A/N: I hope you all are still enjoying this story, I have had a blast writing it so please leave me a comment, suggestions, and/or feedback. After this story I have two more I am working on so I hope you all join me on those two.
Chapter 10
"So where to now?" Alison ask as she puts her arm through Emily's again. Friends do that... She tells herself.
"Well.." She starts as she feels butterflies fill her stomach at the blondes touch. "Pizza Casa Festa?" She asks with a shy smile.
"A pizza place huh?" The blonde asks in a teasing tone, knowing how much the brunette loves pizza.
"Yeah.. it's just-"
"It sounds great, I like pizza too." She said cutting the panicked swimmer off. "So do we need to get a cab?"
"We could walk... it's not that far." She says suddenly feeling timid again.
"Sounds good to me." Alison says with a dimpled smile.
They walk arm and arm the few blocks to the restaurant talking and laughing as they reminisce like old times. The five minute walk flew by quickly, they approach the stone facade of building and are greeted by a young french man.
"Welcome to Pizza Casa Festa,my name is Jacques. Just you two ladies this evening?" He asks with a light accent as he grabs some menus.
"Yes please." Emily tells him as they follow him to a table next to the window over looking the cities bustling streets.
"What can I start you beautiful ladies of with any boissons?" He asks handing them each a menu.
"Yes..." Alison says looking over the menu, "can we get a bottle of Lacrima Christi Vesuvio please?"
"Would you ladies also care for apéritifs froides ou chaudes?" He asks as he jots it down on his pad.
"We will take the tomato mozzarella as well." She smiles sweetly at the swimmer.
"I'll put that in and then the waitress will be with shortly for your plat principal selection." Jacques says with a boyish smile.
"I forgot how sexy it was to listen to you speak in french." Emily says flushing almost immediately realizing what she had just admitted. "So... what did you order?" She asks hoping to change the subject.
"Well, I started off with a great bottle of wine and some buffalo mozzarella with fresh tomatoes, basil, olives, and olive oil." She tells her with a flirtatious smile.
"Sounds good." The brunette says returning her smile. "So can you believe that we are finally here... in Paris!"
"It seems like a dream, to be honest." Alison says with a dreamy look in her eyes.
"If it were a dream I don't think I would be here with you." She says with a half hearted laugh.
Before Alison could say anything a redhead stops at their table with a sweet smile. "Je suis Simone et je serai votre serveuse ce soir. Êtes-vous adorable filles, prêt à commander?"
"Oui Simone, nous aimerions la pizza bianca." The blonde says in perfect french and Emily can't help but blush.
The waitress notices the swimmer blushing, "Êtes-vous deux dames ensemble?" She asks curiously.
" Non ... simplement d'amis." Alison blushes slightly.
"Dommage, vous ferez un beau couple." The waitress says in a flirting tone.
"What are you two talking about?" Emily asks a bit of jealously in her demeanor.
"She ask if we are together..." The blonde says with a giggle.
"She wishes... " Emily murmurs to the waitress and with a teasing smile at Alison.
Simone smiles at the two and giggles, "I will put these in." She says as she walks off.
The guy from earlier drops off their appetizers and some glasses with the wine Alison had ordered. "Bon appétit!" He says with a kind grin.
After Emily had a few glasses of wine and they had shared the tomato mozzarella, Alison was feeling a little braver. She grabs a piece of pizza, "So are you saying that I couldn't be with you?"
"S'cuse me?!" The swimmer says as she chokes on her wine.
"It's just that... you told the waitress, Simone, I wish..," The blonde says as she nervously took another drink.
"I was just teasing because she was flirting and talking with you in french and all." The swimmer said jealously coloring her words.
"Are you jealous?!" Alison asks as she waggles her eyebrows.
"No..." The swimmer murmurs.
"You are... I thought you were a player and all." The blonde says in a teasing tone.
"I told you not to believe everything you read and hear..." She says as she finishes off her glass of wine.
"So... why not set the record straight then?" She asks with a sympathetic smile.
"Can we keep this... off the record?" The swimmer asks starting to feel the effects of the wine.
"Strictly off the record. Promise." Alison says kindly.
"I hooked up with a few other girls and I tried to date one but we made better friends than girlfriends. Besides that I haven't slept with anyone I have had any real feelings for since Paige and you..." The brunette says ducking her head to avoid looking into the blonde's eyes.
"But... that day at the boxing ring... you left with that blonde bimbo," Alison says a little hurt.
"Nothing happened that night..." Emily admits reluctantly.
"What about all the others, people have written all kinds of articles and there are pictures of you leaving with different blondes." She asks curiously.
"All the girls liked the connotation of being with a rising swimming star." She says sadly.
"Oh Em... I'm sorry..." Alison says grabbing the swimmers hand across the table.
"I don't want your pity, Alison." She says trying to pull away physically and emotionally.
Hearing the brunette use her full name felt like someone had physically struck her, "I don't pity you... I-I just didn't know you were hurting that much... that's all."
"Can we just... drop it?" She asks imploringly.
The waitress brings the check to the table and Emily grabs it before Alison gets the chance to get it. She hands Simone her credit card and she takes it with a smile, "I will be back with your card."
"I could've paid for dinner... or at least my half." Alison says slightly annoyed.
"How about you pay for the next one, like when I win all my events. Remember the five star restaurant and all?" The swimmer says in a playful tone.
"I remember..." She says smiling.
- x - x - x - x -
Alison walks into her room, with a goofy grin she lays on the bed and stretches out as she thinks about the days events. She could tell Emily and her were getting closer and it was making her feel better than she had in quite awhile. She feels the phone buzz beside her on the bed and feels a little thrill thinking it might be the swimmer. She takes a deep breath when she sees Camilla's picture on the screen and answers, "Hey... Cam."
"Hola Alison. How is Paris?" She asks curiously.
"Paris is... beautiful." Alison tells her with a slight smile.
"I saw your pictures on Instagram. Are you having fun?" She asks sounding a little hurt.
"Yeah... we are just friends... " The blonde answers feeling uneasy.
"You still love her though... don't you?" Camilla asks already knowing the answer.
"I really do love you Cam..." Alison says feeling guilty.
"I know you do mi amour... just not in the way you love her..." She says brokenly.
"Cam... I'm so sorry that all this happened..." She says with a sob and tears flowing down her cheeks.
"Get her Alison... find your happiness, that is all I want for you." She says with a sniffle.
"Will... will I ever see you again?" The blonde asks sadly.
"One day mi amour, but for now I need some space... to heal." She says kindly.
"I am truly sorry Camilla." She says her voice breaking.
"Don't be mi amor the heart wants what the heart wants... but if she breaks yours, she will have to deal with me and my fiery latina templar." Camilla says with a small laugh.
- x - x - x - x -
For the rest of the week Alison didn't get a chance to see much of Emily but in passing with the swimmer doing local press and all kinds of interviews. She had been arguing with herself for most of the week on whether or not Emily even still had any kind of feelings for her or not. She had a chance to be with almost anyone she wanted, so why would she chose someone as fucked up as her. Her conscious kept eating at her for all the terrible things she had done to the brunette when they were younger. How could Emily ever chose her with all of her problems, when she found out about her having a narcissistic personality disorder she would probably run the other way and she wouldn't blame her.
- x - x - x - x -
After opening ceremonies Emily had to go back to her room to get some rest for the first of her events the next morning. She toyed with the notion of calling or texting Alison but she figured the blonde wouldn't really want to talk to her after spending a whole day together just last week. She still has strong feelings for the blonde but what if Alison didn't feel the same way. She is obviously bisexual and dated someone who remarkable looks a hell of lot like her. She decides to send the blonde a simple text and take a shower.
Had fun the other day. It was nice.
~Em
She grabbed her I-pod and speaker as she heads into the small bathroom. She turns on her 'game day' mix to get her pumped and try to push the thoughts of the blonde out of her head as she steps under the warm spray of the shower head.
After a long relaxing shower, she wraps up in one of the paper thin crappy towels and makes her way to the small bedroom to sit on the twin bed. She picks up her phone and couldn't help the smile that covers her features.
I had a great time. Can't wait to see you kill it tomorrow. Sleep well.
~Ali
Emily changes into a pair of boxers and tank top before climbing into bed feeling a little more confident than a few hours previous as she falls asleep with a smile.
- x - x - x - x -
Alison pulls up to the London Aquatics Centre parking lot, a beautiful wave shaped building was across the street with a man made river on one side. She makes her way across the walkway that runs over a railway below. As she enters the building through the double glass doors she is greeted by a young french boy who hands her a list of events for the day.
"Merci." She tells him with a kind smile.
"Vous êtes le bienvenu mademoiselle." He says with a kind toothy smile.
She enters another set of glass doors to a loft like area over looking the competition pool below, the walls have large glass facades that make you feel as if you are outside. She makes her way over to the rows and rows of seating, the front row has a few open seats so she takes one front and center to have a good view of the pool below. After getting situated the blonde pulls out a notepad and pen from her purse as she waits for the women's relay 4×100 medley to start.
The swimmers start filtering in from the locker room as the gathered crowd starts cheering for their favorites. Alison waits anxiously for the familiar brunette swimmer when another brunette catches her attention. Fucking Pigskin! She watches as said brunette walks up to Emily with a sweetly sick smile. Paige leans into the other swimmer and giggles, after a few minutes she hugs Emily and the blonde can feel her blood boil.
- x - x - x - x -
After getting changed into her suit and putting on her swimming cap, Emily puts her earbuds in and starts to get into her zone. She closes the locker she had been assigned and makes her way out of the locker room and towards the pool.
As she's walking she feels someone bump into her and she turns and sees Paige. "H-hey..." She says a bit uneasy.
"Hey it's so good to see you!" The brunette says with a huge smile.
"You... you too..." She says slightly confessed to see her there as she laughs nervously.
"You seem a bit surprised... I was too. They bumped me up after Sara injured her shoulder and can no longer compete." Paige tells her excitedly.
"That's... great..." She says sounding anything but thrilled.
"I know things ended kind of rough but we are going to be on the same team for at least these two weeks. I would like to be friends and maybe go for coffee?" Paige says leaning in for a hug.
Emily reluctantly hugs her and smiles awkwardly. "Yeah... okay."
The coach calls everyone to gather around before the event, saving Emily from anymore uncomfortable small talk with the other brunette.
"Okay ladies the line up has changed slightly." Coach Franklin says as everyone gathers. "First off will be Paige McCullers, followed by Samara Cook, then Sidney Driscoll , and last but no least Emily Fields will bring up the final leg. Alright ladies lets go get this!" He says as they gather their hands in the middle.
"1-2-3, USA!" They all yell as they break.
- x - x - x - x -
As the first whistle is blown the racers take their positions and with the second whistle all the swimmers push off strong. Paige is the first up for the US and her form is nowhere as smooth as Emily's and as she comes in to touch the wall she is currently in fourth. Samara is up next and she moves more naturally than Paige, she is able to move the team up to a strong third. Sidney is the last up before Emily, as Sydney makes her way to the wall Alison can't help but stare at Emily, her muscles tense as she crouches on the block ready to dive in. The US was currently sitting in fifth with a decent deficit as Emily effortlessly cuts her way through the water looking ever like her nickname, Alison's mermaid. As the swimmers are getting to the half way point Alison jumps to her feet along with most of the other spectators who are cheering frantically. Emily has moved into second place and is quickly gaining on the lead swimmer, as they near the wall the brunette gets another burst of speed and easily over takes first place. As she hits the wall everyone starts cheering and waving American flags and chanting U.S.A!
Emily set a new world record and as she is helped out of the pool she is swarmed by her cheering team mates and Paige who kisses her on the cheek. Alison has the sudden urge to jump the rail and pummel the shit out of the smirking pug face pansy.
- x - x - x - x -
Alison makes her way back out the double doors and out into the fresh air to calm herself. She could feel the old Alison trying to fight her way back and she need to cool down. She was doing some breathing techniques that Rita had taught her when she was stressed.
"Alison DiLaurentis? Is that you?" An unwelcome but familiar voice says as Paige steps up beside the blonde.
"Hey Pi... Paige..." The blonde says catching herself.
"What are you doing here?" She asks with fake sickly sweet tone.
"Just working on a piece about the Olympics." Alison says forcing herself to try to play nice.
"How nice... does Emily know you are here?" She asks slightly probing.
"Yeah, she is part of the reason I'm here... actually." She says smiling thinking about Emily.
"I didn't think that you two were are speaking terms?" Paige asks with a jealous edge to her tone.
"I didn't think you two were either?" Alison says a bit snarky.
"Well I'm trying to win her back, letting her go was the worst mistake of my life." Paige says possessively.
"Good luck with that..." She says bitingly.
"What is that suppose to mean?" The brunette snaps.
"Nothing... just that you might have some competition, that's all." She says with her trademark smirk.
"Is everything alright?" Emily asks as she steps between Alison and Paige who look like there about to come to blows.
"Yep... just fine." Alison says in a clipped tone.
"Do you still want to get coffee?" Paige asks smiling at the other swimmer.
"Oh... She can't today." Alison says winking at Emily. "We have an interview, right Em?"
"Y-Yeah... that's right. So sorry Paige. Maybe another time?" She says as the blonde loops her arm through hers and pulls her away.
"Sure..." Paige says slightly confused and clenching her fists at her sides.
- x - x - x - x -
"Did we have another interview I totally spaced or... ?" Emily asks confused as they got into a cab together.
"Not really," She says blushing slightly. "Just thought you could use an out, that's all."
"Yeah... she can be a bit-"
"Pushy..."
"I was going to say persistent." Emily says with a giggle.
"By the way congratulations on your win!" The blonde says with a smile.
"Thanks but I was just one of four." Emily says blushing a bit.
"Come on Em... don't be so modest, when you dove in the team was in fifth. You set a new world record!" Alison says touching Emily's arm as she speaks. "You should be celebrating. So what do you want to do?"
"I have an idea..." The swimmer says with a wicked smile.
- x - x - x - x -
A/N: I used google translate for the French and Spanish so sorry for any mistakes in the translations.
This is the English version of the conversation between Alison and the waitress
-I am Simone and I will be your waitress this evening. Are you lovely ladies ready to order?
-Yes, we would like the bianca pizza.
-Are you two ladies together?
-No... No just friends.
-Too bad, you would make a beautiful couple.
This is from Ali and Cam's conversation
-Latin temper