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Disclaimer: I do not own Pretty Little Liars or any of its characters

Stepping out of the black Lincoln MKX SUV, Paige took in a deep breath as she looked at the large Victorian house before her on 301 Sunnybrook Lane; absolutely nothing had changed. Slowly making her way up the front driveway, Paige kept her eyes on the dark purple and pale yellow paneling as past memories began flooding back. The house was still surrounded by bushes while a large pine tree stood tall to the right of it. Paige could feel a small smile crawl across her lips as her eyes traveled across the surface of the Montgomery residence; that was until they landed on the same blue triangle she saw back at headquarters. Scrunching her eyebrows at the sight of it, the auburn girl began making her way toward the front door of the residence as she spotted a well-built officer protecting the doorway.

"Espinoza I presume?" Paige asked first as she raised her right hand to give the man a handshake.

Immediately taking off his dark aviator glasses at the sight of the team, the muscular man stepped forward to meet Paige's shake. "Yes. I assume you're the squad from Washington?"

"That's correct" Aiden quickly answered as he stepped forward to give the middle aged man a handshake. "Are the Montgomery's home at this time?"

"They're down at the station right now answering some questions" Espinoza replied as he led the way inside the house. "But you could send one of your team members down there as well to save some time if you'd like. I have a squad car that could take them directly there and back".

Nodding in agreement, Aiden looked back at his team before accepting the offer. "Dave. Go with Espinoza's Officers to the station. The Montgomery's are there". Turning back to face the lead contact, Aiden continued. "Is there anything we need to know before we start looking around?"

"The guests mainly stayed within the living room area and kitchen area" the officer started as he directed the group toward the two areas. "According to Byron Montgomery, he recognized everyone that was here. However that's not saying much since the front door leads directly to the staircase which leads to the missing victim's room"

Abruptly turning toward the staircase, Aiden watched as Paige was ready to start investigating upstairs. Giving a final handshake to Espinoza, the closely shaven man took to his team as he formulated a plan. "Paige, Skylar. Scout out upstairs. You know the drill. Take pictures of everything. Dust everything. Take samples of anything that looks out of place. Dylan, do the same down here. I'm going to take a look at the neighborhood to see if anyone has any security cameras we could use to try to find our culprit. We'll meet back up in 2 hours. Agree?"

In unison, the team agreed before making their way toward their respective places. Paige began walking up the stairs slowly as though she was scared someone from her past was going to jump out at her; but she was alone. Carefully opening the bedroom door she once slept over in, Paige dusted off the door handle first before taking a quick sample and pictures. Turning to face the large windows, the auburn girl felt herself take in a deep breath as she felt no time had passed.

"How does it feel to be back?" Skylar asked from the auburn girl's side as she made her way toward the window seat.

Walking forward toward the desk area, Paige gently grazed the surface before answering. "A bit surreal actually. I never really had a plan to come back here"

Scrunching her eyebrows in confusion, the hazel eye beauty looked at Paige before placing a few pillows in her large black garbage bag. "Why? It's your home"

"One of the most influential pillars that holds your very foundation begins at home; it's what shapes our lives" Paige stated as though it was rehearsed. Unplugging Aria's Apple laptop, Paige placed it gently in the bag before helping Skylar with the throw pillows.

"Given the way you turned out, I'd be pretty happy to call this my home then" the beauty stated as she began looking for a spray can that created the triangle on the window.

"That could be debatable" Paige retorted as she began dusting the floor ever so lightly to get any foot prints. "There is just a lot of history here for me. I was a completely different person"

"Well, you've got my attention" Skylar replied with a smile. "How different could Paige McCullers have been?"

"How different can teens be?" Paige quickly countered.

"I can't wait to meet your friends" Skylar sarcastically replied before tying up one of her bags.

Arching an eyebrow at the last statement, the auburn girl continued dusting the floor as she mumbled back, "I can"

At a half past 6, the team finally made their way toward the Rosewood PD station. Giving all their samples and pictures to the forensic unit, the team figured they could use a quick practice as they were already in the training field. Placing all their belongings by the wired fence, the team gathered in a circle before Dylan tapped Paige as the two were the first to go for practice. Unzipping her black leather bomber jacket, Paige revealed her olive green cross strap cami bra she used to train in before completely removing her jacket to get more comfortable.

Carefully watching each other's movements, the two skillfully put their arms in defense mode ready to attack. "Alright McCullers, let me see you defend your home turf" Dylan started with a hint of mockery in his voice.

"This isn't my home anymore" Paige simply replied as she watched her slim team member continue his prowl.

Dylan was the first to strike a punch as he aimed for Paige's chest but was quickly blocked as the auburn girl quickly used her left hand to defend herself. With Dylan trying again, Paige instead held the sandy man's wrist with her left hand as she tried bringing him to the ground; however failing as the slim man twisted under her hold to break free. Coming at her with a side kick, Paige held her ground as she managed to hold the man's leg with her left hand before forcefully smashing her right palm into the man's chest to throw him onto the ground as she ended it with a chock hold to force the younger man to yield.

After finally gaining his composure, Dylan held his neck as he responded to his defeat. "Damn McCullers. Where the hell did that come from?"

Smiling to herself as she brushed herself off, Paige turned to her right as she heard Dave haughtily state, "Got some anger issues we need to talk about?"

About to respond to the smug statement made against her, the auburn girl suddenly froze as she heard a familiar voice scream out from behind her.

"What the hell Paige?"

***9 years ago***

"What the hell Paige?" the auburn girl heard Spencer scream toward her left as she kept her eyes firmly in front of her; cheering on with the rest of Rosewood High swim fans.

"What?" Paige responded confused as she tried clapping harder to support her own team.

Watching in complete awe as the crowd got to their feet in last second, Spencer screamed out. "What did you do to Emily?"

"What do you mean?" Paige asked as she scrunched her eyebrows before glancing over to the slim brunette. "The girl just dominated the race!"

"Exactly!" Spencer exclaimed in excitement as she couldn't help but jump a little as she watched Emily pull herself out of the water and into the embrace of her swim team. "I mean she was a beast before, but I don't even know what you called what she just did!" Continuing clapping, Spencer turned toward the auburn girl as she continued. "You don't even swim! You don't even run! How did you get her to surpass not only her own but the national record?"

Smiling a bit to herself, Paige was proud she could help when it came to the brunette. "It's all about math and science. Em just needed to find the best technique for her to take on the lowest number of strokes without losing her speed. She just had to change her DPS slightly"

Cocking her eyebrow in complete perplexity, Aria turned toward the auburn for clarification. "Uh…DPS?"

"Distance Per Stroke" Paige explained. "It depends on how many cycles she could do within a certain amount of time dependent on her strokes. Therefore, if she increases her stroke per a second she increases the time she could complete a cycle. The fewer strokes she has per a cycle gives her more speed to complete the distance" the brown eye genius continued as she watched in bliss at how overjoyed Emily was. "Em already had the perfect body position and breathing technique. She just needed to work on her strokes to make the ultimate balance at perfecting her time."

Nodding her head as Paige explained her own brilliance to the group; Spencer couldn't help but smirk a bit. "Right. The more you talk, the more I realize you really did deserve that win in Washington for the Intel science talent search."

"Of course I did" the auburn girl bluntly replied. "What? You really thought your analysis on the strength of magnetism under fluctuating temperatures was going to beat my analysis on determining how the Th2-dominated immune responds to the Helminth infection which would in turn lead to the activation of AAMs? Really? Were you watching Batman vs Superman with Hanna again?" Paige asked rhetorically.

"Hey! I'm pretty sure I should take offense to that" Hanna exclaimed as she chimed in.

"I'm not going undermine anything that gives me even a dent of inspiration" Spencer calmly responded as she tried defending her actions. "Plus, Superman eludes science. I wouldn't put it past it if 45% of the student population turned to him as a science fair muse.

"Yeah, the percent of students whose life goals probably don't go pass winning the Rosewood football championship" Paige smugly replied.

"That's a really important game" Hanna stated as she pointed a finger at Paige.

"Let's just go down there and congratulate Em" Spencer uttered with a smile as she watched Paige put her hands up in defeat. "She just made an insane record."

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!" the brunette started screaming before jumping on top of the auburn; engulfing the auburn girl in a full body hug. "Paige, thank you so much! Did you see me out there?" she squealed.

"Everyone saw you out there!" Paige replied as she endorsed the hug; pulling the girl in closer. "You beat the national record that was set in 1974. Congratulations! I couldn't be more proud" she whispered for only the brunette to hear.

"Thanks to you" the brunette whole heartedly stated as she pushed herself off the auburn girl a little to catch her gaze. "If you didn't tell me about my stroke I would have never guessed how I would begin to improve my time. I'd still be stretching and hoping for longer arms and a fin maybe"

Holding the tanned beauty's stare, Paige couldn't help but smile as Emily smiled. "I'm pretty positive you would have figured it out eventually"

"Alright you guys, dinner is on me!" Hanna screamed out as she jumped on Emily with Spencer and Aria following from behind.

"What? Are you kidding me?" Emily replied as the blonde continued tugging on her shoulders; leading the group outside the school.

"Dinner is on us!" Spencer agreed. "You just basically guaranteed yourself a full ride at any school you want" she continued as she pulled out her Toyota SUV keys.

"Exactly which is why I now have the extra cash to pay for dinner" the brunette cynically replied.

"I don't think so" the auburn girl interjected as she hooked arms with the brunette before giving the girl a side smile.

Rolling her eyes in defeat, Emily stubbornly made her way toward her friend's dark grey Highlander and opening the passenger's side. Given there weren't many places in Rosewood the group could go to celebrate, the gang agreed on their local Italian restaurant they always went to for special occasions.

Taking their seats near the serving station as they entered the premise, the group split up as Emily and Paige instinctively sat on one side while Spencer and Aria sat on the other and Hanna taking the aisle seat. Emily was still taking off her cerulean Sharks hoodie when she saw the waitress walk up towards the table.

"Hello ladies. My name is Rose and I'll be your server this evening" the tall dark woman cheerfully stated before continuing. "To start off, would anyone like a drink? Or is water fine?"

"Water is perfect" Spencer replied for the table.

"Great" she answered before writing it down. "Now given that I've seen you around here before, how about I guess your order and bring it out here. If I'm right, it'll be on the house" she affirmed as she looked directly at Emily; not startling anyone at the table.

"How about no and you just get her the 1534 hamburger with extra onions and fries on the side?" Paige vehemently answered for the brunette without making eye contact with the raven hair teen before continuing as she looked at the menu. "And I'll have the Merguez Sausage Sandwich"

"I'll take an order of the chicken phyllo roll with crab cakes" Spencer soon followed as she watched the waitress begin writing down their orders with a scowl.

"And I'll try the chicken pie with a small order of grill scallops" Hanna continued as she closed her menu with enthusiasm.

"I'll just have the chickpea salad" Aria concluded for the table before taking the menus from the other girls and handing it over the waitress. "Thank you!"

Waiting for Emily's new admirer to leave, the group waited a few seconds before focusing their attention back to the brunette. "God Em, we need to start putting a brown bag over your head so maybe you can go a day without getting hit on" Aria indicated as she couldn't help but smile.

"Doubt it. Have you seen her ass?" Hanna asked as she pointed toward the tanned beauty's assets.

"Thanks Han. It's not that bad" Emily quietly responded trying to hide her blush.

"Uh, the waitress looks like she's going to spit in my dinner for interrupting her flirting session with you" Paige countered as she stared at the brunette.

"Well she is kinda cute Em" Hanna observed as she focused on their waitress taking an order from another table.

"She could do better" Paige quickly replied toward the dirty blonde beauty.

"Well maybe we could have one less order to pay for" Emily casually stated as she tried thinking of a way to save the girls money.

"We're good Em" the auburn girl convincingly replied before trying to change the subject. "Anyway, do you guys want to check out that 97.7 concert they have down at Lancaster theater tonight? Students are free"

"That would be amazing! Perfect way to end the night!" the brunette responded as her eyes lit up in excitement.

"I'm in" Spencer agreed. "I'll text Toby to see if he's up for it."

"Already asking Ezra" Aria chimed in as she started texting away.

"Sounds great to me" Hanna conclusively replied. "I'll see if Caleb could grab us some seats since he'll be there early. Oh hey Paige, do you mind dropping me home first? I have to change out of this top. These straps are so annoying" the beauty stated as she began picking at the skinny straps on her turquoise ruffled tank top.

"Yeah of course" the auburn girl responded as she leaned back to allow one of the staff workers place their water on the table.

"Caleb can't drop you there while we get seats?" Emily asked as she looked across at her friend.

Taking a sip of her water, Hanna licked her lips before responding. "He could but then he'll have to come here, get me then go back. Since Spence is driving too I figured Paige could drop me. Unless you prefer if Spence drops me" the blonde challengingly stated as she looked up toward the brunette.

"I don't have any preference" Emily nonchalantly replied as she played with the straw in her water. "Just figured you'd prefer your boyfriend to spend time with you" she continued without making eye contact. As the brunette saw movement toward her left, Emily looked up gratefully as she saw the server approaching with their food. "Finally, food! I'm starving"

Watching the brunette get flustered, Hanna couldn't help but smile as she skillfully cut a piece of her chicken pie and placed it in her mouth. Closing her eyes in satisfaction, Hanna ingested the simple bite before stating the obvious. "This place honestly never disappoints."

"Seriously" the rest of the girls replied in unison.

After taking their time eating and laughing at the day's events, Spencer glanced over at her watch before realizing how late it was. "Ugh, it's pass 7pm already. The concert starts at 8pm."

"Ok, how about you guys take off and Hanna and I will grab the check" Paige arranged as she wiped her mouth and got up. "We'll meet you guys there."

"Sounds like a plan" Aria agreed before pushing in her chair and making her way toward the other two girls.

"Thank you guys. This means a lot" Emily graciously admitted as she looked at her friends.

"Anything for you Em" Hanna replied as she smiled toward the brunette.

Smiling in agreement, Paige couldn't help but watch as the brunette followed the rest of the girls out before being interrupted by an acquainted voice. "Hey, I wanted to apologize to you before; for flirting with your girlfriend right in front of you."

Shocked at how blunt the waitress was, Paige was taken aback about the accusation made toward her. "Whoa, she's not my girlfriend" she replied as she placed her hands up in defeat.

"No?" Rosa asked confused.

"No" Paige confirmed with a smile. "Just a really good friend of mine"

"You seemed to get a bit defensive when I was taking your order though" the tall brunette observed.

"We were just really hungry" Paige replied as she took out her wallet to pay the bill. "Since you've noticed her before, I'm sure the next time she comes in here you could use the opportunity to your fullest advantage again" Paige implied as she tried hiding her discomfort.

Smiling to herself, Rosa seemed to know the brunette was off limits but agreed with the suddenly shy auburn girl standing before her. "I might do that. Well thank you for eating with Brother Jimmy's and hope to see you again"

"Thank you" Paige responded. Placing her walled back in her messenger bag, the brown eye girl could feel a pair of eyes glued on her. Turning to see Hanna gawking at her, Paige began feeling suddenly embarrassed. "What?"

"Nothing" the blonde beauty replied as she pushed herself off the table she was leaning against and made her way to the exit.

"What is it Hanna?" Paige stubbornly asked again.

"Absolutely nothing" Hanna replied with a slight smile.

Searching through her closet for one of her more comfy but fashionable tops, Hanna couldn't help but glance over at the auburn girl who was currently sprawled out on her bed; reading the latest Science Today magazines she always carried with her. Turning her attention back toward her closet, Hanna bit her lip before finally speaking up. "Have you ever thought about it?"

"Thought about what?" Paige asked honestly confused.

"You know" Hanna began. "You and Emily" she finally stated. "Having more than a…platonic friendship"

Raising her eyebrows at such a question, Paige abruptly closed her magazine before darting up in a sitting position. "Are you serious? No way!" the auburn girl bawled. "I love that girl, but not love love her. She's the complete opposite from me…but somehow brings out the best of me. I honestly don't even know why she's friends with me"

"Really?" Hanna asked seemingly unconvinced.

"What?" Paige retorted.

"Paige" the blonde started before thinking of a way to get through to the girl. "When you say you're complete opposites, what do you mean?"

"You want me to compare myself to Emily?" Paige asked. "The Emily Fields? The star swimmer of Rosewood High? The bronze goddess who walks the halls and has basically every girl, and guy for that matter, tripping over themselves to just get a glimpse of her? Not to mention, I'm pretty positive when she talks bunnies and unicorns tend to come out of the woodworks just to listen to her"

"See, that right there!" Hanna exclaimed as she pointed her index finger toward the auburn girl's statement.

Still confused of what her friend was doing, Paige nodded her head. "What?"

Beginning to get frustrated at how dense her friend was being, Hanna continued to pry. "What do you mean by bronze goddess?"

"Hanna, I'm not blind. Emily is absolutely stunning" Paige truthfully admitted.

"That's exactly my point!" the beauty exclaimed.

Staring blankly at her friend, Paige didn't understand where the blue eye beauty was going with the statement. "What is?"

"Why have you never considered dating her?" Hanna bluntly asked.

"Because she's not my type. Not to mention she's my best friend." Paige honestly replied.

"What is your type?" Hanna continued pushing.

"What are you doing?" the auburn girl asked in defeat as she stood up from the bed. "Why are you trying so hard to convince me to look at Emily in a way that's not friendship?"

"Because you guys are perfect for each other" Hanna finally stated.

Tightening her jaw at such a statement, Paige placed her hands on hips in defense. "And you need to stop playing matchmaker. There's no me and Emily beyond friendship. She's my confidant. She's the person I turn to when I need a shoulder to cry on and the person I could tell basically anything too. That girl deserves the world and I can honestly admit that's not me. So can you please…please put aside the idea of me and Emily dating so we could finally get to the theater on time?"

"Fine" Hanna defiantly agreed. "But mark my words McCullers. One day you'll realize how spot on my matchmaking skills are"

***Present Day***

Without having to turn around, Paige looked directly at her team as she watched her comrades' circle around her; ready to defend her. Inwardly flinching at the memorable voice, the auburn girl slowly turned around to face her adversary.

"You're part of the Special Ops Unit and you didn't even have the decency to call or simply email anyone?" Spencer screamed out as she looked the auburn girl straight in the eye. Spencer didn't change at all; but that's not where her focus was. Her focus was on a certain brunette standing right behind Spencer. That brunette who seemed to have that same magnetic pull on her even after all this time.

Paige seemed to have forgotten how to breathe. All she was able to do was stare in those same deep brown eyes she always managed to get lost in; especially when they were staring right back at her. Watching Emily silently drink in her own features, the auburn girl knew a lot had changed with her. She didn't have the same bob haircut and bangs she once did. Now, her wavy hair flowed down well passed her shoulders as her bangs had grown out. Suddenly realizing she was wearing a camisole top that easily showed her toned abs as well as her tribal shark tattoo that went down her right side, Paige began to feel a bit self-conscious; but that didn't stop her from taking in her own view of the brunette.

As her eyes trailed over Emily, Paige easily saw the brunette was still a unique beauty. She seemed more toned as her arms and legs were well defined. Her hair was still the same length; however now it was highlighted. Along with her stunning features, the sun also played its role; giving the girl an absolutely stunning glow. Fighting the urge to walk over and engulf the tanned beauty in a long awaited hug, the auburn girl found it even more difficult to move.

Forcing herself to look away, Paige simply could not as Emily held her gaze. All she was able to do was be engulfed by her pull. Feeling her heart drop as she watched the brunette's eyes fill with tears, Paige knew how hard Emily was trying to prevent them from falling; but that didn't mean they weren't filled with hurt and anger. She saw how confused they were; compelling Paige to feel even more guilt-ridden then she already was. Feeling the tension easily arise around them, the auburn girl still didn't look away as she heard another familiar voice next to the brunette.

"And don't even try using Caleb as your defense" Hanna furiously added. "I could tell he's lying by a mile away."

"Speak Paige!" Spencer heatedly snapped. "I mean it's been 8 years. I figured you'd at least say hi to us. You tell us you're leaving start some science program early but you'll be back. And you never came back. For 8 years! And now we find out you're the one who's supposed to help us find Aria? We're supposed to trust you now? Why? Because you're somebody that could keep your promises?"

Tightening her jaw at the accusation made against her, Paige struggled to swallow as she was at a loss for words. She honestly didn't think this would be the first interaction she was going to have with the girls. Forcing herself to move, Paige finally broke out of her gaze, as the sudden voice of her commander vibrated through the air.

"Enough!" Commander Mahoney demanded. "McCullers, my office. The rest of you, show the ladies out"

Leisurely shifting her gaze downward, the auburn couldn't help but notice a familiar leather anchor bracelet on the brunette's wrist before watching as the three girls were removed physically from the grounds. Drifting her eyes back upward toward the brunette, Paige found herself once again locked in a trance as Emily held her stare for a few more seconds before focusing forward.

Hearing the door slam shut behind her, Paige took a seat in front of the commander's desk before finally hearing the man speak up. "Mind explaining to me why 3 women came crashing into my training course ready to set you straight?"

"No sir" Paige calmly replied.

"Should I remind you the disciplinary actions we take here when learning an ops officer is lying to us?" the sturdy commander forcefully asked.

"No sir" Paige answered. Figuring out a way to a explain herself, Paige finally came clean. "As you know I grew up here in Rosewood. I have some ties to some of the residents still here which…includes the Montgomery's"

"You have ties to the missing person?" the commander questioned.

Nodding her head in agreement, Paige answered. "Yes sir, but not strong ties. I use to go to school with her along with the other 3 girls you met out there"

"Continue" the well-built commander replied as he sat back in his seat.

"We've all known each other since middle school. I was closer with some more than others. I knew Ms. Montgomery, but I didn't know her as well as Ms. Hastings who….was the one who just made herself clear out there"

Watching his field officer closely, Commander Mahoney knew Paige was telling the truth. "I see. And Ms. Fields? Did you know her as well as Ms. Hastings or Ms. Montgomery?"

"I knew her as well as Ms. Hastings" Paige truthfully answered. "But better"

"Now it's becoming clear to why Commander Fields selected your team to cover this" the commanding officer established before standing up. "So why does he trust you so heavenly yet the girls seem to despise you?"

"I'm not sure" Paige replied as she looked at her superior. "I didn't even know Commander Fields knew I was an officer"

"Yet he does" the established man quickly countered.

Lightly biting her lip, Paige continued. "I was close with the girls. We were friends for basically 6 years. And senior year I decided to graduate early without giving anyone any notice about my intentions about leaving Rosewood and not returning"

Arching an eyebrow, Commander Mahoney continued his interrogation. "Why did you leave so abruptly? I would have assumed you would have told at least one of the girls. I mean 6 years of friendship is a long time"

Clenching her jaw, Paige closed her eyes as the painful feelings she once had begun crawling back. "It was, I agree. But I made sort of a hasty decision without thinking of the consequences. I was 17. When you're angry and hurt you tend to be a bit irrational sometimes"

"I'm not going to pry into your teenage drama. But those girls don't seem to trust you out there" the commander observed.

"It's their personality" Paige retorted as she looked back toward her superior. "Even if I wasn't here, they wouldn't trust the team. They will continue to dig up information on the team and will put themselves in the middle of the investigation."

Adjusting to the information just given to him, the commander had to ask. "What do you propose we do to eliminate that option from happening?"

"We go to them" Paige bluntly stated. "Unless they feel safe and respected from the start, they will not give up on making sure they eventually feel that way. I propose we send someone from the unit; someone that's not me to introduce to them. They need to know who we are and know we're just here to help"

"And how do you suggest we do that?" the commander officer asked.

Standing up to make herself feel less demeaned, Paige responded. "Invite them to the training ground. Show them that we do in fact have the necessary skills and intelligence to bring Aria home. And ensure them they are equally as important. They need to know they're useful to us"

Squinting his eyebrows at the officer's proposal, Commander Mahoney reacted. "You seem to know these girls really well"

"I don't think that's the case anymore" Paige truthfully replied.