Disclaimer: I do not own Pretty Little Liars or any of its characters. However I do own my own characters.
I would like to start out by saying how sorry I am about how short that last chapter was. I hit the dreaded writers block, which usually always happens to me when I start writing a new story. I'm not sure why. I am still fighting off the symptoms of writers block though so I'm not sure how good this chapter is. However this chapter is definitely longer than the previous one. So without further delay, on with the story.
Paige sat sipping her morning coffee in remote silence while her eyes scanned over the x-rays of her brain, and she read through the thick manila folder that had 'Read Me Every Day,' written across the front of it. Now Paige was no neurosurgeon by any means, but even she could tell that the large dark spots on the slides indicating the severe damage done to her brain were pretty bad. There were small, concise notes scribbled on the bottoms of the slides that explained what was wrong with her. Words like 'decimated hippocampus', 'acute short term memory loss', and 'severe lobe reconstruction' stuck out like a sore thumb to Paige. She didn't recognize the terms, but a strange sense of hopelessness welled up within her whenever she read or heard them. Paige sighed and rubbed her temples. She skimmed through the rest of the papers, which gave a detailed account of who she was and where she was living and what she was to do everyday. Finally finishing all the reading she tossed the folder on the table and leaned back in her chair, rubbing her thumb over one of her dog tags. A sheet of loose-leaf notebook paper fell to the floor pulling Paige's attention away from her tags and to the paper. She absentmindedly picked it up and scanned over it. Her eyes, widened with each line that she read, in what she realized was her messy handwriting. The name Emily Fields was written at the top and beneath was a brief description of her, where she worked, and what her phone number was. There was a note written at the bottom to open the audio files labeled EF and to listen to them while she got ready. So Paige did just that. As soon as Emily's voice filtered through the speakers hooked up to her laptop Paige was enchanted. The spell that was Emily's voice enthralled her and Paige sat and listened to the conversations that they had. In the span of one morning Paige had learned three things. One she lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Two she had suffered a traumatic brain injury that left her with acute short term memory. And three her feelings for one unknown Emily Fields were growing stronger each day.
MWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWM
Paige hummed softly under her breath as she rewired the transmission for an old Harley Goldwing that had been brought into the shop a couple days ago for restoration by an older man who didn't know the first thing about fixing up old bikes. While Paige on the other hand knew quite a bit about motorcycles because she owned one before her injury. She had stopped riding it due to her brain injuries and the fear that if she got into accident she might die or worse become a vegetable from more brain injuries. The doctors that she had seen and spoken with all made it explicitly clear that Paige had to be careful from now. Her brain injuries weren't the only ones that she had to worry about. Paige had also suffered from grievous third degree burn wounds that covered her back and legs. There had been significant tissue and muscle damage done to her shoulders and arms caused from the concussive blast from the IED she had been too close to when it went off. It took several lengthy surgeries and months and of rehab to even begin reconstructing her body back to normal. Although it was never fully healed. Her shoulders were all but held together by steel wires and plates screwed into her broken bones, while her arms were bolted together by steel bars to help reinforce the damaged muscles and bone. All in all Paige was a mess. Caleb would often call her Frankenstein in a teasing manner, and Paige would shoot right back and call him Stumpy or Peg-leg Rivers. Only the two of them could call each other those names without sounding rude or insulting because they were both healing from traumatic injuries caused from the same attack. Paige wasn't sure where she would be if she didn't have Caleb in her life as her best friend. Even if he could be a pain in the ass sometimes.
"Lunch has arrived," announced Caleb breaking Paige out of her concentration and causing her to twist her fingers in pain as they got stuck in the engine from her jerking in surprise at Caleb's unannounced entry. She cursed and pried her fingers from the cramped space and wiggled them slowly to see if they were okay.
"Shit Caleb you could have said something to say you were here instead of sneaking up on me," grumbled Paige sitting down next to her fellow Marine. Caleb rolled his eyes at her.
"I did say something. Lunch has arrived if I remember correctly. You should pay more attention to your surroundings McCullers," said Caleb handing her a white paper bag. Paige glared at him, but gave him a nod of thanks for getting her lunch. The two sat and ate in silence for a few minutes. "So what had you thinking so deeply before? Was it a certain waitress by the name of Emily Fields?" Paige's neck flushed red at Caleb's assumption even if it wasn't true.
"I was concentrating on work. Clearly something you don't do enough of," retorted Paige, trying to steer the conversation away from the girl Paige couldn't remember, but had obviously spent so much time with.
Caleb leaned back in his chair and dramatically clutched at his chest. "You wound me Paige with your harsh words. How will I ever recover?" Paige chuckled lightly at her friend's antics and threw a wadded up napkin at his head.
"Drama Queen." Caleb grinned at her.
"Seriously though, how are things going with her? You've been meeting her coffee for weeks now," Caleb pointed out.
Paige sighed. "To be totally honest Caleb, I don't know. I wake up every morning and listen to conversations we've had that I have recorded, but I don't remember having them. I don't remember her Caleb. I can't remember what she looks like, or what she wears, I can't even remember her name," Paige trailed off staring down at her hands.
"But? I hear a, but coming on," said Caleb.
"But," Paige continued. "Every time I do hear her voice I feel better. I feel this warmth come over me from just hearing her speak even though I don't remember her or what she's talking about. She feels familiar to me Caleb. She feels good."
"Okay so what are you going to do?" he asked.
"I'm going to ask her out." Caleb choked on his drink at her bold statement.
"Are you serious? Do think that's a good idea considering your condition?"
"I've already wasted nine months of my life because of this condition. I don't want to miss out on having something special with Emily. We have a real connection," argued Paige back.
"Regardless or not of your connection, are you ready to air out all your dirty secrets to Emily?" retorted Caleb. Paige just scowled at him and moved to get up. Caleb sighed in frustration and grabbed her hand before she could walk off. She stopped. "Look Paige if anyone deserves happiness and a normal life it's you alright. That being said I know Emily and she's a great girl who deserves a happy and normal life also."
"Your point," Paige said gruffly.
"She won't have one if she's with you. So far from what you've told me you've pretended like there's nothing wrong. You act like you recognize her when you don't and you string her along in believing you're perfectly fine when you're not. One day she's going to find out the extent of your injuries. That you forget her. If you are going to get serious with Emily at least tell her what's wrong with you," advised Caleb. Paige was silent. She had nothing to say because she knew, deep down that Caleb was right. Everything he said was true.
"I can't live my life like this anymore Caleb. I need to take a chance," whispered Paige. Caleb only nodded.
When Paige finally clocked out and left the shop she headed straight for The Brew to look for Emily. She pushed open the door and searched the café for her.
"Hey Paige looking for Emily?" Startled by the question Paige looked down to see a small petit girl wearing a black apron. She smiled up at her kindly and Paige gave a quick smile in return. She tried to place a name to the face, but she couldn't. She squinted down to look at the girl's nametag and saw that her name was Aria.
"Uhh yeah…Aria I was looking for Emily. Is she here?" asked Paige.
"Yeah she's in the back. I'll tell her you're here," offered Aria.
"That would be great. Thanks," said Paige. Aria walked off and disappeared between to swinging doors that led to what Paige guessed was the kitchen. Moments later Emily appeared and scanned the room. When her eyes landed on Paige she grinned and began walking over. Paige took that time to admire Emily's flawless form. Her dark brunette locks were tied back in a smooth ponytail while a few strands were escaping to frame her beautiful face. Her eyes met the warm coffee brown of Emily's as she stopped in front of her and Paige glanced down shyly. Bad idea. Her eyes landed on Emily's soft pink lips, and Paige immediately felt her stomach drop at the sight of Emily's tongue darting out and wetting her lips. She glanced away and took a deep breath to steady her racing heart.
"Hey Paige," greeted Emily warmly. "What brings you here?"
"I wanted to see you," admitted Paige. "If your not busy."
"My shift ends in 20 minutes if you want to wait," offered Emily. Paige nodded and took a seat at one of the tables while Emily offered to get her a coffee on the house. Paige accepted and now sat sipping her coffee and watching Emily work, taking the time to shamelessly check out Emily. She was kind and polite to everyone she waited on, and was patient with their demands. At certain times Emily would catch her staring at her, and Paige, quit flustered at being caught, would stare down at her coffee for a few seconds before risking a glance back up at Emily to find her either working or staring back at her. Emily would send her small winks or smiles to let her know she didn't mind Paige's staring. Paige had just finished her cup when Emily walked up and announced she was done with work. They both left and walked quietly down the street in comfortable silence. Every now and then Paige's hand would brush against Emily's and her skin would tingle from the contact. It was then that Paige recalled her conversation with Caleb from earlier. Emily felt good. Her presence was soothing and made Paige feel warm. She was just too good to pass up.
Paige stopped abruptly on the sidewalk and turned to face Emily who was looking at her curiously. Paige gulped and took a deep steadying breath. It's time to be brave and allow herself some happiness in life. No more living in uncertainty or worry. Staying true to her blunt nature and military nature, Paige finally took a chance.
"Emily Fields it would be my deepest my honor if you let me take you out on a date." Silence. Emily's wide brown eyes were staring back at her in surprise. The silence continued to stretch on and become awkward. Paige felt her heart twisting in disappointment at Emily's obvious rejection. Maybe she was too bold? Or spontaneous? Who was she kidding? Emily was way out of her league and would never go on a date with someone like her. Paige had gotten her hopes up for nothing.
"I would really like that Paige." And at hearing that simple answer Paige's heart soared and she had to stop herself from jumping up and down while shouting in excitement that she, Paige McCullers, got to take Emily Fields out on a date. However she couldn't resist fist pumping once much to Emily's amusement.
"Really you would?" Paige asked just for reassurance that she heard Emily correctly.
Emily laughed. "Yes Paige, I am absolutely sure that I would like to go out on a date with you," assured the brunette as she touched the Marine's arm briefly to steady her. Paige grinned.
"Then I'll pick you up. Tomorrow at 7," said Paige.
"7 it is. Here's my address." Emily wrote down her address on a scrap a paper and pressed it into Paige's waiting hand.
"Thanks." Emily nodded and the two of them stood quietly for a few moments, both trying to grasp what just happened. A brief rumble of thunder interrupted them warning them of the impending storm that was to come. Raindrops began to fall around the pair and people rushed past to find shelter from the rain.
"We should probably go before the storm picks up. Do you need a ride home?" asked Emily politely as they stopped by her car.
Paige shook her head. "I'm good. I'll see you tomorrow Emily." Emily smiled and waved before driving off down the road. Paige watched her car disappear around a corner before the blaring horn of another snapped her back to reality. The rain was really starting to come down hard and Paige was getting near soaked. Another honk of a horn this time accompanied by a shout.
"Hey Paige hop in." Paige turned and saw Caleb leaning out the driver's side window of his truck, motioning for her to get in. Paige climbed inside and immediately cranked up the heat, shaking her head free of any residual water.
"What were you doing out in the rain just standing there?" inquired Caleb starting the drive to her apartment.
"I was with Emily," answered Paige staring out the window as she wondered whether or not she should tell Caleb about asking Emily out on a date. Caleb nodded and they both fell into silence. They arrived at the apartment complex, but neither of them made a move to get out.
"Paige," started Caleb.
"Hmmm," Paige hummed back.
"I'm sorry," Caleb apologized softly.
"For what," murmured Paige already knowing the answer?
"For this morning. I shouldn't have said the things that I said. You deserve to be happy, and if Emily makes you feel good then I need to respect your decision." Paige glanced over at Caleb and saw the sincerity in his eyes.
"I understand you concerns I really do, and I appreciate the apology. These feelings when I see her every morning don't go away. Even if I don't recognize her I still feel so strongly about her," said Paige staring out at the pouring rain.
"The heart never forgets," mused Caleb. Paige nodded in agreement.
"I asked her out. We have a date tomorrow at 7. Our first official one," revealed Paige staring at Caleb and trying to gauge his reaction. He smiled.
"I'm happy for you." He patted her shoulder and she offered him a small smile in return. "So since you won't be home tomorrow I guess you wouldn't mind if I came over and watched the game at your place."
"Why can't you watch it at yours?" asked Paige eyeing her best friend.
"My TV's broken. Besides unless you plan on bringing Emily back for dessert," at the mention of dessert Caleb wiggled his eyebrows suggestively "then there really should be no problem. I'll be gone before you get back." Paige flushed at the thought of Emily and dessert in the way Caleb had insinuated.
"Fine you can watch the game, but you had better be gone when I come back got it?"
"Yeah, yeah no problem. Thanks Paige," said Caleb. Paige waved off his thanks and climbed out of the truck and ran to the door of the apartment complex. She was soaked and in desperate need of a warm shower. She walked into her apartment and immediately grabbed her laptop. She wrote a note on her agenda that she had a date with Emily Fields tomorrow at 7. She left an audio recording to just to have double the reminder. There was no way she was going to forget about this. Paige then proceeded to shower and get ready for bed. As she lay in bed listening to the sound of the storm rage outside she couldn't help, but feel warm and happy inside. For the first time in a long time Paige was going on a date with the most beautiful girl in the world. Or at least the most beautiful girl in Paige's world. As she drifted off to sleep Paige failed notice her laptop shut off and reboot from a power surge caused by the lightning from the storm hitting a power line and shorting out the power. If she had she would have seen that all the files on her computer had been wiped out. All of her reminders and notes were gone in a split second and Paige was none the wiser as she dreamed of one Emily Fields.
Thus marks the ending of another chapter. Hope you enjoyed it. Even though this is a Paily story would anyone be interested in a small side of Haleb. Should Hanna and Caleb make up or should Hanna go to New York with Sean? Reviews and criticism is always welcome. It keeps me on my toes.
