This post is day 3 of my 7 posts in 7 days challenge. I'm taking a break from my AU series (Viewed Through a Broken Mirror and The Odd Squad), to explore alternative 'ships that I would have preferred at the end of the series.

Prologue

She woke up to a tanned, muscular, shirtless man with shoulder-length blond hair and a scruffy beard holding out a cup of coffee for her. She graciously accepted it with a lingering kiss on his soft lips. In a few short hours, each would board a plane to separate destinations, but for now it was just the two of them in the secret garden of their forbidden tryst. She was floating on cloud nine.

"Won't you come with me to Ethiopia?"

"I can't, Jason, I'm sorry. I have this job interview in Boston, and I need to work, to make money," Aria spoke apologetically. Nothing would make her happier than leaving Rosewood, leaving the country, to live with Jason DiLaurentis. The time she spent with him in the last few weeks had been heavenly. Never in her wildest dreams could she imagine the intimacy she had experienced with her best friend's older brother.

"The charity will pay for you, and just imagine how many people we will be able to help. People with problems much bigger than ours." His passion for helping people was one of the many things Aria had grown to love about the beautiful man before her.

"By the way, isn't that company the one that published Ezra's book?" he inquired painfully, as he turned his back on the goddess perched daintily on his bed sipping her coffee. That this petite brunette who had become his world these past few weeks still harbored feelings for her high school teacher was almost too much for him to handle.

"That publishing company is one of the best in the country. I had to jump through hoops just to get this interview. It's an amazing opportunity for me," Aria protested. "Besides, I haven't spoken to Ezra in years. The company is so big I'd probably never even run into him."

Jason sighed then finished drinking his coffee in silence as Aria sauntered across the room to jump into the shower. He was so disappointed with the situation he didn't even follow her in, as he had almost every other time she showered. He heard the water blast the walls, then stop briefly as his fair-skinned goddess entered the stream, and his mind wandered to the first night they spent together.

After returning to Rosewood briefly to get his family affairs in order before his trip to Africa to join the peace corps, Jason stopped into the Brew for a cup of coffee. As he opened the door, his little sister's friend stood by the counter absentmindedly stirring sugar into her coffee. It had been a little over 4 years since he'd seen Aria at his sister's graduation party, and she had blossomed into a beautiful woman.

"Hey Aria," he said in a smooth, gentle voice. She turned in surprise, not expecting to run into anyone near the last call for coffee at the small-town Brew, especially not her childhood crush.

"Jason, hi!" she responded cheerfully. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm just in town for a few weeks to help my sister sort through some things in the house after my father left abruptly. He hasn't been able to deal with the realization Charlie has become Charlotte, and my sister is a mess," Jason said. "I've been out in Connecticut training for the peace corps. I'm headed to Ethiopia in a few weeks."

"Wow, I'm impressed. I also might not have recognized you if you didn't say something. The rugged look suits you well," Aria referenced his long hair and scruffy beard.

"Would you like to take your coffee to go? It's a beautiful evening, we can sit out in the Square and catch up. I'd love to hear about your experience in Georgia. You went to S.C.A.D., right?"

"Yeah, that sounds great. This place is about to close anyway and I'm not looking forward to spending a night at home with my dad. He's brooding over an empty house thanks to my mom moving in with her new squeeze and Mike off to college already for lacrosse training," Aria was floored Jason wanted to spend time with her. He had grown even more hansom than the last time she saw him, something she didn't think was possible.

They left the brew and walked the quiet streets of Rosewood, talking about family, the world outside of Rosewood and the very nature of the universe. Jason had grown philosophical in recent years of sobriety and Aria had a soft spot for deep intelligence. Before they knew it, Jason was leading Aria up to the apartment he had rented for the month. There was no way Jason could bear to stay in his old house, with all the sore memories of his high school years.

Aria could barely control herself, and had her arms around Jason's neck before the door had even closed. After deadbolting the door, Jason turned to Aria, gathered her in his arms, and leaned down to capture her soft lips in his. One kiss was all it took to send their desires, the ones they kept just below the surface, from boiling over into full-fledged passion. Aria reached for the hem of Jason's shirt, pulling it up over his head to reveal a rock-hard chest and well-defined abs. As she ran her nails across his waist, ending just above the button of his jeans, Jason grazed his hands across Aria's tiny waist and up to her lacy-covered breasts. As Aria pulled her shirt over her head, Jason skillfully undid her bra and watched it fall away to reveal her perfectly shaped breasts and rock-hard nipples. Jason sat on his bed and pulled Aria up to straddle his lap. She could feel his erection through his jeans as she rocked her hips against him in growing excitement. Jason took one nipple between his lips, with a gentle nibble before going for the other one, as his hands worked the button of Aria's leather pants. She stood quickly to peel down her pants, followed by her panties, before kneeling in front of Jason. Aria stared up into Jason's deep green eyes as she unbuttoned his pants and freed his erection. Without warning she took him into her mouth, down her throat, and then ran her tongue back up his shaft and continued sucking until he was on the brink of release. Jason stood and removed his pants and boxers before lifting Aria gently onto the bed. In an effort to prolong the intimacy, he began kissing her stomach gently, moving slowly to her inner thighs. Aria moaned loudly in approval, then began begging for Jason to enter. His passion was overwhelming, and Aria's sweet aroma begged him to use his tongue first. He gently ran his tongue up to her clit, then down to her entrance, and in as far as he could. After a few more times Aria was practically screaming in ecstasy. Finally Jason couldn't hold out any longer and gave her what she wanted, what she needed. He climbed up to kiss her, and Aria tasted herself for the first time. Jason entered her slowly, giving her time to adjust to his size. Aria had never been filled as much as she was now. Ezra's size was average, but Jason was an Adonis. It wasn't long before Jason and Aria become One, moaning in mutual ecstasy as they were overcome by the most powerful orgasm either had ever experienced.

Aria emerged from the bathroom, fully clothed and began applying her makeup, wondering just what the hell Jason had been thinking about. "You ok, Jay?"

"What? Oh yeah, just thinking. I probably ought to get dressed now, we need to leave for the airport soon," he said absentmindedly.

Aria could sense the hurt in his voice. She wanted more than anything to go with him, but she knew she couldn't. There were student loans to pay back, and if she got this job she was on the fast track to the successful career she had dreamed about. When she left Ezra more than four years ago to move to Georgia she thought she'd never survive. Focusing on her work allowed her to manage her pain, and she vowed she would never get so attached to another human being as long as she lived. She just didn't think she could handle the pain of another goodbye. And here she was. They had only been dating a few weeks, but this relationship with Jason was more intense and felt more real than things had ever been with Ezra.

An hour later, Aria and Jason were through security in the Philadelphia National Airport. Aria's flight to Boston left out of Gate A17 but Jason had to go all the way to concourse D for his. As they waited for the tram to arrive, Aria hugged Jason tightly, apologizing for not going with him. She tried with all her heart, but she couldn't prevent the tears from falling.

Jason could feel Aria's pain through the hug, could feel the slow sob coming up from her stomach, and felt like a horrible person to leave her like this. But there was nothing he could do. They were both following dreams, dreams that were pulling them apart. Just then the tram pulled up, and the hug was broken. Jason closed his eyes, leaned down, kissed her forehead and whispered "I love you Aria. Be safe."

With that, the fairy tale spell broke and Aria's tears fell like Niagara Falls. She could barely stand up when Jason dropped his arms and walked towards the tram car. It absolutely killed him to leave her like this, but he didn't think he had a choice. They had decided together to go their separate ways when the time came. Jason knew Aria missed out on high school thanks to Fitz, and he wasn't going to make her give up her dream of a successful writing/publishing career. And he was so invested in the peace corps he knew he couldn't walk away from his commitment either. After sitting down, Jason turned to wave good-bye to the girl who possessed his entire heart, but she was sitting on the ground with her head between her knees sobbing hysterically.