Emily didn't know how she had allowed them to wander into a 24 hour tattoo shop at 1:32AM. She hadn't had anything alcoholic to drink, her mind was clear. Yet they were now standing in this shop while Hanna looked over various tattoos in a black leather book.

All of them were interested in getting a tattoo, even Spencer. But then again, Spencer had the most to drink out of all of them. Emily knew she should step in to intervene with their decision, but she didn't want to kill the vibe that they had going. Instead, she looked around the shop, which seemed like it was clean enough that they weren't going to get any sort of disease.

"Emily!" Hanna said, bringing the book towards her. "We should get best friend tattoos."

"Um, I don't know," Emily said wearily. Emily knew she wanted a tattoo at some point in her life, but she was on blood thinner at the moment. Getting a tattoo could definitely make her bleed a lot if she was a bleeder.

"You have to!" Hanna practically whined, shoving the book in her direction.

Emily sighed, and took the book from Hanna. Go big or go home, she thought. She was going to have to make a big deal about hiding this from Alison the next day, who would most likely strangle her if she found out Emily had gotten a tattoo while on blood thinner. Emily knew she should be making better decisions, but like hell if she was going to let some medication prevent her from getting a tattoo. Alcohol was one thing, a little bloody tattoo wouldn't kill her.

Hanna squealed with delight as they looked over the tattoo book. Emily was thinking more of where she could hide the tattoo, than what they were both going to get. After a quick search on her phone, Hanna pulled up a fairly simple dove tattoo.

"This one," Hanna said, showing Emily. "It'll literally be the size of like a quarter. You can get it on your right shoulder and I'll get it on my left. That way we match."

Emily chuckled nervously, "I'm trusting you on this."

"Don't worry! I heard it barely hurts," Hanna said, as she handed the unused book to Aria.


Whoever Hanna heard from that tattoos barely heart was a huge liar. Emily was practically biting her tongue as the tattoo artist began his work on the back of her right shoulder. Her pain tolerance had lowered substantially since breaking her leg, and normally she would've thought it was would've gotten better. She didn't know how Hanna had roped her into doing this, and Emily was the sober one!

The pain on the back of her shoulder seemed to increase, and she wondered if she had told the tattoo artist that she was on blood thinner, if he would've tattooed her at all. Thankfully, she didn't seem to be a bleeder and the tattoo wasn't that big. It was on the back of her shoulder, and she would probably be able to hide it from Alison because of its location. She was just happy she didn't get it on her waist or anywhere Alison would easily be able to see in the coming days.

The tattoo took twenty minutes at the most, Emily didn't really keep track of the time. As soon as the guy said, "You're all done," after he cleaned it and wrapped it, Emily was off the chair. She quickly told Hanna to sit in the chair, and looked at Spencer who was in an equal amount of pain. She was getting a small rose on her wrist. Aria was the only one who seemed to handle the pain, or she was just good at hiding it.

Emily went over to the mirror and turned around, looking at the tattoo that was now permanently on her skin. She sighed, well there was no going back now. She hoped it wouldn't be too soon until she saw Alison, maybe her anger would be toned down in a few days or weeks.

The tattoo did look good. A black dove on her shoulder, facing to the right. Hanna would be getting the same thing, but on her left shoulder. Her dove would be facing to the left.

"When in New York," Emily mumbled, trying to find an excuse for what she had just done.

At least she didn't bleed.


Emily woke up next to Hanna, who was snoring softly with her mouth hanging slightly open. Emily grunted, and sat up in their shared bed. Judging by the sun, they had made it to the morning. Emily checked her phone, which was on the bedside table right next to her medication. The bed they slept on was heavenly, it was some of the best sleep that Emily had ever had.

It was 10:30AM, and they hadn't gotten in from their night of fun until 4AM. Emily's eyes itched to close and have some more sleep, but Emily knew that Alison was due in New York City in a half hour. Emily wasn't going to be able to meet her in Grand Central, but she was going to have to meet up with her soon. Plus, checkout was at 12.

From the lack of noise in their hotel room, she assumed both Aria and Spencer were asleep as well. Emily sat up in the bed, and looked at Hanna. Hanna had her arm securely wrapped around one of her pillows, and Emily felt bad for waking her up from her slumber.

"Han," Emily whispered, gently shaking her best friend. She avoided Hanna's shoulder, which was wrapped from the tattoo that they had gotten.

Hanna grumbled in her sleep and frowned, "No, I'm not getting up."

"Well, we have to be out of here in an hour and a half. It'll be less time for you to get ready," Emily said. "You guys can get breakfast on your way out of the city."

"Right I forgot, you're staying behind," Hanna sighed, opening her eyes to look up at Emily. "Helping your eye fucking buddy with her book contract."

"Hanna!" Emily said, pushing Hanna slightly. "That was five years ago."

"Why can't you just come with us?" Hanna asked, sitting up. "Why can't her husband just help her?"

"Because he works on the weekends," Emily said. "And she's my friend, I would help you with your book contract if you had one. And I've helped you with a lot of your wedding planning might I add."

"Yeah! Because you've been my best friend since forever, and you're my maid of honor. That's your job!" Hanna protested.

"Well I already said I would, and she's almost here so there's no backing down now," Emily said, stroking Hanna's hair. "Now let's get the other two up."

Hanna didn't follow Emily as she rose from their bed to wake Spencer and Aria. Emily padded across the room and into the hallway as quietly as she could despite having the brace on her leg. She peeked in Spencer and Aria's shared room, and saw them both asleep. They both were facing the window, and Aria had one arm loosely around Spencer's waist. She felt bad for having to wake them up also, and laughed because she always knew that Spencer was a little spoon.

"Spenc, Aria," Emily whispered, tucking her hair behind her ear so that she could bend down over them.

Spencer's eyes blinked open as Aria slept on.

"What time is it?" Spencer asked immediately.

"Little after 10:30. We don't have that long to get up and get ready," Emily said. "Can you wake up Aria for me? I call the shower first."

Spencer nodded, and yawned. "I have to say Emily, that was so much fun last night. You'll have to plan my bachelorette party."

Emily laughed, "Thanks. I thought you guys would like it, but I call the shower first!"

Emily left the room, leaving Spencer and Aria's room. She hurried to the shower, even though no one would try to get in it before her. She was just excited to use the side jets that this fancy bathroom had.

It took a miracle, but Emily and the other three were able to all take showers and get ready by 12. They had left with about twenty minutes to spare, and Emily saw them off as they got into Spencer's car. All their tattoos were beginning to heal, and they had removed the wrap that was covering it. Emily had hers concealed behind a gray sweater, confident that she would be able to keep her tattoo from Alison for now.

Emily took a cab to Alison's hotel, which was on the other side of Manhattan. Alison said she would be waiting outside for her when Emily arrived, and even though they were only apart for two days, Emily missed her greatly.

She grew antsy in the cab, and paid hurriedly when she got to the hotel. Just as she said, Alison was waiting out front. The driver got out, and walked to the trunk to take Emily's bag out for her. Emily didn't even say thank you, instead she was already in Alison's tight embrace.

"Hey," Alison said, warmly.

"Hi, I missed you," Emily said, trying to not think about the searing pain in her shoulder as Alison hugged her tightly. Her arm was right on top of it, and it hurt.

"Me too," Alison said, letting go of Emily. "Thank you so much for staying an extra day for me."

"Anything I can do to help you out," Emily smiled.

The taxi driver placed Emily's suitcase next to her, and mumbled something about her wasting his time. Emily looked apologetically at him, but he was already in the taxi and driving away. This was New York after all.

"Well, the meeting is at around 2," Alison said, as Emily turned back to her. "I'm assuming you're hungry for lunch?"

"I'm starving," Emily said. She had been ignoring the sound of her stomach all morning.

"Well good," Alison smiled, stepping forward to kiss Emily quickly. "We can go to my favorite brunch spot here. I didn't eat much either. I was hoping you hadn't eaten."

"It all worked out," Emily smiled, as the two remained close. Emily continued to look into Alison's icey blue eyes, and was very tempted to lean back in and kiss her again.

"Right, let's get your suitcase up to the room then," Alison said, picking up Emily's suitcase. "You'll love this brunch place."


Alison watched her from where she sat in the crowd. She was beaming as she walked across the stage to receive her diploma. Alison couldn't help but smile as she watched her, but the sadness growing in her chest and stomach was beginning to overpower her happiness to be graduating.

This was it, their last day together as a class. For twelve years they all went to the same school, and practically grew up together. And now, they would barely see each other again, if ever. Alison knew she would miss the girl deeply, the one who was shaking the hand of their principal and taking her high school diploma with her other hand.

Alison had already gone up and received her diploma, she held it in her hand tightly. But now she was watching Emily, who she knew would be leaving for army boot camp in a short time. Alison desperately wished that she had told Emily of her feelings when she had the chance, the feelings she had grown for the girl walking off the stage for a few years now. But, she didn't want to ruin anything for Emily. She didn't want Emily to change her plans just because of Alison.

So she watched Emily accept her diploma, and she smiled at Emily when Emily looked her way. Maybe things would've been different if she had opened her mouth about her feelings earlier, or maybe this was how it was meant to be. This may be the last time she laid eyes on Emily Fields.


"I like it," Edward said. "I like it a lot. I read it over about three days."

"You do?" Alison asked, though she knew he already liked it. "It honestly came to me on a whim when I was in college."

"I think it was very well written," her publisher said. "I'm not too fond of the title however, but I want to make a contract with you. I'm hoping you'll be able to make more visits here to discuss your book."

"Um, yeah," Alison said. "I'll be able to once I'm out for the summer. I mentioned I teach high school English so-"

"No problem at all," he said, interrupting her and waving her off. "The summer works, since it'll give us some more time to plan it out and take the appropriate measures to make sure that the book is a success."

Alison nodded, and leaned back in her chair. Edward sat back in his desk chair, and put down the stress ball that he had been squeezing. His desk was slightly disorganized, and many paper weights held down various stacks of files.

"What I did want to discuss was the relationship between two of the characters, what were their names?" he asked, scratching his whiskers.

"Uh, Lauren and Catherine," Alison said. "Their dynamic was just based off of a relationship that I had known in high school."

"Right," he nodded. "You know, there aren't many books that have strong LGB-yada yada yada in it. Sure, there is some but not really any that are too popular. I think your book may be it."

"Oh?" Alison asked. "Thank you."

"Of course," he said, clicking his pen at a fast rate. "Do you ever plan on establishing them as a couple?"

"Well, I did plan for Lauren to actually be alive, but I haven't gotten to that point," Alison said. "Catherine and the others still think that Lauren died."

"But you do plan on them getting back together when Lauren comes back?" Edward asked.

Alison thought about it for a moment, "I guess I didn't really plan it that far, maybe?"

"Well, we'll see how the sales go for the first book and the response. Honestly, I like them together and I think a lot of people will too. What is it called nowadays...shipping? I ship them? I don't know, it's lingo my daughter uses, I probably shouldn't be using it," Edward said, going red with embarrassment.

"No, you used it correctly. Good job," Alison laughed.

As they continued talking, Alison wondered that if Emily ever read the book she would make the connection with Lauren and Catherine. Emily was off doing who knows what while Alison was in her meeting, she just couldn't wait to see her already.


"Emily!"

Emily looked up from where she sat in the sandwich shop. She had been reading a news article on her phone about more bombings in the Middle East and waiting for her turkey sandwich to be made. She looked up from her phone to see a brunette with a wide grin approaching her. It was a face she hadn't seen in a long time.

"Paige!" Emily said, her voice leaking surprise in the tone.

"You're one of the last people I expected to see out here," Paige asked. "It's been so long, can I have a hug?"

Emily stood up and bent over the small table in front of them to give her a hug. She pulled back and sat back down in her chair.

"I didn't know you lived in New York," Emily said.

"The move was pretty recent, mind if I join you for your sandwich or are you expecting someone?" she asked.

"Oh no, go right ahead," Emily said. "Where abouts do you live? I'm here for-"

"Hanna's bachelorette party?" Paige finished, as she placed her sandwich down. "Yeah I saw some of the photos that she posted on Facebook. It looks like you guys had a lot of fun. And I live in the Bronx, I'm just here for a job interview."

"For what?" Emily asked.

"Google actually," Paige said.

"You gave up the Olympic swim dream too?" Emily asked.

"Yeah, I could never be as good as you!" Paige laughed, as someone called Emily's name. Her sandwich was ready.

Emily moved to stand up and get her sandwich, but Paige was already rising to her feet.

"Don't worry, I got it. Just sit," she said, and hurried off to get it.

Emily sat back down and waited for her sandwich. She looked at her phone to see if Alison was out of her meeting yet, or if she may end up having dinner with Paige. Paige returned with her sandwich and set it in front of her.

"So, how have you been since coming back from war? I've heard about your leg, I just didn't know a good opportunity to contact you," Paige said.

"Oh, I've been good. I have good people taking care of me," Emily smiled.

"I always knew your best friends would," Paige said.

She talked to Paige for a few more minutes, but mostly ate her sandwich. They were talking about future life plans when Emily saw someone walk up behind Paige. It was Alison, her blond hair a bit messy from the wind outside, but she still looked flawless.

"Hey Em," Alison almost cooed, from where she stood behind Paige. Emily smiled widely, as Paige turned in her seat to look at Alison behind her. "Sorry for barging in, mind if I sit?"

"Hi Alison," Paige said. "I didn't know you were in New York too."

"I'm here as her support, she's here on business," Emily said, excluding the fact she was having a book published.

"That's great that you're supporting her," Paige said. "I didn't realize you guys became friends."

"We were friends throughout high school," Alison corrected, pulling up a chair next to Emily. "We just rekindled the friendship since she's been gone."

Paige eyed them, as Emily offered the other half of her sandwich to Alison. Alison took it graciously, as an awkward mode set in.

"So Paige, how has your life been in these past five years?" Alison asked. "Do tell."

"Um well, I went through college. I decided to come to New York for a fresh start," she said.

"Why here?" Alison asked, questionably.

"Just for a fresh start," Paige responded, as she and Alison exchanged stern looks.

Emily gulped.


Alison had stayed relatively silent since they had gotten to their hotel room. It was about 7, and since leaving Paige at the sandwich shop, Alison's words were few and far between. Emily didn't know if she should say something, and wondered if Paige's presence had thrown her off.

Emily sat on the bed that they would be sharing, and watched as Alison dug within her suitcase. She hadn't even had the chance to ask how her conference had gone, since she didn't want to mention it in front of Paige.

"Are you okay?" Emily asked, her voice coming out soft and quiet.

Alison looked up from her suitcase, but didn't respond to Emily at first. Emily began to wonder if she would respond, when she finally spoke up.

"Yeah," Alison said. "Yeah I'm fine."

Emily stood up from where she sat the bed, and crossed the room to where Alison was standing over her suitcase. Without missing a beat, she wrapped her arms around Alison's waist, and pulled Ali's back flush to her front.

There was a floor length mirror in front of them, and Alison looked up from the suitcase to make eye contact with Emily's reflection in the mirror. Emily stared back at her and kissed Alison's cheek, her arms still snuggly wrapped around Alison's middle.

They stayed like that for a few minutes, they didn't need to talk. Alison could feel Emily's steady heartbeat on her back, her anger and frustration from seeing Emily's ex girlfriend was slowly disappearing. Paige and Alison had gotten into a bit of a stiff argument, to a point that Emily could see Alison's tightly balled fists in her lap.

"About Paige-," Emily began.

"No, don't say anything," Alison interrupted, squeezing one of the hands wrapped around her middle. "I got a little carried away. I guess she just resurfaced old feelings."

"Well, she's been in a two year relationship, so you don't have to worry about her," Emily pointed out.

"Should I have to worry if she wasn't?" Alison scoffed, smiling slightly at what Emily said.

"N-no! I was just saying," Emily said, suddenly feeling rather hot.

Alison laughed, "I know what you're saying Emily, don't worry."

Alison turned around, with Emily's arms still wrapped around her. She looked up at Emily, her pointer finger gently traced Emily's jawline.

"How long did you say you had to wait to have sex?" Alison joked, blatantly staring at Emily's lips.

"Two weeks," Emily smirked.

"Hasn't it been two weeks?" Alison said, rotating them so that Emily's back was pressed against the mirror.

"It has," Emily confirmed, leaning forward to kiss Alison.

Despite the fact there had been no action between the two for two weeks, their kisses were slow and patient. She could feel Alison smile against their kiss. They had only kissed for the past two weeks, but knowing Alison, she was impatient for more.

They continued to kiss, as Alison tugged on Emily's shirt. Barely thinking straight, Emily lifted her arms so that Alison could pull the shirt over her head.

"What is that?" Alison asked, and Emily froze.

"What is what?" she asked.

Alison was looking at the reflection in the mirror, she grabbed Emily and turned her around for her back to face her.

"That, did you get a tattoo?!" Alison asked, her voice laced with shock and anger.

"I-I-I," Emily stuttered.

"Emily you are on blood thinner for fucks sake," Alison said. "No matter how small it is."

"I'm sorry! I didn't want to disappoint Hanna," Emily said, awkwardly pulling her shirt back on.

"Disappoint her?!" Alison asked, outraged. "She wouldn't be disappointed, since you're not even supposed to be getting tattoos. Were you drinking when you're not supposed to be too?"

"No!"

"But yet you still got a tattoo," Alison sighed, the anger in her voice fading. "What am I going to do with you? Do you usually do things like this?"

"See this is why I need someone like you to guide me," Emily said, smirking. "And no, I don't. Just trying to live a little, ya know."

Alison wanted to express her love for Emily verbally once again, but decided to remain silent. Instead she hugged Emily tightly, and hoped none of the stupid decisions that Emily sometimes made would ever cause Alison to lose her.


Happy one year to Affair. It's been a long journey so far, and there are only a few chapters left. After Affair, I will be starting a new fic. Thank you for all of the reviews and for the support, I love all of you and I love this fandom.

-K

always review. Please note, this chapter was shorter for a reason.