Hey everyone! I'm really sorry it's been a while, but this chapter is super long that's why! So enjoy :) I hope you all like it (be nice if you didn't though – I'm all for constructive criticism)
Enjoy!
Chapter Fourteen
Emily had lost all sense of time and date, she didn't even know what day it was half the time. Not because she was drunk but because she felt so emotionally lost.
With Alison gone it was hard to identify the difference between reality and fantasy, because really, Alison was a combination of the two.
She merely went off the last time she remember something to do with Alison that happened, it was four months and five days since she had gone, it had been five days since Derek had shown up at her door step giving her the Non Disclosure Agreement, five days since she had looked at it, five days since extended interaction with someone who was close to Alison.
That was how she was functioning now.
She had managed to keep up appearances in public; no one seemed to know that she was struggling with her loss of Alison. Even after four months, the occasional stares a work still happened when she left or entered a room, people couldn't seem to get over it. Or maybe they still couldn't believe it. Perhaps it was the sudden break up, suddenly they were together and then suddenly they weren't.
"What are you doing this weekend?" Hanna asked as they walked out of the elevator together, heading for their own cars.
"I guess just spring clean." She murmured her voice lifeless and dull.
"It's winter." Hanna raised an eyebrow, knowing Emily was lying.
"It's an expression."
"Spencer is coming up for a visit." She tried again, knowing that some social interaction for Emily was probably all she needed.
"That'll be good, is Aria?"
"No she's stuck in Phillie."
They had made it to their cars that were parked together, leaning against the cold metal Emily watched Hanna try to delicately dance around a question.
"She wants us to come out to dinner tonight."
"I'll be there." She didn't hesitate in answering, it wasn't as though she would block herself from her friends, and it was just becoming difficult to be so happy when really she didn't feel much at all. Instead she decided if she couldn't go out for herself she could go out for her friends. "Pick me up?"
"Yeah!" Hanna's face lifted instantly at her enthusiasm. "Seven?"
"Sounds good, see you then."
By the time she arrived home in the rush hour traffic it left Emily just over an hour to get ready and suddenly all the clothes she wanted to wear she felt she couldn't, considering for the last week the only thing she had worn was Alison's jacket. It still smelt of her, but Emily knew it was time she washed it, time to let go but she couldn't. It was as if washing it would make it disappear completely, however when she picked up the item that reminded her so greatly of Alison and walked over to her washing machine, it didn't seem as difficult to put it in a shut the lid. Turning the machine on to actually clean it however was another story.
Turning away without switching the machine on she decided to do it later and instead get changed and ready for dinner.
Soon enough the sound of Hanna's horn came from the street and Emily was locking up her apartment and rushing down the stairs.
Dinner went well considering there was still the occasional stare from random people but somehow she was becoming used to it.
Spencer was surprised to see Emily had actually come out but decided not to linger on the fact since it would probably only make her feel bad.
They shared a few laughs and drank a few glasses of wine, and it felt like forever since Emily had actually laughed and smiled because she wanted too.
Every so often she thought someone was watching her but she wasn't sure if she was imagining things or not, it was probably just the paranoia of being out and about.
"Emily?" She heard from behind her, the voice was quickly recognised, causing her to turn around quicker than what was probably socially acceptable.
"Paige." She stated, knowing that Hanna and Spencer wouldn't be happy with her appearance.
"How are you?"
"Good, what are you doing back from college?" Emily could feel Hanna shift next to her, and Spencer across the table shift as well. Both ready for anything Paige might decide to pull and she was aware of that. However she seemed to be acting completely normal.
"Just came to see my parents for the weekend. We actually just got here to have dinner, would you like to say hi?"
"We were actually just leaving." Hanna interjected while standing and throwing some money from her wallet onto the table; Spencer quickly copied and stood by Hanna who had a standoffish expression matched with crossed arms.
"Perhaps another time then." Paige said innocently while shrugging her shoulders. Standing, Emily gave her a smile; it was a bad attempt but an attempt none the less. She tried walking away when Paige moved in her direction but then quickly moving away when Spencer and Hanna joined Emily at her sides.
"Perhaps." She murmured before placing her own cash on the table and turning to leave. Hanna and Spencer paused momentarily to give Paige a warning expression before then joining Emily in exiting.
"How are dare she show up and pretend everything's okay." Hanna blurted out the moment they were outside and out of sight of all the bystanders who had been watching curiously in the restaurant.
"It's fine, Han." Emily mused as they made their way to the cars.
"You can really pick them, Em." Spencer sighed in frustration, although she regretted her words the moment they left her mouth but before she could apologise Hanna's phone buzzing broke them from focus.
"Oh goodness, Caleb is trying to cook food and he's burnt something, I've got to go home before he burns it down. Can you give Em a lift home Spence?"
Spencer gave a quick nod before Hanna got in her car and sped away, obviously Caleb was not meant to be a chef.
"Sorry." Spencer apologised quickly when she knew how insensitive her words were.
"It's okay."
They drove in silence and when Spencer pulled up in front of Emily's apartment she was half expecting the brunette to just get out without a word but when she didn't move at all she found that odd too.
"I need your help with something." It had been on her mind all night, and it was only now she finally had the courage to bring it up, perhaps it was Paige's appearance at dinner, she didn't know but she knew it had to be dealt with.
"What's wrong?"
"I need you to look at a Non Disclosure Agreement for me." There was a thick silence that lingered in the air as Spencer processed the brunette's words.
"Are you still seeing her?" She was looking directly ahead but it was clear even from Emily's angle that she was displeased with the idea.
"No, I haven't spoken to her since... anyway will you please come and look at it?"
"Why would you be signing it if you aren't seeing her anymore?"
"Are you coming up to look or not? Cause if you don't I'm just going to sign it without reading anything so I can be done with it."
Spencer unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the car, smiling Emily followed before making her way up the stairs to her apartment, still having the unearthly feeling that she was being watched.
Unlocking the door she suddenly felt the need to check every room in the apartment before decided against it and showing Spencer to the lounge.
Sitting she pushed the yellow envelope that had been sitting in the same spot for almost a week over to Spencer who was sitting opposite her in the recliner chair.
"It's addressed to you; don't you want to read it with me?"
"I can't, not again." She looked over at a bottle of vodka that she had been savouring for about just under a week; though it was almost empty she considered this a triumph. Spencer looked over at the bottle as well, creasing her eyebrows before quickly looking away when Emily turned back to her.
Opening the envelope she pulled out a neatly bounded series of papers stacked in an obsessively neat order, the way she liked it, however it was obvious it had already been read at least once.
It took her half an hour to fully read it, there were lots of rules and regulations, and if Emily didn't follow even one the consequence could be extreme, too extreme for her personal liking.
"What do you think?" Emily questioned when Spencer put the envelope back on the coffee table.
"I think she's going through a lot of trouble to keep people quiet."
"She didn't bring this to me, her manager did. I'm pretty sure he's kept it from her."
"I don't see why it's so important, how much could you know about her that is so threatening to her career?" Spencer seemed unconvinced that there wasn't anything else to the story, there was no way Alison's manager would be insisting on a Non Disclosure Agreement if there wasn't something to hide.
"Enough." Emily mumbled
"Why is she so persistent on keeping everyone around her quiet?"
"I can't tell you Spence, you know I can't." She was struggling with some much stuck inside her head, the only way she knew how to cope was to drink but she knew Spencer wouldn't allow that to happen while she was around.
"You haven't signed anything yet."
"And you know that would be so wrong if I told you."
Spencer remained silent, proving Emily's point. They sat in silence while she contemplated what would be the most appropriate option, it wasn't as though it was an unreasonable Non Disclosure Agreement, it was more why it was being pushed so much.
"Well, it seems fine. It's up to you whether it needs changing. If you don't think it needs changing then okay, sign and be done with it. If you're not ready, don't sign."
"Ready?" She questioned honestly.
"From what I've read, it basically is stating that there will be no future contact between you and Alison. Here read paragraph four, appendix seven." She flicked to the page and slid the paper across the surface of the table; it stopped just before falling off the edge but Emily merely looked at it, as if it were accusing her of a disastrous crime.
Slowly picking it up she noticed Spencer was watching her every move and suddenly she felt pressured. However ignoring the brunette's stares she let her eyes focus on the paper that was left open.
Appendix Seven:
Clause 1; the receiving party will no longer participate in any further interaction, be physical or viral, with the disclosing party.
Clause 2; once signed, any communicating from the receiving party will be denied.
Clause 3; in accordance with state regulation the disclosing party can change this at any time, to the parties advantage but at no time can it be changed for the receiving party.
Clause 4; with the understanding that there will be no further interaction or communication with disclosing party, the receiving party must abide by any changes made by the disclosing party.
It seemed so simple when Emily read it intoxicated, the help of alcohol seemed to make it all innocent and easy but now that she was reading it with a clear head, she knew it wasn't.
"So I can't talk to her, ever again?"
"Unless she changes her mind."
Emily sat for a long time and held the paper tightly, this wasn't what she was expecting but at the same time she didn't expect any less. This was it, this was what Alison wanted.
Standing from the lounge she moved to the kitchen bench where a pen sat innocently, grabbing it she walked back over to her usual spot and sat down. Flipping to the last paper she looked for the designated spot for her signature, pausing she felt tears form in the corner of her eyes however squinting them away when she noticed Spencer wary gaze.
It took her almost thirty seconds to right her signature but when it was done she quickly shoved the papers back in the envelope and looked over at Spencer.
"Thanks for the help."
"Anytime." She managed, suddenly feeling guilt spread through her when she noticed how heartbroken Emily looked. "You don't have to send it straight away, you can think about it."
"I've done all the thinking I need, she isn't coming back."
"You seem so sure." Spencer didn't seem too convince with Emily's sudden decision in signing the papers, she didn't know if she was signing out of spite and hurt or if she actually wanted too. It wasn't something that could be undone once it was done.
"Aren't you? You disliked her the most."
She paused and decided that if Emily really wanted to move on and this was the way she was choosing to do it, she couldn't really stop her.
Yes, she wasn't a fan of Alison but it wasn't because of whom she was, it was how Emily was affected by her presence. She was being hurt by the media, soccer players, and it wasn't as though doctors and the general public were being all that kind to her when they were "together".
"I suppose."
"Do you think I shouldn't send it?" Emily seemed confused by Spencer's on the fence behaviour, usually she was quite confidently on one side and she would stay there, it was odd.
"I think you should think about it, without a drink in your system, it clouds your judgement." Her eyes moved over to the vodka bottle and lingered for sometime before she finally looked back at Emily. It was the first time in a long time that her alcohol problem was spoken of and now it just embarrassed her because it was a symbol of how weak she was.
Sighing she stood and walked into the kitchen taking the bottle with her, putting it in one of the cupboards on the top shelf she turned and sat back down with Spencer.
"I won't drink tonight."
"Thank you, you know all we want for you is to be healthy and happy." Spencer was referring to her Hanna and Aria as well, since many times in the last four months the topic of conversation was Emily and her problems.
"I know, and I'm trying."
"That's all that matters." They shared a small smile. "I'd better go; Hanna will start wondering where I am. I won't tell her about this but I want you to think clearly about it. You may have signed it but she hasn't yet so it's not officially a legally binding contract. You can still rip it up if you change your mind."
Standing she moved to the front door and heard Emily follow, before opening the door they shared a small hug.
"Thanks, Spence."
"What are friends for? Night." She turned down the hallway and disappeared. Closing the door behind her Emily locked both locks out of paranoia and went to her washing machine, for pretty much the whole night she had been thinking about Alison's jacket and the NDA, and now with a clear head so felt it was time to do something she should have done the moment Alison left.
Pulling out the jacket, she held it closely to her chest before walking away from the machine, never once thinking to even turn it on.
Grabbing some paper from a desk by the front door and a pen she sat back down on the lounge and began writing, tears falling down her cheeks with each word she wrote.
"Alison, I've got a delivery here for you." It was Duncan voice that broke Alison from her thoughts, Duncan was one of Mason's new trainees, he was young and very innocent and protecting Alison was probably a big start for someone like him but she found his child-like wonder refreshing so she didn't complain.
"Okay, give me a second." She quickly threw on her dressing gown and walked out from behind her dressing quarters. She had been waiting for her makeup artist, Jackie, to finish with Alyssa's makeup and hair so they could get ready for their day of filming.
When the door had opened she was kind of hoping it was Jackie but Duncan with a delivery was just as good.
"Here." He handed her a yellow envelope and instantly her face dropped, she knew exactly what it was and she could feel her heart rate accelerate out of fear.
"Thank you." She dismissed him before shutting the door and opened the enveloped that had been resealed with sticky tape.
Pulling out the papers in a messy rush a secondary envelope fell to the floor, it was small and white, not what was usually in anything Derek organised but when she saw Emily's writing on the front she automatically knew it was something personal.
It just said her name on the envelope so she figured it was something Derek wasn't allowed to see.
Placing the NDA on her dressing table so picked up the envelope from Emily and opened it slowly.
Dear Alison,
I don't know what I'm going to write exactly, considering I don't even know if you're going to read this. I'm just doing this to keep my head clear so I can figure out whether signing this agreement is the best thing to do or not. I am thankful for everything you did Alison, you helped me more than you know, I know this isn't fair of me to say because you leaving was your choice, I shouldn't make it harder because that's not who I am but... I guess you changed me.
I know you're aware that Derek came to me without instruction from you; I know it was his idea but what I don't know is if this is what you want.
At one stage I thought I did know what you wanted but now I see I was wrong.
This agreement was hard to understand so I got help; Spencer is in law so she knows about the agreement, nothing else.
Just the agreement, and just like you have Derek and Mason I needed someone to help me think this through.
I apologise if that's not okay but I was lost and needed the guidance, I won't get any further help from her after this since I figured I won't be seeing you again.
You changed my life.
And for the brief time we had together, well... it was the best time of my life. I won't forget it.
But since this is strictly a business transaction I won't linger on our relationship.
Enclosed in this envelope is a cheque for my surgery and doctors appointment that you paid for, I know you said you have money to spare but out of respect I cannot accept your gesture, it wouldn't be right.
Please, cash it when you can, Alison.
Also, please stay safe.
I know you've got people to protect you but your thoughts can be your worst enemy and I know you still focus on what happened to Luke and I know people tell you constantly it wasn't your fault. If it's not what you want to hear I won't say it, because there's nothing worse than a broken record playing over and over again.
Do what you think is right but also do what will make you happy.
You still deserve it, even though you think you don't but please, try and forgive yourself for what happened. If not for yourself, than for Luke.
I have decided to go through with this agreement because I feel, somewhere deep in my heart, that you want this. I know this agreement can't be changed unless you want it to but I don't think it will, you seemed pretty convinced when you left that there was nothing between us, you made that crystal clear.
So, I guess I do know what I'm going to write.
So here it is.
Forgive me, I'm keeping your jacket that you left here, I can't seem to let it go just like I can't let go of you, I know that probably seems pathetic to you but I guess... I guess I'm just going to be selfish. I'm sorry.
Thank you for showing me that there is more to life than what I saw before I met you, that I can be happy, that I deserve to be happy, though it will be difficult without you, I know eventually it'll be possible.
Goodbye, Ali. I'll never forget you.
The paper was marked with clear water stains, indicating that Emily had been crying when she had written it, which only made Alison's tears fall that much more.
Sitting down she reread the letter several times, and it was as if Emily's voice was saying it over and over in her head. Goodbye, Ali. I'll never forget you.
Reading Emily's thoughts on paper made her pain seem all the more real, for four months she had been thinking, or allowing herself to believe, that Emily was okay. Though she knew it wasn't, and it was naive to think like that. Considering Emily had meant so much to her, obviously she meant the same to Emily and she was selfish to leave her in such a distort state.
She had spent four months convincing herself that what she did was right, or at least the best for Emily.
She felt tears fall uncontrollably from her eye as she put the letter down and looked at the NDA, flicking to the final page she was somewhat hoping that she would find no sign of Emily's signature, but when she looked at the receiving party signature slot it sat there, waiting for her to acknowledge it, waiting, waiting for her signature to join it on the other side of the page.
A sudden knock at the door broke her from her thoughts; quickly sniffing she wiped her tears and put the papers back in her envelope, folding the letter carefully back together she placed it in her bag and straightened her gown.
"Come in." Her voice cracked but as she adjusted her hair in the mirror Jackie slowly poked her head through the door, making sure she was allowed to enter. "Hi Jackie."
"Miss DiLaurentis." She murmured as she walked in, clearly seeing Alison's tear struck cheeks. "I'm ready when you are."
"I just need to get changed, did you bring the skins?"
"Yeah, I will do your whole body makeup when you're dressed."
It took Alison almost ten minutes to get into her skins, they covered her chest and waist like a bikini while presenting the idea that she was nude, since they were filming a shower scene that day it was going to be long and uncomfortable but she was so concentrated on Emily's letter that nothing else seemed to matter. Putting on her dressing gown again she moved out from behind her changing quarters and sat down in her usual chair in front of the mirror.
"What do you want to do first? Face or body?"
"Whichever is easiest." She was being short and distance; she couldn't get Emily's words out of her head and it was clear to Jackie that she was struggling.
"Stay seated, I'll do your face first."
It took almost half an hour to get the makeup exactly right before Jackie was completely satisfied but when the time came for her to check Alison's body for any marks to cover it she suddenly felt awkward. Not that she should because it was her job.
Alison shrugged out of her dressing gown without even being asked, she had done this before. It was something she was somewhat used to and besides, she was covered so it wasn't as if Jackie could see anything.
At the blonde's confidence she quickly inspected her body front first, touching up how the skin colour underwear sat and then moved to her back, pausing in shock when she saw a large bruise sitting from underneath her shoulder blade moving down her spine.
"Miss DiLaurentis..."
"Jackie, please just call me Alison." Alison mumbled, oblivious to Jackie's horror struck face.
"Alison... what's on your back?" She couldn't bring herself to even point at the blonde's back let alone touch it.
Raising her eyebrows curiously Alison turned her back to the mirror and tried to look at what Jackie could have been talking about.
Sure enough when she twisted her neck slightly to change her view a large, deep purple bruise resided below her shoulder caught her attention, though really it wasn't as though you could miss it, since it cover half her back.
"Don't worry about it, its normal. I get them sometimes."
"It looks painful." The petite girl muttered, feeling bad that Alison was brushing it aside as if it were nothing.
"It's fine, can you cover it up or not?"
"I'd have to keep reapplying makeup because you're doing a scene that involves a lot of water contact."
They both knew the director wouldn't be happy with constant stopping and starting, hence Jackie's discomfort on the option.
"Okay, what else can you do?"
"I could try a tight shirt skin? It'll be noticeable but not on camera."
"Let's do that." Alison sighed in relief and how helpful Jackie as being and as she began searching through what she called "her bag of tricks" Alison was beginning to think it really was when she pulled out a skin coloured shirt.
They were ready efficiently quick and when a crew member knocked on the door to tell Alison they were ready to film and she suddenly felt the need to have someone relax her, normally Emily would have said something funny and witty and in turn cooling her nerves.
But Emily wasn't there and just thinking about her made Alison's heart sink in pain.
"You'll be okay." Jackie said comfortingly before Alison turned to leave the room.
"Okay, here's what's happening..." Derek was at Alison's side as he began the usual process of filling her in with everything she already knew. They would go through the script, who was in the scene and what the director was after, it was like she was warming up before being thrown on the a sporting field. She zoned out and before she knew it she was standing on set ready waiting for Alyssa to join.
"Hey. You alright?" Alyssa broke her from her thoughts; she was tired and suddenly had no energy to even think of doing a scene.
"I'm fine." She smiled casually, noticing that Alyssa had already taken her dressing gown off and her makeup artist was at her side double checking any changes that may have happened in her trip.
"I hate doing these scenes." She said to Alison, ignoring the makeup artist that was poking around her body.
"I'd say you get used to them but you don't." At her side Alison felt Jackie quickly reach for her gown as the director, Gary, started wailing at them to hurry up. Noticing straight away that the blonde was wearing a full chest skin he quickly stood at her side to investigate.
"Any reason you are wearing that?" He almost yelled, his voice unimpressed and clearly rushed.
"I didn't have half skins." She lied innocently.
"This isn't what I asked for."
"It isn't noticeable from the cameras, besides I thought you were in a rush?" His eyebrows rose in an ironic twist before sighing in frustration and moving back to his spot behind the cameras.
"That was risky." Alyssa commented when her makeup artist had finished the final touches to her pitch black hair, it was flowing freely passed her shoulders, perfectly placed until the moment it would be soaked in the fake shower the crew had made for the set. Scene's like these were always long and frustrating because it was a lot of stopping and starting for the most minor details.
"What's he gonna do?" She felt a small cough gather in the back of her throat, stopping her midsentence before she could continue. "Fire me?"
"Good point." Alyssa chuckled.
"Alright girls! Come on, let's get started." Someone called from behind the cameras. Moments later they were going through the scene, the writer of the script had explained to them what they wanted and how it would be done and before they knew it Alison was standing in a fake shower while Gary yelled 'action'.
Just like she was told she moved her hand delicately to the faucet, turning it on she let the pre-warmed water flush over her, forgetting that the cameras were watching her every move she was ready for Alyssa's entrance.
"Alright Alyssa, enter." Gary called, not worried about his voice being in the film because it would be changed in editing later. Like all films, it was done this way, in fact every five seconds someone was yelling out a command if there wasn't any dialogue.
She felt a pair of hands move to her waist, it was what she was expecting but she didn't like the feeling, however forcing herself to fake a sigh of relief due to the contact she felt Alyssa's hands move from her waist to her neck, moving the wet hair that had fallen in her path.
Uncontrollably she felt her chest constrict and let out a large cough, causing not only her actions to stop but also Alyssa's.
"Cut!" Gary called and the water flow stopped; he was clearly unimpressed with the fact that filming had to be stopped.
"We didn't need to stop, Gary." Alyssa began, quick to defend Alison who was rubbing her temples in an attempt to repress the headache that was forming. "A cough is easily cut out."
"Okay, roll it from where you enter." They began to set the cameras back to the starter position, giving Alyssa enough time to question Alison.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm just tired, the sooner this is done the better." It wasn't as though she was lying, she was tired but it wasn't really what was bothering her. It was the combination of how sick she was feeling and how much she was missing Emily, no matter how hard she tried she could still see Emily's tears on the letter and it was breaking her heart.
"Action!"
The scene repeated and Alison had managed to make it through without a problem, not physically anyway. She felt like she was betraying Emily just by having Alyssa touch her but really she had already betrayed the brunette when she left her.
"Okay, that was good. Go for another take, change cameras."
As the camera's changed the positions the makeup artists did a quick check of everyone's makeup and hair, considering it was wet they had to make sure it was position the same as it was when it was filmed.
Minute's passed and suddenly Alyssa's hands were on Alison's waist again, she seemed to be losing concept of time and even her vision was beginning to take its toll from her exhausted state.
As Alyssa turned Alison around in the shower and pressed her against the wall she felt lips collide with her neck.
Tired and disorientated she felt her legs give way, only to subconsciously catch herself with the help of Alyssa who wiped the wet hair away from her face as she forced her eyes to focus on reality.
"Alison?" Alyssa's voice came from a distance. "Get Mason." She commanded to Jackie who had somehow been at her side quicker than anybody else in the crew.
Shortly however Gary and Mason were at Alison's side with a towel, wrapping her up they helped her to the closest chair and sat her down.
"Alison?" Mason tried and this time she managed to focus.
"I'm okay." She murmured, though it was a clear lie Gary seemed convinced and almost demanded her back on the set.
"Something's wrong." Mason interrupted, placing his hand underneath her chin and twisting it gently from side to side. "Her eyes are dilated. She needs a doctor, now."
"Come on Ali, can you stand up?" Jackie's voice seemed cool and calm, just like Mason's and Alison was sure she would be panicking if she wasn't so tired and sore. Her back was aching and her chest was heavy like there wasn't enough air getting to her system, and yet, she wasn't panicking as her thought's consisted of Emily and how much she missed her.
"I don't want to force her." Mason quickly wrapped his arms around Alison's back and picked her up, causing pain to shoot through her body but she tried her hardest to repress the cries of pain.
Quickly Mason weavved in and out of the crew that had circled in to watch what was going on, somewhere in the distance Gary was getting angry while Alyssa tried to calm him down.
As time passed silence filled Alison's ears and she felt a bed against her back.
Looking around she noticed the environment as her bedroom but she didn't remember how she got there.
"Alison?" She heard voices call but her vision was still blurry, it was like the world was constantly spinning and no matter how hard she focused on one place it would still move uncontrollably.
"How did I get home?" She asked, trying to make sense of what was happening to her.
"I drove you." Mason was at her side, feeling her temperature. "Jackie, I need you to call this doctor and tell her we need to see her right away."
As Alison forced herself to look for Jackie in the room she also noticed the two exchange some clothing.
"Mason, maybe I should dress her? Why don't you call the doctor? You're much harder to say no to than I am." She offered kindly.
"Good idea." Mason quickly handed her back the clothing before departing the room.
"Alison? Are you alright?" She asked softly.
"What's going on?" Alison mumbled incoherently, her chest still heavy with the need to cough but her lungs didn't have to strength to muster one up.
"We're going to find out for you, is it alright if I dress you?"
She nodded before making herself lift up, only to have to world spinning again. She was surprisingly dressed quickly, even before Mason had managed to get back from making his call. Lying down she felt her body crawl up into a ball as if the motion would stop the disorientating feeling but it only caused a small but painfully needed cough to fall from her chest.
"Alison, please, what's on your back? Did someone hit you?" Jackie asked as she disregarded off the still wet skins and the towel at the other end of the room.
"No, I just get it sometimes." Alison wanted to say she got it quite frequently ever since her accident but Jackie knew nothing of what had happened.
Moments later Mason was in the room again and he was rubbing his head, both girls were curiously as to why until Derek filed in after him.
"She will be here soon."
"What's wrong then?" Jackie questioned, standing up from the bed by Alison's side while moving to Mason.
"The news spread quickly from the studio to the media. They are already aware Alison isn't well." Derek seemed more frustrated about the media attention then Alison's wellbeing which didn't sit well with Mason at all.
"Right now, her health is my priority. If you are going to be frustrating I'll kick you out myself."
Alison would have snickered if she wasn't in the state she was, Mason taking control over Derek was not something she'd ever thought she'd see, mainly because her body guard was always very quiet and reserved, but ever since he met Emily he had come out of his shell.
They paced around the room for what felt like an eternity, every so often Mason would have to make sure Alison didn't lose consciousness because he didn't know if it was the safest option, it was difficult to stay awake however when her eyelids felt like a tonne each.
After patiently waiting Mason left when he received a message, only to return moments later with the doctor, Alison knew her as Cece her old childhood friend but everyone else called her Charlotte. It was weird to see Cece dressed so professionally, but it was nice to have someone so close be the one she could go to in time of need.
She was smart, witty and very confident.
She hadn't seen much of Cece the moment she left for college however because becoming a doctor was a full time education.
"What's going on, Ali?" She was at Alison's side within seconds; the small brief case she had with her was on the ground and opened as she reached for her stethoscope.
"I'm just dizzy, I'm okay Cece."
"You're such a terrible liar, that's odd considering you used to be quite the opposite." She laughed before unbutton Alison's shirt and placing the cold stethoscope against her chest and listened to her heart beat.
"Tell me, what happened?"
"They were filming a shower scene and she coughed. We have wasted a full day of shooting now." Derek commented before anyone else could answer.
"Okay, out you go." Mason gently pulled on Derek's suit before escorting him out of the room.
"So what happened?" Cece repeated as if nothing had happened. She moved across Alison's chest and stomach, listening hard for anything out of the ordinary.
"I don't really remember. I'm losing a lot of time. I remember falling a little in the shower, while we were filming because my legs gave out and then the next thing I know I'm wrapped in a towel and I'm here."
"Okay, are you dizzy now?" She moved the stethoscope around Alison's side, sitting just behind her ribs, causing a small amount of pain to formulate from her bruise.
"Yes." Wincing subconsciously she tried to take deep breathes to suppress the pain.
"What's wrong with your back?" Cece picked up straight away that there was a problem and as Alison went to speak the sassy blonde interrupted her. "And don't say 'nothing' because I'll smack you silly if you do."
Jackie had been quiet the whole time as she watched Cece and Alison talk; they obviously seemed close because there was no way a doctor would talk to their patient like that. She even raised an eyebrow before Mason quickly returned into the room, free of Derek.
"Turn over." Cece commanded when Alison didn't answer. Doing as she was told Alison somehow managed to turn her body around and she felt Cece's hands investigate underneath her shirt only to stop and when she saw the large bruise.
"Alison, what is that?" Mason questioned quickly, his body guarding duties taking control when he saw what lay so largely on Alison's back.
"When did this happen, Ali?" Cece ignored Mason, knowing that his panicked behaviour was not going to help the situation.
"I just get it sometimes, it's nothing."
"That is not nothing." Mason interrupted and Cece turned to him with raised eyebrows.
"Can you go get me a drink? I need to check the rest of her body anyway; I would appreciate some privacy for a few moments." Cece was sweet and yet so demanding at the same time, there was no way Mason was going to disagree with her, so he turned and left the room while Jackie followed, feeling like it was no longer her place to be hovering.
"When did you get this?" Cece's sweet tone was long gone when Mason and Jackie left, she was now a concerned friend and doctor who was getting the information she needed to help Alison.
"This one I don't know, I just get bruises like that sometimes."
"Alison, this is serious. Are there anymore?" She lifted the shift completely up Alison's back while inspecting the bruise.
"I'm not sure."
"Okay, well I need you to get a few tests done..."
Cece and Alison spent over ten minutes talking but not once did she leave Alison's side, even when she got the emergency blood tests done in such a hurry and for the rest of the day and a good percentage of the evening Alison was in and out of private doctors offices and even had x-rays and MRI scans.
By the time she had returned home, Mason and Cece looked just as tired as she was because they had to help her walk around.
Lying in her bed she felt Cece's warm hands on her forehead, obviously checking her temperature.
"You should tell Emily." Mason said, his voice strong and almost demanding however he was almost regretting it the moment Alison looked at him. Her dizziness had died down after some medication a doctor had prescribed her had taken its effects.
"I can't. Eric is still out there." She felt hopeless, an emotion she wasn't used to.
"She deserves to know and she deserves to find out from you. Not the media and you know they'll find out more eventually." She processed his words before looking over at Cece who had been surprisingly quiet for most of the night.
"I can't, and don't you tell her either, I know you're thinking it." Mason remained quiet as he contemplated disobeying orders for the first time ever. "I'm warning you, Daniel. Don't do it."
It was the first time Alison had ever used his first name, indicated that she was serious. He bowed his head in respect, letting the topic go as he knew it wasn't his place to challenge what she said.
"Thank you." She cooled down before looking over to Cece. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I'm just thinking."
"About?" She pushed as it was clear there was something causing a deep and worried look to shadow Cece's expression.
"It's nothing to worry about, Ali. You need sleep, okay? I'll stay in the guest room and if you need me I won't be far." As Cece tucked the sheet's around Alison Mason said his goodnights and disappeared, like he always did when it was the end of the day.
Emily had been spending most of her time in her apartment and with everything one could do in such a small living space was done she had suddenly the need to do more.
She had cleaned everything, from top to bottom and her apartment had never been so clean. She was filling in time and time seemed to go slowly, no matter what she did.
When she felt she had run out of things to do she moved over to the mini washing line that held some of her clean clothes and hanging on the outer line was Alison's black jacket.
When she had sent the NDA back along with her letter she had gathered up the courage to finally wash it, and with it, the scent of Alison. Though it still hurt she would always have the actual jacket and it would always be something special to remember her by, even if she could never see her again.
Picking it up being thankful that it was dry she put it on, deciding that something warm and comforting was all she needed, instead of the bottles of alcohol that sat around the kitchen.
The sudden buzzing of her phone broke her away from the thoughts that lingered in her head.
"Hey Spence." She greeted when she looked at the caller ID.
"Hey, just getting an update on the NDA."
"I sent it." She answered and there was a long silence in return. "She's not coming back."
"Em... maybe you should look at the News-" But before Spencer could finish her sentence a loud thud came from the door that even she could hear from the phone.
"Hold on." Emily whispered nervously before taking a small step towards the door. Making herself check the peep hole she relaxed instantly when she saw the person on the other side. "Spence, I gotta go. I'll call you later."
She hung up the phone before Spencer could finish talking and unlocked both locks to the door, swinging it open she almost kicked the person on the other side.
"You scared the crap out of me, Mason." Emily exclaimed, calming herself still from the loud knocking on her door.
"Sorry." His voice was hoarse and tired, his expression was unsettlingly negative and it wasn't what she was expecting from his visit.
"What's wrong?" She picked up on the atmosphere instantly, quickly understanding that his visit was not a positive one.
"It's Alison..." He started, but when he looked in Emily's eyes he couldn't seem to finish so he bowed his head.
"What about her? Is she okay? What happened?" Suddenly every bad possible scenario bolted dangerously through Emily's mind and quickly all bitterness to the blonde's leaving was forgotten. Mason took a deep breath and looked at Emily again, finally managing to give her the answer she was after.
"She's in trouble. She needs you."
Okay, so I know a few people were unhappy about the sudden break up but this story has always been a fairly fast paced story, I do apologise if you didn't like it but I felt it was important to the story, for those who left comments thank you, I am always thankful for any reviews of course but I'm sorry to the people who thought it was rushed. I promise there's always a reason.
Now, I'm using Cece as a character because I really like her, regardless of her outcome in the final. I believe she and Alison work well together, this is why I used her.
I hope you guys liked this chapter, I really enjoyed writing it. You will find out what's wrong with Alison next chapter (promise) and for a long while I have been planning this so I have been trying to make it work in a "not rushed" manner.
Please let me know what you think (positive or negative) I like the feedback – but do be nice :P
Thanks as always guys! You are all so wonderful and it's a pleasure writing for you :)
Oh and ElsaFowl – you are amazing! Truly, truly amazing!
-Aemstar