Guest1 – Their first encounter needed to be emotional given their past. Plus, I couldn't just have their first interaction be together with the other girls. It needed to be unique…something that was just theirs. I hope you liked it!

Shanti – I definitely agree Paige needs to be emotionally tougher, but sometimes you could train yourself to build this wall against everything and everyone…but that first love you have can rip it down with merely eye contact.

EUgrl- I hope it does!

Naiel2017 – I'm so glad you like reading the story and I'm especially glad you were able to understand why Paige acted the way she did. AND…thank you again for always leaving a comment! I really do appreciate it!

Emily . Anon– I'm really glad you love reading the story! Trust me…I wanted to knock some sense into Emily as well when I was writing that chapter. But I have plenty in store for these two.

Guest2 – Hahahaha, Paige always holds things inside…but she eventually shares her feelings with the world!

Siophiefandom – Oh you! I couldn't help but crack up when I saw your comment. I'd like to think Emily wore her dress while swimming…so when she pulled herself onto the boat…Paige had to use her imagination a bit as she was only able watch in admiration as the soaking dress hung tightly around Emily's body.

Guest3/Pailyshark – I love hearing it every time you guys say it! I was honestly a bit hesitant in posting the story because I wasn't sure how the action story would play…but I love protective Paige!

Thecatfromaliceinwonderland – Well I hope you liked the paily interaction! I have plenty of paily moments waiting for you. If I give you warning…where's the fun in that? I loved that you picked up on my George Martin quote! You always pick up on those little characteristics of mine. I tried looking for that song you recommended but I couldn't find it. Thanks for that tho!

Sofiadc66 – you sure know how to encourage someone to continue writing without even realizing it. So first off…thank you! Especially since I know how busy you are…you always find time to review. The flashbacks I include are all important because you see how connected the girls are. You see how they begin to recognize their feelings for each other. I'll always promote Paily love! Thanks again for the amazing review!

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

Paige could feel the intensity of those profound brown eyes fixated on her. She knew Emily was watching her as soon as she had entered the conference room. Making sure she took a seat at the opposite end of the semi-circle granite table, Paige almost immediately began focusing on the vanilla folder in front of her.

Ever since their conversation last night, Emily tried to talk to Paige. When they got back to the group, Emily headed straight for the rest room as she felt like she was about to have a panic attack. Finally collecting herself after a few minutes, the brunette was more than just determined to talk it out with Paige. She kept eyeing the girl, but Paige always found a way to ignore her. Thinking the auburn girl rather communicate another way, Emily found herself mistaken as Paige had disregarded her texts, her calls and even her instant messages.

The auburn girl was thankful her team was surrounding her. She could sense Emily's frustration the minute she sat down. And if she still knew the girl as well as she use too, Paige knew Emily would end up cornering her somewhere only they could speak; that was the last thing Paige wanted. Paige wanted to get as far away from the girls as she could.

In all honesty, Paige had no intention at revealing anything to the brunette the night before. She didn't want to acknowledge the kiss between the brunette and her foe. She didn't want to admit to knowing their whereabouts afterwards. She didn't even want to admit to having a Shark tattoo. But she did. Emily always had a way of forcing her to say truth without even looking at her.

As she continued her thorough assessment of the folder before her, Paige let out a sigh of relief once she heard her commander's voice.

"Good evening. Hope everyone's well rested" the robust voice began. "Thanks to Ms. Skylar and her equipment, we were able to get a lead. It was small, but we got something" he continued as he began playing the footage they found on the large projector in front of the room. "Ms. McCullers, it looks like one of the guys were fighting was Mark Ferraro"

"Why does that name sound familiar?" Paige asked as she scrunched her eyebrows watching herself easily defeat the taller man.

Nodding in agreement, Commander Collins replied, "I was hoping it would. You may know his brother, Richard Ferraro. Aka-"

"The Beast" Aiden finished.

"You killed the Beast's brother. Congratulations" the commanding officer retorted as he looked toward the auburn girl. "Your next task is to bring the beast in" he ordered. Handing out the folders for the new mission, Officer Collins continued. "Ever since the Stanzini's case, we've maintained visual on him. And look what we found" the respectable officer stated as he projected the photo on the projector. "He has in fact been in contact with Caminiti himself"

"Alright, where are we headed?" Paige simply agreed.

"Chicago" Commander Collins answered. "According to his flight records, it looks like he will flying there tomorrow night for a business trip. That's where you will take him down. From what we gathered, it looks like he'll be meeting with the Steinburg brothers at 2026 N Mohawk St" the commander continued as he brought up the place of residence the perpetrator would be staying.

"You have the exact address?" Dylan asked with a little suspicion in his voice.

"Our agents are good at their job" the commanding officer replied.

Scrunching his eyebrows in doubt, Aiden was in agreement with his team member. "Seems a bit careless from someone like the Beast just to give away his location"

"Do you think it's a trap?" Paige asked her co-lead.

"It could be a diversion" Aiden retorted.

"Well then he'll be coming after you, Ms. McCullers" Commander Collins grimly stated.

Emily's eyes widened at the statement made by the commanding officer of the case. The mere thought of Paige getting injured or worse stricken the brunette with guilt as it dawned her she was the reason why the team was in this situation. If it wasn't for her or her friends on stubbornness, the team could have brought Aria home. Suddenly pulled out of her thoughts, Emily heard the auburn speak up again.

"I always appreciate the attention" Paige replied with sarcasm.

"Glad to hear it" Commander Collins countered. Turning back to the projector, the well-built officer continued refining his command as he began showing past assignments the beast was a part of. "As we all know the Beast is known for his not so traditional interrogation methods. He uses your deepest fears against you" the muscular officer disquietingly stated as he showed pictures of the beast's victims. "He'll break you down, torture you in every way and then use you against your own allies".

"And you want her to fight him?" Emily furiously blurted out before she could stop herself

"Emily-" Spencer mumbled before Commander Collins focused his attention on the brunette.

"Ms. Fields, we didn't bring you here for your approval" the high ranking officer harshly stated. "We brought you here to make sure you don't have any other bright ideas up your sleeves to distract this team" he continued bleakly. "The officers sitting before you are the best of the best. This is what they've been trained to do; to bring back your friend"

Emily could feel herself shrink as she felt all eyes on her on. Refusing to look anyone, Emily kept her eyes in front of her before replying to the accounts Commander Collins made against her. "Apologies sir" she simply mumbled. Emily could see Paige's lips part as the entire confrontation started. This was her job. And here she was acting as an overprotective friend.

"Does your team have everything they need for this operation?" the commander asked bringing the attention back to the case at hand.

"Yes sir" Aiden replied.

"Good" the formed man responded. "You leave in 4 hours. Be safe and good luck" he stated before leaving the conference room.

Waiting until the commanding office left the room, Aiden stood up and focused his attention toward the group of civilians. He knew Paige and Emily had a stronger bond than with any of the girls which made her outburst reasonable. But Aiden still had to have a handle of the situation. "We do appreciate your concern for our safety. But you also need to know this is what we do for a living. You need to trust us"

"We do" Spencer spoke on behalf of the entire group.

Emily still felt herself shrinking as her friends gathered around to her to protect her. Raising her eyes to meet the auburn girl's chocolate eyes, she was immediately met with the girl's sympathetic gaze. Holding onto the girl's stare, Emily could tell Paige understood her outburst but was still a bit angry for speaking out the way she did. Looking back down at her hands as she folded them in her lap, she continued listening as Aiden addressed them once again.

"I do believe you. And I understand you need some adjusting to our….occupation. But we need to be focused. We can't worry about additional threats" Aiden continued his lecture.

"We understand" Hanna defensively replied.

Accepting everyone was on edge given this was the first time the girls were a part of a debriefing before their mission; Aiden simply nodded his head in agreement. "Officer Cruz will take you back to the safe house. We need to prepare for the assignment" he stated as he tried changing the subject. Watching the slim officer make his way into the room, the team took it as an indication to leave group behind.

Paige couldn't help but shift her eyes back to the brunette once more; met instantly with the girl's gaze. Holding onto each other's eye contact once more, the auburn cleared her throat before following the team.

"Be safe" Spencer mumbled loud enough for the team to hear before they weren't in earshot.

Well over 20 minutes into their flight, the team began checking on their suits and their weapons to ensure everything was working as they should. Laughing at the antics Dylan and Skylar seem to be enlightening their team with, it would appear the group was off to a more favorable destination. But that assumption was easily disregarded as Skylar cranked her shot gun to make sure it was actuated.

Broken out of their content stupor, the team was soon interrupted by a familiar voice. "Office Weaver, Commander Collins is on the line" the pilot called out on their ear piece.

Pressing the button located on his talkie to speak, Aiden obliged the order. "Office Weaver here. I understand" was all the team lead said before he focused his attention onto the pilot. "Turn the plane around. New coordinates. 37.5 N, 79 W" he abruptly ordered.

"Aiden, what's going on?" Paige asked as she saw the immediate change in her co-lead's posture.

"We have a new mission" Aiden simply responded as the team held onto the closest rail to them when the plane made an immediate right.

"Right now?" David asked as he was equally as confused.

Focusing his attention toward the front windows, Aiden peculiarly answered. "It takes priority"

"Which is-" Skylar asked before Aiden finally answered.

"The girls were taken" the build team lead firmly replied as he looked directly into Paige's eyes.

***9 Years Ago***

"Mexico?" Paige exasperated. "As in…Mexico? Not New Mexico?" she asked in trying to grasp the idea of Emily going on an international trip.

Visibly excited as her friend was saying it out loud, Emily jumped to her feet and ran straight to her closet as she began rummaging through her clothes to start packing. "That's right! How amazing is this? Cancun! I mean I know Couch Fulton was trying to get us to experience different cultures, but nothing like this. This is just-"

"International" Paige immediately interrupted.

Peeking out of her closet, the brunette shot the girl a look. "Paige, focus"

"Isn't there travel advisories out for Mexico?" the auburn girl continued. Still trying to come to terms of the brunette leaving the country, Paige was paranoid of the idea. "I mean, there's kidnapping, robbery, violent crimes…I mean gun battles could just come out of nowhere sometimes" her eyes widened at the thought as she got to her feet.

Emily looked at her friend in disbelief. "Paige-"

"And it's not like you could just blend in" Paige began again as she ignored Emily trying stop her. "You're going with your entire swim team! You guys are probably going to be chanting some ridiculous song that is just going to be screaming out for attention" she pointed out in one the scenarios she thought of.

"Paige-" Emily tried again.

Throwing her head back in frustration, Paige immediately thought of another vulnerability. "Ugh and Courtney is going isn't she? She's like a walking neon sign for danger"

Emily couldn't control the smirk that crawled across her lips as she saw the auburn girl pacing back and forth in her. Tightening her jaw, the brunette quietly took a seat the edge of her bed as she tried to break Paige out of her thoughts. "Paige-"

"Do you have a taser?" the auburn girl suddenly asked as she turned to look at the brunette. "You could borrow mine" she shrugged.

"Paige!" Emily finally yelled out as she grabbed the auburn girl's shoulders to get her to focus. "I'm going to be fine. Coach Fulton checked the travel advisory website and Cancun is as safe as it comes. We're going to be going in a group so I doubt anyone will try anything. Plus we're going with a few other teachers so we have that as extra protection. We're only going to be gone for 3 days. The arena that we're going to is right around the resort we're staying in so we're not going to go that far" she managed to state in one breath. Feeling the brown eye intellect calm down beneath her fingertips, Emily gave her soft smile. "I'll be fine, ok?"

"But what about communication?" Paige pointed out. "It's not like you could use your phone if anything"

"The resort has free internet. I promise to email you every morning and evening. Ok?" Emily genuinely answered.

"It's not like I have a choice you know" Paige mumbled before sitting on the bed.

"You don't have to be so concerned about me. I could handle myself" Emily calmly stated again to reassure the girl she would be fine.

Taking in a deep breath, Paige didn't want to look Emily in eye; fearful of allowing her feelings to get the best of her. "I know. I'm not worried about you" she started quietly. "I'm worried about the other people around you doing stupid things to put you in a situation where you have to handle yourself"

Emily knew she was lucky to have someone like Paige in her life. Lifting the girl's chin lightly with her index finger, the brunette wanted the auburn girl to look at her. "Paige, I promise you everything will be fine" she reassured with a smile. Letting the girl go, the bronze beauty went back to her closet before pausing and turning around abruptly. "When did you get a taser?"

The sound of silence is eerily disturbing when you're accustomed to hearing teenagers protruding up and down the halls every minute of the day. Closing the large wooden door of his office behind him, Principal Hackett focused on the short auburn hair sitting still right in front of his Allyn Office desk. Clearing his throat to give the girl an indication that he was there, the middle aged man began. "Good Evening Ms. McCullers. What can I do for you on this fine Sunday morning? Your father said you have concerns over a certain matter?"

"Yes sir. Uh, well you see" Paige stuttered out as she felt nervous for having to ask her dad to call the principal into school on a Sunday. "It came to understanding a few days ago that our swim team was given the opportunity to go to Mexico this weekend for a quick demonstration of the culture over there when it comes to swimming" she began. "I had been keeping in contact with one of the members every day, twice a day. However, she didn't respond last night or this morning. Now, I've called up the hotel, but-" the auburn explained before she was cut off by the burly man before her.

"There was an incident Saturday night at a nearby beach" Principal Hackett began before seeing Paige's eyes widen in fear. "The girls are perfectly safe. However I believe their statements are being taken. Their parents were already informed late last night"

"What kind of incident?" Paige quietly asked as she tried to wrap her mind around the idea of Emily being hurt.

"A tourist went for a little night swim while intoxicated. They were pulled in by the undertow and security had to come save him. Our swim team had a front row seat to the whole incident while they were dining at a nearby restaurant so the security wanted everyone's statement" the bearded man explained.

Paige looked at her clammy hands to try to calm her nerves. "Oh" was the only thing she was able to respond with.

"Ms. McCullers, I do appreciate your concern with the safety of our team" Mr. Hackett began as he was satisfied to hear the concerns of one his students over a few others safety. "And if Couch Fulton or any of the other teachers didn't inform us, you would have been my next line of defense. I really do appreciate you bringing this to my attention" he reasonably implied with a small smile.

Without looking up, Paige shook her heard. "No problem"

"I'm sure your friend will contact you soon" the headmaster simply stated as he noticed Paige was still worried. "Try and have a good rest of the evening"

Paige could feel her heart pounding out of her chest. She honestly didn't think the principle would be able to tell her anything. If anything, she would have thought the hotel lost internet connection or something equivalent. But hearing the words 'incident' and 'security' swarmed the auburn girl with complete dread. "Will do" was all she was able to mumble out.

Forcing her eyes to adjust to the window still in front of her, Paige dragged her eyes toward her nightstand as she watched 3:03am display large on her clock radio. Listening closely again, she managed to hear the same buzzing sound that woke her up. Reaching mindlessly for her phone, Paige managed to murmur "hello?"

"Hey" was all that was said in a slight whisper on the other end.

Paige shot up from bed knowing exactly who that soft reply belonged to. "Em? Hey. Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm perfectly safe" the brunette stated to assure the auburn girl. "I'm sure you heard what happened".

"I did" Paige blushed at the extent she went to in order to find out what happened. Observing the tone in the brunette's voice, the brown eye beauty spoke up again. "You don't sound okay"

"Just…still getting over the whole situation" Emily admitted. "It's good to hear your voice though"

"Did the paramedics manage to save the guy?" Paige asked.

"Yeah, fortunately" the tanned beauty answered as she sounded defeated.

"Are you back in your hotel?" Paige sincerely questioned hoping the brunette was safe.

Bracing against her backboard, Emily combed her hand through her hair before responding. "Yeah. Couch Fulton allowed us to call our parents to let them know we're okay" she answered. "I figured I'd call you right after"

"I'm glad you did" the auburn girl replied with a smile.

Smiling back, Emily felt the same. "Me too"

Licking her bottom lip, Paige wanted to just give Emily a break from everything. "So how's the swimming culture over there?" she asked with smile; inadvertently making the brunette smile as well.

***Present Day***

"Why are we taking so long to get there?" Paige furiously commanded. "How much further do we have?" she asked as she made her way toward the pilot.

"We're about 8 minutes out ma'am" the pilot replied. "We're going as fast as we can"

By the tone of their team member's voice, everyone knew how she was feeling; how scared she was. "Paige, we'll get to them" Aiden stated as he tried to calm his team lead. Bringing back to the rest of the group, he heard Paige speak up.

"A lot could happen in 8 minutes" she simply replied.

"We'll get to them" Aiden confidently responded.

Taking a seat at the end of the plane to calm her nerves, Paige looked back up to face Aiden. "How did Commander Collins even find out?"

"Officer Cruz was found unconscious" Aiden hesitantly stated.

"So the girls could have been taken even longer than we actually expected?" Paige asked as she stood up again.

"They have a tracker on them" Skylar reassured her team member. "We know where they are"

"I have eyes on the targets" the pilot yelled out.

The team didn't hesitate before running over to the side of the plane the pilot spotted the girls. Noticing the girls being exceedingly outnumbered by a series of men, Aiden quickly took note of the colors they all seemed to be wearing.

"Black and blue guys. It's Caminiti's men" the team's lead pointed out.

Paige didn't care who the hell those men were. All she cared about was getting down and taking care of them herself. "They're getting squeezed off the cliff" she replied to Aiden's statement. Turning toward the other side of the plane, Paige opened up the doors before strapping her gear on. "Get ready to jump" she ordered.

The team knew they didn't need to formulate a plan of attack. The girls were being cornered off the cliff; the plan was to attack. Given the fact that the group below seemed to be relatively unharmed, Aiden and Paige both knew Chicago was in fact a diversion.

Calminiti was smart at what he does. He always liked to get his enemies rattled. To let them know he recognized what was going on. This rouse was to let the team know not only did he know who was coming after him, it was to let them know he was watching them and will use anyone against them.

Her eyes landed immediately only Emily; she could see the panic cultivated in her eyes. Paige couldn't wait anymore. Turning to look at her team, the auburn girl made sure everyone was equipped before making the first jump. Falling at a speed at 156 mph, Paige was focused on her targets as she heard Skylar's shot gun next to her and saw Dylan's bow fly threw 2 of the men below. The brown eye beauty knew she was going to get the girls out with her team right behind her; she couldn't afford to think any other way. As she got close enough to her marks, Paige began discharging her throwing knives at the gunmen closest to the girls to make sure they had enough room to run.

Landing immediately on two of the men, shot's began to erupt all around her. Paige didn't care if she got hit; this is what she was prepared for. Pushing herself off the ground, the brown eye beauty grabbed the closest gunman to her before kneeing him to the left side of his body to break a few of his ribs as she performed a few jabs to knock him off the cliff.

Suddenly feeling someone trying to perform a double leg take down her, Paige felt herself being knocked to ground; giving her the opportunity to roll away and withdraw her machetes. Performing a Brazilian kick on her opponent first, the opportunity allowed Paige to easily insert one of her machetes into her adversary. Shoving him off the cliff as well, the auburn girl took the chance to discharge a few more throwing knives allowing her team to finally get the advantage over the gunmen.

Even though the opportunity gave her team the advantage, the option opened up Paige's defense to allow a few men to surround her. Fortunately, this wasn't anything new for the skilled brunette. As long as the gunmen focus was away from the girls, Paige knew her team could handle it. Easily defending herself against not only the gunfire surrounding her but with a few of the martial arts tactics used against her, the brunette thought her team would be in the clearing. That was before she saw a few more of Calminiti's men make their way behind the girls.

Observing as one of the men grabbed Emily behind, Paige second of distraction allowed one of the gunmen to use the opportunity to his advantage. Conducting a quick jab to the auburn's girl's jaw, the gunman followed up with a quick to her right side forcing Paige to open her defense on her left; allowing him to easily gash her with his knife. Kneeling almost immediately at the action, Paige didn't let that stop her as she used her arms to defend a kick the man was about to display toward her head and perform a flying side kick; forcing the man to fly backwards to his death.

Paige directly focused her attention to the brunette as her eyes widen in horror. As though it was happening in slow motion, the brown eye beauty watched as a smirk crawled on the lips of the man holding Emily before he easily pushed her off the cliff.

"No" was all she was able to mumble; loud enough for Aiden to hear as he focused his attention to the direction the bronze beauty was pushed. Turning his attention back to the auburn girl, the team lead watched as Paige didn't hesitate before propelling herself off the cliff as well.

"Paige!" was the only thing he could scream; knowing it was no use.