuse me! Where's your friend?" Nurse Lucinda questions gently placing her hands on Aspen's back since she knows Aspen's the closest with the male.

"What?" Aspen questions shocked, "The patient in bed 3, Jason DiLaurentis. Where'd he go?" Nurse Lucinda quizzes.

Aspen doesn't hesitate in rushing into the room shoving the curtain away from her noticing where Jason was previously laid now empty.

Aspen gasps in horror taking deep breaths now realising why he kept repeating that he loves her so many times.

He's leaving Rosewood and leaving her.

✹

HANNA ENTERS Aspen's apartment with Aspen beside her.

"Where's Bowie?" Hanna questions confused not hearing the dog's nails on the floor.

"I don't─ I don't know. Bowie! Here boy!" Aspen calls out before noticing a piece of paper on the kitchen counter.

"No. No. No. Please. No." Aspen pleads strolling towards the counter seeing the note placed there.

Aspen,
I'm sorry. I've taken Bowie with me as well.
Don't hold onto us anymore.
I hate doing this on a piece of paper.
I had to leave Rosewood and you behind.
Think of this as a fresh start.
I'll miss you.
─ Jason

Hanna reads the note alongside Aspen noticing said girl beginning to cry.

"He's gone. And he took my GODDAMN dog!" Aspen exclaims shattered.

"Shush. Shush. I'm so sorry, Aspen." Hanna says trying to sooth the now sobbing blonde girl on her living room floor.

─────── ∘°❉°∘ ───────
TO BE CONTINUED...

𝖊𝖑𝖘 𝖘𝖕𝖊𝖆𝖐𝖘 ⛧
i'm so sorry...
jason's gone.
so is bowie.

hope you enjoyed!

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