Author's Note: Back again, hope you enjoy. A lot of chapters may be lengthy but others may feel shorter. Remember I do this for free, please be kind to others and the world around you.

Five Years Ago.

"Explain it to me again." The officer told her, scrutinizing–like he didn't believe her.

She stared at him, unamused, and suddenly–so suddenly, she wished she'd still had Spencer on her side. She wished she was a little more like Spencer.

She wouldn't even be in this interrogation room, defending herself to a cop, who clearly didn't believe her. Who couldn't see the bags under her eyes, or the way she flinched at every loud sound. He didn't care.

Part of her wondered if, for a brief moment, he had ever been friends, with him.

"Why?" She gritted out, "You clearly won't listen."

He shifted himself, leaning forward, and tilted his head. The look he gave her, was an imploring one. As if he was trying to convince her he was trustworthy.

The problem with Alison, however, was that she didn't trust anyone. Least of all police.

"A police officer was shot," he told her factually, "the father of two girls," Alison inhaled sharply because that…that was not it, "-and you shot him. We're just trying to piece together-"

"Fine." She told him sharply, "I'll fucking tell you, again. My story won't change." And it wouldn't.

It never would.

There was too much at stake for it to change.

–

She'd been sitting outside the house for a while. Phone clutched in her hand, sobs wracking her body as she clutched the phone in her hand.

She'd…tried to tell Emily she was sorry because it was likely the last time she'd ever be able to. Emily's number was something she'd known by heart. The call, however, hadn't gone that way. Emily barely let her say a word before releasing pent-up drunken rage on her, and Alison took it. She deserved it.

It wasn't like Emily was wrong either.

"You destroyed me, Alison! I won't- need to move on from you. I need to get my peace back because all you did was take that from me, and destroy it."

"Sorry-"

"Save it!" Emily hung up.

Alison let the guilt and the regret overtake her. She sat in her car sobbing, not just for what she'd done to Emily, but what she'd done to the rest of the girls. They all deserved so much better than what she'd ever given them. It hurt her, because she only understood now, that they'd said their forever goodbyes, she truly cared for them. Loved them.

A light flickering in the house pulled her attention back, and she stared. Watching as the masculine figure ripped his shirt off and yelled, passing the window. He looked just like a shadow, and it felt exactly like how Alison saw him in her life. An overwhelming shadow of her trauma she couldn't get rid of.

But tonight–tonight she would. He would be history, and she would suffer the consequences later. For the first time in her life, she wouldn't fight it either. She needed it.

Alison clenched her jaw, angrily wiping her tears away, and reached over, into the seat next to her. The knife was small, compact, a swiss knife she'd stolen from her father. Her bare hand clutched the handle. She planned to be caught after the fact, she'd wait next to the body, and confess her crime as well as his, regardless of whether people believed her or not.

She threw her door open, closed it, and approached the front door. Everything was planned. She wasn't going to be stealthy. He was drunk, likely, anyway.

Darren Wilden would be dead by the morning. He would pay for ruining her life, for ruining her. For putting his hands on her, for being inside her, before she could truly understand what was happening. Before all, she could dream about were the nightmares involving him, and help send her down the path that ruined the lives of those around her.

For taking what wasn't his to take. For grooming her.

"You fucking little bitch!" Darren screamed, as she approached, making her pause with her hand on the knob, "I'm going to fucking hurt you! I'm going to kill the little sack of-"

"No, daddy! You can't!" A smaller voice yelled in reply.

Alison froze in fear, her eyes widening.

Children, he has children? He's going to-

The sound of a loud, heavy slap resounded and a girl screamed. A baby began to wail out of fear and Alison's body reacted before she could think about it as she shoved the knife into her pocket.

She opened the door, surprised to find it unlocked, and threw herself inward, towards where Darren was hovering over a little girl, who had a smaller body pressed to her chest. She threw herself onto his back, hands wrapping around his neck and he threw himself back, in a panic, standing up and trying to reach her.

He spun around, backing himself into the closest wall as hard as he could to knock her off. Unprepared, it worked on Alison. She let go but knew she had to think fast. She picked up the closest lamp, and held it like a bat, swinging it towards him. It hit the side of his head, but not with enough force to knock him unconscious.

Alison took the moment, to push herself forward and dart for the little girl holding her baby sister. The girl looked terrified for a moment, trying to shield her sister, and if she'd had time Alison would have done everything in her power to make the girl trust her–but there was no time. Instead, she pulled the girl up by her arm and sprinted towards the bathroom. Just as she got there, and locked the door, Darren was racing down the hall.

Alison hurried the girl into the bathtub and took a step back, letting the girl breathe for a moment.

"Hey," Alison spoke softly, bending down to grab the girl's attention, "are you okay?" She asked gently.

"Are you going to hurt us too?" The girl asked quietly.

Alison frowned, peering into the terrified blue eyes of the girl looking back at her. They both winced as Darren began beating on the door, yelling profanities. Things that made the baby cry harder, and the girl crouch down in fear. Holding her sister to her chest.

Alison knew at that moment–her plans had changed. Drastically.

This was no longer about revenge. Her heart attached itself to the girl and her sister, the two so terrified–revenge, her solace in the fact he'd be gone no longer mattered.

This was about saving the girls, now. She had to.

She was determined to be the first person to put them first, to genuinely care.

"No," she told the girl, surely, "I'm going to help you."

The girl didn't seem to register her words at first, but then slowly she looked up, and she looked so hopeful.

I'm going to get you both out of here, even if it's the last fucking thing I do.

Alison laughed as Olivia clung to Aria's back. Aria bounced up and down, pretending to be a horse, and Olivia giggled gleefully, kicking her feet into Aria's sides to make her walk faster. It was always a joy to her, to watch her youngest laugh and feel carefree with her friends.

That still felt so odd to say. Friends. Friends, she didn't manipulate anymore.

Both of her daughters were her biggest sources of light. The moment she'd gotten to go home with them, they were hers. It was one of the first times she felt like she had part of a home.

Olivia was a friendly little girl, and she adored Aria much more than she did Paige. Not that she could blame Olivia. Paige was a little gruffer, though well-meaning around her, but Aria just…understood her. Aria was a child person, she adored children, as much as Emily had, and gravitated towards smaller children.

She remembered the first time Aria met Olivia. Aria had been surprised at all, she had children. More than that, she'd expected any child of Alison's to be a nightmare. For Alison to be a terrible parent.

The moment Olivia saw Aria, with a fading red streak in her hair, she'd unceremoniously crawled into Aria's lap and played with the strand of hair. Begging to know how she'd got it, and rattle off a million questions before Aria could answer a single one of them. Alison had gently reminded her to ask for permission before she crawled into people's laps, as she picked her up and sat her back on the ground.

"Oh- sorry, mommy is right. Can I touch your hair, please?" Though, she'd been too young to pronounce her R's correctly.

Alison had smiled so softly and kissed the top of her head as she sat down, and she watched as Olivia stared up at her with big blue imploring eyes, and Aria fell in love with her toddler in about two seconds. Alison was still certain, if she let her, Aria would steal both of her children and never give them back.

"Swim?!" Olivia asked excitedly, pressing her feet into Aria's sides, making her wince, as they came closer to the doors of the building that housed the gym and pool. Olivia turned to Alison and bounced, making Aria grunt, "Sissy?!"

Alison couldn't help but chuckle, "Yes, Liv, Sissy. Please be careful, you're hurting Aria."

Olivia gasped, fixing her position on Aria's back, and pouted, "I'm sorry Airie, I didn't meant to."

Alison pressed her lips together to keep herself from laughing as Aria beamed at the nickname. It was so cute to see how easily Olivia wrapped people around her finger, by just being herself.

"It's okay. I still love you," Aria joked.

Olivia smiled and squeezed her neck gently, "I love you too, Airie!"

Aria and Olivia went back and forth as they neared the building. Alison gently rolled her eyes at both of them and let them. Aria wasn't determined to win, but she was more or less seeing how many times she could get Olivia to say it before she declared she was the winner of 'i love you'. Alison knew Aria would let her win.

The atmosphere changed the moment they opened the doors to the gym and stepped inside, they could hear yelling, bouncing off of the walls as they made their way to the doors that led to the pool area. Olivia went silent, hiding her face in Aria's neck, and Aria paused looking at Alison confused as they approached slowly.

Alison peered into the window, holding out a hand for Aria to stop. Her heart dropped as soon as she saw Hadley pull Elaine back into the room. Elaine held her neck and sobbed into Hadley's arms as the door across the room closed. The team surrounded them and the door, uncertain of what to do.

Alison threw open the door, and a few kids turned to look at her. Alison opened her mouth to question them when she heard an all too familiar voice yell, "get the fuck off of me!"

She shot across the room, adrenaline and fear pumping in her veins, pushing through the kids and throwing the door open. She could hear a few girls behind her yell, but Alison's focus was entirely glued in front of her.

Ben sat on Emily's hips, his hands pinning Emily's down as he leaned down and spat angrily on her.

Alison lost it at the sight, she rushed forward, slipping her arm around his neck and ripping him backward with an unusual amount of strength. He flew backward, hitting the ground with a grunt, as Emily pushed herself onto her elbows and began scooting herself backward as far as possible. Glaring at him.

Alison looked at her, gritting her teeth as she saw how red Emily's wrists were and turned back to Ben as he sat up and glared at her. She moved, placing herself in front of Emily, taking his attention away from Emily.

"I have half a mind to-" He began.

"Shut up," she snapped, taking a step towards him, he blinked in surprise at the vehement tone, "I have half a mind to send you to predators-r-us in hell, right now, so the fucking devil can deal with you."

He rolled his eyes, pushed himself onto his feet, and continued glaring at her. He didn't understand how serious she was being.

"This doesn't concern you," he huffed.

She laughed, "Oh…it doesn't? You came after my students, my daughter, and now Emily–and you expect me to not shove myself between you and them–her?" she gestured behind her, towards Emily, "I knew you weren't smart, I just didn't know you were this much of a dumbass-"

"Don't push me, Ali," he growled, stepping into her space, raising his fist. He was unhinged, and she knew it, but she wasn't going to let him get away with any of this, Aria was likely calling the police right now. "I have no problem giving you what you fucking deserve, you and your daughter. Emily, especially. She shouldn't have shoved herself into my business, but I guess that's what whores who want me, do-"

Alison had enough. The demeaning way he talked about the girls he had traumatized. Especially her daughter and Emily. He was the kind of man who thought he was owed a woman and a girl's body. That they all want him.

"If you say another word about-"

"Emily?" He taunted, shoving himself into her face, "she's a whore, who still wants me. Just like your daughter, Elaine-"

She threw herself at him, shoving him against a wall. He bounced against it painfully, and just barely managed to duck as she tried to throw a punch. Her hand connected with the wall painfully, forcing her to step back and clutch the hand.

"Alison!" Emily called out.

Alison looked up too late. Ben threw himself at her, knocking her to the ground, and crawled on top of her. His hands gripped her neck, and she found herself surprised by the strength. She brought her hands up to try and claw his hands away, but he lifted her neck off the ground and bounced her head against the tiled floor twice, leaving her dazed.

Emily rushed forward, throwing herself at Ben. He was knocked off of Alison, as Emily crawled on top of him and tried to bring her hands up to hit him. He was faster and grabbed both wrists before bringing one of his feet up between them and shoved her off of him. Emily landed on her back and stared as he quickly pushed himself up to his feet.

"I'm going to break your fucking ankles," he promised, angrily.

He brought one of his feet up into the air and slammed it downward. His foot connected with the solid tile, eliciting a pained gasp. He looked up and found Alison on her feet, having dragged Emily at the last second a couple of feet away. Emily gasped, and Alison placed herself in front of Emily again.

Ben approached and clenched his fists. Alison shook her head.

"Ben-"

"I'm so tired of bitches like you!" He screamed and shot forward reaching for her.

Alison stumbled back, over Emily's feet and fell to the ground in surprise. Emily tried to reach for her first, out of both concern and fear.

Before Ben could reach them, though, he fell to his knees. Both Emily and Alison blinked in shock, as behind him stood Aria. She wore an angry expression. She looked pissed, and Alison was suddenly so thankful for her existence.

Ben tried to turn around and look with a grunt, before he could, Aria spun her body, bringing one of her feet up to connect with the side of his head. His head met the wall with a solid thunk, and he fell forward unconscious. Aria let her leg fall back to the ground and rushed around him to her two friends.

Alison blinked a few times, and Emily let herself fall back to the ground with a relieved breath as Aria knelt beside them.

"Are you two okay?" Aria asked with a frown.

Emily threw her a thumbs up and looked towards Alison.

Alison opened her mouth to reply but felt a warm hand touch the back of her head. She winced in pain and turned, frowning at the brunette who looked from her hand to Alison, concerned.

"Ali, you're bleeding," Emily told her and sat up.

Aria looked at her in shock as Emily moved a hand to grab her arm gently. Alison looked at her with a frown before looking back at Aria. She didn't mean to ignore Emily, but she had to know-

"Is Elaine okay?" Alison asked urgently.

"Hadley has her in the locker room…" Aria admittedly softly.

"I have to go-"

"Hey," Emily spoke firmly, grasping her attention, "you're bleeding…you could have a concussion."

Alison licked her lips and sighed, "That doesn't matter right no-"

"Ali," Emily cut her off, scowling, "this could be serious-"

Alison sighed, grasping Emily's hand on her arm in her own. Emily blinked and looked down at their hands as Alison moved her hand off of her arm, and into her lap where she held it for a long moment.

"Nothing is more important than my daughter, Em."

It seemed to finally dawn on Emily she had a daughter, and that her daughter was Elaine. She stared in shock as Alison let go of her hand and stood up with Aria's help. It took her a moment to get her balance back, but as she did she moved as quickly as she could to the door.

"Alright," she heard Emily mumble and follow after her.

Alison pushed through the door, and as she did, she found the swim team staring at her with open shock and impressed. A couple of girls looked annoyed, but the majority verbally praised her and Emily for fighting him off. Alison threw them all a timid smile and nearly stumbled her way towards the locker room.

Emily sped up, reaching up to grab her waist gently to keep her upright. Alison sighed but didn't shake her off. Emily let go as they reached the doors. Addison and Ava stepped away from guarding the doors, as they neared them.

Alison opened the door gently as she heard Elaine crying.

Emily paused by the door, uncertain if she should even be there–but Alison knew Emily. She knew Emily would want to check on both of her swim girls. She had a right to that, and Alison knew she didn't have to worry about Emily being insensitive or uncaring. Emily cared so much about other people, sometimes too much. She grabbed Emily's hand and tugged her inward as well. Emily followed after her.

Hadley was on the floor, with Elaine clinging to her shirt whimpering. Alison's heart broke.

She knew the kind of abuse Elaine had suffered from Darren and Ben. Part of her wanted to turn around and murder the unconscious man, but she understood all too well, how dangerous that could be. Her daughter was more important.

Hadley looked up, distressed at the both of them. She had never had to deal with Elaine like this, and Alison knew how much Hadley wanted to help her. How much she cared.

Alison knelt beside the both of them, laid her hand against Elaine's back, and nodded at Hadley, to let her know it was okay. Hadley slowly released Elaine from her arms. At first, Elaine panicked, uncertain of what was happening, just that her comfort was slipping from her hands until she felt Alison's hands slip around her, turning her ever so slightly.

"I'm here, baby girl," Alison whispered to her, "It's me."

Elaine turned, in her panic, and threw herself at Alison. Alison swallowed the lump in her throat and embraced her daughter tightly, securely. She pressed her lips to the top of Elaine's head and closed her eyes.

"D-don't, le-let h-him-" Elaine tried to speak.

"I won't, sweetheart. I won't, you're safe now, I got you. I promise," she felt Elaine nod into her chest, and her hands clutch her back tightly.

"M-mom-"

"I got you, I swear I got you," Alison promised, letting her eyes close.

Emily stood there, not awkward, but uncertain as she looked on. She felt torn, seeing this Alison. She was so different from the Alison she'd known before.

Hadley looked at her, anxious about what to do, and Emily frowned. Hadley was like a niece to her, and she knew Hadley saw her as such–but Emily wasn't certain what to do either. It was obvious Alison knew what to do, which was likely to just ride out this attack until she calmed.

The Alison she had known was manipulative, fake, horrible–but there was something so genuine in the way Alison truly cared for her daughter, a daughter nearly twelve years younger, that she knew Alison had to have adopted. There was real love in this moment because she could see the tears Alison was trying so hard to keep back as her daughter sobbed into her chest.

Alison, a mother. That wasn't something she'd expected. Especially not a kid as good as Elaine. Paige hadn't mentioned it, hell she hadn't even mentioned Alison at all.

The sight in front of her reminded her of the first time her father had been hospitalized. It was one of those rare moments she had come to terms with being fake. Emily had broken down at the hospital, but Alison had taken her into her arms and rocked her until she calmed. Her mother, later, would thank Alison for it. Now she wasn't so sure if it was fake.

Hadley shifted uncomfortably.

"Had?" Alison whispered, as she noticed, Hadley looked at her expectantly, "can you go check on Olivia?"

Emily blinked, confused. Olivia?

Hadley swallowed, but nodded and pushed herself up. As she did, Alison gave Emily a gentle look that Emily knew meant she should follow her, so she did. She wasn't going to fight the mother of one of the girls, who clearly understood what to do, more so than she did. Hadley was also incredibly distraught, she needed to check up on her.

Emily paused at the door, looking back at Alison one last time. Alison gave her a gentle nod and began rocking Elaine. She turned and left the room.

As she did, the girls had mostly congregated towards the hallway she and Alison had fought Ben in. They were crowding and yelling as Ben, dazed, was being pulled out of the building in handcuffs by a few police officers. She paused and watched in amazement.

"Think before you fuck with one of us again!" Addison practically screamed at him. That was a sight.

"Next time I see you, I'll tear your dick off!" Ava joined in.

There was this weird sense of camaraderie that they didn't have anywhere else. The majority of the girls were watching and following until one of the officers turned around and warned them off. It didn't stop them from screaming at him.

Emily's eyes locked onto Hadley as she approached Aria, who passed her a small blonde-haired child. Emily tilted her head and thought about interrupting to ask if Hadley was okay, but Hadley took the little girl who wrapped her arms around her neck and went over to a bench to sit down. She smiled, small but genuine, and tried her best to simply explain things.

As she did, Aria turned her head and walked over to Emily. They smiled at each other, it had been a while since they'd last seen each other, and Emily let Aria pull her into a hug. She was a little regretful they didn't talk nearly as often as they should have.

"Hey, Em. You okay?" Aria asked as she pulled back, holding Emily by the arms.

Emily gave her a sad smile that didn't reach her eyes, "Physically, I am."

Aria sighed, knowingly and dropped her hands, "I'd imagine. How are you doing, otherwise?"

"It…it was a flashback," Emily let out a shaky breath, "but I couldn't just let him do to her what he tried to do to me."

Aria paused, she looked hesitant and pressed her lips together in regret. Emily felt sick in realization, he did. He likely had tried several times. The thought of that- god. She had so much regret over not doing anything about him when she was younger.

"Oh god," she breathed out.

Aria laid a hand on her arm with a frown, "Hey it's not your fault, you were so young," Aria told her gently, "you can't blame yourself. Elaine has Alison looking out for her now, if it was up to her, she'd kill him if she could legally get away with it."

Emily let out a shaky breath and crossed her arms with a nod. Aria was right, regardless of how she felt about Alison, Elaine had someone looking out for her. Part of her wondered why Elaine was on the swim team if Ben was the coach, but she also knew it was likely complicated.

She was, however, incredibly curious about Elaine and Alison. Or rather, Alison being a parent. It wasn't something she thought she'd ever see. Alison had been soft around younger kids but had never seemed…maternal.

Emily nodded towards Hadly with the girl, "Is Olivia Alison's as well?" She asked Aria.

Aria turned with a smile and nodded, then turned back, "She is. She's a really sweet kid. I get to babysit on the weekends, and let me tell you–pony tale time is the best."

Emily chuckled softly and shook her head. She looked back at the girl and tilted her head. Olivia, the name sounded familiar. She shook her head again and watched as Hadley got Olivia to laugh at her. Ava and Addison had dropped themselves into the seats next to her and began conversing with the toddler. Addison specifically smiled as she leaned forward to tickle her.

"How is such a…heathen so sweet with kids?" Emily asked with a sigh. "From what I understand–she threatens teachers, at least Ali looked up from her phone."

Aria laughed, "You'd be surprised. I think…she's a lot like Alison in that department. I don't think her parents really care about her, her older siblings were also…horrible. At least kids like Addison."

Emily chewed the inside of her cheek before asking the inevitable, "Alison having kids…that's a surprise. I'm guessing Elaine was adopted," she spoke tentatively, "otherwise she'd have been…is she- better now?"

Aria opened her mouth and then closed it a couple of times. That was such a complicated question she wasn't certain she knew how to answer. Emily looked so hopeful though, Aria knew she had to answer it.

"Truthfully…it's not my story," she admitted, "but… In my opinion, I've only been friends with her for a few months, but I think she's a loving mother. She's trying. I think her being friends with Paige shows that."

Emily scrunched her face, "Yeah that's definitely…weird. Do you know how that happened?"

Aria shrugged, "Not really. I know they still hate each other sometimes. They were actually friends before Ali and I were. All Ali told me was, she convinced Paige to hang out, and told her a lot of gritty stuff she couldn't tell anyone else."

Emily was shocked by that. Paige, of all people?

"Really?"

"Yeah," Aria nodded, "she said it was because Paige didn't like her. It still barely makes sense to me, but they seem to be doing okay as friends."

"Do you know what happened to Elaine?" Emily finally asked with a concerned frown, "I can only guess but…I want to know how I can protect her better."

Aria chewed the inside of her cheek, "I just know…Ali got the girls about five years ago. Ali has never told me because it's Elaine's story. You'd, truthfully, have to ask Ali about precautions and triggers. I just know…her first home was abusive."

Emily sucked in a breath of air and nodded solemnly. She clenched her jaw at the thought of someone abusing Elaine. She seemed like a nice girl, and Emily had an instant maternal instinct to protect her team. Her girls. That included Elaine.

She understood, however, how personal these kinds of things were. She wasn't going to push for a story or information she didn't deserve to know until she was trusted and told from the source. She was, however, worried about how it would affect Elaine in the long run. Being near a pool when she was reminded of the trauma Ben had inflicted.

She felt the same way. It had taken her weeks, after Ben attacked her, for her to be comfortable in the locker room.

"I think that was…" Emily spoke gently, "I saw a lot of signs."

She had to. It's why she was so thankful Elaine had Hadley.

"Well," Aria poked her arm and smiled gently, "at least we know, she has a mother who has no qualms destroying someone, when it comes to her children. I think…she'll be safe with Ali."

"I do too."

She meant that.

She'd seen Alison's face. She truly loved Elaine, and she cared for Hadley. She'd also seen Alison's posture and face when they were fighting Ben. She hated Ben. Part of her couldn't help but wonder if Alison cared about her too if she'd ever cared at all. Had Alison truly changed? Would she be able to admit that?

She shook her head with a sigh and looked back up at Hadley, who was passing Olivia off to Ava. Hadley stood up, stretching her legs, and Addison took advantage of the space to scoot over, pressing herself against Ava to interact with Olivia who grinned up at her.

"Hadley," Emily called. Hadley turned around. Emily nodded her over.

Hadley walked over after reassuring Olivia she'd be back and paused expectantly in front of Emily and Aria.

"I'm going to check on the other girls," Aria offered, smiling at both of them before moving to the crowd of girls. She paused long enough to squeeze Emily's arms and walked away.

"Are you okay?" Emily asked, frowning.

Hadley blinked, "I didn't get assaulted-"

"But Elaine is important to you, isn't she?" Hadley froze, and Emily reached for her, squeezing her shoulders gently, "I'm not calling you out it's just…obvious, and I know how much it can affect you when you can't help the people you care about when they're in distress. I saw you, Hadley. You didn't know what to do–and it hurt you. I just want to make sure you're okay."

Hadley took in a deep breath and nodded. She hesitated before she answered, and was clearly affected.

"She means…a lot to me, Em," Hadly admitted softly, "I just…I felt useless. Usually, when she's in my arms, it helps. I just–it didn't help. I couldn't do anything."

"Hey," Emily gripped her shoulders a little tighter, "you're not useless, Hadley. She'll remember this later. She'll remember you ripping her away from Ben when I rushed him. She'll remember you holding her, getting her out of harm's way, and holding her. That will mean everything to her."

"I just wish…I knew how to help-"

"We won't always know how to help," Emily interrupted her, "but the important thing is, you tried. You are trying. You were here, and…that will mean so much more to her, than having answers for something neither of you fully understand."

It was true.

Trauma was tricky, but the important thing, that Emily understood, was that–having people around you that at the very least tried meant the most. If the people around you didn't try or didn't care, then they weren't friends. They weren't family.

Hadley reminded her so much of herself, that it somewhat hurt. She had to take a deep breath in and remind herself that neither of them could fix everything. Maya had taught her that. Maya had taught her, she could still be brave, despite not being able to fix every mistake.

Emily lifted her hands to cup Hadley's face with a small sad smile.

"Just be there, okay? But don't forget to take care of yourself."

Hadley nodded, took in a breath, and pulled Emily into a hug. Emily smiled into the hug and held her for a long minute. When she opened her eyes, she was surprised to find Addison staring at them with a frown, before she looked away. Emily took a step back, holding Hadley at arm's length, and smiled gently.

"I'm going to check on them alright?" Hadley nodded. Emily squeezed her and stepped back, towards the doors.

Hadley hesitated before she took a step forward and swallowed.

"I'm…going to wait out here, by the doors, if that's okay?"

Emily nodded in understanding and turned back to the locker room. She opened the door and took a step in.

Alison's head whipped around, but her face softened in relief as she realized it was Emily. Emily smiled back, though her smile faltered as Elaine pulled back, hiccuping, and Alison cradled her hand to her chest. It was clearly still hurt.

She tried to save me.

Alison looked down at her hand and lowered it as if she was trying to hide it. She blinked several times and took a breath. She looked…almost dazed, still. Emily's frown deepened. She had to get the DiLaurentis checked out before their possible injuries became worse.

Elaine took in a deep breath and slowed her breathing, rubbing her eyes and attempted to smile at Emily.

"We're fine, Em," Alison spoke softly as if she read Emily's mind.

Emily nodded but still approached slowly. Alison eased the closer she got, so Emily took it as a sign she trusted her with Elaine. That was incredibly important to her.

She kneeled a few inches from Elaine and pressed her lips together. Elaine didn't know her, but Alison seemed to trust her–so Elaine didn't move away in a panicked scramble. Instead, she snatched up Alison's injured hand, causing Alison to hiss in pain. Elaine pulled back in shock and looked like she was about to cry again.

Alison shook her head and opened her mouth before Elaine could say anything, "No, no. It's fine, baby girl. I swear-"

"I hurt you," Elaine choked out, "Just like-"

"Hey," Emily interrupted and looked between the two as they both looked at her, "I- um- knew your mom," that felt so weird to say.

Elaine frowned, "You're…her mermaid, aren't you?"

Emily opened her mouth and looked at Alison. Alison looked down at her lap, her cheeks turned pink. She decided to let it go for now, but there was an odd feeling forming in her stomach.

Instead, she nodded, "I am."

Elaine turned to her mother, "Like…like your tattoo? I thought she was a myth."

Alison brought a hand up to cover her face from Emily. Emily was stunned, but Elaine smiled so gently, she knew she was teasing Alison, and Alison was scowling back at her. She wanted so badly to ask, but this wasn't the time.

Elaine's smile faltered, the moment her eyes dropped to the hand she'd tried to grab.

"Right, well- we went to school together," Elaine's eyes lit up in intrigue, and Emily smiled, "She's really tough. She can swim right?" Emily asked with a teasing tone.

Alison finally looked at her, pink cheeks and all, and shook her head with a begging expression. She didn't want the story to be told again.

Elaine nodded and shifted, so she was leaning towards Emily and wiped her eyes.

"Yeah, we swim together a lot."

"Oh, you do?" Emily smiled at her and gave Alison a look, who groaned, "well, she learned how to swim because of me. Did she tell you that?" Elaine shook her head. "Well, the first time we swam together, she cut her foot on a piece of glass in this really shallow part of the lake we were at. She was super brave about it-"

She was too. Alison had taken a step, inhaled sharply. Emily had paused and looked over as Alison tensed. Alison's lips had pressed her lips into a thin line and turned to stare at her. Aria and Spencer were being dunked under the water by Hanna, who had enough of the school and exam talk.

She remembered going over to try and help until she saw Alison's body language.

"-the first thing she told me was, 'em, can you come help me real quick? I need to get back on shore'. I was confused so I asked why she couldn't do it herself, and she was so sassy, she lifted her foot and said, 'I kind of can't use both feet at the moment, so would you mind? I'll happily hobble my little ass back to shore.'"

Emily had panicked instantly. 'Oh my god, Ali!' The other girls had turned around at the same moment Alison had lost balance and fell backward into the water with a scream. Emily rushed to help her.

She'd been so freaked out, she had lifted Alison into her arms and barked out orders. Alison had been more embarrassed about the fall than anything. She'd kept telling everyone to stop freaking out. Emily had snapped the first time that night and told her, 'I don't care, Ali! You're getting checked out! This could be serious!' and Ali had stared at her shocked. Impressed.

It had been shortly after her father had gotten out of the hospital. She'd been terrified about losing Alison. Alison told her she understood later, and never seemed bothered about her outburst.

Elaine blinked in surprise and looked at her mother.

Alison let out a deep sigh, "It's- true. I had to wait four hours in the emergency room, because someone," she looked at Emily, "forced me to get looked at. I just wanted to take some pliers and tch, rip that sucker out."

"Well," Emily gave her a look and smiled at Elaine, "it's a good thing I called the shots that night. She still has a foot. A scarred foot, but a foot."

"Is that why you always wear socks, unless we're swimming?" Elaine asked Alison, narrowing her eyes.

Alison rolled her eyes.

Emily laughed, "My point is, she's really tough. You didn't hurt her, Ben did. She came in to save me when she got that."

Elaine smiled softly and looked so proud of Alison.

"That's what she does…save people. She saved me, too."

Emily watched as Alison tried to hold back a frown. Emily chewed the inside of her lip. She certainly didn't want to destroy Elaine's perception of her mother, but she'd known a very different Alison years ago.

"Coach Fields?" Emily looked back at Elaine.

Elaine hesitated before she surprised everyone and gave Emily a quick hug. It was so sudden Emily was almost certain she'd imagined it until she saw Alison blinking in surprise at her daughter.

"Thank you for…um…helping me, you saved me too."

Emily smiled at her and nodded, "Of course. You know how you can repay me?"

Elaine frowned like she was prepared for an outlandish request. Alison, however, seemed at ease. Like she knew Emily was safe to be around. Emily wasn't certain how to feel about it. At some point, she knew she had to be clear with Alison, they couldn't just start where they had been before.

Everything she'd seen today, however, this one-act, had shown her a promise. They could, at the very least, be friends again.

"Let me take you two-" she motioned between the both of them, "-to get yourselves checked out. No, if's and's or but's, about it."

Elaine tensed, but Alison shifted so Elaine was pressed into her side.

"We'll take Hadley with us if she wants to go, okay?" Alison promised, and Emily didn't think that was a bad idea. "You can't just tell a Fields' no though. They won't accept anything other than a yes." She joked.

Emily couldn't help but smile at the joke. Elaine's hesitation softened by the addition of Hadley, as she seemed to think about it.

Alison understood Elaine's hesitation. She didn't like the memories associated with hospitals, and Alison couldn't blame her. After she'd found the girls, saved them, both had spent a lot of time being assessed in a hospital. Prodded and poked, by uncaring staff, that had Alison snapping at them.

The last time Elaine was in a hospital, an emergency room, she had been treated for injuries Wilden had caused her. Hospitals snapped her back to those unpleasant memories of police officers scrutinizing her every word, and social workers trying to poke and prod at her story as well.

"Why can't you take us?" Elaine asked Alison.

She knew it wasn't to be unkind, it was rather…curiosity. She didn't know Emily, but Emily had saved her. She'd earned some kind of trust.

Alison lifted her injured hand, her left hand. Her dominant hand. Elaine frowned but nodded with a sigh, before turning to Emily with a look of fear. She nodded gently.

"Okay…thank you Coach Fields," Emily smiled gently, and Elaine turned to Alison, "What are we going to do about Olivia? She's really antsy when it comes to waiting."

Alison chuckled, "We'll ask Airie to watch her for tonight."

Elaine sniffled and laughed, "Good luck getting her back."

"Airie?" Emily asked, mostly to Alison.

Alison shrugged, "She had trouble saying Aria, but she thinks Aria is a Fairy, so to her…Airie, sounds a lot better. I don't know-"

"Airie is pretty magical though, especially for a teacher. She's all about that hippie, hug it out stuff," Elaine rolled her eyes playfully.

Emily laughed. That sounded a lot like Alison…in a good way. She had a point.

"Okay, Siren," Elaine blushed, "Let's get you two up, and we'll head out after I dismiss the girls."

Emily held her hand out to Elaine first, who hesitated but took it and let herself be hauled to her feet. She held her hand out to Alison next, who smiled gently at her and took it without hesitation. As she stood up on her feet, she lost her balance and stumbled forward. Both Elaine and Emily wrapped their arms around her to steady her.

Alison clung to Emily's arm wrapped around her waist and groaned. Elaine removed her hand from Alison's shoulders and let her fall against Emily, they shared a concerned look.

"I'm fine," Alison tried to tell them both.

"Right, and I'm the queen of England," Elaine shot back dryly.

Emily didn't allow Alison to quip back. She shifted herself closer so Alison was more pressed against her front, and held more securely. Elaine looked on anxiously.

"Elaine?" Elaine looked at Emily, who offered a smile, "I've got her. Take Hadley and ask Aria to watch Olivia for Ali tonight," Elaine's face twisted at the nickname, "we'll meet you outside…okay?"

Elaine hesitated for a second before nodding and moving towards the door. Alison watched through the door as Elaine instantly reached for Hadley and dragged her off, likely to find Aria. Hadley let herself be pulled away.

She smiled gently at the sight despite the throbbing in her head.

Alison let out a soft groan as she felt the full intensity of the throbbing, and turned her head to hide her face in Emily's shoulder. As she did, Emily tensed. Alison couldn't blame her at all, but she still felt regret.

"Sorry," she muttered, but couldn't bring herself to move her head. She just needed a second.

She felt Emily take in a deep breath and exhale it slowly. Alison knew she was preparing herself to say something. Alison dreaded whatever she was going to say.

Rather than ask, 'is the version of you I'm seeing right now real?' Emily pulled back and looked at her with a frown. She seemed to backtrack on whatever she wanted to ask. Now wasn't the best time, especially when Alison was concussed.

Instead, she asked, "Is DiLaurentis their last names too?"

Alison was surprised, but nodded, "Yeah. They're…the only reason I like my name."

Emily hummed gently and looked down at her. There was an odd look in her eyes that surprised Alison. It wasn't…hateful or negative, not like she'd expected.

"That'll take a minute to get used to," Emily joked. "Are you ready? We're going to move slowly, okay?"

Alison pressed her lips together and nodded. She knew if she spoke she'd spill her secrets, or answer any question Emily had, without thinking about the repercussions.

Emily moved, so one of her arms was securely wrapped around her waist. She shifted so most of Alison's weight was pressed against her side if she couldn't keep her balance.

They paused, just long enough for Emily to dismiss the girls, and for Alison and Elaine to tell Olivia and Aria goodbye. It was strange, that there were no police to question them, but counted it as a blessing.

Hadley kept an arm around Elaine as they walked. Emily knew it was more for her own peace of mind and reassurance than it was Elaine's. She didn't know how it felt to be in the position Hadley was in–but she knew Alison did.

Alison had been there the day Ben had tried to assault her freshman year. She'd accidentally walked into the locker rooms, and froze at the sight of Ben pinning her to the ground. It was enough, however, to make Ben bolt. She'd had to beg Alison not to say anything, and not to leave her.

There had been the same kind of rage in her eyes that day, as there had been today. She'd claimed she was going to kill him, and Emily believed her. She still did.

Hadley was a strong girl, but seeing that–knowing there was little you could do, affected a person. She knew Hadley wasn't okay. She wouldn't call her on it unless she needed to. She hoped she wouldn't need to.

When they got to the car, Emily helped Alison into the passenger seat, despite Alison having mostly regained her balance. Elaine shoved a large purse into Alison's hands before climbing into the backseat with Hadley as Emily moved to the driver's side. Hadley pressed herself as close as she could to Elaine. Emily let out a soft breath at the sight of Elaine leaning into her slightly.

The drive, itself, was relatively quiet. Adrenaline and fear had worn off. Now they were left with contemplative thoughts and embarrassment, despite there being no need to be embarrassed.

Everyone in the car knew better than to voice that. It was more complicated. When you were so deeply affected by something…especially something like that, sometimes you couldn't help but be embarrassed.

NOTE: to explain some things, as it may be confusing,

Elaine and Olivia's parentage will be addressed further. The Liars will all make an appearance, but it won't happen extremely quickly.
Alison is the only parent Olivia has ever really known (she was a baby when Alison got her). Alison very much was not planning to be a mother, but felt responsible for and connected to the girls.

Darren will be addressed relatively soon as well.

Maya WILL also be addressed, her fate is left unknown for a reason. So enjoy that!