**Here's the chapter I promised! I lied about the M rated chapters, mainly because I added an extra one, because I think this story needed it...steamy Emison coming in chapter 18 and 19 which will both be added today. ;) So please, enjoy this chapter and let me know if you liked it, loved it or even if you hated it...leave your reviews! Thanks, you'll be hearing from me soon**

Chapter 17

Emily's POV

I opened my eyes to complete darkness. Panic was starting to take over me. I didn't know where I was until I moved to get up and was restricted by something tight across my body: the seatbelt. I sat back and sighed in relief, I was in Ali's car. I almost laughed until I realized the silence. Wait, where the hell was Ali? I looked at the empty driver's seat and the panic returned. Where was I? Where was Ali? Did something happen? The worst thoughts crept over me, as I remember how it felt when she disappeared, or when the police thought that they had found her body. I started to shake with fear with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Where was she, why would she leave me in her car, in the dark, alone? I had to find her, and I thought that I'd just call her phone but…crap! I remembered that I had lost it earlier. I unbuckle my seatbelt and get out of her car. Looking around I realized we, well I, was in the middle of the woods. Great, how the hell would I get out, let alone find Ali in all of this? So I did the only think I could think of.

"Ali! Ali, where are you? Alison! Ali, where are you?" I hoped this wasn't one of her games. This was a lot of work if all she wanted to do was scare me. But when I got no response I started to worry. Here I was, in God knows where, alone, with no phone…alone, in the dark. I tried yelling for her again. "Ali, please, Ali, where are you?!" Nothing. I felt tears welling in my eyes, I was just about to fall to the floor and curl into a ball, when I heard rustling straight ahead. It was practically pitch black with trees on either side of me, the canopy of their branches obstructing any night light that could possibly help me see. I heard the sound of twigs breaking under the weight of someone's foot, it was definitely a someone. I was too scared, frozen by fear to call out Ali's name. Then I saw a faint light flicker through the darkness.

"Emily? Em?" I recognized that voice in an instant and I let go of a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Ali?! What the hell Alison? I wake up in the middle of fucking nowhere, in the dark and you're gone! This wasn't funny, what the hell are we doing out here?"

I looked at her and I can tell she wasn't expecting me to wake up when I did…like I ruined something. She didn't answer and I could tell the wheels in her head were turning, formulating something to say to me.

"Don't Alison. Don't you dare lie to me damn it."

This surprised her as she looked up, feigning a hurt look. "I'm not going to Em…I just, I- we're here." She stumbled over her words like she was speaking a foreign language. Here? This was it? My so-called surprise?

"Here? Ali, where the hell is here? We are in the middle in the God damned woods! How is this a surprise?!" I had to admit I was surprised, but not in the way I had imagined, so I clarified, "how is this a good surprise? Care to explain why you dragged me out here?!"

She looked at me, "Well were not exactly there yet, we have to walk for a few minutes from here. And I'm sorry you woke up alone and was worried, I just wanted to-to make sure everything was in place before you woke up, I thought you'd still be sleeping by the time I'd get back. I just- I…"

I could tell she really hadn't meant to scare me, so I cut her some slack. "Okay Ali, okay, it's okay. I'm sorry for yelling at you like this…it's just when you weren't there I just thought of, I remembered when," But I couldn't finish my sentences and she nodded in understanding.

"I'm sorry Em, I really am, I guess I wasn't thinking about what you would think if you woke up before I got back."

"It's okay, I just didn't want something bad to happen to you." I could tell she felt really bad from the way she was fidgeted with her fingers, turning the flashlight around in her hands, over and over, casting the light in all sorts of directions. And the truth was, I couldn't stay mad at her, especially not when the light of her flashlight would beam into her golden locks, she looked like an angel. I wanted to know I wasn't upset.

"Really Ali, you can stop fidgeting. You're ok and I'm okay," I also realized that since I fell asleep, I never had the chance to eat. "I'm hungrier than ever, but we're okay, so let's get to wherever the hell you've got us staying." I took a few steps in the direction she had come before I felt her hand clasp around my wrist, stopping me from taking another step.

"Wait Em, I have one more…suggestion, or request really."

I looked at her, questioning with my looks before she pulled a small cloth from behind her, "You have to where a blindfold."

Alison's POV

Emily's face when I mentioned the blindfold was priceless. I what a blend of surprise, disbelief and what the hell, all in one.

"You what?! You want me to where a blindfold? This is like a scene from a scary movie! Haha you've got to be kidding me?"

When I didn't say anything, she got her answer.

"Oh my God, you're serious! Why do I have to where a blindfold? You afraid I'll reveal to the world where you keep all the bodies," she teased jokingly.

"No, Emily. I want you to where the blindfold so that when you see where we're going, you're really. It has to be perfect. I want you to take it in all at once…not just walk up to it, seeing bits and pieces."

She thought about what I had said before responding, "I think I've had enough surprises for one night, don't you think?"

Haha, no, you have not, I thought. If only she knew what she was in store for.

"Okay Em, well I'm the only one who knows how to get out of here. I'm the only one with a phone, and a flashlight, so if you want to eat and sleep in a bed tonight, so should do as I say, if not you can go sit back in the car." I was shocked at the confidence and tone in my voice, but it was what I needed if I was going to get her to agree with me. Her eyes widened at what I said and how I said it. She knew I was right. Em sighed loudly, overdramatically and drooped her shoulders. Another point for me.

"Fine," Em sighed, "I'll do it, but only because I'm starving. The growls my stomach is making might scare everything living thing in these woods, so I'm doing it for the sake of the animals too."

I laughed lightly, oh Em. "Ha. Ha. Sure, do it for the animals."

"What! I am!" She said this defensively, but the smile gave her lie away.

I couldn't help but smirk to myself, "ok whatever you say Em, now turn around and close your eyes."

Emily's POV

I almost didn't believe that I had agreed to yet another one of Ali's "suggestions" or requests or whatever, not until she made me turn around and placed the dark fabric over my eyes. This must have been hers, or a piece of her clothing, because it smelled exactly like her, like warm vanilla. I took a long whiff before she could notice.

"Okay, ready?" She asked.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be," overemphasizing my excitement so she would catch my sarcasm.

Ali chuckled, "c'mon then, smart ass." She did.

Before I starting walking she placed her hand in mine and intertwined our fingers. The gesture made my heart skip a beat before it fell back on track. Keep it together, Fields. With fingers laced in one another's hands, she started to drag me along with her through the trees.

It felt like we were walking forever, so I asked Ali every 10 seconds "Are we there yet?"

"No."

Ten seconds later, "what about now?"

"No, Em, just wait."

I started to drag my feet, I could hear all the dirt I was kicking up, probably caking my shoes in it, but I didn't care.

Ten seconds later, "Are we there now?"

"Just wait another minute, we're almost there."

I felt like a child, but it amused me to tease Ali a little, I laughed internally at the smile I heard when she answered me…a smile and a hint of annoyance.

"Ali," I groaned, "are we…"

"Yes, Em. We're here, so stop asking. Yes, geez, what are you? Five?"

"Maybe?" I played along, swinging my arms side to side, swaying my hips at the same time. I then reached to take the blindfold off with my free hand, but it was quickly slapped away.

"Ali! Wha-"

"Nope, I get to do that."

"Fine, but hurry, I'm starving remember, or did you forget?"

"No I didn't, you big baby. Now hold on."

When Ali stopped and walked in front of me, I closed my eyes tight, in anticipation as her hands gripped my shoulders to still me. I bit at the corner of my lip gently, reveling in the in feel of her hands as they moved to the sides of my face, tugging gently at the fabric covering my eyes. "Keep them closed okay?" she asked as she gently slipped the blindfold from my eyes. I nodded slightly because I couldn't muster any words to come out of my mouth. I felt one of Ali's hands run a little trail from my cheek, down my arm and finally find its way back to my hand, fingers intertwining once more. I sucked in a breath again at this small but sweet gesture; would I ever get used to it? I then squeezed her hand a little harder than I should of. She continued to pull me, until I felt her stop, tugging me backwards a little bit. I could hear her inhale and exhale deeply…she was nervous. "Okay Em," she almost whispered as she leaned in towards my ear, "you can open your eyes now." I was hesitant, keeping them closed for just a few seconds longer until I very slowly opened both eyes.

I opened my eyes wide and my jaw did the same, my arms fell slack at my sides, the hand that was holding Ali's slipping from her grasp. I looked up at the most beautiful, romantic scene that I've ever seen. It was like a picture still from a Disney movie…like Snow White. Were we stopped we were on a small path in the middle of a golden meadow, lined with trees on all sides and illuminated by the moon. Up ahead, there was a small cabin or cottage, covered in white Christmas lights, leafy vines and surrounded by bushes filled with pink flowers. Everywhere I turned my head, I could see small swarms of fireflies, lighting up tiny paths in the cool air wherever they flew. I tilted my head back and looked…no, I gazed up into the sky; it was so different than the sky that was always poised over Rosewood. This sky didn't have all the light pollution clouding our view from the heavens. This sky was filled with stars shining brightly all around the moon, filling the night sky with their light. The stars twinkled the way Ali's did when she smiled or laughed. It was breathtaking. It was like looking into Ali's eyes, but they were everywhere, looking right back at me. I couldn't believe that is was real, that any of it was real and not just a dream, that a place like this actually existed on Earth, and I was here. I was here, with Ali. I was here because of Ali.

My thoughts were interrupted as I heard Ali clear her throat next to me. I turned to her and was surprised by the expression on her face. She was nervous? Shy? I wasn't used to this timid version of Ali. She looked as though she was holding her breath, waiting for something to allow her to breathe again. She looked down at the floor, "D-do y-you like it?" She stammered over her words, pushing them all out with one exhale. I moved so I was almost flush against her body and grabbed her waist softly, pulling her towards me before I placed one hand under her small delicate chin, forcing her eyes to meet mine.

"No, Ali, I don't, I don't like it." I flash of hurt took over the features on her face, as she looked away in shame and hurt, and I couldn't help but smile before I continued, "I don't just like it Ali, I love it, it's perfect. Thank you" and I kissed her fully on the lips, erasing any shreds of uncertainty she had on her mind.

Alison's POV

This is it; I took a deep breath as silently as I could. Once I take off Em's blindfold, she'll decide. Her decision will determine the rest of this trip. If she hates our cabin then my plan is a bust…but if she loves it, then…Well, I'm just hoping she does. She opened her eyes and her face was overtaken by amazement and shock. I was sad when I felt her hand fall from mine, but I knew she did it involuntarily as she absorbed it all.

Her eyes were glued to what lie ahead of her, and it was beautiful, but with Em standing here with me now, it dulled in comparison. Nothing and no one would ever be as beautiful or as breathtaking as my mermaid. While her eyes were stuck on the meadow and the cabin, mine were fixated on her, only her.

I couldn't peel my eyes away. She was without a doubt the most beautiful thing I'd ever lay eyes on. She stood still for a moment before she titled her head to stare up into the sky. The moonlight lit up in her hair, giving her an angelic quality about her. The moonlight shone softly into her eyes and her eyelashes casted small wispy shadows across her cheeks, whose bones were casting shadows of her own. She was breathtaking, and what's more, she just never knew the power she had. It was like I was under her spell, except unlike most spells, I never wanted this one to break.

She continued to look around at everything. I think she liked it, but there was only one way to know for sure, I had to ask her, I needed to hear her say it.

I took a deep breath. You can do this Alison. "D-do y-you like it?" I cursed myself when the last word came out, I probably sounded like a stuttering idiot.

But she didn't answer me right away, instead she moved so our bodies were almost flush against each other, nothing would ever feel this could (I'd find that I was wrong about this later). Em then grabbed me waist softly, pulling me in towards her, closer, before she placed one hand under my chin, forcing me to look at her, look into her eyes.

"No, Ali, I don't, I don't like it."

That hurt, I thought I was still good at reading her, but that didn't stop the string of her words. I looked at her but all I seen was her smile before she continued, "I don't just like it Ali, I love it, it's perfect. Thank you" and then she kissed me fully on the lips, before I knew what she was doing, erasing any shreds of uncertainty that were on my mind. Another point for team Ali.

I broke the kiss before speaking, "good, I'm glad, because if not, you'd have a long way to walk back to Rosewood."

She opened her mouth in disbelief and playfully hit my arm, "not funny Ali, I-" but she was cut off by a loud rumble: her stomach. We both shared a moment laughing at the incontrollable noises emanating from her stomach; it was my turn to interrupt her, "haha we better get inside, and get you some food."