Hey guys! I got a job now, so it means I'll take longer to update :/ Anyway, I hope you enjoy it!
"I know I don't understand just how your love can do what no one else can"
"She needs surgery, we need to unclog her veins!"
"I need to warn you: this surgery will be risky. Alcohol and cocaine made her body weak."
"I assure you that she is in good hands!"
"Emily!"
Alison was in the waiting room staring blankly ahead, trying not to think of Emily. The paramedics had whisked her to the cutting room as soon as they arrived at the hospital, but it didn't make Alison any calmer. Emily's body was weak and there was a considerable chance she wouldn't make it and Ali wondered if this ambulance ride was the last time she'd see Emily.
She thought about the moments she'd never share with Emily and all the things she wanted to say, but never found the courage to do so. Alison regretted once again having hurt her when they were younger and she didn't know better. Once again, she forgave the brunette for sending her to jail. She forgave Emily for using her like a doll because none of it mattered anymore. Ali wanted her to be alive and well because she didn't know how to live without her sweet eyes or Emily's unshakeable belief that she's a better person than she actually is.
Alison cries. She remembers when she took Emily to the Kissing Rock, when they'd hook up behind book shelters or when Emily met her at that warehouse and Alison has never felt so safe in her entire life. It seemed that they lived up too fast, though, and it wasn't fair. There were so many good memories they could make, but now Emily was in surgery and she isn't sure if fate is forgiving. Ali is so consumed in her desperation that she doesn't even notice that Hanna, Jordan, and Spencer had arrived. She'd texted her friends because they deserved to know and she wasn't sure if she could make it alone, especially if
something bad happened to Emily (God, she doesn't even want to think about that).
"Alison?" Hanna asked quietly, surprised to see the other woman crying, "Where's Emily?"
"S-She's in surgery now." Alison cried and Spencer sat by her and hugged her.
"What happened? You told me that Emily had a heart attack and that she was drinking a lot." Spencer pulled Ali to her and caressed her hair.
"I-I found her in the bathroom. I d-dragged her out of the club and she stumbled down, Then, she t-told her chest was hurting and..." Alison swallowed hard, "I could only lay her on my lap as she w-was in pain and I hoped… I hoped she didn't die before the ambulance arrived."
"Wait, how did you know Emily was there?" Hanna asked.
Alison opened her purse and fetched the crumbled flier, "S-Someone put this on my mailbox."
Hanna read the flier and frowned, "Is it possible to cause a heart attack on someone, Spence?"
"Someone might have slipped her drink." It was a quite plausible theory, considering the environment Emily was in. However, Ali knew better.
"N-No," She shook her head, "She had a heart attack... because she mixed alcohol with cocaine."
"No, Emily doesn't do drugs!" Spencer shook her head in disbelief.
"I-I saw her using it, Spence," As heartbreaking as it was, that sight was real, and Alison is sure she'll always have nightmares with Emily snorting coke and losing control, "I s-slapped it away before she could use more."
"But how could A foresee she was going to have a heart attack? Are we dealing with a psychic bitch?!" Hanna exasperated.
"Because cocaine doesn't need to be pure," Surprisingly, Jordan spoke for the first time, "Cocaine mixed with alcohol will wreck your heart, but it's worse if someone puts stuff like talc in the cocaine. It makes coke even more deadly."
"Okay, so did A sell the cocaine to Emily?" Hanna challenged. Something in this puzzle didn't make sense.
"N-No, i-it was a blonde woman. H-Her name is Kate." Alison recalled the face she'd wanted to destroy three hours ago and at least, the tears subsided.
"So this Kate girl must be related to A somehow," Spencer mused, "But why would Emily accept drugs from a stranger?"
"Emily is..." Alison knew the answer, but she didn't know just how much she could say without embarrassing the brunette, "Emily has been doing some erratic things lately. Anyway, I sent that girl away after I slapped the drug from Em, so I might… I might be able to recognize her face." The thought of bringing justice to the person who tried to kill the thing that meant the most to Alison was exhilarating. Kate was lucky that the blonde knew nothing of her otherwise she'd be six feet under already.
"As soon as the surgery is over, I'm going to investigate," Spencer promised and they all nodded, "Maybe we could get some clues."
"Alison, did you bring your car?" Jordan asked.
Honestly, the blonde was so concerned about Emily's safety that she even forgot she had a car to begin with, "I-It stayed at the club. I was in the ambulance with Emily."
"If you give me your key, I can pick it up for you." Jordan kindly offered.
"Jordan, you don't have to..."
"It's okay. I can get a taxi and then drive back here," He insisted and Alison mindlessly gave him her keys. To be true, it didn't matter now. All she wanted was Emily safe and well.
"Be careful, okay?" Hanna pecked his lips and their cute moment made Alison cry again. She may never have moments like this with Emily because it might be just too late. Maybe they weren't meant to be after all. Spencer held her tighter and wiped her tears.
"Alison, it's gonna be okay," The politician whispered, "Emily's a warrior. She'll get through this!"
"It's my fault, Spence!" Alison finally allowed herself to break down, "Maybe I should have-"
"No, Ali, this is not your fault!"
"It is!" Alison cried again, "I should've protected her!" Spencer rested her head on the blonde's and Hanna sat next to Alison and leaned against her shoulders.
Hanna's POV
After some time, Ali stopped crying and pushed me and Spencer away. Spencer gave me a weird look, but I just shrugged. I know Ali at this point: she tries to play through, but she's more sensible than we think, especially when it comes to Emily. Those two do have a soft side for each other.
Jordan came back not so much time later and he brought us food. One thing I liked the most about him was that he was actually useful while Caleb just sat there and tried to solve my problems alone. Anyway, he gave all of us a cup of coffee and a sandwich. Ali refused, claiming that she didn't have the stomach for that, but Spencer made her eat, even if she just took a few bites. It's funny to see how they've got this strange sister-like friendship. I know they share a brother, but they act more like sisters than Spencer and Melissa or Ali and Jason ever did.
After we ate (or nibbled, in Ali's case), we decided to rest a little. Alison tried to play bold and asked one of the nurses if the surgery was going okay, to which the nurse said that she wasn't allowed to reveal that kind of information now. It seems like Ali got so frustrated that she decided just to sit there and sniff as she concealed her tears. Then, a man in a black suit entered the waiting room and I recognized him as Ali's husband. Of course, she was bound to tell him what happened. Maybe she'll calm down now that he's here.
"Alison!" He called, "Love, I've heard of what happened in the radio," Wait, so she didn't tell him about Emily's heart attack?! That's weird! "I came as fast as I could." I looked at Alison and she flinched, getting even more nervous than before. I don't understand, wasn't Elliot supposed to make her feel calmer?
"You didn't have to come, Elliot." Her voice is a faint whisper, but it's not grateful. Instead, it's indifferent, cold and detached, like she didn't want him there.
"I wanted to see if you need something," He replied, "Maybe I can get your car?"
"Jordan did that already." She cut him off and, apparently, he noticed her detached behavior.
"I think you should go home, love," He said, "These surgeries are long and staying here is doing you no good."
Then, Ali's eyes sparkled furiously. God, I swear I've never seen her that angry in my entire life, "I'm staying!"
"Ali, you've been through a lot tonight. Maybe if you could go home and rest-"
"I'm not going home, Elliot!" Alison snapped, "I'm gonna stay here until Emily is out of the surgery!"
"Ali, perhaps you should go," Spencer intervened softly, "You found Emily and you brought her here. You deserve a break after all that happened."
"Yes, Ali," I agreed with Spencer and Elliot. Seriously, she might hyperventilate for all I know. Ali should go home and rest and maybe come back tomorrow with Aria, so we can take turns watching Emily, "Emily is in good hands."
"Come with me," Elliot offered his hand gently and I thought Alison was going to take it. But she's Ali, of course, she wouldn't.
"I don't care what you think, I am NOT going home!" Ali's unshakeable faith startled are loyal friends and Alison is not one of them, but she changes totally when it's Emily and even Elliot couldn't reach her. I remember that Spencer jokes about the two of them all the time and, while I know that Emily still likes her, is it possible that Alison likes her too? But she's married! How could she…? Well, she spent five years without Emily, she must've moved on somehow, but now with Em back, maybe… No, the furious flame in her eyes tells me everything I need to know. Alison likes Emily too.
"Then I'll stay and support you." Elliot tried to take her hands, but she drifted away from his touch.
"Go home, Elliot!" She snarled.
"But-"
"GO HOME!" He was perplexed by her reaction but sighed in defeat.
"Fair enough." I was expecting to see sadness in his eyes as he left, but, instead, I saw anger. I could understand, though, because if Jordan had treated me in the same way I'd be furious at him too.
"Alison, you were rude to him," Spencer reprehended, "He was only trying to help!"
"I don't need him here." Ali just shrugged coldly and chased after a nurse to ask about Emily one more time.
No POV
Two hours later and Hanna had fallen asleep curled up against Jordan, who was also fighting hard to stay awake, and Spencer was taking a nap on Ali's shoulder. Alison, however, too busy paying attention to the come and go of nurses and doctors to even feel her tired. She needed to be awake when Dr. Johnson came and told them how the surgery went, but, mostly, she needed to see the ups and downs of a beeping machine, showing her that Emily is alive and well. But the more she waited, the longer the surgery seemed to be.
By 4 am, Dr. Johnson finally went out of the surgery room, looking absolutely exhausted, but Ali could swear there was a grin on his face.
"Guys, wake up!" She shook Spencer gently and made Jordan blink several times to remain awake, "Dr, Johnson is coming!"
"Is any of you family of Emily Fields?" The doctor asked and Alison hoped she could say yes, that Emily was her girlfriend (or her wife… what a dream).
"No, we're all friends," Spencer said.
"Does any family member know of the surgery?" Why couldn't he just tell them how the surgery went?! This whole suspense was driving Alison nuts!
"No, she only has her mom and Emily wouldn't want her to see her like this," Hanna answered in a drowsy voice.
"Fair enough. Emily's surgery went well. You can see her now, but she's asleep. Come this way, please."Alison jumped to her feet and bolted after the doctor, barely managing her anxiety and her desire to see Emily alive.
"Wow, easy there, Ali!" Hanna said as she watched her friend make a fool of herself. Really, it was blatantly obvious they liked each other, but Hanna couldn't guess whether it had evolved to something else or remained platonic.
Alison never thought one day she'd want to hear the sound of a beeping machine so much like today. Relief flooded through her as soon as she heard it beeping and knew Emily was okay, Her Mermaid had survived. Tears streamed down her face when Dr. Johnson opened the door and showed Emily wearing an oxygen mask and her hand was connected to a saline bag. Alison sat next to Emily, took her hand and caressed her hair.
"I am glad you're safe," She whispered for only the two of them to hear (if Emily was hearing, actually).
"Is she the girlfriend?" The doctor asked amusedly, to which Spencer and Hanna exchanged concerned looks.
"No, she's just a friend." It was Jordan who responded at last. He seemed oblivious to the whole interaction between Emily and Alison, but, then, he hadn't known them as teens, "Alison is married, by the way."
The doctor didn't seem so convinced, but he let it go anyway, "Well, there are some things you should know about Emily now," He entered the room, making Ali turn her head to pay attention.
"Will there be any sequels?" Alison asked.
"No, there won't be," The doctor assured them, "But Emily will need to take some… precautions."
"Such as…?" Hanna raised her brow.
"Some exams indicate she has a fatty liver. She needs to stop drinking in large quantities or it may evolve to cirrhosis in due time."
"But Emily doesn't have a drinking problem!" Spencer pointed out. She's never seen Emily drinking excessively.
"Binge drinking did the trick." Dr. Johnson replied, "Large quantities of alcohol all at once also damage the liver. That might be her case. She might need to go on a diet to recover her liver. The nutritionist will see her later."
Alison complied, making an inner promise to never lead Emily to drink like that ever again. She'd take care of her Mermaid no matter what other people thought of them, "What else?"
"She's wearing an oxygen mask because the cocaine damaged her airways. It hasn't damaged her body significantly yet, but there's a good chance of her having another heart attack if she keeps using it. I think she might want to talk to a psychologist later."
"We'll see to that," Alison promised. She'd make sure that Emily would stop drinking and using drugs and that she'd follow her diet. The blonde knew she had no right to interfere in Emily's life. However, she'd make sure her Mermaid would be alright, even if Emily decided they were too toxic for each other and didn't want her there.
"She'll be fine in around six weeks." The doctor left and, finally, Alison allowed her body to relax. Much to Spencer and Hanna's astound, she was holding Emily's hand when she fell asleep.
A few hours later, Aria arrived at Emily's room bringing breakfast for her friends, who were currently asleep. She was tired as well because she rushed to catch the first flight to Philly and then she got a taxi and went back to Rosewood. Aria softly woke them up, but Alison was proving to be something opposite to a light sleeper.
"Let her sleep," Spencer said, "She was up all night waiting for the surgery to end."
"Really? She didn't doze off even for a second?" Aria doubted.
"No, she looked like a zombie who drank coffee." Hanna snorted and they laughed silently so as to not to wake Alison.
"She was just worried. That's it," Jordan just shrugged, "Watching Emily have a heart attack wasn't easy for her."
"She was too worried for my taste." Hanna huffed.
"I saw nothing wrong with her," Jordan argued, "She was just worried about her friend."
"Ali and Emily have always been like this," Spencer recalled, "They lived inside a bubble and we never knew what was going on in there, but it always ended up bad for Emily."
"That's exactly why I'm worried," Hanna added.
"Guys, you're overreacting," Aria tried to calm down her friends. Honestly, she was against prying into Emily and Ali's affairs, whatever they were, "They're adults, they can handle it."
"Emily can never handle it when it comes to Alison!" Hanna argued.
"Ali's coffee is getting cold. I'm gonna wake her up," She warned and shook Alison slightly, enough only to wake her up. Aria couldn't help but notice, though, that Alison was holding Emily's hand. She smiled, "Ali! Time for breakfast!"
"I don't wanna eat," Ali mumbled in a drowsy voice.
"You need to eat properly so you can help Emily," Aria argued softly.
"She's raising a monster," Spencer whispered to Hanna, who glared at them.
"Whatever." Ali rubbed her eyes and grabbed her bread and coffee.
"How's Emily now?" Aria asked.
"She's fine. But she's got to stop drinking that much or her liver will be seriously damaged. Also, she'll have to go on a diet." Alison retold.
"Aria's doing it on purpose!" Hanna whispered to Spencer, who agreed, "It's like she wants to show us how Ali cares for Emily or something."
"It's annoying." Spencer rolled her eyes.
"Hey, what are you two talking about?" Jordan practically outed them in his innocence.
"Nothing!"
Ali's POV
I didn't expect Aria to bring me breakfast or that I'd be that hungry, but that's understandable, considering that I barely ate the sandwich Jordan bought me before. I was so concerned that I couldn't bring myself to eat anything until Emily's surgery was over. Then, Aria started to make small talk to me and I knew she was hiding something. You see, Aria has this gift of being really nice to you when she knows something about you that you don't want her to know. And then I heard Hanna and Spencer whispering on the couch. I couldn't hear exactly what they said, but they didn't look happy about it.
Dr. Johnson came back by the time I was done with my breakfast. He told us Emily was bound to wake up at any moment after the anesthesia goes away. There wasn't much to do instead of talking and hoping Emily woke up in the best state of mind possible. Then, we began to talk about her recovery and how we were going to handle those six weeks.
"I'll stay with her every day if she needs me." I offered, knowing that I'd made a promise to myself and I'd do anything in my power to keep it.
"Wow, that's insane, Alison!" Hanna argued, but there was a hint of poison in her voice, "Don't you have a husband to look after?"
I was about to tell her to mind her own business when Aria spoke, "What Hanna means is that you can share this… responsibility with us, Alison. You have a job and a life too."
I realized how obvious I was being about my feelings and I blushed, "You're right."
Aria smiled to me and continued, "As you know, I live in Boston and it's impossible for me to leave my job or come to Rosewood, but Emily is my friend too and I wanna make sure she's okay. I can stay with her on Sundays if that's okay with you."
"Saturdays are the best day for me," Spencer claimed.
"So Hanna and I get to split the rest of the week," I said, thinking about what excuse could I use to get full days off with the principal, "Maybe I can take a few days off at school."
Hanna sighed, "No, Ali, you can't just ditch on your job like this. Let's do it like this: I'll stay with her until you get there from school and then you stay with her until the next morning."
Well, it's surprising that Hanna is willing to change her schedule for me. There are times I believe she despises me, "Are you sure, Han?"
"Yes, my working schedule is more flexible than yours, so there will be no problem." She just shrugged, keeping her 'I-don't-care' attitude towards me, but I was genuinely thankful because she allowed me to take care of Emily.
"Hey, what about me?" Jordan playfully asked and Hanna shoved him.
"You fool!" She smacked him one more time and we all laughed, dissipating the tension from before.
It was all too good to last.
We heard footsteps outside the room and, suddenly, the door burst open and Lorenzo came in with two officers in tow, "Alison Rollins, you're under arrest for the murder of Charlotte DiLaurentis!"
Next chapter...
I was standing on the edge of Rosewood High's pool. It's been a while since I've been there, but I would recognize this blue water anywhere. Somehow, I've got my swimming suit and my goggles on and I prepared to jump in, but, somehow, I couldn't. As much as I wanted my legs to do the leap, they just wouldn't obey me. The blue water now looked like a tsunami ready to swallow me and my fears and I just froze in my place.
"Having swimming problems?" I took out my goggles and turned my head. I would recognize this voice anywhere.
"Dad?"
Drea82851: Like you said, sometimes you gotta reach the bottom to see what a dumbass you are. Emily will go through a situation like that :/
shippingisamust: Pedorenzo is a terrible cop, lol
leon7272: Thanks!
mb168: I promise Emily will be okay, but it will take some time ;)
Nes: That's why you shouldn't mix drugs. I didn't want to get into many details, but you have a considerable chance of having a heart attack up to 12 hours later after you mixed cocaine and alcohol. Of course, in Emily's case, the cocaine wasn't pure, so that was a major factor. Crazy scary, lol. There is a hint in this chapter.
NatGirl93: Thank God Ali slapped that drug away :)
Santanasdaughter: Thanks! Well, I do see Ali as those kind of people who don't care about many people, but are very loyal to the one person they love. The treatment will be tough, but Ali will be ther for Emily :)
AllSmillesThisWay: Really? Thanks, it's such an honor to me to provoke those kind of reactions in people! I hope you enjoy my other stories.
Emisonosime: Yup, I wrote Mirrors, lol. Yeah, the drama is real in this story, but I hope you liked it.
PaperWMN: Ali the hero! Emily is going to be fine, but it takes some time to fully recover ;) Yup, Ali will be arrested and there might be another plot twist coming. You're right, Emily and Alison will always find their way back to each other :)