Authors Note: This one is lighter, until the end of the chapter.

Thank you all so much for the reviews and kind words! I AM reading all of your thoughts and views.

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please be kind to others and the world around you.

It had been two weeks since Emily's initiation into their weekend family tradition of late-night swimming.

She was quickly becoming a normal fixture in their daily routine. Alison hadn't meant for it, neither had Emily, but ever attempt at reassuring Alison she didn't need Emily to do anything extra like drive her everywhere when she could afford an uber never stuck. Emily was determined.

Since Emily's declaration of protection, she'd become just a little more involved in the girls' lives. It took Alison by surprise because she hadn't expected Emily to shut them out, but she certainly hadn't expected her to embrace them as fully as she had. Elaine was traumatized, and sometimes people who tried to come into her life would express how heavy that could be as if it was too much.

Emily seemed to take it in stride. It was one of the most endearing aspects, to Alison. Emily didn't see a broken teenage girl. She saw a teenage girl who struggled and needed people, who was learning to trust again. She was quickly becoming Elaine's favorite adult, almost completely dethroning Paige, who had noticed and began to try and keep her top spot.

It meant a lot to Alison, for Elaine to finally have someone in her life that was stable and not going anywhere. Who wouldn't judge her, or abandon her just because things got a little tough.

The last person Alison had dated, an Officer named Lorenzo, had been pretty kind. He'd managed to get past the first layer in Elaine's armor, but Elaine had been triggered in a public space while they were out. Lorenzo had frozen and didn't know what to do. He'd become a liability in that moment because he'd kept interrupting Alison's attempts to soothe her daughter to ask what he could do. Alison had been forced to tell him to leave.

Later, he'd expressed how put out he'd felt because he'd been asked to leave. It started a fight in which he'd said some things he shouldn't have, that Alison knew he regretted, but Alison had shut down and forced him to leave. She'd cut things off with him, and refused to talk to him for months.

He'd only looked into his own research about mental health and triggers after she'd offered to be his friend. He'd tried to ask for another chance but had accepted the friendship she'd offered when she'd politely declined.

Despite his regret, she didn't trust him with her daughters anymore. If he thought Elaine could be a burden, she didn't care if he was in her life or not. Eventually, they drifted apart, and she was perfectly fine with that.

Emily hadn't done that. The first day she'd met Elaine, Elaine had a breakdown. She wasn't certain how to help, but had stood back and let Alison do what she needed to. Since then, she'd actively asked Alison and Elaine, how to better help with the anxiety and triggers she did have. It wasn't too much, for Emily, it was basic respect Elaine deserved because she was a human being.

Alison was confident enough, that anytime Elaine asked Emily to take her out to do something, Emily knew the basics of what to do. If not, she had no issue calling Alison and asking. Emily was conscious enough about her triggers, she steered from them.

Alison also knew Elaine found it incredibly easy to open up to Emily. She hadn't told her anything major, but she had been sharing small little things. She could see how happy it made Emily every time Elaine opened up just a little to her. She also never really minded if Elaine put up walls, which she'd only done once when she'd accidentally mentioned her father and Emily had asked.

The best part of it all was seeing Emily's confused face, the more Elaine shared her interests outside of swimming.

Elaine's taste in music was…darker, gritty, heavy–metal, and rock, specifically-but Emily never stopped her. Her face scrunched but she put herself in Elaine's shoes and let herself get lost in it. They bonded just enough over music in general, they'd found a common band they liked, Krewella, that they played when it was just the two of them.

Elaine also had the class with Toby. Emily wasn't entirely a handy sort of person, so the technicals were lost on her, but she asked questions and Elaine would get lost in expressing herself.

She'd even told Emily about spending Sundays with Grunwald, to earn a little bit of money. Grunwald meant a lot to Alison and her family, and Elaine never missed a Sunday with Grunwald.

Emily had been confused about it, because Alison had only told her about Grunwald in her own life, but realized…anything about her daughters' lives, she wouldn't tell unless it was deeply important. She was leaving it to Elaine to open up about eventually. It made sense though because Alison spoke so highly of Grunwald.

Alison found herself becoming so used to the new routine that was slowly forming, that she hadn't even thought about how it was changing. No one pointed it out to her, and it felt a lot like Emily had always been there.

Emily didn't ask about her scars, though she had stared at them from time to time, and she hadn't asked about the obvious tattoo. She'd just, quietly slipped in their lives.

Alison never wanted her to leave.

Alison turned her head, as her hands moved to pull her hair into a ponytail. Olivia shifted in her lap, looking up at her as she did, pulling her attention back down to the girl in her lap. She smiled softly as she secured her hair, earning a toothy grin back. Olivia's attention moved back down to the paper and crayons in front of her, on the table.

Alison turned back again, once she felt Olivia was sufficiently entertained. She watched as Addison and her group ventured into the cafeteria. It was a weekend, school event, Aria had helped put together to help raise money for a trip to a historical museum a few towns over that pertained to literature.

Addison's group was…odd, more so than her own had been with the girls.

Addison's right hand seemed to be Willa, her cousin. Ava, was a newer addition, but seemed genuinely friendly and listened to Addison almost as well as anyone had ever listened to her. Hadley had been accidental.

Hadley was the cool new girl, and Addison's popularity was probably better with her in her group. At surface value, it seemed like Hadley was just another henchman unless you really watched her. She did most little things Addison asked because they were friends, but, had repeatedly turned down and even argued with Addison about especially cruel things.

Elaine was a package deal. You couldn't get Hadley unless you got Elaine. It gave Elaine an odd friendship with Addison, that felt almost a little more genuine than the others. It reminded Alison more of her relationship with Spencer because Elaine wasn't afraid to stand up to Addison first in front of others. She also wasn't afraid to show her kindness first. Addison had become…quietly protective over Elaine, in such an odd way, Elaine often defended Addison against most of the other adults.

That trickled a thought inside Alison's head. Elaine never defended Addison against other kids, because Addison could handle herself, but when it came to adults…she was placing her shorter self, in front of Addison's taller body, like a shield and threatening to go off on them. She needed to pay closer attention to that.

After all, Addison had stood up for Elaine before. Especially after Ben had been fired, shortly before Emily had been hired. Some girls who had liked Ben and his attention had cornered her once. Addison was alone at the time and had physically shoved both girls away and threatened them. Then she'd taken Elaine's hand in her own, and dragged her away. She'd waited until Alison found them, holding Elaine who had been shaken up, because of how cornered she'd felt.

Addison had never begrudged Elaine for her issues either. It was odd…because she could be so awful, especially to other teachers.

As Addison and her group filtered in, Alison watched as Claire, stumbled into the room, her head dipped downward. She nervously moved a piece of hair behind her ear, and Alison could see the hear aide sitting on her ear. Elaine turned, with Hadley next to her, and continued talking to Claire, coaxing a small smile out of her. Hadley chuckled, and Alison's eyes dipped to her hand. Elaine and Hadley's hands were entangled together.

She looked back up as Addison came to a stop, and turned back. Addison's eyes caught Claire's as she glanced up, and Addison smiled softly at her. She held her elbow out and said something that made Claire fail to bit back a smile. Claire shuffled forward and looped their arms together. Elaine and Hadley shuffled forward so Elaine could continue her conversation with Claire more, and then they shuffled to a table selling brownies.

Alison was surprised but did her best to not look into it. Since she'd had Addison cross her path, Addison had been notoriously…rude, mean, unpleasant–it reminded her a lot of herself. Then she'd built her little group of friends, and Alison had noticed she'd started to slowly change.

It didn't dissuade the concern for Claire she had. Addison had been really mean to her before. She'd been…nasty. Claire had never said it, but things had been spray-painted on her locker before. She didn't have evidence, but Addison had laughed at it like she'd done it. The sudden one-eighty on her personality didn't make sense.

Not yet.

"Em-ily!" Olivia yelled in her lap.

Alison turned, as Emily took the seat next to her. Emily threw them both a smile. Alison smiled back, before she could say hello, Olivia impatiently tried to crawl from her lap into Emily's. Alison winced as one of her feet kicked her.

Emily laughed as Alison lifted her daughter out of her lap, and passed her over to Emily. She wrapped her hands around Emily's neck and hugged her tightly. Emily smiled and held her close, as she twisted back and forth, making Olivia laugh.

That was one of the best things about Emily. She had so much joy, care, for both of her daughters. It was just- so immense, and bright. She loved it.

"Hi Ollie," Emily smiled, as Olivia pulled back.

Alison chuckled and leaned back in her chair watching them. Everyone had come to learn, only Emily was allowed to call her Ollie. Paige had tried once, and she'd scowled so hard Alison was afraid she might start shooting laser beams. Emily had grinned proudly at her and rubbed it into her face.

It was a lot like how only Alison was allowed to call her Olive. Everyone else could call her anything.

"Look at my drawing!"

Alison took that as her cue and slid the paper so it was in front of them. Olivia picked the paper up and held it up to Emily as she shuffled herself so she could sit in Emily's lap. Emily softly took the paper into her hands and looked it over.

It was crudely drawn, but it was an underwater scene of tropical fishes, with a polar bear off to the right. To the left was a long tail of an unknown fish. It hadn't been colored yet, just the shape was oddly drawn.

"What's this?" Emily asked, pointing to the tail.

"That's you!" Olivia grinned up at her, Emily looked down at her confused, "You're a mermaid! Mommy says so! It's your tail!"

Alison smiled as Emily looked at her again before looking back down at the drawing. Emily was stunned, and Alison couldn't blame her. They had yet to address the fact she'd told her daughters about Emily before Emily had even thought about coming back to Rosewood.

Alison had told them the most important parts of her life…in ways, they could understand at their ages. She'd told them about all of the girls, in some form, though she hadn't used their names. She'd given them prominent nicknames.

Emily was obviously, Mermaid.

Aria had been, Warrior.

Hanna had been, Stargirl.

Spencer had been, Athena.

She'd fashioned a lot of their stories, as thrilling adventures for the girls, especially Olivia who loved the stories. They'd adored all of the stories and every single girl. Alison couldn't blame them for adoring the girls. She, adored them, even now.

"Hey!" Sounded like Elaine.

Alison and Emily's heads whipped around at the same time. Elaine jokingly shoved Addison, who rocked backward, but was caught by Claire who chuckled at their antics. Addison turned around to double-check Claire was alright before smiling and turning back to Elaine.

Elaine squealed as Addison picked up a cupcake and tried to shove it into her face. Elaine dropped Hadley's hand and sprinted away. Addison chased after her, with the cupcake in her hand, and exclaimed how she was going to get her. Hadley laughed as she stood next to Claire and Ava, Willa was at a table over watching with a laugh.

"I don't understand her," Alison muttered, mostly to herself.

"Who, Addison?" Emily asked, raising a brow. Olivia poked her mother's arm and pointed to her crayons. Alison slid the crayons over, earning a toothy grin. "She reminds me of you actually."

Alison looked at her, raising an eyebrow, "Because I'm a bi-" she glanced down at her daughter before she looked back up and smiled innocent, "raging bad person?"

Emily rolled her eyes, "Were, Alison."

Alison couldn't help but smile genuinely at that.

"And, no. I think she's a lot softer than she likes to show. Aria and I also heard her older sister chastise her, we think she's under a lot of pressure," Emily admitted.

Alison frowned at that, "Do you know what kind of pressure?"

Emily shrugged, "No. We didn't hear much, just that…she couldn't make any mistakes, if her grades dropped, it would be the biggest mistake."

Alison shuddered.

"Your report card was terrible, Alison. I'm going to assume this was a mistake on your teacher's part. You wouldn't make a mistake like that, would you?" She could hear her father's voice in her ear.

Alison thought about it for a second. Addison isn't- is she? She looked at Addison again, watching as continued to chase Elaine around the area. She hadn't seen any signs yet, but then again–she hadn't been looking. She wasn't certain.

Could Addison be-

"Hey, Ali?" Alison looked at her, "Is it alright if- I stay the night?"

Emily shifted, clearly uncertain about what Alison's answer would be.

Emily had spent a lot of time at the DiLaurentis household, but, hadn't spent another night with them since the night of Ben's attack at the school. She always seemed to linger after she spent time with them, but never asked. Alison could see she wanted to.

So Alison smiled softly at her and nodded.

"Absolutely, Em. The girls would love to have you for the night," she paused before adding, "I would love it."

Emily beamed at her, giving the same kind of grin Elaine did. Alison smiled back and chuckled. She couldn't help but shake her head. She knew she was seeing the similarities because she wanted to, but Emily and Elaine sometimes looked a lot like each other. It was…amazing, their smiles matched.

"Thanks."

"Of course, and for the record-" Alison leaned over to squeeze one of her hands, "-you can always spend the night, anytime you want to."

Emily nodded, "That means a lot."

And then Alison smiled mischievously, "Good luck tonight though, Hadley and Claire are staying the night."

"On second thought-"

"Nope, too late," Alison laughed, "now if I have to deal with three teenage girls, you do too. You want to know the good thing?"

Emily raised an eyebrow at her.

"Free babysitting, because they all love Olivia." Emily laughed at that. Alison chuckled with her.

–

Alison watched from the kitchen. A smile graced her lips, slowly, but surely.

There, by the couch, was Olivia standing between Emily's legs trying to do what little homework she'd been given. Olivia was great with spelling, but numbers had always given her a hard time. When they'd gotten home, Olivia had sighed dramatically.

When asked what was wrong, Olivia exclaimed how awful math was. She needed help. Alison had been ready to offer her help, but Olivia had very dramatically thrown herself across her mother's lap so her head rested in Emily's, and begged Emily for help. Emily had been stunned and looked at Alison to make sure it was okay.

Alison had laughed at her daughter, picked her up, and placed her in Emily's lap with a certain, "You heard her, Em. She runs the show here." And stood up to get started on a snack for the two of them and the girls upstairs.

She'd never forget the happy smile on Emily's face.

Bright, wide, and ready to help Olivia. However, she'd sorely underestimated how long the process would take. Olivia got distracted easily, much like Emily could, and go off tangent. Emily, however, seemed to be incredibly patient and used the same tactics Alison had in high school, to keep her on task.

Olivia would linger away from her homework for a few minutes and then Alison would slowly bring her back. Or she'd tap on the paper gently and Olivia would refocus. If she got frustrated with something, they'd skip it and come back to it. If she didn't want to write her process down, Emily wouldn't make her.

Alison thought about freshman year in high school a few days after their first kiss. It was close to exam times, and a particular sheet of math homework had bothered Emily because she just couldn't get a specific number.

They'd been on Alison's bed, Alison was doing her own Lit work, for an advanced class. Emily huffed particularly loud and was ready to tear it to pieces and lie to the teacher, or just not care. Alison had sighed softly and pushed herself up, placing herself behind Emily. She leaned forward, daringly, and felt Emily freeze as she dropped her chin to Emily's shoulder.

She'd been trying to be obvious. It was before Darren had come at her full force, so she hadn't had to worry about him targeting the girls, her girls. Emily was so warm, Alison had wanted to sink to her back. Wrap her arms around Emily. Never let go. Maybe she should have.

"What's giving you problems, Em?" Alison had asked softly.

Emily relaxed slowly as she'd sighed in frustration and pointed to the specific problem. Alison recognized it instantly and knew if Emily came back to it later, she'd get it without hesitation. So, rather than help, which they both knew meant she would just end up doing it, she picked another problem at random and pointed to it.

"Try that one, and then come back to it," Alison told her.

"Okay," Emily had sighed out.

Alison had smiled and turned her head. Her nose grazed the soft skin of Emily's neck. Emily shuddered, but picked up her pencil and got to work slowly. Alison had dropped her chin back down onto her shoulder and watched, only offered a small, "yes." When Emily had asked if she'd gotten the right answer.

Emily had gone back to the previous problem and took a long moment before she'd worked it out. Alison had been so proud, she'd pressed a long kiss to Emily's cheek and dropped back to her position on her bed, on her front to continue writing.

Emily finished her work before she'd leaned back, rested her head against Alison's back. She'd fallen asleep on Alison like that, and Alison refused to move to wake her up. Eventually, she'd finished her work, and shifted her body around so Emily's head rested against her stomach. She'd carded her fingers through Emily's hair, and fell asleep as well, only woken up once Emily had to leave but didn't want to leave without saying goodbye.

It was one of the few times she'd let Emily come over to her house. It was one of the only few memories she'd had in her childhood home she'd loved.

Olivia got an answer correct, and Emily leaned forward to wrap her arms around the little girl to hug and congratulate her. Olivia giggled and beamed at Emily.

The best reward for Olivia was food or affectionate praises. She preferred the praises. High-fives, especially hugs. She always had, even as a baby. She'd been the most affectionate baby, it had been shocking for Alison. Most children she'd interacted with didn't like to be hugged often.

Alison watched as Emily continued to encourage Olivia. Olivia's confidence was sky-high, so she believed Emily. Alison's heart skipped a beat at the sight of Olivia nodding along, and thanking Emily, as she pressed a hand into the coffee table and wrote down another answer. Emily grinned at her and told her the answer was correct.

Alison chuckled and could tell they were nearing the end of the piece of homework. Olivia was getting antsy and shifting back and forth and writing more vigorously. Like Alison did when she was so close to finishing a piece of writing.

Alison took a step towards the living room, pressing her hands to the back of the couch, and leaned forward. Emily leaned back, to look up at her in question.

She's so beautiful. Alison smiled back.

"When you guys are done, snacks are in the kitchen, okay?"

Emily nodded with a small smile, "Thanks, Ali."

Alison leaned down before she could stop herself, or think about it, and pressed a quick gentle kiss to Emily's forehead. Emily stared at her in surprise, and confusion. Alison couldn't bring herself to regret it, so instead, she indulged herself a little and moved a hand to brush hair out of Emily's face.

"You're gorgeous, Em," she breathed out.

Emily's face flushed, and there was more surprise. She opened her mouth to reply as Alison dropped her hand away, but never got the chance to speak. Olivia turned around and shook both of her hands. Emily snapped her attention to the little girl.

"Candy!" Olivia grumbled. "Let's finish so we can get snacks!"

Alison laughed and pushed herself away from the couch, towards the stairs as Emily's face scrunched and she asked, "Candy? Why am I, Candy?"

Alison stepped up the stairs and walked down the hallway. Elaine's door was partially open, meaning Alison was allowed to open it without knocking, as per Elaine's guidelines and rules about her privacy. So she did. She pushed the door open, slowly and gently, giving her daughter enough time to tell her not to.

She looked in and found Elaine, mid-conversation with Claire via A.S.L. Hadley was sitting on the floor, her back pressed against Elaine's bed, reading a book. All three of them paused and looked up at her. Claire blushed, dropping her hands in embarrassment, and Alison smiled softly at the sight of her. To let her know, she didn't need to be embarrassed.

Though she did know they'd been talking about Addison. Whatever Addison had stopped Claire to talk about when she'd dropped the three of them off at the house earlier. Alison had watched as Claire shoot forward and hugged her briefly before rushing out of the vehicle. Addison had been shocked.

Alison brought her own hands up, to sign for Claire, as she spoke, "Girls, there's snacks downstairs, and drinks."

Claire blinked, surprised at Alison.

Alison simply smiled at her. She didn't need to explain unless Claire wanted to know. Elaine, however, snorted and poked Claire to get her attention to clarify.

"Wait till you hear her speak French."

Alison rolled her eyes, "Are you girls wanting something to snack on before dinner? Olivia is about to eat it all."

"We're coming!" Hadley answered for all of them and pushed herself to her feet. She turned to the others and grinned, "Come on! Let's go!"

Elaine sighed but stood up, dragging Claire with her.

Alison laughed as she left the room and ventured downstairs. The girls trailed behind her.

Emily and Olivia finished up as they all came down the stairs, and looked up at them. Olivia bounced down the stairs and jumped at Hadley, who caught her and set her on her hip. Olivia looked over her shoulder and pointed to Claire, who looked up at her confused.

"Letters!" Olivia practically screamed.

"Letters?" Claire asked.

Olivia nodded, "Cause you-" [Sign], she signed, surprising Claire.

Alison laughed as Claire blinked, speechless. She guided them all towards the kitchen as Emily followed after. There were small bowls of caramel popcorn drizzled in white chocolate and assorted drinks. Next to the bowls, were cups of yogurt. She didn't understand it, but her daughters loved dipping their popcorn in yogurt. Hadley had begun doing it because she was so used to the two of them doing it.

"Well, Claire," Emily smiled at the young girl, "welcome to the DiLaurentis life. You can't leave them now. You have a nickname. It's a thing they do."

Claire blushed but smiled, happily. Hadley laughed and picked up the bowls for the four of them upstairs. Elaine grabbed the drinks, and Claire was left to grab the cups of yogurt and follow the other two upstairs as they moved towards the stairs again.

Alison watched in amusement as she realized somehow Hadley had shifted Olivia to sit on her shoulders. Olivia's hands latched under her chin. She wouldn't be getting either of her daughters back for a few hours, but she was so very very glad Elaine had friends who didn't seem to mind her sister. In fact, they all embraced her.

Olivia had been the one good thing in Elaine's life before they'd come into Alison's life. Olivia was like a beacon of hope and light to the both of them or really anyone who met her.

Alison smiled at Emily, as Emily popped a piece of popcorn into her mouth from a larger bowl she knew Alison had meant to share with her. Emily looked at her expectantly.

"Told you," Alison laughed, gesturing to the stairs, "free babysitting."

Emily laughed so hard she nearly choked on a piece of popcorn. Alison grinned triumphantly at her.

–

Emily sighed into the phone, rubbing her temples in frustration.

She'd been doing the same song and dance with Hanna for three weeks. She'd talk to update her about what was going on, about Spencer, and her friend's decision on the timetable they'd talked about before she'd moved back to Rosewood.

And then, she'd ask about Rosewood. Then she'd somehow transition into Alison, her daughters, and they'd stopped arguing about her, but Hanna didn't want to stop harking on her. Or reminding her how terrible of a decision it was for her to get involved with Alison again. Sometimes Hanna would even beg her to just drop Alison before she got hurt.

She loved Hanna, she really did, but being told she was making a mistake this often was starting to frustrate her. She'd tried to explain it to Hanna. In a way, she might understand. Hanna seemed deadset in continuing to dislike and distrust Alison.

Emily knew the only thing that would change Hanna's mind, would be Alison. Seeing the change. Being told what Alison had told her. There was no way around it. Alison had expressed her want and need to do just that anyways.

The one thing she absolutely could not stand was Hanna's assumption Alison could possibly be at least a controlling mother. It had been the biggest thing, to show Emily the true change. Her girls had brought out the Alison she'd known and loved forever. Alison still hid herself, and she was a lot more reserved, but at the same time, she was the most open and honest she'd ever been. She had to be better, for her daughters.

Hanna had tried to push back and tell Emily she didn't know, because Emily couldn't be around them twenty-four seven. She didn't even believe Alison and Paige were friends, or that Aria could be friends with Alison again. Let alone Maya being on Alison's side, more than she was anyone else's.

"Hanna-" Emily sighed.

"Emily, you don't know. She could just be a doppelganger! The real Alison could be out there, right now, pulling the strings-"

Before Hanna would reply, a loud round of screams could be heard. Emily didn't even think about it, she hung up on Hanna, and sprinted up the stairs, taking them two at a time. By the time she got up the stairs, Alison was racing into Elaine's bedroom, bat in hand.

Emily was right behind, as they entered the room. The girls were on the side of the bed furthest from the window, curled up together. Olivia clung to Elaine's shirt and hid her sobbing face into her chest.

"What happened?" Alison demanded sternly, though not unkindly, but protectively.

"There was someone at the window!" Hadley informed both adults, her arms wrapped around all three girls protectively. Trying to calm them down, but shaken herself.

It didn't make any sense, At all. They were on the second floor. How could- the tree. Emily raced to the window, Alison moved to the girls. Emily looked down and saw nothing at first, but after a second, she saw a black shape moving across the yard, towards the trees behind the house.

Emily was about to move until she noticed another bright-clothed, pale-skinned, familiar shape dart at the black figure, the new shape seemed to come from the front of the house. Emily gasped in surprise, as they tackled the black shape to the ground. The two wrestled, and Emily caught sight of the face of the bright figure.

Addison Derringer. She dropped her phone by accident.

She hissed and rushed towards the hallway as the dark figure wrestled with Addison. Alison called her name.

"Call the police, Ali!" She called back as she sprinted down the stairs and towards the backdoor.

She ripped the door open and froze for a second. The black-clothed figure had their hood ripped down. Their face, clearly visible. Hands wrapped around Addison's neck, squeezing tightly, as Addison clawed the face. Leaving damage behind her nails wake.

Ben-fucking-Coogan, was there. On top of Addison. It didn't make sense, wasn't he in jail? Or under house arrest?

Addison gasped, clawing him again. Ben howled in pain, and Emily felt rage fuel her. She shot forward across the yard, towards Ben. Her only goal at the moment was to get Addison to safety. Away from him. If she did that, maybe she could get a few good licks in. Regardless, Addison was the main concern right now.

She tackled Ben, off of Addison, who gasped and coughed for air but crawled backward on her ass to get away from the fight as quickly as possible. Emily turned, trying to shove herself to her feet and get to Addison, to at least drag her back in the house and lock the fucking door. Before she could, Ben shoved her to the ground and onto her front. He tried to crawl on top of her, but before he could, Emily shoved him away with a foot.

Emily turned to Addison, "Get inside the house and lock the doors!" Addison didn't move. "Now, Addison!" She demanded.

Addison shoved herself to her feet and began to run as fast as she could towards the open back door. Ben jumped over Emily to get to her, but Emily was quicker. She shot to her feet and jumped onto his back before he could reach her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on as tight as she could.

Addison slammed the door shut behind her. Likely locking the door, and shot towards the living room.

Ben struggled in a panic, before rearing his head back and slamming the back of his head into her nose. She gasped in pain, and her grip loosened enough for him to shake her off and turn around before she could react. He shoved her to the ground and crawled on top of her. They fought.

Ben was trying to press his arm against her neck, but she was fighting him back with everything she had.

And like that, there was a solid thud, and he rolled off of her, holding his head and groaning. There was Alison, with the bat clutched in one hand. She tried to swing it back at him again, but she didn't have the chance. He growled and shot forward, ripping the bat away from her. Her grip was weak, as the bat had been in her non-dominant hand. He brought the handle into Alison's stomach before she could react, in a rage, causing her to double over in pain.

Emily tried to stand up and rush him, but as she got to her feet, he swung around and pointed the bat at her in warning. They had a stare off for a few long, thundering seconds. His face was twisted in so much rage…and Emily was desperate to get Alison, who was on her hands and knees, inside the house. To safety.

"We have the police on the phone!"

Both Emily and Ben turned to the house. There was Hadley and Addison, knives clutched in their hands. Emily could just make out Claire behind them, her hand on Addison's waist, and the other clutching a phone in her hand.

"Fuck!" Ben howled and decided not to take the chance.

He glared at them, and then Emily before he dropped the bat and rushed for the woods. Emily groaned in pain, and let him as she stumbled her way to Alison who sat on the grass and grunted. Neither of them were in any position to chase after him. It was a police job, anyway.

Emily sighed in relief as the girls dropped their knives and rushed out to help. She noted the very angry red marks around Addison's throat and the bruise on her cheek, one peaking out beneath her shirt. Claire clung to Addison.

"Okay, help me get Alison inside, Hadley," she instructed. Her nose hurt. She could feel the blood, the bruising, it was going to hurt like a bitch. He'd fucking broken her nose.

Hadley nodded emphatically and rushed to grab one of Alison's arms and threw it around her shoulders as Emily did the same with the other arm. Alison was still winded and only communicated in grunts as she was brought up to her feet and then dragged inside by the two of them.

Addison followed closely, wrapping an arm around Claire's shoulders without thinking twice.

Emily sighed in relief as they set Alison just inside the kitchen door. She locked the back door and turned to the other girls. Addison and Claire were waiting patiently, Elaine stumbled into the kitchen holding Olivia who was still sobbing. Elaine rushed to her mother in a panic.

"Okay, Addison, Claire, Hadley, help me lock the doors and windows." She ordered.

"Do you think-" Addison winced as she tried to talk, "-he'll come back?"

Emily frowned, "I don't want to take that risk. Elaine-" she turned to Elaine who was staring at her mother, who now had Olivia clinging to her.

The three girls rushed around the house, to do as they were told. They didn't like the idea of Ben being able to come back and finish the job at all. Claire placed the phone, it looked like her phone, on the counter and rushed away.

Emily stepped forward and grasped Elaine's arms, forcing her to look at her. Elaine blinked in surprise but gave her undivided attention.

"I need you to find the tablet upstairs okay?" Elaine looked unsure. "It's important, we could have footage of him at the window from it-"

Elaine's eyes lit up, "We have cameras outside too! I'll be back!" Elaine looked to Alison who was taking deep breaths, and holding Olivia to her chest. "I'll be back mom!"

Alison gave her a quick nod and began trying to hush Olivia. Elaine rushed for the stairs.

Emily sighed, before turning to Alison. She dropped to her knees and set her palms on Alison's knees. Alison took in a deep breath and looked up at her.

She was terrified but less so for herself. Emily could see fear for her daughters. For Emily. Olivia's cries slowed, and Emily felt for both of them.

Alison saved me again, Emily thought. She sighed.

"We're all going to be okay," She reassured Alison.

Alison smiled slightly, and nodded, moving a hand to grip one of the hands on her knees.

–

Emily watched the police vehicle sit in front of Alison's house. Elaine shifted, underneath her arm. Emily sighed and pressed her cheek to the top of the girl's head and squeezed her just a little tighter.

The police had come and gone. They all felt…frustrated, with the police. No one had seemed to notice Ben had escaped police custody and hadn't believed them. A phone call later, and they'd expressed their apologies. Alison had been too tired to retaliate but was incredibly angry.

She'd expressed how unsafe her family would feel if Ben was allowed bail, until his hearing, and yet…they'd let him out. Didn't think he was a flight risk, despite how many people told them he was.

Emily and Addison had talked to the police the most. Alison was far too frustrated to answer questions beyond her story, Elaine and Claire had been forced to pull her away before she'd told a police officer to bite her because he'd asked why Ben would go after her if she didn't deserve it.

She was still surprised by Addison's story.

"I got a text from my friend- Claire…she was scared because she could see someone at the window."

"Why didn't she call the police?" The officer had asked, with an edge to his voice. Addison squinted at him.

"We were already talking, and he hadn't seen her, genius. If he had, do you think he would have just run off? He was here to do damage. He tried to get in through the window."

"Hm."

Addison had rolled her eyes, and Emily had just listened, "I told her to wake the others up. Crawl underneath the bed. I live close by, so I got in my car and made my way over. I wasn't going to let some fucking stalker hurt my friends, but you wouldn't know would you? You don't have those-"

"Excuse me?"

"ANYWAYS," Addison had glared at him, and Emily had been so very reminded of Alison, "I confronted him. I wasn't going to let him go, Scott free. You know, like-"

Emily had stepped in then, cutting her off, "That's when I saw her. I told Alison to call the police."

Addison had been so…selfless, in that moment. It had been shocking. There was no reason for her to tackle Ben, to try and stop him from fleeing. It was a very different Addison from the one she'd met her first and even second day at work.

Maybe her gut about Addison hadn't been wrong.

"Girls?" Emily and Elaine looked up from the porch, Alison stepped outside and crossed her arms.

Addison was just behind her, waiting politely. She shifted just behind Alison, uncertainly, and Emily had to admit she looked like she'd been here the entire time. She crossed her arms like Alison had, and Emily felt amused, letting herself forget for a split second about the night they'd had.

"The living room is ready, we all need sleep," Alison gently told them.

Emily and Elaine sighed at the same time, Alison smiled at them as they pushed themselves to their feet and shuffled back into the house.

As promised, there were essentially all of the couches, and any free space, pulled out so there was room for everyone to sleep. None of them felt comfortable enough to sleep in their own rooms, and Elaine had suggested they all sleep in one collective room for the night. Addison and Claire had helped.

Olivia was already on Alison's loveseat, curled into a ball, asleep. Hadley was fixing the pull-out couch with a few sheets and blankets. She'd had to ask for an extra, for Addison, after Alison had asked her to stay the night. Something that had surprised Addison. She'd never stayed the night before.

It was late though, and Alison had told her, she was taking her to see a doctor first thing in the morning for her injuries. Addison had tried to tell her it was fine, but Alison was persuasive…and stubborn as all hell. She couldn't win even on Alison's worst day.

"Hadley," Alison smiled sadly at the girl, "your aunt will be here tomorrow morning to take you home for a few days."

Hadley deflated but nodded in understanding.

"Okay, lets…get some sleep," Alison instructed with a sigh.

Elaine turned into Emily, surprising her with a hug and a soft, "Thank you for saving Addison." and she was released.

Elaine and Hadley curled together on the pull-out, wrapped securely around each other. Claire laid beside them, looking up expectantly at Addison. Addison shifted, near uncomfortably, and took off her jacket. She unceremoniously dropped it onto the floor and slipped her shoes off before standing there for a few seconds. Refusing to look anywhere.

Emily and Alison paused, near the loveseat to watch.

Like an unspoken conversation was being had, Claire blinked up at the other girl before holding her hand out. Addison hesitated before she took the hand and let herself be pulled down onto the bed. The most surprising thing, was after Addison had settled herself on her back, Claire shuffled forward and pressed her head to Addison's chest. An arm was thrown over her stomach. Addison tentatively held her back and closed her eyes.

"Thank you," Claire sighed out to the other girl, "for coming."

"Always," Addison sighed back.

Emily glanced at Alison who smiled softly at the sight and turned to the loveseat. She scooped up her youngest daughter in her hands and cradled her to her chest. Olivia curled into her mother's chest and sighed in her sleep.

Alison turned to Emily who looked at her in confusion. Alison rolled her eyes and motioned to the loveseat. Emily looked at it.

At most, it would fit two people. But Emily could just take the floor-

"Em," Alison sighed, "just- lay down. Trust me, okay?"

Emily frowned but did as was asked of her. She fixed the pillows, and laid down on her back, looking expectantly up at Alison.

"Here, take her," Alison passed Emily Olivia. Emily took her, laying Olivia on her chest, and looked further confused.

Alison moved away, and Emily was certain she was trying to take the floor.

"Ali, it's your house, I can't let you take the floor-"

Alison rolled her eyes and picked up a sheet from the coffee table.

"Relax, would you?" She chuckled, "I was just getting a sheet."

Before Emily could open her mouth to ask what she was doing, Alison crawled onto the loveseat with her. She laid on her side, and curled herself around Emily and her daughter, as Emily tensed. They hadn't been this close in years.

Alison threw the sheet over them and laid her head against the pillows next to Emily. Olivia shifted in her sleep, splaying herself out against Emily, so Alison moved a hand to rest on her back and rubbed soothing circles against her.

Emily looked at Alison before she looked at Olivia. She looked back to Alison and breathed out slowly.

"Em, relax," Alison whispered, "no one is sleeping on the floor, and-"

"Thank you for saving me, again," Emily blurted, staring at her face.

Alison blinked, tiredly, before smiling at her.

"Always," she promised, "you're always worth saving, Em. You're worth the world."

Emily opened her mouth to reply because she wanted to ask- but a small tiny slapped her cheek. Emily sighed as Alison chuckled and leaned forward to kiss her daughter's forehead.

"You know, sometimes I think you're related to my girls," Alison teased her, "they're bed hogs. Just like you."

Emily rolled her eyes but smiled as Alison chuckled again. She finally relaxed as Alison placed her head on Emily's shoulder.

She sighed out. She felt content for this brief moment.

Her heart thrummed inside her chest, and it felt like it was trying to reach out for Alison. Maybe it was worth letting it do just that.

NOTE:

Thank you specifically to anyone who was nice about me opening up about my own experiences. I STILL totally recommend Forever Without You.

Now, I PROMISE you will get some answers. This chapter was important, however, and you will see why very soon. Just be patient, if possible. I do what I want :) I do also promise Hanna's reaction is justifiable. She's been VERY hurt by Alison.

Fun question though, out of all of the characters IN PLL, who do you think Claire is related to?

Anyways, I was convinced to update my profile. So if you ever want, here's where you can find me:

Tumblr: cardiaceyes
(Prompts are always open on my tumblr! feel free to ask about anything!)
Twitter: themoreardent (for fanedits mostly, but also writing...occasionally, link to my main twitter on it)