[A/N] Hello again, I just wanted to say thank you for all the follows, favourites and reviews I continue to get with this story.

I hope you enjoyed the episode on Tuesday, frankly I'm still a little unsure about how I feel about it, and I'm very disappointed by the lack of Paily. I also want to ask you, if you have a twitter please send tweets to the shows writers, especially Imarleneking and KockenLocker in support of Paily, Paige and Lindsey Shaw. As of now we know Paige will only be in 3 other episode this season (unfortunately), but by showing our support of Paige and Paily, hopefully that will result in Lindsey get more than a few minutes screen-time in the few episodes she's in, in season 5. God forbid the girl gets giving a storyline of her own just like Toby, Ezra and Caleb. Also giving Paige the same amount of screen-time as the other liar's love interests might also mean more people might actually warm to her character, but I mean who knows?

I'm sorry rant over :). Here's chapter 5, please enjoy.

[Disclaimer] I own nothing.

Emily was laughing at Paige singing loudly along to the radio as a cheesy song from the nineties blasted through the speakers. The excitement in her stomach was palpable throughout the car, her own anticipation mixing with Paige's. As a Christmas present for the two, both Emily's parents and Paige's parents saved up enough money to book them into a hotel in New York for spring break. The two did the full on Spring break scene last year and although it was an experience they both enjoyed, they both felt a quieter week in New York would suit them better this year, they could do all the tourist spots, go out for dinner and enjoy one and others comfort in the peaceful environment of a hotel room, this way they avoided the chances of being puked on and they could easily avoid the crowds of naked bodies dancing, partying or passed out on the beach.

Watching the way Paige was singing along to the radio reminded Emily of their first real date in the tavern, when Paige pulled her up on stage to sing 'So What'. Emily was pretty sure that was the first time she knew one Paige McCullers would always hold a place in her heart, it warmed her heart seeing just how different the two were now.

"You okay, Em? You're gone quiet…" Paige interrupted her flow of thoughts, "Yeah, I'm just thinking is all… I kinda love when you sing like that, but you should probably know you haven't a note in your head" Emily added jokingly.

"What!? I'm like Beyoncé's reincarnate… my singing voice is flawless" Paige replied mocking indignant.

"You wish, Pay!"

"Fine! I won't sing ever again!" Paige stated firmly, "No…no, please don't stop singing! You're awful at it, but that doesn't mean I don't love hearing you do it anyway" Emily spoke up quickly, afraid she may have actually offended her girlfriend.

Paige smiled shyly, dipping her head slightly before looking over at her girlfriend taking her hand off the steering wheel to place it on her girlfriend's knee giving it a gently squeeze of comfort, "I promise I will never stop singing for you, Em".

Emily smiled on hearing what the love of her life just said, the feeling quickly vanished when she felt her stomach drop "Paige! Paige… look out", her eyes taking in the sight of two bright blinding headlights as the out of control HGV hurdled towards them.

The next thing she knew she was held tightly into her seat, the seat belt almost suffocating. Paige's voice talking next to her, helped ease her thoughts a little, 'At least Paige seems okay, she's alive". Emily tried her best to keep talking to her girlfriend, her ongoing battle with tiredness becoming relentless, the pain in her chest felt like every part of her was slowly giving up… what worried her most was the loss of feeling below her waist, something she couldn't bring herself to mention to Paige. Strangely enough focusing on the pain across her upper body was a good distraction from the thoughts that she may be paralysed.

Eventually the blackness won over, she could feel people around her. There was a lot of movement. It was all very surreal. She could still hear Paige's voice in the background, not much else registering with her, Paige was explaining what had happened none of it making sense to Emily, it was all just a bunch of words strung together.

Paige's voice suddenly drifted off, her girlfriend's talking had stopped… that sent Emily into a panic, but there was absolutely nothing she could do, the blackness was too strong. She couldn't fight it off. The panic only getting worse as it became harder for Emily to breath, her chest feeling as if it was collapsing in on itself.

She couldn't breathe.

"EM!... Emily!... Emily wake up"

Emily woke up taking in the largest gasp of air possible, quickly pulling the covers from around her body to look at her legs, thankfully moving.

"Emily are you okay?" Emily's eyes slightly confused but eventually made out Spencer sat beside in the bed, although still unable to put thoughts into words. Her mind only now registering just how sticky her body felt thanks to the thin layer of sweat all around it.

"Did you dream about the crash…?" Spencer spoke quietly this time, Emily's blood shot eyes met Spencer's gaze telling Spencer her answer, as a single teardrop appeared rolling uneasily down the tan girl's cheek. Spencer immediately wrapping her arms around her friend, who crumbled under her touch, silent sobs of sadness and fear wracking the swimmer's body. Spencer and their group of friends knew Emily had these dreams maybe once every few months, but it had been a long time, maybe close to 3 years since she had seen Emily this distraught as a result.

"shhh, it's okay… you're okay. Just breathe." Spencer whispered into her friend's ear as she gently rocked her back and forth.

After a few days Emily felt a little better in herself, the overall shock of seeing Paige had become a little easier to deal with, and the dream never returned in the following days, thankfully. She was still very confused about her sudden run in with Paige but she decided to accept a more positive outlook, and was just glad that Paige had actually returned. 'She didn't hate her so much that she was planning to avoid the states for the rest of her life, which has got to be good, right?' Her mind pondered.

Emily had also called Hanna up and apologised for her out-of-character behaviour, she really did just get caught up in the moment. Emily, although busy with applying for internships in some hospitals and health facilities around the city decided that she was ready to meet Paige again. She rang Hanna up Thursday evening wondering if maybe the four of them; Hanna, Spencer, Paige and herself could meet up in their favourite café for a casual catch-up on Friday. She really didn't want it to be all awkward and formal and having Hanna and Spencer there would help break the ice and avoid any tensions that may still be lingering.

Unfortunately when organising the meet-up she had completely blanked on the fact that Caleb would be returning tomorrow and Hanna wanted to spend the day with him, as well as that Spencer had a day full of meetings and she knew Paige would also be excited to see Caleb again, so the four rescheduled for Saturday.

Paige continued her stay with the Rivers, her and Hanna sat down and decided that Paige was welcome to stay with them until Alex's visit came closer and she found herself an apartment. Paige eventually agreed it was probably the best option, she couldn't really afford to stay in a hotel for the next few weeks, and finding the time to find an apartment was posing it's own difficulties as well as that she just couldn't find the time with her new job coming up and trying to adjust to life in the Big Apple again. Plus she was really enjoying her time spent with Hanna, she loved playing and entertaining Jacob and Hanna was able to spend a little more time on her drawings thanks to Paige's help around the house.

It was Friday, nerves and anxiety of meeting Emily again made themselves known anytime she let her mind drift off, so she decided to pick up a book and keep her mind as distracted as possible. She wouldn't let herself overthink the meeting, it really wasn't that big of a deal, was it? Her mind concluded anytime she pushed aside thoughts about tomorrow.

"Paige? ... Paige, can you come help me for a minute" Paige heard Hanna call, presumably from the kitchen guessing Hanna was probably preparing lunch.

"Sure, two seconds" She quickly replied, her eyes scanning over the words as she couldn't put down a book until she had had at least read to the bottom of the page, a habit she had since childhood. It often resulted in her staying up all night reading books when she kept trying to promise herself 'just one more page', she always laughed at just how perfect her name was for her in relation to her love of books.

She quickly got up and walked out into the large living area squinting slightly as the sun caught her eye, her room was much darker than the bright living room giving it's 3 large floor to ceiling windows. It took her eyes a few second to register the figure stood still before her.

"Caleb!" She ran up to the smartly dressed man his arms opening wide as he saw her approaching. The two hugged tightly, Caleb actually picking Paige up and spinning her around causing a slightly bemused Jacob to laugh in his mother's arms as the two watched Caleb and Paige's interaction. "Man, I've missed you Paige!"

The sentiment immediately broken when Paige gave him a strong punch to the shoulder more playful than anything "Oww, what the hell 'Cull? What was that for?" Caleb spoke confused.

"That's for not keeping your promise" Paige replied with a direct tone.

"Okay I'm sorry… but Paige you're like my weird annoying little sister, I wasn't going to just let you disappear. I just couldn't do it. I'd never forgive myself if anything happened to you, I just needed to know you were safe. Plus… plus part of our promise was that I had to keep all the girls here, safe. I wouldn't be doing my job right if they didn't at least know that you were okay, so technically…" Caleb explained but was quickly interrupted by Paige, "so technically… whatever, you aren't Spencer Hastings we don't need to get into loopholes or anything like that. I will say thank you for holding up that end of our promise though. I also have to congratulate you on a few things that I should have been around for as you 'weird annoying little sister', firstly on you wedding and engagement to this beautiful lady, secondly on you successful business and finally on this little fellow here… who knew you could actually put those brains to use in there, and be productive" Paige jokes knocking on Caleb's head.

"I'm glad you decided to come home, Pay" Caleb spoke again, wrapping an arm around the chestnut haired girl.

"I'm glad I did too... now I think you should treat your lady to some lunch she's been nothing but good to me and she has missed you a lot. I'll look after this little rascal for a few hours, maybe head out to the park so the apartment is left conveniently empty for an hour or two" Paige winked smiling coyly at the Hanna and Caleb.

"Thanks Paige" Hanna smiled as Paige grabbed Jake from his mother's arm and began to tickle him. Caleb walking over to the two, "Hey buddy, me and your Mom are going to go out for little bit and Paige is going to make you some food and bring you to the park… when I get back we can play some cars and read your book" Caleb spoke looking into his little boy's eyes, as he nodded with excitement in response.

"You're going to be a good boy for Paige?" Hanna questioned as she approached him in Paige arms to give him a kiss goodbye "Super good" he beamed up at her.

"…and don't forget to keep her safe, I hear you Paige's superhero now" Caleb interrupted as he stood forward again to kiss his son goodbye.

Hanna and Caleb now headed towards the door waving on their way out, "Thanks again, P. I owe you one." Caleb said as he walked out the door.

"You owe me nothing, Rivers… actually maybe I hold you to a beer someday next week." She replied almost instantly, laughing gently watching the 3 year old in her arms wave to his parents.

"You sure you're ready to do this, Em?" Spencer questioned her friend sat beside on a couch in the laid-back café. The coffee shop was decorated in a similar fashion to the Brew in Rosewood, with a very chilled vibe. The girls loved meeting here probably because it always felt a little like home.

"Yeah, I am. It has been 5 years I think that's time enough to finally deal with a break-up. Plus Han, Aria, you and the guys are all friends with Paige, I don't want you all to lose that because of me. Yes, we were together for over 2 and half years… and yes, we went through a lot, but I know how good it is to have Paige as a friend. I'm just hoping we can get past the awkwardness and soap-like drama-filled background story and actually be friends again." Emily explained, her wishes to become friends with Paige once again, were nothing but sincere.

"Okay, but if you feel like getting angry, intense and swearing again, you can take that all out on Hanna… again" Spencer laughed teasing her friend, she couldn't believe her ears when she heard Hanna on the phone explaining just how angry and upset Emily was, especially the way she had completely cussed her out. It was so unlike Emily, she did swear on occasion but Spencer can only vividly remember one other occasion when Emily had an outbreak like that, seems like the common factor for the two of those occasions was Paige.

"Hey! I apologised to Hanna… I was just caught up in the moment. We talked on the phone the next day after you left and she explained her side of the story and I understand the circumstances now. We're back to the normal 'Han & Em' again" Emily laughed, a slight blush registering on her cheeks, still slightly embarrassed by her actions earlier in the week.

"Awh, you two are sooo cute" Spencer spoke in a mocking tone making Emily laugh even louder, "But seriously stop… you're making me miss my other half"

"Toby?"

"Umm yeah, I guess… but I meant Aria! Team Sparia doesn't do well when each of us is on different sides of the globe" Spencer said dryly, Emily laughed again this time it carried across the room, just in time to slap the two newcomers into the coffee shop right in the face. Hanna Marin and Paige McCullers entered the café, Paige's breath was quickly knocked from her grasp when the familiar sound enveloped her ears, she had recognised it immediately. Although she knew things were well over with Emily, and she was now in love with Alex, she couldn't help but miss being the cause of that laughter.

"I'm glad you're doing this, Em" Spencer patted her friend's knee as her eyes caught sight of the two entering the café.

"Me too"

"You ready to do this?" Hanna asked a nervous looking Paige McCullers behind her before looking at what pastries were on offer, so that she could order once they joined Spencer and Emily across the room, the two were sat comfortably on a brown leather couch in the back.

"Ready as I'll ever be" she replied her voice a little more unsure than she had anticipated. Paige tried to remember the last time she was this nervous to see Emily, her mind going back to the night years ago when she bombarded Emily with a kiss in the other girl's car. She was so nervous, hence why it didn't exactly go to plan. That day she wanted to tell Emily then and there just how long she liked her for, but she chickened out. She nearly didn't go in for the kiss at all, but she knew she'd hate herself if she never did… it was the moment when all realisations finally fell into place for Paige. Paige just wasn't ready to confirm those realisations within herself, after she had actually built up the courage to kiss the girl of her dreams, that's why she ran off. She was so scared. But now thinking of everything that happened between the two since then… how was she so nervous to meet a girl she used to know everything about? I mean, she had seen every single part of Emily, she showed every part of herself to Emily. Mentally and physically. But a lot a changes in 5 years, hell, everything changed in an instant for Paige McCullers and Emily Fields.

"Are you just going to stand there like a fool? Or can you remember how to walk?" Hanna distracted the chestnut haired girl, befuddled before her. "Uhhh, yeah sorry… I just got distracted" Hanna smirked to herself.

The two then walked to the back of the café to meet Spencer and Emily, a couple of hellos were exchanged, Paige and Emily opting for a simple smile as a greeting. Hanna choosing not to hug her friends in greeting, to avoid causing any further awkwardness between Emily and Paige.

"Okay, so who's ready to order?" Spencer perked up immediately trying to ease everyone into the situation.

"I'll have a large Americano, Spence. Thanks." Paige replied quickly, avoiding any eye contact with Emily.

"Yeah, I think that's what I'll have too. Em? Han?"

"I'll have a latte with a shot of caramel, please" Emily added, taking Paige by surprise. She was expecting the girl to order a pumpkin spiced latte, something she used to always order this time of year for as long as Paige knew Emily. Even before they had started dating, Paige remembered Emily always finishing off her pumpkin spiced latte just before swimming in the morning throughout the whole fall season. The smell, something Paige could never really stomach, used to turn her already nervous sickly tummy before a swim meet.

"I'll have the pumpkin spiced latte please, Spence…. Oh and can you actually pick out some pastries I'm dying with hunger. I didn't have time for breakfast"

"Yeah well, you did wake up at 11:30am this morning and we had to leave by 12… it's you own fault" Paige added.

"Hey, It's not my fault, blame Caleb he's the one who kept me up all night" Hanna added.

"Okay, really Han… too much?" Emily replied, cringing slightly.

"Hey, he just got back from a two week trip, okay?" Hanna added, smiling proudly to her herself.

With that said, Spencer then got up to order the drinks.

Silence fell onto the trio, making the atmosphere sticky with awkwardness.

After a few minutes Emily broke the silence by stating "I'm just going to run to bathroom" Paige refusing to look up at her as Hanna returned a smile of acknowledgement.

"Paige, what the hell is wrong with you… did you also forgot how to talk?" Hanna spoke to Paige hitting her on the arm in the process.

"Ow! Jeez! Violent much, Hanna? I don't know what to say, 'Hi Emily, remember that time we broke up because our lives were basically a mess, and we were starting to resent one and other. Well it's been five years… sooo let's be friends now'" Paige added dryly, causing Hanna to roll her eyes.

"Ummm, you could try that but be prepared to get blasted with a 'Fuck you, Paige!' from her or possible even, Spencer… or you know… maybe you'll get away with left hook to the jaw, if you're lucky. Try asking her about work, or college or her friends… who you also know and are friends with, so it won't be weird and a totally pointless conversation. Or just spill your coffee on yourself, Emily is still the most caring out of the lot of us, so I'm sure she'd be concerned if you burnt yourself, plus she is the one working within the medical profession."

"Haw haw… you're so clever, Blondie" it was Paige's turn to roll her eyes this time.

"Been awhile since I heard that nickname being thrown around the place" Spencer re-joined the two with the coffees and pastries in hand, referring to Paige's chosen nickname for Hanna anytime the girl called her Paigey.

Emily arrived back just as Spencer had sat down. The conversation was led by Hanna and Spencer, who now and then would throw out questions to Paige or Emily but the two never directly interacted.

"I'm just going to run to the bathroom… okay Spencer?" Hanna spoke glaring at Spencer hoping she would catch on to her plan.

"hmmhmm" Spencer replied not really bothered by the blonde.

"Spencer… I said I'm going to the bathroom"

"Yeah I heard you Han, go!" Spencer replied looking confused.

Hanna stood up and marched towards Spencer who was sat opposite her, "Spencer 'WE'RE' going to the bathroom… together"

"Oh… Oh okay… sorry" Spencer finally said as she caught on to Hanna's plan, the other two girls just bowed their heads trying to ignore the obvious fact that Hanna was trying to leave the two alone to talk, or at least acknowledge one and other's presence.

"…and you're supposed to be the smart, lawyer one Spence, really?" Hanna said as she dragged Spencer to the bathroom.

"What! I'm sorry okay, you should have just giving me a heads up" Spencer replied in an annoyed tone before following Hanna into the cramped bathroom.

Paige and Emily were now left together, silence falling around as neither had the courage to talk. Every now and then they would smile politely at one and other, or glance over at the bathroom door in the hope Spencer and Hanna would return rather quickly.

Paige decided this silence couldn't go on any longer and built up the courage to actually say some words to the girl sat in front of her.

"Soo, ummm…. SHIT!" Paige jumped as her hand hit off her coffee and it poured into her lap.

"Paige, oh my god are you okay? … Here take some napkins. Did it burn you?" Emily asked standing up facing where Paige was now stood rubbing at her legs try to push the now not so warm liquid off her trousers.

"I, ummm…. I think it's okay. It stings a little, but it's nothing too severe" Paige replied taking the napkins from Emily and continuing to try and dry off her jeans. As soon as she sat down Paige couldn't help but laugh to herself, immediately causing Emily to become concerned again "What? Why are laughing?"

"Because Hanna jokingly suggested I spill coffee on myself as an ice-breaker. She said it would get us talking"

"So you poured scalding coffee over yourself just so we'd actually talk?" Emily looked at the girl as if she was insane.

"Actually no, I was laughing because it was actually an accident… and it still got us talking" Paige laughed again to herself. "Some things never change do they" Emily added now laughing shyly at Paige's actions.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Paige inquired.

"That you're still as clumsy as you were the day you left" Emily returned, a hint of sadness now hung around them, but they both decided to ignore it and laughed lightly together. They weren't going to delve back into the past just now.

"Emily, about the other day…" Paige started "Paige, it's okay you don't need to explain yourself. I was just surprised to see you again… plus Hanna has explained all about running into you in Central Park and then offering you a room because you still had to find somewhere to stay."

"Yeah, but I should have just gone and tried booking into a hotel, that was my original plan." Paige explained.

"Paige, can I ask you a question?" Emily looked at the paler girl who was sat in front of her, the chestnut girl nodding in response.

"If you hadn't of run into Hanna that day, which is a pretty big coincidence in itself… because Central Park is a huge place, would you have tried to get into contact with any us… and you know maybe not even me… but Hanna, Spence or Caleb?" Paige nodded again, this time signalling a 'no', her face dropping, an air of sadness making itself known on the girl's demeanour. "Well then, I think it's a pretty good thing you didn't end up going with your original plans. Things may still be weird and awkward between us… but that doesn't mean you shouldn't reconnect with the others. I know how much they care about you, Paige… and I know you care about them just as much. I reacted badly the last day and that was wrong of me, we're both 25 now, Paige. I think we're old enough to understand things aren't perfect between the two of us, but I think we can push that aside for the sake of our friends, and for the sake of a possible friendship between the two of us. What do you think?" Emily asked sincerely, she really did want to redevelop some kind of relationship with Paige.

"Yeah, I think that sounds like a good idea. I'm already way too attached to Hanna's perfect child to give up my friends again… but I think we should talk about stuff… at some stage" Paige replied, a timid smile on her face on hearing how genuine Emily was about them becoming friends.

"I agree we do need to talk about that… but I think that can wait a little while? I know Jacob is pretty prefect, right!" Emily returned Paige's smile with one of her own.

"Yeah, I guess talking can wait for now… so friends?" Paige spoke reaching her hand out to Emily to shake it immediately causing the raven haired girl to laugh at her cheesy gesture. "Friends!"

"I'm glad you're happy, Paige" Emily said quietly, trying her best to make the sadness which lingered behind her words, go unnoticed.

"I'm glad you are too, Emily" to this response, Emily had to force a smile. Truthfully she didn't know if she was happy, she felt a little bit happier than she used too. But could she honestly describe herself as 'happy'? …. Probably not. No.

"Emily… can I ask YOU a question?"

"mmhmm, sure"

"Why didn't you order the pumpkin spiced latte? That has been your coffee order this time of year since I think you must have started drinking coffee?" Paige's question, making Emily laugh again.

"Kinda random question, no? … But I stopped drinking it about 3 years ago, I had just drank a cup of it and just as I took my last sip, I was so violently sick. I felt awful. Honestly I think it was food poisoning from the Mexican food I had eaten a few hours earlier, but now anytime I even think of drinking it turns my stomach. The funny thing is I can still eat Mexican food." Emily explained, grimacing slightly at the memory. "I nearly puked when I got a whiff of Hanna's earlier… I now know how you must have felt anytime we were stood near one and other in the locker room before a meet".

"Wow you guys are actually talking?" Spencer returned interrupting the two.

"Yep" The two brunettes answered together.

Hanna then spotted the stain on Paige's jeans. "Paige you did know I was joking when I said to throw coffee over yourself, right?"

"Yes, Hanna… I did it by accident, okay"

"Some things never change" Hanna and Spencer spoke in unison.

"That's what I said, too" Emily interrupted, the three now laughing at Paige's reaction "Hey, I wasn't that clumsy or awkward" Paige spoke mocking hurt from the three girl's comment.

"Nope, and I wasn't that scary in high school or college" Spencer replied dryly making the whole group laugh again.

The group was then distracted by a ringing phone, each of the girls frantically looking for theirs to see whose phone was causing the noise.

Paige saw it was hers and smiled when she saw the name 'Alex' flashing on screen "It's mine… I'm sorry but I have to take this… Hi Lex…" Paige stood up from the group's table and walked towards the front of the café where it was a little quieter sitting down at an empty table, the other three girls watching on as Paige seemed to light up talking on the phone, her conversation interlaced with bursts of laughter.

"So who's 'Lex'?" Emily questioned somewhat amazed by just how happy Paige looked all of a sudden. She can barely remember Paige ever looking that happy. It was the best feeling in the world when she saw a smile like that cross her former girlfriend's face, Paige's smile and laughter was always something that caused her heart to beat a little faster. Her question somewhat disturbing Hannah and Spencer a little, the two almost afraid to answer their friend out of fear of her getting upset.

"Lex is short for Alex… Paige's girlfriend of almost two years. She's from London." Spencer decided it was probably best to relay all the information now than have it be dragged out over time. The two surprised by the way Emily smiled on hearing it. Yes, it hurt hearing Paige had moved on, but seeing Paige that happy again, with a spark in her eye, made Emily feel hopeful. After all, Paige deserves to be that happy.

"Yes she does" Hanna replied, making Emily realise she had just spoken her thoughts out loud.

[A/N] Thanks for reading, please let me know what you thought by reviewing. Thanks again -KTF