Hello beautiful people! As always sorry for the wait between updates! My life has been cray cray lately! I was out of town with two of my best friends for a little end of summer vacation and now I'm trying to get my brother all set for when he moves next week to begin college and also get all my own stuff straightened out for Grad School! Then one of my other best friends had a baby shower and yeah...just yeah.
Funny story while I was gone my Emison apparel (that is literally so beautiful I can't even explain) came in the mail, and when I got back home I opened it up and my brother jokingly goes, "Is this your way of telling everyone your bi or...?" Needless to say I just swatted him on the arm and rolled my eyes. I came out to him and my mom a few months ago and it's honestly so refreshing that they both can openly joke with me about it now. Like for example when I was packing for my trip my mom went walking past my room while I was folding up a tank top and goes, "Oh sweetie that always looks so good on you. You'll definitely get yourself a man OR woman in no time."
Oh and after looking at my Emison shirt and sweatshirt they both can't believe that the writers haven't just put our two beautiful ladies together already. To quote my brother, "Why would you keep the gorgeousness separated? That's just stupid!" Tell me about it bro, tell me about it!
Now y'all already know that it wouldn't be an update if I didn't rant about the actual show! Lord, where do I even begin?
I guess since I've had my own self discovery over the past year with regards to my own sexual orientation I am incredibly annoyed that there has been ZERO exploration into Alison's sexuality (especially since Marlene said there would be). Like Sasha plays the character so well and always does all these subtle things to show that Alison IS attracted to Emily (hello did you see that puppy dog gazing during that bench scene in 7x08) but the fact that Alison has never talked about it with anyone is just weird. And really it's just another example of how PLL's LGBT rep is horrible! Like they make Emily have five million girlfriends (exemplified by the fact that she had coffee with Ali for breakfast, met up with Paige for drinks, and then had more drinks with Sabrina afterwards all in the same damn day)! I don't understand why the writers feel the need to do this with Emily. As much as I hated 6B-Emily's story line was lit. Like she actually didn't have a million love interests and dealt with real life struggles-losing a parent, lying to another parent so you don't disappoint them, being broke as hell...you get the point.
Ugh seeing Paige on my screen again damn near killed me. Like Emily you have a goddess in Alison who's just waiting for you to make a move and you decide to open up that door with Paige again...like girl WTF?! And I don't care what anyone says there is no way in hell Paige's ass is in every episode of season 7B to explore something other than her relationship with Emily-like she's never had a story line outside of Emily so why would she now? And Paige I'm sorry but you being in a car accident does not equate to Emily losing her father. Girl bye!
And Ezra thinking Emily doesn't know what he's going through with regards to Nicole haha bro you're funny! Like the girl literally thought her first love was dead for three years and then when she found out Ali was alive it changed everything (and really would have made the show a whole hell of a lot better if the writers had just built Emison from 5A onward, but I digress!)
Y'all I'm still trying to figure out what the purpose of Spaleb was if Haleb was going to get back together three seconds later. I'll probably never be able to make sense of it...
My heart breaks for Spencer. She finds out Toby started building the house for her, but he can't live without Yvonne (who I actually really like) and is moving to Maine-like God talk about getting stabbed in the heart!
Hanna taking matters into her own hands and turning into a total gangster-like yes girl get shit done!
Ali's students suck-like I really wish James was in the actual show because he would have gone in on all of them!
And y'all she fucking threw up at school! Ugh you know Marlene's gonna make her be the one who's pregnant. If she is in fact pregnant with Emily's egg (because why else would that random ass story line have happened in 6B...oh wait it's PLL never mind) I guess I would be okay with it IF the two of them had already talked about and confessed their feelings. But if this forced pregnancy is what brings them together...like Marlene are you on crack?
Like I wanted Emison to be girlfriends and take Pepe to the dog park and do cute fluffy shit...why you gotta throw a forced pregnancy in there?
Now watch Aria's the one who's pregnant and the fandom has been losing our shit over nothing! Or it'll randomly be Spencer or some shit...
Anyone else done with this Mary Drake second child having spawn of A.D. story line? Cause I know I am lol.
I really wish I wasn't so in love with Emison because I could have dropped this show after the writing took a shit in 5B!
Anyway onto Sinus Infection!
This chapter is pretty crazy and A LOT happens!
I really hope you all enjoy and please let me know your thoughts and reactions!
Sinus Infection Chapter Nine
Never Let Me Go
Hey Toby, it's Alison.
I know this is going to come as a surprise, but Mona is Uber –A. She never gave up the game and has been working alongside Elliot Rollins since she was a patient at Radley. The other members of the –A team are: Sara Harvey, Jenna Marshall, Noel Khan, Sydney Driscoll, Melissa Hastings, Wren Kingston, and Lorenzo Calderon.
Charlotte's confession was nothing more than a ploy to have the five of us believe that the game was actually over. My sister was working as a double agent and collecting evidence so she could one day bring Mona down. She was always on our side, and she was killed because of it.
There's evidence to support all of this that is now in the hands of the CIA.
With all that being said please keep everyone safe. I love you all.
Alison sent the text message to the kind officer from her best friend's iPhone because the teacher had lost service about a half hour ago. Working for the CIA Brittany never had to worry about that problem.
The blonde didn't really know how to inform everyone back at her and Emily's house everything she'd discovered in the last hour, but she hoped the text made some sort of sense. She just wanted them to be aware in case Mona tried to show her psycho ass up at their front door and offer some bullshit excuse that she was concerned about Emily's well-being. This way Pam could put her packing skills to good use if the manipulative brunette tried to pull anything towards the people that Alison loved more than anything in the world.
"Thanks, Britt," She offered the CIA agent a soft smile as she held out her cell phone that of course had a New York Knicks otter box protecting it.
"Yeah, no problem," The tall brunette replied as she took the device and placed it back in the pocket of her form fitting leather jacket. She returned Ali's smile before focusing on the front door in front of them.
"Jesus, this place is creepy as fuck." Bradley bluntly stated a few minutes later after the three of them made it inside the cottage outside the Amish community that was literally in the middle of nowhere. It had taken them a little longer than expected to break into the place, but Mona and Elliot (and dear God Alison still cannot believe that Mona never gave up the –A game and that Elliot is her right hand man…or boyfriend…or whatever…any way you slice it is disgusting) had numerous sensors in place that needed to be disabled and all sorts of surveillance equipment set up. But really it was no match for Brittany and Bradley who had seen just about everything in the cases they'd worked on together for the CIA. It was mesmerizing to see the siblings in action as they calmly destroyed every barrier that sought to keep them from entering the cottage.
And the teacher could kick herself a thousand times for not contacting Brittany sooner about the new reign of torment that was being inflicted on the five of them, but for God's sake her best friend was swamped with her actual job-having to prevent a nuclear war with North Korea and dealing with a resurgence of ISIS in the Middle East...Ali thought mentioning some threatening text messages would be a little insensitive. But now knowing how the CIA agent felt about Charlotte, it had been incredibly stupid on Ali's part.
And the teacher still cannot explain how devastated she is for her sister and Brittany.
They would have been perfect together…just like Emily and I. God, can you imagine the double dates we could have gone on? Holy fuck! Alison stop! News flash Charlotte is dead! And from the looks of things Brittany might as well be too…No wonder she's been volunteering to work on any case Reggie even mentions…it keeps her preoccupied so she doesn't have to think about losing Charlotte. God…
Alison took a deep breath and tried to refocus. She'd be completely useless on this CIA agent for a night thing if she didn't stop letting her mind wander to what her sister and best friend's life could have been together…
As she took tentative steps further into the grungy place, Alison felt a chill crawl down her spine as Brittany turned on a light switch and the small cottage was illuminated in a soft glow. This would definitely be the perfect spot to do very –A like things…
"Well, looks like we found Mona and Elliot's lair…" Brittany observed as she moved towards the back of the cottage where computer monitors and a whole array of technology adorned the desk in front of them. Not to mention there were several bulletin boards with hundreds of pictures of Alison, Emily, Spencer, Aria, and Hanna fastened to them. Well if this a'int some trippy shit…
Alison's eyes scanned the images in amazement. They all looked to be from the last three and a half months…after Charlotte was murdered…and the five of them had been instructed not to leave Rosewood or else. It's almost ironic though because none of them really had the desire to leave anyway anymore. She and Emily were certainly planning on remaining in the suburban town for the next few years, Hanna was launching her own fashion design business with Lucas' backing, Spencer would probably be put on her mom's payroll after she won the election (because c'mon like Veronica would ever really lose?), and Aria…well Aria was obviously 'slipping' with Ezra again so Ali highly doubts the tiny brunette will head back to Boston…even though the teacher much prefers her with Liam…
"Don't you think it's a little weird though, sis?" Bradley asked as he came up to stand next to Ali in front of the bulletin boards. His brown eyes scanned the photos in disgust (obviously bothered by the fact that someone was spying on every facet of all five women's lives) and his muscular arms folded across his chest before he continued, "That Mona and Elliot would choose a place so far away from Rosewood to make their 'base camp' or whatever. If they were gonna do some serious damage and needed to act quickly wouldn't they need to be closer?"
Alison found it strange too. There were several other small towns near Rosewood that would have serviced Elliot and Mona's unique needs just as well…
Brittany pondered her brother's inquiries for a minute before she shook her head and revealed, "With so many people on the –A team Mona and Elliot wouldn't need to be close to Rosewood at all…they could just have one of their minions do the dirty work…"
"Especially with Lorenzo working for them…they can literally get away with anything," Bradley added as an afterthought and Ali cringed. Jesus, how could I have ever had a thing with him? And to think that son of a bitch was initially in charge of investigating Charlotte's murder. Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing Tanner had taken over…
"But I do think Mona and Elliot are planning something. There's a reason they chose this place. It's incredibly secluded and damn near off the radar. The only reason we found it is because we have CIA level resources at our disposal…" Brittany hypothesized and a worried look spread across Alison's face as she turned towards the other woman.
The teacher's voice tremored as she hedged out, "Do you think they're planning another doll house?" Dear God the first go round was horrific enough…Emily, Hanna, Spencer, and Aria are still suffering PTSD from that month of torture.
"I don't know, Ali. Honestly, we'll probably never understand Mona or Elliot's motives when it comes to this shit," Determination seeped into Brittany's tone as she promised, "But you don't have to worry; we're going to stop them before they can do anything else."
Bradley brought her into a comforting side hug and offered the blonde that charming smile that had every girl back in New York City swooning for him, "Yeah Ali cat, Reggie already has CIA agents from across the country apprehending Sara, Jenna, Noel, Sydney, Melissa, Wren, and Lorenzo all stealthily and shit…The game will be over soon."
Ali offered him a weak smile.
God, I hope you're right.
A few moments later, Brittany turned around and began examining the technology that Mona and Elliot had set up. She fished a flash drive like device out of her pocket and put it into the computer's hard drive before typing away furiously on the keyboard.
Alison's eyebrows furrowed as she curiously questioned, "What are you doing?"
"Copying every single file on this thing…"
Right after Brittany responded to her question the computer's monitors lit up and several documents began flashing across the screen. There were photos, videos, blueprints of different buildings…it was like she was seeing into –A's brain…or Mona's brain.
Haha their psychopath unhinged…okay really not the time to joke, Alison.
Alison was in amazement as she ghosted out, "How are you able to do this? Don't they have password protections or whatever?"
Her technology skills weren't all that great, but Jesus this was unreal.
Bradley smirked as his sister let out a quite chuckle and continued sorting through Mona's hard drive as everything that was on the computer transferred onto the flash drive or whatever that thing was.
The CIA agent dryly explained, "At the CIA we have access to the best technology in the world, Ali…This one little device allows us to bypass any security system we encounter and see what any individual, group, or country is hiding…"
"Holy shit…" Jesus, that had to come in handy. No wonder Brittany and Bradley solved every case they worked together.
"Yeah and people in America think they have privacy…" Bradley playfully scoffed and Alison gulped.
"So that means…" The blonde began but didn't quite know how to finish her thought.
"That the government knows everything about everyone within its borders?" Brittany finished the teacher's question as her brilliant blue eyes continued to dart across the monitor she was sitting in front of, before she solemnly answered, "Pretty much…"
"Doesn't that violate our Constitutional rights?" Alison was horrified. How could the government legally do that? Brittany always made little comments about the corruption within the United States government, but Ali had no idea how terrible things really were.
I guess freedom really isn't free…
Brittany swiveled around in the chair and looked Alison in the eyes, "Yes, it does." Ali could see how much it bothered her best friend that this technology existed. Sure it was great in situations like this, when there really were dangerous people who needed to be apprehended and stopped, but if this were to fall in the wrong hands…God, the damage would be irreparable. And really it was just unnerving that the government could literally find out anything about you…
"But you see that little bill that Congress passed following 9/11 called The Patriot Act basically lets any government agency claim that the person whose privacy they're invading was a suspected terrorist and therefore they are legally allowed to do all the shady shit they do…" Brittany explained as she disgustedly shook her head before a crestfallen look overtook her face and she revealed, "Honestly…I wouldn't even be using it if Elliot and Mona hadn't killed the woman I love and tried to kill the woman you love. That fact erases any ethical conflict I have with infringing on their privacy…"
Alison felt her heart clench as Brittany swiveled back around to face the monitor and continue her work. She could see the water forming in her best friend's blue eyes and the teacher had no clue how to make this better as the older woman fought to keep them from cascading down her cheeks.
A few moments later Bradley walked up behind his sister and wrapped his muscular arms around her shoulders as he leaned his head gently against hers. The gesture seemed to help the CIA agent immensely and Ali felt her lips curve into a smile.
"I love you," Bradley supportively whispered a few seconds later.
God, why can't I have a brother like him again? Shit, I don't even know where Jason is at the moment…he didn't even come to Charlotte's funeral…
Brittany took a settling breath. Her emotions now in check she echoed, "I love you, too."
Ten minutes later Bradley had moved near the front of the cabin in order to stand watch/snoop around 'the creepy as fuck place', while Brittany examined some of the blueprint documents on the monitor. All of the files on the computer's hard drive had successfully been copied to the CIA's privacy invading device five minutes ago. Apparently the device sent the information directly to the CIA headquarters in New York City, which meant Brittany's boss Reggie was probably already scoping through everything with a fine tooth comb. Ali found comfort in the fact that Mona and Elliot had no way to make any of the evidence disappear (even if it kind of was collected illegally).
Alison's eyes continued to scan the hundreds of pictures that some member (or multiple members) of the –A team had taken of all five of them. Jesus, there's so many of them if I stare for too long I'll have an aneurism.
Despite the fact that it was creepy as hell that someone had been spying on their every move, Ali smiled as she took in one particular image. It was of her, Emily, and Pepe at the park two weeks after they had started going out. They were all snuggled up under a tree following their exhausting game of fetch…
Alison let out a content sigh as Emily pulled her into a tender embrace and kissed her temple. Her mermaid's back was against the huge oak tree in the park not too far from Alison's house, and the teacher was sitting in between her legs. Pepe was resting comfortably curled up to Emily's side with his head resting against her leg. Ali smiled at the sight; she and Emily had definitely succeeded in their endeavor to tucker out the adorable sheltie. Alison began to absentmindedly run her fingers along Emily's arms that secured her in a protective hold.
Jesus, I'm such an idiot. I could have been feeling this complete for years…
"You know I realized I was in love with you when you were holding me like this…" The blonde revealed after a few minutes of them just basking in each other's existence. She doesn't know what possessed her to open up in this exact moment, but Emily just had her feeling some sort of way.
Her mermaid encouraged softly, "What do you mean? I thought you fell in love with me when we kissed in the library freshman year?"
Alison turned her head so she could look into those soulful brown eyes that she'd been drowning in for a decade.
"Em, I confessed my feelings for you through that passage in Great Expectations," Alison professed as she smiled at her girlfriend and pointed out, "That would mean that I already knew that I was I love with you…"
As the teacher's words sank in Emily's face morphed from confusion to sheer adoration and Ali found all of it adorable. The brunette leaned forward and kissed her so gently that Alison swears she melted into the ground beneath her.
"I can't believe I never realized that…" Emily whispered when their kiss broke and Ali let out a laugh. Her mermaid was just too cute…especially when she was surprised.
"Looking back I started falling for you the day we met, and I always knew we had something special, but…" Alison briefly looked down because her girl's gaze was going to make her cry and she really didn't want to cry right now because this was a happy memory. Collecting herself because she knew Emily wouldn't care even if her emotions got the best of her, the teacher looked back up at her soulmate and confessed, "I um didn't figure out that what I was feeling for you was romantic until we were on that camping trip with your parents."
"Ali…" Emily rested their foreheads together and began gently caressing the back of Ali's neck (which felt incredible).
Relishing in her mermaid's gentle touch, Alison continued to explain, "It was storming that second night and you held me…all night long because you knew how scared I was…and I'd never felt more safe in my entire life. Your heartbeat kept me calm and helped me fall asleep...it was so soothing. And that's when I knew. That's when I knew that I loved you."
"You know…" Emily began a few moments later as she held Alison so tenderly, "That camping trip was just confirmation for me that you were it for me…I never wanted to let you go after that night."
"I wish I would've just let you love me then instead of pushing you away out of fear," The blonde hollowed out a few beats later as she snuggled into Emily's chest.
God, maybe things wouldn't have gotten so screwed up if I had just let Emily be there for me like she so desperately wanted to be. Maybe Mona never would've felt the need to start the –A game because I would've been a better person. I would've treated her better from the start. Emily brought out the best in me…Queen Bee Alison DiLaurentis never would have risen to power…
"You're letting me love you now, Ali. That's all that matters," Emily kindly countered as she wrapped her arms around the beautiful blonde once more.
"Yeah nine years after the fact…" Alison stubbornly argued.
Emily let out a gentle laugh and kissed the top of Ali's head before she truthfully declared, "I would have waited forever for you, Alison. If you can believe it I love you more now than I did then."
Alison waited a moment before she hugged Emily slightly tighter around her toned middle and promised, "I can believe it, because I love you more too, mermaid."
"Ali where was Charles' grave again?" The sound of Brittany's voice drug Alison out of her feel good memory (then again every moment she shared with Emily got her feeling all tingly inside).
Shaking her head the teacher turned towards the CIA agent who was intensely concentrating on a blueprint…not like Ali knew what it was for because she hadn't exactly been paying attention…
After what was probably an obscenely long wait, Ali responded, "Behind my Aunt Carol's house, why?"
"That's what I thought…" Brittany trailed off and the blonde could see the gears in her head turning a million miles a minute.
"Was there a basement or storm cellar at your Aunt Carol's?"
Well, that's an odd question…
Alison's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "Not that I can remember…"
Brittany shook her head, "Well according to these blueprints there is a storm cellar there and it's been expanded into a basement."
What the hell? First off, why would Mona have blueprints for my dead Aunt's house? And secondly, why would she know if the basement's been expanded?
"My dad sold Aunt Carol's house a couple years ago…"
"Exactly," Brittany's gaze finally met hers, "And it was purchased by a young woman named Meena Davis."
They shared knowing looks.
Alison felt like she'd just been punched in the stomach, "Oh my God…Britt that was the alias Mona used when she tried to visit Charlotte at Welby."
Brittany stood up with her usual confident flare and faced her, "Well would you like to find out what Ms. Davis has done with your Aunt's old house, Ali?"
A beat passed.
"Um, hell yeah!"
As if Brittany had to even ask if she was game for this endeavor.
Her tall best friend chuckled at her enthusiastic reply and Alison realized how much she had missed the sound.
Brittany's cell phone vibrated as she was shutting down all of the technology at Mona and Elliot's lair and Ali was confused. The only person who would be calling the tall brunette during a mission would be:
"Hey, Reggie. Did you get the files from Mona's hard drive?" Brittany greeted her boss and as always got straight to the point.
"Yes, I did. But I'm not calling about that…" Reggie's stern voice filtered throughout the small cottage and Ali knew whatever he had to say was important.
Brittany moved over towards where Bradley and Ali were standing near the front door and inquired, "Okay, so what's up?"
Reggie took a deep breath before he explained, "Those bottles of medicine you and Bradley found at Elliot's apartment…all of them were standard stuff for a psychologist to have except for one…"
Alison gulped. What concoction could her ex-fiancé possibly have in his possession that would cause Reggie to raise an eyebrow? Her best friend's boss had been dealing with psychopaths for nearly twenty years…
"In the pictures you sent me Elliot had a glass bottle labeled Latrodectus Mactans…which isn't the name of any type of medication…That's the scientific name for the black widow spider…"
The English teacher's head was spinning. What was Reggie trying to tell them and why in the hell did Elliot have something labeled with whatever the scientific name was for a black widow spider?
"Which leads me to believe that Elliot had black widow spider venom in the bottle," Reggie concluded.
The three of them shared confused expressions as Brittany asked what they were all thinking, "Why would he have that?"
Reggie cleared his throat, "Because a high enough dose is lethal or…"
"Or what?" Brittany impatiently questioned when Reggie didn't finish his train of thought.
After what felt like a million years the Harlem native finally continued, "I've never seen it executed properly but if you use just the right amount of black widow spider venom it would induce paralysis and stop someone's heart for a while…basically create a simulated death. They'd wake up alive and well a few days later."
"Wait, what?!" Brittany was shocked, Bradley was stunned, and Alison was flabbergasted. The teacher supposes they'd look hilarious to any outside observer right now…hovering around a cell phone in a creepy cottage having their minds literally blown from what Reggie was telling them.
"Okay you know that movie Salt where the Russian president is declared dead then a couple days later it's announced he's alive and well?" Reggie rhetorically asked because he knew all three of them had seen the Angelina Jolie film (it was completely bad ass who didn't see it?), "That's what this stuff could potentially do to someone, but the calculations would have to be spot on or else you'd kill the person."
What the literal fuck? Spider venom…simulated death…when the hell did my life become a Marvel comic?
Bradley ran a frustrated hand through his brown hair, "So, what? Mona and Elliot are planning to simulate their deaths so they can escape everything they've done and start a new life?"
Reggie let out an exhausted sigh, "I don't know what they're planning to do…if I understood what psychopaths were thinking I would have written a book on my findings and retired a long ass time ago…"
Alison scoffed a few moments later as she shook her head in disbelief, "Well Mona already faked her death once and got me convicted of her 'murder'…I wouldn't put anything past her."
Brittany groaned, "Jesus, not even ISIS gives me this much of a headache…"
The three of them leaned against one another, trying to draw the necessary strength to solve this cluster fuck of a situation, when Bradley joking threw out, "Not even the dumb ass decisions the Knicks make give me this much of a headache…"
Alison and Brittany playfully swatted the younger man as they lightly chuckled-Bradley was just too much sometimes.
"Brittany, just be careful if you find Mona and Elliot," Reggie warned the CIA agent and suddenly the atmosphere turned serious once again, "We've apprehended every other member of the –A team, which means Mona and Elliot's entire world is crumbling down around them…And given everything the both of them have already done when they're not unhinged, I shudder to think what they'll do now…"
Alison felt a chill crawl down her spine.
Dear God please don't let them be anywhere near Emily or anyone else I love…
"You haven't found Mona and Elliot with the satellite surveillance yet?" Brittany asked obviously surprised and Ali knew Reggie was more than likely a little annoyed that that was all the tall brunette had taken from his statement…He probably was hoping she'd heed his warning about the psychopathic duo being unhinged, but Ali knew her best friend wasn't scared of Mona or Elliot, which made the blonde feel a whole hell of a lot better.
Reggie annoyingly huffed out before he sassed back, "Well excuse me, but you and your brother have given me just a little bit of shit to process within the last couple of hours. I thought you'd be happy that I found Sara Harvey, Jenna Marshall, Noel Khan, Sydney Driscoll, Melissa Hastings, Wren Kingston, and Lorenzo Calderon with the satellite surveillance and had their asses apprehended by federal agents but I guess not…"
Brittany rolled her blue eyes before she stressed, "I am happy that you found them Reggie! I'm just surprised you haven't found Mona and Elliot yet, because you're usually on top of everything…"
A beat passed before Reggie stated, "Well wouldn't you know…I did find them." Ali could just imagine him leaning back in his chair as he continued, "But I'm guessing you, my brilliant CIA agent who never ceases to amaze me, already have an inclination as to where they might be…"
A small smirk spread across Brittany's face as she hedged out, "Alison's Aunt Carol's old house."
The teacher and her New York besties waited with baited breath for Reggie's confirmation…
After a few tense moments Reggie let out a lighthearted chuckle and declared with pride evidently seeping into his tone, "Goddamn Johnson that's why you'll be running this agency in twenty years…"
Ali saw her best friend blush at the compliment before she cleared her throat and stated, "Not like we need the help, but it'd probably be wise to send federal agents to the area surrounding Aunt Carol's house, you know, just to be safe."
"They're already there Brittany," Ali could just imagine Reggie rolling his brown eyes before he explained, "But I figured the three of you would want to be the ones to take Mona and Elliot down."
Hell fucking yeah we would.
Alison felt adrenaline course through her veins as they made it back out to the blue Camaro. The teacher couldn't believe that this was happening…that the –A game was finally going to be over once and for all. Mona and Elliot weren't going to win. She was getting her happy ending. Now she just had to survive the over hour long car ride to get to her Aunt Carol's old house…
Fifteen minutes later, Alison was bored to say the least. She understood that Brittany couldn't exactly drive like a maniac because that would draw the attention of local law enforcement who they weren't working with, but still the anticipation was killing her. She just wanted to get to her Aunt Carol's old house, stop Mona and Elliot, and continue building a beautiful life with Emily.
"Whoa…" Bradley's surprised voice from the back seat of the Camaro caught Alison's attention. He'd insisted on riding in the back for their long trek so he could have more space to look through the files on Mona's hard drive on his laptop (that of course got Wi-Fi even in the middle of nowhere because it was connected to the CIA's server). Ali had been more than happy to oblige. Let's be real she much preferred riding shot gun anyways.
"Sis…I think Mona knew how you and Charlotte felt about each other…" Bradley reluctantly stated.
"Why do you say that?" Alison could hear the slight shake in Brittany's voice and noticed her knuckles turn white as she clutched the steering wheel that much harder.
"Because there was a file labeled 'How to make C.D. crack' and in it there was a picture of the two of you and the caption 'Go after the woman she loves'."
Bradley folded the keyboard of his laptop so that the device became a tablet and handed it up to Alison.
The teacher felt her heart clench as she took in the image. Her sister and Brittany were wrapped in each other's arms with their foreheads resting together and eyes closed. It looked like they had just kissed…
Why would Mona be so cruel? And who the hell had taken this?
Ali's eyes scanned the document. From what she could gather the file was created a week before Charlotte's murder and Ali knew the picture was taken only a month or two before that given what her sister was wearing. Welby had changed their dress code policy so patients could wear clothing other than the standard gray crew neck sweatshirt and sweatpants, as long as it wasn't revealing or suggestive…and Brittany had made it a point to bring Charlotte some New York Knicks gear…but Ali wasn't there that day…She'd been out of town with (dear God help her) Elliot of all people.
"Okay so I know you're not really into sports but I thought you might like this…" Brittany smiled as she held out the New York Knicks clothing and Charlotte felt her heart swell. How was this woman real?
Charlotte took the articles of clothing in her hands and shyly looked down, "Brittany, you really didn't have to do this. Ali already brought me a lot of clothes…"
The tall brunette stepped closer to her as she insisted, "I know, but I wanted to."
Charlotte looked up so she could drown in those eyes that never looked at her with judgement but only understanding and kindness.
Brittany tucked a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear, "Plus now you'll have something to wear when I take you to a game."
"What…what do you mean?" The blonde stammered.
Brittany raised a curious eyebrow as she sincerely explained, "Ali said you'll be getting out soon and I'd love to take you around the city…show you all my favorite places…introduce you to my mom and brother…and of course take you to a Knicks game."
Charlotte felt her heart stop beating. Brittany wanted to take her around New York City? She wanted to introduce her to her family? Oh my God…
Before the blonde can stop herself she quietly squeaked out, "Like…like on a date?"
"Um…yeah," Brittany let out a nervous laugh before she stuttered out (which Charlotte found absolutely adorable), "But only if you're ready for that…and I completely understand if you're not…and I mean maybe I've just been misreading things…because I do that sometimes-"
Charlotte put her pointer finger on the other woman's lips to stop her unnecessary rambling, before she reassured in that tone she only used with Brittany, "You haven't been misreading things…trust me," A large smile spread across the blonde's face, "I'd love to go on a date with you."
Even though Charlotte knew that date would probably never happen because of what Mona was most likely planning to do to her, she relished in Brittany looking the happiest she'd ever seen her. She relished in the knowledge that the absolute best person she'd ever met who she was completely in love with wanted to go out with her. My God Brittany, do you have any idea what you do to me?
She knew Brittany was dying to ask her about the scar on her back (but she was much too thoughtful to do so). She was a CIA agent after all-that meant she was inquisitive by nature. Without thinking Charlotte had discarded the white blouse she was wearing and slipped on the Knicks t-shirt right in front of the other woman. It wasn't her fault that Brittany made her feel so incredibly safe…Of course the blonde forgot that she had never told the gorgeous brunette what had happened to her all those years ago to leave such an angry mark across her skin (Alison was the only person she'd ever told the truth to)…
They were walking along the nature trail in Welby holding hands. Honestly it was Charlotte's favorite thing about the mental institution…the woodsy area was secluded and peaceful. Hardly any of the other patients ever took advantage of it and she and Brittany always went for walks along it when the brunette came to visit.
When they reached the small clearing in front of the large maple tree Charlotte took a deep breath and turned towards Brittany, ready to reveal the truth that she had kept buried for so very long.
"My dad threw me into a mirror when I was five…" There was really no easy way to begin the story and Charlotte wasn't surprised when Brittany let out a gasp.
"He caught me trying on my mom's clothes and he got so angry…" Charlotte couldn't keep the emotions out of her voice-it didn't matter that it had happened over twenty years ago-she could still feel the sting of the glass as it tore through her skin. Brittany's thumb ran soothing circles along the back of her hand and the blonde felt some comfort in that. The brunette was telling her it was okay to be vulnerable and let down her walls-that she'd be there to help her pick up the pieces.
"I tried apologizing…but it was no use. He just picked me up and threw me across the room like I was nothing…and he just kept screaming 'Why can't you be normal?! Why can't you be normal?!...as I was laying there bleeding…dying right in front of him…and he didn't even care…" Charlotte was sobbing into Brittany's chest by this point and she hadn't even realized the other woman had drawn her into a hug.
"The only reason I survived was because my mom showed up soon after and took me to the hospital…" Charlotte was clutching onto Brittany for dear life and she cried even harder when she felt moisture hit the top of her head-that meant the brunette was crying as well.
"I'm so sorry, Charlotte," Brittany croaked out through her tears as she wrapped the blonde further into her protective hold, "He can't hurt you anymore. I promise."
Charlotte doesn't know how long they stayed like that. It could have been five minutes or five hours. When their tears had both subsided Brittany gently grabbed one of her hands that was wrapped around her toned back and guided it underneath her t-shirt. The blonde was confused but she couldn't help but flex her fingers and feel the abs that she'd been fantasizing about for two years…and Jesus did they ever feel amazing. So perfectly defined…but wait…what was this?
Brittany's hand guided hers over a raised line as she softly confessed, "You're not the only one with scars…"
A horrified look spread over Charlotte's face. Oh my God Superstar what happened to you?
Brittany took a deep breath obviously trying to steady herself for what she was about to reveal. Charlotte knew whatever the brunette told her was going to hurt so much worse than that mirror ever could…
"My mom was always afraid that my dad would come after us after we moved and she divorced him," Brittany painfully began and Charlotte didn't know how to make it any better. She wasn't exactly the best at providing comfort. Sure she could help Alison when it came to mending her broken heart over Emily, but this was so much fucking worse.
"I always thought she was being paranoid, because he'd cheated on her throughout the course of their marriage and never really wanted to be a father so why would he care if she finally gave him his 'freedom'? But it turns out she was right…"
Charlotte painfully swallowed as a lone tear dramatically streaked down Brittany's flushed cheek. The blonde didn't know if she was going to be able to stomach the rest of this…Brittany was too amazing of a person to ever suffer any type of harm.
"It was my sophomore year of high school and I came home from basketball practice to find my dad, who I hadn't seen in eight years, standing in the kitchen holding a hunting knife screaming at my mom and Bradley," Brittany bitterly shook her head as she recalled, "My brother was only eleven at the time and he was so scared…My mom was standing in front of him…shielding him from any harm…begging my dad to just leave. She kept saying 'I won't call the cops. I won't tell anyone, I promise. Just go. Please, just go.'"
A few more tears leaked out of Brittany's eyes and Charlotte could feel her heart breaking for the woman she wanted forever with. The woman whose pain she'd take on in a heartbeat.
"But my dad just looked at her like she was crazy and let out this sadistic laugh…and before I realized what I was doing I had jumped on his back and was choking him in a head lock...He kept thrusting me back into the kitchen cabinets, trying to get me to let go but I wouldn't…I knew if I held on long enough he'd pass out and my mom and brother would be safe…"
Charlotte couldn't stop her tears, Brittany was a hero before she was getting paid to save the world…and she wanted to take me on a date. Okay, Char really not the time to be thinking about that…
"Eventually he went limp in my arms…so I let him go…but then my mom started screaming and I couldn't understand why…until I looked down."
Tentatively Charlotte lifted Brittany's t-shirt after the brunette gave her a subtle nod and granted her permission. The blonde's breath hitched, much like hers the scar was light pink and viciously brutal. She hoped that Brittany knew that it took nothing away from her beauty in Charlotte's eyes. Delicately tracing the slash with her nimble fingers, Charlotte shook her head. How could Brittany's father stab her? His own daughter…who was only trying to subdue him?
A few moments later the tall brunette whispered, "I should have died, but my mom got the bleeding pretty much stopped before the ambulance arrived. So they were able to rush me to emergency surgery before it was too late…"
Charlotte tore her gaze from the scar that adorned the pristine abdominal muscles and looked at Brittany with sheer adoration as a soft smile spread across her face, "Looks like God gave us our mothers so they'd save us from our fathers."
Brittany let out a pained laughed, "Yeah…" Before she shyly looked down and revealed, "You're the first person I've ever told that to. Usually I just tell people that I got clipped by a bike messenger or something…"
How very Spider-Man of you Superstar…
Charlotte cupped the tall brunette's cheek, "Why'd you tell me the truth?"
Their eyes locked as Brittany instinctively leaned into her touch and honestly professed, "Because I trust you."
What the brunette wanted to say was 'Because I love you', but much like Charlotte she didn't know how…
Not being able to resist the woman who had given her a reason to keep fighting and shown her the best of what humanity had to offer, Charlotte leaned up and kissed her. She'd wanted to kiss the CIA agent since the day she met her and by God she was going to do it now. They'd both just shared some of the darkest crevices of their souls with one another…that had to mean there was something special between them, right? When Brittany kissed her back and pulled her in completely flush against her toned body, Charlotte felt a fire ignite within her. She'd kissed so many people in her life, but the sensations had never been this powerful. She'd never been one to believe in cliché phrases, but Goddamn fireworks were exploding as their lips moved in perfect tandem. The blonde doesn't know how to say 'I love you', but God does she ever want to show Brittany how much she does. Despite the clear passion that is coursing through both their bodies, the brunette holds her so fucking tenderly as they continued to explore one another, and Charlotte never wanted the CIA agent to let her go…and she had a feeling Brittany didn't want to let her go either. It was as if the athletic brunette was trying to convey the same loving sentiment through their kiss.
When they eventually pulled apart some minutes later, they were both gasping for air with their foreheads resting together. Charlotte held onto both sides of Brittany's face and tenderly caressed her cheeks before she whispered, "I can't wait to go on that date."
But it didn't make any sense if Mona was planning on using Charlotte's love for Brittany as incentive to join the –A team, why kill her?
Ali cringed. Maybe Mona decided Charlotte was no use to her anymore and killed her so she wouldn't cause any problems for whatever her and Elliot's endgame was?
"Britt was this the last time you saw Charlotte…" Alison sensitively paused before she finished her question, "alive?"
The CIA agent didn't turn to meet her gaze (which was so out of character for her-Brittany always maintained eye contact with people-either out of respect or to inflict a sense of intimidation), but offered the teacher a subtle nod.
Ali was surprised a few moments later when her older best friend quietly explained, "I wanted to go back the next day and see her…Tell Charlotte how madly in love with her I was but…ISIS happened."
Brittany swallowed thickly and cleared her throat as a glossed over look spread across her crystal blue eyes, "I was in the Middle East for six weeks-unable to contact anyone- and when I finally got back home…Charlotte was gone…" Water collected in the agent's eyes, "The next time I saw her she was lying in a casket."
Alison had to suppress her own tears as images of her sister's funeral flashed across her mind. Keeping her emotions in check the blonde placed a supportive hand on Brittany's knee. There really wasn't much else she could do, but she wanted her to at least know that she wasn't alone-that Ali was here for her no matter what.
"Ali?! Are you okay?! Where are you?! What happened?!" Emily's worried voice filtered through her cell phone and Ali couldn't help but let a soft smile spread over her face. Her girl just got brutally attacked and released from the hospital, yet here she was freaking out over the blonde's well-being. God, I love her and I'm never letting her go.
"I'm fine, Em," The teacher stressed in a soothing tone.
She heard the coach let out a relieved sigh as she breathed out, "Oh thank God! Ever since Toby got your text we've all been worried sick…I've been worried sick."
Alison felt guilt course through her veins. She knew it wasn't very tactful to send a text with that much mind blowing information to her girlfriend, three best friends, and closest allies…but damn she just wanted them to be safe.
"I'm sorry about that. I just wanted you all to know what we uncovered…and I was terrified Mona would show up at our front door and pull something crazy…And I love you and everyone else so much…I couldn't let that happen," The teacher spoke with so much sincerity that it caused Bradley to let out a teasing "aww" from the back seat of the Camaro. Ali cocked her head so she could offer the young man a dramatic eye roll. They'd both been sequestered to the car while Brittany game planned their mission with the rest of the federal agents surrounding her Aunt Carol's old house. Even though she and Bradley both hated sitting on the sidelines…Brittany was the professional ass kicker, so they understood they had to listen to her. They were parked about a quarter mile away from the actual house and Ali found it amazing just how hidden they were from Mona and Elliot. Brittany had briefly mentioned that over a hundred agents were already on site and again Alison was amazed because she literally couldn't tell where any of them (except for the three that Brittany was talking to) were hiding. I guess you learn how to be stealthy when working for the CIA…
"No, I understand, Ali…There really wasn't an easy way to tell us," Emily paused before she quietly declared, "And I love you too…We all do."
A heavy beat passed as Alison looked down and began to fiddle with her fingers.
"Even Spencer and Hanna?" Alison felt horrible that she'd dropped the bomb on Mona being Uber –A and Melissa being a member of the –A team so abruptly. She knew it was going to hurt the two women immensely. Hanna genuinely believed Mona was her actual friend (the two of them even vacationing together in college) and Spencer had just mentioned the other day how much closer her mother's campaign for United States Senator was bringing her and Melissa. Ali knew Mona was a complete psycho, but she was honestly hoping there was a better explanation for Melissa's involvement. And hell maybe Mona really was suffering from extreme mental illness and some facet of her did actually care about Hanna. Okay, seriously Ali Mona killed your sister and had Elliot damn near kill the love of your life. You really need to stop having sympathy for her! Jesus, I guess I really have changed. Here I am trying to understand the –A team's motives…
"Yes, Alison," Emily affirmed in that sweet tone of hers and Alison felt her heart flutter at the sound, "Spencer and Hanna are livid about Mona and Melissa, but they're glad that they know the truth now. They'd never hold that against you…You're not the one making their lives a living hell…or pretending that you actually care about them when in reality you're plotting their demise."
Alison knew it was the truth (after all Emily really couldn't lie to her), but sometimes the blonde really hated delivering the truth…especially when it caused the people she loved pain. Spencer and Hanna definitely didn't deserve what Mona and Melissa were putting them through.
And really the fact that Sara Harvey, Jenna Marshall, Noel Khan, Sydney Driscoll, Wren Kingston, and Lorenzo Calderon were all on the –A team as well stung pretty severely. Ali and the other four all at some point in time trusted them…and to think Charlotte was the one they had all feared…
"Ali…" Emily tentatively began.
"Yeah, baby?" The teacher couldn't help but throw in the pet name-she knew it made Emily's heart flutter whenever the term of endearment left her lips.
When it took the brunette a few seconds longer than normal to finish her question, Ali knew she had succeeded in making her girlfriend blush. God, what I wouldn't give to just see Emily's beautiful face right now.
"Was Charlotte really working as a double agent the entire time?"
A sad smile spread over Alison's face as she thought about her deceased sister. The older blonde had been trying to keep her safe since they'd met and she'd grown into an even more remarkable human being since a kindhearted brunette CIA agent entered the picture over two years ago…
"Yes," Ali answered and shook her head in disbelief. It was just so surreal. She'd been under the impression since prom night that Charlotte was suffering from mental illness and desperately needed the treatment she received in Welby so she wouldn't start up her reign of torment again…But that couldn't have been further from the truth. Her sister was never a threat to any of them. "From what we can tell Charlotte was responsible for bringing in the funds for the –A team, but as far as actually doing –A things…she killed Wilden in self-defense and beat up Mona in that video that sent me to prison for 'murder'."
"Wow," Emily heavily breathed out as the realization hit her, "I can't believe I was terrified of Charlotte for so long…she was never the enemy."
Alison swallowed thickly before she croaked out, "I know."
Her eyes settled on Brittany who was standing a few feet away from the car with her arms lightly folded across her chest as she talked to the other agents. She was illuminated in the soft glow of the moonlight and Ali thought it was fitting. The scene made her look regal, poised-just like the superhero Charlotte always said she was.
A few seconds later the blonde added as an afterthought, "Turns out there was a lot more to Charlotte than met the eyes…" Like the fact that she was in love with my best friend and the feelings were mutual and I never even noticed. God I so wish she didn't have to die in order to keep me safe…
"I hate them for taking her away from you," The statement caught Alison off guard. Emily was always so sweet and she never used the word hate when describing how she felt about someone. It was always she 'wasn't very fond of so and so' or she'd 'rather not be around them'. And from the tone of voice her mermaid was using, Ali knew she meant everything that the strong sentiment carried, "I hate Mona for making Charlotte look like a monster and for killing her the second she had a chance at redemption." Her girlfriend scoffed, "Redemption she didn't even need to earn."
If it was possible Alison felt her heart expand even further for Emily Fields. This woman would seriously never stop making her swoon or fall even more head over heels in love with her. There was just something about hearing her future wife defend her wrongfully vilified sister that got the butterflies in Ali's stomach fluttering…
"Kick their asses, Alison. All their asses," The brunette quietly demanded with a ferocity that was just fucking hot.
A confident smirk spread over the blonde's face, "Well all the other members of the –A team have already been apprehended by the CIA and Brittany, Bradley, and I are about to take Mona and Elliot down…"
"That's my girl," She could hear the pride seeping into Emily's voice and it made her more determined than ever to stop Mona and Elliot. No matter what she walked in on in her Aunt Carol's old house, Alison DiLaurentis would not be deterred. And she loved that Emily didn't ask her where she was. Her girlfriend trusted her enough to stay safe (not only for her personal well-being, but for the future they were building) and really since the CIA was operating off the grid right now-the teacher couldn't tell Emily her location anyways…
They shared a moment of content silence before Emily sincerely declared, "Charlotte would be so proud of you, Ali."
"Thanks, Em." She knew it might not have been wise to call Emily right before her CIA agent for a night mission unfolded, because of how distracted her mermaid could make her, but Emily Fields had always been her rock and right now Alison was drawing so much damn strength from her girlfriend it was unreal. It was amazing how Emily always just knew what to say to calm her racing heart and get the blonde back on track.
"Anytime, love."
That's it I'm taking Emily to Paris over Christmas break and proposing. I don't care we've only been officially together for ten weeks-we've been in love for ten years. I just have to buy her a huge ass diamond first…and well, you know, stop Mona and Elliot-avenge my sister's death and all that jazz.
Alison knew it was going to earn her some teasing from Bradley, but she couldn't help but ask the woman who meant everything to her, "Do you have any idea how much I love you Emily Catherine Fields?"
As expected the muscular male (who treated her better than her own brother ever did) quirked an eyebrow and boastfully chuckled at the blonde's love struck behavior, but Ali just ignored him…even if Bradley's facial expression was hilarious at the moment.
"Hmmm…" Emily playfully mused and once again the coach became the teacher's sole focus, "About as much as I love you Alison Lauren DiLaurentis?"
Okay, we really are two of the corniest people on the planet…Bradley's laughter is justified.
"What do you mean you can't get a hold of any of them Elliot?! That makes no sense!" Mona's shrill voice rattled through her Aunt Carol's old house and Alison felt a chill roll down her spine as she stood in the dark kitchen. Brittany and Bradley were an arm's length in front of her-they'd demanded that Alison stay behind them throughout the entirety of this ass kicking take down…but the teacher was hoping she could still get at least a bitch slap in on both Elliot and Mona…
The three of them had successfully snuck into her aunt's old house completely undetected through a faulty window in the foyer next to the kitchen a mere minute ago. And while Ali was tempted to just barge in on the psychopathic duo and knock them both unconscious, she knew it would be wise to wait and see what they revealed as the reality of their –A world crumbling around them became known.
She could hear Elliot let out a heavy sigh before he stressed, "I mean it's over Mona…"
"No! No, it's not! Stop saying that!" Even though she couldn't see the small brunette Ali knew Mona was on the verge of a panic attack. The –A game had become her entire identity and she didn't know how to live without it…
"Baby," Ali cringed as the soothing term of endearment left her ex-fiancé's lips as he obviously tried to calm (dear God help her) his girlfriend down, "Everyone else has been taken into federal custody…Sara, Jenna, Noel, Sydney, Melissa, Wren, and Lorenzo…The feds know everything that we've done. It's only a matter of time before they come for us."
"That's impossible! How could they know everything?!" Mona was in disbelief and it was clear she wasn't about to listen to any sort of reason.
"I don't know, love. But we have to get moving…" Panic was starting to fill Elliot's voice as he shouted after Mona who was making a b-line for the door that led down to the renovated basement that Brittany had uncovered in the updated blueprints for her aunt's house at the cabin outside the Amish community.
What the fuck was Mona doing? Why was she rushing towards the basement?
One good thing about her completely flipping shit right now is that she hasn't noticed the three of us…
"Sis, how long are we going to wait before we just take them down?" Bradley whispered as they sneakily moved along the back wall of the kitchen so that they could see what exactly Mona was up to. Ali smirked; she knew the young man was itching to just beat some lunatic ass…
"We wait and see what the hell she's doing in the basement…" Brittany answered like it was obvious a few moments later.
"What if she's setting off a bomb or some shit?" Bradley jokingly countered with a hint of worry in his tone and the CIA agent rolled her eyes.
Alison scoffed, "Please Mona's much too narcissistic to ever kill herself…" The siblings gave her a surprised look and the teacher just shrugged before she quietly defended, "What? It's the truth."
Mona had always been about self-preservation and setting off a bomb would defeat that purpose…
"What the hell did you do?!" Mona's accusatory tone drifting up from the basement followed by the sound of something dramatically being thrown against the wall has the three of them snapping out of their lighthearted moment.
Alison's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Elliot was standing near the basement door, but hadn't actually descended the stairs. He just kept pacing back and forth and running a nervous hand through his brown hair. So who the hell was Mona screaming at?
Oh my God, had she and Elliot taken someone hostage?!
Brittany must have had the same realization because she nudged Bradley and gave him a look that read 'Take this fool out so I can get down to the basement like now'.
Never one to doubt his abilities Bradley offered the two of them a broad smile and wink before he silently moved out of the kitchen and crept up behind Elliot. Not even ten seconds later he effortlessly knocked the psychologist unconscious with one punch and hoisted his limp body over his broad shoulders. Ali had to admit, she was impressed.
God just imagine if I'd been friends with these two when the –A game started…things would have turned out so differently.
As Bradley came back over towards them, the blonde had to admit she was slightly disappointed…she was really hoping to at least kick Elliot in the balls for attacking Emily, but she'd gladly settle for him being caught and unable to harm anyone ever again.
"Bradley, stay with Elliot in the foyer and call Reggie. Because I can guarantee he doesn't know that someone else is here and I'm thinking we'll need a doctor…" Brittany was calm and confident; and Alison understood why she was so trusted by every higher up in the CIA. She just knew how to handle herself when shit hit the fan. Kind of the opposite of Spencer, Aria, Hanna, Emily, and I…Jesus it's amazing the five of us aren't dead yet given how idiotically we all react sometimes in situations.
Bradley nodded that he understood and turned towards the teacher with a humorous expression, "Sorry, I didn't let you get a good swing in Ali cat."
Alison shook her head as her eyes settled on the man she'd called her boyfriend for two years. She felt sick to her stomach. Even though she'd never allowed herself to be completely vulnerable with Elliot, she'd still trusted him. She had no idea just how twisted and sick he really was. Not to mention that he'd been with Mona throughout the duration of their relationship. Was any part of our relationship real? Not like it matters because I have Emily now, but still who would do that to someone?
There was already a massive bruise forming along his temple and the teacher felt satisfaction course through her veins-good. Alison realized then that Elliot's interest in her when he'd taken over as Charlotte's doctor was nothing more than a ploy from the beginning. He never cared about her. Mona probably got a sick thrill out of seeing Alison desperately try and have something of substance with the doctor, when her heart was constantly aching for Emily Fields. Mona had always known how strong her feelings for Emily were. It's why she'd put Emily in that carbon monoxide filled barn out of her four best friends, because the tiny brunette knew that Ali would expose herself to save her mermaid. All the work she'd put into remaining 'dead' be damned because Emily had always been her weakness and she was hopelessly in love with the girl.
She's also your strength Alison. And after tonight Mona will no longer be able to exploit the love you two have for one another.
Looking up because Bradley literally towered over her Alison sincerely stated, "It's okay. He's not worth it."
And he wasn't. Elliot Rollins wasn't worth shit.
"I swear to God you better start talking or I'll blow your brains out!" A deathly flare had overtaken Mona's voice and Ali and Brittany shared knowing looks. They didn't have much time to save whoever was down there.
Quickly the two began making their way through her Aunt Carol's old house with Brittany of course taking the lead. Let's be real the agent's instincts were crisper and her reaction time was a whole lot quicker than the teacher's if something crazy happened. Ali knew she could hold her own in most situations, but she thought she'd better leave the professional ass kicking to her older best friend.
Right as the duo began making their silent descent of the stairs a quiet voice hollowed out, "That's an interesting threat…Given that I'm already dead."
Alison felt her heart stop beating and she desperately tried to quiet the strangled gasp that escaped her lips as that voice with its signature bravado registered in her head.
Am I losing my fucking mind? It can't be…
But when Brittany abruptly stopped moving down the stairs and her eyes became the size of saucers as they locked with Alison's, the teacher knew she wasn't crazy. That she wasn't hearing things. That voice…
She'd recognize that voice anywhere. She'd visited the woman it belonged to for five years…
But how was that even possible?
"Charlotte," Brittany breathed out in disbelief as she clutched onto Alison's forearm for reassurance. Ali could see the thoughts rapidly churning in the agent's head as she desperately tried to make sense of this. The teacher was in shock. She'd identified her sister's body in the morgue and they'd both been there when Charlotte had been laid to rest.
What the fuck was going on? Could Mona just be fucking with us that brilliantly?
"You know I have to say I thought Elliot was crazy when he said we should kill you without really killing you…" Mona spoke in that sickeningly sweet tone of hers that made Alison want to gag and the blonde knew without seeing her that she was sporting a smug look on her face.
Brittany squeezed her forearm and whispered, "Spider venom."
Oh my God! Reggie said the right amount could stop someone's heart and simulate their death without actually killing them! Suddenly everything made sense. Mona or Elliot or some other member of the –A team had injected Charlotte with the black widow spider venom and staged her death at the church…Then Lorenzo probably forged the autopsy report...Holy fucking shit! But what the hell? Did they dig Charlotte up in the cemetery? How could they do that without being seen? Well didn't Emily dig up your grave when she was doped up all those years ago seemingly unnoticed…well except for Jenna showing up like a creeper…
"…But seeing you anguish over the fate of your sister and those other bitches has been so very satisfying Charlotte," Mona was speaking in such a condescending tone-mocking her sister's sheer goodness-that the blonde almost jumped down the rest of the stairs to kick her tormentor's ass. But Brittany held her in place and that's when Ali remembered that Mona was wielding a gun and wouldn't hesitate to use it on her.
Charlotte responded a few moments later with as much fire as she could muster, "And seeing your precious –A game crumble right before my eyes has been so very satisfying Mona."
It was evident that her sister was physically weak at the moment. Ali can only assume that Charlotte's only been given enough food and water to survive in the three and half months since her 'death'. And who knows what other kind of torture Mona and Elliot have put her through. Yet here she was dishing it right back to Mona. God sis, I fucking love you.
Ali saw Brittany's lips curve into a small smile and the teacher knew she was thinking the same thing. Charlotte was a fighter-come hell or high water. The two of them couldn't actually see Mona or Charlotte as they crept down the flight of stairs crouched underneath the half wall in order to remain hidden.
Mona let out a chilling snicker, "That's the beauty of the –A game Charlotte. It's never really over. Those bitches will live with the aftermath for the rest of their lives."
"That's where you're wrong Mona. They'll survive because they have each other…and that's the one thing you'll never be able to take from them…their friendship." Charlotte's breathing was labored and it took her almost a minute to get her statement out. God she probably has broken ribs…
Mona just laughed at Charlotte's optimism, "Since when the fuck do you believe in happy endings?"
Before her sister could respond, Ali heard a metallic click and panic shot through her. Oh my God she's going to shoot Charlotte! No! I won't let her!
The teacher sprinted down the rest of the stairs and burst into the main area of the basement before her brain could catch up with her body (and before Brittany could stop her). She knew it was stupid, but she couldn't just let her sister die-not when she had just miraculously gotten her back.
Tears sprang to her crystal blue eyes as she took in Charlotte's battered body. Her sister was chained to a metal pole near the back of the room and had cuts and bruises all over her fair skin.
Luckily she had the element of surprise working in her favor and before Mona could register why Charlotte's eyes had gone wide in surprise, Alison had tackled the brunette to the cement floor. Ali didn't know how but she managed to get the gun out of Mona's hands and fling it across the room. Maybe my instincts aren't that bad after all…
This infuriated Mona and she aggressively flipped Alison off of her and straddled the teacher before Ali could even collect her bearings. She managed to get her hands up and protect her face as Mona tried to land a few vicious punches.
Thirty seconds into their struggle Ali no longer felt Mona's weight on top of her. What the hell?
Alison hastily sat up, ready to kick some serious ass, only to find Mona rendered unconscious and Brittany standing over her. Shit, she forgot Brittany was even here.
The CIA agent looked so…badass and it momentarily rendered Ali speechless. Her best friend didn't need guns or a weapon to be imposing-she was the weapon. Alison smiled up at the athletic brunette as she grabbed Britt's outstretched hand and stood up.
The blonde frowned a few seconds later though. Why was there blood on her hands?
Her eyes traveled back to Brittany who was crouched down in front of Charlotte. She'd somehow already gotten her sister's hands free from the chains that had secured her to the metal pole. Ali's starting to think Brittany actually is a superhero and operates in super speed, because seriously how had she already gotten Charlotte out of her shackles?
Despite the swelling on her face Charlotte was sporting a dopey smile as she weakly whispered, "I knew you'd find me Superstar…"
Jesus if the situation was different I'd totally give her shit about looking like a love sick puppy. She always teased me for getting that glint in my eye whenever I talked about Emily.
"Charlotte…you're alive," Brittany breathed out as silent tears cascaded down her cheeks. Ali couldn't imagine what her best friend was going through. What a whirlwind of a day…
The teacher crouched down beside the other two in her own state of shock because her sister was alive. She'd spent the last three and a half months mourning her and this entire time Mona and Elliot were keeping her locked up here. Why-Ali had no fucking idea. God, you can't make this shit up. I swear Em and I are going to have the best stories to tell Wayne and Estella someday.
Completely exhausted Charlotte leaned into Brittany out of necessity and Ali smiled when the CIA agent gently wrapped her strong arms protectively around the older blonde. She really couldn't have asked for a better person to love her sister…
Holy shit Charlotte and Brittany might just get their happy ending after all.
"Ali…" Her sister's strangled voice caught the teacher off guard. She'd expected Charlotte to just stay burrowed in Brittany's arms until the ambulance got there.
"I'm sorry about…what Elliot did to Emily…I tried to stop him," Alison was overcome with emotions as her sister unnecessarily apologized. God how could I have ever thought you were a monster?
Ali crawled over to Charlotte and gently cradled her face as she shook her head, "Em's gonna be fine, Charlotte. And so are you…" She looked at Brittany for reassurance and the tall brunette nodded her head as she mouthed 'two minutes' meaning the ambulance was only two minutes away. Thank you God.
"I've missed you so much, Charlotte," Ali croaked out through her tears.
Despite how evidently weak she was Charlotte managed to lift her hand and wrap it around Alison's that was on her cheek before she echoed, "I've missed you too. I love you, Ali."
The teacher couldn't contain her emotions as she declared, "I love you too."
Alison had loved Charlotte since the older blonde had been admitted to Welby. It took a while for them to build their relationship, but over time Charlotte had become the big sister that Ali always wanted. But now knowing the truth about everything…Alison loved Charlotte even more.
A few moments later that devilish smirk that Ali had been dying to see crept across her sister's face as she playfully hedged out, "So…I heard you and Americano finally got together."
If by get together you mean confess our undying love and begin building a beautiful life together, then yes.
Ali slightly laughed as she nodded her head and wiped her tears, "Yeah, we did."
"About fucking time," Charlotte dead panned and Alison's mouth fell open. Oh my God! Did she just really…The teacher sighed yeah she did.
Ten minutes later while the CIA paramedics were attending to Charlotte (because the CIA didn't trust outside sources to do anything apparently) Ali noticed the blood dripping out of the right sleeve of Brittany's leather jacket.
The teacher's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she observed with concern lacing her tone, "Britt, you're bleeding." Jesus could she really not feel that?
Brittany looked down at her arm and then met Alison's gaze as she slightly chuckled, "Yeah…you really shouldn't throw loaded firearms across concrete sided rooms, Ali. They tend to discharge upon contact…"
The blonde covered her mouth in horror, "Oh my God! I shot you?!"
"Ali, don't worry about it. It's just a flesh wound in my shoulder. I'll be fine," Brittany tried to reassure her, but Alison was horrified. How could she have shot her best friend? It was completely unintentional, but still. This is why you should leave the ass kicking to Brittany and Bradley and stick to teaching English, Ali…
One of the CIA paramedics must have overheard their exchange because he came over to Brittany and began applying pressure to her wound, but not before gushing about how awesome the athletic brunette was. Apparently Brittany was like the top dog celebrity at the CIA and everyone fangirled over her at the government agency. Ali found it endearing how Brittany brushed off every compliment the young man gave her and took over the pressure applying duty as she climbed into the back of the ambulance so she could check on Charlotte.
Ali glanced back at the scene unfolding at her Aunt Carol's old house. Federal agents were looking through it with a fine tooth comb (and Lord knows what horrific things they'll uncover), Mona and Elliot had already been taken to the federal penitentiary in Philadelphia, and Bradley was talking to Reggie relaying all the details about what had unfolded during their 'mission'. It hadn't really settled in that the –A game was over. Maybe it would hit her tomorrow.
Alison took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh before she climbed into the ambulance as well.
Charlotte had an oxygen mask over her face and Brittany was gently holding her hand. Somehow the CIA agent had managed to slip out of her bloodied leather jacket and wrap two pressure packs with gaze around her right shoulder. Ali smiled at the sweet gesture. This allowed Britt's hands to be free so that she could comfort Charlotte. God, that's totally something Emily would do…
The teacher sat down on the other side of her sister and went to hold her hand, but Charlotte pulled back and lightly whacked Ali on the forearm. Even though it didn't hurt that bad, Alison reflexively grabbed her arm.
"What the hell, Ali! You shot my girl?!" Charlotte spat at her and Ali was so relieved that the oxygen mask appeared to be giving her sister new life that she didn't even offer a retort.
Charlotte was fixing her with a heated glare, but before Alison could defend herself and say it was an accident, Brittany chuckled.
"You're girl, huh?"
Alison found it amusing how quickly Charlotte's cheeks flushed in embarrassment.
Slowly her sister turned her head back towards the agent who was looking at her with nothing but love and adoration and shyly stated, "I mean if you want to be…"
Brittany brushed a loose strand of hair out of Charlotte's face and tenderly caressed her cheek as a soft smile spread across her own face and she proclaimed, "Well, considering I'm madly in love with you, Charlotte…I'd love to be your girl."
Charlotte let out a relieved laugh and her face lit up like a Christmas tree as she beamed up at the other woman, "I'm so in love with you, Brittany…You have no idea…Please, just never let me go."
"And the arms of the ocean are carrying me / And all this devotion was rushing over me / And the questions I have for a sinner like me / But the arms of the ocean deliver me / And it's breaking over me / A thousand miles down to the sea bed / I found the place to rest my head / Never let me go."
-Florence + The Machine, "Never Let Me Go"
"I won't. I promise," Brittany sincerely replied before she leaned up and kissed Charlotte's forehead. It was obvious she wanted to kiss Charlotte's lips, but the oxygen mask kind of got in the way, and the CIA agent wasn't about to compromise the woman she loves breathing any more than it already was.
Brittany hovered above Charlotte so she could look directly into those blue eyes that she'd been drowning in for over two years, "My job's insane, but I'm going to do everything in my power to make this work. To make us work."
Ali felt her heart flutter. Jesus, these two were making her swoon so hard it wasn't even funny. Okay, maybe Aria isn't the only hopeless romantic in our group…but c'mon this was like her and Emily level stuff!
The teacher had never seen her sister look so blissfully happy or her best friend look so at peace.
God could all of us really get our happy endings?
A few moments later Charlotte turned back to face her before she lightheartedly inquired, "Ali what was that you said about kind, beautiful brunettes?"
Alison grabbed her sister's free hand and gave it a gentle squeeze before she honestly replied, "They make everything worth it."
The two shared an understanding smile.
Ali and Charlotte would gladly go through all of this hell again-growing up in their manipulative family and suffering in Mona's –A game- if it meant they got Emily and Brittany in the end.
Alison shook her head. God who would've thought all us badass DiLaurentis girls needed were a couple of inherently good brunettes to help us become the people we were always meant to be?
As the ambulance began its journey to the hospital, the English teacher let out a soft sigh. Before today she knew her future consisted of Emily Fields, but now Charlotte was in it as well. And even though she had no idea how everything was going to play out, Alison was ecstatic to be along for the ride.
Well how do you like them apples?! Charlotte is alive?! Say what?!
Truth be told I seriously believe she's alive on the actual show as well (and most likely evil as shit), but I decided to bring her back in Sinus Infection because I fell in love with her and Brittany's dynamic while I wrote their flashbacks (and y'all know I'm a sucker for happy endings) and honestly Alison deserves a sister-let's be real. Plus I had all these amazing ideas for future Emison with Wayne and Estella and their cool Aunt Charlotte...
Let me know what you guys think! Any favorite moments? Personally as always I loved Emily and Alison's fluffy flashback, LOVED Brittany and Charlotte's flashbacks (when they told the truth about their scars-my God the feels damn near killed me!), and Ali and Charlotte bonding over their brunettes...yeah good stuff!
Happy PLL day even though Ali's not in this episode so what the hell is even the point lol? And here's to hoping that 7x10 gives us some epic Emison-I need a kiss dammit and an "I love you" exchange!
