It's Halloween in Rosewood, and the crisp fall air is bringing back memories that Ali doesn't want to have to think of right now.
xx
It was a cold October night, much colder than usual for fall, and Emily and Ali were eating pizza and watching movies in Emily's room. Ali felt safe here, like its was her own room.
"It's such a cold night. And what's up with this rain?" Emily says, eating the last bite of her crust.
Ali takes the pizza box and puts it to the side, getting up from the bed to walk over to Emily's window.
She sits on the bench with her feet up, wrapping her arms around her thighs.
"I've always loved this window. This spot is so comfortable." Ali says.
"Me too. I sit there to write all the time." Emily says, half regretting her words.
"What do you write about?" Ali asks.
"Just..how I feel, I don't know." Emily looks down, she can't look Ali in the eyes knowing all she writes about is her.
"I wish I could read it, I'd love to see what's inside your head. But I wouldn't want anyone to read mine."
"You write? About what?" Emily asks, intrigued.
"Same as you. How I feel. I don't know." Ali says, her eyes looking straight out the window.
xx
Alison DiLaurentis has absolutely no reason to leave the house. She is cozy, in flannel pyjamas, too old to trick or treat, and too annoyed to go to any party thrown by Noel Kahn or his band of jocks.
She's just about to start a movie with a bowl of popcorn when Emily comes barging in, Barbarella clad and looking way too hot. Ali has to keep her mouth from dropping and instead opts for a "What the hell are you doing here?" look of surprise.
"Let's go, we're going out. It's Halloween and you're alone in a dark house on the creepiest night of the year."
"So what if I like it?"
"Then you can like it tomorrow night because tonight we are going to Spencer's barn party that you had ample time to prepare for. And I know you have a costume somewhere."
Ali gets up and pulls out her Lady Gaga costume and Emily smiles.
"Get dressed Ali, I'll wait downstairs. I'm happy you're coming."
"You don't have to wait downstairs." Ali says, pulling her shirt over her head.
Emily tries to avert her eyes but they go directly to Alison's chest and Emily's breath catches in her throat.
"Yes I do." Emily says. "I have to…use the bathroom."
"Ok." Ali says, a little happy she got a reaction from Emily. It had been awhile since Emily had seem flustered from Ali's flirting with her, she was beginning to wonder if she and Maya had something going on. But Emily hadn't said anything to her, and they never kept anything from each other. Well, apart from this.
xx
Downstairs in the bathroom, Emily was sweating and shaking. And she just saw Ali in her bra. This is why she couldn't get herself to be with Maya even when she knew how much Maya was interested in her. As long as Ali's around, she can't look at anyone else, no matter how much she wants to.
She puts some cold water on her face and opens the bathroom door, seeing Alison dressed to perfection.
"Wow. You look amazing." Emily says.
"Thanks Em." Ali gives her a quick kiss on the cheek and grabs her hand. "Let's go."
xx
They arrive at Spencer's hand in hand, not having let go since they left Ali's house. Ali doesn't want to end the contact and neither does Emily, so they just keep a steady grip on each other.
"I'm going to go get us some drinks." Emily says, and breaks the contact. She has to be the one to do it, because she hates the feeling when Ali lets go of her.
She walks over to the bar and gets them 2 tequila shots each and beers.
"No salt?" Ali asks with a wink.
"Not this time." Emily says, her cheeks flushing a little.
Ali leans over to whisper in her ear, "That's too bad." She takes both shots quickly and starts drinking her beer nonchalantly.
Emily's heart is racing, Ali's lips had touched her earlobe and sent shivers running through her. She downs her shots just as quickly as Ali and starts on her beer, needing to be a little drunker to get through this night. Is Ali just teasing her like always?
Halfway through the night, Ali is bored and can't find Emily and seriously wants to just grab her and get out of here. She spots Emily through a crowd of people and they lock eyes. Emily's lips are at her beer, and she drinks it in the sexiest way Ali has ever seen someone consume alcohol.
Ali walks over to the bar, takes the bottle of tequila and motions for Emily to follow her. Ali pulls Emily by the hand and runs with her. "Where are we going?!" Emily asks, smiling.
"How do you feel about tequila and hot tub?" Ali asks.
Emily looks a little nervous, but she wants Ali. And to be anywhere with her, and do anything. So she says yes.
"I don't have a bathing suit." Emily says.
"And I'm not going upstairs to get one. So strip. We're in it together."
Ali sheds everything but her bra and her underwear, and climbs into the warm water. Emily does the same and sits the farthest she can from Alison.
"I'm drunk." Ali says, "I'm kind of drunk. Good drunk though."
"Me too." Emily says, her hands playing in the water.
"Em, I need to ask you something. You need to tell me." She slides over to sit next to Emily, and puts a hand around her neck.
Emily's freaking out inside. Ali's just drunk, she thinks. This is not hope.
"Do you still have feelings for me?"
Emily stiffens and Ali doesn't move, she stares at her with sadness in her eyes. Like a puppy who wants a treat.
"Ali…I don't want to screw things up between us." Emily says, trying to push Ali away.
Ali gets up and takes Emily's hand, leading her into the house. Ali throws Emily a towel and they stand in the kitchen wrapped up and quiet.
Emily is lost in thought, leaning against the counter when Ali walks up to her and runs her hand down her arm.
"What if telling me didn't screw things up? What if I feel things too?"
"You told me you didn't." Emily says, stiff.
"What if I lied? What if I didn't know then?"
"Well do you know now?" Emily asks.
Ali reaches a hand up to cup Emily's face and places the lightest kiss on her lips, testing her. Ali looks in her eyes for permission to go further, and Emily reaches in to close the space between them, kissing her back. Emily kisses her slowly, savouring her lips and taking it in that she's actually making out with Ali. And Ali wants this. And this is amazing.
Ali moves her hand to Emily's waist, pulling her towards her and deepening their kiss, exploring Emily's mouth with her tongue. Emily can't help it, she lets out a moan and Ali pulls back.
Emily thinks she fucked it all up in this moment. She starts to say I'm sorry but Ali cuts her off.
"Em. Do not apologize for that. Please. I want to hear so much more of it."
"Ali we don't have to do anything you don't want to do."
Ali presses her body up against Emily's and takes her hand, sliding it down the inside of her underwear for Emily to feel her wetness. Emily's in a trance as Ali lets her touch her, and she can't help but close her eyes and moan when she feels just how wet Ali is. She takes Emily's hand out of her underwear and looks her in the eyes.
"I can't believe you just let me do that." Emily says.
"And I will let you do much more."