disclaimer: I don't own Pretty Little Liars that belongs to Sara Shepard, I. Marlene King, and Freeform. I do have "own" the other characters that were created in this story.

warnings/tags/notes: this is an alternative history story set after "Tick-Tok, Bitches". There will be characters that haven't been heard or mentioned in the canon or noncanon setting. This will contain Spencer and Caleb in some aspect – flashbacks, mentions, etc. As always, there will be mistakes and it isn't perfect.

without A trace

Chapter Fifteen: Epilogue

Her life was finally normal – as normal as it could get – by the time she was thirty-five. She had that setback that she was still recovering from but besides that, it was normal sailing. Spencer had a loving fiancée and two daughters, Safiya and Margot. Her work life was excellent and she even volunteered at the rehabilitation center she was in and Welby when she was in town – which was the case now. The said rehabilitation center was a private establishment that thrived to 'help' it's patients and if the word asylum wasn't in the title – the Hastings found it perfect to 'help' the youngest.

Her sneakers squeaked with every step she took and honestly it would bother her if they weren't so comfortable. A thunderstorm had decided to make its presence known as soon as Spencer pulled up the gate. She was casual today and made a note to pick up something as she turned the corner. The sign-in nurse smiled as she pushed forward the entry questionnaire; she quickly grabbed it and followed out the necessary places. It was hard to believe she'd be thirty-six in a month with two kids. It was hard to believe anything, period. She signed at the bottom and wrote the date and time as well – it didn't require the time but she being Spencer.

She pushed it back to the familiar day head in charge nurse with a smile, "How have you been Gladys? It's been four months since we've last seen one another."

Gladys shook her head and didn't know where to begin, it was already March and almost April, "We will have to catch up. How are the girls?"

Spencer made a note to look at her calendar but knew they had a week till they headed back to Washington. She softly sighed at the mentioned of her nine year old and four year old, "Their doing okay. It hard to believe how quickly they've grown but now they have a cousin to play with." Her mother had been hinting at Spencer to have another child or two but Spencer wanted to keep it even until she was surprised last month; Melissa married and had her second child. Jason finally settled down but they decided not to have children.

"I know, time goes by quick," Gladys replied as she unclipped the papers and staples them before placing them in the sign-in file. She gave a nod and Spencer had known she'd been granted access; she waited for her ID badge when she felt her phone buzz.

Can I at least hint it? Please?

Spencer smiled at Caleb's eagerness and quickly typed back when she saw Gladys push forward that familiar white badge. She turned her phone off and handed it to her while she grabbed the badge - it was a policy that no phones were allowed in the halls with the visitors - a lot had changed at Welby. Alison had bought it with the help of Jason years prior and was now overseeing a lot of changes that had taken place almost immediately. Alison had remarried two years ago and she and Emily had decided to adopt when the time felt right - as of now they were fine with their dog. Hanna had done some redesigning for the hospital while Aria taught an art class. And Spencer well she did what the Hastings did best, donating.

She clipped the badge on her slightly large shirt and began to walk down the hallway. She heard the rain hit the window with force but ignored in favor of thinking about that needed to be done. Today was her goddaughter's birthday party and they opted to have it at the Hastings. Yup, her little Elizabeth was turning six and Aria had all about canceled the party but was tempted with the pictures aspect. She sighed as she made it to her destination.

She patiently waited to be directed to whatever wing need a volunteer but pulled out an old, worn out, leather bound book with ease. She had read it on days like those when no one was around – it had become a slight obsession. But she wanted to know how his brain worked, just like he did with her. She slightly smiled as she heard the rain hit the windows and was mid-sentence of page three when she heard her name being called. She quickly put the small book up and greeted the nurse – Aliana – with a smile as she got up.

Spencer shifted against the uncomfortable cold tile with a sigh, "It was an accident. I just pushed her and she fell… well, tumbled." She finally revealed why she was in this place and honestly it could have been better. Alexander hummed beside her as he was writing fiercely and was most likely not hearing her – this was to help him quote relax for his temper. It had been an accident but Mel was just pushy and well she did urge her on, even though she says she didn't - whatever.

She turned her gaze towards him and even tried to peak at what he was writing but he shifted down – away from prying eyes, "It wasn't going to be interesting anyway." She pouted as she shifted her gaze around the downgraded, old, and very cold basement.

Alexander smirked at Spencer's words and waited until she began to talk again, "What we did yesterday.. it was an accident right?" Her voice was small and venerable but he knew better – he had seen her go toe-to-toe with the head nurse and she was scared of her. He stopped mid-sentence and towards to glance towards her.

"Yeah, it was," Alexander replied as he knew she had the occasional tantrum and very briefly blacked-out but didn't know her diagnosis. He wasn't a doctor but he'd have to look into that. She was happy with the response and gave smile as she started to get comfortable – she was in here a month and there already was an accident, oops. She could hear the rain hit the only window with such force that she thought it'd break – she hated thunderstorms, nothing good came from them. But she did make some memories.

She sighed with relief as she eased into her usual spot and was glad the rain had settled down. It had been a couple of hours since she left and was willing to bet, Elizabeth was bouncing with eagerness. She did mention that she'd be picking up her cake but lacked to say she'd be an extra hour at Welby. Spencer turned the car off and took in a breath as she listened to the rain hit the car with light force.

She glanced up into the rearview mirror and sighed – she knew something could happen and luckily it was just a slap in the face this time. She had been accompanying another volunteer with helping a patient that went through DID; the patient was sweet but did have a violent side and well, things were said today. The slap barely showed any evidence that it happened to her expect for a tiny little cut across her check – her nails need to be trimmed down. She subconsciously brought her hand up and gently touched it with a smile. She bit her lip and reached across the counsel for her phone. She gripped it easily and brought it towards her as she felt the buzzing. She hit the ignore button and opened up the car door. She stepped out and let the light rain gaze her skin as she heard it buzz again. She could hear laughter and knew she missed whatever Matthew had said in his faux British accent.

Matthew was Hanna's fiancée and was the comedian of the group but also a doctor. They had met through Lucas during one of Han's trips to Japan for a conference or something. She knew they returned to Rosewood to visit Ashley, Ted, and Han's adopted sister – Natalie. Aria and Ezra remained in the town as did Alison and Emily. Toby lived on the edge of Rosewood with Yvonne in the house that he was building; however, they we're thinking of relocated to Maine. It seemed that everyone of her friends and had stuck to the small quiet town in one way or another minus herself and Caleb. And she was fine with that, she knew how to learn and adapt.

She let the rain wash over her but knew she shouldn't and quickly got into the correct mindset. She closed her door and walked around the car to get the cake when she heard the sky crackle with delight. She began to hum as she opened the passenger door and picked up the white box that held the cake within. She knew her daughters would be bouncing off the walls and had an inkling that Caleb was given them sugary sweets while she was away – oh, was he in for an awakening.

A blonde petite woman walked across the tile floor with slight ease as she accompanied a visitor to their destination. The visitor was polite but had an off-putting sense as soon as they entered. They were on their phone despite the policy but the woman knew they had authorized privilege – so it was okay.

They had been getting anxious as a voicemail could be lightly heard but the woman pretend she didn't hear it – it wasn't any of her business. Besides, she knew the woman they were contacting and knew she did delay some calls if it were important, "Is everything okay?"

They didn't reply as they continued to walk through the hallway but they did cast a glance in her direction. Silence. She knew it was a long shot given she'd accompanied them once before but she figured since the circumstance was different. The silence continued as the sound of rain started to loosen and she smiled at that; it meant her husband wouldn't have to hurry about her returning home. They were nearing the destination and she reached up for her card to swipe when they beat her to it. You had to go through a gate in order to reach that wing of the hospital and she slightly fawned at that but didn't speak up – seen not heard. A couple of few steps later and she swiped the card for access to the room and took in the scene before her. It was as if a fight had broken out and puzzles pieces were scattered across the floor with just about everything – Helena was going to have fun with this one. It seemed that the lights were left on – she'd have to speak with whoever was in here last – with the curtains drawn up, so you could see the sky. The tables lacked what should be on them except for something that was on the desk. The person immediately walked passed her when they got tired of waiting and smiled as they surveyed the room – their eyes landing on the desk. The person walked towards it as a smile slowly started to spread across their face.

The person instantly reached out and grabbed the leather book with eagerness. It felt good to be back in their hands after a certain amount of years had passed and had barely acknowledged the woman in the room. She drew in a breath and knew her boss would have a fit at this but it wasn't that bad. She usually gave them free reign in the room and deciding to contact someone about the mess; she turned on her heel and was about pass the threshold when she heard a whisper as the sky crackled with delight – Oh, Spencer Caroline.