Hey guys! I think you all know my opinion on that pregnancy storyline. Yep, I'm still mad about it. And pretty much everyone here had the same reaction to Mr. Smith on this fic, lol. I love you guys so much, you made my day, lol. Now to some questions:
Q1: Will Rosewood get more tolerant? Yes and no. The town will remain pretty much with those bigoted ideas, but there are some Rosewood characters who don't necessarily agree with that.
Q2: Where are the other Liars? Closer than you think.
Q3: Was the kissing scene a nod to "Mirrors"? Definitely. Guest, you are so faithful, lol!
Q4: Can you update faster: Unfortunately, no :( I've got a pretty demanding job and I'm on my last semester on college. So that means I'm pretty fucked up at the moment, but I try to write a scene per day, lol.
Alison paid no attention to Elliott's scolding when she arrived home. Her head was literally in the clouds. She replayed the kiss in her mind time after time. Emily's lips were perfect and her touch was addictive. They've made out for about an hour just rolling around on the grass. It took her long to realize she was kissing another woman. That she was on top on said woman. The most conservative parts of herself still deemed it wrong. Alison was a married, Christian woman. She was technically cheating on her husband with those kisses. But her body and her heart begged for more, especially when Emily slid her lips down her neck.
It was over as it begin to rain and they were forced to go back to the real world. Emily had just hugged her after dropping Alison home. Emily had held her as if she never wanted to let her go. And Alison was left alone with the ghosts of their afternoon together. She still feels Emily's lips on hers. She feels Emily's touch burning on her skin. Then, she imagines Emily's hot mouth trailing wet kisses on her skin.
It's unbearable and Alison can't sleep. She tries to, but even her dreams belong to Emily now. Emily's strong arm circles her waist as she's on top of her, riding her shamelessly. And then Emily's mouth meets her chest and everything goes blank.
Alison wakes up with an unbearable heat in between her legs and she has to shower.
Alison feels like her teenage students on the next. She's all eager to see Emily and, when she does, she swears her heart skips a beat. It's ridiculous. She doesn't remember ever feeling this way about Elliott, the man whom she married and whom she was supposed to love. But Emily just made it so easy… Her tousled hair, her sweet eyes, that shy smile… Alison was beaming like a fool once again.
"Hey!" Ali walked to her, touching her wrist expectantly. Emily jumped back, as though she was surprised.
"Hey," The brunette replied yesterday and, though Alison was lost in her eyes, she didn't really know what to say. So, they hang in silence for a good two minutes until the bell rang them out of their states.
"So, yesterday was-"
"I understand if you never want to talk about it," Emily cut her off and wrapped her arms around herself, shielding from dangers Alison couldn't see.
"I don't regret it, Em," She frowned, "I really don't."
"But you're married, Alison. I really don't want to get hurt later," Emily has never looked so vulnerable or frail before and it's a little strange to Alison because she knows how strong that woman could be.
So Alison does the only thing she can think of: she grabs Emily by the neck and presses a kiss on her lips, "You're all I can think about since last night."
Emily's hands cradle Ali's face as she replies, "You're all I can think about too."
Alison wonders why this kiss feels so bittersweet.
Elliott was waiting for her when she arrived home. He had a glass of whiskey in his hands and he didn't look very happy. Alison supposes something happened at his office. Maybe one of his patients killed themselves. It has happened before, so Alison wouldn't be surprised.
"Elliott?"
"Took you too long," He replied whilst looking at the glass, "What were you doing?"
Alison frowned, "I was just going home from school."
He took a sip of his whiskey, "Or maybe you were just meeting up with Emily."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about this!" Elliott punched the table and only then did Ali realize that there was a photograph under his fist. She and Emily kissing at the soccer field, "It's really shameful to know my wife is a dyke."
"Elliott, I-"
Slap.
Her lip stung and tears gathered in her eyes. They may have argued before, but Elliott had never been violent to her.
"She corrupted you!" He spat.
"No, she didn't, I-"
"You don't get to say a word here, Alison," Elliott grabbed her shoulders and shook her roughly, "You don't get to say a word until I teach you a lesson," He backed her against the table.
"Elliott, what are you doing?" She cried and struggled.
"I'm teaching you a lesson. No dyke can touch you like I do," He held her strongly and ripped her dress and underwear.
Alison tried to think that the person behind her was Emily, that it was Emily touching her. But, deep in her heart, she knows that her sweet Emily wouldn't do this. Emily doesn't touch her like that. It hurts ten times more now. Alison feels broken and disgusted and empty. Elliott leaves her on the floor and takes her keys and her phone.
Ali's bed feels like a bed of thorns. It hurts everywhere. But what affects her the most is shame. What would Emily think of her? Emily. She needs to see her today. If she sees her, then maybe everything is going to be alright. She needs Emily, so she gets up and gets dressed, carefully picking a jacket that will hide all the bruises scattered on her body. She puts some make-up on so the other teachers won't guess that she's been crying and prepares to leave.
But Elliott is waiting for her in the living room, "Where do you think you're going?!"
She doesn't have the guts to look him in the eye, so she lowers her gaze, "Work."
"So you can be with her?!" He pressed, "I'm not going to allow that!"
"Elliott, please! I promise I won't talk to her!" She begs for she only has to see Emily. If she sees Emily, everything will be okay.
"You're not leaving this house without my permission, Alison," He declared and fiddled with her keys, "I've made some arrangements so I can talk to my patients here. It's time I become a more present husband."
"I have to work, Elliott!"
"I already talked to Jenna," He reveals, "I told her you needed some time off and that you'll be staying at home helping your mother with the Church."
Alison bites her lip, resigned but upset, "For how long?"
"Until you get that vicious idea out of your head," Elliott declares, "Now, go make that wonderful pasta for lunch. Everything you need is on the counter."
Alison goes to the kitchen and cries.
Three days later, Ali's mom comes to visit them. Elliott is in his new office with a patient, so they have the whole house to themselves. Not that it's of any comfort for Alison.
"Elliott showed me those-" Jessica swallows hard, "-disgusting pictures of you kissing that woman."
Of course Elliott would show them. He never kept their things a secret.
"I don't know what you want me to say," She doesn't have the courage to stare at her mother – the woman who raised her. Alison wonders if Mrs. Fields has ever treated Emily this way and what Emily did to withstand this.
"You're a disappointment, Alison!" Her mother scolds, "You don't know how ashamed I was when Elliott showed me that picture! I didn't raise my daughter to be a… a dyke!"
"I'm sorry," Alison doesn't know what she's apologizing for, but she does it anyway. Maybe because she hopes that her mother could talk to Elliott and convince him to lift her prohibition.
"I hope that you learned your lesson, Alison," Jessica replies, unfazed, "Elliott is a good man and business between our families is going well."
"Right, Mom," Of course, that's all her mother could think of. The horses. Business. Money.
"If you give him a baby, Elliott might just forgive your little slip," Her mom suggested.
"We had been trying for months," Alison can't bear the thought of Elliott touching her, but she knows it will happen again whenever he wanted. He would just take her until he had enough. She feels sheer disgust: of Elliott, of the situation, but, mostly, of herself.
"Well, try harder," Jessica spoke nonchalantly, "Let's hope that some time at home will help you find your way back to God again."
"Yes, Mom," Alison responds mindlessly because she doesn't want to, doesn't know how to return to a day before Emily kissed her.
Emily holds Ali's red coat tight and hopes the blonde appears at school today. It's been two weeks since she last saw Alison and it was seriously driving her insane. She tried texting and calling, but Alison never answered or picked up her phone. Emily darts to the possibility that something might have happened to Ali. That Ali might be in danger because of her. That maybe Ali is-
No, she can't think of that. She can't go through that again. So, she drops the coat, gets her bike and rides to school. She was barely paying attention when Sydney dragged her by the arm to Jenna's office, where the headmistress stood alongside Ezra. Emily has never really talked to him, so she wonders why he's staying there.
"Hello, Emily," Jenna greeted, but there was something different about her voice. Emily couldn't quite put her finger on it.
"Good morning, Ms. Marshall. Is there something you'd like to talk about?"
"Please, just call me Jenna," She chuckled, "It's going to save you a few words now."
"What is this about?" Emily frowns.
Sydney and Ezra exchange apprehensive looks until Jenna finally speaks, "I think Alison might be under house arrest."
Emily's protective instincts kicked in and it took all her might to not leave the trio standing there and run to Ali's house. Instead, she just asked, "H-How do you know?"
"Elliott called me two weeks ago," Jenna said, "He told me that Alison needed some time off and that she had decided to quit her job to focus on herself and on church. I asked him if I could talk to her, but he said she was out with her mother. I tried calling her after, but she never picked me up."
"I tried calling her as well, but she didn't get it either," Emily commented.
"She hasn't shown up in church as well," Ezra informed, "I asked Mrs. D. about her and she told me there was nothing to talk about. Also, I've heard that Elliott was talking to his patients in a home office."
"So he can keep an eye on Alison," Emily quickly concluded.
"But why? Elliott has always been weird, but he's never been violent to Alison before," Sydney points out and Emily feels relieved that she isn't the only one that thinks that Elliott is freaky.
Wait, does it mean that Elliott knows?
"Emily, your breathing is erratic. Are you okay?" Jenna asks creepily.
She swallows hard before answering, "I-I may be the reason why Elliott is keeping Alison at home."
"Why?" Sydney asks.
"B-Because we k-kissed and I think someone might have seen it," Emily didn't know what to expect from Ezra and Jenna. Sydney already knew about her and was pretty discreet about it, but there was no guarantee that Ezra and Jenna would be that open-minded. But Jenna only smirked while Ezra pulled out an impressed face.
"When did it happen, Emily?" Jenna asked.
"Two weeks ago," Emily said, "But we didn't… we aren't… it only happened twice."
"Elliott probably found out and is keeping Alison away from you," Ezra pointed out.
The thought of Alison once again being in danger made Emily anxious. She needed to see Ali and she needed to see her now. She only realized she had sprinted to the door when Sydney grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"Emily, where are you going?!"
"I need to see her, Sydney! I need to know if she's okay!"
Ezra cut in, "Listen, Emily, let's not be bashful and-"
"Alison might be in trouble and I will never forgive myself if something happens to her!" Her tone is so intense that she's surprised herself. Emily wonders how Alison managed to crawl under her skin so quickly.
"Emily, I know you're worried about her, but you can't barge in there! Elliott may be dangerous and he might hurt you. Or Alison!" Ezra argues and the thought of Elliott laying one finger whatsoever on Alison made Emily stop in her tracks, "We need a plan to get in there and rescue her."
"How are we going to get past him?" Sydney asked.
"I'll distract him," Ezra offered, "My family has horses as well and that should interest him."
"Ezra, you know nothing about horses," Jenna noted.
"I know enough to stall him until you guys see Alison."
"But we can't just waltz into the house," Sydney pointed out, "Elliott will never let Emily in."
"I know. That's why we need a ladder," Jenna replied, "Emily, you're going to climb to their bedroom window. It's not facing the street, so no one will see you."
"Okay, I can do it!" Emily assured. Truthfully, she'd do anything to make sure Ali was safe and to see Alison once again. Oh, how she missed those blonde curls, those clear blue eyes, those adorable dimples…
"While you two are acting, Sydney and I will be waiting in the car so you can call us if something goes wrong," Jenna instructed. Then, much to Emily's surprise, Sydney let go of her arm and held onto Jenna's instead.
"You can't go, Jenna. You have to stay, please!" Sydney's caring tone was a surprise to Emily, but she finally understood when she saw Jenna twining their fingers. Well, though Sydney knew about Emily's sexuality, they had never discussed hers. It was pretty obvious to Emily that Sydney was more than Jenna's assistant or childhood friend.
"It's gonna be okay, Syd, I promise," Jenna guided Sydney's hand to her mouth and kissed her skin as if neither Ezra or Emily were in the room. As far as Rosewood goes, Emily thought they were pretty open about it. It was also a pleasant surprise that Ezra didn't seem to mind.
"Okay, so let's do it?" Ezra asked them before they left.
"Let's do it!"
Emily hoped the ladder wasn't going to scrape on the walls of the Rollins house and make hundreds of noises. Ezra was doing his part of the plan, distracting Elliott as they talked about horses and business. Now it was Emily's job to climb upstairs and rescue Alison. And she prayed she wouldn't miss a step and fall because that could be fatal. Literally.
As soon as she got to the master bedroom window, Emily knocked and balanced herself, hoping someone would listen to her and open the window. And someone did: Alison. But Emily noticed there was something wrong at first glance. This wasn't her Ali. Her hair was messy, her eyes were pussy and she had probably lost weight.
"E-Emily?!" The brunette jumped right into the room and wrapped her arms around Alison. Her heart fluttered when the blonde sighed on her ear.
"I missed you, Ali."
"I missed you too," With those words, Emily squeezed Ali tightly against her body. But then she felt a wince. It lasted for about a second, but Emily knew it was there. Therefore, she stepped away so she could inspect Alison better, beginning by her hands. She took Ali's hands into her own and saw a big purple bruise on the other woman's wrist.
"Alison, what's this?" Emily asked and Alison immediately recoiled and wrapped her arms around herself. Suddenly, all the pieces came together in her mind, "Has Elliott been hurting you?"
Alison tried to shake her head in denial, but a tear rolled from her eye instead. Emily bubbled in anger and protective feelings. All she wanted was to go downstairs and punch Elliott straight on the nose, but Ali's fragile state froze her exactly where she was. The brunette reached out and delicately wiped Ali's tear away, making an inner promise to not let anybody lay a hand on Alison whatsoever.
"You don't need to tell me anything. Just let me take you out of here," She suggested.
"H-He's going to see us! H-He's probably coming here right now!"
"No, he isn't" Emily takes Ali's hands again in an attempt to tranquilize her, "Ezra is downstairs distracting him and Jenna and Sydney are waiting for us in the car."
"I-I h-have nowhere else to go, Emily!"
That wasn't something Emily hadn't considered. If Alison was going to run away from her husband, she couldn't possibly stay in Rosewood. Emily had no doubt people there would try to convince Alison to come back to Elliott just because he was her husband or something. But Emily knew someone who could help Alison. Emily knew how she could protect her. And then she knew which way to go.
"It's gonna be okay, Ali, I promise," She squeezed her hand for reassurance, "I won't force you to come with me if you don't want to."
Alison seemed slightly in doubt of what she should do. But then she twined her fingers into Emily's and Emily knew Ali chose to run.
"Take me."
Emily whisked Alison away to Sydney's car, parked a few blocks away just for precaution. Sydney texted Ezra as soon as they slid into the backseat, Alison being caught by surprise by the whole operation Emily and her friends had pulled up to rescue her.
"W-What are you doing here?" She asks, fidgeting with Emily's fingers.
"I suspected there was something wrong with you when Elliott called me to say you were going to quit," Jenna said, "And then we heard nothing of you in two weeks, so we decided to act."
"Ali, we know about you and Emily," Sydney blurted out, "And it's fine."
"R-Really?" Alison saw that Jenna and Sydney were holding hands, but any questions she had about her two friends disappeared when Ezra slid into the backseat right beside her.
"Sydney, let's go before Elliott starts searching for Alison!" He rushed and Sydney immediately pulled out of the driveway.
"Where to?!"
"My house," Emily interjected, "I need to pick up a few clothes and some money before we leave!"
"What do you mean by that, Emily?" Jenna asked.
"I'm taking Alison to Houston," She announced, "I've got some friends there that can help her. She can't stay here, Jenna. What if Elliott finds her again?!" Alison curled up against her side at the mention of his name.
"Okay, okay, you've got a point here," Jenna concedes, "But I want you to call me as soon as you get there, do you hear me?"
"Sure," Emily promises, "Alison, we're going to Houston, okay? I promise I'll keep you safe there."
Alison only nods and squeezes Emily's hand a little bit tighter.
"Hanna, dear, aren't you drinking a little too much?" The blonde laughs as she sways her hips away from her girlfriend's hands. Tonight was the first time she invited her friends over this year and Hanna wanted to make the most of it. Of course, Mona didn't like when she drank too much because Hanna was unpredictable after a few shots of tequila.
"Come on, baby!" Hanna steals a kiss from the brunette, "Tomorrow is Saturday!"
"Yes, and I don't want to spend it curing your hangover!"
"You're the best hangover cure in the whoooooole world!" Hanna exaggerates as she dances around, "My snuggle buddy, my little teddy bear!"
"Holy shit, Mona is a teddy bear!" Aria mocked, a little bit tipsy herself. After two days of grading papers, she allowed herself to have a few drinks. Spencer was driving anyway and Spencer never drinks – not when she's preparing for a case tomorrow.
"Hanna, if you don't shut up, I won't put out for a month!" Mona blushed and threatened.
"Wow, a sex strike!"
"Baby, shut up!" Spencer elbowed her ribs not so discreetly, "Or you're going to face a sex strike yourself!"
"No, Spence! I can't live without your yummy cupcakes!"
"Oh my God, Spencer has cupcakes!" Hanna burst out laughing while Mona facepalmed. She only stopped upon hearing the doorbell, "Have we asked for pizza again?!"
"Baby, I think it's better you let me handle this," Mona tried to stop Hanna from answering the door in such a state, but it's not like drunk Hanna listened to anyone.
The blonde opened the door and spotted a figure she hasn't seen in a while, "Yo, Emily! How's it going, my big bad player?!"
But Emily seemed unfazed by her humor. Hanna swears she's never seen her so serious, "Hanna, can I come in? I need your help, please."
That's when Hanna noticed a blonde woman curled against her chest. Her blonde hair was messed and she was shaken. That sight and the intuition that something serious had happened were enough to make her sober up and allow the two women in.
