Hey everyone! Enjoy the chapter! Don't forget to review.

tw: outburst of anger, sexual content

There were one thousand, six hundred, and forty-eight little air holes in Spencer's cell. She'd counted every single one. It was the only thing that helped keep her mind off of everything that was going on. Spencer wasn't even sure what was going on.

Though she did know this: she was locked underground, in a tiny cell no bigger than the average bedroom, her former high school teacher occupied the cell across from her, and her twin was running around Rosewood as her, probably setting mailboxes on fire or something.

Spencer had been positive that her friends would notice – that there would be something that didn't seem quite right – but it seemed less likely as more time passed. Alex was her identical twin – everything about their physical appearance was identical. It was such a mind-fuck that Spencer half-expected to be ambushed with cameras and told it was a not-so-hilarious joke. But that was even less likely than her friends noticing that the Spencer they were with wasn't actually Spencer.

And Toby helping Alex was the icing on the putrid cake she'd been force-fed. He had explained to Spencer that he knew about Alex a long time ago, but had vowed never to say anything to anyone. He wouldn't reveal why he was helping Alex, or what he was getting in return, but apparently Toby and Wren had been pretty good friends. What was more was that Toby had promised Spencer that he wouldn't hurt her. And he hadn't.

Ezra, though, was a different story. All Toby would say about Ezra was that Alex had "special plans" for him. He did not elaborate on what those plans were and when Ezra had cursed at him, Toby had turned off the lights to his cell and shut the first set of doors. Ezra had stayed in his silent, dark cell for over an hour, while Toby had (presumably) gone upstairs.

When Toby had finally opened the steel doors and turned on the light, Ezra was on his bed, simply staring at the wall. From that point on, Spencer and Ezra barely saw Toby except when he brought them food and water.

By the time they had eaten their second meal, Spencer really had to use the bathroom, but she was too scared to ask Toby to let her out. Instead she looked Toby dead in the eye and asked for a bucket. Not only did Toby comply, albeit reluctantly, but he brought her toilet paper and a small pack of sanitizing wipes.

When Ezra had asked for his own bucket, Toby had initially refused, but Spencer managed to talk him into it. Ezra was an asshole, but he shouldn't have to use the bathroom in a bucket. He was still human, though in the lowest meaning of the word.

Later that night, when Alex still hadn't returned, Toby told her to get some sleep; Alex would be back tomorrow. Needless to say Spencer didn't sleep well. She tossed and turned, mumbling in her sleep. She only knew it was morning when Toby came down with toast, jelly and little milk cartons.

The only thing she could do was wait. Alex had to come back soon, right?

"Oh, my God," Alison groaned.

"What?" Emily glanced up from the book she was reading.

"These kids are killing me," Alison rubbed her eyes and sat back in the armchair she'd occupied for the past hour.

"Oh, don't be so dramatic." Emily said, rolling her eyes. "Their essays can't be that bad." She was stretched out comfortably on the couch, reading Rubyfruit Jungle.

"Most of them are pretty well-written, but there are a few handfuls that are just…yikes." Alison frowned, chewing on the end of her pen. "I can guarantee you half of these kids didn't read the book and just used Wikipedia."

"Ali, you used to do that," Emily giggled. "Remember when we had to read Animal Farm in eighth-grade and you watched the movie instead, and wrote your report based off the movie?"

Alison made a face. "God, I hated that book. It was so boring."

"So your kids probably felt the same way about what they read," Emily pointed out. "What did they have to read, anyway?"

"Guess." Alison smirked.

"I don't want to guess," Emily sighed. "Just tell me."

"Justguess!" Alison said. "Come on."

"Fine," Emily grumbled. "Uh… The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn?"

"Nope," Alison answered.

"The Scarlett Letter?" Emily guessed.

"Nah. Try again, babe," Alison said.

"Crime and Punishment?" Emily asked.

"Nope," Alison replied.

"Oh, come on, Ali!" Emily sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I give up. Just tell me."

"The Crucible," Alison said.

"Ooh, that's a good one!" Emily nodded.

"Yeah," Alison agreed. "And it's not even a lengthy novel, so I don't see why it was so difficult to read."

Emily giggled.

"What?" Alison's eyes narrowed.

"You sound like a stuffy old teacher," Emily teased.

Alison picked up a pillow and threw it at her. "Oh, go back to reading your own book! I have to finish grading these papers."

Emily stuck out her tongue, but turned back to her novel anyway. She had only been reading for about ten minutes when Alison gasped.

"That little brat!"

"What now?" Emily didn't look up from her book this time.

"Addison," Alison spat through her teeth.

"What'd she do, forget to cite her sources or something?" Emily joked.

"No," Alison seethed.

Emily set her book down. Alison sounded pissed, and something told her it wasn't because of half-assed schoolwork. She got up from her spot on the couch and walked over. "What? What is it?"

Alison thrust Addison's paper at Emily. She was so mad her hands were starting to shake.

Emily quickly scanned the paper in front of her. Her mouth fell open and she absentmindedly perched on the arm of the couch, her arm reflexively going around Alison's shoulders.

"Ali…" Emily didn't really know what else to say. "What are you going to do?"

"I am going to destroy her. If she thinks she can get away with –"

But she was cutoff mid-rant by her phone's text alert tone that sounded like an old-fashioned doorbell. She swiped her phone off the coffee table and opened the message. Her phone slipped from her hands and she scrambled to pick it up.

"WHAT THE FUCK, JASON?" Alison shouted.

"What? Are the girls hurt?" Emily asked, alarmed.

"Look!" Alison groaned. She shoved her phone in Emily's face. "I will kill him!"

Emily set Addison's paper aside and glanced down at Alison's phone. On it was a picture of Lily and Grace in matching mint-green bonnets and new onesies.

I MUSTACHE ASK YOU A QUESTION, read one

And

BUT I SHALL SHAVE IT FOR LATER, the other

Of course a couple of silly onesies weren't what made the two women so upset. What made them upset were the tiny, gold Eiffel Tower earrings in one of their daughter's ears, and the silver snow globes in the other.

Hanna fully intended on shopping. She needed to spoil herself after her breakup with Caleb, and the worst hangover of her life that subsequently followed earlier this morning.

She had noticed a pair of Marc Jacobs heels on sale that were to die for, and had every intention of purchasing them. But it was kind of hard to focus on shoes when she had her back against the wall of a stuffy dressing room with Mona's fingers deep inside her.

It was like something out of a goddamn Lifetime movie. The Hastings' house was impeccably clean. The carpet looked freshly shampooed, the kitchen floor was freshly waxed, and even the damn drapes looked spotless. There was a kettle of tea on the stove, a plate of fresh-baked macaroons on the island table, and the air smelled heavenly; like fresh laundry and lavender.

Peter was dressed in dark blue jeans and a plan blue T-shirt, while Veronica looked more sophisticated in black dress pants and a black blazer. It was almost eerie how put-together everything was.

Alex followed Spencer's parents into the living room and took a seat on the couch.

"What did you want to talk about? Is everything going well at the firm?" Veronica asked, concerned, as she settled down in an armchair across from her, while Peter sat in the other chair.

"Is it Mary?" Peter's voice was taut and sharp, almost unnerving.

"Yes, the firm is fine. No, it isn't about Mary," Alex answered, with a roll of her eyes. "I want to talk about…well, about us."

"Us?" Peter and Veronica echoed in unison.

Alex paused. She wanted to ask why they never knew about her. How could that be possible? Would they have kept her, had they known? But she couldn't. Not yet, anyway.

"Why did you keep this a secret from me for so long?" Alex finally asked. "Were you….ashamed?"

"No!" Veronica gasped. "We could never be ashamed of you, sweetheart. It was very complicated. Mary –"

" – Is very unwell," Peter cut in. "She's sick, Spencer. We thought it would be best if you didn't know."

"I know I am not your birth mother, honey, but I am still your mother." Veronica sounded like she was going to start crying.

Alex frowned. "Don't cry," she whispered. "I…." She swallowed. Suddenly she wasn't sure what to say. What could she say without blowing everything out of the water?

"I'm going to go up to my room," Alex said slowly, rising to her feet. "I'm staying with Aria for a few days," she added, as she ascended up the stairs to Spencer's room. "In light of…well, you know. She needs me."

"Alright," Veronica said.

"Send our regards," Peter added. "Poor girl..."

"Yeah," Alex murmured. She hurried up the stairs, too afraid of what she would say if she stayed a moment longer.

Inside her sister's room, Alex sort of…felt at home. It was a comfortable feeling, even though the room wasn't hers. It certainly not how she'd decorate anyway. Spencer had trophies lined against various shelves on the bookshelf against the far wall. A collection of awards and ribbons for "first-place" this and first-place that lined the walls of her room and stretched all the way around, from one end of the doorframe to the other.

Alex walked through Spencer's room, into her closet and pulled out a large suitcase. She went through the closest and through Spencer's dressers, haphazardly throwing clothes into it. Then she went into Spencer's bathroom and grabbed her toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash and other bathroom necessities. She stuffed Spencer's pillows into her room, along with the comforter.

As she turned to walk away from the bed, she caught of a frame photo on Spencer's bedside table. She set down the suitcase and picked up the photo frame. Nestled inside was a picture of Aria and Spencer. Their arms were around each other's necks, their heads thrown back in laughter. Aria's smile was so big it reached her ears.

It made Alex's stomach churn uncomfortably, and she didn't even realize she'd thrown the frame until it shattered against the wall opposite the bed. The sound was loud, and Alex tensed, waiting for Peter and Veronica to come running. But nothing happened. Alex exhaled loudly. She shut her eyes and rubbed her temples, much like the way Spencer herself did.

"Goddammit!" Alex grumbled. She snatched up Spencer's suitcase and pulled on the handle. She shut off the light and exited Spencer's room, without bothering to clean up the glass from the now-broken frame.

When she made her way back downstairs, Veronica was gone, but Peter – her father – was reading a newspaper. For some reason the sight made Alex smile. Who the hell still read newspapers?

Alex cleared her throat. "D-Dad?"

Peter glanced up over the top of his newspaper. "Are you alright?" He set his paper down and motioned Spencer over. "You look pale. Maybe you should stay home."

Alex shook her head. "I'm fine," she said, her voice cracking. "I just…" She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Peter, who hugged her back. Alex was so overwhelmed she almost cried. It had taken twenty-three years, but she was finally in her father's arms. Despite what he had done, he was her father. He smelled like cologne and cigars. It was so typical and cliché that Alex laughed.

"What's so funny?" Peter pulled back.

"N-nothing," Alex swallowed. "It's just…it's good to see you."

"It's great to see you, too, honey," Peter hugged Spencer again and ruffled her hair. "Come home for lunch tomorrow. Bring Aria. We'll make an afternoon out of it."

"Really?" Alex brightened.

"Yeah, why not?" Peter smiled.

Alex hugged her father once more and left. As soon as she got in her car, pulled out of the driveway and turned the corner she burst into tears. So…that was what it was like. That's what it felt like to get a real hug from her father. It was a feeling Alex was sure she would never tire of.

When Alex arrived back at the bunker, Toby was yelling at Ezra. Again. She had walked in to hear the end of another rant of his, but didn't care enough to ask about it. She pulled Toby aside and they spoke in hushed whispers, while glancing at their hostages every few seconds. Alex pressed a sealed envelope into Toby's awaiting hands and bid him goodbye, and he shot out of there like a bat out of hell.

Alex punched in the code and entered Spencer's cell.

"Hey sis," Alex grinned. "Did ya miss me?" She gestured to the suitcase. "I've brought you a change of clothes. Reckon you don't wanna be in that for another day."

"Thank you," Spencer whispered, oddly touched by the sweet gesture. "That was really sweet of you."

"I've brought ya a pillow and bathroom stuff," Alex sat down in her chair next to Spencer's cot. "Thought I'd make ya a bit more comfortable."

"Did you bring me anything?" Ezra asked from his own cell.

"No," Alex scoffed.

"You brought Spencer clothes and everything else she might need, but you couldn't be bothered to at least get me a fresh change of clothes?" Ezra stared at Alex in disbelief. "Are you really that much of a bi ––"

"Ezra!" Spencer snapped. "God, I'm sick and tired of your constant whining. You're acting like a three-year-old."

"Oi, Spence. Now don't go 'round insulting three-year-olds like that," Alex said.

Spencer's lips twitched up into a smirk.

"I am NOT acting like a child!" Ezra shouted, nearly pouting. "Alex, this is ridiculous. Stop this right now. Let us out and I will consider not pressing charges against you for aggravated kidnapping."

Alex set the suitcase down and smiled. It was a smile that made Spencer nervous and uneasy. Not for Ezra's sake, but for Alex's. Even though she and her sister were tall, she didn't know how much Alex weighed. Ezra had a good one hundred pounds or so on the both of them.

"You know what?" Ezra glared at Alex's back. "I'm not surprised you were given up what was it, twice? If I were your father, I'd give you up, too!"

Both girls gasped and Alex whipped around and started toward Ezra's cell. "YOU FUC —"

"Al," Spencer reached out and tugged Alex back by her wrist. "Leave it. He's not worth it."

Alex turned to Spencer fast she was surprised she didn't pop a muscle. "Did…did you just call me 'Al'?" she asked.

Spencer shrugged. "It's a nickname. My friends call me Spence, as have you, so —"

"I like it," Alex said, shooting her sister a small grin.

For the first time it was a warm, genuine smile. A smile, in which, Spencer saw no deceit or malicious intent.

"I thought you might," Spencer said softly, returning the smile.

Alex glared at Ezra, flipped him the middle finger and sat down next to Spencer on her bed. She started to say something, but stopped and glanced around.

"Wait…" Alex said slowly.

"What?" Spencer asked.

"Toby didn't…that son of a bitch!" Alex sighed.

Spencer raised an eyebrow. "Toby didn't…what?"

Alex got up, crossed the room over to the wall at the end of Spencer's bed. She opened a hidden compartment in the wall, where a button was revealed, and pushed it. The right wall slid open to reveal a shiny, moderately sized bathroom, and Spencer leapt to her feet.

"There ya go," Alex smirked.

"There's a bathroom in here?" Spencer shrieked.

"Yep."

"With…with indoor plumbing?"

"And a shower," Alex shrugged. "Merlin, Spencer, I'm not that heartless." She walked over to her sister and waved her hand in the direction of Spencer's suitcase. "You'll find all yer bathroom needs in there, too."

"Jesus, Alex," Spencer managed, after the small shock had worn off. "How the hell did you manage all this?"

Alex bent down, pulled out a key from her shoe and unlocked Spencer's chain. It fell to the floor with a clank.

"You can have an hour to shower and freshen up," Alex nodded. "But you have to go back in the chain after."

Spencer nodded. She was so revealed she grabbed her suitcase and hurried into the bathroom. God, it was glamorous. It was shiny and clean, with a decent sized tub. She unzipped her suitcase, delighted to find not only clothes, but pillows, blankets and shampoo. She pulled out a change of clothes, and everything she'd need for her shower.

"Thank you, Alex," Spencer called out, changing out of her clothes. She turned on the shower, adjusted the temperature to HOT, and stepped under the stream.

One hour later

"Get off me!"

"No!"

"Alex!"

"Spencer!"

"You're not being fair!"

"All's fair in love and war," Alex teased.

Spencer shoved her shoulder into Alex's, momentarily causing Alex to drop her controller. "Ha!" she smirked triumphantly.

After her shower, Spencer had come out to see that Alex had remade her bed with fresh bedding, and had even added a soft mattress topper while she was in the shower. Alex had also dragged in a larger desk, which housed flat-screen TV and a PlayStation 4 gaming console. The two had been playing Mortal Kombat for almost an hour now.

"You cheated!" Alex exclaimed. "Not fair. Rematch?"

"You were jumping on my guy!" Spencer protested.

Across Spencer's cell, Ezra made a loud, obnoxious humming sound to her the girls' attention.

Both girls looked up.

"Uh, can I play?" Ezra asked hopefully. He was bored out of his mind.

"Piss off," Alex and Spencer snapped in unison.

The twins giggled at each other and Alex playfully bumped her sister's shoulder. "Okay, round two. Allow me to kick your arse."

More to come soon! 3