A/N: Just something I've been thinking about for a while. I'd kinda like to make it a multi chapter but I have quite a few going at the moment so I'm going to leave it as a one shot for now!

Game over.

"You don't have to do this, you know," one of the doctors said gently.

Alison looked at her, "She's my sister."

They never understood how much I loved you.

"She's very quiet," the doctor explained, "She sleeps a lot. Stares into space. On her good days, she'll pick up a book. She's starting to talk to her therapist but it's a slow process."

Alison nodded, "Okay. She hasn't had any visitors, right?"

"No, she hasn't," the doctor confirmed, "I think it will do her some good," they stopped at a door.

I never meant to hurt you.

"I can go in alone, right?" Alison asked.

"Sure, you can stay as long you want," the doctor smiled, "Take your time."

Alison nodded, her hand on the door handle.

The next 7 years at Radley, I was almost completely alone.

She twisted it open and stepped inside.

Charlotte lay on her bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. Slowly, her eyes shifted to the doorway where Alison stood. When her eyes finally registered who was standing in her doorway, she sat up.

"Ali," her voice was thick.

Alison smiled, closing the door behind her and stepping further into the room, "Charlotte, hey."

"I wasn't sure if you'd ever visit me," Charlotte said in a small voice as she sat on her knee's, looking at Ali curiously.

"Yeah, well… you're my sister," Alison shrugged, a small smile on her face, "You're family. And even before that… you were one of my best friends…"

Charlotte smiled as she nodded, "I knew if anyone would visit, it would be you," she pat the bed beside her, "Sit. Please," she bit her lip, "Are you going to stay?"

Alison nodded, offering a smile as she took a seat beside her sister.

Charlotte grinned.

"The others… Jason and dad… they've thought about visiting," Alison explained, "It's just going to take some time, I think."

Charlotte sighed, "Dad's had over twenty years, Ali," she said quietly, "I don't care if he visits anymore. And Jason… well, I can understand the… hesitation," she shrugged, "I'm just really glad you're here," she whispered, placing her hand over Ali's, "You must be so mad at me."

Alison still couldn't reconcile that the vulnerable girl in front of her was her best friend, Cece Drake, or even moreso that the nervous girl in front of her was the notorious A.

"I was," Alison offered, "Everything you went through… I wish I'd known so much sooner. Maybe things wouldn't have escalated as much as they did," she squeezed Charlotte's hand, "I just want you to get the help you need. I want to be a part of it. I know you thought you were protecting me… " she paused, "I want to protect you too."

Charlotte quickly wrapped her arms around her little sister, burying her face in blonde hair. Alison was surprised by the sudden gesture but returned the embrace.

"I love you, Ali," Charlotte whispered.

Alison felt tears prick her eyes, "I know," she whispered, "I love you too," she made to pull away but Charlotte clung to her tightly.

When Charlotte did eventually pull away., she wiped her eyes and offered a small smile.

"Do you have to go?" she asked quietly.

Alison shook her head, "No, not yet. I have time."

Charlotte nodded.

"Is it…" Alison hesitated.

Charlotte tilted her head, "What?"

Alison looked around the room, "Is it better in here? Than Radley, I mean? Can I bring you anything to make you more comfortable?"

Charlotte smiled; she liked that Ali cared, "Um, it's better than Radley," she nodded, "I'm allowed to go out of my room more than I ever was at Radley… but I don't do that very much. You're allowed more visits too and sometimes they even let your visitors stay overnight."

Alison nodded, "That sounds okay," she said, unsure if that really sounded okay or not.

"They have a library too," Charlotte explained, "I've been there a couple of times. It seems nice."

Alison smiled, "Maybe you could show me some time."

Charlotte's face lit up, "Does that mean you'll come back?"

"Of course I will," Alison smiled, "As often as I can."

"Does dad know you're here?" Charlotte's face darkened.

Alison shrugged, "Not right now," she admitted, "But he knows I wanted to come and see you. I'm not a kid anymore, he can't control me."

"Cool," Charlotte looked pleased before her face fell, "Um, how are… how …" she trailed off.

Alison frowned, "What is it?"

"How are the girls?" Charlotte barely whispered.

Alison bit her tongue for a moment, "Okay," she settled with.

"Getting ready for finals, I guess," Charlotte looked thoughtful, "What about acceptance letters, have they started coming in yet? Did everyone get into their choices, did – "

"Stop," Alison said quietly, closing her eyes for a second before looking at Charlotte firmly, "I don't think we should talk about the girls."

Charlotte bit her lip, "Sorry," she mumbled.

Alison nodded, "It's just… you know they're not under your control anymore, right?"

Charlotte shifted on the bed, "I know, I just…" she frowned, shaking her head, "I…"

"You can say it," Alison encouraged gently.

Charlotte bit her lip again, "I miss them," she barely whispered.

Alison's eyes widened, she swallowed tightly, "But you know – "

"I know they're not mine," Charlotte's voice rose a little before she composed herself, "You're here. That's all that matters."

Alison nodded, "I am here," she agreed, squeezing Charlotte's hand, "You just have to promise me you'll keep trying to get better."

"I will, I promise," Charlotte replied in a small voice.

"Do you like your doctor? Your therapist, I mean?" Alison questioned.

Charlotte smiled, "She's nice. It's not so easy to speak about… everything."

"I get that. We got so used to keeping secrets… the truth is really hard," Alison could relate, she hadn't really spoken to anyone since the roof top incident either, "But I'm sure it will just take time, Charlotte. It's a process."

Charlotte smiled, "I like when you call me Charlotte."

Alison smiled, "That's your name," she said simply.

"I'd like to call you something new, too," Charlotte said nervously.

Alison tilted her head, "What's that?"

"I'd like to call you my little sister," Charlotte nibbled on her lip as she watched Alison.

Alison's lips curved upwards, "Well, I am your little sister."

Charlotte beamed and once again, wrapped her arms around her little sister, hugging her tightly. Alison laughed at the enthusiasm, returning the hug.

"We're going to be just fine," Alison whispered as she ran a comforting hand over Charlotte's back.

Charlotte smiled against her little sisters' shoulder, nodding wordlessly. Despite everything, despite where she was, she finally felt content. She had her little sister back, she had a second chance. And this time, things were going to play out differently.