Siophiefandom – I think you might be exactly right with who that award goes too. And I think in a way, Emily is Paige's home too. Thank you as always for reviewing! It means a lot!

Guest1 – Hahaha, thank you for that! Hope you enjoy the next chapter

Pailyshark – I could definitely tell you they will be spilling everything, but only in pieces of course. Thank you for reviewing!

Pailyanchormcfields – Thank you for reading and reviewing! Yes, the team and girls are staying in different locations but pretty close to each other. The girls are more in a safe house location. I couldn't help but listen to that Sam Smith song after I read your review! Thank you for that!

Naiel2017 – Thank you always for reading and reviewing. You're comments always make my day!

Thecatfromaliceinwonderland – Lol! My revelation will all come together in later chapters. It's all about the journey after all! I was laughing myself as I made Emily out to be a bitttt…crazy? But it's also cute! I definitely wrote it as though she was jealous Paige and Sam. And well said about Paige being Emily's anchor. Of course I had the raise the heat a bit with that encounter…but just a smidge. Thank you as always for reviewing! Hope you have a great day!

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

It was the gentle stroke on her index finger of her left hand that woke her up; but she didn't want to open her eyes in fear she was simply dreaming. Dipping her head a little further into her pillow, Paige felt the smooth stroke once again as it made her fluster at the simple touch. The auburn girl wished she would be able to wake up every day like this; with the same brunette by her side. Slowly opening her eyes, Paige parted her lips when the girl's long wavy tresses came into view as she witnessed Emily lying on her right arm.

Paige knew Emily was awake as she observed the way the girl's body moved as she breathed. Swallowing to help the sudden dryness in her throat, Paige took in a deep breath before she shifted her head closer toward Emily and tightened her left arm around the brunette's waist to bring their bodies closer. Immediately taking in the smell of sweet freesia and red plum, Paige gently grazed her lips against the soft skin below Emily's left ear; feeling the girl involuntarily flinch against her at the touch. The smile that appeared across both girls lips spoke for itself.

"Morning" Paige gently whispered in a raspy voice.

"Morning" Emily whispered back as she continued stroking the auburn girl's left hand as it still rested around her waist securely.

"Couldn't sleep?" Paige quietly coaxed as she began playing with Emily's fingers.

Arching an eyebrow at the statement, Emily had a great night sleep despite knowing her father and best friend were still missing. It was the fact that she was here; in Paige's arms and her room where she couldn't help but feel completely safe and content. Now laying in the girl's bed as Paige held her was exactly what she needed. "I just woke up a few minutes ago" she responded calmly as she didn't want the auburn girl to know exactly how well she slept.

"You know I have to take you back to the girls right?" Paige stated as she held the brunette even closer.

Sighing as reality struck her, Emily dug her head into the pillow. "I know"

"And you do know everyone was looking for you this morning right?" Paige continued as she felt Emily's body curl into the pillow before her.

"I know" the brunette answered back apologetically.

The feeling of losing Emily suddenly engulfed the auburn girl with a sense of fear and dread. Just the thought of her getting hurt made Paige want to hide the girl from everything. "Em" the brown eye began as she made Emily turn around to finally hold her gaze as they laid merely inches apart.

"I know" Emily whispered.

Paige immediately felt her throat constrict the second Emily looked at her. Feeling as though she was 17 all over again, Paige could feel the blush crawl on her cheeks as it seemed as though the brunette could read her thoughts. Drifting her eyes toward Emily's enviable lips, Paige watched as the girl did the same.

Feeling her body move on auto-pilot, Paige gently leaned forward as she placed a small kiss on the brunette's forehead before she softly brushed away a few strands of hair away from Emily's eyes; placing another kiss on the girl's right temple. Tenderly grazing the brunette's cheek with her left thumb, the girls stayed in the same position; simply reveling in the feel of each other.

Emily was the first to make a move. Pushing herself up on her left arm, the brunette carefully hovered over the auburn girl as Paige nervously shifted to her back. Parting her lips at the new position, Paige gazed tenderly into Emily's eyes before back down to her lips; only to come back to her senses.

"I think we should go back to base" the auburn girl stuttered out making Emily lean back.

"Right now?" the brunette replied in surprise.

"Yeah, I…I need to meet back up with the team to find out any leads" Paige mumbled out as she tried getting to her feet. Closing her eyes in complete inanity, the auburn girl knew she couldn't do anything with Emily given their situation. The case was the primary target currently. She didn't have time to get involved with anyone let alone Emily. She needed to focus.

"Work talk. Right" Emily replied as she combed back her hair in frustration. "Let's get back to base" she replied rhetorically before heatedly making her way to the bathroom.

Paige could tell Emily was livid given by the slam of the bathroom door. Flinching at the sound of thump, Paige flew back against the mattress as she tried to get control of her emotions.

"Geez Em. A text would have been fine you know. Do you know how worried we were?" Hanna shouted out as she watched her friend storm into the conference room.

Emily wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone in light everything that's happened in the last 12 hours. Tightening her jaw, she refused to look forward as she made her way over to the back of the room. As took her seat, she simply replied, "I'm sorry"

"You're sorry Ms. Fields?" Aiden firmly asked as turned to look at Paige who seemed as though she was forcefully dragging her feet to enter the room. Realizing the tension between the two, the team lead cleared his throat. "Look, we understand the situation-"

"The situation Mr. Weaver?" Emily furiously replied. "The situation is my father and best friend were both taken and we still have no leads of where to go"

"And if you stayed put maybe we could have found something" Aiden strictly replied.

"How? Your orders were to babysit us wasn't it?" Emily quickly retorted.

Shifting his eyes quickly to the auburn girl as she simply arched her eyebrow at the mini argument that just erupted, Aiden simply licked his lips to control his own temper. "Ms. Fields, right now you 3 are our priority"

"Not Commander Fields?" Emily boldly stated as more of a question.

"Commander Fields was trained like the rest of us. He knows how to defend himself" Aiden firmly stated.

"We could train them" Paige suddenly stated; surprising everyone.

With the entire room turning toward the auburn girl's proposal, Aiden gave Paige a look of confusion. Paige knew she had to explain herself. Getting up from the front seat she took, she stood up so everyone could understand her point of view. "Look, there's only so much protection we could give the girls. Once we go on a mission, we won't be here. The guys outside their place sure, they could protect them but what if they can't. What's our second line of defense?"

"They go back to Rosewood" David answered.

"I agree. It'll give us more time to focus" Skylar added in.

Placing her hands on her hips, Paige looked at Emily before looking back at her team. Maybe she was being a little selfish, but the last thing she wanted was allow those girls to go back to Rosewood unprotected. "Well we could, but look how well things turned out for Aria" Paige disputed. "Caminiti knows where the girls live. We would be putting those girls in more danger if we just bring them back to Rosewood"

"Don't we have a say?" Spencer soon chimed in.

"No" Paige quickly answered. "You don't. Look, all I'm asking is maybe they could learn a few basic defensive moves. For instance that day on the cliff. When one of those guys placed his arm around Emily's neck she could have easily defended herself if she knew the proper steps"

"I agree" a deep voice soon sounded from behind the auburn girl. Turning around quickly to watch as Commander Collins made his way toward the front of the room, he continued. "If Ms. Fields knew the basic techniques of self-defense, it would have saved us a day from having to look for you two". Placing his books down, he continued as he looked to the team. "But it won't be by you guys. We'll have our own defensive trainers train them as you were trained". Focusing his attention onto the girls he firmly stated, "You'll have 4 days of basic training. If you don't pass the end exam, you will be sent back to Rosewood to stay in a safe house"

"What is the end exam?" Spencer asked.

"You will need to win a fight between you and another officer. Anyone of your choice" Commander Collins instructed. "I suggest you follow Officer Herd and he will show you the training room. As for you guys" he stated as he directed his attention toward the team. "You will be joining our team over to the Texas base to help with the search on Commander Fields. Are we all in agreement?"

"Yes" everyone said in unison.

"Good" Commander Collins acknowledged.

Marital arts can't be mastered in merely a week let alone 4 days. It takes years of repetition and practice where someone truly masters the basics. But the girls didn't have years; they had merely hours to learn the basics. With the team away to Texas, the girls felt somewhat more relaxed they didn't need to worry about someone watching them all the time. It gave them to the chance to collect themselves and focus on the target at hand. And right now their target was finding Emily's dad and Aria. Their first obstacle was passing this final test the commander in charge gave them.

They had exactly 4 days to get in tip top shape. Every day from 8am till 4pm they were taught the basic footwork, the basic punches and kicks, the basic takedowns and ground techniques. They would learn to use every part of their body down to the pinky toe in order to get out of a dire situation. This is what they needed to do. But it didn't stop there for some of them. Emily was focused; she had a drive she never felt before. When they got back to their rooms every day, Emily would continue practicing in her room till she collapsed; sometimes even pushing herself even further.

Emily knew she had to do everything she could stay with the Special Ops Officers for the sake of her dad and best friend. But there was another reason she didn't want to admit. It was a reason that made her feel selfish and furious at herself for realizing. But every day she found herself pushing even further was because she needed to prove something; she needed to prove something to Paige.

After she watched the brown eye officer leave, Emily was livid. She was angry at herself for what she did that morning. Paige McCullers would never go for her anymore. Yes, they used to be best friends. But she managed to ruin that. She followed her feelings rather than her head. If she was in Paige's shoes, she wouldn't trust her either; she ruined it. Feeling herself tear up at the thought of losing her best friend, Emily worked out more; she worked harder. Now after all these years, she finds herself face to face with the girl and Emily swore all the oxygen was knocked out of her. Paige McCullers, the girl whom she shared everything with now stood before her looking exceptionally stunning. The girl was the perfect specimen of a human being. She was smart, gorgeous, thoughtful and a complete bad ass.

Paige could have anyone she wanted; she was that type of girl. With that note, Emily couldn't stop herself from thinking of all the women the auburn girl could have been with. It was obvious girls were attracted to her so it would be easy for to get any of them. But she had the personality to walk up to any as well and easily sweet talk her way into that situation. Realizing she never bluntly asked Paige if she had a girlfriend, the notion engulfed her with jealousy. Wondering if the chocolate eye belonged to someone else. That there was woman who she shared her jokes with, or her smile. A woman who took care of her when she got home. A woman who satisfied her beneath the sheets.

All of the doubts that raced through her mind only made Emily work harder and learn quicker. She was more than ready for the tournament against an officer. She was ready to prove something.

Time passed faster than expected; for Emily at least. Spencer was just as determine to help find Aria and Commander Fields. Hanna was nervous. Every night they came home that week she would complain about needing more time. However no additional time was given and the main day came by before they knew it.

With the team absent from the final test, Emily felt somewhat unsatisfied yet was still as determined. Spencer was the first to stand in the ring as at least fifty other officers surrounded the girls; watching in entertainment. Her main tactic was the joint locks. Choosing one of the scrawny male officers to her right, Spencer really didn't care who she fought. In all honesty she felt as though she needed to get out some pent up anger. The officers immediately started cheering on their own once Commander Collins gave the word to begin.

In total her fight lasted about 7 minutes before Spencer got tired of just pacing herself. Using a simple wrist lock against her opponent, it opened her to place herself in the right position to conduct a full body compression lock from behind as she squeezed the man's joints easily causing him pain. With the thin officer trying as hard as he could to defend himself, he ended up yielding within seconds; bring excitement to the girls. They at least had one of them to stay behind and look for Aria.

Hanna was the next one up. Looking around her, she decided on the obvious choice; the newbie female officer. The blonde's choice of defense was the strikes. Feeling immediately nervous as the crowd started cheering once Commander Collins gave the signal, Hanna was easily pinned down by a chokehold within seconds of starting.

Yielding at the attack, Hanna held her throat as the commander gave a nod to give her one more try. Furious at herself for loosing so quickly, the dirty blonde got back into defensive position as she looked at her opponent one more time. The girls were instantly cheering her own to give her more courage.

Emily was trying her best to scream the loudest as she watched Hanna begin to navigate around the ring. Hearing Spencer do the same, the brunette felt her throat cut off when her eyes darted toward the front doors as she saw the team make their way in and toward the bleachers. Forcing herself to continue cheering, she couldn't find it within her to cheer as loud. However she didn't need to.

Hanna managed to throw a few closed hand punches toward the small brunette as it opened her up for an attack on the shorter girl's legs. Easily striking the girl's left lower leg, she managed to bring the blue eye girl to her knees as she performed the same chokehold that caused her defeat. Watching as the officer reached her hands out to yield, Hanna couldn't help but jump for joy as ran back to the girls to give them a group hug.

Clearing her throat, Emily knew she was next. Suddenly nervous as she made her way toward the circle, the commander gave her a look that indicated the question; who did she want as an opponent? Gradually looking around at the officers ready to fight, the brunette paused when those same piercing brown eyes that haunted her dreams caught her gaze. Holding on for a few seconds, it wasn't a question who she wanted to pick.

Paige felt an immediate sense of dread dawn her. What was Emily thinking? Taking a quick glance at Aiden, Paige looked back at Emily to make sure she was actually choosing her. When Emily gave her half a smirk, Paige knew she wasn't backing down. Standing up as a sense of acceptance, the crowd was up in a complete uproar. Everyone else would pick a newbie or someone weaker than them; but Emily decided to choose someone her own size and with years of experience.

Making her way down to the inner circle, Paige took her jacket off to make herself more comfortable. She didn't understand what Emily was doing. Did she think she wasn't going as hard on her because of their past? Did she think she'd just yield? There was no way she was going allow that.

With both girls getting into their defensive stance, they waited until Commander Collins gave the signal before the fight finally started.

"Not sure why you picked me Em, but don't think I'm going to go easy on you" Paige stated as she watched the brunette carefully for any attack.

Cautiously making her way around the well trained officer, Emily was more than certain she wanted Paige as her opponent. "It's not like you ever do"

Furrowing her eyebrows at the statement, Paige didn't know what she meant by that. About to ask, Paige was suddenly found herself blocking a few jabs Emily was throwing at her followed by a hard roundhouse kick that took her by surprise as she twisted her whole body to block it. Paige shot Emily a firm look before getting back into defensive position. "Is there a reason why you're angry at me?"

"Why would I be angry at you?" Emily harshly retorted as she did a flying side kick; knocking Paige off the mat as she tried to regain her footing.

Immediately falling to her right knee at the impact of Emily's kick, Paige looked up at the brunette with a more determined look on her face. Was Emily this mad because of what happened that morning? Paige knew there was more to the story. Slowly getting to her feet, Paige knew she had to be more focused. "No reason. You just seem like you have some anger issues you're letting out"

Paige could see Emily slightly nod at her statement before aiming for the lower half of her body. Vigilantly watching as Emily shifted her body, Paige took the moment to place her hand on the back of Emily's neck as the brunette was already in motion and steered the girl to the floor before pinning her down beneath her. Feeling Emily try to resist getting pinned, Paige pushed her right arm against the tanned girl's back to keep her on the ground. "What is going on with you?"

"Nothing" Emily shouted before freeing her left arm and used the opportunity to wrap it around Paige's neck in order to finally break herself free. "What happened? You don't think I'm good enough to fight you?" the brunette said breathlessly as she got her feet.

"What are you talking about?" Paige asked completely confused.

Emily tightened her jaw at the question as she tried aiming to do a double leg take down again but stumbled as she watched Paige complete a cheat gainer above her before landing behind the brunette. "That's cheating"

"The funny thing about martial arts is that anything goes. So how about you stop dodging the question and answer me?" Paige responded more firmly.

"That's a lot coming from you" Emily retorted as she watched Paige make her way toward her. Emily wasn't sure of what Paige was about to do as she observed the girl grab her wrist and twist it in a way where her body could only follow as it led her to be cradled within Paige's fitted form.

"Now what does that mean?" Paige whispered as she held the brunette firmly from behind. "How about you stop with the subtle hints and just tell me"

Elbowing the auburn girl in the side with her free arm, Emily managed to perform a push kick to allow her more to get prepared. "You don't like that do you?" she asked before doing a side kick on the auburn girl. "Not having something directly told you?"

Paige was getting more than annoyed by the brunette's sudden antics and needed to stop this. Going in for a double leg take down, the auburn girl was easily able to perform it as she grabbed the brunette by the legs and lifted her up before somewhat gently throwing her on the ground; pinning her down below as she was finally able to get Emily to talk to her face to face.

"Why didn't you just tell me you liked me in high school?" Emily bluntly asked out of breath.

***8 Years Ago***

It was a given; any physical activities wasn't one of Paige's strengths. Thankfully however, the auburn girl was able to hide behind Emily and Spencer's physical endurance to sail by without anyone taking notice in PE. Always making sure she was number 6 in the rotation pattern, Paige felt comfortable with staying in the back as the rest of her team members dominated the current volleyball game. Moving around to get away from the ball, Paige watched in admiration as the certain bronze brunette did a quick bump before Spencer lightly tapped the ball with fingers, allowing Emily to skillfully smack the ball into their opponent's court.

Celebrating as they made yet another goal, the girls soon heard Coach Fulton blow her whistle; indicating all the girls to take a knee. Quickly focusing their attention toward the shorter lady, Paige suddenly felt her mouth go dry as she couldn't help but notice Emily's lips part as her chocolate eyes were glued to the figure standing right near the coach.

"Alright class. It looks like we have a new addition this year to Rosewood High. This is Alison Dilaurentis. She's a transfer from Ravenswood High School" the coach belted out.

That was all Paige was able to hear before everything went silent. All she could focus on was her heart pounding as she watched Emily drool over the gorgeous blonde standing near the middle aged coach. She didn't see the blue eye blonde make her way toward the opponent side of her court. She didn't see the other students lift up from the sound of the whistle being blown to continue. She didn't even see the ball being handed to her to serve.

Paige was completely frozen. She didn't know how to describe the feeling that suddenly coursed through her; but it hurt. Her throat and chest felt as though it was suffocating her. Her arms and legs completely gave out. Paige couldn't determine why, but something told her Alison was going to be the end of any chance she could have with the brunette.

Feeling a hand gently pat her on her back, the auburn girl looked up as her expressive eyes caught Spencer by surprise. "Are you okay?" the slim brunette simply asked. Forcing herself to her feet, Paige couldn't speak; she didn't trust herself too. Simply nodding before taking the ball to serve, Spencer knew something was wrong by the girl's willingness to just accept the ball. "Paige, what's wrong?"

"Nothing" was all the dazed intellect was able to mumble. Truthfully, Paige didn't know if something was actually wrong. It was just a feeling she had. She's never seen Emily so taken by just a mere glance from another woman. It was unsettling.

Gathering her nerves to try to make one serve, Paige threw the ball up in the air as hard as she could; but failed to gain enough composure to actually hit it. Shaking her head as she tried again, Paige threw the ball in the air once more before smacking it with everything she had; she smacked it right into Emily's back.

Taken aback from her own actions, the auburn girl watched in silence as Emily slowly turned around to give her a flabbergasted look. Noticing the brunette's eyebrow arch as she held her gaze, Emily made her way toward Paige before giving her nod to switch places with her. Within seconds, Emily served the ball perfectly allowing the match to finally begin.

Still unable to fully move, Paige watched as the new girl began calling out for the ball as she skillfully set the ball for the girl behind her; hitting it directly toward her. Quickly shifting out of the way, the auburn girl watched as Emily quickly dug for the ball giving Spencer the ability to bump before Emily came over to spike it.

It happened as though everything was in slow motion. Paige watched as the ball was still up in the air before Emily came over and spiked it just as the new blonde made her way over the net to block the ball; instead finding herself body slamming directly into the brunette. Witnessing as Emily fell directly onto of the blonde, Paige felt as though she was just punched in a gut.

Combing her hair back with her right hand as she leaned on her left hand to look below her, Emily couldn't help but blush as she found herself directly between the gorgeous blue eyed newcomer's legs. Seemingly out breath, the brunette held the girl's gaze before finally speaking up. "I am so sorry"

"I'm not" Alison flirtatiously responded.

Turning complete red, Emily couldn't help but do a head dip before unwillingly pushing herself off the blonde and watching as the girl's helped her to her feet. Holding each other's gaze as they made their way back to their respective teams, Paige stood still as Emily and Spencer drifted toward her.

"You ok there Em?" Spencer asked with a smirk.

"Yeah" Emily responded out of breath.

"Maybe you should take a little break to control that lady boner you have" Spencer replied before taking the ball from the brunette.

Tightening her jaw to hide her sudden jealousy, Paige heard the coach blow her whistle as an indication class was finally over. Confused at what was happening to her, the auburn girl could hear Spencer and Emily talk next her; but couldn't make out anything. Allowing her own thoughts to get best of her, Paige was in a complete daze. Why is this happening to me?

***Present Day***

The candid question from Emily caught Paige off guard as the enraged brunette took the chance to switch positions as she was on top; pinning Paige below her.

"Didn't think I would eventually find out?" Emily asked as she held Paige's startled gaze. "I mean yeah, I didn't figure it out until you left and I sat there alone in my wondering what the hell happened between us". Feeling the auburn girl squirm beneath her, Emily held her position firmly as she continued. "I mean I knew it had to deal with Alison, but I just didn't know to what extent. Then I started slowly piecing it together after you yelled at me in the lake. The flowers you threw out by the locker room should've been a huge clue. Why didn't you just tell me? Why did you just leave?" the brunette asked pleadingly.

Paige felt as though her entire body was sweating as her stomach suddenly shifted to her throat. She didn't know how to respond to the questions Emily was throwing at her. Refusing to shift her eyes anywhere else besides Emily, Paige felt them fill with tears. Gradually straightening her right arm, the auburn girl lightly tapped the floor indicating her yield just as a tear fell from eyes. She watched as Emily parted her lips yet remained on top of her for a few more seconds.

Hearing the crowd cheer for the three girls that just won their freedom of staying with the special ops division, Paige slowly got to her feet as the sound surrounding arena was completely silent to her. She could only feel the small blood vessels in her ears beat harder as her heart rate increased. As she made her way over to the team, Paige refused to look anyone in eye knowing they were going to ask what happened out there. Lifting her eyes back toward the center of the ring, the auburn girl was immediately met with Emily's own gaze.

Neither could hear Commander Collins congratulate the three girls as they could only focus on each other. It was out there. Paige's secret of falling for the brunette. Emily knew. Without anything needed to be said, both Paige and Emily took another step in retrieving what they once had.