Disclaimer: I don't own PLL.
Warnings: This work contains foul language, sex scenes, child abuse, attempted sexual abuse, violence etc. MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY.
It was all going so well that Alison should have been prepared for the fall out, the universe couldn't possibly let her be happy for even a day.
When she got back from her fun filled day with Emily, all smiles and rainbows Alison ran straight into the last two people she wanted to see waiting for her on the DiLaurentis porch.
"Explain yourself, Alison," Mrs DiLaurentis snapped, beside her Peter Hastings crossed his arms and glaring at Alison with undisguised hatred. "How could you do this?"
"I don't-"
"Don't you dare lie to me," Jessica snapped.
"I'm surprised it took you this long," Alison shot back crossing her arms and smirking at Peter, the wicked part of her fighting back.
She didn't like to be ambushed or cornered. Hated the feeling of being boxed in, even before this very woman buried her alive. It was an instinct to lash out especially when she had no where else to go.
"You just become a bigger and bigger problem don't you," Peter seethed stepping closer to her menacingly.
Alison took a step back out of fear and looked to her mother, Jessica shook her head in exasperation.
"Stop being a moron Peter she's a child," Jessica argued.
"If she's old enough to do what she thinks is best for every one else then she is old enough to handle the ramifications," Peter barked.
Alison moved further away from him, he was obviously incredibly upset and he didn't seem to be in a place where she could reason with him. It always amazed her how easily she could get to people, get them to this point were they would just react. Fear and desire that was the way Alison kept people in line but they were also reasons people lost control around her. And when people lost control, someone got hurt.
"I have one daughter who won't look at me and another that keeps crying about how ruined we are," Peter yelled.
"And a son you won't acknowledge!" Alison yelled back. "Have you even asked how Jason feels?"
"You leave us out of this Alison," Jessica cried. "You want to ruin the Hastings go for your life but I swear to god if you tell your father!"
"You'll what?" Alison shrieked. "Hit me, like thats anything new I-"
Smack.
Alison cupped her cheek in pain, bewildered she turned her head as Peter Hastings retracted his hand from where he had slapped her. He stood there breathing through his rage not one iota of regret shining in his dark eyes.
"You will never disrespect your mother like that again do you hear me?" He whispered darkly.
Alison just stared at him in horror.
"You handle your family, Jessica and I'll deal with mine," Peter adjusted his suit tie. "But keep this one out of my house."
Alison stared at her mother in disbelief and Jessica covered her mouth unmoving as Peter Hastings stepped around Alison.
"I think you'll find it's my house."
Alison whirled around to the sight of Mrs Hastings standing at the edge of the lawn her eyes furious and locked to Peter.
"Veronica we were-"
"You just hit a fifteen year old girl Peter, anything you're about to say can't excuse that," Veronica seethed.
"She ruined our-"
"No Peter she did something impulsive and told the truth, we should have told them that first night with Melissa and Jason but we didn't and thats on us," Veronica shook her head. "But you're not the man I married if this is how you handle your mistakes."
"I'm fixing this for us!" Peter yelled.
"No Peter your fixing it for you and it can't be fixed," Veronica stood her ground. "I want you out of the house by tonight."
"Veronica please-"
"Argue more and I'll file for sole custody of Spencer," Veronica snapped.
Peter hung his head and clenched his fists, he shot Jessica and Alison a glare before he stormed past Veronica.
The tension was palpable as Alison stood effectively between her mother and Veronica Hastings.
"Well that was unpleasant," Jessica intoned as though she were commenting on the weather.
"I know what goes on in this house, Jessica," Veronica warned.
Alison felt her heart rate quicken and looked back to her mother, Jessica's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Do you just?" She challenged.
"You're a piece of work," Veronica muttered shaking her head in disbelief. "If you hurt Alison or Jason again I'm going to make your life very difficult Mrs DiLaurentis."
"I'm sure I haven't the faintest clue what you mean, Mrs Hastings or is that ex-Mrs Hastings now?" Jessica smiled wide and fake before she turned on her heel disappearing inside the house.
Alison watched her go dread cooling her veins.
"I hope I didn't just make everything worse," Veronica admitted. "I'm sorry Alison."
"I think I should be apologizing to you Mrs Hastings I never meant-"
Veronica cupped Alison's cheek warmly.
"You're a sweet girl Alison and believe me I never saw it before, but you did what you thought was best," Veronica soothed, her thumb stroking Alison's red cheek where Peter had struck her. "Get some ice on that."
Alison nodded feeling a little better as Veronica stepped away.
"Alison inside now!" Jessica yelled from the house.
"You're welcome over any time," Veronica reminded with a sad smile.
Alison nodded and scurried inside before she could fling herself at Veronica Hastings and beg to be adopted.
Later that night after being screamed at and cursed out but not hit, Alison crept quietly into the dark Hastings' kitchen. She flicked on a light and Mrs Hastings was revealed leaning against the kitchen counter a glass of wine in her hand, a half empty bottle beside it. Alison felt guilt stirring in her gut. This woman didn't deserve this.
"Alison," Veronica puzzled clearly intoxicated. "I didn't hear you come in. Are you hurt?"
Alison shook her head
"I came to see Spencer is she-"
"Upstairs, won't come out of her room," Veronica winced.
"I'm so sorry Mrs Hastings I never-"
"Yes well sometimes your actions have unintended consequences," Veronica Hastings huffed and then rubbed a hand across her tired face.
"I'd really like to be alone right now, Alison," the older woman politely instructed, too politely.
"Of course, I'm going go check on Spencer," Alison headed up the stairs.
"Alison," Veronica called when the blonde was half way up.
"Can you make sure she knows this isn't her fault, its not either of your faults," Veronica implored.
Alison nodded and disappeared into Spencer's room.
It took a lot of convincing a bit of screaming and crying and Spencer throwing an assortment of coloured pencils at her but eventually Alison held a sobbing Spencer as the brunette worked through the turmoil the last few days had provided.
"I'm so sorry, Spencer," Alison soothed, stroking Spencer's hair softly as the brunette slumped against her side.
"It's not your fault Ali, my dad screwed up this family and he… he should have to leave."
"But still if I never told you then-"
"You did though and now we all have to live with the consequences of our actions."
"You sound just like you're Mom," Alison chuckled. "She loves you very much Spencer you know that right?"
Spencer nodded.
"I love you too," Alison cuddled into Spencer as the brunette started to blubber again.
What they needed was something normal to take Spencer's mind off her family troubles.
The next night, after a jam packed exciting day of community service, the five of them sat in Spencer's living room once again debating what to watch to kick off their night. It was quickly dissolving into a heated discussion with no clear winner. They'd gone through several suggestions already and everyone had used up their one veto. A system Spencer of course had designed when they had had to sit through one movie that Hanna would not stop complaining through. Everyone got one veto and then it came down to majority rules for another suggestion round.
"Oh there's a documentary on the Russian Revolution that I DVRed we could get ahead for classes," Spencer smiled wide and encouraging like she actually believed she could convince them to watch something educational on their summer vacation.
"Spencer, just no," Alison shook her head.
Hanna and Emily giggled as Spencer looked so put out, Aria rubbed a comforting hand along Spencer's arm though even her sympathy was exasperated.
"Rom Com," Hanna yelled.
"Inside voice, Han," Aria scolded gently.
Hanna covered her mouth sheepishly still bouncing already on a sugar high of massive proportions.
Alison rolled her eyes at the predictability but couldn't stop the fond smile from working its way onto her lips.
"We've watched at least twenty rom coms this summer," Spencer argued.
"How about-"
"If its not in colour I'm not interested," Hanna cut Aria off.
Aria sulked crossing her arms, Spencer slung an arm over her shoulder pulling her into a side hug. Aria snuggled into her happily.
"You'll pick my suggestion right, Spence?" Aria asked with a pleading smile.
"Will you pick mine?" Spencer raised an eyebrow.
Aria's hopeful smile fell.
"What about you, Em?" Alison asked.
Her mermaid shrugged.
"Come on, Em, I know you want to watch something," Alison hedged.
"Well I really like the Nightmare Before Christmas," Emily gushed embarrassed.
"Horror?" Alison asked with a shudder.
"No its an animated musical, its about christmas and-"
"You love christmas," Alison smiled, Emily mimicked it with a little nod.
"Ok looks like its all tied up, Alison you're the deciding vote," Spencer deduced.
"Mmm well I love all the suggestions but," Alison paused for drama.
"Twenty bucks she picks Ems," Hanna whispered to Spencer, who tried to cover her snigger.
As usual Hanna's version of a whisper was anything but and Alison narrowed her gaze at the two giggling at her.
"I chose Emily's nightmare thingy," Alison said anyway because there was no point in denying it.
Spencer and Hanna high-fived as Emily got the DVD out of her bag trying to hide her blush. Alison shot Spencer and Hanna a suspicious glare but the other two were too wrapped up in their giggling to pay her any mind. For a moment Alison wondered when they had stopped fearing her.
"Sit with me, Ali," Aria scooted over on the couch to make room.
She decided as she took a seat next to Aria that she didn't really mind. It was nice to be wanted and not feared for once. She settled in next to Aria, Spencer on the other side of the petite brunette, Hanna on one of the arm chairs and Emily settled on the floor resting against the couch closest to Alison.
As the movie started Alison ran a hand through Emily's hair, her mermaid leaned back into the gentle combing.
"Em can I plate your hair?" Alison whispered in the brunette's ear.
Emily jumped a bit at the hot breath on her ear but nodded shyly letting her hair down. The movie played on as Alison worked all the knots out of Emily's hair with her fingers. She'd always loved Emily's luscious dark locks.
Alison drifted in and out of the plot, laughing with the others every now and then but mostly enjoying her hands in Emily's hair and her mermaid's obvious enjoyment of the film.
"There are few who deny at what I do I am the best for my talents are known far and wide," the skeleton man danced across the screen and Alison found herself sitting up a little, Emily winced as Alison pulled her hair accidentally.
"Sorry," Alison soothed with a soft pat and a sheepish smile, Emily nodded and turned back to the movie.
"And I Jack the Pumpkin King have grown so weary of the same old thing."
He sung sadly and Alison found herself watching him intently, her hands falling away from Emily's hair.
"I'll scare you right out of your pants," Hanna and Aria giggled breaking Alison briefly from her connection with the movie's main character.
"But who here would ever understand the pumpkin king with the skeleton grin would tire of his crown if they only knew he'd give it all up if he only could."
The skeleton sung hanging his head and Alison felt her breath quicken, her heart squeezed painfully.
"Oh theres an empty place in my bones that calls out for something unknown, the fame and praise come year after year does nothing for these empty tears."
Alison stood up abruptly.
"Bathroom," she muttered as the others looked at her curiously.
Alison sucked in deep breaths trying to keep her panic from rising, this was so stupid to have such a response to a movie, a kids movie at that. She scoffed at herself but still her hands were shaking. She turned on the sink and splashed some water across her face trying to calm herself.
"Ali?" a tentative knock at the bathroom door startled the blonde.
"Just a minute," Alison responded her voice cracking a fraction. She squeezed her eyes closed hoping whoever was on the other side didn't notice.
"Ali can I come in?"
Shit it was Emily. Alison hastily wiped at her tear streaked face.
The door opened anyway and Emily tentatively stepped in.
"Whats wrong?" She asked immediately.
Alison turned to her.
"Nothing, why would anything be wrong?" Alison shielded her face with her sleeve.
"Ali," Emily reached for her arm pulling it down gently.
The look of pity was hard to stomach and Alison had to look away. Why did Emily have to follow her. She knew why of course because it was Emily, sweet protective Emily.
"I'm fine, Em," Alison gave her a watery smile.
"No you're not, please Ali I want to help."
"You can't I'm just being stupid."
"If it made you sad its not stupid."
Alison sighed deeply.
"I just…the movie got to me," Alison admitted with a self depreciating laugh.
"Why?" Emily asked tilting her head.
"I don't know," Alison shook her head.
"Ali," Emily implored.
"Fine. The pumpkin guy."
"Jack?"
"Yeah, he spends his whole life doing one thing. Terrorizing people but theres something missing and he can't figure out what it is but it hurts. Its like he doesn't want to hurt people but thats all he's ever known, all anyone ever taught him and he wants to change but how? What if thats who he is? The Pumpkin King and nothing else. Thats the only thing he's good at so why can't he just be happy being horrible." Alison wiped at her eyes as a couple of tears ran lose.
"Ali," Emily took her hands holding them tightly. "You're not Jack."
"I am," Alison sniffled. "I'm this untouchable monster and-"
"You're not," Emily assured, catching a stray tear on her fingertip.
"Em you don't understand my whole life I've been putting people down and terrorizing them, playing with their feelings because I'm good at it," Alison tried to make Emily see.
"You are good at it, really good at it. I should know. But you're also really good at making people feel special and loved and I know that too," Emily reasoned wiping at Alison's eyes.
"You're missing your movie," Alison said after a moment.
"See thinking of others," Emily smiled. "And I've seen it a hundred times. Jack isn't even the villain, he's a misunderstood hero, you'll see, just like with Great Expectations Jack gets his happy ending too."
"You promise," Alison asked in a rare bout of insecurity.
Emily smiled pressing a gentle kiss to Alison's lips.
"I promise," Emily whispered as she pulled away.
"Em can we just stay up here for a bit, no funny business just.." Alison didn't know how to ask for this.
"Whatever you want, Ali," Emily agreed.
They climbed into Spencer's bed, on top of the covers and Emily spooned Alison cautiously before the blonde pulled them flush against each other. They didn't fall asleep but Alison felt better playing with Emily's fingers that rested on her stomach, while not better than their kisses it was a different kind of intimacy that Alison relished. They stayed upstairs for the next hour or so and only ventured down when Hanna started yelling that she was hungry.
"So have you ever been with a girl, Ali, you know since you're bi?" Hanna asked around her mouthful of pizza.
Alison was caught off guard by the question and spluttered into her cup.
"No," she gasped much too late as Spencer patted her on the back.
"You so have," Hanna concluded excitedly. "Oh my god."
"What was it like?" Aria joined in curiously.
"It was," Alison eyes fell to Emily who was staring intently at her pizza as she picked at it. "You know what I don't think we should talk about this."
"Come on," Hanna whined. "Did you do it?"
Hanna's eyes sparkled with mirth and excitement but Emily's gaze shot up too. Too late Alison gulped and searched for an answer.
"Oh my god you did. Alison had sex with a girl. Who?" Hanna practically jumped out of her seat.
"Hanna, inside voice," Spencer snapped.
Hanna sunk back in her seat glaring at Spencer.
"Did you, Ali? Have sex with a girl?" Aria asked titling her head as she looked at Alison.
Alison nodded and Emily's face fell, the blonde felt Emily's disappointment but she could hardly tell Emily it was her future self that Alison had been with, the only person she'd ever been with.
"It was one time and no you don't know her," Alison hurried on, finally getting her head straight to formulate some quick lies.
"Is she hot?" Hanna asked coyly.
Alison smiled and locked her gaze with Emily.
"Breathtaking," Alison breathed, Emily stared intently at the table. "But she's gone and she's not coming back. She lives somewhere else. She's older, college and whatever."
"Lets clean up," Spencer suggested sensing Alison wanted a subject change.
Hanna pouted.
"But I wanna hear more about Ali's mysterious older woman," Hanna pouted as Spencer began clearing their mess.
"Han just drop it," Alison snapped helping Spencer stack the dishes. "It was another lifetime ago."
"What should we do now?" Aria asked.
Simultaneously all four girls phones pinged with texts. Alison felt her heart drop and then frantically beat as the girls fished out their phones.
"I've got a game," Spencer read aloud confused.
"And you've got the prize," Hanna continued turning to the others puzzled.
"Bring me your leader," Aria looked to Alison in concern.
"Or follow her to your grave," Emily finished gulping at Ali.
"Its signed A," Spencer showed Alison the text.
Alison re-read the message and couldn't decide if this was a good sign that she was rattling A enough to be threatening the others or if it was a sign she had awoken something much more sinister than Mona.
"Its a scare tactic," Spencer dismissed.
"Well its working," Hanna looked around the Hastings' kitchen nervously.
"We're not giving Alison to anyone," Emily argued.
"No one's suggesting that, Em," Aria tried to calm the brunette.
Alison placed a hand on Emily's shoulder they were obviously being watched and if this A got any clues as to how vulnerable Emily could be, well Alison couldn't let her mind wander to what could happen to her Em.
"I'm going to check the locks," Spencer muttered.
"I'm coming with you," Aria yelped grabbing a canister of pepper spray from her purse. At least they were learning.
"Be safe and scream if you need us," Alison instructed.
"Ali are you ok?" Emily asked.
Alison nodded but her thoughts were else where.
Instead Alison was filled with dread, she'd been avoiding this mission for much too long and the texts just confirmed she was going to have to bite the bullet and bitch up. She needed to talk to Mona.