Thank you for all the support for the last chapter! I hope you enjoy this one! Also, if there's any particular scene that you want to see between any of the the character then I am completely opened to suggestion and may include it in the story if I feel up to the challenge, so just sent a request in a review or DM me and I'll see what I can do!

Emily had never been more relieved for it to be a Sunday. As she heaved herself out of bed the following morning, a craze of black dots blurred her vision, and her heart felt like it was being clamped down to her chest with no room to beat, though she suspected the latter didn't have much to with the alcohol she had guzzled the previous afternoon. Instinctively, she reached for her cell that sat on her bedside table. It was just coming up for midday. She had multiple texts from Hanna, all demanding she get over to the barn with doughnuts and coffee, but nothing from the only person she wanted- needed- to talk to. She rubbed her eyes, still feeling clumpy mascara and cracking foundation, trying to eradicate her pounding headache. It achieved nothing. Wandering over to the bathroom, she couldn't help but grimace at her own appearance; shabby, exhausted and unkempt. Water ran smoothly, welcomingly, into the sink and she delicately immersed herself in it, the warmth comforting on her worn out skin. She stood for a while, the ghosts of the previous day swirling down the drain along with the gentle cleanser she prayed would revitalize her face before seeing the other girls. It was strange, she thought, to have the apartment to herself. Usually either Hanna or Caleb or both were here, cooking, arguing, kissing or just generally making too much noise for a Sunday morning. A long sigh escaped from her, trying to unclench her chest, and de-cloud her mind, releasing all negative vibes. It worked a little. Her phone buzzed again, and she grabbed it before letting it go to voicemail.

"Spence? Is everything okay?" She asked, concerned as Spencer said very little.

"How are you? Are you coming over?" She sounded panicked. "you seemed in a rough state yesterday"

"Yeah, sorry about that" Emily muttered, feeling her cheeks blushing though no one was even with her "I'm fine. I'm just gonna chuck some clothes on but I'll ride over soon"

"Okay. Talk when you're here?" Em sighed, running upstairs to her closet and grabbing the first jumper she found and a pair of sports leggings.
"Spencer, I'm fine" Spencer didn't say anything, but Emily could practically hear her squinting sceptically through the phone.

"Hanna says remember to the doughnuts" Was all she replied. Emily chuckled, promising to fulfill the order at the brew before she turned up. She threw on her jumper and leggings, neglecting to bother applying any make up, and whipped her hair into a messy bun on top of her head. It only took 20 minutes or so to get breakfast and arrive at the barn, and when she did she was pulled into a ferocious, almost painful, hug from Spencer before she had even stepped inside.

"Why won't you believe me when I say I'm okay?" She laughed as Hanna ran over to her, pulled her in for a quick hug and grab the doughnuts, chocolate twists and coffee out of her hands.

"Em you've gotta stop saving my life like this" She said, eating almost an entire doughnut in one bite.

"Because you were passed out on a sofa all of yesterday" Spencer counteracted.

"Yeah, and I'm not now." Emily said definitively. Spencer took the hint, opening her mouth and closing it again when she realised she was pushing it.

"Hey, Aria did you ever hear back from-" Alison walked into the room from the bathroom, cutting short whatever she was saying to look at Emily, stood centre of the room. They made eye contact, and Emily prayed she was the only one who could feel the electricity pulsating around them. Ali smiled softly.

"Hey, Em" She said

"Hey" Emily replied "I didn't know you'd be here"

"Me neither" She looked down at the floor "you feeling okay?" She asked, trying to inject some feeling into her voice.

"Yeah" Emily smiled "coffee?" She asked, handing her a paper cup. Ali shook her head, walking nearer to the group of girls huddled around the sofa.

"I'm good, thanks" Her voice wobbled a little, but Emily questioned whether only she noticed it, because the other three seemed completely unaware. Emily broke eye contact with Ali, choosing to slump herself next to Hanna on the sofa, taking a bit out of the blondes 3rd chocolate twist.

"Is there a reason I'm out of bed at 11:00 on a Sunday morning then, Spence? Or was this just for kicks?" Emily asked, trying to keep her voice steady, not wanting to her insecurity to take over.

"Yeah" Hanna said "to bring us food" She winked while taking another bite, and Emily nudged her, causing her to drop the sugary mass of bread and jam to the floor.

"Em!" She yelled, causing everyone to laugh at her expense. She huffed, picking it up and blowing the dust off. When she was met with 4 sets of quietly disgusted eyes, she shrugged "what? Five second rule"

"Sure, Han" Aria said with a frown. As Hanna, Spencer, and Aria all sat around smiling and laughing, Emily couldn't help but notice Alison walk around to the back of the barn, her face crumpled into one of anguish. She looked tired, wearing grey sweatpants and a light pink tank top, her hair in a high pony. It appeared as if she hadn't slept well, the dark circles under her eyes growing day by day.

"Ali?" Em called, jumping up from the sofa to follow "what is it?" But Ali didn't have a chance to warn her as she turned the corner and the board sat there, as if it had been there the entire time, leering at the pair of them, daring them to touch it but both too frightened to.

"I don't know when it got here" Alison whispered "when I arrived last night Hanna and Aria were asleep and Spence was watching a movie. It wasn't here" Her hand tentatively reached out and touched the side, as if she were praying it were a hallucination, a bad dream. Emily could see the doubt in her eyes growing wider, the fear growing deeper and the anger rising.

"Have you been home since yesterday?" She asked, copying Ali's movement by placing her hand on it, feeling a buzz as she did so. Alison just shook her head, her eyes now creasing with curiosity.

"Guys" she called "it's back" Aria flipped her neck around, and they all scrambled from their positions to pull up next to the two girls and the sinister board game.

"this is evil" Hanna said "now AD is just moving it wherever we go? Are we not gonna have any safe places to land?" She fumed, throwing herself on top of the kitchen counter.
"This is brilliant" Spencer counteracted "we're never going to get away from it. Oh God. He's genius"

"Okay, Spence let's try and keep it PG" Aria teased, trying to lighten the mood. "Does this mean it's someone else's turn?" She said the words and at the same second the board started whirring, like the tiny clogs of it's brain were stirring, awakening. Ready for the next victim.

"Surely it's Aria's turn" Hanna protested "she's the only one that hasn't been yet" The photos on the phone flipped back and forward once again, skipping past Aria's photo at least three times before it landed on-

"No" Emily said defiantly "absolutely not" She crossed her arms, and Alison moved towards her, placing a comforting hand on her back.

"Em" she said, after having received this horrendous slap in the face the pair had seemingly all but forgotten their fight the previous evening "it's only fair"

"No, Ali! You're not doing this."

"She has to!" Hanna yelled "the game gets what the game wants, Emily." Hanna's chest began to redden, her face softening when saw Alison's face; fearful , but determined.

"She's right, Em" Ali agreed as delicately as she could "I have to do what it wants" Emily frowned, closing her eyes and sighing loudly.

"Then I'll do it for you" she suggested , her voice breaking "you aren't putting yourself in danger, not when you're pregnant, Ali. I don't care what the stupid game says"

"Em, you know it won't work like that" Spencer interjected "you'll most likely just end up getting more hurt than if you just let her play" her voice was the only calm one, as if she had moved straight past anger and right to planning how to get themselves out of this mess.

"And what if she gets hurt? And something happens to the-" she choked on her words for only a second "to the baby" For a while no one said anything, because what was there to say? Nobody could promise Alison that she wouldn't be hurt. Nobody could convince Emily that this was going to be okay. The silence was interrupted by 5 piercing bleeps of their phones, and everyone looked down, knowing exactly who it was.

"Don't worry, bitches" Aria began

"I'll try not to let the pregnant lady fall." Spencer read

"But If she doesn't play" Alison continued,her voice surprisingly steady

"I'll take Hanna's mom away" Hanna said so quietly Emily had to read it again for clarity

"-A.D" Em finished. The girls all stared at each other, Hanna holding back furious tears.

"Well, I guess that's decided then" Ali said, her voice clear "I'll do my bit."

"I'm glad we all agree" Hanna said with a smile "I'm sorry, Ali." She said, thought her voice stank of relief more than regret.
"Ali, no" Em said firmly "I don't care what AD says. You are not playing this twisted game. We don't know what it is and you could get hurt"

"My moms life trumps the possibility of Ali getting a cut, Emily" Emily rolled her eyes as Hanna used her own words against her.

"Please, AD isn't going to kill your mother, Hanna. He's playing us"

"I don't care!" Hanna practically screamed "Do you think I'm willing to take the risk? AD shot Spencer, and knocked Ali up with your stolen eggs! AD locked me in an abandoned building and almost electrocuted me to death! Whose to say he's going to stop at spiking my moms cosmo?! "

"Hanna, calm down" Spencer implored, it was very rare that Hanna were to discuss what happened when AD held her hostage "we're not going to let anything happen to your mom. Right now, we just need to think" Hanna raised her eyebrow and sat back down, throwing an apologetic glance in Em and Ali's direction. "Can you call Caleb? Get him to invite your mom out for lunch" She suggested. Hanna frowned and then, realizing it was a sensible idea, picked up her phone and jabbed her finger at the screen until she was calling him.

"Ali, are you okay?" Spencer turned to Ali who had said very little. Emily stood defensively behind her, a hand resting on her shoulder. "Emily, stay with her" Emily squinted, as if if would be ridiculous to think she would do anything else. "I mean go with to do whatever AD wants her to do. Don't leave her side, and have 911 ready on your cell"
"Obviously" Emily said a little spitefully.

"Em" Ali cautioned, turning to face her "it's going to be fine. I promise. I think the game is about emotional rather than physical torture" Emily didn't say anything, put squeezed Ali's shoulder gently under the guise of comforting the blonde but, if she were being honest, just trying to comfort herself. The group stood around, nobody saying anything. Everybody too fearful of pushing either Emily or Hanna back into their fits of rage. Emily didn't move from Alison's side, neither one relinquishing contact of the other.

"What now?" Aria broke the deadly silence.

"We wait" Spencer finished "until AD is ready to play." She stood over the board game, the only one still examining it. Everybody else had given up trying to look for clues.

"Well"Ali cleared her throat "there's no point sitting around waiting for instructions. How about we pass the time with a movie?" She directed it to the whole group, but was already stood up, Emily following closely behind her, before anybody had a chance to answer. Aria and Hanna remained, neither knowing what to say and both looking the other in the eye.

"who knew that AD could even ruin a hungover Sunday watching movies" Hanna said with a dark, humorous tone to her voice.

"This isn't about you, Hanna" Aria cut her off. Hanna scoffed.

"Clearly, it's not about you either. Here I am just having had my round two and Alison taking another, and you haven't even had your beginners luck yet" Aria sighed and rocked on her leg, shying away from Hanna's glare- a glare that Alison would be proud of.

"Like I have a say in what AD does?" Aria spat back.

"Whatever" Hanna jumped down from the counter and joined the other girls, leaving Aria alone in the kitchen.

…...

The hours dragged , and Alison could feel a storm brewing outside. Hanna had fallen asleep under a blanket, Spencer sat crossed legged next to her, protectively watching over her, and Aria was cooking dinner for them all in the kitchen. Emily was lied out across the sofa, her head in Alison's lap and her feet dangling at the end of the sofa. It was a quiet but remarkably comfortable atmosphere, considering the circumstances. Emily moved suddenly, clearing having an unsettling dream, making Alison spill her tea over herself.

"Shoot" she muttered, licking it off her thumb "Spence, pass me a cloth, would you?" She carefully reached over, not wanting to wake Emily up from her sleep. She must be exhausted, Alison thought. She dabbed at the stain on her top, her jogging movements surprisingly not waking up the sleeping girl on her lap. Spencer looked at her delicate motions, but didn't comment.

"We could wake them up and put them in the bedroom, if you want" Spencer offered.

"No!" Aria called "dinner will be ready in 10 minutes nobody is going to be sleeping for much longer"

"I don't know why you're bothering" Spencer called back through a yawn "I could've ordered us take out"

"You're welcome" Aria muttered scathingly into a steaming pot of some kind of pasta "I just thought it would be nice to do something nice" She looked at Spencer for reassurance and smiled warmly. Spencer plastered one onto her face and reciprocated the gesture.

"Come on, Han" Spence jiggled her until she moaned heavily and stretched out, almost toppling off the couch. "Food's ready in 10" Hanna's eyes lit up.

"You should've woken me up earlier. I'm going to go and wash my hands" She jumped up from the sofa, her energy increasing dramatically.
"Okay. Aria you need a hand?" Spencer asked, already walking over to the kitchen before Aria could either decline or accept. Ali looked down and Emily. She graciously moved her into an upwards position, hoping that would be enough to wake her up. It wasn't.

"Em" She said, nudging her a little. "Emily!" She said one more time, lightly whacking a pillow into her side. Emily jerked awake with a crease in between her eyebrow, trying to find the culprit of who disturbed her sleep.

"What?" She snapped

"Sorry sleeping beauty" Ali teased "dinner's ready"

"You mean actual food? On a plate? Not from a box?" Ali smiled.

"Yes, an actual hot meal"

"This must be a dream" She joked, ridding herself of the blanket that she had somehow found herself under. "Smells good" she murmured, floating over to the dinner table, Ali following closely behind her.

"Did you hear back from Caleb, Han?" Aria asked as she lay out the dishes in front of each of the seats. Hanna yawned, laying a napkin on her lap.

"Yeah. He took my mum shopping under the pretence that he wanted to get me a new dress. They've been together all day" Aria seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Still nothing, Ali?" Spence asked, as dinner was finally served and each girl took a loving bite. Ali just shook her head. The group were cautiously optimistic as they tucked in, laughing and sharing stories as they enjoyed dinner, an event they rarely took part in. That's why it was so ironic, or perhaps not, when it was abruptly broken by a sharp ping of Alison's phone. To add to the beautifully bleak scene, that was the moment the rain started to hammer on the roof.

"Is it-?" Hanna asked.

"Yes" She replied sharply. From the seat next to her, Emily took her hand in hers, softly stroking circles on the back.

"Do you want me to open it?" She offered. Ali shook her head, tapping the message notification.

"It's an email" She informed them dryly.

"Saying?" Emily tried to remain calm but her voice was peppered with worry.

"Ms Dilaurentis" Ali began "This is an email confirmation of your sonogram appointment, Scheduled for Wednesday at 9:00. Please call with any enquiries or for a cancellation. Regards, Women's Wellness Centre" When she had finished reading she took a huge gulp of water, swallowing loudly, trying to cover the sick feeling in her stomach.

"I didn't know you had decided-" Hanna began, but Emily shot her a warning look.

"I didn't" Ali filled in the blanks of Hanna's question and practically growled her answer.

"Happy 12 weeks! Make sure you take your special friend with you, mommy, or you'll be looking for a brand new hand to hold- AD" Ali read out the text that came with the email, but it was barely a whisper. Emily tried to console her, but she could find no words. "I told you" Ali said, a twinge of dark humour to her tone "AD made this game only to dabble in destroying us emotionally, not physically"

"This doesn't make any sense" Spencer said, taking a sip of wine as her face fell into concentration.

"Nothing AD does makes sense, Spencer" Hanna said dully. Ali said nothing response, instead dragging her chair across the floor and walking away from the table. Emily immediately rushed to follow her, but Spencer stopped her.

"Why don't you let me take this one, Em?" She asked. When Emily looked at her quizzically, she continued "I think she needs someone whose got a little more neutrality to the situation"

"Like Sweden?" Hanna pondered, pouring herself another glass.

"Switzerland" Spencer corrected "but yes. Like that" When the door to the barn opened and then closed again, Spencer ignored Hanna and rushed to follow.

"Her hair is going to get wet" Hanna pointed out as Aria began to clear the plates. Emily rolled her eyes, fighting against every instinct that told her to follow Ali and make sure she was okay.

"Leave it, Em" Aria said side-eyeing her "Spencer's right. She needs some perspective" Emily bit the inside of her cheek, and after a little deliberating decided to take the advice. There was silence for a long time, the only sound was the rain hammering against the roof.

…...

It took Spencer about 30 seconds to catch up to Ali, who was already sodden through, her ankles splattered with mud. Spencer could tell she was crying, her eyes were littered with deep red cracks, interrupting the beautifully pale blue that usually graced them. Spencer instinctively knew they were more from anger than sadness. The tension she held in her shoulders, her breaths coming often and harshly, and the frequent turning of her head, as if looking for something or someone that was never coming, told Spencer the girl was having a full blown anxiety attack.

"Ali, calm down" Spencer walked towards her and Ali looked confused but also relieved to see her there. She reached out for her and fell into her embrace. "Come on. Let's get you home" Ali clung to her arm as Spencer all but dragged her across the garden and the pathway that connected their two houses, leading her indoors. Alison fell into the plush velvet armchair by the fireplace, and Spencer wrapped a blanket around her, before putting the kettle on and lighting the fire, the soft crackle warming the house, helping them drown out the storm that raged on outside. After a few moments passed while she made them both cups of tea, Ali looked up at her- finally having calmed herself down enough to verbalize any kind of feeling.

"Thank you" was how she started, looking at Spencer who sat across from her, a genuine smile growing on her face.

"I know how it feels, Alison" Spencer dived straight in, because she didn't just want to be there to make the cups of teas. She wanted to make a difference. Ali couldn't help but let her doubtfulness shine through as she said

"You do?" Spencer nodded reluctantly.

"Not exactly the same, of course" she began "but I know what's it like to think about. It's the reason me and Toby broke up" She said it before she realised that she was thinking it, before she realised that she had never actually verbalized that out loud, to herself or to any of her friends. Ali's mouth dropped open a little in surprise, but she quickly snapped it shut. "The thought of having to destroy something so pure wasn't an easy decision for me, Ali. It was probably one of the hardest in my life. We argued and one thing led to another and we weren't- we weren't 'we' any more" Spencer didn't enjoy reliving this part of her life but she thought right now it could be the only thing of comfort.

"It wasn't that hard" Ali disagreed "when I thought it was mine and Archer's. I made the decision days ago. I thought I would be doing the world a favour, having a child that was half manipulative, ignorant bully and half a sadistic, evil conman may not have been the nicest combination" Ali laughed a laugh bereft of humour, her eyes focusing in on the flaming fire in front of her, watching as the colours of orange, gold, yellow and figments of blue morphed into one.

"Ali-" Spencer began

"But it's different now" She continued as if she couldn't hear Spencer, as if she weren't even in the room at all "because it's half Emily. The most loyal, caring, beautiful, generous and kind person to ever walk this Earth. Any kid would be lucky to have even and 1/8th of her DNA."

"It's not" Spencer said softly "It's not- different, Ali. This child is a product of medical rape. You can't even remember clearly when it was created. You were violated and-and manipulated and held against your will. Everybody, especially Emily, would understand you terminating this pregnancy" Ali sighed, placing the tea on the table in front of her and closing her eyes, her head leaning back against the back of the chair.

"What was it?" She muttered to herself "'you come out of a hateful act, but that does not mean you are hateful'" She quoted the letter Spencer had received from her mother, written so many years ago. Spencer gulped.

"Mary wrote that to me" She said almost inaudibly. Ali smiled comfortingly.

"I know, Spence." There was another stretch of silence.

"You really love her, don't you?" Spencer mused, taking a sip of her tea. Alison froze for a moment "your friendship is one of the most beautiful things I've seen" She let out a sigh of relief.

"She's very important to me" Ali mused "maybe the most important thing" For a second Spencer's eyes flashed with understanding, but if she recognised anything she didn't bring it up.

"You are to her, too" Spencer reassured her "and I do understand where your coming from Ali, I really do. Anybody would find it hard aborting their own child, yet alone their best friends. But Emily only wants what's best for you. All she wants is for you to be happy, and the rest will fall into place." Ali smiled again, reflecting on... well just about everything that had led her to this point.

"How did I end up with such a wonderful friends?" She pondered, holding Spencer's hand.

"I think it probably started when you moved in next door" Spencer joked. But Ali didn't laugh.

"I think it probably started when your dad had an affair with my aunt" For a second Spencer was taken aback, releasing Ali's hand and falling back into the chair.

"That could be a factor, I'm sure" It was strange, Spencer thought, in the weeks that followed the revelation of her parentage neither her nor Ali had truly acknowledged what it had meant for their relationship. Neither had said out loud that they were cousins. They had both just sat back and crossed their fingers that it wouldn't change anything. Thankfully, up until this point, it hadn't.

"I think I always knew you were something different, Spence. I just didn't know why" Spencer chuckled nostalgically.

"If anyone was something different, Ali, it was you." Ali smirked, finishing her cup of tea and curling closer to the fire. "I've got Jason as both a brother and a cousin, now" Ali laughed loudly for the first time all night

"Lucky you!" She teased. It was quiet for a minute while both processed the long-over due conversation that was finally happening "you know, technically, we aren't just cousins" Ali pointed out.

"Right" the brunette agreed "because of the way twin DNA works we're actually half-sisters." Ali grimaced.

"I've never heard that said out loud. Shall we just stick to cousins for now?" She tried to keep it light-hearted; but the truth was this conversation terrified her.

"Sounds good to me" Spencer agreed with an equally fearful smile.

"I think if we're going to try and solve the mystery of our family trees I'm going to need something a lot stronger than tea" Ali said, whipping the blanket off herself and moving next to Spencer. The latter wrapped her arm around Alison's shoulder, pulling her closer. She lightly kissed the top of her head.
" n that case we should probably wait until you're allowed to drink again" Spencer said a little awkwardly. "Whatever you decide, Ali, make sure it's what you want. Not what AD is trying to brainwash you into thinking you want" Ali murmured agreement, not wanting to engage in the conversation any longer.

"Love you" She whispered as she began to fall asleep drowsily into Spencer's embrace. Spencer squeezed her tightly, and a small tear escaped her eyes, falling down onto the top of Alison's roots.

"Love you" she pushed out. It was barely a mumble, but Ali heard it and smiled to herself as she let her eyes droop shut.

…...

Over the following days all Ali could think about was her sonogram appointment and how painful it was going to be for both her and Emily to see their child in the flesh; possibly something that was going to change everything. She was in the middle of her last period class, listening to Oscar Hart butcher A Midsummer Nights Dream in his monotonous, robotic tone that, had she not been so wrapped up in her own thoughts, would've sent her right to sleep, when the class was interrupted by a timid knock on the glass of the door.
"Hey it's coach Fields!" One of the boys, Lewis Cole, called out- causing everyone's heads to flip around with smiles as they saw their favourite teacher.
"Hey guys" She called out "sorry to interrupt, Ali. Er- Ms Dilaurentis, but I need to talk to Mr. Danes about his absence last week and he seems to be avoiding me" Ali chuckled knowingly, and stretched her hand.

"Of course, Coach, we were just about done here anyway" Alison smiled charmingly, dismissing her class a few minutes early.

"Have fun, Ms D!" One girl, Isabella, yelled out as she walked through the door "maybe coach will let you come and watch her swim" She was out the door before Ali could reprimand her, so instead she just blushed profusely as the remaining students giggled, sending her pointed looks. She chuckled with them. When the classroom was empty, Emily in the middle of another rant to a missing team member, Ali took a moment to sit down. Watching her handle him, calmly but assured of herself, was comfortably reassuring to the blonde.

"Alright, Coach I'll see you next week" He muttered, picking his bag off the floor and all but running out of the classroom before Emily could change her mind about letting him off with an apology and a warning. "Bye, Ms D" he said, letting the door slam shut behind him. Emily sighed, walking over to Ali's desk and sitting on the big red spinny chair that lived behind it. Her head flopped into her hands, and she didn't move for a while.

"You okay, Em?" Ali asked, arranging some papers on her desk. Emily sat up with a smile.

"Never better. Listen, I've got to get to practise but do you want to meet for lunch?" She asked apologetically. "I feel like I haven't seen you in days"

"Yeah, I'd love to. Meet in the courtyard?" Emily smiled happily

"I'll see you there at 1" She said, quickly jumping up from her seat and rushing so she wasn't late for practise. Ali exhaled deeply, returning to the ever-growing pile of papers she had to grade, the thought of having to read and review every single one was almost enough to drive her insane.

Emily didn't know why but she felt particularly tense that day, her mind having trouble focusing on any of the kids breast strokes or what number repetition they were on. All she wanted was to indulge herself in huge slice of peperoni pizza and curl up on her couch watching Disney movies.

"Coach you still with us?" One of the girls, Lana, was pulling herself out of the pool and removing her goggles. "it's lunch. Can we go?" Emily was stunned; had an hour and a half really flown by so quickly? Had she even done much coaching?

"Sure" she said embarrassed "guys, you did well today. I'm sorry I was distant but rest assured I will be on my strongest look out on Friday; we need to decide whose anchor in next meet so please come prepared" One by one they clambered out of the pool, a buzz of excitement and competitiveness now emitting out of them as they called their 'good-byes' and 'thanks, Coach!'

"They do love you, don't they?" Emily almost cricked her neck, her heart sinking to her stomach, when she heard the voice she had been desperately trying to avoid. "Hey, Em" Emily cleared her throat, trying to act happy that she was here.

"Hey, Paige" She collected her jumper and whistle from the side seats and walked nearer to her, and together they walked out the pool, through into Emily's office. They walked in silence, but Emily could feel Paige's gaze on her, her neck burning up and tingles travelling up and down her spine. When they arrived, she took a seat behind her desk, wasting time hanging up her jacket.

"I haven't seen you around for a while" Her voice was steady, but Emily could hear the hurt that it was covering; she could feel the betrayal that Paige felt just by looking her in the eye.

"I know" Emily said quietly "I'm sorry" Neither of them said anything for a moment, both choking on accusations and apologises.

"Why did you do it?" Paige said calmly

"Do what?" Emily responded, not wanting to turn this into an argument but ready to defend herself or anyone else if she needed to.

"Kiss me" The words fell out of her mouth, but she wasn't ashamed or disappointed; she was just looking for a small piece of closure. Emily's mouth dried up, and she looked down at the ground, humiliated by her own actions.

"You mean a lot to me, Paige" she began, and Paige took a deep breath, preparing herself for what she knew was about to happen "I don't really know how to explain why I did what I did" The brunette could really not look her in eye, because if she did she knew she would breakdown.

"I thought you wanted another shot" Paige almost whispered "I thought you wanted me. Wanted us. But that morning when I saw Alison's face at you lying in a crumpled heap on the ground. She looked like she had seen a ghost. It was fairly obvious what was going on."

"Ali has nothing to do with this" Emily shot, knowing she had no right to be angry yet still feeling a little ball of emotion growing in the pit of stomach.
"Don't lie, Emily." Paige hit back "Lie to me sure, I don't mind. But don't lie to yourself. Alison has everything to do with this" Emily wanted to throw something.

"It's complicated" She mumbled.

"It's always complicated" She pointed out "You love her, Emily. There's nothing complicated about it" Emily swallowed harshly, reaching for her water bottle and taking a sip before replying.

"I don't know what you want me to say" She looked Paige in the eye, and what she saw broke her. The girl in front her had been one of the only constant things in her life for a long time, the only person who was truly there for her no matter what. She wanted to, with every piece of her heart, love her back. But she couldn't bring herself to do it. She couldn't bring herself to trick herself into loving Paige when she knew she would only be in love with the idea of safety and security. She couldn't do it herself; but more importantly she couldn't do it to Paige. "I never meant to hurt you, Paige." It was pathetic. It was weak sentiment with little depeth behind it. But it was the truth; she had never done this with the intention of causing her any pain.

"I know" Paige replied "I'm just sorry you couldn't have figured this out 3 years ago" Emily couldn't tell if she detected any anger, her voice was too coated in sadness for anything else to reveal itself.

"What we had was real, Paige. Don't ever think it wasn't" Emily grabbed Paiges hand across the table, and Paige flinched. "Please. You know how much I loved you for every single minute of the years we spent together" Paige drew her hand away with a regretful smile on face.

"You know how much I wish it was enough" A small pool of tears pooled in her eyes, and Emily wanted to scream. She wasn't the type of person who enjoyed, hell even tried to cause other people any kind of uncertainty or upset. Knowing that Paige was hurting because of her made her ashamed to be sat in that room, it made her want Paige to hit her. To slap her and walk away. But, as usual, Paige was too understanding. Cared too much for the heart that was breaking hers. "I took the job" She dropped on Emily as the silence drew on. "I leave tomorrow" Emily smiled softly.

"Congratulations" Was all she said. Because, really, what else was there? Paige stood up from her chair, looking down at Emily as if she wanted to remember ever feature of her face, every colour of her eyes and every strand of her hair. Emily wanted to reach out to tell her to stop as she began walking out the room, just grab her hand and scream apologies in her face until she promised she accepted them. "Thank you" she said sheepishly, yet still knowing Paige could hear her. " for Friday night. I know that wasn't fair to you and I'm sorry but- but I'm really glad you were there Paige" She stopped at the door, turning round to look at Emily one last time and smile.

"Just be careful, Emily" She said "I hope she makes your choice worth it" Emily wanted to apologise one more time but she was met with the soft closing of the door as Paige walked out of Rosewood High School, probably for the very last time. In the same second, Alison tapped lightly on the door and let herself in, a confused expression on her face.

"Was that Paige I just saw running out of here?" She asked, frowning heavily. Emily nodded, rubbing her hands all over her face to try and alleviate some of the tension.

"I thought we were meeting in the courtyard at 1?" Emily pondered, trying to keep the emotion out of her voice. Ali chuckled.

"So did I. But then it got to half past one, and then quarter to two and you weren't there, so I thought I'd come and check everything was alright". Emily looked down at her watch to confirm.
"God, I'm so sorry, Ali. I completely lost track of time at practise and then Paige-" She began but trailed off, thinking that Ali was probably the last person who would want to hear about her last conversation with Paige. When she cut herself off, Ali sighed, grabbing Emily from the behind the desk and practically shoving her swim jacket on her, "What are you doing?" She questioned with a grin.

"We're going for pizza. Then you're going to sit and tell me everything you are thinking, and I'm going to sit there and listen."

"How did you know?"

"Know what?"

"That I've been craving pizza all day?" Ali scoffed.

"You have that crazed look in your eye; you get it either when someones confronting you , or when you want pizza" Ali laughed, taking her hand and squeezing it. "I want you to talk to me, Em. About anything." Emily nodded, releasing her hand from Ali's grasp and leading them out the door.

"It better be pepperoni" was all she said as they walked down the corridor together, a tiny bit of weight being lifted off Emily's chest.

Sorry if you hated it but I really feel like this scene needs to be done. The next chapter will see Ali and Em's visit to the clinic (and a lot more) and I aim to update on Wednesday.