The following Monday Emily and Alison met in the parking lot at school as if nothing had happened. As if their friendship never crumbled. They spent the weekend together making up for their almost month apart, which consisted of a lot of Netflix and a few pedicures, as Alison was indecisive about what color she actually wanted. Emily didn't mind though. Each time Alison decided on a different color Emily would simply smile and remove the old polish before applying the new one. She would have spent the entire weekend painting Alison's nails just as long as they were on good terms. Alison didn't want to admit that the last time she chose a different color of nail polish on purpose just to see if Emily would complain, but instead, she happily repainted them.

Alison was weary at first but quickly warmed up to Emily once she saw the warmth in her big, chocolate eyes. They easily fell into their old dynamic. It was a relaxing weekend for both women, which was much needed after the stressful few weeks they had both endured. Hanna had text her once to see if she wanted to hang out but Alison had to politely decline the offer as she was busy with Emily. Hanna felt accomplished once she heard that the two friends were on speaking terms again. She knew it was only a matter of time before Emily and Alison became friends again but the sooner the better because both women were miserable.

"Hey, Ali," Emily said as she approached the other woman's car with two disposable cups of coffee in her hands.

"Hey, you," The blonde replied as her entire face lit up. "Is that for me?" Alison asked with a cheeky smile.

"No, I'm exhausted, so they're both for me." Emily sarcastically replied, taking a small drink from both cups.

Alison playfully slapped Emily's arm while rolling her eyes before reaching for one of the cups, taking a small sip, savoring the flavor.

"Mmm, that's so good. Thanks, Em," Alison said, looking down at the cup with a small smile, not understanding why she suddenly felt shy around the other woman.

"Can I walk you to class?" Emily offered, extending her arm.

Alison bit her lip and accepted Emily's arm, allowing the brunette to guide her into the school. Alison had felt an immense amount of relief after spending the weekend with her friend and things felt as though they had never been broken. Emily was trying everything imaginable to make it up to Alison and the blonde was completely flattered. Emily had given her back and leg massages, brought her snacks, and let her choose every single movie they watched. Alison told the brunette she only had one chance to make things right and Emily was going above and beyond.

Once they approached the front door to the school, Emily held it open and allowed Alison to enter first. Alison felt herself blushing and she had no idea why. It wasn't like that was the first time that someone had held a door open for her. She decided it was because she was excited to have her friend back and nothing more. Emily linked her arm through Alison's once again as the two headed for the direction of Alison's locker, Emily wanted to make sure Alison was able to get her books first. When they reached their destination Emily reached for Alison's coffee, holding it for her friend while she reached for her textbooks. Once Alison had everything she needed for her first class she turned to face Emily who was holding her arms out expectantly.

"What?" Alison asked with a puzzled smile.

"I am carrying your books. So hand them over."

"Em, you don't have to..." Alison began to say but was cut off by Emily.

"You are giving me one chance and I am not taking that lightly, Ali. You are important to me and I want to make sure you know that. So don't argue. Hand me those books so I can walk you to class. I still need to make time to go to my own locker." Emily said while poking her tongue out at the last part.

Alison blushed once more but placed her books into Emily's awaiting arms while taking her coffee back from the other woman.

"Thanks, Emily. You know you don't have to do all of this. As long as things go back to normal, that's all I truly want." Alison admitted though she was loving all the extra attention, especially after spending a very long month mostly alone.

"Like I said. If I only have one chance then I am going to get it right." Emily said with a sweet smile as they headed in the direction of Alison's first class.

Things were going smoothly until they crossed paths with Noel Khan. He took one look at the happy friends and immediately he was fuming.

"What's going on here, ladies?" He smugly asked, but Alison kept walking. "Wait, so you won't even speak to me, but you are going to be friends with her?"

Emily was squeezing Alison's books until her knuckles turned white and Alison was quick to notice.

"Come on, Em. Let's go. Don't pay him any attention." Alison said as she kept walking, but Noel turned to follow them.

"Wow, it must have taken a lot for you forgive her after the AWFUL and TERRIBLE thing she did to you. She so deeply betrayed you. You must be a better person than I am because I could never forgive someone for doing what Emily did." He taunted.

Emily was no longer angry. She was heartbroken because she knew the things he said was true. She didn't deserve Alison's forgiveness. She bit her bottom lip and looked down as she kept walking and Alison noticed her changed demeanor immediately. She and Emily had been having such an amazing morning until Noel showed up to ruin it and suddenly she was boiling with rage. Alison spun around and spoke to Noel for the first time since she found out what he had tried to do to her.

"You can stop right there because I know what you are trying to do and it isn't going to work. So you're pissed off because I have forgiven Emily and not you. Get over it. There is a huge difference in what she did compared to you. Her mistake is forgivable, but yours is not. The fact that you can't see that and the fact that you aren't even sorry is why I am done with you. Emily doesn't deserve this, but you do."

Alison began walking away from Noel, but he opened his mouth once again in an attempt at angering the women.

"Oh, I get it. Emily must have gotten to you first. I should have known when you wouldn't put out that you must be a rug muncher." Emily froze and Alison could see the rage burning in her eyes, but the blonde didn't want to give him the satisfaction. She stood in front of Emily and with her free hand gently laced her finger's through the brunette's dark locks.

She held the back of Emily's head as she pressed their foreheads together and began whispering. "Do not let him get to you, Em. We have each other and he has no one. Remember that. I don't care what he has to say. You and I are ok. You came clean to me before it was too late. I know it was a difficult position for you to be in and I respect you for your honesty. I thank you for it. You did the right thing and that is all that matters."

Emily felt her eyes fluttered closed at the sensation of Alison's warm breath washing over her face, taking in the scent of coffee and toothpaste.

"Ok," Emily whispered back. "Forget him."

"That's my girl," Alison said with a smile before pulling away from Emily, reaching for her hand and lacing their finger's together just to rub it in Noel's face.

He could say or think whatever he wanted about them but Alison didn't care. She made the decision to forgive Emily and to be done with Noel and that was a choice that she was more pleased with every minute. Both Noel and Emily had shown their true colors once Alison had been made aware of their bet and only one of the two had shown sorrow. Alison regretted nothing as she walked away, hand in hand with Emily Fields.

~X~X~X~X~X

The school day had quickly came to an end and Alison luckily didn't have any more encounters with Noel. The remainder of the day had been pleasant and Alison found herself seeking Emily out every chance she had. She spotted her favorite brunette at her locker putting away her books and Alison noted that it was nice to see Emily looking like her old self again. Alison walked over and gently bumped into the other woman to gain her attention.

"Hey, Ali. What's up?" Emily happily greeted with a smile that could steal anyone's breath.

"Nothing, I was just wondering if you were free after school."

"Unfortunately not. I have swim practice until five." Emily replied with a frown causing Alison to mirror it.

"Would it be breaking the rules if I came to watch you swim?" Alison asked, once again feeling nervous around her dark haired friend.

"No one ever comes to watch swim practice, but you are more than welcome to. There is no rule against it." Emily said, turning to face the other woman as she closed her locker, feeling a bit excited at the thought of Alison watching her swim. She didn't want to admit but the thought of showing off in front of Alison was thrilling.

"Ok, let's go." Alison smiled, excited to see her friend swim. She had heard that Emily was great in the water and the vast amount of trophies didn't lie, so the blonde was ready to see what Emily was made of.

"Why the sudden interest in watching me swim?" Emily asked as the two began walking in the direction of the natatorium.

"I know we weren't speaking to each other for only a month, but it felt like it was so much longer. I just want to spend time with you to make up for it and if that means watching you swim then that is what I will do."

"Someone is a little clingy." Emily teased but secretly loved the attention.

"Whatever, I just want to see how badly you suck." Alison teased as Emily held open the door to the natatorium, allowing Alison to enter first.

"Yeah, like that is going to happen. I am about to blow your mind." Emily confidently defended with a wink.

"I'll be the judge of that, Fields."

"Just make yourself comfortable anywhere in the stands, I have to go to the locker room and get ready. Maybe we can go get some ice cream or something when practice is over." Emily suggested with a hopeful smile.

"Are you asking me on a date?" Alison continued to tease, even playfully poking at the brunette's hip.

"You wish. If I recall, one of the first things you ever said to me was to not try anything funny with you, so you're stuck in the friend zone. Deal with it." Emily said with a smirk as she walked away causing Alison to roll her eyes.

Several minutes after Alison made herself comfortable she saw the swim team filing into the natatorium, all wearing matching blue swimsuits. She searched the group until her eyes landed on Emily. She had never noticed how toned the other woman's body was but she was very athletic, so Alison wasn't surprised. She was going to have to start working out with Emily because her body looked like a goddess. Soon the team had lined up around the pool in a single file line, awaiting further instruction from their coach.

Eventually, the coach had the girls in the water doing lap after lap. Alison's eyes remained glued to Emily the entire time and she was surprised to see how great Emily truly was. It was as if she were a mermaid the way she effortless cut through the water. Every single drop seemed to part for her on its own accord, moving out of her way and propelling her forward. Emily was born to swim and that was becoming very obvious to Alison the more she watched. She was quickly mesmerized by how graceful her friend was in the pool. Alison was definitely going to be Emily's number one fan from this point on. There wasn't a single swimmer in the water that was as talented as Emily. No one came close.

Alison thoroughly enjoyed watching her friend swim for the next hour and a half, which flew by quicker than she thought. She watched as the swim team reversed their process, dripping wet as they left the pool, headed for the locker rooms. Alison pulled her bag over her shoulder and descended the bleachers. She leaned against the wall next to the exit and patiently waited for her friend to arrive. It took a little longer than expected, considering that she didn't realize Emily needed to shower, but she still smiled when she saw her favorite swimmer exiting the locker room. Emily made a beeline for Alison, but the moment she reached her friend the two were approached by another member of the swim team.

"Hey, Emily." Paige McCullers greeted with a smile.

It was the kind of smile that made Alison feel uneasy. It wasn't malicious in any way but Alison was still unhappy with the interruption.

"Hey, Paige. What's up?" Emily asked.

"I was just wondering if you were busy right now? I thought we could go do something. Maybe grab a bite to eat." She hopefully suggested with a smile that Alison recognized.

This girl was flirting with Emily. Alison found herself suddenly not liking this other swimmer very much. She didn't like her at all. The blonde felt her eyebrows knit together in frustration as she reached for Emily's hand, not giving the other woman a chance to respond. "She is busy right now. Sorry."

Alison tugged on Emily's hand and pulled her through the exit doors as she angrily stomped down the hallway, practically dragging an amused Emily behind her.

"What was that about?" Emily teased.

"Nothing. You and I have plans." Alison huffed out as though it were obvious.

"Aww, is little Alison jealous?" Emily found the situation highly entertaining.

"No, I just don't like to share you when we have plans. That is all."

"But you share me with Hanna, Aria, and Spencer all the time." Emily reasoned.

"That is different." Alison huffed in annoyance.

"How is that any different?" Emily asked, curious to understand Alison's logic.

"It's just different, ok?" Alison said with finality as she stopped and sent Emily a pleading look, cutely biting her bottom lip in frustration.

"Ok, it's different. Got it. Now let's go get that ice cream. I worked up and appetite." Emily said, dismissing the conversation that Alison clearly wasn't comfortable having.

Alison sighed in relief as she felt Emily link their arms together. She wasn't sure why it had upset her so much, but she was happy that Emily dropped the subject. Alison just didn't want anyone else to take her place, that is all. At least that is what she told herself as she allowed Emily to lead her through the hall and into the parking lot.

"Since the date was my idea I might as well drive," Emily said with a smirk, loving their playful banter.

"I thought that I was stuck in the friend zone." Alison mocked.

"Oh, yeah. That's right. How could I forget?" Emily then playfully slapped Alison's ass and took off running toward her car.

"You're going to pay for that!" Alison called out as she chased after her friend but she was nowhere near as quick as the brunette. It turns out that Emily was fast on land as well as in the water. By the time Alison caught Emily the brunette was leaning against her own car with her arms up as a shield.

"Have mercy. I surrender." Emily called out.

Alison smirked as she trapped Emily's chin in her hand. "This means you're paying for the ice cream. No one gets a feel of my goodies for absolutely nothing."

When Alison released Emily's chin the brunette smirked as she unlocked her car. "It was worth it."

"What?" Alison questioned.

"Getting a handful of your goodies." Emily winked as she swiftly reached behind the blonde and grabbed two handfuls of Alison's backside.

The tanned woman squeezed as she pulled the blonde's body flush with her own, laughing hysterically. Emily decided to tease her friend by massaging the plump flesh. Alison's chin ended up resting on Emily's shoulder and her breath hitched. She even released an almost silent moan while the taller woman squeezed with both hands. Emily heard Alison's sound of pleasure and her eyes widened in shock, not expecting Alison to sexually enjoy her playful teasing. She roughhoused with all of her friends like this and the only one who ever got sexual enjoyment was Hanna. Emily was lost in thought as she gave one final squeeze, pulling Alison even closer before releasing her.

"You're unbelievable." Alison reprimanded but the sparkle in her eye said she was enjoying the time spent with her best friend. "Now you have to get me two ice creams!"

Emily laughed as she took her seat behind the wheel, Alison soon taking her own place in the brunette's car.

"I'll stick to what I said earlier." Emily vaguely stated.

"What's that?" Alison questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"It was so worth it." Emily winked before putting the car in drive, headed into town to spend as much time as she possibly could with her friend.

"You are an ass." Alison scoffed, with no actual bite to her words.

"And yours is quite nice." Emily quickly threw back causing Alison to gasp in mock surprise.

"If I recall the first time we hung out you were the one that said I wasn't attractive." Alison pointed out.

She was loving the playful banter and something inside of her was pushing her to continue. To make Emily admit that she thinks Alison is sexy. Emily came to a stop at a red light and turned to face the blonde. She reached out and slowly slid a piece of golden hair behind Alison's ear before cupping her cheek. "Ali, you are completely stunning. I have honestly always thought that."

Alison felt her breath hitch. Something about the way Emily looked at her combined with what she said left Alison speechless. She knew she was blushing, she could feel the heat spreading across her face. Before either woman could dwell on the moment the light turned green causing Emily to return her attention to the road. The rest of their night flowed naturally and smoothly. Alison ended up getting two ice creams, not that Emily minded. She would happily buy Alison a mountain of ice cream if they could continue having nights like this.

Sorry that it took so long. Been sick. Hope you liked it.