Pretty Little Liars is currently making a mess of my babies Em and Ali-they are soulmates and I don't care what anybody says! So I decided to write a Fanfic to deal with my Emison feelings. This story is set 7 years after Alison left Rosewood following her final showdown with Charles (I have him being Jason's twin in the story because my brain was just like no we're not about to try and figure some crazy theory out). Em and Ali are 25 and both working in professions where they help and protect people. I hope you guys enjoy and let me know what you think!

I don't own Pretty Little Liars or its characters...because if I did Lorenzo and Sara wouldn't exist!

Guardian Angel: An Emison Story Chapter One

Yearning for You

It was just after two in the morning while Alison DiLaurentis walked down the unforgiving streets of New York City. Though she strode with grace and composure, her slumped shoulders indicated she was indeed heavily burdened. Well more like she had led one hell of a life…that had left her almost completely shattered, fractured, and she supposes psychologically traumatized for the rest of her existence. After enduring all that she had before she was even legally considered an adult, most would say it's a miracle that Alison is even a functioning human being. Being buried alive by your mother, tortured for years by your psychotic brother who you didn't even know existed, and wrongfully convicted of a murder that was never committed would leave most people-Alison supposes normal people-dead or at least begging for it all to end.

Yet here she is, breathing and physically healthy, walking in a city that is home to so many destroyed souls. Despite her two years of hell living as a runaway in New York's darkest alleyways, she loves this city. Loves its darkness, its hope, its dreams and its despair. Above all though Alison loves its tenacity and will to survive-there's something about the people within the city as well that distinguishes them from the rest of humanity. They can all live beautifully with scars…which is something Alison has been trying to do for the past seven years.

The city is surprisingly quite tonight as she makes her trek to her car a few blocks away. It's almost eerie to not hear sirens or people yelling; and with no distractions to draw her attention Alison gets lost in her thoughts.

Of course this was potentially dangerous because of where her thoughts always ventured to…or rather who they ventured to. It didn't matter what else was happening in the world around her, if she was given a second to herself her mind always went back to…Emily-her mermaid.

Back to those warm and loving chocolate brown eyes that could see right through her and the façade she projected to the world. Emily was always the one good constant thing in her life when Alison's world was entrenched with deception and shrouded by torment. Emily made Alison feel safe when danger lurked around every corner and vulnerable when she didn't think she was capable of feeling anything close to love. Alison has made a lot of mistakes in her life, but losing Emily Fields will forever haunt her.

Every morning when Alison brushes her teeth and stares at her piercing ocean blue eyes in the mirror she tells herself on repeat almost like a mantra, "Today will be the day I move on, the day I allow myself to heal." But her heart always leads her back to Emily-the best thing that ever happened to her and the one thing she will never be able to have.

"Ali, you're starting to freak me out. Will you say something, please?" A six foot tall, athletically built woman in her late 20s with wavy light brown hair that cascades down her back stopping just beyond her shoulder blades and similarly blue eyes to Ali's, gently urges.

Alison had been so engrossed in her thoughts of Emily that she forgot she wasn't walking alone on this brisk September evening, well, morning now. Brittany's soft voice from her left causes her to startle slightly.

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you…it's just you…haven't said a word since we left Reggie's office."

Alison turns to look up at Brittany whose lighter hued blue eyes are accessing her-making sure she's okay. Like Emily, Brittany possesses a heart full of compassion and concern, and an unbelievable need to protect those she loves. She is utterly the most self-less human being Alison has ever met and she's so damn lucky to be on the receiving end of Brittany's love as her best friend.

Knowing that Brittany would see through any lie she could potentially muster up, Alison offers a weak smile and replies, "I know…I just…something he said struck a cord and…"

"And caused you to think about Emily," Brittany finishes and while Alison averts her eyes to the damp sidewalk beneath her feet carefully continues, "Who knew boss man asking if we understood how long we'd be going away for on our next assignment would cause you to turn into my mother during Titanic-dead silent so she doesn't miss a second of dialogue…never mind the fact she's seen that movie about 500 times and knows it by heart."

Alison can't help but let her lips spread into a broad smile at Brittany's reference to Teresa, her kind-hearted and loving mother who will transform into the she-devil and glare daggers into anyone who disrupts her Leonardo DiCaprio "bonding time".

Of course this doesn't go unnoticed by her best friend as Brittany wraps her toned right arm around Ali's shoulders drawing her into her side and proclaiming,

"Heeyyy look at that the DiLaurentis Decoder strikes again and gets that beautiful smile to spread across your beautiful face."

"Don't let it go to your head Bronx Baller," Alison grumbles as she rests her head on Brittany's shoulder and wraps her left arm around her back, feeling content for the first time since they'd left Reggie's office.

"Whoa, pulling out my middle school slash has continued into adulthood nickname are we? It's a good thing we're cool Ali or else I'd have to punish you for that." Brittany jokes while quietly chuckling.

"Just be happy your nickname wasn't another b-word." Ali softly throws away but nevertheless Brittany hears and gives her shoulder a gentle squeeze of reassurance-letting her know that she isn't that person anymore. It's comforting for Alison that someone knows her so completely like Brittany does.

Since she'd met Brittany six and a half years ago she's never once lied to her, which is something no other human being can claim. Fifteen year old Alison DiLaurentis was a master manipulator who controlled everyone in her life through the lies she told and made others believe. After everything went down with Charles and Alison damn near died, she committed herself to being a better person. Not lying was one of the many ways for her to achieve that goal.

After a few moments of silence passed while they both relaxed in their side hug Brittany pressed, "Seriously though Ali, are you okay with this new assignment?...Cause it's totally fine if you're not. I mean we could always just tell Reggie that we're too exhausted from the last mission or that we both haven't fully recovered from everything that went down in Pakistan…"

"Britt." Alison cuts off her rambling and lifts her head causing both of them to stop walking, "I appreciate that you're so concerned about me," she makes sure she catches Brittany's gaze so she knows how genuine she's being-because God after everything she's done in her life she knows she doesn't deserve a best friend/roommate/partner in crime (or rather justice) like Brittany Johnson but nevertheless she has her and is so incredibly grateful, "But we both know my issues never stem from anything having to do with work. There's a reason we were chosen for this assignment-because no one is better at keeping people safe in the entire CIA than the two of us." Alison adds an extra emphasis to the last fragment because it's the fucking truth-none of the people that she and Brittany have ever had to protect have wound up in harm's way.

"No, I know that Ali. I mean let's face it, we Olivia Benson that shit…" Alison lets out a snort following this-leave it to Brittany to make Law & Order: Special Victims Unit relevant in any conversation. Alison's examining her best friend trying to figure out why Brittany is so worried about them taking this assignment; Lord compared to some of the other missions they've had to do this is a walk in the park. "It's just…," Brittany hesitates not wanting what she voices next to be interpreted the wrong way, "We'll be in Iran for two months while the Secretary of State tries to re-establish positive relationships with their government…"

Alison interjects with slight frustration, "Brittany, we've been in charge of keeping some of the most prominent people on the planet alive-Pope Francis, The Dalai Lama, hell even Oprah Winfrey needed our services two years ago. Iran is nothing the both of us can't handle."

"No, I know that Ali. But if we're gone for two months that means we won't be back in New York or the United States for that matter until the end of November. We'd be gone for all of October," Brittany gently tries to explain her concern.

Alison finally picks up on why Brittany was so worried about her. She's angry with herself for not realizing it sooner, but given that her and Brittany haven't gotten more than a collective 8 hours of sleep in the last 2 days she can conclude her brain isn't making connections as quickly as it usually does.

For the past six years the beginning of October was always her time to grieve all of the people that Charles had unjustly ripped from her life. She'd make the incredibly difficult journey back to her hometown (needing to pull her car over several times to keep her tears at bay) to visit her mother and father at the Rosewood Cemetery. Despite everything Jessica DiLaurentis did to her and all the pain her lying and deception caused, Alison missed her mother terribly. Jessica being murdered prevented the two from ever discussing why she buried her daughter alive and piecing back together their damaged relationship.

Charles' murder of Kenneth was a lot less strategic-simply shooting him point blank between the eyes as they filled with tears and bore into Alison while she thrashed against her chains tearing her already raw wrists to shreds, screaming for Charles not to do it. Although Kenneth hadn't been around much while she was younger he had remained by his daughter's side through Mona's "murder" trial and her entire duration in prison. Always reminding Ali that he knew she was innocent and repeatedly telling her that he loved her. Alison had never been blessed with a genuinely loving parent until she came back from the dead and Charles took that source of happiness from her as well.

So she'd go and just sit in her parents' presence (from midnight until dawn so as not to be seen) and allow herself to grieve their deaths and the life they could have potentially had. Alison always broke down into uncontrollable sobs at some point while she talked to her mother and father (or rather their spirits). Thankfully, Brittany had always accompanied her on these trips and would hold her close and just let her release soul crushing cries for hours on end into her chest-getting snot all over whatever t-shirt she had worn. Alison knew that she wasn't just sobbing for the loss of her parents, but the loss of her four former best friends (one of which she had come to realize was the love of her life) and for the shell of a human being Jason had become following everything.

Jason hadn't been able to cope with the fact that his twin (who he thought was dead) was the one wreaking havoc on his sister and the other girls' lives. It didn't matter how many times Ali told him that Charles' actions weren't his fault-he blamed himself. Turning back to drugs and alcohol to numb his pain Jason had been in and out of rehab ever since. Ali wanted nothing more than to help her brother, but as Brittany always reminded her Jason had to want to help himself first before anything Ali did would have an impact.

Given how busy her schedule was with the CIA and how many months out of the year she and Brittany were out of the country-those couple days in the beginning of October simultaneously depressed and strengthened her. They tore her heart to shreds because of all that she had lost, but also reminded her why she did what she did the rest of the year. She and Brittany protected people in the CIA's Guardian Angel Unit so they wouldn't have to endure the horrors both of them had in their lives.

As she looked into Brittany's worried eyes Alison realized that maybe she could survive this year without the cathartic experience of "going home". She also realized maybe she should stop punishing herself for everything Charles had done. Brittany always told her his actions weren't her fault-maybe it was time she listened to her wise best friend.

"I think I want to try not blaming myself for once. Allow myself to heal…" Alison said so softly that if it was anyone else listening they would have missed it. Brittany's eyes started to water Alison supposes because for the first time in their six and a half year friendship she was honestly willing to try to let Rosewood and Charles go. She wanted to move on because the burden was becoming so hard to carry.

Brittany enveloped her in the strongest yet gentlest hug imaginable and replied with a slight shake to her voice, "That's great, Ali. And I'll be there with you every step of the way, okay?"

All Ali could do was nod into Britt's chest and be comforted by her strong heartbeat. Brittany seriously gave the best hugs and made Ali feel almost as safe as Emily had once upon a time-almost.

"I love you, Brittany." It always amazed Alison how easily those three words flowed from her lips now-when she at one time couldn't imagine ever being able to love anyone because she didn't know how to love herself.

"I love you too, Ali. You're my family." Alison couldn't help but smile and hug Brittany a little tighter because of the truth behind her words. Brittany had literally picked Ali up when she had nothing left and given her a purpose in life. She was the older sister that Alison always wanted (and unlike Cece Drake not a horrible influence) and the best friend she desperately needed. Brittany coming into her life also brought Alison into the Johnson family, who had immediately made her feel like one of their own. Since the first time Teresa demanded Brittany bring Ali over for Sunday dinner she had gained a family in the most unsuspecting and rewarding way. Of course her hearing will forever be damaged because unlike the DiLaurentis household where everyone kept to themselves and hardly uttered a word to one another, the Johnson's never stopped talking or rather borderline yelling in their verbal exchanges.

"I want to see you truly happy. I hate seeing you in pain." Alison knew how much it killed Brittany to see her make so much progress and do so much good in the world, but be so haunted by her past. It took Alison almost a full minute before she sighed and confessed,

"I'm really tired of being in pain." And Alison meant that. She was tired of being in pain. She knew she could never be 100% complete without Emily Fields but she figured she owed it to all the people that loved her now in her life to try.

It was just after nine in the morning while Emily Fields sat waiting outside her new boss' office. To say she was nervous was an understatement. She was the youngest Detective at 25 to ever be chosen to be a part of the NYPD's Special Crimes Unit. Emily keeps telling herself on repeat that she deserves this opportunity-due to unforeseen circumstances she had led the homicide division in Philadelphia a mere four months after she began working there. She has leadership experience despite being so young and has a unique ability to connect with victims-a perfect fit for the Special Crimes Unit (well that's what Hanna keeps texting her repeatedly anyways).

Almost as if on cue Emily's phone vibrated in her jean pocket. Glancing up to make sure none of her soon to be co-workers were around in case Hanna's text made her laugh out loud or have some other reaction she glanced down and read,

Fields would you chill the fuck out they've already hired you! You're gonna be fabulous and kick mega ass!

Emily couldn't help but snicker at Hanna's unique form of motivation-one of the many reasons why she loved her best friend. While she also considered Spencer and Aria sisters, her and Hanna had a bond that drew them just a little bit closer.

I'm not doubting my ability as a detective Han, I just want to make a good first impression-I mean I'm the youngest person they've ever hired most people have to wait decades for an opportunity like this.

Emily, (yes I just dramatically sighed) when are you going to realize how wonderful you are? They hired you because you're crazy good at solving cases-bottom line.

Emily smiled because what Hanna said was true-she was very good at her job. She just needed to take some deep breathes and calm down.

What would I do without you?

Probably have a nervous breakdown and I can't have that. I'm a fashion designer and deal with hot messes all day, which means you Ms. Fields need to keep your shit together.

Emily laughed a little louder than was probably appropriate, but that's just what Hanna did to her. As she was about to reply Hanna shot her another text,

By the way you're coming over for dinner tonight-no ifs, ands, or buts about it! Think of it as a congrats on the new job, welcome to my beloved New York City, and you have the best best friend in the entire world celebration. And no worries I'm not throwing you a surprise party it'll just be you, me, and Chloe. Caleb's out of town on business-so I need you.

Well then I'll definitely be there Han, I can never turn down an invite to spend a night with my two girls….and I know how you get when Caleb's not around.

"Ms. Fields?" A tall African American man in his early forties asked. Ah yes, the new boss. Emily quickly put her phone away and got out of her seat to shake his hand.

"Lieutenant Williams, it's so good to see you again, sir." Wow Emily couldn't help but be impressed over the Lieutenant's firm handshake. He was really muscular so that would explain it. Emily hoped to God that Lieutenant Williams didn't think she was a wuss. Jesus, she really needed to calm down this man already hired her!

"Please, call me Brian or Lieutenant. Actually no call me Brian; we're a pretty tight knit group here at Special Crimes."

"Okay, Brian." God that felt weird to say. In Philly you always had to address people in the force who were above you with their title and last name. Emily remembered in her interview Lieutenant-whoops she means Brian-explained how at Special Crimes everyone worked towards the same end goal-solving crimes. Maybe he wanted everyone to feel like an equal by using first names-whatever Emily liked this new job already. Brian walked Emily into his office and continued talking,

"Sorry that you had to wait. My wife called and Malcolm, my oldest son, was refusing to go to school. Apparently he's gonna protest the injustices of the system through truancy." Emily couldn't help but smile slightly. "I have to give him props for trying." Brian gestured to one of the chairs in front of his desk, "Please…sit."

"Thank you, sir." This made Brian chuckle.

"You're very formal Emily." The brunette couldn't help but laugh-she'd been told that her whole life.

"Sorry…Brian, my dad was in the army so respect was ingrained in me growing up."

"Hey I totally understand. I come from a military family as well. My father and all of my uncles growing up served in some capacity. Makes this whole first name thing at Special Crimes I instituted a little strange for me to follow at times." After a short moment Brian's lips twisted into a small smile and he asked, "So how do you like New York City so far? I know it can be really overwhelming at first."

Again Emily couldn't help the smile that spread across her face "Honestly, I love it. I love the chaos. Is that weird?"

Brian chuckled, "Most people might consider loving chaos odd, but I grew up in a small town where there was no noise ever-it was way too quite. I couldn't wait to live in a city…really of any kind. Guess it didn't hurt that the woman I fell in love with in college was from Brooklyn and insisted we live in New York after graduation." Brian's eyes twinkled as he reminisced about the early years with his wife. It reminded Emily of the way her parents talked about each other. And really it was a blessing to have her mom and dad as examples when it came to love-even after thirty years together Wayne and Pam Fields looked like love struck teenagers when they locked eyes. Emily knew how lucky she was to have parents who honestly loved and supported one another. Her three best friends Hanna, Aria, and Spencer weren't so lucky.

"Philly was a big city too, but there's just something special about New York. I can't quit put my finger on it," Emily mused.

Without hesitation Brian responded, "Its the tenacity."

Emily quirked her eyebrow in a questioning manner so Brian explained with passion oozing as he spoke, "The city itself is filled with contradictions-there's incredible hope but so much despair…simultaneously. But New York never stops fighting and the people it breeds just possess this never say die attitude-they have this will to survive no matter what and that's just so beautiful." Wow, Emily wouldn't expect a man like Brian to be so…poetic. But what he said about New York and its residents she realized was so true. She'd only been in the city for a few days moving into her apartment that Hanna insisted had to be within walking distance from her and Caleb's upscale brownstone (props of being an up and coming fashion designer with a husband whose computer/hacking skills were used by every major Wall Street Investment firm to get an edge on their competition. And Spencer thought Caleb was crazy to go into freelance work…)

Emily had been worried that living in a city as big as New York would make her feel more alone than ever, but surprisingly she had felt better these past few days than she had in years. Hanna and her goddaughter Chloe's presence obviously contributed to that. Of course, Emily knew that she'd never be 100% whole without….Jesus Lord have mercy why is she thinking about Alison now? This always happened-her mind would always travel to those ocean blue eyes, golden blonde hair, and heart shaped lips. She hasn't seen Alison in seven years, yet she's always on her mind-her heart just won't let her first love go-and if Emily's being honest she doesn't want to let go…And Hanna wonders why she hasn't had a successful relationship with any of the women she's dated. None of them are Alison DiLaurentis-that's why.

Coming out of her thoughts she answered Brian, "Yeah, survival is a beautiful thing." God she wonders how Alison is. Is she even alive? No she knows she's alive-she'd be able to feel it if she wasn't. Does she think about me as much as I think about her? Emily wants to believe that Alison does. After all these years she's come to believe that their souls are connected and won't be complete until their reunited….And yeah maybe that's why she'd jumped at the chance to work in New York City-it had been Alison's stomping ground while she was on the run. Maybe the blonde had returned after everything with Charles…

Brian dragged her out of her rapidly regressing thoughts that were traveling to a dangerous place as he spoke, "You're gonna do great here at Special Crimes, Emily." Emily smiled at his statement; it felt really good to have a boss that believed in her capabilities so much. "But I want you to know that if it's ever becoming too much-I mean we get the worst of the worst when it comes to crimes-you can always talk to me. We are human after all-we can't just not feel anything for the victims and their families…And if any members of the unit give you a hard time-I'll personally handle them."

"Thank you Brian, but that won't be necessary. I can hold my own." While she wouldn't wish what her and her friends had endured with Charles/-A on anyone it had turned her into one tough bitch who didn't need anyone to fight her battles-something that was a necessity in her male dominated field.

"Good, that's what I like to hear."

10 o'clock that night

Emily had been on the roof of her apartment building for about ten minutes. It had quickly become her favorite spot because of the hanging bulbs and comfortable lounge chairs that adorned it. Hanna thought it was ridiculous that her favorite thing about her apartment was her roof, but Emily couldn't really put into words how freeing it felt to be up here. She loved being able to look down at the city below her-it humbled her in a sense because she realized how small she really was. Something about being on the roof at night (even with the sirens and numerous noises in the background) calmed her immensely. Her first day at work had been a success-Brian was seriously the most amazing boss anyone could ask for and everyone in the unit was really welcoming. She hoped she could live up to the reputation she built in Philly as a Homicide Detective. No, she knew she could do just as good a job in New York City if not better than she had in Philadelphia.

Dinner at the Rivers' household had been entertaining as ever with Emily and Hanna both struggling to cook (the two of them seriously needed to take some classes or at least ask Emily's mom for some advice because their inabilities in the kitchen were becoming ridiculous). Eventually they had managed to make some spaghetti noodles and steamed vegetables (it's a good thing Chloe wasn't a picky eater) without burning the house down. When it was her bed time Chloe insisted that Emily tuck her in and tell her a bed time story, which Emily didn't mind at all. Hanna's four year old daughter was a spitting image of her mother with a personality that was just as bright and cheery. She was seriously the cutest kid Emily had ever seen and the way her face lite up when Emily explained that she lived only a few blocks away now and could spend time with her everyday melted her heart.

As she continued to gaze down at the city below her and occasionally glance up at the moon her thoughts couldn't help but wander to Alison, who had stolen her heart at 14 and who Emily ached for every day. Little did Emily know that across the city Alison was yearning for her as well.

Just so you guys know there will be a lot of characters who are outside the PLL world in this story (mainly in Alison's life because she's the one who left Rosewood). Also, the first few chapters are meant to set the scene for where both Em and Ali are in their lives before they're reunited-but trust me once those two meet again I don't plan on separating them.